dporcaro

I had a 2000 A4 I bought new. I loved it until about 60K miles when everything started failing. Oil leaks, wheel bearings (3 out of 4), front control arms, dash screen faded out plus misc interior maladies. It was quite amazing. Switched to an 04 Volvo S60 I bought used with 13K miles which I passed on to my daughter at about 100K miles. It took my her through high school and college with normal maintenance. I did control arms there too but well after 100K. Just sold it with 220K still going with no leaks, no rust.. Then two Infinity G's - put 100K on an 08, now - 80K on on a '13. Literally nothing but brakes and oil. Hate the styling on the newer Infinities, not sure yet on the newer Volvos. Still like the A3/A4 styling - just don't want to go through feeling like it's vaporizing after 60K miles. Any advice?

findalex

From what I can tell, whenever VW/Audi introduces a new platform or engine, it's best to wait at least until the 3rd/4th year so most of the kinks are worked out. I have a 2001 Golf 3rd year after first release and it had much less problems than the 1999 and 2000 models. The 2009 A3 is 6th year after first release and not many issues with the body. However, the engine EA888 was 2nd year after 1st release and it had issues with the intake manifold, PCV valve, oil leaks, timing chain tensioner. The 2013 A5 is 7th year after 1st release and the body's been solid. The engine is 5 years after 1st release and it's trouble-free so far.

Seems like it takes VW/Audi about 4 to 5 years to figure out all the plastic/cheap designs in the initial releases are no good. You can tell with all the redesigns of the parts that fail.

If I buy another VW/Audi car, I would probably buy the last year of the generation. Luckily, the current 2019 A3 is 6th year after release, so most body problems are probably worked out. But the 2019 A3 is based on the Gen3 EA888 released on 2016. So I would look for a 2015 with a Gen2 engine. That would be my bet for the most reliable model year.

However, I've spent every weekend in last 3 months working on my 3 VW/Audi cars. To be honest, at this point, Lexus is looking better and better for a next car.

dporcaro

Thanks for the advice. It flabbergasts me that any automaker would still have issues with oil leaks. I think even the Brits have conquered that. In fact is was some posts I read on that subject that prompted me to ask the reliability question. I'm sure Audi has improved since the 2000 model year but I'm not sure I'm ready to jump back in. It's just that everything is so blah nowadays. These design groups just paste on the latest styling trend onto last years car. Seems like everybody has a floating roof line or Lamborghini air ducts. They look great on a Lamborghini - not so much on a Honda Civic. Anyway, I'll ponder it more. Thanks again.

findalex

I don't think the German luxury car makers focus so much on building cars that lasts and lasts anymore. Here in the USA, the most profitable business model for them is to lease the car for 2 - 3 years and then trade in for the new one. These cars perform like a dream in the first few years.

Sadly these cars start to need very expensive repairs after the warranty period (3 - 5 years), which is why they depreciate so much. A 2013 A5 that cost $45 - 60K new is selling for less than $20K now.

A3TDI12

Just bought a 2012 A3 TDI.
It's been well maintained (CarFax service records every 5k miles). First week impressions: It's in GREAT shape at 82,500 miles.

findalex

Congrats! Just bought a '13 A3 8P TDI myself with 34K miles. USA didn't switch over to 8V until 2015 I believe.

It's really amazing how well the interior/exterior materials holds up. With the exception of a few minor scratches and stains, the car basically looks and drives like new. Fingers crossed on the mechanics. I'm hoping to keep it for another 100K+ miles.

Can't believe I got this car for half of what it cost new.

strayts

I just bought a 2013 A3 8P TDI as well! Mine has 64k miles and runs fantastic. I had a Jetta TDI that I sold back as part of the settlement. I'm thinking about a Malone Stage 1 tune in the near future.