Faults:

I have had 5 (five) coils fail in 18 months.

General Comments:

Car is nice. However, the coil problem makes the overall reliability record abysmal. 5 times it has broken down and left me stranded.

I can never feel confident of completing a journey in the A4. It is quite unsafe to drive as an immediate loss of power occurs when a coil "goes".

Currently off the road for a fifth time waiting for parts to arrive. Have been told it could be a week before they arrive - but it could be a month.

Audi customer "service" do not even reply to correspondence regarding to coil problem. It is being hushed up - big time.

Over 4,000 UK A4s are off the road at 8th Feb 2003 awaiting replacement coils. Trouble is, the replacements fail in time anyway!

Be warned. Avoid.

Faults:

Engaging reverse gear (Multitronic box) causes engine to stall unless taken very slowly - not much good for quick 3-point turns.

Ignition coil failed at 10000 miles (9 months).

Ignition coil failed at 11500 miles (one year).

General Comments:

A really quality car built as though it is hewn from a solid lump of steel.

I now know better, but when initially told of the coil problem I found that both the dealer and Audi were economical with the truth.

Failing ignition coils is an international problem of immense proportions so much so that my Audi is off the road awaiting delivery of a new coil. Even though 2 coils have now failed, Audi are refusing to replace the remaining ones so that even when I get my car back I will have no confidence in it getting me around reliably. Never an Audi again!

Faults:

There were rattles in the dashboard from when the car was new which took several trips to the dealership to resolve.

The driver's door speaker cuts out intermittently which has remained unresolved despite several trips back to the dealer.

The controller card for the rear window heater burnt out the first time it was used, filling the car with smoke.

The speedometer and fuel gauge both failed taking two and a half weeks to replace.

Out of a year's ownership the car has spent around two months with the dealer - including a trip to the body shop for remedial work when the dealership scraped a wing panel. Through these periods, a replacement car of similar specification has never been supplied.

General Comments:

Handles very well.

Excellent acceleration.

Very economical to run.

Poor leg room in the back.

Poor visibility when reversing.

Faults:

I paid extra for the 'comfort' option of lumbar supports for the 2 front seats. I now have a constant backache. Before this car, driving an Audi was a pleasure - now it is a misery. I am of average height, but the 2 lumbar supports 'engage' the back too high and each at a different height. With the support fully retracted, the driver's seat remains the most uncomfortable seat I have encountered in over 25 years of driving. I told Audi that I got backache and they refused to address that issue. Instead, they told me that their products had no manufacturing defect and were correctly fitted. Either this product has not been designed properly or my lumbar supports are 'lemons' which they don't want to admit to. Surely, you shouldn't get back ache with 'lumbar supports'. Anyway, Audi refuse to exchange the goods (the seats) - or should I say the bads.

General Comments:

Audi may make quality cars in general, but my experience suggests that you shouldn't expect any joy from them if there is a problem.