Hi, new to the site. Since this is my first post I'll give a quick bio. I'm 31 and a repair shop owner in Central Florida. One of my customers had an S4 with some computer and suspension work done to it. First drive, I was hooked. The way the car handled and accelerated was awe inspiring. My wife and I are expecting our first child in seven weeks so I've been looking for a 4 door. (We own two sports cars, amputee midgets couldn't even fit in the back seats let alone a car seat.)

1999-02 A4 1.8 would suit us just fine. I've read all TSBs and looked for any recalls, nothing major. Is there anything I should be concerned with? Are there any reliability problems Audi hasn't told the public? Without starting a no Quattro/Quattro war, is there any benefit of having Quattro in Florida? And lastly, for now, any comments on things a newbe should know about Audi?

Thanks.

 

Hey Mrracing, welcome to the forum! Congrats on expecting your first child!

Make sure you check the suspension thouroughly. The upper and lower control arms are devilish and currently have a new recall on them. Also the tie rods are problematic as well. Since you are a mechanic these things won't be a big deal (lucky you). Audi has failed to mention problems with the timing belt/water pump/idle pullies/tensioners. They recommend something like 120k miles, when there are many reported breakages at 60-70k miles. Again isn't a big deal for you, except for parts!

Audi recently released information on oil sludge problems with the 1.8t's, you should try to collect some info on that also.

Other than that there really aren't any major problems to think of. Audi's are good cars and rarely break hard. It's normally little things like electronic gremmlins. All in all I love mine though. Quattro is nice for slippery wet conditions, and it's nice to have the added peace of mind quattro can provide. I don't have quattro though and live in snowy Ohio. Never had a problem.

 

Anyone got links to the recall info?

 

 

congrads with the new baby and cars, enjoy

 

Went to look at a '02 Quattro today. Brilliant Black, loaded with 36K on ODO. Passed the new owner as he was leaving the parking lot and I was entering. Missed an awesome deal by an hour. Oh well. I almost told my wife I was buying her a car last night at dinner. Man it's hard to keep a secret.