1999 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 V6 from North America
Summary:
Great sports/luxury cross, expensive maintenance bills
Faults:
The week I got the car, the trim on the passenger door fell off. The bracket holding it on was completely rusted out, but no one noticed this until we went through a car wash. At my house, I noticed it hanging, then pulled off. A week later, the trim on both the driver side doors fell off as well. New trim cost $250 for all 4 doors, and is easy to install.
The engine will go through about a quart of oil every month. I have yet to fix this problem properly, but a warning to anyone buying an Audi: check the oil weekly, at least.
A squeak developed in the steering column since the weather has gotten colder. The front right wheel also squeaks when going over a bumpy road.
Driveshaft snapped when shifting from 4th to 3rd going 60 mph. Anyone who drives a manual transmission should know that if you don’t rev match, especially at such a high speed, you could do serious damage to your car. Luckily, it was only a 200 dollar fix.
Cruise control has never worked for me. I don't know if I am doing it wrong, or something's broken, But I haven't figured it out.
General Comments:
In my opinion, this car is meant to be a cross between a luxury car and a sports car, and it does it very well. The 2.8 V6 does the car justice when you are between 2 and 4 thousand rpm, especially in second gear. I started in second gear at 15 mph, and floored it until I got to 5500 rpm. I was going 45 mph in a matter of 2.5 seconds.
This car handles like a Lotus. I can drive 35 mph in a circle about 25 feet in diameter. It's not a good idea, but I’ve done it. It hugs the road’s curves like nothing I’ve driven. I never lose traction… ever, never slide, even in the rain or light snow.
The manual transmission feels a little scratchy when shifting into first gear, but it doesn’t cause a problem of any kind. However, I miss 3rd gear almost on a daily basis.
The seats are comfortable, but it's pretty easy to slide around in them. When turning quickly around a corner, you almost have to hold yourself in your seat with your elbows. However, they are very comfortable on a long drive.
The cabin has good visibility and seems to be made out of high quality materials. Compared to my dad’s 09 Chevy, I drive a Rolls Royce. A/C is always cold, heating is always hot. Heated seats work great.
The downside to Audi’s is that upkeep is expensive. Though I haven’t had to replace the clutch, the cost for replacement can be between 900 and 1400 dollars. My friend, who owns a 02 Civic, had his clutch replaced for 250. If, for some reason, you want to swap the engine, expect to pay more than your car is worth. If something major goes wrong with the engine, don’t expect to pay less than 1000.
Overall, it’s a great car. I’m glad I got it. I’m not glad it's expensive to keep, but I can handle it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th October, 2010
20th Mar 2013, 12:41
Glad you like your A4 Quattro; I've got one and they are a great car.
Several things you mentioned seem a little odd however!
You mentioned shifting from 4th to 3rd gear at 60mph, and that it was a high speed to do so. Well, there should NEVER be an issue doing that! I regularly shift into 3rd at about 70 or so to overtake, and take it up to 100 sometimes in mine!! I also have a 1.2 Hyundai i10 as a city car, which does 85 in 3rd, and again, regularly change up at 60 + from 4th into 3rd, even in that.
Lastly, I appreciate you are in the USA, and may be used to American cars' handling characteristics, but I can assure you, your Quattro does NOT handle like a Lotus!! It's not a light, nimble, mid-engined 2 seater sports car. Drive an Elise and you'll see the enormous difference between the two!!