Go Back   AudiWorld Forums » Audi Models » Audi A4 » A4 (B8 Platform) Discussion
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to AudiWorld!
Welcome to AudiWorld.com.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join AudiWorld.com today!


Notices

A4 (B8 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the B8 Audi A4 produced from 2008.5-present

Discussion Forums:
Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 10-16-2007, 08:16 AM   #1
Loc Nar
New Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Default Any concerns about B8 Initial Build Quality?

The A4 redesign has captured me. I am puttering around in a 10 year old Maxima . . .

However, as much as I would like to go ahead and get on the waiting list for the B8, the mantra of "never get a car the first year it has been redesigned" keeps holding me (and my wife) back. For those of you with a long history of Audi ownership/knowledge should I be too concerned about that mantra?

Also, does anyone know if Audi tweaks the US production model based on things learned from the earlier European release?
Loc Nar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2007, 08:42 AM   #2
1990V85speed
Junior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,144
Default Well, yes, one should always have concerns of intial quality issues. . .

with any manufacturer. The fact that the A4 will be released in Europe first, should help to quell some concerns. In other words, most of the problems should be and fixed there, but we all remember the coil problems, right?

Of the new model Audis that I've owned, I've never had any major problems. Most were minor issues, like bad window switches, failed vacuum pump and a failed window regulator all of which were replaced under warranty.

If you guys are in love with the B8, then you should put in an order and watch and listen to what happens with the European car. You can always cancel your order should the cars have initial problems.
1990V85speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2007, 01:58 PM   #3
chewym
AudiWorld Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 715
Default Reason for the almost a year long difference between European and US start of sale

chewym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2007, 03:02 PM   #4
jwj
Audiworld Junior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 925
Default I purchased the new design of the B6 in 02. With 125,000 miles and lots of extra

power,(315 HP)being pumped out of car driven everyday, (I use for work) I have had almost zero problems with car. The coil packs were the only issue and I replaced them with the R version and no issues since. Driving apx. 45-50k per year I will have about 175k this time next year, (which is when I plan to get the 3.0 diesel). Not sure if I'll keep my existing B6 or sell but I have been very happy with my first year car.

PS. I would not buy an American first year car and some other Japanese cars though.
jwj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2007, 05:12 AM   #5
A4Driver
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
A4Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,074
Default I had a first-year B5 ('96 A4) and a first-year B6 9'02 A4) and ...

... the only major problem on the B5 was the suspension bushings/arms, which Audi paid for, even though the car was out of warranty. On the B6, I had coilpack problems, headlight bulb/socket problem, and had to replace a seat motor (which, by the way, is broken again). Also, I just got a bad catalytic converter, but that is going to be replaced for free.

Remember, these cars are introduced in Europe before they come here.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
__________________

Now:
2009
Premium Plus, 2.0T, Quattro, Tip, Sport, Deep Sea Blue Pearl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then:
2002 3.0, Sport, Quattro, Manual, Denim Blue Pearl
1996 2.8 Quattro,
Manual, Emerald Mica
A4Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2007, 06:45 AM   #6
mitchelm
AudiWorld Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 371
Default There are some pluses to first year cars...

The 02's had some options as well as the original aluminum trim that was deleted for the 03 model year. 02's also had available rear heated seats that were no longer offered after that. But, of course the downsides were that 04.5's and up got 6 speed manuals where us early adopters had 5 speeds. Either way, cost cutting will find its way into the B8's, and some options will be lost in later model years. Sometimes they are replaced by better options (newer tech), but lots of times, just deleted and no longer offered.
__________________


UM Alum driving:
2003 Bright Silver/Ebony Int A4 1.8T
5 Speed
Premium Package
Bose
Xenon
Sport Package
Bixenon E-Codes
Debaged
AMS stage 1 chip
siliblade silicone wiper blades (worth it!)
OEM European Winter Rubber Mats
AWE Tuning Boost Gauge
OEM European Aspherical Split Mirrors
OEM Compass autodimming rearview mirror
Yakima Roof Rack
Black Out Upper and Lower Grill
S4 winglets installed
Nav Plus installed
LE's with LED citylights
mitchelm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2007, 07:27 AM   #7
A4Driver
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
A4Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,074
Default Yeah, Audi loads the car with options the 1st year to get rave reviews ... then drops them later!

__________________

Now:
2009
Premium Plus, 2.0T, Quattro, Tip, Sport, Deep Sea Blue Pearl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then:
2002 3.0, Sport, Quattro, Manual, Denim Blue Pearl
1996 2.8 Quattro,
Manual, Emerald Mica
A4Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2007, 02:22 PM   #8
SAC-CA-GTI
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,316
Default BUT...they offered painted lowers after the 02's which was nice!

__________________

SAC-CA-GTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 07:27 PM   #9
Devius
AudiWorld Super User
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 13,026
Default I lubs ma rear *** heaters!

__________________



Proud Member of IKSRTFO
Devius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 07:29 PM   #10
Devius
AudiWorld Super User
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 13,026
Default How did you go about getting the catalytic converter done for free?

__________________



Proud Member of IKSRTFO
Devius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 07:29 PM
AudiWorld
Audi R8




Paid Advertisement
 
 
 
Reply

Tags
a4, audi, b8, sale, start, usa



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Discussion Forums:


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright 2009 AudiWorld.com Audi Enthusiast Community

Personal Contacts