Audi bitching?

Yo, fellow gasheads (petroldomes for those of you Eurospeakers way out there).

I've owned a 1999 Audi 2.8 A4 Avant since new. It's been a great car, with only a blown water pump and a door sensor problem (oh and one other: the LED display for the dynamic mpg/cd etc is getting corrupted). But the old gal has 118k miles on her and, despite how gently she elegantly continues to cradle my left nut, I'm thinking about replacements.

Now I've heard vague howls and moans from the spectral opins about audi reliability. I know the 1.8T's weren't so hot for robustness, but the 2.8 has been a great car for me.

So, I'm asking the consortium of weirdos out there who have had an Audi to tell me what, if any, problems they've had with the 1999-2005 Audi A4, S4 or Allroad.

And while I can appreciate and even be amused at the whinings of the hearsayers, I'd really appreciate first hand information.

Grassy-ass.

I have a 1999 A4 2.8Q Sedan with 100k and have had no big problems to date. The only minor problem was when an 02 sensor had to be replaced at around 50k. This was done under warranty. I have had the timing and water pump system replaced preventatively. From what I have heard, the 2.8L engine is supposed to keep ticking for quite some time.

Had a '98 1.8T with zero probs. Sold because moved to Yurp.

Now have a '00 1.8T w/ 77k miles and it has have to have an air filter replaced because it was causing the check engine light to come on. (big woopee) = No probs.

It seems like they either work or don't as I know people that have definitely had serious issues, but I love em.

Have a 06 A3 on order!!! Can't wait!

We have an 04 Audi A4 1.8T on lease....no probs either, granted it doesn't get tons of use :mad:

www.audiworld.com/forum

more info there than you could ever want

Audi's are awesome when they run, but shit is ridiculously expensive when it goes wrong. Like the $800 thermostat replacement because they put the fucking tstat behind the timing belts so the whole front of the car has to be removed (10 hours labor) to replace a $25 part.

Can only speak for the A6 myself but the engines available overlap quite a bit.

The 2.8 is replaced by the 3.2 liter engine. A bud of mine has got it in his A6 - he's very satisfied so far. Even torquier: the 3.0 TDI which I consider right now and took on a test ride in an A6 Quattro today, impressive ride and perfectly matches the general way of driving in NA.

Had a 2.5 TDI for more than 6 years now - 108K mileage without a problem except for the air flow measurement device (which needs replacement every 35000 miles - twice covered by warranty) despite going full throttle all the time. With speed resrictions like in the US this type of engine should last forever. Also extremely solid but smaller with excellent gas mileage: 2.0 TDI, a family member still runs a 1999 model with no failure so far.

Hope that helps.