Audi quality

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Aug 14, 2004 | 05:43 AM

WMB

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Audi quality

I owned a 1998 B5 A4 1.8T. Constant nagging problems combined with a lousy dealer meant that owning the car was really unpleasant. So I got a BMW 330xi next. Great car with no problems. I really like the new S4, having test driven it a couple of times, but am very worried about it being in the dealer all of the time. Knee jerk anti-BMW sentiments aside, how does everyone out there feel about Audi quality. My impression was that things have improved a lot since '98, but reading the forum postings is freaking me out.

Aug 14, 2004 | 06:07 AM

Audi S5 TC

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Consumer Reports says that although reliability of the B6 A4 has been disappointing....

it continues to be on the upswing. Also, JD Power and Associates just rated Audi as the top German (not top overall) car company in customer satisfaction. Sure, I sometimes bash JD Power and Associates. But they do have their moments (apparently, a lot more than I realized) when they are the exact opposite of full of ****. Also, JD Power and Associates ranked Audi the same as BMW for initial quality for 2004. Audi's reliability is improving, if ever so slowly. The 2004 A8L's problems are primarily (but NOT completely) limited to examples built 9-03 and prior. As for dealer service, that is a crap shoot. Some dealers are great, some are the pits and some are inbetween. April/Verdegrrl (a very knowlegable automotive enthusiast) has acknowledged several times before, there are easily just as many problems reported by BMW owners on BMW Roadfly as there are problems reported by Audi owners here on AudiWorld.

Aug 14, 2004 | 06:14 AM

Audi S5 TC

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A few other things

If the following is any indication: D3 (2004+) A8/A8L vs E65/E66 (2002+) 7 Series, D3 A8/A8L vs. E60/E61 (2004+) 5 Series and E60/E61 5 Series vs. E65/E66 7 Series, the C6 (2005+) A6 should be very reliable. The E60/E61 5 Series has been just as problematic as or more problematic than the D3 A8/A8L. The D3 A8/A8L has been significantly more reliable (or, significantly less problematic, depending on how you look at it) than the E65/E66 7 Series. The E60/E61 5 Series has been much more reliable (or, much less problematic, depending on how you look at it) than the E65/E66 7 Series. And, as I said before, the problems with the D3 A8/A8L are primarily (but NOT completely) limited to examples built 9-03 and prior. Examples built 10-03 and later have been much more trouble free. The 5 Series (E60/E61) and 7 Series (E65/E66) are very problematic regardless of build date. Seems like BMW's reliability is diminishing and not too slowly, either.

Aug 14, 2004 | 06:27 AM

2themax

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No problems, love the car!

I have not had any problems at all, my build date is 11/03, and I feel the most important thing to remember is bad news travels fast, not many forum users state what a excellent car and time they are having with the S4. The teething issues of a new deisgn car I feel have now been resolved also alot of the users have track requirements and complain ALOT when the car does not meet their specific needs that may be track related. If you goto Edmonds.com I think you'll get a better idea of how the "average" S4 owner feels about the car. Get one and I think you will really enjoy the car. Good luck.

Aug 14, 2004 | 08:05 AM

ThanksForAllTheFish

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I'm very happy with the quality my S4 has given so far (knock on wood)

I did experience a few electrical issues with my 99 M3 (sold at 48k miles) but nothing major or car debilatating. Other than the manifold TSB, no issues at all after 6700 miles on the S4.

I do realize you tend to hear more complaints than praises on Internet boards but after following up on a couple of other cars I was considering, I'm happy I chose the S4; the E60 545i, has had a LOT of complaints on roadfly. Also, the E500 has had its share of problems.

The only real concern I have right now is the tranny reverse problem. Those seem to be still cropping up fairly frequently and I'm wondering if all the failures are still limited to the VIN range Audi published or if others are being affected as well.

Aug 14, 2004 | 08:25 AM

Bryan-MBS4

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Also a BMW convert

and have had no issues with the S4 (its four months old). Reliability is similar to BMW. I have one local BMW and one Audi dealer. Between the two, I've had a better experience at the Audi dealer (your results may vary...).

Where are you located?