Audi owners? (former & current)

[trackjunkie21]

I know this isn't the right forum for it but I've always had good luck with R3v so I'm giving it a shot.

Guy's coming to pick up the E30 tomorrow and I'm looking into stepping something different.

I will always love the look of E30's, but I've just never been a fan of the ix, sit a little too high for my taste. I know it sounds retarded, but lowering a E30 is probably the best thing you can do, performance & looks wise. Would kind of defeat the purpose of lowering a AWD car because I plan on using it in the snow.

Always like the look of the B5 Audi A4's (97-01) and an considering purchasing one.

I've heard good and bad about these cars, looking for a 2.8, 5 speed Quattro. I would settle with a 1.8t for the right price. Looking for something around 150k, the lower the better of course.

I want some opinions from former and current Audi owners on the overall opnions of these cars.

Where were you a couple months ago? I was selling a white 96 2.8 5 speed with 140k miles for $1,000. Noone wanted it because it had a dent in the back.

[Ratbastage]

Ok, I work on these things but understand, I specialize in Mercedes and BMW. I hold the VAG product in low regard.

The later ones suck to work on. "Service carrier in lock position"

In other words, remove the bumper and drop the core support for room.

Who the hell though that was a good idea?

Poor quality plastics in the cooling system. Its also 4 times the trouble to get to and 5 times as expensive to buy as BMW plastic.

ECT's, dunno why but the eat them. Then they like to hide them and mount them with plastic jesus clips.

Leak oil. Makes a M52tu look dry. The 1.8's and the 2.8s leak from the cam chain tensioners. The tensioners are almost a grand........ each. They also like to eat the guides off the tensioners unless they were serviced well.

Waterpumps, timing belt driven on most designs. Its like peeling a onion to get in there.

T stats, go looking, when you find it you'll get a good laugh.

Heater cores. They plug. I think that was the first thing they hung from the ceiling, then assembled the car around it. Mercedes makes a nice pile of parts to do this repair. Audi makes a pile twice the size.

Unlike typical German engineering where things make a certain sense I'm convinced Audi was designed by crack monkeys have a grand mal seizure. Absolutely no rhyme or reason the why.

Suspensions. Who needs 4 control arms? Even better, who needs 4 control arms doing battle for dominance? They eat them. Not unlike E46 ball joints.

Outer tie rod ends. Garbage, you are lucky if you get 50K out of a set.

1.8 oil filters. The filter is bigger than the oil pan and you can not remove it without making a mess.

The 2.8 is well thought out but, the oil coolers leak on those.

Oil pans are easy to break, especially on the 2.8.

Clutch is a quest to install. Not a job.

2.7 bi turbos.

Like a fat chick, fun to ride, not fun to live with.

Point is, after owning a BMW you just might be shocked at how unfriendly to work on and expensive to own those things are.

Dont ask about the electronics. Suffice it to say VAG needs to figure out, electrons and water do not get along well.

[91 318is]

ok, i work on these things but understand, i specialize in mercedes and bmw. I hold the vag product in low regard.

The later ones suck to work on. "service carrier in lock position"

in other words, remove the bumper and drop the core support for room.

Who the hell though that was a good idea?

Poor quality plastics in the cooling system. Its also 4 times the trouble to get to and 5 times as expensive to buy as bmw plastic.

Ect's, dunno why but the eat them. Then they like to hide them and mount them with plastic jesus clips.

Leak oil. Makes a m52tu look dry. The 1.8's and the 2.8s leak from the cam chain tensioners. The tensioners are almost a grand........ Each. They also like to eat the guides off the tensioners unless they were serviced well.

Waterpumps, timing belt driven on most designs. Its like peeling a onion to get in there.

T stats, go looking, when you find it you'll get a good laugh.

Heater cores. They plug. I think that was the first thing they hung from the ceiling, then assembled the car around it. Mercedes makes a nice pile of parts to do this repair. Audi makes a pile twice the size.

Unlike typical german engineering where things make a certain sense i'm convinced audi was designed by crack monkeys have a grand mal seizure. Absolutely no rhyme or reason the why.

Suspensions. Who needs 4 control arms? Even better, who needs 4 control arms doing battle for dominance? They eat them. Not unlike e46 ball joints.

Outer tie rod ends. Garbage, you are lucky if you get 50k out of a set.

1.8 oil filters. The filter is bigger than the oil pan and you can not remove it without making a mess.

The 2.8 is well thought out but, the oil coolers leak on those.

Oil pans are easy to break, especially on the 2.8.

Clutch is a quest to install. Not a job.

2.7 bi turbos.

Like a fat chick, fun to ride, not fun to live with.

Point is, after owning a bmw you just might be shocked at how unfriendly to work on and expensive to own those things are.

Dont ask about the electronics. Suffice it to say vag needs to figure out, electrons and water do not get along well.

damn.

[quickervicar]

2.7 bi turbos.

Like a fat chick, fun to ride, not fun to live with.

I thought fat chicks were the other way around: a terrible ride, but will always be great to have around to do stuff with. You must be thinking of a 5000Q Avant.

[91 318is]

Here's a quickie.

Found 2 cars, what's a decent buy you think......

2000 S4, 145k, stock turbos, timing belt and everything else swapped, adult owned, $5500

2001 325i, 2nd owner, excellent condition, needs a few things (windshield, blower resistor)5 speed, 109k, $5600

I know I said AWD, but the 325 popped up on CL today and looks like a nice, clean car.

I'm leaning more towards the BMW because honestly, I'm worried about the Audi's reliability compared to the BMW's. I would love to have that AWD, but I think the 325 would serve me well.

[kway]

I've been preaching for a long time that a 4 door, 2wd e46 is the easiest to maintain, cheapest to run of all modern BMWs. In a lot of ways I think they're even easier to work on than e30s. I'll definitely be looking to get into one as a DD when my inventory of beater e30s runs out.

Somehow Audi convinced the world that they would face certain death if they attempted to drive on snow without all wheel drive. YOU DO NOT NEED IT. Good snow tires on a spare set of wheels will be just fine for anything you're going to run into.

lol @ Ratbastage's post! Luckily, we haven't had too many Audis in our shop lately. I think the boss finally got wise and started turning them away.

[91 318is]

Think I'm gonna pursue the e46. I just feel more comfortable with a bmw then an audi.

Call me weird.

[Ratbastage]

From what I've seen the E46 will throw some nickel and dime stuff as you but, as long as it is not a 99 with the GM auto, they hold up well. Do the urethane caster bushings on new front control arms, plug the oil leaks and freshen up the cooling system, then beat it like a rental.

Valvecover gasket and plugs.
Vent valve and hoses.
Oil filter stand reseal.
DISA valve
water pump
Radiator and expansion tank
Thermostat
hoses.
Intake boots, clean the piss out of the idle valve.

Good to go for 100K or so. If you decide to run staggered on it, set the rear toe .2 inside the spec.

[91 318is]

From what I've seen the E46 will throw some nickel and dime stuff as you but, as long as it is not a 99 with the GM auto, they hold up well. Do the urethane caster bushings on new front control arms, plug the oil leaks and freshen up the cooling system, then beat it like a rental.

Valvecover gasket and plugs.
Vent valve and hoses.
Oil filter stand reseal.
DISA valve
water pump
Radiator and expansion tank
Thermostat
hoses.
Intake boots, clean the piss out of the idle valve.

Good to go for 100K or so. If you decide to run staggered on it, set the rear toe .2 inside the spec.

Yeah the car looks pretty solid, few cosmetic flaws on the exterior, interior is in great shape.

I didn't get a chance to check out the rest of the car, the guy had to leave for work so I only looked at the exterior. He did say the waterpump was swapped though.

I'll dig deeper today when I go back to check it out again.

[Ratbastage]

Spend a hundred or so for a good pre purchase inspection. Including a GT! or Autologic short test. The only year really to avoid is the 99 with the GM auto. 99 with a manual is fine.

The vanos reseal is also a good idea. Dont be dumb and try it yourself without the cam locks. Bad things happen when you fubar the cam timing. It can be done but I always like to reset the base cam timing when I don one and do it right. HUGE difference in response once done.

[techterr]

I can't believe you guys don't like Audis... they are the easiest cars to work on... lot's of room, once you get the service carrier off.. And the timing belt, and water pump, and thermostat... piece of cake.... and they never strip the timing belts.... And front suspension... Just a marvel of engineering....
Ratbastage is being too nice.. Crack monkeys having a grand mal seizure is a poliite way of saying how bad this stuff is engineered....

[J3M93]

what the fuck happened to those????????

[techterr]

what the fuck happened to those????????

This is what happens when you forget to change the timing belt... My nephew was getting on the freeway when the motor just quit... Put it on the trailer and got it home, pulled the timing belt cover and cranked the motor, the motor turned over, but the cam belt didn't... With a new set of valves and other , while we're in there parts, it came out to $1,200.00 in parts and pieces...
E30's do the same thing... they just don't have five valves per cylinder, and to change the belt on an e30 is a couple hours, Audi's, it a couple of days...

This is how the valves are supposed to be.. not bent and actually closing all the way... The pic above shows the bent valves, they stay open even without the help of the cams..

[91 318is]

Think I MAY have found my Audi. 2000 A4 2.8 5 speed Quattro, 135k, just had timing belt and all that crap done. All it needs is a new rack, ABS module, and maybe a tune up. Has a few aftermarket peices but a 2k, I don't think I can go wrong.

Going to check it out tomorrow evening hopefully.

[M42Power]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_1fuNWO9N4&feature=related

still in doubt?