Audi A4 (B5) 1.8T Quattro sedan

[SLOW36 0]

Hey guys been thinking of moving to an Audi but still keeping the BM as a daily driver for a little while.After trying to work out the cost and work involved in to getting my E36 318i to the level i want.I have decided to make a sane decision and just leave the BM alone and use it as a daily driver and save and buy a Audi A4 (B5) 1.8T around the mid 90's era.

Have taken two for a drive but the colour choices haven't been me faded red and a silver/grey one prefer black or basic white.Performance was great from the 4pot motor the brakes were a bit of a let down but a upgrade should sort that out.Rides great and love the handling reminding me of Subarus.

So just wanted to get some real people reviews from over the ditch on owning and living with one.As most euro's cost a arm over here there aren't so many examples but looking on trade me you guys have a wide selection over there.

So what are your thoughts on them general servicing common troubles etc also modifying them such as turbo,intercooler,exhaust,suspension upgrades.It will be used as another road car and i would like to use it for track days nothing to serious just some weekend fun.Any input would be really appreciated

[nath 134]

I cant comment specifically on the A4 1.8T But so far as 90's turbo Audis go, I once owned an original S4 2.2 20V turbo. It had a marvellous engine with a shitload of torque that was all available at 1900rpm. Electrically it was a bit of a pig, not the major things but just self- check system for bulbs etc was a real pain. The ZF box was excellent. Handling was pretty poor, it seemed to have standard super- high quattro suspension. I hear that since my ownership, the 'bulletproof' engine has needed a new head.

Poor maintenance of things such as the N75 valve are the little things that let them down as they get older, so a service history would be helpful.

Pretty sure that electrics are the biggest second hand issue on Audis.

I hear that good easy gains can be had from the 1.8T motor also, with some having MTM upgrades already (careful of fakes, there isnt really much to tell you if its genuine or not). A 286(?)HP MTM 1.8T A4 isn't too hard to come across.

[SLOW36 0]

Thanks for that yeah read few reviews on them seem like your right with the electrics.But a good solid engine and box will do me.Was going to with a Volvo but the Mrs is not keen on them lol.Some have service history but not many over here it's more of just local workshops doing what they can. I will get a pre purchase check from the local euro specialist done before i fork over the $$$$ fingers crossed a good example shows up.I won't need to much power to keep me happy just a bit more go then the 318i haha.

[m325i 711]

Don't is my advice.

My brother had one - and I know someone with one now. The problem is they cost too much to fix. You have to take the whole front end off to do things like the clutch. I know someone whose turbo is dead too.

They seem to have all the costs and reliability associated with a 'performance car' but with only mild performance.

I know they are tempting though, they look good and are cheap...

[liyi_92 37]

Audis are generally very nice cars but I have heard of MANY transmission problems from Audi owners. What kind of performance numbers are you thinking?

[BM WORLD 1286]

yes all audis' and VW models eat transmissions for breakfast even the manuals.

they also chew out these parts in big numbers

coil packs, trans coolers , starters , alternators , power steering racks and pumps

wheel bearings etc etc

hard to work on due to the engines being mounted in the front bumper.

4wd trans are a pig to remove

just my 2 cents

[SLOW36 0]

Audis are generally very nice cars but I have heard of MANY transmission problems from Audi owners. What kind of performance numbers are you thinking?

Not big numbers just over the 200hp mark I'm no Bathurst racer.Maybe i should just get a Subaru wrx as at least parts for them aren't that hard to get over here.Just didn't want to be flagged as a p plater racer over here similar to the boy racer title over there.Thanks for the words of wisdom guys

[Grant 4]

I have a 99 VW Passat with the 1.8T engine and 5 speed transmission. I have had it for over 3 years, and it has 150,000+ miles on it. I absolutley neglect this car, outside of required mainenance i.e. servicing every 5,000 miles. The car has been nothing but reliable, and I have not had to do very much to it (outside of normal wear and tear parts). It has the original turbo and transmission (including clutch).

The biggest thing I have been told is to run synthetic oil, and to make sure that the timing belt, tensioner and water pump are changed at the regular intervals.

Mine has been driven all over California is all weather conditions (from sub zero, snow in the winter to 40 degree celcius + in the summer), sometimes with 5 adults and a trunk full of luggage and has performed well. It's no race car, but it has been probably the most reliable car I have ever owned.

Funny thing is, I bought it from a repo yard for next to nothing and expected it to last only a few months (which is all I wanted it for), but it has kept going and going and going, so I keep driving it.

[jimbo01 0]

Hey

One peice of advice - get an inspection, and a warrenty if you can. Advice given to me here, that I did not follow

Briefly owned an A6 Audi Allroad last year. Thought Having a BMW, Merc and Audi would be the sh*t. Only one problem with that plan was the Audi. $6500 worth of repairs in 6 months and we gave it the flick. Cooling system srung leaks deep in the V of the V6 under the turbo. Thermostat needed replacement; which is basically a Cam belt job to get to it - entire front of the car had to come off. Then the turbo blew.

Powerhaus in Wellington did all our servcing and repairs and were fantastic. Audi in Hamilton then Ford in Taupo did the servicing before that. Car was a 2002 NZ new with 2 owners.

New owner loves it and it hasn't had anything go wrong so we must have sorted out all the issues. Lucky him.

Jimbo

[deeveus 81]

Unless it has a warranty I'd stay away from any Audi, unless it's an original Audi Quattro then it's allowed to cost you money lol.

I've been driving a 13 year old import Terrano for the past month and it's been back at the shop twice since I bought it, I bought it with the idea of using it offroad and to hack around with but I've ended up using it as my daily as I haven't replaced my X5 as yet. IMO BMW is just reliable, I've had far few problems with BMW ownership than I have with Japanese in general and Audi, Mercedes e.t.c.

Stick with BM!

[kwhelan 241]

those 1.8t are in so many cars from tts to beetles to seats and skodas,golfs,jettas, with varying levels of boost

they also have lots of dv valve and vacuum hose issues which cause weird vagcom errors bad idling and can be a pig to diagnose,,some known crap parts are n475 dump valve, temp senders,water pumps(plastic),maf sensors

get all the vacuum hoses checked there are plenty of them too,

as they rot out and cause huge issues to sensors and therefore ,powerloss,idling etc and cause ecu to go into limpmode, even ecus have solder issues,they plastic wiring connectors on sensors are brittle and temperamental as well

Edited August 9, 2012 by kwhelan