1998 Audi A4 2.8L Quattro 2.8L from North America

Summary:

Amazing Car, Quattro rocks, but higher costs/insurance

Faults:

Radiator, tie rod end - 72,000

Timing Belt, Water pump - 72,000 (because I already had it in) - these are pretty much required to be done by 90,000

Other tie rod.

General Comments:

Great car, I loved it. Quattro is the best I have ever had in the snow, I want it back!

Maintenance expenses were higher then a typical car, but I knew that from my research. If you're willing to spend a little more on the car in order to have an amazing car, this is the one for you.

Also, insurance was high for me, being young.

2.8L had lots of power (not many options for upgrading it, but I didn't want to). Car is decently quick for being so heavy with the quattro system.

Overall I loved this car, got a great price for selling it so no complaints... just moving to a bigger vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th January, 2008

1998 Audi A4 1.8t from North America

Summary:

A safe all weather car that's fast and fun

Faults:

Wheel bearing at 89,000 miles. door trim on drivers door.

General Comments:

I love this car, I've been driving it for all these years and when I drive other newer cars I wonder why few can compair. It does everything I need. In the snow it goes unlike any car I've owned. My BMW was worthless in bad weather, the A4 blows it away in every respect. I changed my timing belt myself, about to do it a second time. The water pump too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th September, 2007

1998 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Audi of America deserves no respect

Faults:

My timing belt blew while driving at 105 kilometers per hour on a busy highway, while only 2/3rds of the way to the recommended change mileage. The engine was essentially ruined.

General Comments:

Nice looking car, handled well, looked great... until it almost killed me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th September, 2007

1998 Audi A4 Quattro 1.9 TDI 110 BHP from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Lovely car, but expensive to maintain on poor roads

Faults:

Suspension links were changed at 75,000 miles, and again at 150,000.

Air mass meter failed at 95,000 miles.

Wheel bearings changed at 80,000 miles, and again at 145,000 miles.

Problem with the alarm at 105,000 miles. Fixed itself.

Camber out on back wheels at 155,000 miles, causing bad tyre wear. Camber cannot be adjusted on this model, and no apparent cause. Still investigating the problem.

Crack on turbo intake pipe at 156,000 miles, causing fumes in the car.

General Comments:

The Audi A4 TDI Quattro is a beautiful car to drive. It handles very well in corners and the acceleration is very quick. The engine is one that I can rely on, and has caused no problems in my 87,000 miles of driving.

The main problem with the car is the suspension links. There is nearly always one of them that is causing a knocking when travelling over a bumpy road. These links are very costly to replace. I think part of the problem with wearing in the suspension links is the condition of the Irish rural roads (very poor). Other than that, most of the other problems are pretty minor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2007

3rd May 2009, 07:55

Suspension links (or 'drop-links') are not really a big issue. Mine were well worn on my 1.8 Avant by 90,000 miles, so I bought a pair of non-Audi ones from a wholesaler (same thing as Audi's, has to be or they can't sell it) for £40 and swapped them myself. It now drives like a new car! This job is easy for anyone with a set of spanners and torque-wrench, just pop the car up onto ramps or stands, unbolt and swap over. Or pay your local back-street garage about £70 to do it. The car should feel very firm and tight on the road.

Will C, Dorset

1998 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 from North America

Summary:

The biggest piece of crap I have ever had!!

Faults:

Well, basically right after I got my car, the transmission went left me sitting at a toll booth on the turnpike.

Next I noticed oil was leaking, no big deal, I fixed it.

Next, and still happening today, my car was and still is spitting out antifreeze out of the reservoir. I have had two different caps on it and numerous seals, nothing worked. Went to the dealerships and asked them, they don't know. Thinking having the 80,000 mile service done will fix it, well I was wrong. The car was in the shop for about 4 to 5 weeks, and it is stilling spitting out antifreeze.

General Comments:

I just can't believe that a car company like Audi would have these kind of problems. I guess I was wrong. The car is really nice - if it would work properly, I would love to buy another Audi, but as of now, I don't want anything to do with it.

Basically, excuse my language, but right now I am really annoyed, this car is a piece of crap!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th September, 2006

19th Sep 2006, 14:20

You bought a used car.

26th Sep 2006, 01:48

Even for a used car, having such problems at 80K miles is not acceptable, IMHO.

26th Sep 2006, 08:10

The reviewer purchased an 8 year old vehicle.

When you do this, you roll the dice, no matter what make the vehicle is.

11th Sep 2008, 15:03

If your car is spitting out anti-freeze, this means you need to replace the head gasket, plain and simple. This is a common problem with audi/volkswagen 1.8 and 2.8 engines.

9th Mar 2009, 16:34

I used to own a 1998 A4 2.8. It too was the biggest pile I've ever owned. Soooo many expensive repairs. A fun car, but I'm glad to be rid of it.