1997 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8t from North America

Summary:

Good car if the tranny gets fixed

Faults:

Hood Latch Was bent and wouldn't open.

I am dealing with a current problem with Tranny. Auto tranny, but won't shift into reverse. When gear selector is put into reverse all the gear selector lights on the dash light up. Still goes forward no problem. First couple times I brought it to the place I bought it and they said they found chaffed wires. It ran for about 2 weeks the first time, and one night the second. Now they have had it for a week and a half and are still trying to figure it out. Any body experience this before?

General Comments:

It will be a great first car if the tranny problems are taken care of.

Quick enough, comfortable and delightful in snow.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2007

1997 Audi A4 Tdi 1.9 from Sweden

Summary:

Would not buy another so called luxury car

Faults:

Front window leaked on the drivers pillar. Took the garage ages to find the fault.

Rust spots are starting to appear literally all over the car, (hood, doors and particularly wheel arches).

General Comments:

It is a comfortable and reliable car, starts even when 18 degrees below in the swedish winter.

Expensive servicing. Cam belt replacement cost 500 pounds.

Standard service cost in Sweden is around 200 pounds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th October, 2006

11th Oct 2006, 12:28

Looks like the Audi must have some good qualities, having gone so many kilometers.

What do you think of Saabs over in Sweden?

1997 Audi A4 Base Model 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Buy one, you haven't lived till you've owned one!

Faults:

Nil, nothing,

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car! Gets me from Plymouth to Glasgow every weekend and returns 35 MPG!

Comfortable, and so solidly built, I think I'll be finished before the car is!

The only fault I have with it, is that one of the dash lights has gone and I don't know if I have to remove all the dash to fix it, any ideas?

Handles great, rust? nope, Audi's can't rust!

Looks fantastic, recommended to anyone!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2006

8th Mar 2006, 08:41

You will need to get the Dash pod out (that's what Audi calls it) and change the bulb on the board. Bulb will cost you £2.00, but if you can't manager it, and it is a very tricky job, removing the Dash and fittings, Audi can do it for you, but they will want £169.00 for doing it. Remember the Bulb costs £2.00, bring your own and they might give you a discount.

1997 Audi A4 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Dependable if maintained regularly, and a pleasure to drive!

Faults:

Timing belt was replaced before I bought the car. If you have the option to buy a 96-01 Audi a4 make sure the timing belt has been changed. This is not a cheap fix. I have also noticed that my window switch is faulty and I can't always roll up my window. Control Arms and tie rods are a problem. My turbo blew the waste-gate at 98,000. That is NOT cheap either, but with the right help (not a dealer) it is a relitively simple fix (app. 5 hours) for a shady tree mechanic.

General Comments:

When driving a car it is easy to forget really how much is going on throughout your entire vehicle. Many people don't care, and that is the problem. If you don't know how to change your oil, plugs, fluids and moving parts. Then this car will break you. You will constantly find yourself at the dealership with your wallet out. But if you are the type of person that fixes things before they become disastrous than you will do fine with this car. The dealership costs are expensive, but if you can do the work yourself you will be set. My car is a great car and I love driving it. It is by far the best car I have driven in the snow!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2005

27th Jul 2011, 18:21

No, I personally wouldn't choose it as a first car, but if you do, make sure the cambelt is done and all the major service items have been replaced.

I don't see you finding one with less than 100k on it, but if you do, bear in mind the cost of all those things like cambelt, water pump,cam/crank seal filters etc... Those cars are getting old now, try to get a later model... once the part replacing starts, it doesn't stop for a while unless you've got lot of $$$ :)