Amy

I am concerned about the reliability of Audis. I love the A4 but the cars haven't proven themselves. I am planning to keep the car for 8 to 10 yrs.

Please let me know what you think. What kind of problems do A4's have after a few years of ownership.

btw I am planning to purchase the 2.8.

Thanks

PaulT

Posted by other A4 owners.

I've been on this forum since I bought the car, sounds like 25% of the people is having a lot of problems w/ their A4's, but 90% of those still love their car.

Steve M

If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a Honda.

Ulf

In my experience, Audis are very reliable. I've owned 4 of them, beginning with a '86 5000 S. My current cars a '97 A4 2.8Q with 56k miles on it, and a '90 Coupe Q 20V with 125k miles. Neither of the cars has ever had any major problems.
...just my 2 cents worth.

Frank B

Consumer Reports and Car Point both rate the A4 reliability as above average.

Bob Petruska

Parts are very costly....search the archives and you will find people who have spent 4 to 5 thousand dollars on a few '96 A4's to fix A/C, suspension, brakes, etc. Then there are those that have spent almost nothing!

I have owned 5 Nissans (Z's, Maxima's) and kept most of them 7 years and only replaced the brake pads, batteries and tires on all of them. That was it!

Rick Foster

My 1997 A4Q 2.8 (26,000 miles) has had exactly the following problems over a 3 year period:

1. Speed sensor failed early on, replaced under warranty.

2. Clutch began squeaking in very hot weather. Clutch M/C replaced under warranty.

3. LF low-beam headlight bulb burned out last night...

I've been more than happy with the car and consider it extremely reliable. (I just knocked on wood!)

Monkeyboy

Here are my thoughts as I am debating this same issue....
My feeling is that many have good reliability with the A4s, some have bad. Those with bad problems 'seem' to get worse or never end.
I also believe little of what I read on the internet. Even though some may appear to have lots of problems does not mean that they are not whiners, abusers of their cars, or just have bad attitudes. Please don't flame, I do believe that many of you have real problems that you did nothing to contribute to.
I had an Integra for 7 years, some minor work was done it aside from routine maintenance. I currently have an 11 year old Accord that I have put next to nothing into. I have a Windstar with an extended warranty. We have had this bitch in for service so often on so many issues that I hate to even think about this thing. The warranty did help us out, but each time we bring it in we get a $100 deductible.
So here's my point, the Integra and Accord - very reliable from the start, after the factory warranty had run out, I felt good that I did not need the extended warranty. Windstar, a proven Piece of Sh** after 2 years. My goal is to unload it while I can still get a good resale $$ for it. I don't want this thing even with an extended warranty. But, I wouldn't own it without an extended warranty now that I know it's track record.
So, get the car...pay attention to it, service it regularly and proactively. Make your decision as to whether you need the extended warranty later or whether you even want to keep the car if it turns out to be a lemon. The beauty of the A4 1.8 is that it is so modify-able. Over time if the turbo dies and you ahve to pay for it anyway, don't get a stock replacement, you can justify an upgraded turbo mod., etc., etc....

Bob

CR downgraded certain categories, such as electricals, and body, on the 1996 A4. It appears that owners complained more after the "initial quality" ratings. JD Power ratings are not as high also.

Bob
96 A4QM
86 4KCSQM