1997 Audi A4 1.8 turbo

Summary:

The Luxury is not worth the severe maintenance expenses

Faults:

The timing belt broke at 92,000 miles. ($4700)

The ignition Switch broke. ($300)

Needs new wheel bearing.

General Comments:

This car is fun to drive while it runs.

This car is plagued with expensive repair costs.

Thousands of Audi A4 have there timing belts break before their scheduled maintenance, which until recently Audi refused to cover.

It is a pretty car, but it is not worth the thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th July, 2005

30th Sep 2005, 14:49

If you change the timing belt as suggested at 90,000 miles, it isn't a fraction as expensive to fix.

15th Dec 2005, 02:49

Just out of curiosity, how in the world does a timing belt cost $4700? I always figured it was a rubber belt, more or less. At $4700, you could replace an entire transmission and perhaps buy a cheap set of tires.

15th Dec 2005, 04:48

If the timing belt broke in service, he would have had to replace a lot more than just the belt. On a lot of engines, this failure renders the whole thing scrap. $4700 sounds reasonable to me.

6th Feb 2006, 17:06

Like said above, if you use preventative measures to upkeep the car, it will not lose its timing belt. My Audi's timing belt was switched out at 60,000 miles as I heard suggested, and I will replace it again at 120,000 miles. If the upkeep is there, you can rely on it.

21st Feb 2006, 17:06

My timing belt went at 46,000, just past mileage warranty. Luckily Audi, as the result of a class action, paid for the entire repair, a few years after I paid. And, luckily only 4 pins on my engine head were bent. The damage is often more extensive than this.

I have changed the oil and done maintenance regularly and this happened along with various other replacements (radiator, control arm, left front, soon control arm right front, $500 each, other problems, plus all the "normal" maintenance costs) This is really a disappointment because the car looks beautiful and handles like a dream.

BTW, does anyone know *when* mileage wise, one needs to have the transmission Flushed?

1997 Audi A4 1.8T 1.8 turbo

Summary:

Looks aren't everything

Faults:

Alternator at 65,000 - also affected the entire electrical system. Cost $900.

Timing belt at 78,000 - Cost $800. Standing by for further cost.

General Comments:

I have not been happy with my A4.

Bought for my wife, because she liked the way it looked and I had heard they were good cars.

It drives OK, but it is under powered.

The interior trim is falling off.

The brakes wear quickly.

Normal maintenance costs, such as oil change etc. are outrageous.

Garages available to work on Audi's are limited and the wait is long.

Expect to spend $1000 a year on maintenance for this car.

I am selling my A4 before it costs me anymore money.

I doubt I will be able to get what I owe on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st January, 2005

1997 Audi A4 1.8T 1.8 turbo

Summary:

Fun while it last, expensive nightmare once it fails

Faults:

I knew the previous owner (he was the original owner) of this car, an between him and myself, all the recommended maintenance was done. Oil changes, timing belt replacements, coolant systems and transmission serviced all at recommended mileage.

At 78,000 miles, my head gasket blew resulting in major engine damage. Practically everything under the hood needed to be replaced: The radiator , the turbo unit, all pumps and reservoir tanks, and I the engine was damaged as well. The car was only worth $7000-$8000 at the time this happened, and the repairs would have been that much. I am tremendously disappointed in Audi quality and I will never buy another one.

General Comments:

The car was great while it lasted. Peppy engine, fantastic handling. Again, the fact that with all the maintenance I did that such a catastrophic problem could occur is mind boggling. Very poorly made car. I would not recommend buying one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th September, 2004