I just bought a 99 2.8 Quattro w/ 5 speed stick.I love it but I've been reading here and other sites that these cars might be kinda expensive to keep on the road without a warranty(mine's got 50k on the clock so I'm on my own).Anyone out there got any reassuring words for a somewhat queasy new audi-o-phile? Thanx

 

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ok Im sold

 

but when something does go wrong, it can get expensive! Parts availability can also be an issue with Audi. People who have cracked up their cars have had to deal with part delays and such.

That's the reality...the better side of that is that these cars are still a joy to drive. Although you'll notice people posting here because they have problems, don't get spooked...those are the people that need help, and this is where they turn for assistance. The rest of us (99/100?) are probably out driving (to a Krisy Kreme?).

Enjoy the ride!

 

WARNING! WARNING! WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION ENCLOSED, BUT IT'S LATE, AND I'M IN A TALKATIVE MOOD.

I bought both used: the '96 in Dec.'98 at 65Kmiles and the '97 in Dec.'00 at 68Kmiles.

'96 2.8
~$105 67500 mile service
~$140 replaced radio to fix AM reception. fix didn't work. still no AM reception.
~$30 replaced rear reading light.
~$32 replaced a several of the instrument cluster bulbs. did it myself in 30 minutes.
~$200 75000 mile service
~$40 replaced other rear reading light.
~$73 repaired front door speaker wiring.
~$97 replaced psycho sunroof switch
~$231 replaced light/cruise stalk
~$1154 replaced timing belt (@85Kmiles)& cooling fan
~$532 90000 mile service (oil, spark plugs, filter, brake fluid flush, rotate/balance, emissions, misc)
~$1300 replace steering rack, tie rod ends, alignment.
Total: $3934 give or take. About $1950 of this was unexpected. The rest was associated with the big service intervals like the timing belt replacement.

'97 2.8
~$114 67500 mile service
~$234 replaced light/cruise stalk
~$298 replaced sunroof guides
~$998 replaced timing belt (@75Kmiles)& water pump (which was leaking so I went ahead and changed the timing belt)
~$554 replaced radiator (main cause of the leak) ~$39 replaced engine mount during radiator work.
Total: $2237 give or take. About $1125 of this was unexpected. The rest was associated with the big service intervals like the timing belt replacement.

I can't help but wonder if I had owned the car the entire time, could I have prevented some of this? Maybe. My '96 was in a front end accident which may have contributed to the steering rack failure. The previous ower of the '97 clearly did not treat the car as well as I would have. Who knows?

I must also note: I paid $19100 for the '96 in 12/98 and $15800 for the '97 in 12/00 for a total of $34900. The cars are now in better shape than when I bought them, and cost combined about what ONE new 2.8 would cost with the same options. I've paid about $6200 in total repairs and $3075 in unexpected repairs since 12/98. Doing the math. Divide that $6200 over the 30 months of ownership. That roughly adds about $100/month for each car. I can't get a new A4 (even a bar bones 1.8T) for $100 more per month than I pay now. Thus financially I feel it's a good deal. Of course I don't get the "new car smell". How much is that worth? 98% of the people out there can't tell you the difference between a MY'96 and a MY'01 anyway.

All in all, I LOVE these cars and trust them to not leave me on the side of the road unlike my Honda and Jeep did a few times. When repairs are needed, yes, they are expensive though.

 

if you want reliability get a Honda if you want a pure driving machine get an Audi

 

thats ok if you can change your rear end in five minutes

 

99.5 is still pretty new, you should still have rust and perferation on it, and make sure it had its last few service interval done.

I've got a 99.5, but with lower milage, so it still have 3-4 service intervals left. Audi still treats their customer at the service desk right - well in Canada anyways.... I had a red oil light, and dropped by some Audi Service to book an appointment for service. Ask them to come to do a quick inspec just in case, so they went out, and did a check, Low Oil, and filled up all my fluid for free, even windshield - which wasn't part of the service interval, he also mention that checking these stuff was my responsibility, but top everything off anyways Free of charge.

Some times it good to act like you know nothing.... but still love you Audi dearly...

I find that most German cars has a better well rounded and functional design compared to any other country of manufacture. But, german parts are expensive, thats why you get a Bentley Repair manual, and start to do the repairs yourself. You'll learn to appreciate your car the dirtier you get with it. Manual is pretty convienent. Order all the parts after market if you can, but from a trusted brand and souce.... alot of the time, after market that was specifically designed for your car performs better than stock. Just get them from an Audi/VW tuner shop. Make friends with those shops, and get free advice. But for all out reliability and economy, get a Honda. HONDA JUST SIMPLY MAKES THE BEST ENGINE..... Thats why there's a honda engine in every honda.... Did you ever hear honda advertize luxury, or safety?