1999 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro sedan 2.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Beautiful styling masks poor quality and reliability

Faults:

Water Pump replacement 49,900.

Brakes 25,000 (covered under warranty)

Driver door handle 40,000.

Tinny sound system from the start.

General Comments:

I bought this car new as an upgrade to a Subaru as I am hooked on all-wheel drive. Loved the car at first.

Recently, many Audi dealers advised me to get rid of the car after the warranty ran out. Recent experiences tell me this is sound advice. The car blew a water pump and left me stranded on a highway. I had to have the car towed and incur the cost of repair.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th November, 2003

1999 Audi A4 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Well built car with good performance and appearance supported by good dealer service.

Faults:

Air leak on drivers window seal at 37,000 miles. Not fixed by dealer.

Rear speakers wouldn't play at 37,000 miles. Fixed free of charge by dealer

Electrical fault at 48,000 miles - Door self locked with keys inside, very annoying, hazard flashers came on & stayed on and indicators turned lights on. Fixed free under dealer warranty.

Rubber door protection strip needed replacing at 52,000 miles. easy £17 part replacement.

General Comments:

The Audi A4 was my next choice following a Mercedes which was good but their dealer service was awful.

The Audi A4 1.8 is a great car to drive but the engine is a bit harsh sounding over 2800 rpm for comfortable motorway driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2003

18th Oct 2003, 12:31

This review is well written and seems honest and similar to my own experience.

12th Dec 2006, 10:12

Had a 00 A4 1.8. Grand car overall. Agree that there is a bit of a 'hard' edged note to the engine at higher revs, but it is kind of sporty, although not that quick. Instrument binnacle failed at 10,000 miles (speedo and rev counter) and was replaced under warranty. Otherwise I spent a trouble free two years and 48k miles with this car!

1999 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

A very comfortable high performance vehicle for those willing to pay for it

Faults:

Turn signal switch and cruise control switch failed at 40,000 miles and was repaired at no charge.

One of the coils failed at 50,000 miles and I had to pay $300 to replace it because it was out of warranty on time, but in warranty on mileage.

General Comments:

The A4 is extremely comfortable and provides very high performance.

Gas mileage is excellent for its high performance level.

The Quattro system is amazing on any road condition. It never slips a tire.

This is not a cookie cutter type of vehicle. If all you want is basic transportation with low cost, this is not it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2003

1999 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8T from North America

Summary:

A repair magnet

Faults:

Defective stereo speaker when new.

Left front side airbag failed at 15,000 miles.

Heated rear-view mirror failed at 20,000 miles.

Exhaust pipe broke at 30,000 miles.

Failed emissions test at 32,000 miles... Secondary air change-over valve cracked. Car was just over three year warranty period at this point. Audi covered for free.

Washer pump for front headlights failed at 35,000 miles.

Engine (spark plug) control unit module failed at 42,000 miles.

Check engine light back on at 49,000 miles indicating another emissions problem!

General Comments:

When it's not in need of another repair, the car is fine.

It's comfortable for front seat passengers, a little cramped in the back seat and overall not great for people over six feet tall.

It definitely needs the Quattro to have enough power.

Given all the issues, I'm not looking to buy another Audi.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th August, 2003

15th Nov 2004, 11:53

I have an Audi 1999 A4 - same problems-

1. Stereo speaker out

2. 2 ECUs (or was it 3)

3. engine control unit - power module - for spark plugs went out

4. SRS airbag module fail

5. ABS brake module fail

6. Catalytic converter broke off of the turbo

7. Right rear bearing went bad

8. I went ahead and had the timing belt done at 70k (instead of the manufacture suggested 115k) in case it decided to give out like many people have reported.

9. head lamp pump failed

10. Read suspension squeeks since 40k

11. Dashboard lites recently have began to randomly fail (appears to be related to tapping the steering column which turns them back on).

This car is excellent when it works, but the reliability is so bad I will never own another audi. The dealership said this was common...