B8 vs late model B7, and why?

[Gu3nth]

Hey everyone, new to the forums and I'm in the process of shopping for my first Audi, specifically an A4. I've searched the threads for a topic similar to this, but none really answered the specific questions that I have.

My max budget is 10,000, or just a little over. I'd really like to get something 08 or newer, and it seems like the B7 from 2008 had relatively few problems. I've read countless posts online about all of the problems from the early model B8's, and I really don't want to end up with someone else's headache.

Knowing this, am I better off looking for a 2008 B7, or looking for an early year B8 that has had the oil consumption issue addressed? I guess I'm just looking to find the car that has fewer problems, and I realize it also depends on how the car was driven, etc.

Please let me know, happy to be here and I can't wait to get one!


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[Project Quattro]

Hey everyone, new to the forums and I'm in the process of shopping for my first Audi, specifically an A4. I've searched the threads for a topic similar to this, but none really answered the specific questions that I have.

My max budget is 10,000, or just a little over. I'd really like to get something 08 or newer, and it seems like the B7 from 2008 had relatively few problems. I've read countless posts online about all of the problems from the early model B8's, and I really don't want to end up with someone else's headache.

Knowing this, am I better off looking for a 2008 B7, or looking for an early year B8 that has had the oil consumption issue addressed? I guess I'm just looking to find the car that has fewer problems, and I realize it also depends on how the car was driven, etc.

Please let me know, happy to be here and I can't wait to get one!


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If you can get a 2011 B8, it's objectively a better car than the B7. If you're stuck with that budget and can only find 2009/2010 cars, the B7 is probably a slightly safer bet from a reliability perspective.

[cq20v]

For that budget, you can get a really nice B7, which would be a better choice than a "cheap" B8. If you get a manual, a late B7 should really have no reliability issues. Automatics are trouble.

[Gu3nth]

Thanks guys, so 2008 B7 or 2011 B8, got it. I test drove a 2008 B7 with about 90,000 miles on it, really liked it but the seller had no maintenance records and couldn't give me any proof that the car had been taken care of. I will try finding a manual B7 though, is the manual trans better than the auto for some reason?

[TJet1.8]

The Wife had an Automatic B7.
It has it's share of issues like:
Coilpacks, Rear Main Seal leaks, motor mounts wearing, etc...

All in all, the B8 is better in my opinion...but every vehicle will exhibit different issues I suppose.

[Gu3nth]

My main concern is just finding one that has maintenance records so I have an idea of what has been done. What about an early model B8 with manual? If the oil consumption issues have been addressed with the stage fixes, is there much to worry about?

[Srramirez]

I just got a 2011 B8 for that price point with service history, my 2 cents would be decide what you want and search long and hard for the good deal. Worked for me, good luck.

[TJet1.8]

If you decide on a B8, make sure you have ALL the service records if possible.
Give the VIN to a dealership in your area and check to see if all maintenance is on record.
This way, if you have an oil consumption issue, they can't refuse performing a Stage 2 fix if it fails the test.

I purchased mine used as well, but all maintenance was performed by Audi and I had full records of all oil changes, maintenance, etc...
No issues now that I had Pistons/Rings replaced...as well as Timing Chain/Tensioner (free of charge) by my dealership.

Good Luck.

[kvitrafn]

These are two quite different cars, so I think you should drive both before deciding. I loved my B7 2.0 TFSI but the B8 is a much better driving, more refined, faster and quieter car overall.

I did have to get the oil consumption fix done on my 2010 2.0 TFSI, which cost me nothing. Apart from that, I have not had any issues at all. Let's just say that isn't going to be the case with a 10 year old 90 k Miles b7.

[ians]

few months ago I was going through the same things debating between b7 or b8 avant as my daily. I love the looks of b7 avant a lot but after test drove 4 of them, they all drove so beat up! But on the other hand, all b8 that I test drove are very solid even the one with very high mileage! So I ended up pick up a 2011 avant with very bad body shape (spent 3k to repaint & repair the body) and have been trouble free driving it for 3mth & 8000km. Other than a bit sluggish when below 2k rpm and the AT transmission did some hurting for right gear hesitation, it just drive as good as my S5 which still only 40000km

[Gu3nth]

Seems that there is some divide on this decision, I'm guessing the answer isn't really clear cut and it just depends on the individual car. I did test drive the B7, have not had a chance to test drive a B8 A4, but have driven my friends A5. I just wanted to get a general idea of what to watch out for, it seems an early B8 with maintenance records may be a better choice than a 2008 B7, due to the engine updates? Obviously only if the car had the oil issue fixed (if it was ever a problem).

cq20v - what are the problems with the automatic transmission? I have searched but can't find anything.

[ducati]

Difference beasts but I would avoid the 2009-11 B8 unless you do your DD and check if it has the oil consumption problems.$10,000 get a low KM B7 though.

[kvitrafn]

I see that you guys feel MY 2009-11 are less desirable cars. If you just buy one that has the oil consumption fix done, which other issues are common on these years and solved on MY 2012 cars?

Clearly OP should be selective, but a 2011 with rebuilt engine is surely a good thing compared to a well used B7?

[Gu3nth]

I see that you guys feel MY 2009-11 are less desirable cars. If you just buy one that has the oil consumption fix done, which other issues are common on these years and solved on MY 2012 cars?

Clearly OP should be selective, but a 2011 with rebuilt engine is surely a good thing compared to a well used B7?

That's exactly the question I'm trying to get an answer to. I don't want to end up with a headache.


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[Crucible35]

I would follow the advice above and stay away from the 09-11 cars.....keep in mind that once the engine is rebuilt, it doesn't guarantee that you'll have a flawless engine. Some cars that had both stages of the Oil consumption fix still had major issues following the fix. ask me ow I know..... my 2009 had the fix done and shortly there after started experiencing further issues that turned out to be scoring on the cylinder walls and a small hole from cylinder three into the water jacket....coolant started leaking into the cylinder....at that point I had to unload it. Audi covered the oil consumption fix, but wouldn't cover any follow up issues since I was way outside my warranty. Just something to keep in mind.

[TJet1.8]

I would follow the advice above and stay away from the 09-11 cars.....keep in mind that once the engine is rebuilt, it doesn't guarantee that you'll have a flawless engine. Some cars that had both stages of the Oil consumption fix still had major issues following the fix. ask me ow I know..... my 2009 had the fix done and shortly there after started experiencing further issues that turned out to be scoring on the cylinder walls and a small hole from cylinder three into the water jacket....coolant started leaking into the cylinder....at that point I had to unload it. Audi covered the oil consumption fix, but wouldn't cover any follow up issues since I was way outside my warranty. Just something to keep in mind.

Ya...mine runs great at the moment after Piston/Rings and Timing Chain replacement.
I worry about the future reliability of my A4 all the time.
It's still under the Stage 2 fix warranty (1yr/20000Km's)...but I dunno if I'm going to keep her much longer.
I'd rather get a 2013+ and have "some" peace of mind.

[Gu3nth]

So from the sounds of it, with my budget, an 08 would be safer. Especially considering I can get a pretty low miles one for around that price.

Do people have problems with the automatic transmission?


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[Project Quattro]

That's exactly the question I'm trying to get an answer to. I don't want to end up with a headache.


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I went through the common issues in quite a bit of detail in the buyer's guide. I'd say that if you can find an early B8 with documentation that they have all been addressed, anecdotally the car will be fine 9 times out of 10.

A few cars have continued to burn oil after the rebuild, but it isn't common. My semieducated guess, having gone through the rebuild successfully with my previous B8, is that the ones with continuing issues should have had their blocks replaced due to scored walls, but the dealer/Audi cheaped out and didn't do so.

[Gu3nth]

Thanks for the insight Project Quattro, I have read through your buyer's guide extensively, more than once. From what I've seen and heard from some other members throughout this post, I can give a VIN number from a particular car to an Audi dealership and they will be able to tell if the issues have been addressed, correct? Does it matter if the car had work done at that particular dealer or not?

[Project Quattro]

Thanks for the insight Project Quattro, I have read through your buyer's guide extensively, more than once. From what I've seen and heard from some other members throughout this post, I can give a VIN number from a particular car to an Audi dealership and they will be able to tell if the issues have been addressed, correct? Does it matter if the car had work done at that particular dealer or not?

Any Audi dealer can do the work and any Audi dealer can pull the results.