Tricket56

Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing an audi and everyone I talk to tells me they're expensive vehicles to repair and are horrendously unreliable. Wanted to ask in an audi forum as you guys have the experience I need.

Thanks for the info you can provide!

uberwgn

What brands have you been driving over the past 10 yrs?

Tricket56

Primarily Pontiac and for the last two years a mitsubishi

uberwgn

Well, Audi could be a revelation in terms of the dealer's hourly rate and the high cost of parts. This will be true at any Euro car dealer and at the hi-line Japanese marques. If one is "on a budget", one might be looking at an Asian economy car, practically speaking.


In terms of "reliability", Audi is now at the top. Not the issue people think of 20 yrs ago.


Audi owners can keep costs in check by:


1. DIYing
2. pre-purchase of the Audi maintenance plan


Audi is offering a great product to the American motoring public right now

Tricket56

Well I'm going to be buying one used so it will be approaching the 20 hear mark. The two currently I've found are a 1997 and 2001 respectively. The 97 is a "standard" model. The 2001 is a 1.8 turbo which I expect to have more maintenance associated with it.

​​​​​I guess what I'm primarily wondering is, assuming the previous owners took car of these cars what can I expect aside from your standard oil changes, battery costs, etc.

I've heard horror stories of used audis having to go in as often as once a month for this or that.

Now there is always going to be these cases and with older vehicles comes more issues due to age.

I should note the reason I'm looking at getting an audi is for the AWD system it offers for the winter months.

uberwgn

Well, I rescind everything I've said if you're looking that long ago.


Brace yourself! Have lots of $$$ in reserve.


(Plan B: nice, simple, late-model Asian car fitted with 4 snow tires )

Tricket56

That is very unfortunate.

Do you happen to know what parts or areas will fail specifically? The 2001 has had a lot of work done to it already so I was hoping maybe it's already had most of what it needs done?

snagitseven

I agree with uberwgn wholeheartedly. Unless you are a skilled DIYer, an older Audi of those vintages will be expensive to keep running.
How many miles do these cars have? Don't just hope. When was the last timing belt/water pump/tensioners done? Are there service records available? Prop seals, control arms, mass air flow sensor, oil leaks, shocks to name just a few are all expensive and if you're really unlucky, a failed turbo will be more than the car is worth to replace. Finally, if you are still considering a 15+ year old Audi with 100K+ miles, have a good tech that works on them do a complete inspection before you commit.

huskyz

One suggestion is that the most reliable combo may be a stick shift V6. ..if you can find a nice one. I had a '98 and it was pretty solid even at 155k miles. Areas that caused some problems included dash electronics, oil leaks, suspension (control arms, rear wheel bearings)...and as mentioned belts/water pumps. If the car you look at has had many of these replaced recently it probably improves your odds of 'success' BUT the cars do tend to need attention. My local Indy shop has a bunch of them sitting abandoned in the yard, waiting for metal prices to go up.

I just sold my '98 TO A MECHANIC :-) who loves it, but of course knows it and can deal with it more cheaply. I bought it new and maintained it well. If you are planning on it being cheap, you may be disappointed...if you are lucky, good for you. They are great snow cars...especially the stick V6.