Faults:

Alternator at 65,000 - also affected the entire electrical system. Cost $900.

Timing belt at 78,000 - Cost $800. Standing by for further cost.

General Comments:

I have not been happy with my A4.

Bought for my wife, because she liked the way it looked and I had heard they were good cars.

It drives OK, but it is under powered.

The interior trim is falling off.

The brakes wear quickly.

Normal maintenance costs, such as oil change etc. are outrageous.

Garages available to work on Audi's are limited and the wait is long.

Expect to spend $1000 a year on maintenance for this car.

I am selling my A4 before it costs me anymore money.

I doubt I will be able to get what I owe on it.

Faults:

I knew the previous owner (he was the original owner) of this car, an between him and myself, all the recommended maintenance was done. Oil changes, timing belt replacements, coolant systems and transmission serviced all at recommended mileage.

At 78,000 miles, my head gasket blew resulting in major engine damage. Practically everything under the hood needed to be replaced: The radiator , the turbo unit, all pumps and reservoir tanks, and I the engine was damaged as well. The car was only worth $7000-$8000 at the time this happened, and the repairs would have been that much. I am tremendously disappointed in Audi quality and I will never buy another one.

General Comments:

The car was great while it lasted. Peppy engine, fantastic handling. Again, the fact that with all the maintenance I did that such a catastrophic problem could occur is mind boggling. Very poorly made car. I would not recommend buying one.

Faults:

Replaced the following between 50,000 and 60,000 miles. They were covered under Audi certification program warranty.

- Control arms. Dealer said this was normal for this car.

- Both headlights. They blew out within a week of each other.

- Radio. Driver side door speakers stopped working. New radio fixed the problem.

- Heating elements in both outside mirrors.

- Cup holders. Springs broke.

- Window controls on driver door.

- Timing chain(?) dampener. Some rattling noise from engine compartment.

Around 75,000 miles the wheel bearings for the back right wheel were replaced.

Around 80,000 miles, right-side headlight blows out again.

Around 90,000 timing belt broke.

Every so often while going up hill at slow speed (under 25) car would refuse to shift down to correct gear and the engine would knock. Audi mechanics told me transmission was "working within spec".

General Comments:

I liked the idea of driving an Audi -- something a little more jazzy than the everyday Accord and Camry.

With new tires, this car with the all wheel drive was great in the snow.

The seats are very uncomfortable after an hour or so.

Car is slow. Especially from a stand still.

Faults:

Nothing has actually gone wrong in the 3 months I have had this car.

General Comments:

A few problems:

The driver's seat is agony. I am 6'0" and 155 lbs, and I find the seat crippling after 45 minutes. I have no back problem - though the Audi might well be creating one.

There are several large blind spots.

The turning circle is very poor. This can cause problems for u-turns, tight turns and even parking.

The automatic gear box sounds as if it is in the wrong gear most of the time, and engine revs are high.

If the bonnet is opened when it is wet water cascades into the engine compartment.

There is no warning light for a low windscreen washer bottle. The bottle is small and needs refilling often.

The car drinks petrol.

Braking distance is long - I've had a garage check it and am told that the brakes are in A1 condition.

I'm selling tomorrow after three months, and accepting the substantial financial costs.