Main concerns: Timing belt, engine sludge, control arms... if you're handy then it won't be bad. Labor is expensive. Find one well maintained and you'll enjoy owning it. You have to be proactive on some maintenance though

 

I have the tiptronic with a v6. Not the worst automatic I've driven. (Messed up shoulder so a stick is out for now). I wouldn't go for the tiptronic on a 1.8 unless I planned to upgrade it, though. The auto seems to make the turbo lag a bit.

 

So far I've had a blown turbo, boost/vac leaks, pcv system broken hoses, rear o2 sensor, and control arms. I'm at 160k. I fixed all of the above for less than 400 w/ used parts and fcp groton control arms.

It would probably be 3k+ in repairs at the dealership. But that would be a new turbo, which they will recommend and all oem stuff.

So either have deep pockets, or do your own repairs.

Another problem that's common is the ABS module going bad. Mine has been like that for a while, it just means the abs doesn't work. ABS light stays on and a flashing brake light.

 

You know the best advice, if you have to ask don't do it.

Also searching all the audi forums is the best way to find answers. Also look in the classifieds to find cars you can trust.

 

^ and now a new potential buyer can see the benefit to going NA with a 2.8 v6 without a turbo and the extra expenses associated with it (along with the extra maintenance attention it needs with more vacuum lines, etc.)


When we were shopping for an A4 back in November 2010, we had narrowed it down to a 2.8 32v after all our research along with 1st hand prior ownership experience with a 2001.5 Negaro Blue S4 (enough prior experience to know we did not want to get that back into that hefty maintenance expense again)


The b5 platform, however, is amazingly solid. So much so that It has really impressed me how a 12 year old B5 is more solid (less squeeks and rattles) at 160k miles than my former 2010 TDI Golf with only 16k miles when I sold it (seriously It was amazing the amount of noises I put up with in that car only to realize the B5 doesn't have them despite the age).

^ That being said, a lot has to do with the fact that we managed to find and purchase a very well maintained B5 from a climate where roads were smooth and there weren't a lot of massive temperature fluctuations which does and can make a huge difference on so many components longevity!

 

This msglength