+1 on the wheel bearing and tie rod end (+ alignment). I'll add leaking rear diff output seal. tranny starting to shift rough going from 1st-2nd. temp gauge stops working intermittently. starting to hear the common squeaks from the suspension. clutch is getting close to needing replaced. I just don't see a time in my future with this car where it will not be in a state of "disrepair". Something will always be broken. It's sad, but in this regard the A4 reminds me a lot of my first car...a Ford Escort. I'm being a downer again :-(
I'm committed at this point though...I've already spent too much to sell it without losing my 4ss big time.

I've managed to save a LOT by using a local mechanic I trust and getting the parts myself. Still, this is money I WOULD have used on a new stereo, wheels, or other upgrades. Instead I'm just trying to "keep the wheels on".

 

I've got a 2001 a4 2.8 30valve v6 quattro triptronic. I bought it from a dealer so theres a COMPLETE carfax. The guy who owned it before me did all his work at a dealer so you can see ever piece that was replaced. Its black outside with black/tan interior. 17 inch BBS RH(i think) wheels and the tires have good amount of tread left. I'm located in DC. I'm looking for something quattro and stick, so I've put some feeler threads out there. Let me know if you're interested.

BTW: the 1.8t is the easiest to mod, but the 2.8 v6 has a supercharger and once you jump way past most of these modded 1.8ts and s4s.

2.8 is more powerful stock too.

 

you're not going to buy a perfect car with 90k on it


mhellman: what was the mileage of your car when you bought it? and whoever had it before probably didn't take good care of it.

to the OP: I bought my car from a classy guy who took care of the car and yea a couple things here and there go, but the car is a blast to drive and enjoy it doesn't matter. You get what you pay for. I fixed stuff on my maxima often too, just because it was cheaper, and not even that MUCH cheaper didn't leave me satisfied. The Audi is like a major league player compared to a single A player in regard to Honda/Toyota in my opinion. You're not going to get a perfect vehicle no matter what make/model at 70-90k. I got my 01 with 75k on it. So I'm fully expecting some maintence in the next 6-9 months. Which is fine, I want to keep the car in perfect shape because then I can sell it down the road, and enjoy it to its fullest potential now.


quattro > all

 

About 95k. There is little evidence that my car was mistreated by the previous owner and ample evidence that many of the problems I'm having are systemic to the vehicle. Mistreating a car usually means not performing the normal required maintenance. When the door handles come loose and the door locks fall into the door, and the front speakers go to hell in the cold, and the rear diff output seal leaks, and the washer fluid leaks, and the wheel bearings go out, and the control arms need replacing, and the tie rods need replacing, etc, etc...IMHO "not taking care it" seems like an unlikely root cause.


There is obviously a difference of expectations between owners, which might explain why some people love the Audi's and some don't. To each his own. I'm averse to having even things stop working...it bugs me. I can't just let them be broken, I have to fix them. Even if it means cashing in my kids college savings plan;-)

 

By the way, I'm selling my A4 2.8 Quattro.
It has 45k miles on it... Like a dream.
Moving overseas and can't bring the car with me.