+ Rob +

"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.

Statistically speaking, Consumer Reports is correct about the 2002 A4.
However, the "engine problems" that they note are no longer an issue. In
fact, they weren't "problems" at all. It was one "problem" -- singular --
that was quite wide. 2002 A4's (and various other VW/Audis) had a
faulty part in the ignition system (a "coil pack") that would often fail and
leave people stranded on the side of the road. However, the part was
recalled and all cars received a redesigned, trouble-free replacement part.
Thus, while the problem will always persist within Consumer Reports'
statistics, it no longer exists on the road.

Rob
2002 A4 3.0Q
2005 TT 3.2 DSG

+ Rob +

"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.

Statistically speaking, Consumer Reports is correct about the 2002 A4.
However, the "engine problems" that they note are no longer an issue. In
fact, they weren't "problems" at all. It was one "problem" -- singular --
that was quite wide. 2002 A4's (and various other VW/Audis) had a
faulty part in the ignition system (a "coil pack") that would often fail and
leave people stranded on the side of the road. However, the part was
recalled and all cars received a redesigned, trouble-free replacement part.
Thus, while the problem will always persist within Consumer Reports'
statistics, it no longer exists on the road.

Rob
2002 A4 3.0Q
2005 TT 3.2 DSG

+ Rob +

"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.

Statistically speaking, Consumer Reports is correct about the 2002 A4.
However, the "engine problems" that they note are no longer an issue. In
fact, they weren't "problems" at all. It was one "problem" -- singular --
that was quite wide. 2002 A4's (and various other VW/Audis) had a
faulty part in the ignition system (a "coil pack") that would often fail and
leave people stranded on the side of the road. However, the part was
recalled and all cars received a redesigned, trouble-free replacement part.
Thus, while the problem will always persist within Consumer Reports'
statistics, it no longer exists on the road.

Rob
2002 A4 3.0Q
2005 TT 3.2 DSG

eBob.com

Well ... I just bought my third one two weeks ago. The '95 A6 Quatro wagon,
purchased used, had 140K+ miles on it when I traded it for a '98 A6 Quatro
Wagon, also purchased used, which had 148K miles on it when I sold it to buy
the 2003 A6 Quatro Avant (Audi newspeak for wagon) two weeks ago.

Sure, I've had problems. But none left me stranded. I think that today's
cars, especially the Japanese cars, have gotten so reliable that even cars
which are very reliable, on an absolute scale, can still be far down the
list.

I stop going to an Audi dealer for service as soon as the warranty expires.
My first attempt to find a reliable local mechanic failed. (Just because
they have a German name and even a German accent does not make them good
Audi mechanics!) But on my second try I got lucky. The guy doesn't seem to
take care of too many Audi's but he sure knows what he is doing. And when
he isn't sure he tells me to go to a dealer. I've only had to do that once
for a minor transmission leak.

By the way, my mechanic bought my '98, for his wife and kids. That says
something about his opinion of Audis.

My most serious complaint is lack of cup holders and cubby holes!

Good Luck, Bob
"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.
>
> Thanks in advance!

eBob.com

Well ... I just bought my third one two weeks ago. The '95 A6 Quatro wagon,
purchased used, had 140K+ miles on it when I traded it for a '98 A6 Quatro
Wagon, also purchased used, which had 148K miles on it when I sold it to buy
the 2003 A6 Quatro Avant (Audi newspeak for wagon) two weeks ago.

Sure, I've had problems. But none left me stranded. I think that today's
cars, especially the Japanese cars, have gotten so reliable that even cars
which are very reliable, on an absolute scale, can still be far down the
list.

I stop going to an Audi dealer for service as soon as the warranty expires.
My first attempt to find a reliable local mechanic failed. (Just because
they have a German name and even a German accent does not make them good
Audi mechanics!) But on my second try I got lucky. The guy doesn't seem to
take care of too many Audi's but he sure knows what he is doing. And when
he isn't sure he tells me to go to a dealer. I've only had to do that once
for a minor transmission leak.

By the way, my mechanic bought my '98, for his wife and kids. That says
something about his opinion of Audis.

My most serious complaint is lack of cup holders and cubby holes!

Good Luck, Bob
"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.
>
> Thanks in advance!

eBob.com

Well ... I just bought my third one two weeks ago. The '95 A6 Quatro wagon,
purchased used, had 140K+ miles on it when I traded it for a '98 A6 Quatro
Wagon, also purchased used, which had 148K miles on it when I sold it to buy
the 2003 A6 Quatro Avant (Audi newspeak for wagon) two weeks ago.

Sure, I've had problems. But none left me stranded. I think that today's
cars, especially the Japanese cars, have gotten so reliable that even cars
which are very reliable, on an absolute scale, can still be far down the
list.

I stop going to an Audi dealer for service as soon as the warranty expires.
My first attempt to find a reliable local mechanic failed. (Just because
they have a German name and even a German accent does not make them good
Audi mechanics!) But on my second try I got lucky. The guy doesn't seem to
take care of too many Audi's but he sure knows what he is doing. And when
he isn't sure he tells me to go to a dealer. I've only had to do that once
for a minor transmission leak.

By the way, my mechanic bought my '98, for his wife and kids. That says
something about his opinion of Audis.

My most serious complaint is lack of cup holders and cubby holes!

Good Luck, Bob
"K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
> Hey everyone..
>
> I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
> looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
> I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
> -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
> want to make sure I get a decent car.
>
> I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
> the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
> the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
> electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
> newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
> surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
> everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
mileage.
>
> How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
> have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
> on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
> word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
> and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
> Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
> failure/problems?
>
> The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
> 100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>
> I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
> also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
> between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
> Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
> "luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
> should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
> much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
> I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
> the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
> owners.
>
> If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.
>
> Thanks in advance!

K. Daver

Hi!

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of the A4. When I drove the A4 1.8
it felt as though it was dragging something which I contribute to the
motor just being worked more than it did with the V6. When I test drove
the Volvo S60, it felt the same. Like I had to really "HIT" the gas to
get it to go, which I didn't find in the Audi A4 3.0..

I really like the car's sophistication and handling. I also liked the
tiptronic system (which I never knew existed in these or other cars
before I saw it in the Audi).

My only concern is the warranty. Although I'm trying to find one
certified, I was surprised at the amount of Audi's with only a few years
on them and 50-60K miles on them already. Obviously, I don't want an
extended warranty from a non-Audi dealer as I've heard nothing but bad
things about non-dealer extended warranties.

I've checked Ebay (dealer only listings) and found that they seem to be
holding their value well. I'm in the North East, so I definitely want
the all-wheel drive and cold weather package. Up here a loaded used
Audi is still running about $26k (and I don't know how much haggling
they'll do) with probably about 30k miles on it. On Ebay it's about
$20-22k...

I appreciate all your help!

Regards,
Marty
(remove nospam in my email address to reply privately)
Peter Bell wrote:
> In message <mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com>
> "K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it.
>
>
> Great! Are you thinking of the A4 or A6?
>
>
>>I'm looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions
>>that I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up
>>their car -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest
>>answers and want to make sure I get a decent car.
>>
>>I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
>>the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
>>the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
>>electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
>>newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
>>surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
>>everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas mileage.
>>
>>How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
>>have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
>>on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
>>word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
>>and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
>>Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
>>failure/problems?
>
>
> Well, I've owned a 1996 A4 2.6l, 2000 A6 2.7T and 2003 RS6. My wife has
> a 2002 A2. The A4 had a fault which caused it to run roughly -
> quickly fixed by replacing a fuel injector at no cost to me. None of
> the other cars has had anything other than a very minor niggle. I've
> been veru happy with all of these cars.
>
>
>>The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
>>100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>>
>>I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
>> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it.
>
>
> I don't understand what you mean by 'pulling'. Be aware that you're
> comparing a four cylinder against a V6 engine - you shouldn't expect
> the four to be as smooth as the six.
>
>
>>I also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
>>between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
>
> No need for both - the 3.0 is a later replacement for the 2.8.
>
>
>>Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
>>"luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
>>should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
>>much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
>
> Don't expect repairs to be cheap, but regular maintenance shouldn't be
> very different ot other makes.
>
>
>>I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
>>the Audi, I really liked it.
>
>
> Same here - before I bought the A4, I test drove a BMW 3-series and
> wasn't impressed. My Volvo dealer couldn't even be bothered to find me
> a car to test! On the strength of that, and my subsequent satisfaction,
> I've stuck to Audis.
>

K. Daver

Hi!

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of the A4. When I drove the A4 1.8
it felt as though it was dragging something which I contribute to the
motor just being worked more than it did with the V6. When I test drove
the Volvo S60, it felt the same. Like I had to really "HIT" the gas to
get it to go, which I didn't find in the Audi A4 3.0..

I really like the car's sophistication and handling. I also liked the
tiptronic system (which I never knew existed in these or other cars
before I saw it in the Audi).

My only concern is the warranty. Although I'm trying to find one
certified, I was surprised at the amount of Audi's with only a few years
on them and 50-60K miles on them already. Obviously, I don't want an
extended warranty from a non-Audi dealer as I've heard nothing but bad
things about non-dealer extended warranties.

I've checked Ebay (dealer only listings) and found that they seem to be
holding their value well. I'm in the North East, so I definitely want
the all-wheel drive and cold weather package. Up here a loaded used
Audi is still running about $26k (and I don't know how much haggling
they'll do) with probably about 30k miles on it. On Ebay it's about
$20-22k...

I appreciate all your help!

Regards,
Marty
(remove nospam in my email address to reply privately)
Peter Bell wrote:
> In message <mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com>
> "K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it.
>
>
> Great! Are you thinking of the A4 or A6?
>
>
>>I'm looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions
>>that I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up
>>their car -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest
>>answers and want to make sure I get a decent car.
>>
>>I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
>>the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
>>the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
>>electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
>>newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
>>surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
>>everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas mileage.
>>
>>How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
>>have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
>>on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
>>word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
>>and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
>>Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
>>failure/problems?
>
>
> Well, I've owned a 1996 A4 2.6l, 2000 A6 2.7T and 2003 RS6. My wife has
> a 2002 A2. The A4 had a fault which caused it to run roughly -
> quickly fixed by replacing a fuel injector at no cost to me. None of
> the other cars has had anything other than a very minor niggle. I've
> been veru happy with all of these cars.
>
>
>>The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
>>100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>>
>>I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
>> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it.
>
>
> I don't understand what you mean by 'pulling'. Be aware that you're
> comparing a four cylinder against a V6 engine - you shouldn't expect
> the four to be as smooth as the six.
>
>
>>I also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
>>between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
>
> No need for both - the 3.0 is a later replacement for the 2.8.
>
>
>>Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
>>"luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
>>should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
>>much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
>
> Don't expect repairs to be cheap, but regular maintenance shouldn't be
> very different ot other makes.
>
>
>>I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
>>the Audi, I really liked it.
>
>
> Same here - before I bought the A4, I test drove a BMW 3-series and
> wasn't impressed. My Volvo dealer couldn't even be bothered to find me
> a car to test! On the strength of that, and my subsequent satisfaction,
> I've stuck to Audis.
>

K. Daver

Hi!

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of the A4. When I drove the A4 1.8
it felt as though it was dragging something which I contribute to the
motor just being worked more than it did with the V6. When I test drove
the Volvo S60, it felt the same. Like I had to really "HIT" the gas to
get it to go, which I didn't find in the Audi A4 3.0..

I really like the car's sophistication and handling. I also liked the
tiptronic system (which I never knew existed in these or other cars
before I saw it in the Audi).

My only concern is the warranty. Although I'm trying to find one
certified, I was surprised at the amount of Audi's with only a few years
on them and 50-60K miles on them already. Obviously, I don't want an
extended warranty from a non-Audi dealer as I've heard nothing but bad
things about non-dealer extended warranties.

I've checked Ebay (dealer only listings) and found that they seem to be
holding their value well. I'm in the North East, so I definitely want
the all-wheel drive and cold weather package. Up here a loaded used
Audi is still running about $26k (and I don't know how much haggling
they'll do) with probably about 30k miles on it. On Ebay it's about
$20-22k...

I appreciate all your help!

Regards,
Marty
(remove nospam in my email address to reply privately)
Peter Bell wrote:
> In message <mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com>
> "K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it.
>
>
> Great! Are you thinking of the A4 or A6?
>
>
>>I'm looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions
>>that I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up
>>their car -- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest
>>answers and want to make sure I get a decent car.
>>
>>I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
>>the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
>>the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
>>electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
>>newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
>>surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
>>everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas mileage.
>>
>>How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
>>have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
>>on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
>>word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
>>and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
>>Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
>>failure/problems?
>
>
> Well, I've owned a 1996 A4 2.6l, 2000 A6 2.7T and 2003 RS6. My wife has
> a 2002 A2. The A4 had a fault which caused it to run roughly -
> quickly fixed by replacing a fuel injector at no cost to me. None of
> the other cars has had anything other than a very minor niggle. I've
> been veru happy with all of these cars.
>
>
>>The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
>>100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>>
>>I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
>> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it.
>
>
> I don't understand what you mean by 'pulling'. Be aware that you're
> comparing a four cylinder against a V6 engine - you shouldn't expect
> the four to be as smooth as the six.
>
>
>>I also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
>>between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>
>
> No need for both - the 3.0 is a later replacement for the 2.8.
>
>
>>Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
>>"luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
>>should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
>>much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>
>
> Don't expect repairs to be cheap, but regular maintenance shouldn't be
> very different ot other makes.
>
>
>>I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
>>the Audi, I really liked it.
>
>
> Same here - before I bought the A4, I test drove a BMW 3-series and
> wasn't impressed. My Volvo dealer couldn't even be bothered to find me
> a car to test! On the strength of that, and my subsequent satisfaction,
> I've stuck to Audis.
>

K. Daver

Rob,

That's great to hear. Although I trust the magazine, I just didn't
understand why 2003 + 2004 (they didn't rate 2005 yet) still had a stay
away flag, yet they listed no problems with these years. They only
listed the problems with the 2002.

Either way, I'm glad that they fixed the problem with that model and
it's not resurfaced in later years.

Thanks again!

Marty

+ Rob + wrote:
> "K. Daver" <duckie74NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:mz3Yd.8149$DW.6879@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com ...
>
>>Hey everyone..
>>
>>I test drove an Audi 3.0 the other day and absolutely love it. I'm
>>looking to get a used (certified) Audi soon and had some questions that
>>I hope can be answered. Of course, the dealers always talk up their car
>>-- they should, that's their job. I, of course, want honest answers and
>>want to make sure I get a decent car.
>>
>>I was reading consumer reports and they didn't really speak highly of
>>the Audi. They rated the 2002 as having a lot of engine problems, while
>>the rest of the car did fairly well. It didn't do so well in the
>>electrical system, either. It didn't mention anything on the 2003 or
>>newer cars, but still rated the Audi as a "stay away". I was pretty
>>surprised at this as I've read user reviews on several car web sites and
>>everyone seems pretty pleased, with the exception of maybe the gas
>
> mileage.
>
>>How reliable are these cars? A few local friends who are mechanics,
>>have told me not to expect them to fix it because they've never worked
>>on an Audi before, and have heard that they are pretty intricate (fancy
>>word for expensive in this case). Consumer reports is pretty reliable
>>and I am concerned that they didn't give it a more favorable rating.
>>Are there specific models or model years that are more prone for
>>failure/problems?
>>
>>The warranty seems pretty decent through certified dealerships -- up to
>>100K miles or 6(?) years. To me that seemed pretty decent, actually.
>>
>>I test drove the 1.8 and didn't feel that that the car was very smooth.
>> It felt as though it was pulling. I drove the 3.0 and loved it. I
>>also see the 2.8 on the road, but don't understand the differences
>>between the 2.8 and 3.0. Why the need for both?
>>
>>Lastly, I do like the car, but it will be the first time I've bought a
>>"luxury" car, so obviously I'm concerned about the expense of fixing it
>>should something go wrong. It's my understanding that parts are pretty
>>much OEM only which does rack up the price quite a few bucks.
>>
>>I also test drove the Volvo S60 and didn't like it at all. Once I drove
>>the Audi, I really liked it. Just looking for some feedback from fellow
>>owners.
>>
>>If you reply privately please remove the "NOSPAM" from my email address.
>
>
> Statistically speaking, Consumer Reports is correct about the 2002 A4.
> However, the "engine problems" that they note are no longer an issue. In
> fact, they weren't "problems" at all. It was one "problem" -- singular --
> that was quite wide. 2002 A4's (and various other VW/Audis) had a
> faulty part in the ignition system (a "coil pack") that would often fail and
> leave people stranded on the side of the road. However, the part was
> recalled and all cars received a redesigned, trouble-free replacement part.
> Thus, while the problem will always persist within Consumer Reports'
> statistics, it no longer exists on the road.
>
> Rob
> 2002 A4 3.0Q
> 2005 TT 3.2 DSG
>
>