Faults:
Too many to list:
Vacuum hoses, spark plug wires, transmission, drive shaft, fuel pump, windows switches, interior fell apart (certain plastics came apart, the defrost vents for example are popping out, the "window lock" button is jammed upward, therefore preventing anyone from opening their windows without me doing it.) Cup holders won't open. Wood panels are loose. Middle compartment is jammed. Those are just the noticeable/major things.
General Comments:
The car drives nice (when it isn't grunting about something). Handling is exceptional. Interior has great design, fine leather seats. Great A/C. Great Bose sound system. I did skid sideways a few times in this car in the rain, even though my tires are relatively new. I did not expect a German sedan with AWD to do this, I was not speeding either. This happened when I was making a left turn at an intersection.
My family acquired this car from relatives last year (2006). They bought the car new. I have never seen a car fall apart so fast from 109k miles to 117k miles. Check engine light was on from the start. It had some issues before we took it. I see why our relatives dumped it to us for free. Audi said they wanted $6400 to install new transmission. The car is just not safe to drive, it runs on 3-cylinders (half its engine) (imagine the pickup on the highway, 18-wheeler trucks were passing me), the engine is about to explode. The car failed emissions testing miserably. I changed the oil and have service records that are consistent from 1999.
It was a bad mistake we took possession of this car.
Cars 10 years older than this one drive better.
Trust me folks, avoid VW/Audi at all costs. If you MUST have a German, get a BMW. If not, opt for a Lexus or Cadillac.
Audi should be banned from ever selling cars in the US.
I hope I included all there is to be said of this car. Never in my life have I been more passionately hateful of something. I hope you will all take my word seriously.
15th Apr 2009, 09:36
Thanks for your input, Currently looking at a 1999 one owner wagon with 130k on the clock. The car looks showroom new. This might be my next ride... Just out of an Astro van with 265k miles. I was sad to see it go, but proud to pass it on to its third owner.