A4 Reliability, Cost of Ownership?

[Major Sparky]

I'm in the market for a used car and I've been looking at an Audi A4. One of the things that throws me off a bit is reliability. I'd be buying a 2008 or 2009 A4 2.0T Quattro with manual transmission with around 50,000 miles on it.

What issues can I expect and how much should I budget for maintenance and repairs? How does the maintenance cost for the A4 compare to BMW models like the 328i or 128i? I'd be driving this car another 50K milles at least, will it last me? I am a light driver, only about 200 miles a week, but mostly city driving. How well can I expect it to hold up?

[b6Hate4]

2008 is a b7.
2009 was the introduction year of the b8, and it had a rather rough one.

I don't even know where to begin with comparing an a4 to a 128i lol.

[overboard]

I think the earlier on 128i has electrical issues but the inline 6 is apparently pretty bulletproof. But I don't see why you're cross shopping the 128i with the 328i and A4... Also is AWD necessary or not? Because the 328i w/o xDrive is RWD so really it depends on whether you think it is necessary.

The 328i has less standard features (I don't even think Bluetooth is standard but I might be wrong) and the rides are entirely different. Test drive all of these and decide what you like vs dislike on these models?

[Major Sparky]

I understand that they're different vehicles but I'm trying to decide between the BMW's and the A4, and cost of ownership would be a big factor in my decision. I edited my original post to more clearly state what I was trying to ask.

[BaysideS4]

No offense, but maybe you should consider a Chevrolet.

[TheTrucidator]

2012 A4 quattro, not even 2 yrs old

highly unreliable.

Abt 45000k. fuel injectors replaced ( 3 out of 4), 2 wheel bearing replaced, main drive axle replaced, charcoal canister replaced, pcv system replaced completely, engine crank seal replaced, weird fucking stuff going on, other stuff too, downtime abt 1 month total.

And also transmission jerking as much as my fucking DSG on my 2009 jetta tdi, still have engine rough idle issues...

please avoid, audi is fucking shit

[Major Sparky]

No offense, but maybe you should consider a Chevrolet.

And why's that? Because I'm asking basic questions about a car I'm interested in owning?

[Project Quattro]

I bought mine CPO (2009 A4 2.0T Quattro premium) in early 2012 with 27k miles, it now has 42k and has been dead reliable. I had 2 coil packs replaced under warranty, and that is one of the few weak points on the VAG 2.0T motors. Aside from that, and the electronic fuel door deciding it didn't want to unlock with the key (warranty repair), it's been flawless. I wouldn't let reliability worry you, especially if you get one with the CPO warranty.

Comparably priced BMW and Mercedes models have way less equipment than the A4, and you'll spend thousands more trying to find an apples-to-apples model. I'd buy another B8 in a heartbeat, and I'm going to stick with Audi for the foreseeable future.

Also, go for Quattro and the tiptronic transmission rather than the FWD and CVT.

As was mentioned earlier, 2008 was the B7 which is a very different car.


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[Major Sparky]

I bought mine CPO (2009 A4 2.0T Quattro premium) in early 2012 with 27k miles, it now has 42k and has been dead reliable. I had 2 coil packs replaced under warranty, and that is one of the few weak points on the VAG 2.0T motors. Aside from that, and the electronic fuel door deciding it didn't want to unlock with the key (warranty repair), it's been flawless. I wouldn't let reliability worry you, especially if you get one with the CPO warranty.

Comparably priced BMW and Mercedes models have way less equipment than the A4, and you'll spend thousands more trying to find an apples-to-apples model. I'd buy another B8 in a heartbeat, and I'm going to stick with Audi for the foreseeable future.

Also, go for Quattro and the tiptronic transmission rather than the FWD and CVT.

As was mentioned earlier, 2008 was the B7 which is a very different car.


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Thank you! I'm not sure I could find a CPO 2009 A4 but I'll try. A little maintenance doesn't scare me, I just need to know more firmly what I'm getting into.

[Project Quattro]

Thank you! I'm not sure I could find a CPO 2009 A4 but I'll try. A little maintenance doesn't scare me, I just need to know more firmly what I'm getting into.

Doesn't have to be an '09, the '10 and '11s are all over the place CPO now because they're coming off lease. I believe it was '11 that the 8-speed tiptronic became standard over the 6-speed that I have, but they're largely the same car otherwise. Happy to answer any other questions that you may have!


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[Project Quattro]

Also, I moved from a Civic to an Audi also. Night and day, you'll never look back.


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[Major Sparky]

That's what I'm hoping for. The civic is painfully boring. I'm looking forward to driving something much nicer.

[kbfr08]

Any particular reason you wouldn't consider a 3.2? It's a great engine and mine has been extremely reliable. There's a long thread about oil consumption on the 2.0s so if you're getting the car without warranty it might be a good idea to consider the 6-cylinder since it's unaffected by that problem.

[Major Sparky]

Yeah I really want a manual and the 3.2 only comes with automatic to my knowledge.

[formula1guy]

2012 A4 quattro, not even 2 yrs old

highly unreliable.

Abt 45000k. fuel injectors replaced ( 3 out of 4), 2 wheel bearing replaced, main drive axle replaced, charcoal canister replaced, pcv system replaced completely, engine crank seal replaced, weird fucking stuff going on, other stuff too, downtime abt 1 month total.

And also transmission jerking as much as my fucking DSG on my 2009 jetta tdi, still have engine rough idle issues...

please avoid, audi is fucking shit

Sorry that you've had to deal with this stuff but fortunately, this is not the ownership experience that most here have experienced. On our 5th Audi and although my 09 Avant has had some issues, all were taken care of under warranty and the car has been flawless since (I'm at 72k). Wife's 2010 B8 A4 is at 85k already and other than requiring the stage 1 oil consumption repair, the car has been bulletproof with not a single other issue. To the OP, just do your homework and ask for all service records. Look to see if there is any history of oil consumption, if so, were the stage 1 or 2 repairs performed. Good luck!

[name.goes.here]

2012 A4 quattro, not even 2 yrs old

highly unreliable.

Abt 45000k. fuel injectors replaced ( 3 out of 4), 2 wheel bearing replaced, main drive axle replaced, charcoal canister replaced, pcv system replaced completely, engine crank seal replaced, weird fucking stuff going on, other stuff too, downtime abt 1 month total.

And also transmission jerking as much as my fucking DSG on my 2009 jetta tdi, still have engine rough idle issues...

please avoid, audi is fucking shit

Yours is likely a lemon; they do happen from time to time. But, in any event, with a 2012 you should still be under warranty so all the issues would be fixed at no cost to you. Wouldn't go so far as describing the car as "fucking shit" though.

My own experience with my 2012 = no issues at all.

From what I've read and encountered, Audi reliability and longevity far exceeds that of BMW. I would have no concern owning my Audi out of warranty based on performance to date, but I would not feel comfortable owning a BMW out of warranty.

Regarding being a low mileage city driver, I am one too, and as long as you are proactive with maintenance - perhaps doing oil changes every 5K instead of every 10K, you will be fine.

[bluetori]

My 09 Avant has pretty close to 90k on it and like others I had the KNOWN oil consumption performed and have not had any other problems. In fact I went 10k between my last oil change and the oil level barely even dropped. Good cars but there are always random ones that are trouble.

[A4BGP]

If you spin your own wrenches, believe in good, proper tools and have parts sources other than the (usually) high price dealership, go for it. Otherwise, see the Chevrolet comment.

[ny tdi]

Having owned both, I can tell you from experience that the early 128i and 328i you are looking into are almost bullet proof between 50k-100k miles (no electrical issues). The E90 platform (on which the 128i is based on) is solid as a rock. Things that you WILL spend money on with the Bavarians are electrical/supplemental radiator fan, upper radiator hose, shocks/struts, brakes, tires (especially rear tires!), oil changes, and window regulators.

The Upper radiator hose is dirt cheap, and I installed it myself, the Electrical Fan will run you $600, the Oil changes will be $60--$120 because its fully synthetic, and the Window regulators are $300/ea. installed. Not bad for a premium car. Other than that, the 128i/328i will run like a champ, and will be VERY low maintenance between 50k-100k miles, and the naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engines can handle a ton of abuse before they give you any trouble. Also, the clutches last FOREVER if you know what you are doing. Both of my 128i and 328i had the original clutch when I traded them in at 130,000+ miles.

The A4 is a good choice too, but you're better off getting a Certified one. This will cover the oil consumption issues, and any other engine components that have been known to fail on the b7 b8 cars (cam followers, pistons, camshafts, turbos, etc.). Also, the CVT transmissions have been problematic in the past, so you might be in for a terrible surprise when breaching the 100k mark. Also, regular maintenance will be higher on the A4, past 50,000. All the little things will add up in the end (and the are TONS of little things with VAG cars), so be sure to get a certified one. You'll be out $100 every time you take a certified audi in for service, but you'll get a loaner, and that's worth a lot.

So there, get the beemers if you are strapped for cash, get the A4 if you can buy certified...

BTW, I currently own a B8.5 A4, and I've also owned a Golf TDI, and an Audi A3. So I'm confident that I can speak objectively on this issue.

PS-Here is a link to the cost of ownership on a new 2014 A4
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2013/..._of_ownership/

[Major Sparky]

Thanks for the info! I think what I'm just gonna have to do is either pony up a bit more money for a CPO or try to get a warranty from the dealer on an 09. What kind of warranties are typical to get from dealers? Would it be possible and how much extra would it cost to get a one or two year warranty on a car that's not CPO?

[TheTrucidator]

Yours is likely a lemon; they do happen from time to time. But, in any event, with a 2012 you should still be under warranty so all the issues would be fixed at no cost to you. Wouldn't go so far as describing the car as "fucking shit" though.

My own experience with my 2012 = no issues at all.

From what I've read and encountered, Audi reliability and longevity far exceeds that of BMW. I would have no concern owning my Audi out of warranty based on performance to date, but I would not feel comfortable owning a BMW out of warranty.

Regarding being a low mileage city driver, I am one too, and as long as you are proactive with maintenance - perhaps doing oil changes every 5K instead of every 10K, you will be fine.

Yeah, I bought a 5 yrs /100k miles extended warranty.

I'm just pissed that I have had these problems so early and so many of them.

I think I have more of an issue with a worthless stealership...

I didnt go bmw because of reliability issues. I never tought I would have so many issues with my audi...

[Major Sparky]

Yeah, I bought a 5 yrs /100k miles extended warranty.

I'm just pissed that I have had these problems so early and so many of them.

I think I have more of an issue with a worthless stealership...

I didnt go bmw because of reliability issues. I never tought I would have so many issues with my audi...

Yeah, from what others are saying it seems like you're problems are in the minority, unfortunately for you. The trouble for me is trying not to get one of those problem cars and being stuck with one with no warranty. Though it'd seems like if I bought an 09 or 10 then most issues would have already cropped up and been taken care of. Then I'd just have to mostly worry about the oil consumption problem, waterpump, etc. Rather than major engine issues.

[ny tdi]

Thanks for the info! I think what I'm just gonna have to do is either pony up a bit more money for a CPO or try to get a warranty from the dealer on an 09. What kind of warranties are typical to get from dealers? Would it be possible and how much extra would it cost to get a one or two year warranty on a car that's not CPO?

Be VERY careful when purchasing extended warranties from VW/Audi dealers. They are not backed by VW proper, but by Fidelity. This means that VW/Audi is just reselling someone elses brakedown insurance plan. Fidelity can be hit/miss depending on what you're trying to get covered, and the price increases dramatically with increased miles on the car. More so if your car is out of warranty. Come to think of it, there is a cutoff for mileage/year eligibility, so a car with 50,000 might not even qualify. And even if it did, it would be expensive ($2500-$3500, easily), and even if you could afford it, you might be denied coverage down the road because the moon was full, or because was Tuesday.

On the other hand, BMW extended warranties are backed by BMW proper, so you don't have to worry about dealing with some 3rd party. It really is like extending your bumper to bumper. The only catch is that you have to be in warranty to buy full coverage. Out of warranty BMWs are eligible, but only for powertrain coverage, and only to 100,000 miles.

If you are really worried about coverage beyond the factory warranty, then you are MUCH better off doing one of the following:
Buy a BMW that's almost out of warranty, then buy the additional coverage from BMW
or
Get a certified A4

One last thing: certification doesn't cover the NAV on your Audi or BMW, but extended warranties do. BMW's is very good about honoring extended warranties on electrical components. Fidelity may or may not honor it, it depends how they feel on that particular day...

[Major Sparky]

Ok, I'll be wary of warranty programs. How hard is it to do DIY maintenance? I'm guessing because there's a lot of mods for these cars that they're fairly easy to work on and there's a good market for parts?

[Frinkferta]

If you are familiar with routine maintenance on other vehicles, there is not much to lean. Primarily the format and locations of what needs to be maintained is the biggest part of the DIY maintenance.

[SDF1]

Stay AWAY from the 2009, spend some extra money and get a 2011! Most of the issues were solved then.
and ONLY buy one with CPO.

My 2009 had lots of "FUN" problems.

[dfost24]

FWIW, my first Audi was a 1998 B5 2.8 that I bought in 2005 with 70,000 miles on it. Other than oil changes and a tire rotation, I didn't have a single issue with the car until some of the electricals started becoming problematic (windows/sunroof)...etc. I gave it my brother who has beaten it into the ground and other issues have arisen but the engine and transmission (manual) has been great through about 115k miles, now it's 16 years old.

My 2010 B8 is being traded next week with 19,500 miles on it (i live in the city, light driver...) after 4 years. Never had a single issue with it other than oil consumption early on, has treated me so well that I'm staying with the Audi family and going to the Q7.

That said, my co-worker had a 2009 that they drove a LOT as a commuting car and said it was a complete nightmare...likely a lemon, but I'd stay away from the 2009's...