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Audi owner experiences



 
 
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  #11  
Old October 22nd 04, 03:15 PM
John Prendergast
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 12:11:42 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:

>
>"John Prendergast" > wrote in message
...
>> On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 09:06:22 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Ian S" > wrote in message
>>>news:J5%dd.141748$a85.54487@fed1read04...
>>>> "Subba Rao" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
>>>>> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>>>>>
>>>> I've been an Audi owner for over 18 years so I feel qualified to
>>>> comment.
>>>> Audis in general are known for pioneering engineering (quattro) and a
>>>> good
>>>> balance of power and handling. Fit and finish are excellent and recent
>>>> models generally have fairly bold styling. They come with a
>>>> comprehensive
>>>> warranty (4 yr/ 50,000 miles in US) which is a good thing because their
>>>> reliability is pretty middle-of-the-pack and repairs are costly. While
>>>> quattro is very reliable, mundane items like door handles falling off
>>>> (old
>>>> models), coil failure, control arm failure, and oil leaks plague the
>>>> owner.
>>>> In 73,000 miles I have had a defective clutch throwout bearing, failure
>>>> of
>>>> ventilation fan motor, radiator replacement and will soon be getting the
>>>> V6
>>>> "external lubrication system" rectified. Brake pads and rotors have been
>>>> replaced front and rear and I expect the fronts will need it again
>>>> within
>>>> 10,000 miles. To sum up, Audis are fun to drive but if you want the
>>>> ultimate
>>>> in reliability, plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period and want
>>>> outstanding trade-in value, you should look elsewhere.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>I've owned 2 Audis now, a B5 A4 and a B6 A4 and I must say they are the
>>>most
>>>reliable cars i have owned, they have the best build quality in a car I
>>>have
>>>owned, they are the cheapest to repair as well, companies like GSF /
>>>Eurocarparts make owning Audi's a cheap car to run, I now have a 1.8T
>>>quattro and will be putting 180k miles on this one before i trade it in,
>>>and
>>>am not worried at all.
>>>
>>>My last V6 Audi went to 161k miles, and still drove like new, it was
>>>quiet,
>>>fast, rust free, and as long as you look after the car it will last as
>>>long
>>>as you want it too

>>
>> I've just bought a 1996 A6 2.6 V6 with 192,000 miles on the clock.
>> There aren't many makes I'd even consider with that kind of mileage.
>>

>
>John you havnt just bought my old Audi have you ?


That's just what I was thinking :-)

>But then I sold it with 162k miles, it was a quattro though, 2.6 v6 12valve


I bought mine last month but no, it's not a quattro. I wish the
previous owner had included the adaptor for the anti-theft wheel
bolts, but as it turned out the local Audi dealer had one in stock for
a tenner (including spare bolt).

Ads
  #12  
Old October 22nd 04, 03:48 PM
Ronny
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"John Prendergast" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 12:11:42 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:
>
>>
>>"John Prendergast" > wrote in message
...
>>> On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 09:06:22 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Ian S" > wrote in message
>>>>news:J5%dd.141748$a85.54487@fed1read04...
>>>>> "Subba Rao" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
>>>>>> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>>>>>>
>>>>> I've been an Audi owner for over 18 years so I feel qualified to
>>>>> comment.
>>>>> Audis in general are known for pioneering engineering (quattro) and a
>>>>> good
>>>>> balance of power and handling. Fit and finish are excellent and recent
>>>>> models generally have fairly bold styling. They come with a
>>>>> comprehensive
>>>>> warranty (4 yr/ 50,000 miles in US) which is a good thing because
>>>>> their
>>>>> reliability is pretty middle-of-the-pack and repairs are costly. While
>>>>> quattro is very reliable, mundane items like door handles falling off
>>>>> (old
>>>>> models), coil failure, control arm failure, and oil leaks plague the
>>>>> owner.
>>>>> In 73,000 miles I have had a defective clutch throwout bearing,
>>>>> failure
>>>>> of
>>>>> ventilation fan motor, radiator replacement and will soon be getting
>>>>> the
>>>>> V6
>>>>> "external lubrication system" rectified. Brake pads and rotors have
>>>>> been
>>>>> replaced front and rear and I expect the fronts will need it again
>>>>> within
>>>>> 10,000 miles. To sum up, Audis are fun to drive but if you want the
>>>>> ultimate
>>>>> in reliability, plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period and
>>>>> want
>>>>> outstanding trade-in value, you should look elsewhere.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I've owned 2 Audis now, a B5 A4 and a B6 A4 and I must say they are the
>>>>most
>>>>reliable cars i have owned, they have the best build quality in a car I
>>>>have
>>>>owned, they are the cheapest to repair as well, companies like GSF /
>>>>Eurocarparts make owning Audi's a cheap car to run, I now have a 1.8T
>>>>quattro and will be putting 180k miles on this one before i trade it in,
>>>>and
>>>>am not worried at all.
>>>>
>>>>My last V6 Audi went to 161k miles, and still drove like new, it was
>>>>quiet,
>>>>fast, rust free, and as long as you look after the car it will last as
>>>>long
>>>>as you want it too
>>>
>>> I've just bought a 1996 A6 2.6 V6 with 192,000 miles on the clock.
>>> There aren't many makes I'd even consider with that kind of mileage.
>>>

>>
>>John you havnt just bought my old Audi have you ?

>
> That's just what I was thinking :-)
>
>>But then I sold it with 162k miles, it was a quattro though, 2.6 v6
>>12valve

>
> I bought mine last month but no, it's not a quattro. I wish the
> previous owner had included the adaptor for the anti-theft wheel
> bolts, but as it turned out the local Audi dealer had one in stock for
> a tenner (including spare bolt).
>


I Part ex'd mine for 2.5k it was a nice one though, was yours cheaper?


  #13  
Old October 22nd 04, 05:29 PM
John Prendergast
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 15:48:02 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:

>
>"John Prendergast" > wrote in message
...
>> On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 12:11:42 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"John Prendergast" > wrote in message
...
>>>> On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 09:06:22 +0100, "Ronny" > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>"Ian S" > wrote in message
>>>>>news:J5%dd.141748$a85.54487@fed1read04...
>>>>>> "Subba Rao" > wrote in message
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
>>>>>>> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've been an Audi owner for over 18 years so I feel qualified to
>>>>>> comment.
>>>>>> Audis in general are known for pioneering engineering (quattro) and a
>>>>>> good
>>>>>> balance of power and handling. Fit and finish are excellent and recent
>>>>>> models generally have fairly bold styling. They come with a
>>>>>> comprehensive
>>>>>> warranty (4 yr/ 50,000 miles in US) which is a good thing because
>>>>>> their
>>>>>> reliability is pretty middle-of-the-pack and repairs are costly. While
>>>>>> quattro is very reliable, mundane items like door handles falling off
>>>>>> (old
>>>>>> models), coil failure, control arm failure, and oil leaks plague the
>>>>>> owner.
>>>>>> In 73,000 miles I have had a defective clutch throwout bearing,
>>>>>> failure
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> ventilation fan motor, radiator replacement and will soon be getting
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> V6
>>>>>> "external lubrication system" rectified. Brake pads and rotors have
>>>>>> been
>>>>>> replaced front and rear and I expect the fronts will need it again
>>>>>> within
>>>>>> 10,000 miles. To sum up, Audis are fun to drive but if you want the
>>>>>> ultimate
>>>>>> in reliability, plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period and
>>>>>> want
>>>>>> outstanding trade-in value, you should look elsewhere.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>I've owned 2 Audis now, a B5 A4 and a B6 A4 and I must say they are the
>>>>>most
>>>>>reliable cars i have owned, they have the best build quality in a car I
>>>>>have
>>>>>owned, they are the cheapest to repair as well, companies like GSF /
>>>>>Eurocarparts make owning Audi's a cheap car to run, I now have a 1.8T
>>>>>quattro and will be putting 180k miles on this one before i trade it in,
>>>>>and
>>>>>am not worried at all.
>>>>>
>>>>>My last V6 Audi went to 161k miles, and still drove like new, it was
>>>>>quiet,
>>>>>fast, rust free, and as long as you look after the car it will last as
>>>>>long
>>>>>as you want it too
>>>>
>>>> I've just bought a 1996 A6 2.6 V6 with 192,000 miles on the clock.
>>>> There aren't many makes I'd even consider with that kind of mileage.
>>>>
>>>
>>>John you havnt just bought my old Audi have you ?

>>
>> That's just what I was thinking :-)
>>
>>>But then I sold it with 162k miles, it was a quattro though, 2.6 v6
>>>12valve

>>
>> I bought mine last month but no, it's not a quattro. I wish the
>> previous owner had included the adaptor for the anti-theft wheel
>> bolts, but as it turned out the local Audi dealer had one in stock for
>> a tenner (including spare bolt).
>>

>
>I Part ex'd mine for 2.5k it was a nice one though, was yours cheaper?


A mere GBP 1750 and worth every penny.

  #14  
Old October 22nd 04, 06:23 PM
Chris
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Subba Rao" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I do not own an Audi yet but have wanted one since I have first set my
> eyes on them 20 years ago. Now I am planning (pretty close) to buy a
> car. Over the years people have told me that Audi is a problem car with
> stories such as: You tend to spend lot of money on repairs. : They
> have bad performance : Audi's quality is less than mediocre (sp) and
> they charge a lot to fix the problem ....etc etc. Such stories kept
> coming at me, yet I still want to have an Audi.
>
> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>
> PS - I am middle aged man and am considered middle class. Don't know if
> this will help.
> --
> SR
>
> Please remove SPAMBUSTER to reply via email.



I purchased a A4 1.9TDI sport from new in March this year.
The only problem I encountered was a rattle from the dash.
I took it back and the dealer replaced the whole dashboard.
After many troubles with Peugeots and trying to get them fixed, I found this
service to be great.
I've had no problems with the dealers at all.
Economy is great, on a long run recently I got about 66mpg.
I think the car is great and love driving it.
I would definitely recommend an Audi to anyone.

Hope this helps

Chris.


  #15  
Old October 22nd 04, 07:35 PM
Ian S
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Ronny" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ian S" > wrote in message
> news:J5%dd.141748$a85.54487@fed1read04...
> > "Subba Rao" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>
> >> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
> >> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
> >>

> > I've been an Audi owner for over 18 years so I feel qualified to

comment.
> > Audis in general are known for pioneering engineering (quattro) and a

good
> > balance of power and handling. Fit and finish are excellent and recent
> > models generally have fairly bold styling. They come with a

comprehensive
> > warranty (4 yr/ 50,000 miles in US) which is a good thing because their
> > reliability is pretty middle-of-the-pack and repairs are costly. While
> > quattro is very reliable, mundane items like door handles falling off

(old
> > models), coil failure, control arm failure, and oil leaks plague the
> > owner.
> > In 73,000 miles I have had a defective clutch throwout bearing, failure

of
> > ventilation fan motor, radiator replacement and will soon be getting the
> > V6
> > "external lubrication system" rectified. Brake pads and rotors have been
> > replaced front and rear and I expect the fronts will need it again

within
> > 10,000 miles. To sum up, Audis are fun to drive but if you want the
> > ultimate
> > in reliability, plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period and want
> > outstanding trade-in value, you should look elsewhere.
> >
> >

>
> I've owned 2 Audis now, a B5 A4 and a B6 A4 and I must say they are the

most
> reliable cars i have owned, they have the best build quality in a car I

have
> owned, they are the cheapest to repair as well, companies like GSF /
> Eurocarparts make owning Audi's a cheap car to run, I now have a 1.8T
> quattro and will be putting 180k miles on this one before i trade it in,

and
> am not worried at all.
>
> My last V6 Audi went to 161k miles, and still drove like new, it was

quiet,
> fast, rust free, and as long as you look after the car it will last as

long
> as you want it too
>
> hth
>
> Ronny


I'm glad your Audis have been trouble-free but by all surveys, Audis are, at
best middle-of-the-pack, as far as reliability goes and my experience bears
that out. Has my experience been unusual? Well, the items I mentioned as
failing are well known problems with late model Audis (past decade). If you
don't believe me, just go to audiworld.com and do a keyword search on things
like "oil leak", "control arm", and "coil pack." Granted, the latter was the
subject of a recall by VW but good grief, coil failure? I thought the bugs
had been worked out of that technology the better part of a century ago. The
former two issues each generate nearly 5000 hits when searched at
audiworld.com. I haven't had a problem with oil leaks on a car since my
British cars of the 1960's and 70's. My 1998 A4 has been leaking oil for
nearly two years (started around 55,000 miles) and I will finally take it in
to an independent mechanic to get it fixed. I will say that the basic
drivetrains are solid especially the old 5 cylinder ones and getting them to
go for a couple hundred thousand miles is not hard to do. But I would also
assert that most modern cars of reasonable quality will also do that if
maintained well.


  #16  
Old October 22nd 04, 07:52 PM
Wayne Crannell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article >,
Subba Rao > wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I do not own an Audi yet but have wanted one since I have first set my
> eyes on them 20 years ago. Now I am planning (pretty close) to buy a
> car. Over the years people have told me that Audi is a problem car with
> stories such as: You tend to spend lot of money on repairs. : They
> have bad performance : Audi's quality is less than mediocre (sp) and
> they charge a lot to fix the problem ....etc etc. Such stories kept
> coming at me, yet I still want to have an Audi.
>
> If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
> unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>
> PS - I am middle aged man and am considered middle class. Don't know if
> this will help.


We have two: 2001 A6 and 2001 A4

The short answer is that they have been fine as long as they have been
in the full repair/warranty period. The A4 has been trouble free except
for some annoying rattles that a $35000 car should not have. The A6 has
basically had the front-end rebuilt at Audi's expense and now that it is
out of warranty, has started to have electical problems. We've found an
extremely reliable private mechanic who is planning an addition on his
house based on the fact that we will be bringing him and Audi A6.
Speaking of cost, a shopping cart ding in a parking lot cost $980 to
fix. This sort of says it all.

OTOH, the driving experience is great for us. My A4 has some nice Borbet
wheels and drives like it is on rails. The A6 is smooth as silk and just
got a new set of tires at 50000 miles (and its second new battery). It
will need brakes soon, and the dreaded timing belt replacement is not
far off, though.

But, when next summer rolls around, the A4 is being replaced by a
non-Audi. I just can't justify that kind of cost to operate a car. We're
keeping the A6 only because the mileage is so high, we would take a big
hit on getting rid of it.

They are cars we really want to love, but sometimes wish we had
something else.

--
Wayne Crannell
Xxxxxxx, TX
  #17  
Old October 22nd 04, 09:30 PM
Wolfgang Pawlinetz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ian S wrote:

>failing are well known problems with late model Audis (past decade). If you
>don't believe me, just go to audiworld.com and do a keyword search on things
>like "oil leak", "control arm", and "coil pack." Granted, the latter was the


And how many people complain there versus the number of people driving
Audis? The folks that drive the troublefree one for xxx1000 km never
do write. It's just plain normal.

Regards

Wolfgang

--
1999 Audi A6 Avant TDI
  #18  
Old October 22nd 04, 10:08 PM
marti
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 21:43:20 -0500, Subba Rao
> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I do not own an Audi yet but have wanted one since I have first set my
>eyes on them 20 years ago. Now I am planning (pretty close) to buy a
>car. Over the years people have told me that Audi is a problem car with
>stories such as: You tend to spend lot of money on repairs. : They
>have bad performance : Audi's quality is less than mediocre (sp) and
>they charge a lot to fix the problem ....etc etc. Such stories kept
>coming at me, yet I still want to have an Audi.
>
>If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
>unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?
>
>PS - I am middle aged man and am considered middle class. Don't know if
>this will help.


My 1987 Audi 5000 runs and handles like a brand new car.

The are some weak spots, like doorhandles, window power switches.

The timing belt, a maintenance item, broke after after 17 years.
Blame myself on that one!

The car body has no rust whatsover. (it is galvanized)

The handling and driving is smooth. Very enjoyable!

I bought the car when 60 minutes ran a special about the
so called "un-intended acceleration"

I figured that was a hate campaign against an upcoming success
of the Audi 5000 in the domestic car market.

Many dealers went out out business due to this massive propraganda.

I figured that was a good opportunity to make the purchase,
took advantage of a $5000 discount.

And, guess what, the whole thing was a hoax, but surely caused a lot
of collateral damage.


  #19  
Old October 22nd 04, 10:21 PM
Ian S
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Wayne Crannell" > wrote in message
...

> Speaking of cost, a shopping cart ding in a parking lot cost $980 to
> fix. This sort of says it all.
>

I had a ding but went to one of these paintless dent repair places and was
amazed at how they were able to remove the dent completely. I could not tell
where it had been. It's worth a try in many cases.

> OTOH, the driving experience is great for us. My A4 has some nice Borbet
> wheels and drives like it is on rails. The A6 is smooth as silk and just
> got a new set of tires at 50000 miles (and its second new battery). It
> will need brakes soon, and the dreaded timing belt replacement is not
> far off, though.


IIRC, the 1998 A4 owners' manual stated that the TB should be replaced at
90,000 miles but that was subsequently reduced to 60,000 miles. It's also an
expensive job compared to most TB replacements, I believe.
>
> But, when next summer rolls around, the A4 is being replaced by a
> non-Audi. I just can't justify that kind of cost to operate a car. We're
> keeping the A6 only because the mileage is so high, we would take a big
> hit on getting rid of it.
>
> They are cars we really want to love, but sometimes wish we had
> something else.


I still think my 98 A4 sport is the best looking sedan out there. I like the
balanced performance of the car but Audi has a lot of competition now and
since I'm not fond of the new Audi styling, I'll be looking elsewhere for a
replacement

.. > --
> Wayne Crannell
> Xxxxxxx, TX



  #20  
Old October 23rd 04, 12:05 AM
Jerry McCaffrey
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


>>>"Subba Rao" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>
>>>>If there are any owners (and non-owners), could you please share your
>>>>unbiased opinions and experience with Audi ownership?

>


3 Audis:

1982 Coupe: 112K miles, began having electrical problems, needed clutch soon
and front end was never right after a "leave the road" almost rollover.
Only regret was poor resale due to late 80's Audi problem with 5000's
alledgedly engaging in gear spontaneously.

1995 A6 186k miles with routine maintenance and routine oil leak. Wife
wanted 10 years or 200k mikes but was rear ended by 18 wheeler. (car's third
major hit) Survived well and was driveable but was totalled by insurance.
Drove it onto the flatbed!

2003 A4 30k miles Change oil at 5k with synthetic, not originial 10k
recommendation. New tire due to side wall damage from road hazzard.

Of the three the coupe was the best looking. People would stop & comment on
it. The A6 was an industrable tank and the A4 is the most fun to drive.

Have a friend who is an Audi mechanic and a good dealership. Parts are still
expensive compared to my daughter's Jetta. Resale is always better on a
Beemer.

Hope this helps.

Jerry
 




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