There is always much talk of reliability on this forum. While it is hard<br> to say exactly how reliable the a4 is, it seems safe to say that is less reliable than<br> almost all of the major Japanese brands (especially lexus). Why is it so hard for<br> the Germans to build cars as reliable as Japanese models. The country where the cars are built<br> doesn't seem to make much of a difference since Honda and Toyota build reliable cars in the U.S.<br> The Japanese have been building more reliable cars for years, so their methods aren't a big<br> secret. Sometimes, people use the excuse that European cars are more "innovative" and<br> more on the cutting-edge of technology. But they both have things like ABS, xenon healight,s<br> sunroofs, traction control, turbos, multi-valve engines, electronic transmissions and engines,<br> and on and on. In some cases, the Japanese have been more innovative. In fact, German cars generally have less features than Japanese cars<br> at a given price range. So, why for example, do Audis still have more electrical problems (sunroof switches, door locks, headlights are not<br> is not cutting-egden more mechanical problems (things like synchros and wastegates are hardly<br> new technology). I could forgive first-year model teething problems (even though Japanese makes tend not<br> to have these problems), but it seems like Audi still makes the same mistakes year after year,<br> model after model. I'm equally amazed that the Japanese can't make a car that<br> drives as well as German cars. But, that could be seen as more a concious engineering<br> decision. Choosing poor quality, I hope, is not. I'm just frustrated b/c, as much as I want<br> an A4, its hard for me to spend so much money on a product that is so faulty compared with<br> others in the same price range. But in the end, I know I will :).

You'll certainly get a variety of responses to your post. I don't have the answers, but in my experience with a Honda CRX prior to my A4, I did not consider the CRX reliable compared to other Honda owners I know. I'm not sure if I got a bad one, or if I'm more particular or what??? It's really tough to judge on personal experience or on a few opinions. For what its worth, Consumer Reports has rated the A4's reliability better than average (as good as some Japanese cars - maybe not Lexus though). In my experience, I had one turbo hose noise problem that was fixed and I have a couple of rattles/creaks that are annoyances.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

Don't the Japanese use super glue to put their cars together? I have come to the realization that super glue must be what they use to put them together: no creeks, nor squeeks...everything is so reliable,...UNTIL they start falling apart due to the weakening of the super glue bonds with age. Super glue would also explain when their cars don't have the solid "thunk" when you close the doors! Even the driving experience... the super glue can only do so much... it's certainly not going to give you the German teutonic driving experience.<br>Hmm.. I wonder which brand of super glue it is that they use? :)<br>The truth is out there....<p>Cris<br>

I'm not certain that I agree with you here. My wife and I have had several Japanese-made cars over the years and I don't think that our Avant is any less reliable than any of them. We've owned: Supra, Camry, Integra, RX-7, Corolla, Accord. Each of these cars had some type of problem: My Supra used to blow oil-pressure senders (what a huge mess!), the RX-7 ate three clutches in 12K miles, Integra wouldn't shift 2->3 when cold, Corolla was pretty stable, Accord had heating/AC/electrical problem for all 3 years we had it, Camry had AC trouble and blew a lot of oil from every orifice.<p>In any case, I'm not bashing any of the above cars. In general I feel that they were all reliable (I put 175K miles on the Supra and it started all but 3 times). My Avant had a wierd Tiptronic problem (fixed by changing the ECU) and it still has some soft rattles around the top of the door frame. I don't find this to be any better or any worse than any other car I'v owned (alright it's better than my Saab 900). But the Avant is without any doubt the best drive I've had in a very loong time!<p>Alex

is that so many things are discussed here that I don't think it is fair to assume that A4s or any other German automobile, is less reliable than their Japanese counterparts. Sure there are problems and I think it's safe to assume that this would be true of any make of automobile. Information is just not concentrated because there are no forums that exist for every make/type of automobile out there. If that were the case, I think we would hear more problems similar to what we experience in this forum. <p>I know that people seem to take offense when a particular model is targeted. Hell, I can rant and rave about how reliable my old Toyota 4x4 was and how it started everyday. But it cause me some problems along the way to 113,000 miles. The vehicle itself was recalled twice, had problems with the valve-cover gasket, brake problems, and so on and so forth. But the important thing is that the manufacturer owned up to it and fixed the problems. Maybe, when people pay a certain price for a certain vehicle, they automatically assume that phrase, "You get what you pay for." It should be true to an extent, but, let's not forget that these are still mechanical/electrical devices that do have a finite service life and have been touched by human hands. So, you get a lemon once in a while. Even the Nordstar system has its faults.<p>Just my humber opinion.

I'm in the same boat. I love the way the A4 looks and drives, but the amount of problems that surface on this board is a little overwhelming. I wonder every day if I should go ahead and buy the A4 like I've been planning. But, since there's so few drivers cars out there, I guess I'll bite the bullet and hold my breath.<p>If only Honda built the A4 as we know it today.<p>And all these guys that try and rationalize that the A4 really isn't any worse (from a reliability standpoint) than Japanese cars. Please. Give us a break. Nobody can match their quality and reliability.

RANT ON ;-)<p>I bought two new 96 A4's, one for me and one for my fiance. They were built and delivered 6 months apart - i.e. different shipments. Both cars have exhibited identical problems - front suspension lower links, clutch master cylinder, power window motors, squeeky seats, rattles, etc. Most if not all have been fixed, but I do not want to spend any money on these cars when the warantee expires in Dec and June. I am in the process of negotiating with AoA to extend my Audi Advantage. I recommend this for everyone (with a 96 or 97). I am not alone out there. I have spoken with many disappointed Audi A4 (mostly 96 and 97) owners at my dealership. People on this bb have fooled themselves in believing that this car is reliable. IMO, Audi has done an excellent job in prodding their customers in giving an "excellent rating" to Audi, CR, and JDP. Most of these problems surfaced after 6 months, long after the reports have been compiled. Also, IMO this BB represents the Audi enthusiast - the consummate apologist for the car. <p>I will stop here. RANT OFF <p>E<br>96 A4QM<br>96 A4QM<br>86 4000S

Japanese cars are stale for one, not to mention I have seen plenty of Japanese lemons as well. The construction is getting to the point that it as flemsy as American cars. Both cars have their good as well as bad points. If you want to overpay for an overglorified honda, nissan, or toyota by buying an acura, infinity, or lexus then do so. As someone once said, "A fool and his money will soon part!"<br>Do you want to be cattle or an innovator. MOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I now own 2 Audis, here are my thoughts on both:<p>1) 1993 90S, fwd, 12v V6 with almost 70k miles. I've had this car for almost 2 years, I bought it with just over 30k on it and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned.<p> Known problems: Cruise control only works occationaly, I never used it so I have never had it fixed. That is the only real problem my car has. <p>The only thing I have been "forced" to replace on my car is the battery. But I believe it was the original so it was about time. I have had to replace one headlight and one fog light, but this is because they were both shattered from rocks. I replaced all the belts, water pump, tensioners and thermostate at 60k, but that was my own choice, they all probably could have gone to 90k or so. Those are all normal matenance items anyway, so now I don't have to worry about them for a long time.<p>No squeaks, rattles, or loose parts. No electrical problems. The plasice "foot" of the gas pedal broke off earlier this year, but that is because I accidentally kicked it while getting in the car. I do have a replacement but have never installed it. The clutch pedal has started to creak, but nothing annoying. This car is pretty much perfect in my opinion. <p>2) 1986 4000 CS Quattro, 5cyl with 170k miles (estimate). I've only had this car for 2 weeks, so I can't give a real detailed overview of the car. These cars are known for their electrical problems, and mine does have a few, namely the power window switches. And I need need to replace some items on this car when I bought it, they were all normal matenance items (strut mounts, battery, muffler, etc). But this car is built like a tank. Nothing in the interior is falling apart, the build quality it excellent, everything is still very tight, no rattles, squeaks, etc. I believe that this car is going to be very mechanically reliable. Most of annoying little things that need to be fixed are easily fixed or easily ignored. I bet if we compaired this car to some '86 Hondas, Toyota's, etc, this would be the best car in the lot (even with it's problems). <p>Anyway, what I'm saying is Audi's and the A4 are just as reliable as anyother car. Go find a board for some Japanese cars and after a month or two, I bet you will see just as many people complaining about those cars. People tend to complain more often than give praise. <p>Matt

Sure, we all want our A4's to be reliable, but for every buyer, there is a list of features that they want, and there is a priority within the features. Some people want fast cars. Some want luxury. And some want reliability/dependability. We are all making decisions based on which of these factors matter most to us.<p>I used to drive a Honda. It did what I needed it to do. It wasn't an attractive car (in my eyes) and it wasn't particularly peppy, but it got me around. I have chosen to give up the reliable Honda for the A4 and I am very happy for it. My A4 may give me more problems, but it also gives me more driving pleasure, and that makes it all worthwhile to me.<p>By the way, the best products are not always the most successful in our world. People have chosen inferior products many times when a better product existed. Example: Microsoft operating systems. Apple Mac and even Unix were way ahead and much better, but MS marketing won out.<p>I'm also told that the Betamax VCR standard was better than VHS at the time, but VHS won in the US while Beta was popular elsewhere in the world.<p>Anyway, if reliability is the single most important factor in your buying decision, then buy Japanese. If you can give up some of that reliability for whatever it is that German cars have that you want, then do it.<p>Drew S.<br>

This kinda reminds me the time Volvo first launched their web site way back when. Within a weeks time, as Volvo owners discovered this Customer for(u)m, Volvo was literally flooded with compliants from Volvo owners. Much like this forum, they were hoping to unit Volvo owner, but never expected the flood of "complaints". I heard that they eventually shut this site down because of this. <br>Well,... I hope you see the relation here... people will complaint, complaint and complaint... look at the DSM chat rooms or BMW forums... it's all the same. The reason you see more complaints here is because of the high traffic generated by solely A4 owners. <p>Cris<br>

Unless you are considering used, just get over it.<p>How long will you keep this next vehicle you claim to be buying? If three years or less...you get a factory warranty & there are lemon laws. <p>If more than three years, roll the dice & get an extended warranty if you think you need it.<p>Welcome to the 21st century. There will be unavoidable delays in every facet of your life. The trick is to enjoy the MTBF (meantimebetweenfailures) of your stuff.<p>If you are afraid, get a Honda. But remember, no choice is perfect. If you are like some, who really look to others for their own identity, you will feel like a lemming (or maybe just a risk-averse, decision-avoider).<p>If you don't care what others think, then you will have to be content with a car that doesn't handle as well, doesn't sound as nice, and wasn't built for fun. IMHO, it doesn't look as nice, doesn't stir the emotions, or get the blood pumping like the A4 (or several other cars out there).<p>If you go Japanese, great...get a Miata with the sport suspension....that'd be nice...but again it serves a different purpose.<p>I think most of the Forum members are the type who are busy enjoying their A4. If it has 1.0 or 5.2 or 403.3 more problems per 100000 miles than an Accord, then at least we are driving an A4 when it happens.<p>This is the mentality you MUST adopt if you want to maintain your sanity, bro.<p>However, I will reiterate, IF your vehicle must perform like an appliance with no failure AND NO SPIRIT, then get an Honda, by all means.<p>And hans, if you're reading this (not sure you actually care to pay attention), we are all extremely happy that you love your TL & I'm personally ecstatic that it "is faster than an A4" (whatever that means). But holy smokes, Batman, we've got to wonder why you hang around like an evangelistic preacher trying to convert others to your path?!?!? <p>steve....panting, ranting... <p><p><p><br>

OK, have to admit this one... I haven't tried to gun-down a TL but I certainly wouldn't want to go "aggressively" driving through the NC mountains like I so love to do in my AvantQMS2.8. <p>This is silly, you are trying to convince a board, owned and read mostly by Audi owners, that their cars are not dependable. I have owned 3 Hondas, 1 Acura, 1 BMW, 2 VW's, 1 Nissan(wife) and now my A4(all in the '90's) and to date my Nissan Maxima GLE is the most "reliable." It has a great engine, is easy to keep, but is as "plastiky" inside as all Honda products(Acura included), and basically any sub-level Lexus or other luxury Japanese auto. Notice the two Vw's: Both VR6 rockets, were definitely the most fun BUT were hard on maintenance for soft parts - seat broke, dead speakers(same as Hondas which were constantly in need for something small - no major failures though). The 325 was the worst, drove great, but the only car I've owned that would break down on the way to the shop. No further comments here.<p>Anyway, my point is that people buy cars that fit some need/personality trait of theirs - totally personal preference. If you want a drivers car with a unique "soul" then look at Audi/VW or BMW. If pratical and conservative dependability is numbero uno then Honda/Toyota/Nissan/Others probably fit. I feel that the German cars are somewhat more complicated than the majority of the Japanese cars(notice I didn't say technical...). Every Audi, for example has variable resistance window motors(ie pinch protection in case someting is caught in the windows when you raise them - my Honda Accord did an excellent job of pressure-fitting a freshly drycleaned shirt and hanger into the rear door frame for example). Also, you'd have to buy a Lexus to get an interior as nice as those from Germany these days.<p>Well, I am a driver and this A4 certainly suits me right now. And, to top it off, I've had no problems after 8000 mi. BTW, just had the dealer change the control module to allow auto locking/unlocking on the doors as well as remote power up on the windows/sunroof... neat. Call it what you wish, less dependable(no), more complicated(yes), more configurable(yes), just buy what you want.<p>98.5 A4QMS2.8 Avant

OK, I've been on bimmer.org and there are not nearly the amount of reliability complaints that I see on this board. Maybe another 5 grand for a 323i is worth it.<p>Does anyone know if Honda/Acura has a forum similar to this one. I'd be very interested to see if their owners complain of reliability as much as A4 owners. And if they did in fact have problems, would they continue to kiss their company's ass like those here who worship Audi.

John,<p>Please include your email for legitimacy, or at least explain why not. Now to your points. This board is a place to compare perceived problems, and stories, and mods, and anything else.<p>The problems that you see on this board are almost exclusively minor in nature and rare in occurence. Why can I say that? Not a single engine failure reported, a couple of shiftpoint problems on the tip, one documented turbo failure, about 6 turbo rod failures. Whoppee.<p>My paint chips easily. The board showed me where to get 3m paint tape: fixed. The remote has a short range, fixed.<p>What are you really trying to say?

But there are probably 10 times as many 3-series BMWs as there are Audi A4s...I wonder why? Whats your best guess as to why? I know my reason.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM <p>previous owner of: 318i, 325iS<br>

Let me give you a different perspective. Have you thought about how useful this Forum is to A4 owners? Are there Japanese car owners running sites as good as this at answering questions about the car?<p>It's easy to read this forum and erroneously conclude that A4's have too many problems. Every car has problems. This site is just a focal point. Ten years ago you wouldn't know about any problems with a new car. But, through this site, an A4 owner can get a quick resolution on a lot of problems that they would not otherwise know how to handle. How many other makes of cars have a resource like this? Do you realize how valuable this is?<p>Like I said, every car will have problems. At least A4 owners have an FAQ and a place to ask questions and get answers. And that's a beautiful thing.<p>Drew S.<br>

My brother in law also has an '86 4000 CS Quattro and it now has 192,000 miles on it. He also has problems with the electric windows and the cruise control but other than that the car has been flawless. Never a creak from the Quattro system. It even has the manual locking differentials. Really cool.<p>The engine was having routine service on it a couple of months ago (water pump, timing belt, etc) and the mechanic asked him when it was rebuilt and my brother in law replied never. The mechanic said that was impossible because the cylinder walls, pistons, and cylinder head looked like they had 30-40,000 miles on them....not 192,000! This car is a second owner car, the first being my mother in law.<p>I have an do own Honda cars but how many Hondas can say they look that new after 192,000 miles.<p>Great car Matt, enjoy it.

Hi!<br>I just wanted to say that not all of us can include our e-mail for what you call "legitimacy".<br>My company has a separate e-mail server and is very tight on security, therefore, I must not tie into my internet/netscape's e-mail.<br>My posts are legitimate....I just can't go against policy. So please don't assume. Thanks :)<br>-C.

You have the good sense not to take on the trollers. And, you have always been clear and thoughtful about what you say. Some other folks have told us that they don't include the address for work, which I think we can all understand.<p>My issue is when we get posters who use false names to slur specific companies (Mt atl [aka lucas] yesterday), or trollers who stop by just to blather.

Let's see, quality & reliabilty:<br>My Hondas (both were bought new) rusted after just a few years and yes, various parts broke in the car.<br>Recall on my seat belt buckle - they might break in an accident due to poor quality materials used in the plastic.<br>Recall on the ignitor....which blew on the highway and stranded me. It was a silent recall, so I didn't know about it until it left me high and not so dry!<br>My suspension parts replaced under warranty...parts going bad prematurely.<br>Oh yeah...The cars were lightweight tin death traps.<br>My Audi A4....problems sure...a few of them but nothing that ever stranded me or threatened my life and not many more in # than my Hondas.<br>The A4...I don't expect it will ever rust judging by my BF's '86 and '87 Audis.<br>SO , quality & reliability must mean different things to you....I say, why can't the Japanese build cars that don't rust or that are as solid at 200k as the Audi's are?<br>No car company builds a perfect car. :)<br>-Cathleen<p><br>

My just purchased '86 4000 CS Quattro has some nice rust on it. I'll send you some pictures. :-)<p>Matt

Most of the older Audis on the road that I see here in SE Mich. have no rust and I live with very salty winter-roads. The occasional Audi I've seen with rust is usually due to areas where it's obvious that accidents have damaged the body panels. It is mostly isolated. For the most part....the galvanized body panels hold up very well from what I've ever seen. I can't speak for your car's history of course...only what I usually see. <br>What I have personally experienced and seen as commonplace is that not-so-old Japanese cars that are riddled with cancerous, spreading rust that causes perforations in body panels. I have never seen an older Japanese car without rust....unless it is an enthusiast's modified car where it is quite obvious that the owner has taken pains to have the car specially treated, or repainted.<br>-C.

I've had three Japanese cars in the past, the latest being a '93 Honda Civic. Using the Civic as an example: Before 25K miles, this car had severe clutch chatter (dealer would not fix), sticking windows, one of which came loose eventually so that it was sitting cockeyed and wouldn't close, burned out window motor, bad heater fan, A/C that drained water into the lower part of the dash and then onto my feet, and weird creaks and rattles from the rear seat area. I wonder if the new owner has discovered all my rattle/squeak buffer material between the interior panels yet! <p>A friend of mine had an Acura Legend that she was afraid to drive because the headlights would shut off and the alarm would activate suddenly while driving at night. They never did figure out why, and Acura bought the car back.<p>Another friend had a Honda Accord ('91 I think)that was reliable, but did have one window motor failure, and was developing large amounts of rust in the trunk area before 30K miles.<p>I'm not saying that these are bad models, only that the Japanese make some bad ones too. Just so happens that the best cars I've owned were made by Audi. Not perfect, but more so than I ever expected. Doesn't mean I won't end up with a bad Audi some day, but for now, I'm very pleased, and have no intention of going back to the Japanese. <p>Charles<br>'89, 90Q-96K miles and running stronger every day.<br>'98 A4 Q-Tip-13K miles, and far from being broken in, but holding up wonderfully.<br>

I would make one other comment about Hondas and Audis (having owned 3 Audis and 2 Hondas over the years), the Audis are built for the long haul, just look at the cloth in the rear window or the exterior trim on a 10 year old Honda. The Audis at that age are in much better condition. Mind you the hydraulics of the 5000 series are problematic and expensive (I was glad to see that high pressure system missing from the A4). As to your cruise control the switch gets intermittant, don't try to take it apart as it is easy to break, but I find if you spray control cleaner using the little plastic pipe along side the button then work the switchs it will clean up and work well. On the other hand the window switchs are very easy to take apart (they just snap together), and a contact file does wonders on them.

why is it then, that after driving my A4 for a while, I can't stand to even get behind the wheel of that cookie cutter Japanese thing!

why is it then, that after driving my A4 for a while, I can't stand to even get behind the wheel of that cookie cutter Japanese thing!<p>And! When I test drove the Accord and the Acura, I realized they felt just like the Civic, only bigger. No originality or personality at all. They are just different degrees of basic transportation and that's all.<p>SLAMMMMM...!

Besides, this is where the smart A4 people hang out. ;-)

Older ones do rust, but I believe it was 1983 that they switched to double sided galvanized sheet metel. And I'm with you, I have been much happier with my Audis than my Hondas. I've had to fix both, but at least the Audis were not falling apart, so I didn't feel as if I was throwing my money away. For that matter I've owned 2 Fiats, and after I got though the indifferent assembly (about the first 2 years) they were as reliable as the Hondas parked next to them (my wifes). And I should know, I did all the repairs. After spending some time in Japan I think I understand why their cars are the way they are: The regulations are such that it is more effective to junk the car at 6 years than to keep it, so Hondas are great for the first 6 years, then tend to wear out. After all, why design something to last for 20, when it is going to be replaced at 6?

My point:<br>The A4 owners that venture to this forum are knowledgable car enthusiasts. That's why they chose the A4 in the first place. That's why they seem to care a lot more about their vehicles and show great concern for even minor defects. Why is it that many of the BMWs and Japanese cars that I see out on the road look they have never been cared for, and the A4's, even the older ones, look like they just came from the showroom. Whatever, I am starting to ramble, because there are thousands of comments I could make on this subject, and I may be on the verge of offending someone. So that's my $0.020000000000.

I know, I visit them, since I own a '94 Legend (which has been very reliable).<p> www.digiserve.com/dswatz/legend<br> www.legend.org<p>//Steve<p><br>

and it will out accelerate a standard A4 any day (cornering on the other hand is a different story).<p>//Steve<br>1998.5 2.8QTS/ 1994 Acura Legend

was a Honda Civic Sedan. The part that broke was part of a silent recall.<br>As in my post above.....my two Civics were no more reliable than my A4. We all have luck and lack of from time to time, with all makes of cars, I guess.<br>What really made me sell the Honda was the rust and driving a Porsche for a week straight. It brought back the memories of driving Dad's Audis and my VWs and how wonderful German engineered cars are to drive. I'm with you......I appreciate my Audi even more whenever I drive something of a lesser class. <br>-C.

I've owned 3 cars in the past year... <p>97 Acura Integra GS-R<br>98 Ford Expedition XLT (Lived at the dealership)<br>98.5 Audi A4 2.8QM <p>Of these cars I'd have to say the Acura was the most reliable just for the fact that I had it longer. My A4 is a better machine, without any problems. <p>What I can say is that no other car has sold me primarily on the sensation from driving it. The A4 has a wonderful spirit and captures the essence of why I am a driving enthusiast. It is my first status car and I didn't buy it for that. After lowering it with H&R springs and having 18" Hamann wheels mounted I'll admit that the car just gets better and better.<p>Being that this is my first German car (and hearing a lot of negative reliability issues with older German models) I was a bit cautious in my buying decision... but not resistant or hesitant on the A4. I change cars like I change shoes... and when I buy the next gen M3, I'll still be a proud owner of a 98.5 A4. <p>Final word. I'd much rather own an A4 that has to have a weather strip replaced than a uninspired Hond/Acura/Lexus owner following the heard.<p><br>

Nt

Man, you really erk me with your TL praising. Can your TL out perform an A4 on the AutoX? No. The TLs and all Acuras (except the NSX and the Integra Type-R) are for a very generic type of person. People who are considered "lame" by hipsters and "conventional" by everyone else. A Chevy Impala SS will kick the **** out of your TL... does that make it a better car? If just speed defines a car then we should all drive big block Chevys. Think about your ignorant statements.

Not that it changes anything.<p>Steve S<br>97 2.8QM

Few key rants (for/against the rants by others) that I have as a possible future buyer of an Audi A4.<p>My family and I have mostly owned American cars with many different price and performance ranges, and a few from VW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. With an exception of 1990 Ford Tempo, most of the cars only required minor regular repairs and maintenance (batteries, brake pads, rotors, engine/transmission fluid, etc). Even Ford tempo was more reliable than the Audi 5000 S Quattro (and VW Fox). Which is one of the reason, why I am so hesitant to buy myself into another Audi/VW again. 1984 Mercedes 190D was the most reliable German car that my family owned. It still runs (then again it has a diesel engine) and had some minor electronic (windows, AC, light etc) problems, but not as bad as Audi 5000 which was full of electronic/mechanical problems. We sold the Audi after we realized that sum of the money pumped into fixing this car was just getting way to big (cheaper to buy a new one).<p>Audi is not known for reliability (until very recently). I think they have gotten much better recently which is one of the reason why I am considering an Audi A4 as my next car purchase.<p>From what I see from my friends and families, only major Japanese car manufacturers are reliable like in Toyota and Honda. Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda aren't much better than regular American cars. So, saying Japanese cars are more reliable than Germans are just another assumption.<p>Someone mentioned that interior of German is much better than the Japanese counter parts unless one goes with Lexus. From what I've seen Audi A4's interior is excellent , but not rest of the German counter parts. Have you been inside of 1999 BMW 328? I was very disappointed. You would expect more from $35+ cars. I think overall Japanese interior is better built than the German version (i.e. comparing $25 Honda Accord to $35 BMW 328, they are about the same, or BMW is a little worse). Many German cars are as lousy as Americans interior (Audi a4/a6/a8 being an exception). <p>I think the argument pretty much boils down to this. If Audi gave blue prints of A4 to Honda/Toyota, then Honda/Toyota probably could build/assemble the car better than Audi can, resulting in more reliable car. I think this is what makes many owners/future prospects complain about Audi. Audi can assemble better/reliable cars but they don't. This is the problem, not Audi designing bad cars (which is not true). Stats show that Japanese car manufacturer with American workers in U.S. produce more cars and produce less rejected vehicles than American/German auto manufacturers do, in same amount of time. It is all about quality control. <p>If I am buying a car in $32K+ range, it better be reliable. This is not a pocket change. Everything I buy from $1 pen to a $10,000 35mm camera lens to a $35,000 car, I fully expect it to function correctly without a problem. This is fully expected, if one doesn't act this way then something is wrong with him/her. I find that many Audi owners in this forum has tendency to put up with certain faults as normal. Just because they exist doesn't mean you should accept it as normal. (i.e. daily murders in cities are almost being accepted as normal city life, since it happens so often and everyone accepts it as normal).<p>Everyone is keep mentioning that reliability shouldn't be a top priority as performance is only thing that counts. Reliability should be one of the top priority, a running car is always better than a car in the garage being fixed.<p>After saying all that, if the reliability of new Audi A4 meets my demand I will get one as I can't think of any other alternative that I can think of that comes close to A4 (except for the resale value and the reliability). I don't find Saturn?? Acura TL?? BMW 328?? As alternative to A4.<p>My rant is over. :)<br>

Some people talk about the A4 as unreliable. Compared to what? A honda? Get a life. The A4 is incredibly reliable and the forum is clear evidence of that. <p>What info do you have to back up your comments? I can provide the names of the very few people who have had real problems with the A4 who are on this board. Yes, check the archives o'rocket scientists.<p>The "message" of A4 unreliability is by fools only to be believed by fools! If you really think the car is unreliable get a Honda, fine by me, and get your lame a** off the board.

You've expressed my thought exactly. If you gave the blueprints of the A4 to Honda or Toyota, they would assemble it better. This is what is so frustrating about Audi. Yes, the A4 is reliable,but it could easily be more reliable and this would not compromise the ride/handling/feel etc. Simply put, Audi could do a better job of Quality control. The engineering of the A4 seems superior to the Japanese, but the assembly quality is not. <p>I hope Lexus and other Japanese manufacturers import a good-looking, safe, sport-luxury sedan to the US. Then maybe we'd see some real competitiion. <p>BTW, I agree with people that this board is not a good indicator of overall quality. But if you look at Consumer Reports, Audi could still improve much more (as could all the Europeans and American makes).<p>I don't own a Japanese car (currently own a Volvo which happens to be quite reliable) and don't want to own one until they figure out how to make a solid, dirvers car with a manual-shift.