What's your opinion on Audi's? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 11-16-2011, 09:34 AM

Some questions-
1. Are they mechanic friendly?
2. Are they basically fancy VW's?
3. Any particular models that stand out for durablity and robustness?

I basically wrench myself so it has to be something I can work on.

tjts1 · #2 11-16-2011, 09:36 AM

1. no
2. yes
3. no

Honus · #3 11-16-2011, 09:47 AM

Historically, Audis have been anything but robust. I don't know much about the new ones, although I recently drove a brand new A5. It was OK. Did not drive as nice as my 1999 BMW 528i which has 160,000 miles on it.

compu_85 · #4 11-16-2011, 09:55 AM

My 5000 was fantastic. It was basically a fancy Mk2.5 Jetta w/ 4 wheel drive... so part's weren't that expensive. I found it easier to work on than the SDL.

-J

vwbuge · #5 11-16-2011, 09:57 AM

Don't have any first hand owner experience. However, I was lusting for the longest time after an A8. I then wanted an A6 with the 4.2L but then settled for my VW PAssat W8.

tjts1 · #6 11-16-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Don't have any first hand owner experience. However, I was lusting for the longest time after an A8. I then wanted an A6 with the 4.2L but then settled for my VW PAssat W8.

I hope you never have to service those rear mounted timing chains like so many others.

I would like to meet the engineer who thought sandwiching the timing chains between the engine and the transmission was a good idea.

compu_85 · #7 11-16-2011, 10:16 AM

Said it before, I'll say it again. VWs with chain drives are to be avoided.

-J

Kuan · #8 11-16-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

1. no
2. yes
3. no

Second that.

Kuan · #9 11-16-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Said it before, I'll say it again. VWs with chain drives are to be avoided.

-J

What? VW's are to be avoided. Chain drive or not.

compu_85 · #10 11-16-2011, 10:23 AM

That's your opinion. My opinion after actually owning several and helping others fix many more is that they're excellent cars which reward proper service with long life. They have great documentation and some of the best enthusiast support of any make. I'm not going to claim every product they've made is perfect, but overall I think they're a great car.

-J

Air&Road · #11 11-16-2011, 10:31 AM

When I did lots of Western European business travel in the early 2000's I drove Audi A4's quite a lot. The company owned an A4 turbo station wagon that was a really nice Autobahn cruiser although about 210 to 220 Kilometers/Hour was about all it could do. In addition to that one I rented several A4's that were more stripped down rent cars.

Our guy that ran our Southern Europe operations was in Milan and bought a new A4 about every three or four years. I rode several times in two different ones of his. He had lots of electrical problems with them.

All in all I find them quite underwhelming although driving the company car on the Autobahn was quite fun. I think mostly because of the Autobahn, not because of the car.

vwbuge · #12 11-16-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

I hope you never have to service those rear mounted timing chains like so many others.

I would like to meet the engineer who thought sandwiching the timing chains between the engine and the transmission was a good idea.

When I owned the car I often asked the question about timing chain longevity. There were several owners with almost 200k miles and none of them replaced the timing chains. My car had just under 100k so I was trying to keep up on the maintenance. I had blown 2 COP when I owned it. You had to remove the intake manifold to access a few of them.

Overall, the car/chassis was very impressive. The 4Motion system rivaled that of several of my past Subarus. I had the 6spd which is quite rare so I let the car go to an enthusiast who was going to care for her.

The car was governed to 130mph but I could tell you mine did more than that.

Pooka · #13 11-16-2011, 11:31 AM

I have owned two, but this was years ago so this information might not help.

The 5000 with a 5-speed was a nice long distance car, but I was always blowing the power steering pumps and this is a known weak point on these cars. A new pump is about $750, a rebuilt about $400 and a used Pick-N-Pull was about $20. The only good thing about them is they are very easy to change.

Some, like almost all the older ones, require a special hyd. fluid in the power steering and it is currently about $100 a gallon. I used to check the trunk of every 5000 I ran across in a junk yard for a can of fluid since the owner would usually let me have it for free.

A lot of relays are located under the dash in a drop down panel which is not as easy to get to as it might sound. Electrical problems are common in older ones.

I did drive mine 350,000 miles before I donated it to the Salvation Army. One big caution on 5000's--- Unless you live in a BIG town parts are hard to find.

I also had a 1992 100 that I put about 250,000 miles on. It rode even nicer and had a V-6 and automatic, but it still needed that special hyd. fluid.

If you are considering an Audi GT then please be aware that almost every part on them is unique to that body. Even the front suspension assembly will not interchange with one from a 4000, and this assembly with flex and crack with a bit of hard driving.

None of these cars will ride, or hold up, like a Mercedes.

Yak · #14 11-16-2011, 07:50 PM

I had a '91 turbo quattro wagon and liked it a lot. Sold due to Texas unfriendly black/black. Solid car, good engine and turbo (I5 20 valve), weak electrics.

0-60 in 7 seconds, 155+ top end, 25+ mpg; all in a wagon. I miss it.

I think the Pentosin hydraulic fluid cited above is cheaper than listed. Similar to "use only certified MB fluids..."

I think Audi is currently a "hot" brand, so prices for used cars will be higher.

Skippy · #15 11-16-2011, 08:47 PM

1. Emphatically NO!
2. Pretty much.
3. No.

That said, the manual ones are somewhat fun to drive. I got to take a test drive in a 2000 S4 six speed that was quite pleasant, at least until I opened the hood. I don't care for automatic transmissions in general and Audi's really don't shift the way I like.