Faults:

Replaced Driver seat due to torn leather. Don't forget to swap heater core in seat like I did. @139K.

Starter replaced, rather pricey. @139K.

Alternator replaced @160K (Skip the cheaper 90V and get the more $$ 110V)

Sunroof has issues, have to do some button pushing to get it to seat properly.

Power steering rack leaks like a sieve and fluid is about $30 a quart. Spending about $40 a month on fluid, but this part + labor is an expensive one to fix so for now let it flow.

Dash computer does a fun digital display light show on occasion, give her a good slap and she's good again.

Has left me stranded 3 times, while driving it decides to stop running. 2 of the 3 started back up in about an hour 3rd wouldn't start for 4 days. After each occasion goes back to running perfect. Mechanic can't figure out why??? Anyone have an idea?

Exhaust / Cat connection squeaks like crazy sometimes, but are completely tight.

General Comments:

All in all for a 14 year old car with over 200K on the odomoter. this car is fantastic. The repair cost are costly, but the car is worth it.

This car drives like it has a V8, the turbo kicks in (and you will feel it) and you go.

The seats are very comfortable and back is roomy with a very large trunk.

It is a gas guzzler, but to get a deluxe car at a economy price you pay the price.

If your looking to purchase one be sure to have a qualified Audi mechanic give the car a good look over or it could really cost you, and steer clear of the automatic.

Faults:

The oxygen sensor failed at 104,000 miles.

The starter had to be replaced at 101,000 miles.

The inlet hose had to be replaced at 101,000 miles.

The drivers side lock broke at 100,000 miles.

The factory car alarm stopped working at 105,000 miles.

The inter cooler developed a hole at 101,000 miles.

The car over boosts, then cuts out suddenly at 104,000 miles in the very cold weather.

General Comments:

I love the handling on this car.

The turbo charged engine feels as if it has a V8 engine, though it has a 2.2 5 cylinder.

Parts can be very expensive, such as a starter costing $200 without installation.

Parts also can be a good price if you look at the right places besides dealers.

The suspension needs a complete overhaul, but is still very fun to drive on the snow and ice.

The term "turn on a dime" is very true with this car due to it's excellent turning radius.

The oil gets black and must be changed every 2000 miles.

Faults:

I had to replace all the engine breather hoses, the airbox cap hose, and the intercooler to manifold hose.

One wheel is bent. I will have that straightened, since used wheels are too expensive.

Both front drive shafts have been serviced, with one needing a new CV joint, ($275 for just the CV joint).

The idle sensor switch was no good, which was cheap to replace, but very expensive to determine that that was the problem.

Transmission mounts needed replacement.

Hydraulic pump and the high-pressure hose needed to be replaced.

The Bose stereo was only marginally functional and was too costly to repair, so I replaced it, which means that the whole system needed to be replaced since the Bose stuff is not compatible with anything else.

Replaced the brake line flex hoses, since the originals were starting to go.

Replaced all the coolant hoses, the coolant reservoir, the heater valve, and the turbo coolant pump.

I have repaired the radiator connector.

The heater fan is going out, and I am going to replace that myself since the mechanic wants $600 for just the labor to do that job.

I replaced the glove box light that had been glued back in place after it broke.

I replaced the very noisy though functional fuel pump. By replacing the fuel pump one gets a new check valve which is necessary for quick starts. The car still doesn't start quickly, so the fuel injectors also need to be replaced.

At 155.000 miles. my transmission suddenly started to make a "scraping noise" and when the oil was drained, there was a lot of loose metal in it. I finally found a rebuilt transmission with a decent guarantee for $1650 + $125 shipping + $250 core charge. The labor to replace it is $600. At that point one doesn't stop there or one will be sure to have profound regrets. Another $525 gets the clutch. Another $700 gets the steering rack. Finally another $150 gets the clutch slave cylinder and the flex hose. All these parts are only accessed with the transmission out of the vehicle, and that's why one includes them at this point or takes a big chance. That's a total of $4000!

General Comments:

I love driving this car.

Economically it is a disaster.

Only buy one of these if you know that all the mechanics who have worked on it are Audi experts. My transmission probably failed because the oil had never been changed at 145,000 miles. The Audi owner's manual says that it is not necessary to change the manual transmission oil. The good Audi mechanics know that that is nonsense. My car had always been taken care of by competent mechanics, but because they were not Audi experts I got stuck with these horrendous bills.