My car is two years old today, and has just under 45K on the odometer. I just thought I'd share my experiences and perhaps allay the fears of those concerned about reliability. I should start by saying that my wife had a '73 100LS when we met, and it was nothing but trouble, so my expectations weren't very high.<p>I have a '97 2.8 FWD automatic with everything but the cold weather package. I regret my decision to get the automatic and could write a book on that subject alone. With a few exceptions noted below, the car has been trouble free. There has been no measurable oil consumption between changes. My gas mileage has varied from 21 to 28 mpg, averaging 23.5. I have not been plagued by the Audi electrical demons, have never had the Check Engine light come on, and my remote range is 80 feet (without the fix)! My radio reception, though not exceptional, seems adequate - better than my Hondas.<p>The following is a chronolgy of the service performed on my car:<p>I had a leaky valve cover gasket when I took delivery of the car. That was fixed immediately, and to the best of my knowledge hasn't recurred.<p>7.5K - I complained about the "wacky" volume control on the radio (ok, one electrical demon)and the fact that the rubber strip at the bottom of the driver's window did not make contact with the window. The rubber strip was fixed (it took 3 trips to the dealer to get it done), but the dealer could not duplicate the volume control problem. I still have the same radio, and it seems to act up very infrequently now. Should I try to get it replaced while it's still under warranty.<p>I also had trouble with the CD player skipping, but I learned on this forum of the occasional failure of the installers to set the suspension properly. I fixed this myself and haven't had any problems with the CD player since.<p>15K - I finally complained about excessive wind noise from the driver's door - particularly in a crosswind. This was a problem from the beginning, and I assumed it was a characteristic of the car, but I learned from this board that not everyone had the same problem. The dealer realigned the door and solved the problem. It was very windy in southern CA yesterday, and during a few of the stronger gusts, it sounded like air was getting past the door seals, but it is much better than it was.<p>22.5K - routine service<p>30K - Since I live in southern CA and park in the garage, I rarely have a need for the heated mirrors, but on a couple of occasions when I left the car out over night, I noticed they weren't working. I brought this up at the 30K service, and both mirrors were replaced (this took 5 trips to the dealer!) The right one appears to be dead again, so I will have this looked at at the next service.<p>I also complained of unusual tire wear at the 30K service, so they rotated the tires and did an alignment.<p>37.5K - routine service<p>The only problem I have going into my 45K service (aside from the dead right mirror) is that the driver's seat has started shifting a bit when I go around corners. This appears to be a somewhat common problem. Does anyone know of a fix? The idle speed has started to vary a bit, and I will also bring this up.<p>I am still on my original brakes and I'm hoping they will be worn to the point that I can get them replaced while under warranty. Has anyone gone over 50K on a set of brakes (Cathleen?)?<p>It feels like the padding in the driver's seat has broken down a bit - to the point where I feel excessive pressure from some of the springs.<p>There are a few things I dislike about the car, all relatively minor except for the first one:<p>- The automatic transmission. It is too slow to downshift and goes into 5th far too early. I settled for the automatic to buy the car off the lot.<p>- awkward radio controls<p>- cupholders, of course<p>- armrest on the door is lower than center armrest<p>- climate control that tries to be too smart. The fan speed is too high when it is only slightly warm in the car, it won't stay off if you shut off and restart the engine, no recirc without the compressor.<p>- last but not least, the brake dust.<p>I am still as enamored by the looks, ride and feel of the car as the day I bought it. I hope the next 50K can be as trouble-free and enjoyable as the first.<p>Kyle

Good post. We have the same year car, same engine, although I have a 5 spd. My car has also been essentially trouble free!<p>One of your gripes -- brake dust -- is really easy to fix. I know that you already know that from reading the forum, but it's worth repeating. A set of aftermarket pads will eliminate the dust. It's amazing how much your demeanor will change when you see CLEAN WHEELS day-in and day-out! I think you can get the Raybestos brakes for around $100 for the front (and another $100 or so for install unless you do it yourself). It may be the most satisfying money you ever spend. I really love my clean wheels.<p>Jason

Get going!

Just wanted to clarify Jason's post.<br>You can get the Raybestos brakes for around $100 for the front AND rear, with a lifetime warranty! Support our banner advertisers.<ul><li><a href="http://www.a4.org/guide/brakewarehouse.html">Brake Parts Warehouse</a></li></ul>

Not a bad list. I had a strange thing happen with my volume control: when I drove over a set of train tracks the volume jumped up in several steps. Is this similar to what you mean by "wacky"? I found mine though, the volume knob was on the high spot between 2 of the detents and I think what happened is that the switch changes state on the detent and when I went over the bumps the knob jiggled and the radio saw that as an increase in the volume. Since then I have been careful not to leave the knob between the detents and it hasn't happened again (maybe 6 months).

I love my breakdust! I like seeing dusty wheels like I like seeing mud on a rally car. Gives character and it says to the rest of the world "I'm a German car, I was meant for hard driving and hard braking, here is evidence of me putting a grin on my owner's face". <p>Or maybe it's just me...<p>Albert

The center armrest, in its default position, is above the door armrest. But if you lower the armrest, it will drop to the same height. Lowering is something that you may not know about (I know that I didn't until a week or two ago). You push the release button (the button you need to press to lower the armrest from the stowed-away position), and it can go lower than flat, so it is pointing downwards slightly. Unfortunately the hand brake just hits the armrest when it is in this position, but still it is much more usable than the flat position (ESPECIALLY if you have a manual...)

is the smile I have on my face after cleaning the wheels off! Shiny and new! ;-)<p>Though, I prefer not to have to clean them as often, so like Jason, I have switched to Raybestos pads.<p>Dave<br>

Does anyone else have the problem of the armrest lid coming off if you open it up all the way? It is easy to put back on but it looks bad.

It allows you to bond with the car :-)<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM < - - - audi content

I will hit 40,000 miles next week in just over 2 years, and the only problem, period, that I have ever had with my '97 2.8QM has been a foglight that burned out at 29,000 miles and was replaced in less than 10 minutes.<p>I'll miss this particular car, but time to trade it in for a TT coming in spring.

<br>:)

I have new wheels, not just because I wanted 17" cool wheels.....but because the dust from Performance Friction race compound aftermarket pads that were recommended and sold to me by the service manager of a Chicago area Audi Dealer. Apparently the dust compound was too much for the paint on my 5-spoke wheels. I had to wash these wheels EVERY day! The blackest, greasiest soot I have ever seen!<br>It pitted the wheels so severely, they were trashed. Prior to that, the stock pads never caused a problem and the dust was minor by comparison. <br>What's worse is the guy who sold them to wouldn't help me try to get it taken care of under warranty with Audi and then, ironically, he got himself fired from the Audi dealer (go figure) before I got any satisfaction.<br>So I was out two OEM wheels. Moral of story: Performance Friction pads are not good for nice wheels....stay away. <br>-Cathleen

That has happened to mine ('96QM). The Dealer replaced the entire center armrest unit twice. This third one will come off if I move it side to side. I figure it's one nuisance I can live with.

nt<br>

:)

On the subject of pads, for those who have changed to aftermarket to avoid the dust, which pads did you go with, how long did you stick with the stock pads, where did you purchase the aftermarket pads of your choice, and how much did you pay? Thanks for answering what's starting to look like a deposition!

Since I kept taking my car back to the dealer for my never-ending front end squeak, I told them about the way the radio seemed to increase in volume dramatically when turning the knob only a little bit, but turning the volume down, the knob didn't seem so sensitive. Also, onec on a long drive, the volume increased substantially out of the blue while I was just driving along. They replaced the radio and allegedly sent the old one back to the Fatherland for testing. I would mention your problem to the dealer and see what happens.

1) Rofrens (front and rear)<br>2) Replaced at 10k mile service ($81 an axle for labor)<br>3) Purchased from Clair Parts Express<br>4) Mark gave me a deal; $95 total/front and rear (he was in a good mood)<p>They don't grab as quick as the stock pads, but with a little more pedal, they stop just as well. Also, there is NO dust and no squeaks (so far). I've had them on for a little over 2k miles. Good luck!<p>CraigB

Rusnak Westlake. I wouldn't recommend them. It's a long story and I'd rather e-mail you. You saw in the original post that it took 3 trips to get the window trim fixed right, and 5 trips to get the heated mirrors fixed.<p>Kyle<br>

At my 7500 mile service, I told the service advisor that on several occasions the radio volume changed on its own, and frequently would change dramatically (and sometimes in the wrong direction) when the knob was only turned a single detent. I also explained that this would happen even when the car was not running. When I picked it up, the service advisor told me "we turned off the GALA feature". Some solution. It was the end of the day and I didn't feel like making an issue of it at the time. I may bring it up again because I'm sure that by now they've heard the same complaint a number of times.<p>Kyle

I got Raybestos front brake pads<p>Replaced at 27,000 miles<br>Purchased from Brake Parts Warehouse for 59.95 plus shipping (see Product Guide for phone#)<br>Like CraigB's Rofens, they don't grab quite as quickly as the stock pads but they are perform just a well with a bit more pressure. I've had a minor intermittent squeal, whereas, my stock pads were completely silent

On higher performance pads, they don't grab as well when cold because the compunds are harder. Is this what you mean by grab? Isn't this only when they're cold or do you find that true always....even after hot braking? <br>The Performance Friction (a race compound pad) had to be used a couple times with more force, until they warmed up. BTW, they squealed like a stuck pig, ALWAYS. It was very annoying, but once warm you stopped VERY quickly.<br>I'm back with stock pads, but will be going to another pad soon, when my brakes are upgraded this winter. Haven't fixed on which pad I will go with just yet.<br>-Cathleen

Cathleen let us know which pads you decide to go with. After seeing the pics of your car, I know i won't go wrong folloing your lead.