1997 Audi A4 Quattro review from North America

When I got this car I knew that the previous owner had replaced a few parts that went bad.

Old owner issues:

1. Replaced turbo 2 times due to heat issues. The final fix involved heat shielding to keep as much heat away from the air intake and turbo itself.

2. Front right suspension had to be replaced at 60k miles as well as the back right one.

My issues:

1. Oil cooler developed a hole, which was found when the oil was changed and a large pool of brown milkshake color oil/water appeared on the ground. $800.

2. Head gasket went about 4 months after. Another flush of the coolant/oil system. $2400.

2. Bad thermostat 2 months later. $200.

3. Another bad thermostat; this time it had pieces all over. 3 months later. $500.

4. Ignition coils, 4 months later. $300.

5. Front left bushings no longer self lubricate. If you have a grease gun you can fix it till you get the cash to fix everything. Which involves replacing the whole arm section. $800 or $5 for stop gap fix 6 months later.

6. Defective brakes from the Audi dealer. Initial cost $500, total after repair $1000 3 months later.

7. Cooling system is messed up again. $500 circuit that controls the shifting is broken, $600 2 months later.

8. Electrical system is a joke. Sometimes your car alarm will go off for no reason or your windows will open. Sun roof does that a lot. About every other day this happens. Got the alarm to stop, but you need to know electrical systems and most people don't.

I swear there is more, but I'm forgetting them. But this is most of the BIG stuff.

When I first got this car, I had at the time a 1984 Thunderbird with about 198k miles on it. Only issue it had at the time was a oil leak. Only reason I even bought the Audi was my mother has an S4, and from driving it I liked the feel. Though it has a lot of other issues I now know.

As for the Audi, or what I call the piece of crap, here are a few small gripes I have with it that you can live with.

1. Since its the turbo charged 1.8 you have to learn when to time your start. Doesn't have the go which I was used to. Though at about 30 it's quick and gets to speed pretty fast.

2. Small period. I'm not that tall, only 6'2", but if you're any taller I wouldn't get this car; you will have a heck of a time getting in and out. It's a four seater, but if you have friends like me that are my height or taller, the back seat is only going to fit one.

Only other gripe is more of a common sense issue for a car sold in US/Canada. I wish they would label some of the parts also in English.