2002 Audi A4 1.8 T SE 1.8 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Luxury quality total class

Faults:

A few scratches on boot and offside rear wing, but these polished out. It had done 80000 when I bought it so that was to be expected, however that apart it was in exceptional condition and looked and drove like new. The interior was "as new" and can only thank the previous owner for being so fastidious in relation to keeping the inside so well.

General Comments:

This car is quick and a joy to drive

It looks the part and still turns heads

The twin pipes at the back really finish the cool sporty total class look.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th October, 2005

2002 Audi A4 1.8T 1.8 4 cylinder turbo from North America

Summary:

Only buy one if you enjoy spending time and money at the dealership

Faults:

Replaced 11 bulbs for headlights and tail lights within first 2 years.

Climate control non functional; lowest setting on climate control is 64 degrees and heat blasts out.

Air conditioning creates outside condensation on windows, requiring use of windshield wipers on a sunny day.

Wheel wells serves as resonators for tire noise for cars equipped with 17" tires and sport suspension. Constant drone in cabin at unacceptable decibel levels, grating on any trip over one half hour.

Front end more susceptible to damage from rocks kicked up by vehicles on the road than any car I have owned.

General Comments:

Audi service is a stressful experience for the owner due to huge demand on the technicians relating to quality issues and poor design. The service managers at the dealerships seem overworked and stressed out.

Audi cannot design a climate control system that works... over engineered and under performing.

Electrical problems keep you coming back to the dealership... and those headlight and taillight bulbs always seem to burn out at night.

Once the warranty is out, look out... the $80K service cost $650 for an oil change, spark plugs and two filters. Oh, and they charge you $12 to top your fluid levels whether you need it or not.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th July, 2005

17th Jul 2005, 22:49

Sorry to hear of your problems. Even though I don't have an Audi, I also had: “Constant drone in cabin at unacceptable decibel levels, grating on any trip over one half hour.” I just started leaving my wife at home.

19th Jul 2005, 06:47

My car is neither of the above mentioned models, but strangely enough, it also has a "unacceptable drone" problem. The Sensor that sets it off is fine on the highway, but whenever I bring her into a carpark,... well Its like there is an 'other force' trying to park in a spot other than the one I have selected. The most effective course of action I have found is to just ignore it, because the more you try to fight it, the stronger it gets.

If you just park the car, turn off the engine, and say out loud "its parked"... the problem goes away.

2002 Audi A4 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Not worth it

Faults:

There was a recall on the motor we were not made aware of until the car blew up on the interstate in the middle of the night. Apparently this is only a problem with the 02 a4's 1.8t. I live an hour from the dealerships so I had to be towed into the dealership then find a ride home. The dealerships are awful. I had bad experiences with two of them. I've had lots of motor problems and they always find a way to blame it on me even though I have kept up all the regular maintenance on my vehicle! I drive the car a lot, but for the money, I should be able to do that and not worry about the motor blowing up. I had to have the car towed 3 times and getting back and forth to and from the dealership is not easy when your car is blown. Please understand I do LOVE the looks of my little car, and it is extrememly comfortable. All the features are excellent, it's the quality of the motor and the service I recieved that has deffered me from another purchase. Maybe I got a lemon, but I'll not take the chance again.

General Comments:

Please be aware that Audi dealerships take surveys and the service managers salary apparently depends on those surveys. I was strong-armed by one after a giving a bad survey.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th May, 2005

31st Jan 2006, 15:03

Your story sounds very unbelievable or, you might really have gotten a Lemon. Its such coincidence that the car had to be towed 3 times, but you still kept and drive it? You live an hour away from the dealership and the car breaks down in the middle of the night? It's funny that the 1.8T, post 1998 is the strongest 4 cylinder yet.. its been apparantly called "bulletproof" by any tuner who has laid hands on the 1.8T. Maybe you don't know how to drive a manual?