My 96 A4QM has now cost me nearly $1000 for repairs in its first three months off of warranty. Latest is a broken regulator for the driver's window. Before that it was a slipping timing belt that required replacement and cost $600. AofA has graciously (X!X!X!) agreed to pick up the cost of the belt tensioners ($120) since I only have 48 K on my car.

Several of you have suggested that the troubles I've had are not atypical for first-year production models. I have two things to say about that. First, the A4 was built and sold in Europe as a 95 model, wasn't it? Second, I owned two first-year Hondas (84 CRX and 90 Accord) and never had any problems at all, let alone like this.

I'll post the whole list soon. It's depressing. And my other friend with an off-warranty 96 has just had to pay $800 to replace her AC condenser. This is ugly.

richard b
96 QM

my 96 a42.8q is pushing 67,ooo miles and throughout the service record the only prob is a recently chipped windshield. knock on wood.

I was thinking of trading my 96 in for a new one, but I think I'll get $*#&$(( on the trade-in. I would sell it outright but that can be a pain too.

Wecolme to Audiville. They are great cars, for the enthusist, but are a absolute bomb to matntain. They will run forever. we still have a 84 5000 with over 150,000 miles, but I have repairs bills that will but a new GTI.

If so, find a good independent shop to do the repairs. And if you can find one that lets you supply your own parts, then buy the parts from some place like Clair Parts Express. I'm sure you could easily knock off some $$$ if you used a independent shop.

I've owned my '93 90S, which as the same engine as the '96 A4, for over two years now and the only things I've been forced to replace has been the heater resistor pack which controls the heater blower speeds and a front ball-joint. I've also had to replace a headlight, but that was because a rock took out the stock light. I have also replaced the belts, water pump, and belt tentioners, but that was my own decision, I wasn't forced to replace them. I must admit that the cruise control has never worked properly since I've bought the car (at 30k miles, it now has over 80k), but I never really use the cruise, so I've never felt the need to have it fixed.

Also, the '93 90 was all-new that year, so it is a first year production too. In fact, I believe this is the first year that the V6 was used. I personally haven't had many problems with it and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned.

Matt

...the drivetrain and body structure isn't the eqivalent of the energizer bunny! They keep going, and going, and going. Best of all, they are still a joy to drive and still look new after 10+ years and well over 100K miles! :-) I have seen the light, and it comes in the form of several thousand in repair bills every year! :-) Will I go back? Not a chance in hell!

Charles
'89, 90Q, 107K miles and running stronger and stronger every day!

I think you may be jumping the gun on condemning Audi of poor quality. I agree spending money on repairs is a drag but I think your expectations may be unrealistic.

I just spent $200 to have the window track replaced on my G20 after having spent $350 for a regulator for it 7 months ago. I spent $250 to have the power antenna fixed and it sounds like it's going again. The clutch went at 58k miles and cost $850, replaced motor mounts and CV joints as well. I DON'T go up on the Nissan SE-R forum and post that Infiniti/Nissan quality sucks.

Want to know why.....my G is now 5 1/2 years old and things break on older cars. It's a fact of car life. Thats why some people only keep cars 3 years or ALWAYS LEASE. In general, new cars are pretty trouble free..and as cars age problems develop...!

I too had an 89 Accord Sedan and it was great up to 130k when I sold it BUT my mother had an 89 Accord Coupe and it was terrible. To this day she will not buy a Honda. My 87 Integra - which I kept 7 years, was at the dealer all the time - more than any car I have owned. I had to get rid of it due to RUST problems around the wheel wells that required major body work - Friggin RUST. Does this mean Honda/Acura's suck....NOOOOO, it means as the cars got OLDER they developed problems.

I don't mean to sound harsh (or start a flame war) but I get tired of seeing all these posts that Audi car quality sucks as their A4 cars age and require repairs. On the Bimmer.org E36 forum people are always posting about repairs and asking for help on fixing it themselves or where to get replacement parts...BUT I don't see them saying their cars suck because they need repairs. If we start hearing about blown turbos, engines, and transmissions - in other words big ticket items - then there is trouble...but squeeks, rattles, compressors, clutches, window motors, etc are just typical older car annoyances.

My .02,

Mitch 99.5 1.8tqms

First, this is the second major repair (timing belt was the other) I've had in the three months the car has been off warranty. $1000 in all.

Second, I know things break and wear out and am prepared for that, but this car has only 48K on it.

Third, I have had problems since it was new. It was just less troublesome then, because they were covered under warranty. But the list is long, and includes clutch master cylinder, power steering pump, oxygen sensor, cruise control, sunroof switch, and a complete dashboard replacement. There was more, but mercifully, I have forgotten some of it.

So I wouldn't call that whining, would you? Or do you consider that within the normal range of what to expect?

nt