1999 Audi A4 1.8t from North America - Comments

I have a used 1999 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro with 102,000. I just had the original timing belt and seals replaced and the exhaust manifold gaskets (ugh-Can't believe I didn't check that out when I purchased it). The car sustained minor right front end damage and I had that repaired too. Now my power mirror control will not work. I checked the fuse and it is good. Is it possible that the electrical got messed up by the recent body work? The mirror control worked after the timing belt/manifold repair.

My 1999 Audi A4 Avant 1.8T has been both a joy and a pain to own.

At 114,000 miles, I expect repairs: brakes, control arms, etc. I have already replaced the rear wheel bearings twice since I purchased the car with 60,000 miles, but I suspect the dealer may have had something to do with the first replacement failing. I found a local mechanic who works for VW and does my car on the side — invaluable.

There are some little things that drive me nuts, like the exhaust constantly slipping out of the manifold. I have replaced six of the eight control arms. And I did have some minor electrical problems early on that were fairly easy to fix.

I know people with Chevys, Fords and Chryslers who have spent much more for repairs than I have spent on my Audi. I've also driven much newer American cars that can't compare to the handling of my Audi with 114k miles.

And living in Northern New York, where the winters are long and snowy, I can't imagine driving without the comfort of my Quattro.

Many Japanese cars win the maintenance cost battle, but the Audi wins in handling and most certainly style. All my power gadgetry still works, and there is no noticeable rust even after eight long, salty New York winters. I will be replacing one of my two aging cars within a year (the other being a '98 Nissan Sentra which has needed little maintenance, but is not a safe car to drive in winter). I don't think there's any question that the Audi will be staying.

In 2007 terms, on average I spend about £1,000 for every 8,000 miles travelled (about 15p per mile) $2,000 equivalent on servicing (parts + labour). This has been the same for my Vauxhall or Peugeot, whether they are petrol or diesel. The Vauxhall (13 years old, bought for £1,900 in 2002) is on 93k miles and Peugeot (10 years old, bought for £4,800 in 2001) is on 166k miles.

Years ago when I had Fords, it was cheaper, but only because I did most of the routine maintenance myself and only got garages to do the difficult stuff.

If you work it out, it is about the same as you spend on fuel, only you notice it because you spend it in bigger lumps, e.g. £1,700 for a complete overhaul of cooling system and recon head for the Peugeot at 140k miles.

I have now just bought a 2000 year VW Passat 1.8T with 75k miles for £3,000 and I have spent about another £1,000 in two weeks just to get it back to almost showroom condition, servicing and to sort out the misfire (the typical coil pack problem).

I've had breakdowns, coolant hose burst on a Vauxhall due to fuel sweating out of the fuel pipe to the carburetor and a track-rod end on a Ford (luckily at walking pace when the nut thread sheared), and exhaust systems failing unexpectedly.

You have a choice, pay for depreciation or pay for maintenance. Maintenance is cheaper.

OK some cars are lemons and should go to the great scrap heap in the sky, but others, once you get to know the symptoms of specific problems, you might as well keep the car and you then have the experience for the next time it occurs.

I posted a comment almost a year ago about my Audi 99 A4 1.8t, then at 81,000 miles, and now 94,000, and I have put the screws to her. I've got to say it is a solid car, and has been pretty good. I even got the quattro to lose traction once and did a 180, but I had worn tires on the rear.

It has served me well and is fun. The next car I get will likely be american cause they seem to be at least trying and are looking better, but until then my Audi hopefully, given some previous comments, should do.

I recently purchased a 1997 Audi A4 1.8 v5 turbo last May, and since then I had the water hose and pump replaced, and the tranny. I am now getting new pistons.

I'm not going to lie, the car is expensive, but I feel if you are used to driving Japanese or American cars, you are not going to know how to deal with anything German right away. Oil changes and the types of oil and fluids you use on this car is most crucial. Audis are like high maintenance women; you gotta spend a lot sometimes, but they look good on your arm... Oh the price of beauty and performance.

Here’s my experience.

Bought 99 A6 2.8 as of 90000 miles.

Replaced timing belt, changed oil, replaced boots, replaced front fork.

Then lock system shot out of the blue, spend $800 had it replaced.

Have to replace ‘plastic’ lock assembly too. Got complaints from the mechanics to no end, $200+ a pop, two of those.

Then transmission blows up. How much the dealership wants for it? $6000. Heck the car is $6200 on the market as ‘good’ condition.

Said mechanics never stopped complaining, about the head gasket, about the tranny, etc. Oh, BTW, he works for Audi dealership for about 5+ years. Previously out of state in another Audi too.

Bottom line, paid $9000 + repair about $2000, sold as trade in for $1000 for a period of 6 months.

Maybe I got a lemon of something, but boy, it is a giant one.

Yeah maybe you did get a lemon. I bought a 99 A4 1.8T Quattro back in October of 2005 with 66,000. I bought it from a used car dealer so I knew I would need to shell out some money sooner or later. A month after I bought the car I had the timing belt replaced, water pump, rear drive shaft seal replaced, control arms, ABS module and that's about it. Luckily for me the drive-shaft seal, control arms and ABS module were covered under the warranty that I bought. Since then nothing has gone wrong with my car. Please make sure you ask for full synthetic oil when you get an oil change. A4's handle beautifully in rain and snow. I know have 100205 miles on the car and still runs just as good as when I first bought it. I've never felt so safe in a car before and the all wheel drive is a must. Although I owned an Acura before this one I gotta tell you, Audi's are by far superior when it comes to handling. Of course the maintenance isn't the cheapest, but like someone posted earlier...it's a luxury car people, you will be paying luxury service prices. Keep that in mind so you won't be in such a "shock" when you get the service quote :-)

I just bought a 1999 Audi A4 and my brake light keeps blinking, guessing I need to change the brake fluid? Unfortunately I know nothing about cars... Anyone know if I need to purchase a certain kind of brake fluid or will any brake fluid do? Thanks!

I bought my 99.5 A4 18.8T Quattro 5 speed new in September 1999. I chipped it the first week after I bought it to bring it up to 200hp.

It now has 230,000km on it, driven in a very harsh northern Canadian climate. It has saved my bacon in bad conditions more than a few times.

The engine is now worn out and ready to be retired, though the body and interior are still mint. Only minor chips in the paint. Interior still near 100%.

I followed Audi maintenance schedule to a T but used synthetic oil.

Major abnormally weak spots are front suspension components and wheel bearings. Have replaced several times. High performance handling comes at a very significant cost. I currently have the sport suspension in it, though I started with the regular one. Suspension, brakes, tires, timing belts and oil changes have been my only outlays. I figure suspension costs have been about $2K per year alone.

Engine is burning oil only recently. All other major systems have held strong.

Minor irritants are the exterior mirrors, oxydize/cloud after about 3 years ($50 each) Cupholder on dash above push button climate control, spillage locks the buttons on your heating when temperature drops, can be dangerous on foggy or freezing days. I think the spill was several years ago, but still causes trouble.

Overall, I cannot complain, it has been a great drivers car, well balanced, handles amazing and her appearance still gets compliments.

I would buy a new one but cannot get past the incredibly ugly front grille that they now have. I am looking at an Acura instead.

I have an 99 Audi 1.8t has custom rims, coil overs, HKS exhaust, and I'm pushing 198000 miles on the car, and it still runs like a queen...

Currently I'm in the process of boosting up the stock turbo, that will eventually blow the motor pretty quick, but the good thing is that I'm getting a used 1.8t Jetta motor, which just has 73000 miles on it... after I blow it I will just have to swap the motors and I shall be good to go..

But one thing that I have to say.. AUDIS ARE THE SICKEST CARS... I mean look at me, I'm pushing it to 200 thousand miles, and the interior is still sick... people look at it and say it's a clean car... PLEASURE OWNING IT :)

I am in SA. Bought a 1999 Audi 1.8T. It's got more than 250 000km, but still runs like a new baby. The car is not giving me any problems, maybe there is something wrong with the American ones. The car is strong and going, and is very powerful on the highway.