Bought a 2011 A4 Quatro with Oil Consumption, 4 years on still going great, just needs top-up oil here and there, never had any other issues at all. Drives amazing. Also got it for 10% of what it was worth when new. Don't regret buying it at all.
@@eyeoflaw yeah that is undrivable, how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking. I have been quoted $5k AUD to rebuild the engine. Mine is currently doing 1L per 100kms
@@delakoni We went from "no problems at all" to "I was quoted $5k". This is always the trend with European car owners who try to claim their car is "reliable". They usually say something along the lines of "oh my BMW M5 competition is just as reliable as any Toyota, nothing but basic maintenance". And when you ask them specifics about that basic maintenance, they respond with a straight face "Oh just some oil and pads, also a simple fuel injector change, and a simple turbo replacement, oh and a simple transmission replacement every 20k miles, oh and a simple rear diff replacement every 100k miles, and a simple engine overhaul here and there". I think the reason for this delusional mentality is a result of trying to avoid buyer's remorse. When you feel like you spent too much money on something you shouldn't have, your mind will always make up all sorts of things to try and justify your purchase.
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior I did stay i bought a car with oil consumption issue, im saying that im still driving it and its not getting worst or had any other issues, i just add oil to the engine when needed. To fix the issue would cost $5k but at this point will keep driving it till it gets worst and then fix it, so far its been 4 years. Also i bought the car for so cheap that even paying $5k to fix it was a great purchase (also was aware of the issue when i bought it, reason i got it for cheap)
How has your experience been so far? I've been looking at S4/S5s in the 100k mile range and I'm just trying to get as much info from people's experiences as possible
@@felixfam0481 I'm driving a B8.5 allroad, and apart from a CV Joint booot that ripped and needed to be replaced from some rough usage of the quattro system on my part, I've had no issues with it. Great car, timeless style, interior is ahead of it's time for 2014, and I love that it's flex-fuel. I just passed 100k miles though and only time will tell what else will need to be replaced.
@mckibbentrevor thanks for the info, from what I've been seeing most people end up being fine with any of these cars as long as it's been at least somewhat taken care of
@@tishunhastings3592 Apart from the cv boot getting replaced, I've been keeping it on regular oil changes and it's treated be great. I try to switch off between E85 and 91 octane to clear up the carbon buildup, and but I really haven't had any issues with the car.
I know 3 people that got used A4's B8/8.5. All three of them are 180,000 miles + 2.0 TDI, never heard them complain or say that the A4 had any issues, they are really happy with their purchase.
2.0 TDI was a very good car, the 143bhp might not excite a few people, but if you don't want to set speed records and just enjoy a comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable ride, I doubt you can go wrong with it.
As long as you give it regular servicing and maintaining, then you shouldn't be scared. You see, Aussies don't like European cars, only because when you don't take proper care of them, something can go wrong. We've owned a bunch of European cars before (currently have some today) and none of them have had any faults because we service them.
2014 A4 Quattro owner here since 2019. dealer maintained before me and has treated me well over the years. Coming up on the timing chain interval and looking forward to it. If you actually maintain the car, it really is a great daily and plenty of people (Including myself) love the Brilliant red S-line exterior!
I have a 2010 1.8t Manual A4 at 230,000kms, oil consumption is a pretty big issue, be prepared to top that up especially when you're pushing the car a little harder. A common issue you get is a P2015 code for the intake manifold runner flaps, if you want to fix it you either have to buy a new intake manifold (go OEM for this otherwise you'll have a bit of a headache) or delete the flaps and get a tune. Another thing is that sensors can get really expensive and there is one for just about everything. Audi quoted me $700 for a single o2 sensor. I recommend looking up the part number instead as you can get that sensor from Bosch for $100 and they make most the OEM stuff anyways. When shopping for an A4 make sure to avoid any that have a CVT transmission and if the oil burning issue is particularly concerning to you, look at one with the updated piston design. In terms of tech, the sav nav works great despite being pretty dated, the Bluetooth in the car (may be different for different models) lets you make calls and works well and for music you can use a dongle to the aux and it works great. It also has inbuilt voice controls which work pretty well and the speakers sound great. It's a great platform, basically a comfier golf with similar potential for mods. Lot of fun to drive, great in traffic and on a fun winding road but definitely more of a daily sedan than a sports car (at least when stock). It's a fun entry level euro car that's pretty easy to work on too.
Should i get a 2010 audi a5 s line with a rebuilt engine and internals? The rebuild was done by a certified shop. So basically like a new engine, meaning it doesnt have the oil consumption issues right? 2.0T manual
I have had a 07 plate with 170k miles, was a great car, changed it to the 08 estate model with 191k on it, both were under £2000 to buy and never had an issue, I still own the b8 and use it daily for work, well over 200k miles and still drives like a dream
Just wanted to throw in my comment as someone who daily drives one of these and has had multiple due to my unique circumstance. The 2.0T is what I am specifically referring to, we don’t have many diesels in the US. I think some of the problems you mentioned are a bit overblown. Ignition coils are $20 at the local parts store, maybe you’ll replace a set of them every few years of driving. I just had to do them @118k Miles. The timing chain you can use a scan tool to see if there’s been any movement. If you go for a 13+ model, you’re not as likely to need that tensioner replaced. At 118k my B8.5 is still on the original chain/tensioner. My B8 @180k has had it replaced once, and it’s probably due for another service. This is honestly not much different than doing the timing belt service on your Honda. It’s just something that has to get done. I’ve personally not experienced hvac issues on these cars. Water pump did start leaking at 169k on the B8, and injectors were noisy/worn at the same mileage. But honestly I feel like that’s a pretty good lifespan all things considered. Door locks are definitely something I’ve had to replace. They aren’t too bad at $80 per door, but annoying. Otherwise I’d honestly these cars don’t have that much maintenance all things considered. Keep the fluids changed, order parts online as it’s typically cheaper. And just enjoy the car. The automatics are solid (Don’t buy a FWD model, they use CVTs and do wear out just like every other CVT on the market). Quattro all the way! PCV valves are common failure points, they seem to last 5-10 years but they take 5 minutes to change. Super easy fix. As long as you stay on top of the timing service intervals and fluids you’ll have a pleasant experience
hey man quick question how much did it cost you for timing chain and tensioner change if you dont mind saying i got a 2012 a4 with 78k miles OG and i love it but im just curious when i go to service the chain in the future how much ill need saved
@@MrShootFirstDieFirst Just depends on your local shop rates. My best guesstimate is $700-$1100 in both parts and labor. If you want to do it yourself you can order a kit online for $250-$350 bucks. The big failure point is the tensioner. If you want to cut costs you can buy a tensioner for $90 from the dealer. Using Zip ties you can keep the timing chain in place without undoing it. Slide the old tensioner out, slide the new one in, and pull the pin. Cut the zip ties off, put the cover back on and you’re good to go!
Ty so much. I've been looking at used ones & almost everyone will say they are so expensive to work on. However they have never owned one or personally owned one either. U have eased my mind a great deal.
I have a 2001 B6 A4 1.9tdi with 648000km. I drive it 200km everyday and it's never left me on the side of the road. The biggest part I've had to replace is the duel mass flywheel at around 400000km. Probably because I used it to launch my boat for several years... All major parts are still original including the turbo! Mechanics and especially dealers will rather change a turbo than find a leaking vacuum line, because the fault code is the same. Very reliable car if self serviced on a regular basis.
I have a white 2013 A4 Avant quattro with the 2.0tdi diesel engine It has a Stage 1 tune 230hp, ive had it for almost 7 years as my daily and its great. Low fuel consumption and cheap to own, would recommend this car to anyone who want a car that will run and run and run with cheap parts and low costs in the long run. Greetings from Sweden 👍
Bought a 2012 high mileage a4 cheap 2 years ago.......spot on car , only costs are fuel and consumable service costs . 7th audi and won't be my last, never had trouble with any of them
@FullOnCars it is unfortunate that if one has a different view, they are accused of bribery. However, I owned the car until I sold it 2 years ago; and till this day, I still miss it. I don't like the new shape though, hence I didn't exchange it for the new model
@FullOnCars actually they quite awesome cars hey! My dad still has the B8.5 A4 and in my opinion it's the best car he's ever own and the best car I've driven so far
Had a b8 2.7 TDI Multitronic for 3 years and 80k kilometers. Bought it (7,5k€) with 250k km on the odo, sold with 330k(for 5k€ in a trade). Not a single serious issue in my time. Brilliant car, but needed a quattro with 230hp/480nm (stage 1 remap)
Audi made people fall under the impression that the B8.5 fixed oil consumption, but they didn’t. If you check the audizine or audiword forums, you can see people posting about 2013-2015 B8.5s still consuming with the 2.0T engine. I have a 2013 A4 Quattro, here’s some of my issues: -Turbo caused the oil consumption to a degree that was just as severe as the piston rings. -Blower motor for the A/C and Heat failed. It’s an easy fix and I just replaced that myself today actually. -The plastic clip that holds the sun visor up cracks very easily. -That being said, anything plastic on the car cracks very easily. I changed the speakers myself and had to replace 2 speaker grills because the clips crack when you pull them out even with the plastic trim tools. -The heat shield around the brakes can warp and make a screeching sound in some humid conditions. -Bad cam shaft sensor cause warm start issues. $27 sensor. -Volume knob gets very, very loose. -If you plan on upgrading the sound system, be warned, there is a lot of plastic rattling in the door panels.
Can confirm. I own B8.5 (1.8 tfsi gen3, quattro, manual), and after 120 000 miles it turned into an oil-eating monster. It consumes 3 liters of oil every 4000 miles.
I own an A4 2.0 TDI SE 2013, enjoyable ride all round, at this age and after 100000 KM, it requires replacement of suspension parts, control arms bushes started to wear , other than that with regular service no complaints
Bought the Audi A4 B8 2011 2.0 TFSI (45,000 km used) and have to say I have never had engine problems (120,000km driven now). I dont have any problems mentioned in the video except for two. The sunroof problem (water got in somehow) and the key problem, sometimes in the winter the key will not unlock the driver’s door but unlocks the other doors(I assume because the metals in the lock system ”shrink” from the -20 degrees weather). Also I have noticed now that it is starting to consume more oil than when I bought it, but I knew this would happen because its very common in all german manufactured cars, and its not a problem in my eyes.
You know the car is unreliable when the "What goes wrong" chapter is huge! Could you please review a E90 3 series, W204 OR 205 C-Class or a Lexus IS (Second gen)? Great review!
Those cars that started life in the late 2000s are getting old and there are less on the road, I think a F30 BMW, Merc W205 and the post 2013/14 Lexus IS are far more relevant cars to cover.
Mine was a 10 year old A5 B8.5 with similar engine and gearbox as the car in this video. common (and pricey) problems were faulty water pump and thermostat with cracked coolant reservoir, carbon buildup on valves, manifold and piston heads which required a top-end overhaul, faulty ignition coils and spark plugs, wonky intake manifold sensor, saggy roofliner, yellowish DRL LED tubes, drinks 1L of oil every 4000km. HVAC was perfect though, never had an issue with cooling or heating, did not have to use more than fan speed 5. Can't deny that there were reliability issues with the car but the sheer driving excitement it gave me with a Stage 1 tune brought a smile to my face most times during my ownership. :)
Just sold mine . Had a 2.0 tdi se multitronic in monsoon grey 130 000km and absolutely adored it. The sound system was superb media interface was crap but a memory card fixed that. 4.9l/100km when behaving. Serviced completely by dealers but they did leave my cam belt in instead of fitting a new one at 90 000km so keep an eye out on what service is done and ensure its done correctly. Miss that car
I have an Audi A4 Avant b8.5 2.0tdi Quattro 150hp from 2014. It is an awesome car! I live in the mountains so I take care to let the car warm up and cooldown but when its warm I push it sometimes in the cornes, uphill and downhill and just drive it for fun a lot. It has now 140.000km on it and was a firm car befor. So it saw a lot of Autobahn (I'm from Germany) and I as well drive it on the Autobahn. As well it has to go through snowy winters. I know that some people have problems with the oil consumption on the engine but mostly I think it is because it got abused to much. Too much rpms and throttle when its cold and shut it down when its hot. My A4 doesn't drink a drip of oil and I do push it when I have a good day but only when it is warm. It gets its regular service and only premium diesel but it did ride with normal diesel its 98.000km befor I bought it. No Probems so far and it runs just really good for 150hp. Maybe I'm lucky but when I see how other people drive their cars it doesn't surpirse me that the cars have a lot of trouble. Just because it is a "Premium" car it doesn't mean that it has to take abuse. The other stuff that got metioned here wasn't a problem so far for me. Maybe that the infotainment system is a little slow when you start the car after a day still stand but thats okay for me. But I have to say that I really take care of it. I drive relative fast aspecialy corners (Got 19" wheels with 245/35 tires on it) but it get its time to warm up, cool down and in winter I almost always have the parking heater on befor I start. Its luxury in winter when you don't have a garage but can go in your already warm car without needing to clean the windows from ice.^^
If you're getting a B8 2.0 TFSI, verify when the timing was done as the older style tensioner is a known failure point and can cause catastrophic engine damage, if you're driving on the older style tensioner change it to the newer one asap. Also take it on a long test-drive at highway speeds as some of these suffer from low oil pressure issues apart from the oil consumption which can be really bad (around 1L oil for every 300-400km driven).
I was driving my 08 2.0 s-line for well over half a year with the check engine line on . When I had the money to finally fix it , the mechanic told me that I was basically driving the car without any coolant or water ! Goes to show that these engines are freaking awesome! Not once did it start to overheat on me. My mechanic said if it was a different manufacturer like Japanese or American that it would have overheated on me right away and would have needed a new engine. But not my Audi! Sure it could get quite expensive to fix the parts that break over time but as long as you take care of your Audi with the recommended maintenance time frame then it will never fail you. But many of you out there see the word turbo and automatically think it has to do with Better performance In speed and etc etc etc ...but it doesn’t . The turbo is for the gas consumption. So if your racing a lot then of course parts will fail especially when you use the manual instead of automatic function. The gears are switched thru a computer and not a pedal , and if u switch the gear at the wrong time , well you can go ahead and kiss that beautiful engine goodbye
I own a 2011 A4 Evant 2.0TDI S-Line Black Edition, remapped. I bought it with 50k miles and it's now at 130k, it's never broken down on me and runs brilliantly. Like most cars, as long as you look after it with regular oil changes and services it will return it with great reliability and performance. Since I bought the car I am now fully into the estate (Evant) versions and my next car will just be an upgrade on what I currently have, but petrol rather than diesel due to ULEZ law changes (Emissions) over here where I live in West London, UK.
A good mate of mine from my last workplace, was a motor mechanic up until the early 2000's before changing trades. He worked in shops that specialised in eurpoean cars and said that they hated Audi's as they were a pig to work on - they referred to Audi's as 'The 4 rings of death'.... 😂😂😂
Bought my Audi A4 S Line B8.5 in 2016 with 48K on the clock, albeit here in Belgium. Only had one real issue since, water pump failure. Yes, the sunroof needs its maintenance but overall very pleased. Sporty looks, great performance AND hasn't ever let me down. Love it to bits 😎 Oh forgot about the oil comsumption: car doesn't have the issue.
Had no issues with my Audi A4 2.0 TDI S line Special Edition.... Which I think you didn't have on your variants page.... Brilliant car, it's 14 years old with 70,000 miles on the clock..... Absolutely love it.... Serviced annually, looked after well. And still turns heads.. Brilliant channel..... Excellent narration..... Keep up the great work....... 👍👍👍👍👍
I have owned a 2015 A4 for three years. Zero mechanical problems and two oil changes later, it still runs like new. And I live in one of the harshest driving environments in the world, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Oh, if you want to look at the trip computer, the toggle switch on the right hand column stalk will give you all the data you desire in seconds. The only concerns I have with the car is that the wiper blades are Audi proprietary. Why Audi, Why? And, the costs to update the navigation system are well, beyond ridiculous.
I bought an '08 2.0TDI S-line and must say i'm pretty impressed of the car. It drives smooth has great acceleration and with the s-line suspention, feathers and the wide tires (you should at least drive them with 245 tire width) it really sticks on the road if you take curves a little bit faster. If you buy one you should really lift the car up and check the rear axis. These models have a big problem with rust on tgis part and a new one costs between 1000 and 1500 bucks depends on your local currency (after 13 years it has been disovered and had cost me 1250€, but if you have a younger one and this problem occurs on your audi call the next audi dealer immediately because you have 12 year warranty on the rear axis so you can save a few bucks) This part can only be bought from audi dealers and there are no third party providers for it. You should also avoid diesel engines with direct injection because they are more likely to break and the costs over the years you will drive it make you crazy. (this was also the reason why i switched to a commonrail injection system. You can really feel it sometimes that it is a volkswagen what makes it sad that they have such a high price but if you have one you always want one
I owned a B8 and B9 A4. Both were great cars, especially the 2.0 TFSI Quattro B9. However, I would never own an Audi beyond warranty or over 5 years. Both of my A4s had major issues within warranty. Having said that, I own the latest A7 and sometimes I find myself missing my beautiful black B9 A4.
Wdym the 3.0t is the most solid platform ever I love my s5 well taken care of these cars don’t really have issues the supercharged engine is just amazing
Interesting. We have a 2008 Cabriolet manual with the 1.8T. Had for over 7 years and so far we have replaced the coils and plugs, and the air con electric controller. Otherwise just basic maintenance. Still feels heaps nicer than my 5 year old Mazda work vehicle. Just did the cambelt and water pump at 160K so will likely hang on to it for quite a bit more.
I have a 2012 A4 Quattro. Great car. The only thing I’d really say you missed was with the interior, the ceiling tends to fall and (the A4 in the video suffers from this) rear view mirror trim likes to fall apart. Love my A4.
I have the same one. Man I love it. The sun shade clips broke and passenger side mirror film flew off. It’s at 124k miles and I’ve had to do a few major repairs. I’m thinking of selling it while it has no problems :/.
Owned a B6 1.9TDI (2003 reg) sold last year 185000k. Engine brilliant - reliable lots of torque and economic ( 60mpg on long runs) but too many other problems - door locks, suspension, rust on arches ( replaced front wings) and interior plastics on switches ( rubberised texture) peeling . Bought a 2012 TD LE ( 163 bhp £30 road tax!) so far so good and a great all rounder- time will tell ( 105k mileage currently) but as you would expect leaps ahead of the B6 in terms of finish , performance and ride comfort.
I own A4 B8.5 Allroad. Marvelous car. 1.5 years later still going great. Mine is 2.0 TDI 190 HP tuned to 230 HP (I have a video about it) 🙂 Lovely economy, smooth ride. Bought it in Germany from 1 time owner for less than 30% of the original price. Knock on wood all is going well so far.
I've driven this car since 2016 and just 3 things have failed: - A deteriorated hose from the coolant condensator - Bushings of control arm and front suspension squeaks - Oil sensor plug It has been properly mainatained but something that really drives me nuts is that the car has no aux jack for connecting a phone with music and the bluetooth just recieves calls!!! I can't stream music via BT.
I love my b8.5 A4, had it for 4 years now nearing 90k miles and I take care of it but I also abuse it from time to time just a fun car to drive. I think I’m starting to leak oil just recently but other than that no major issues or issues at all for the last 40k miles but def a car you need to be knowledgable in mechanically before you buy, very rewarding car if taken care of Update: it’s not oil leaking it’s the water pump leaking coolant, common issue in Audis and VWs unfortunately
I'm on my 3rd Audi. My 2007 was 10 years old when I traded it in. Other than oil changes, brakes and recalls I didn't spend anything on it. I owned my 2015 A4 for 5 years (purchased it as a 2 year old CPO car). Again other than oil changes and recalls no money spent on the car. Just purchased a CPO 2019 S4 and a Audi 10 year extended warranty. Since it's a loaded sports model if anything goes wrong it will be costly.
I remember watching a review about VW Touareg and how they scared the crap out of me about how "unreliable" and expensive it is to maintain. Well, long story short, I bought it and enjoyed it for 3 years! To this day I regret selling it.
My Touareg just made it shy of 150,000 miles a few days ago. Needs an engine replacement and very sad to let it go 😢 looking at some B9 A4s at the moment
Worth noting….. if youre looking at one thats around the 8yr old mark. Suspension arms, front and rear; if they havent been replaced, put a couple of grand aside for paying someone to do it if you cant do it yourself.
The water pump issue was ultimately resolved with a later revision which used metal impellers instead of the everfailing plastic ones. The oil consumption issue was resolved from mid 2013, so definitely go for the latest facelift (B8.5)
I bought my daughter a 2007 Audi A4, 2.0TDI S-Line (German made, as I'm in Sweden) a decade ago, other than regular service I changed the brake pads once and the front springs. That's all and that car still feels like a new car. I can recommend the S-line, it's worth the cost because the ride is so very much better. I pretty much always bought Audi, my first car was a 1980 Audi 80, then I got another 1987 Audi 80 when that came out and drove that for 20 years, then an A4 and then I switched to Polestar 2. Now I'm waiting for my RS E-tron GT Performance so I'll be back to Audi before winter.
I enjoyed driving an Audi A4 2.0T Manual 2006 from 2010 to 2018. Comfort, Power and a maroon head Turner. Replacing the worn double clutch and the Turbo problems set me back financially and later sold it before another problem stocked out its hand. If I can find the same model at a lower odometer reading around 100000 km I will buy it especially with a nice colour.
Bought a 2013 A4 1.8 TFSI (CJEB) (manual) at 200000km in April 2022 with oil consumption - had the engine rebuilt with modified parts, for 3K EUR. Water pump had a beginning crack which was also replaced with an aftermarket aluminium part. Cam adjustment system (the round electromagnet things in the front) failed (intake side) which had to be replaced. Two front brake calipers seized within a year of each other. No other issues, but the engine caused some headaches getting it resolved. Happy owner now and I don't regret it at all. Okay maybe a little, and that is that I should've gotten one with Quattro. With a "standard" tune (170hp -> 230hp) the FWD has frequent wheel spin under slightly damp conditions. Snow is drivable (on summer tires) as TCS will help you out a bit, but Quattro would've just been more fun in snow. Fuel economy is great, at an average 6.5L/100km for my commute. My 1998 A3 8L with the 1.6 did 7.1L/100km. An upside to FWD, and impressive (to me) considering petrol + the weight and size.
So well done, thank you! Easily one of the best review channels on the tube. Honest, thorough, and well-scripted with just the right amount of humor. Thanks!
I’ve owned a 2011 A5 Coupe (basically the A4 coupe version) for a year now with 0 issues. Always kept up with maintenance and only put the best of the best into it and it runs like a dream.
From what he US here. I’ve owned one of these B8.5 a4’s for the last 4 years and put 80,000 miles on mine. Bought with 120K now has 200K. This has been a great car tho not without faults, but nothing has ever left me stranded on the side of the road. As far as parts go, fcp euro has great parts for vastly cheaper than oem. A lot of the faults that happen to these can actually be ignored in my opinion. For example the turbo. They have wastegate problems where the wastegate wears out and simply doesn’t close anymore. But that’s not going to actually destroy the turbo. You’ll just have more lag than normal and if that doesn’t bother you then you can keep right on going without a worry. Oil consumption is definitely there but as long as your top it up it will be fine. I have never had any interior problems (except the sun visor mounts broke) AC, heat etc are all perfect at 10 years old. There some wear points but I have no rattles or crack or holes in seats. Sunroof has never leaked for me. I would definitely recommend buying at least a 12 or newer. Ideally a 13. Anything 12+ has redesigned pistons that burn less oil and they fixed other issues with the engine. The 13+ cars got a redesigned timing chain as well. At least in the US there is a 120 thousand mile warranty on the injectors and the intake manifold as an extension from Audi because they can be faulty. I have had the stock water pump fail because like he mentioned, it’s plastic. There are fairly inexpensive replacement options made fully of aluminum which I recommend if you want to avoid ever having to replace your water pump again. I’ve driven this car all over the country in all types of weather including on ice and the car has always gotten me where I needed to go even through 7 inches of snow. Overall there is maintenance that will need to be done (looking at the upper control arms here) but it’s nothing overly bad. And over here these cars are pretty cheap in my opinion. I paid 10K for a 6 year old car with 120K miles. Was a single owner car and the timing chain and intake manifold were done right before I bought it. I do have to say I’ve had a check engine light on since I bought the car for a leak in the air intake system or pcv issue that causes an intermittent misfire at idle but it hasn’t caused any issues for me. I’ve left the car sit for months on end to walk up to it and drive away whenever I want. No dead battery and I still have the original 10 year old battery. B&O sound system is quite good for a stock system.
2013 A4 2.0t B8.5 owner with 211,000 miles and still going strong. This car amazes me considering the minimal maintenance I’ve had to do. Just change oil oil every 5k and use Liqui Moly or something equivalent
You can't deny that they look nice and they probably drive pretty good too, but for such a premium price it is absolutely ridiculous how much issues it potentially could have. I do think that some of the potential problems like the oil consumption are only applicable to some of the engine types. Would be nice to see some kind of recommendation on which type would be the best choice if you actually still would wanna buy one.
the 2.0 TFSI to 2012 had a shocking piston ring design causing the higher levels of oil consumption. this was revised with the facelift (which then experience the issue of water pumps).
@@thenotoriousjoey9956 Yeah once the piston rings are replaced with the updated U variant the car is damn good, other than the mechatronics issues with the early DSG boxes
Besides the piston rings replacement which is dirt cheap (depending on your area), the early dsg boxes are actually holding up pretty good if you re not an average european teen. My 2.0 diesel has the same clutch with 270k km and nothing done on the engine besides basic oil and filters. And oh god don`t get one with the adaptive bi-xenon and led lights (only on the first b8 model), bad seals and wet leds will cost you around 800 euros in repairs.
@@silviu9947 I have 2.0TDI B8 (before facelift) with adaptive bi-xenons and led lights 280tkm and i have no troubles. Lights should be working well unless someone unexperienced touch them and break seals.
Bought a 2nd hand 2009 A4 1.8T back in 2010. Burned oil like crazy. Remaining warranty got the pistons replaced. Sold it after the warranty expired. Not touching another one in my life. Phew...
Great video guys. Personally, I am not touching an Audi unless it is still within warranty and maintenance plan. The two that I owned were a nightmare. Both the A4 and A5
@@xXRaMsiisXx My 80 that I had about 10 years ago begs to differ, there was more outside of the engine that inside, sieves leak less than that engine did.
I own a 2014 Q5 3.0T. It has 205000 km . I've had the water pump replaced ( $800 Cdn) ... needs the pcv done ($1700 Cdn ! ) and could have the secondary air pumps redone ( but why ). It runs strong and I get 8.1 L/100Km easily overall for a year. Tire wear is minimal. Oil consumption has been 1L / 5000 km. I love the car ... fast, dependable, quiet, smooth yet athletic. The headlight bulbs burned out at 200000 km but I did it ... its a 2hr (max) fix for $150 Cdn. Not too hard. I use an OBD11 to analyze it.
Used B8.0 A4 owner here (US variant). What is mentioned for the A4 would probably apply for the A5 as well. My feedback would be stay away from the B8.0 and get the B8.5. The B8.0 have oil consumption issues. If you previous own can prove that the piston have been replaced by a reputable shop then the B8.0 are great cars. Also all cars reliability are crap when compared to Toyota (Lexus) or Honda (Acura). So Toyota and Honda is always the anwer. But if you want something a bit different and something that drives a lot better and is fun, then Audis are great! But keep in mine, that Audis are enthusiasts cars. If you are not "into" cars and the lifestyle when it's probably not the one for you especially used and out of warranty. I absolutely love my A4. It's hard to find anything that compares to the price and performance. I have a 2.0t quatro with a manual gear box and it's an absolute blast to drive. I also have 240k mi on mine and it is still pretty solid. TLDR, you have to pay to play and if you're not interested in playing then this might not be the one for you.
Should i get a 2010 audi a5 s line with a rebuilt engine and internals? The rebuild was done by a certified shop. So basically like a new engine, meaning it doesnt have the oil consumption issues right? 2.0T manual
@zureai if the rebuild was done with the updated pistons or performance pistons by integrated engineering. Like I said, these are good fun cars but they definitely have their quirks. If you're able to do some basic maintenance yourself and don't have to depend on a shot for everything, then go for it. (If the price is right)
Ive got an audi a4 2012 with updated timing belt tensioner and ive got the 2014 CAED engine , doesnt burng a spec of oil , ive had no issues with it , you have to keep it maintained and youre good to go.
hey man i know this is not my business but i have a 2012 a4 with 78k miles i love it if you dont mind saying how much did the timing chain service cost
Wow, overkill on the crazy number of variants. Set the tone for the vid perfectly with fancy VW comparison. Just letting you know, yes I would grab a tee and water bottle. 👍 great detailed vid.
I've purchased an used 2013 A4 Allroad with the 2.0 L turbo engine, full options, nice looking, nice ride, running perfect, 130Kms. Taking it in for service at Audi, they've found out the distribution chain was stretched and I had to dish out $ 2,400 to get it fixed. How's that possible, for a rather new engine? Had to sell it and, ever since, I totally distrust the Audi engineering.
You should've mentioned to avoid the 08-12 2.0t models because of the oil consumption issues causing engine failure. I may have missed this in the video.
You know how good is your channel - When you start to redefine some of the "EU Brands" Thank you for doing this... I think you guys are going to be huge... very huge... I bet soon you will be able to make good money and start to own some of this cars that you might not recommend.
Had my 2013 A4 Avant 3 years now. Its a 2.0tdi S-Line Quattro. Gets a genuine 50mpg on a long run at motorway speeds. It's 4wd so great for the shitty roads, especially in winter here in Scotland. It's an 'Avant' so loads of room and comes with a standard detachable tow bar which has been great for the bike rack. As an s-line it has lots of goodies including great leather seats and a brilliant audio system. In 3 years its needed nothing except a £20 ABS sensor I fixed myself. Bought for £11000 @ 52k miles when it just had a major cambelt service, its now at 72k. It was mint and came with Michelin Pilot Sports which is a good indication of a well looked after car. The only criticism I have, like most Audis, is its boring to drive. And the Satnav is seriously out of date but apparently Audi want an outrageous £300 to update it! (I believe its possible to do it yourself) Overall, in terms of the boxes it ticks, it's probably the car I've owned, but I only put up with the lack of driver engagement because I have other toys that give me that. All the issues mentioned in this video I've heard of but so far mine has been perfect. One major issue I was told by a VAG mechanic was do not buy an auto unless you have a solid warranty. The autos are great until they break, which they do, and then they are £'000 to fix.
Great video! The A4’s with the Gen2 EA888 (1.8/2.0T) engines have some major issues with oil usage that requires an engine out piston/ring replacement. It gets to a point where the car will burn 1L of oil every 500km. Probably damaging the Cat. This potential issues is on 2008-2012 year models. Ive seen plenty that have soot buildup on the bumper and they smoke like tdi’s
Agree and relate. My Dad got a used 2010 TT 1.8 TFSI. Went through oil like nobodys business. I also heard the issues normally stemmed from 08 to 12, though wouldn't be surprised if they persisted after. It's a shame because aside from the laughable 'high oil consumption- money pit engine' and electrical system, the rest of the car was good. I like Audis but it really makes you think, why bother? Just get something else.
@@PatLadsChan99 yeah had a couple of friend with the same issue. Its the EA888 gen2. Gen3 was sorted again, which was around 2013. The 2.0tdi is a very reliable engine, probably the pick of the bunch.
@@semicolon101 it's seems that in America compared to Europe you are a Yr behind.. Over here 2012 was when 3rd gen fitted.. Only problem was waterpump over here but different fuel system with port inj so no carbon build up, doesn't use any oil between service updated tensioner fitted. Early models bit iffy though
This happened to me. Had to service the turbo, change the catalytic converter and now the engine is out with replacement needed for the pistons, piston rings, rod bearings and connecting rods. The interior quality is amazing, it's quiet, fast and overall a great car, just aim for 2013 up to 2015 if you're looking at the B 8.5.
Agree, have an 09 A4 2.0TFSI and it at one point burned 1L every 600km, had to put in 1L of oil every petrol stop like a fucking rotary engine. Thankfully got fixed for free due to the class action
Glad to see a popular mid size luxury sedan reviewed. I can’t wait till you review the Mercedes W205 that sold in huge numbers in Australia as well as the BMW F30. You could do the 2013-20 Lexus IS but we all know nothing goes wrong on them so I guess that should be a lower priority ;)
Had mine for 1 year. Wheel bearing and bushings had to be done. That’s all the necessary work I needed done. Had it serviced too. Bought it at 86k miles now at 98k miles. Only cost me £500 in repairs as I work on it myself. The cars are quick and powerful too. My 2.0TFSI had 2011bhp and with an exhaust, intake and IE tune mine is now pushing 272bhp. It smokes most other cars on the road, and any cars people my age are driving (19)
Jim always cracks me up with his comments on Audis & VW’s. His overall mechanical knowledge is no doubt immeasurably more than mine, but he has a tendency to show his obvious disdain, and this causes him to over generalise with VW & Audi in particular, & make it seem like there’s many issues for all the different variations. Want more reliability in an Audi? 1. Stick to petrol because ALL modern diesel engines in ALL makes have problems, mainly due to DPF & EGR devices that slowly choke it to death. 2. Don’t ignore service intervals, Find a mechanic that specialises specifically in Audi, not just any so called “European” specialist. 3. NEVER buy ANY vehicle with a CVT, Audi are no exception, & all CVT vehicles have transmission issues & failures. 4. Avoid the dry clutch tiptronic models. Try to find the wet clutch tiptronic models if you absolutely have to have a tip. And if you want it to last, avoid using it in tip mode at all. Best Audi automatic is the 8 speed which uses a standard torque converter. 5. Audi 6 speed manual transmissions are virtually indestructible. Learn to drive properly and reap the benefits of no gearbox issues.
The issue is, many owners don't take your advice for reliability, even from new. Hence, we don't recommend the A4 as a used car, often people end up buying cars that have been poorly maintained and as we all know, a poorly maintained Audi/VW can be at ticking time bomb. We don't deny that they are fantastic cars when they are at their best, but many other brands tend to cope far better with missed services, less than optimal oils and petrols and driving with a lack of mechanical sympathy, not to mention not having to find a specialist mechanic. Most people just want a nice car that they don't have to care for fastidiously, that they can have serviced at their local mechanic and not spend a fortune on maintenance, and if they miss a service or two, so what. As you've stated with your reliability tips, unfortunately a used Audi doesn't provide that. - AK
‘12 1.8 TFSI, 144k kms, after about 7 years it started having electrical issues, center brake light, heated seats don’t heat ur butt from the drivers side etc. Recently the hood strut broke too. You need to have cash for these if you want to keep them for a long time. The car drives amazing comfortably and dynamically.
Had the A4 1.4 TFSI 2018 model from new, all good within warranty and things starts breaking at 5 years marks around 65,000km. Leaking transmission oil from broken gasket, entire transmission needs to lift out from the subframe and replace gasket. Water influx into the steering rake which resulted in an error code on the dash. Whole steering rake needs to be replaced. Both front strut tower needs to be replaced due to wear. I had my factory serviced, great car and nice to drive. Remember to get rid of it out of warranty or 5 years at best.
I’ve a 2008 a4 it’s mapped to 180hp the only problem I got was the injectors I got bad diesel but the car has 250000 miles on it and it runs like a dream
Gosh I had one, 2011 with the 1.8t. Wife drove it in town and didn't do much mileage. Had it trouble free for 5yrs and by then only had about 70k kms on...then the s@*t started. Started guzzling oil like nobody's business and before long we were on about 1L per 800-1000km. Took it to Audi who said its a known issue, replacement pistons needed. Of course out of warranty by then and decided to sell it. Cost to repair would have been more than the car's worth. It's a lovely car within warranty and moral of the story, don't try and save kms on you car, put all the mileage on within the warranty period. If we had done that it would have been repaired under warranty.
I know a person, who always wanted an Audi so settled for a few years old petrol A5 TFSI. This person loved the car, lovely interior, great to drive etc. But then.........BOOOOM. The engine went self destruct at 36k miles, car had full service history and everything. Also was just out of warranty. The bill was almost the purchase price of the vehicle to repair, Audi UK were informed, they said get stuffed we do not care. Then the lawyer got involved and found that in the United States Audi had to reimburse every customer who suffered the same catastrophic fault even out of warranty if the odometer reading was low enough with full service history (I think the fault was a disintigrating timing belt tensioner or high oil consumption mentioned in this vid, although could be wrong). Audi eventually relented but said He had to pay the labour costs whilst they replaced/provided the parts. How do Audi/VW still have the reputation they do after major catastrophic faults like this, and why does the main stream motoring media not report on these issues despite the commonality? Thanks Redriven, this is the sort of information people REALLY need when looking into older vehicle purchases.
The EA888 is a great motor, especially the forged variant in the S3 and Golf R. Unfortunately its ancillary components (waterpumps,thermostat housing, early turbos) let it down.
the Gen 2's turbo (K03) is fine, mine has >200,000kms on the clock and has been pushing 18psi of boost for probably half of that, and I dont drive it easy
Currently I have Opel Astra 100kw for 3 years, I made 60 000km and on clock is 85000km. I do not have any oil consumption at all. Average consumption for 60k km is 4.5L of diesel and I do not drive slow, Average speed around 50km/h and use most of time country roads. I already had DPF cooler issue, fix jt for 50€n simply clean it ;)
This has actually changed what I'm looking for, I was very genuinely looking at an A4 Quattro for myself but hearing about how much of a bomb they can be if you get the wrong one I don't really think it's worth it, and I could probably look back towards BMW if I want to stay Euro or go to Japan because they're just safer options for my wallet. Thanks for the awesome content guys!
BMW is in no way more reliable than Audi😂. The only reason why the a4 has so many problems is the later versions before 2012. Anything earlier than that is fairly reliable
I wanted this as a first car, what other car should I look for that’s similar to this. I do want it to be reliable but also want it to look modern and a lil fast. The Jetta is the only thing under that category but it’s not as fast
This review is complete bs, you could literary make it about any make or model of car and show 100's of examples to "verify" the problems, I have had 2 a4s, both high mileage, both have been faultless. Bottom line is ALL used cars are a risk, if you like a particular make or model of a car, get one and don't let anyone put you off with their opinions
Bought a second hand Audi A4 1.8TFSI . Can honestly say one of the best cars I've driven and found it to be extremely reliable and have not had any issues. So unfortunately I cannot concur with your assessment.
Good video. If you are buying one the variant is critical as mentioned. Best bet seems to be B8.5 cars with the Gen 3 2.0T and DSG/Manual. My car drives surprisingly well with the S-Line suspension.
I own a 2012 A4 2.0TDI bought it with 55000km, a fantastic car, service every 30000 km, now 266000km on the clock, let it tuned at 145000 km from 120 hp to 180 hp, it's the most reliable car I owned, i had new Renaults (R5GTE, 2 Laguna' and a Megane) and they were not reliable compared to Audi.
Key fob remote unlock/lock works intermittently, vanity mirrors with fragile clips, door speakers prone to blowing. Couple of interior faults I’ve seen on my 2009 a4 avant. Speaker and vanity mirror faults also occurred on my b7 a4 avant.
Hi ReDriven i love your channel and videos especially this one because i had a B8 before and it is one of my worst second hand purchases ever. my b8 had all problems such as door locks not working, lights are always faulty, oil sensor problem. the only good things were people appreciate my car because of the brand. i also like the aesthetics but too bad its one of the most unreliable cars. im from manila philippines and im a subscriber of your channel keep it up!!
I had a 2008 B8 Avant 2.0 diesel - did 55k miles in it and sold at about 65K - flawless no known faults ever. Petrol variants of this era did suffer oil consumption issues due to a design fault in the pistons and oil scraper rings which Audi did their level best to deny and ignore ! Mine was an SE but the S-Line tended to have over firm suspension.
I have this same make, but it's a 18. TFSI. I replaced that Plastic water pump already, but it was done under warranty. It's a 2015 model, I got a good deal on it. I have had one major problem on it outside warranty. "Burnt Valve". The oil consumption has began as well, I am topping up once or twice between services. 😆😆 I still like the car, it's sitting at 182000km.
Im looking at getting a c7 Audi A6 3.0l biTurbo Diesel, if you guys could kindly do a review on one it would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!
Nice comfy and fast car I bought a4 b7 2.0 tfsi 200hp 80k miles got a huge repair after short warranty front local garage, Almost all engine parts need to replace engine lights different codes. Head gasket, pvc valve, vacuum pump, injectors, turbo leak, exhaust smokes. Timing chain and tensionaire, collant flange leak. Not a reliable engine at 80k miles major repair.
I've been watching videos on the A4 all over the net.... I really want an allroad!!! There's no other car that can do what it's built to do. It's everything I need in a car, but damned the reliability issue 😕 Lexus doesn't make a wagon with awd unfortunately
I own a 2013 Audi A4 TFSI S-Line Quattro, beautiful example with all the options plus the Ea888 Gen 3 (CNCD). 3 years of enjoyment and regular maintence (DSG Service, spark plugs etc). Make sure when buying one to get the updated motor.
I can relate. My water pump (Mk4 Golf with the 2.0 engine) broke yesterday, as well as the fan and exhaust system, and the engine mounts. All at the same time. I guess the broken engine mount situation is a common issue with those.
My cousin has the allroad variant with the 2l diesel, it is a 2013 model with 180,000kms. The only things he has done to it in that time is servicing. It has needed 0 repairs.
![Yeat & Quavo - 5BRAZY [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4XxnTAwyxus/mqdefault.jpg)
Bought a 2011 A4 Quatro with Oil Consumption, 4 years on still going great, just needs top-up oil here and there, never had any other issues at all. Drives amazing. Also got it for 10% of what it was worth when new. Don't regret buying it at all.
I had to top up 0.5l every 1k kms so I changed the pistons to the updated and no consumption issue since, great car.
@@eyeoflaw yeah that is undrivable, how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking. I have been quoted $5k AUD to rebuild the engine. Mine is currently doing 1L per 100kms
@@delakoni We went from "no problems at all" to "I was quoted $5k".
This is always the trend with European car owners who try to claim their car is "reliable".
They usually say something along the lines of "oh my BMW M5 competition is just as reliable as any Toyota, nothing but basic maintenance". And when you ask them specifics about that basic maintenance, they respond with a straight face "Oh just some oil and pads, also a simple fuel injector change, and a simple turbo replacement, oh and a simple transmission replacement every 20k miles, oh and a simple rear diff replacement every 100k miles, and a simple engine overhaul here and there".
I think the reason for this delusional mentality is a result of trying to avoid buyer's remorse. When you feel like you spent too much money on something you shouldn't have, your mind will always make up all sorts of things to try and justify your purchase.
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior I did stay i bought a car with oil consumption issue, im saying that im still driving it and its not getting worst or had any other issues, i just add oil to the engine when needed. To fix the issue would cost $5k but at this point will keep driving it till it gets worst and then fix it, so far its been 4 years. Also i bought the car for so cheap that even paying $5k to fix it was a great purchase (also was aware of the issue when i bought it, reason i got it for cheap)
Same with me... mine is a 2010... did the repair at 83000km... its now at 140000km with an oil leak at the tandem pump but still running awesome.
Already bought it. It's nice seeing all the comments bellow this video are other A4 owners just as happy with their purchase as I am.
How has your experience been so far? I've been looking at S4/S5s in the 100k mile range and I'm just trying to get as much info from people's experiences as possible
@@felixfam0481 I'm driving a B8.5 allroad, and apart from a CV Joint booot that ripped and needed to be replaced from some rough usage of the quattro system on my part, I've had no issues with it. Great car, timeless style, interior is ahead of it's time for 2014, and I love that it's flex-fuel. I just passed 100k miles though and only time will tell what else will need to be replaced.
@mckibbentrevor thanks for the info, from what I've been seeing most people end up being fine with any of these cars as long as it's been at least somewhat taken care of
@@mckibbentrevor do you still own the A4..if so how is it holding up
@@tishunhastings3592 Apart from the cv boot getting replaced, I've been keeping it on regular oil changes and it's treated be great. I try to switch off between E85 and 91 octane to clear up the carbon buildup, and but I really haven't had any issues with the car.
I know 3 people that got used A4's B8/8.5. All three of them are 180,000 miles + 2.0 TDI, never heard them complain or say that the A4 had any issues, they are really happy with their purchase.
i have one ,im cool wit it 2,0 tdi se multitronic
2.0 TDI was a very good car, the 143bhp might not excite a few people, but if you don't want to set speed records and just enjoy a comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable ride, I doubt you can go wrong with it.
2.0 TDI units were very reliable engines, Audi petrol engines however are not so good.
@@RaviKSingh it would be comfy except for the fat gearbox tunnel. Sit twisted to the right & it really isn't a comfortable driving position at all.
@@alexmanojlovic768 thats strange im 6f 2 and around 94kg im not twisted neutral seating position.
I am mechanic and I have to say Audi A4 is FANTASY! All of them payed school for my 5 kids.
😂
Already bought it
Thanks for scaring the crap out of me
Ahahahahaha😂😂😂
Hahahahahahahaha .... I was considering it until now 😂😂😂
As long as you give it regular servicing and maintaining, then you shouldn't be scared.
You see, Aussies don't like European cars, only because when you don't take proper care of them, something can go wrong. We've owned a bunch of European cars before (currently have some today) and none of them have had any faults because we service them.
Well, this video is for those who are yet to buy an Audi
2014 A4 Quattro owner here since 2019. dealer maintained before me and has treated me well over the years. Coming up on the timing chain interval and looking forward to it. If you actually maintain the car, it really is a great daily and plenty of people (Including myself) love the Brilliant red S-line exterior!
I have a 2010 1.8t Manual A4 at 230,000kms, oil consumption is a pretty big issue, be prepared to top that up especially when you're pushing the car a little harder. A common issue you get is a P2015 code for the intake manifold runner flaps, if you want to fix it you either have to buy a new intake manifold (go OEM for this otherwise you'll have a bit of a headache) or delete the flaps and get a tune. Another thing is that sensors can get really expensive and there is one for just about everything. Audi quoted me $700 for a single o2 sensor. I recommend looking up the part number instead as you can get that sensor from Bosch for $100 and they make most the OEM stuff anyways. When shopping for an A4 make sure to avoid any that have a CVT transmission and if the oil burning issue is particularly concerning to you, look at one with the updated piston design. In terms of tech, the sav nav works great despite being pretty dated, the Bluetooth in the car (may be different for different models) lets you make calls and works well and for music you can use a dongle to the aux and it works great. It also has inbuilt voice controls which work pretty well and the speakers sound great. It's a great platform, basically a comfier golf with similar potential for mods. Lot of fun to drive, great in traffic and on a fun winding road but definitely more of a daily sedan than a sports car (at least when stock). It's a fun entry level euro car that's pretty easy to work on too.
Audi always had problem in petrol engine with Oil consumption, I have diesel and have no problems
@@adrianwitkowski955 diesel is not great for only city driving, they get clogged very soon.
Should i get a 2010 audi a5 s line with a rebuilt engine and internals? The rebuild was done by a certified shop. So basically like a new engine, meaning it doesnt have the oil consumption issues right? 2.0T manual
Oven cleaner is the best solution..
U can get second hand genuine. Bosch for like 20-30 quid
I have had a 07 plate with 170k miles, was a great car, changed it to the 08 estate model with 191k on it, both were under £2000 to buy and never had an issue, I still own the b8 and use it daily for work, well over 200k miles and still drives like a dream
2.0 turbo petrol?
@@dusanmatic6259 no, tdi
@@timdixon3410 have you got an automatic one and if so how’s the gearbox i heard the multitronic is unreliable?
@Anas Tarafder no, it's a 6 speed manual and no issues at all
@@timdixon3410You got tdi which is reliable and then on top of that a manual. Even more reliable !
Just wanted to throw in my comment as someone who daily drives one of these and has had multiple due to my unique circumstance. The 2.0T is what I am specifically referring to, we don’t have many diesels in the US. I think some of the problems you mentioned are a bit overblown. Ignition coils are $20 at the local parts store, maybe you’ll replace a set of them every few years of driving. I just had to do them @118k Miles. The timing chain you can use a scan tool to see if there’s been any movement. If you go for a 13+ model, you’re not as likely to need that tensioner replaced. At 118k my B8.5 is still on the original chain/tensioner. My B8 @180k has had it replaced once, and it’s probably due for another service. This is honestly not much different than doing the timing belt service on your Honda. It’s just something that has to get done. I’ve personally not experienced hvac issues on these cars. Water pump did start leaking at 169k on the B8, and injectors were noisy/worn at the same mileage. But honestly I feel like that’s a pretty good lifespan all things considered. Door locks are definitely something I’ve had to replace. They aren’t too bad at $80 per door, but annoying. Otherwise I’d honestly these cars don’t have that much maintenance all things considered. Keep the fluids changed, order parts online as it’s typically cheaper. And just enjoy the car. The automatics are solid (Don’t buy a FWD model, they use CVTs and do wear out just like every other CVT on the market). Quattro all the way! PCV valves are common failure points, they seem to last 5-10 years but they take 5 minutes to change. Super easy fix. As long as you stay on top of the timing service intervals and fluids you’ll have a pleasant experience
hey man quick question how much did it cost you for timing chain and tensioner change if you dont mind saying i got a 2012 a4 with 78k miles OG and i love it but im just curious when i go to service the chain in the future how much ill need saved
@@MrShootFirstDieFirst Just depends on your local shop rates. My best guesstimate is $700-$1100 in both parts and labor. If you want to do it yourself you can order a kit online for $250-$350 bucks. The big failure point is the tensioner. If you want to cut costs you can buy a tensioner for $90 from the dealer. Using Zip ties you can keep the timing chain in place without undoing it. Slide the old tensioner out, slide the new one in, and pull the pin. Cut the zip ties off, put the cover back on and you’re good to go!
@@TheCompyshop hey man thanks I appreciate the fast responds
Ty so much. I've been looking at used ones & almost everyone will say they are so expensive to work on. However they have never owned one or personally owned one either. U have eased my mind a great deal.
@@edgybarbie77 Happy to help! If you want further peace of mind pay for a PPI before taking the car home. A Pre Purchase Inspection
I have a 2001 B6 A4 1.9tdi with 648000km. I drive it 200km everyday and it's never left me on the side of the road. The biggest part I've had to replace is the duel mass flywheel at around 400000km. Probably because I used it to launch my boat for several years...
All major parts are still original including the turbo!
Mechanics and especially dealers will rather change a turbo than find a leaking vacuum line, because the fault code is the same.
Very reliable car if self serviced on a regular basis.
I have a 2004 b6 1.9tdi with 324,000km… just like you… unbelievably reliable car 👍🏽
You are right but you can‘t compare a B6 with a B8. The B6 is a far better engineered car. The B8 is nowhere near as good,
Bad comparison mate this is a b8
I have a white 2013 A4 Avant quattro with the 2.0tdi diesel engine
It has a Stage 1 tune 230hp, ive had it for almost 7 years as my daily and its great. Low fuel consumption and cheap to own, would recommend this car to anyone who want a car that will run and run and run with cheap parts and low costs in the long run. Greetings from Sweden 👍
Heja Heja
Bought a 2012 high mileage a4 cheap 2 years ago.......spot on car , only costs are fuel and consumable service costs .
7th audi and won't be my last, never had trouble with any of them
I owned the 2012 TDI Multitronic for 8 years and never had an issue one.
For me, it’s still the best car I have ever owned.
@FullOnCars it is unfortunate that if one has a different view, they are accused of bribery.
However, I owned the car until I sold it 2 years ago; and till this day, I still miss it.
I don't like the new shape though, hence I didn't exchange it for the new model
@FullOnCars lol
@FullOnCars actually they quite awesome cars hey! My dad still has the B8.5 A4 and in my opinion it's the best car he's ever own and the best car I've driven so far
Same. 2.0 TDI Multitronic 2011 with 105k miles and never a problem.
Had a b8 2.7 TDI Multitronic for 3 years and 80k kilometers. Bought it (7,5k€) with 250k km on the odo, sold with 330k(for 5k€ in a trade). Not a single serious issue in my time. Brilliant car, but needed a quattro with 230hp/480nm (stage 1 remap)
Audi made people fall under the impression that the B8.5 fixed oil consumption, but they didn’t. If you check the audizine or audiword forums, you can see people posting about 2013-2015 B8.5s still consuming with the 2.0T engine.
I have a 2013 A4 Quattro, here’s some of my issues:
-Turbo caused the oil consumption to a degree that was just as severe as the piston rings.
-Blower motor for the A/C and Heat failed. It’s an easy fix and I just replaced that myself today actually.
-The plastic clip that holds the sun visor up cracks very easily.
-That being said, anything plastic on the car cracks very easily. I changed the speakers myself and had to replace 2 speaker grills because the clips crack when you pull them out even with the plastic trim tools.
-The heat shield around the brakes can warp and make a screeching sound in some humid conditions.
-Bad cam shaft sensor cause warm start issues. $27 sensor.
-Volume knob gets very, very loose.
-If you plan on upgrading the sound system, be warned, there is a lot of plastic rattling in the door panels.
Can confirm. I own B8.5 (1.8 tfsi gen3, quattro, manual), and after 120 000 miles it turned into an oil-eating monster. It consumes 3 liters of oil every 4000 miles.
@@jacklondon9383use thicker oil
I own an A4 2.0 TDI SE 2013, enjoyable ride all round, at this age and after 100000 KM, it requires replacement of suspension parts, control arms bushes started to wear , other than that with regular service no complaints
same beast as mine ....take care of it
Bought the Audi A4 B8 2011 2.0 TFSI (45,000 km used) and have to say I have never had engine problems (120,000km driven now). I dont have any problems mentioned in the video except for two. The sunroof problem (water got in somehow) and the key problem, sometimes in the winter the key will not unlock the driver’s door but unlocks the other doors(I assume because the metals in the lock system ”shrink” from the -20 degrees weather). Also I have noticed now that it is starting to consume more oil than when I bought it, but I knew this would happen because its very common in all german manufactured cars, and its not a problem in my eyes.
You know the car is unreliable when the "What goes wrong" chapter is huge!
Could you please review a E90 3 series, W204 OR 205 C-Class or a Lexus IS (Second gen)?
Great review!
I'd love a Lexus IS video, especially the first gen. They're legendary cars, and the inline six (2JZ-GE) is bulletproof.
They’re already working on an e90 review as I asked AK to do one in part 1 of the Q&A they just did and he said they’ll do one
I chose an E92 over an IS250 so keen to hear what I missed out on!
@@thefreshestprince89 which version did you get?
Those cars that started life in the late 2000s are getting old and there are less on the road, I think a F30 BMW, Merc W205 and the post 2013/14 Lexus IS are far more relevant cars to cover.
Mine was a 10 year old A5 B8.5 with similar engine and gearbox as the car in this video. common (and pricey) problems were faulty water pump and thermostat with cracked coolant reservoir, carbon buildup on valves, manifold and piston heads which required a top-end overhaul, faulty ignition coils and spark plugs, wonky intake manifold sensor, saggy roofliner, yellowish DRL LED tubes, drinks 1L of oil every 4000km. HVAC was perfect though, never had an issue with cooling or heating, did not have to use more than fan speed 5. Can't deny that there were reliability issues with the car but the sheer driving excitement it gave me with a Stage 1 tune brought a smile to my face most times during my ownership. :)
Just sold mine . Had a 2.0 tdi se multitronic in monsoon grey 130 000km and absolutely adored it.
The sound system was superb media interface was crap but a memory card fixed that. 4.9l/100km when behaving. Serviced completely by dealers but they did leave my cam belt in instead of fitting a new one at 90 000km so keep an eye out on what service is done and ensure its done correctly. Miss that car
srry about that cambelt issue ,
that's 20kmpl - an unbelievable mileage number!
I have an Audi A4 Avant b8.5 2.0tdi Quattro 150hp from 2014. It is an awesome car! I live in the mountains so I take care to let the car warm up and cooldown but when its warm I push it sometimes in the cornes, uphill and downhill and just drive it for fun a lot. It has now 140.000km on it and was a firm car befor. So it saw a lot of Autobahn (I'm from Germany) and I as well drive it on the Autobahn. As well it has to go through snowy winters. I know that some people have problems with the oil consumption on the engine but mostly I think it is because it got abused to much. Too much rpms and throttle when its cold and shut it down when its hot. My A4 doesn't drink a drip of oil and I do push it when I have a good day but only when it is warm. It gets its regular service and only premium diesel but it did ride with normal diesel its 98.000km befor I bought it. No Probems so far and it runs just really good for 150hp. Maybe I'm lucky but when I see how other people drive their cars it doesn't surpirse me that the cars have a lot of trouble. Just because it is a "Premium" car it doesn't mean that it has to take abuse. The other stuff that got metioned here wasn't a problem so far for me. Maybe that the infotainment system is a little slow when you start the car after a day still stand but thats okay for me. But I have to say that I really take care of it. I drive relative fast aspecialy corners (Got 19" wheels with 245/35 tires on it) but it get its time to warm up, cool down and in winter I almost always have the parking heater on befor I start. Its luxury in winter when you don't have a garage but can go in your already warm car without needing to clean the windows from ice.^^
If you're getting a B8 2.0 TFSI, verify when the timing was done as the older style tensioner is a known failure point and can cause catastrophic engine damage, if you're driving on the older style tensioner change it to the newer one asap. Also take it on a long test-drive at highway speeds as some of these suffer from low oil pressure issues apart from the oil consumption which can be really bad (around 1L oil for every 300-400km driven).
Just the tensioner? What about the chain and other bits
Audi A4 (B6) 2003 Avant. 216,000 miles (347k) engine never let me down, body getting a bit rough now but has served me well.
I was driving my 08 2.0 s-line for well over half a year with the check engine line on . When I had the money to finally fix it , the mechanic told me that I was basically driving the car without any coolant or water ! Goes to show that these engines are freaking awesome! Not once did it start to overheat on me. My mechanic said if it was a different manufacturer like Japanese or American that it would have overheated on me right away and would have needed a new engine. But not my Audi! Sure it could get quite expensive to fix the parts that break over time but as long as you take care of your Audi with the recommended maintenance time frame then it will never fail you. But many of you out there see the word turbo and automatically think it has to do with Better performance In speed and etc etc etc ...but it doesn’t . The turbo is for the gas consumption. So if your racing a lot then of course parts will fail especially when you use the manual instead of automatic function. The gears are switched thru a computer and not a pedal , and if u switch the gear at the wrong time , well you can go ahead and kiss that beautiful engine goodbye
I own a 2011 A4 Evant 2.0TDI S-Line Black Edition, remapped. I bought it with 50k miles and it's now at 130k, it's never broken down on me and runs brilliantly. Like most cars, as long as you look after it with regular oil changes and services it will return it with great reliability and performance. Since I bought the car I am now fully into the estate (Evant) versions and my next car will just be an upgrade on what I currently have, but petrol rather than diesel due to ULEZ law changes (Emissions) over here where I live in West London, UK.
A good mate of mine from my last workplace, was a motor mechanic up until the early 2000's before changing trades. He worked in shops that specialised in eurpoean cars and said that they hated Audi's as they were a pig to work on - they referred to Audi's as 'The 4 rings of death'.... 😂😂😂
Bought an Audi b8 2008 with 230k miles
No issues with it
Drives like a dream
I paid £1150
No complaints
Still going strong?
Bought my Audi A4 S Line B8.5 in 2016 with 48K on the clock, albeit here in Belgium. Only had one real issue since, water pump failure. Yes, the sunroof needs its maintenance but overall very pleased. Sporty looks, great performance AND hasn't ever let me down. Love it to bits 😎 Oh forgot about the oil comsumption: car doesn't have the issue.
I had the water pump fail as well at 4 years old
@@nickmanhota324 how much the cost?
@@josepena6154 with cambelt and waterpump £480 its the 164 bhp 2.0 tdi ultra the other variants are cheaper to change.
Hoeveel km heb je nu dan? Doe je de olieverversingen zelf?
@@Elaba_ 161000 km en nee, die laat ik doen!! 🙃
Had no issues with my Audi A4 2.0 TDI S line Special Edition.... Which I think you didn't have on your variants page....
Brilliant car, it's 14 years old with 70,000 miles on the clock..... Absolutely love it.... Serviced annually, looked after well. And still turns heads.. Brilliant channel..... Excellent narration..... Keep up the great work....... 👍👍👍👍👍
Yo am planning on buying hmu bro
I have owned a 2015 A4 for three years. Zero mechanical problems and two oil changes later, it still runs like new. And I live in one of the harshest driving environments in the world, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Oh, if you want to look at the trip computer, the toggle switch on the right hand column stalk will give you all the data you desire in seconds. The only concerns I have with the car is that the wiper blades are Audi proprietary. Why Audi, Why? And, the costs to update the navigation system are well, beyond ridiculous.
I bought an '08 2.0TDI S-line and must say i'm pretty impressed of the car. It drives smooth has great acceleration and with the s-line suspention, feathers and the wide tires (you should at least drive them with 245 tire width) it really sticks on the road if you take curves a little bit faster.
If you buy one you should really lift the car up and check the rear axis. These models have a big problem with rust on tgis part and a new one costs between 1000 and 1500 bucks depends on your local currency (after 13 years it has been disovered and had cost me 1250€, but if you have a younger one and this problem occurs on your audi call the next audi dealer immediately because you have 12 year warranty on the rear axis so you can save a few bucks) This part can only be bought from audi dealers and there are no third party providers for it.
You should also avoid diesel engines with direct injection because they are more likely to break and the costs over the years you will drive it make you crazy. (this was also the reason why i switched to a commonrail injection system.
You can really feel it sometimes that it is a volkswagen what makes it sad that they have such a high price but if you have one you always want one
I owned a B8 and B9 A4. Both were great cars, especially the 2.0 TFSI Quattro B9. However, I would never own an Audi beyond warranty or over 5 years. Both of my A4s had major issues within warranty. Having said that, I own the latest A7 and sometimes I find myself missing my beautiful black B9 A4.
Wdym the 3.0t is the most solid platform ever I love my s5 well taken care of these cars don’t really have issues the supercharged engine is just amazing
Interesting. We have a 2008 Cabriolet manual with the 1.8T. Had for over 7 years and so far we have replaced the coils and plugs, and the air con electric controller. Otherwise just basic maintenance. Still feels heaps nicer than my 5 year old Mazda work vehicle. Just did the cambelt and water pump at 160K so will likely hang on to it for quite a bit more.
I have a 2012 A4 Quattro. Great car. The only thing I’d really say you missed was with the interior, the ceiling tends to fall and (the A4 in the video suffers from this) rear view mirror trim likes to fall apart. Love my A4.
I have the same one. Man I love it. The sun shade clips broke and passenger side mirror film flew off. It’s at 124k miles and I’ve had to do a few major repairs. I’m thinking of selling it while it has no problems :/.
I have a 2011 A4, the base model, the liner ceiling fell a bit, other than that everything else in the car interior is ok.
Yea, Euro cars struggle with the heat here in Aus!
Owned a B6 1.9TDI (2003 reg) sold last year 185000k. Engine brilliant - reliable lots of torque and economic ( 60mpg on long runs) but too many other problems - door locks, suspension, rust on arches ( replaced front wings) and interior plastics on switches ( rubberised texture) peeling . Bought a 2012 TD LE ( 163 bhp £30 road tax!) so far so good and a great all rounder- time will tell ( 105k mileage currently) but as you would expect leaps ahead of the B6 in terms of finish , performance and ride comfort.
I own A4 B8.5 Allroad. Marvelous car. 1.5 years later still going great. Mine is 2.0 TDI 190 HP tuned to 230 HP (I have a video about it) 🙂 Lovely economy, smooth ride. Bought it in Germany from 1 time owner for less than 30% of the original price. Knock on wood all is going well so far.
@bonevchannel I'm thinking of buying one, from 2020, getting it under 30k euros in Germany with less then 50k driven. Undecided between a3 vs a4
@az-vfx I guess it all comes down to personal preference...
I've driven this car since 2016 and just 3 things have failed:
- A deteriorated hose from the coolant condensator
- Bushings of control arm and front suspension squeaks
- Oil sensor plug
It has been properly mainatained but something that really drives me nuts is that the car has no aux jack for connecting a phone with music and the bluetooth just recieves calls!!! I can't stream music via BT.
I love my b8.5 A4, had it for 4 years now nearing 90k miles and I take care of it but I also abuse it from time to time just a fun car to drive. I think I’m starting to leak oil just recently but other than that no major issues or issues at all for the last 40k miles but def a car you need to be knowledgable in mechanically before you buy, very rewarding car if taken care of
Update: it’s not oil leaking it’s the water pump leaking coolant, common issue in Audis and VWs unfortunately
I'm on my 3rd Audi. My 2007 was 10 years old when I traded it in. Other than oil changes, brakes and recalls I didn't spend anything on it. I owned my 2015 A4 for 5 years (purchased it as a 2 year old CPO car). Again other than oil changes and recalls no money spent on the car. Just purchased a CPO 2019 S4 and a Audi 10 year extended warranty. Since it's a loaded sports model if anything goes wrong it will be costly.
I remember watching a review about VW Touareg and how they scared the crap out of me about how "unreliable" and expensive it is to maintain. Well, long story short, I bought it and enjoyed it for 3 years! To this day I regret selling it.
That’s this channel (and typical ‘Aussie’ euro sentiment)
My Touareg just made it shy of 150,000 miles a few days ago. Needs an engine replacement and very sad to let it go 😢 looking at some B9 A4s at the moment
My Honda Accord has an ABS fault and I got quoted 4300 just for the parts, so I'm currently eyeing up a b8 A4 cause I've driven one and loved it
Worth noting….. if youre looking at one thats around the 8yr old mark. Suspension arms, front and rear; if they havent been replaced, put a couple of grand aside for paying someone to do it if you cant do it yourself.
The water pump issue was ultimately resolved with a later revision which used metal impellers instead of the everfailing plastic ones.
The oil consumption issue was resolved from mid 2013, so definitely go for the latest facelift (B8.5)
Maogi is 100% right on this.
Also the timing chain tensioner problem was resolved in the facelift
any thoughts on the manual clutch? My early B8 was notorious.
Oil consumption on b8 normaly prevents with good quality oil. This problem is not so big as people say
@@eeiko321 100.000 km chain live on gen1/2. No hard to change
I bought my daughter a 2007 Audi A4, 2.0TDI S-Line (German made, as I'm in Sweden) a decade ago, other than regular service I changed the brake pads once and the front springs. That's all and that car still feels like a new car.
I can recommend the S-line, it's worth the cost because the ride is so very much better.
I pretty much always bought Audi, my first car was a 1980 Audi 80, then I got another 1987 Audi 80 when that came out and drove that for 20 years, then an A4 and then I switched to Polestar 2. Now I'm waiting for my RS E-tron GT Performance so I'll be back to Audi before winter.
I enjoyed driving an Audi A4 2.0T Manual 2006 from 2010 to 2018. Comfort, Power and a maroon head Turner. Replacing the worn double clutch and the Turbo problems set me back financially and later sold it before another problem stocked out its hand. If I can find the same model at a lower odometer reading around 100000 km I will buy it especially with a nice colour.
I have an A3. 2016. It was a demo and had 7k km on it. I LOVE my Audi. Never had a problem with it. Just my experience
I have the 3.2 a4 quattro. It is a bang for the buck and it has a unique scream to it at high revs especially with magnaflow and a intake.
Bought a 2013 A4 1.8 TFSI (CJEB) (manual) at 200000km in April 2022 with oil consumption - had the engine rebuilt with modified parts, for 3K EUR. Water pump had a beginning crack which was also replaced with an aftermarket aluminium part. Cam adjustment system (the round electromagnet things in the front) failed (intake side) which had to be replaced. Two front brake calipers seized within a year of each other.
No other issues, but the engine caused some headaches getting it resolved. Happy owner now and I don't regret it at all. Okay maybe a little, and that is that I should've gotten one with Quattro. With a "standard" tune (170hp -> 230hp) the FWD has frequent wheel spin under slightly damp conditions. Snow is drivable (on summer tires) as TCS will help you out a bit, but Quattro would've just been more fun in snow.
Fuel economy is great, at an average 6.5L/100km for my commute. My 1998 A3 8L with the 1.6 did 7.1L/100km. An upside to FWD, and impressive (to me) considering petrol + the weight and size.
So well done, thank you! Easily one of the best review channels on the tube. Honest, thorough, and well-scripted with just the right amount of humor. Thanks!
I’ve owned a 2011 A5 Coupe (basically the A4 coupe version) for a year now with 0 issues. Always kept up with maintenance and only put the best of the best into it and it runs like a dream.
Which engine bro?
@@atakansezen7503 2.0 TFSI Quattro 7 speed
From what he US here. I’ve owned one of these B8.5 a4’s for the last 4 years and put 80,000 miles on mine. Bought with 120K now has 200K. This has been a great car tho not without faults, but nothing has ever left me stranded on the side of the road. As far as parts go, fcp euro has great parts for vastly cheaper than oem. A lot of the faults that happen to these can actually be ignored in my opinion. For example the turbo. They have wastegate problems where the wastegate wears out and simply doesn’t close anymore. But that’s not going to actually destroy the turbo. You’ll just have more lag than normal and if that doesn’t bother you then you can keep right on going without a worry. Oil consumption is definitely there but as long as your top it up it will be fine. I have never had any interior problems (except the sun visor mounts broke) AC, heat etc are all perfect at 10 years old. There some wear points but I have no rattles or crack or holes in seats. Sunroof has never leaked for me. I would definitely recommend buying at least a 12 or newer. Ideally a 13. Anything 12+ has redesigned pistons that burn less oil and they fixed other issues with the engine. The 13+ cars got a redesigned timing chain as well. At least in the US there is a 120 thousand mile warranty on the injectors and the intake manifold as an extension from Audi because they can be faulty. I have had the stock water pump fail because like he mentioned, it’s plastic. There are fairly inexpensive replacement options made fully of aluminum which I recommend if you want to avoid ever having to replace your water pump again. I’ve driven this car all over the country in all types of weather including on ice and the car has always gotten me where I needed to go even through 7 inches of snow. Overall there is maintenance that will need to be done (looking at the upper control arms here) but it’s nothing overly bad. And over here these cars are pretty cheap in my opinion. I paid 10K for a 6 year old car with 120K miles. Was a single owner car and the timing chain and intake manifold were done right before I bought it. I do have to say I’ve had a check engine light on since I bought the car for a leak in the air intake system or pcv issue that causes an intermittent misfire at idle but it hasn’t caused any issues for me. I’ve left the car sit for months on end to walk up to it and drive away whenever I want. No dead battery and I still have the original 10 year old battery. B&O sound system is quite good for a stock system.
2013 A4 2.0t B8.5 owner with 211,000 miles and still going strong. This car amazes me considering the minimal maintenance I’ve had to do. Just change oil oil every 5k and use Liqui Moly or something equivalent
You can't deny that they look nice and they probably drive pretty good too, but for such a premium price it is absolutely ridiculous how much issues it potentially could have. I do think that some of the potential problems like the oil consumption are only applicable to some of the engine types. Would be nice to see some kind of recommendation on which type would be the best choice if you actually still would wanna buy one.
the 2.0 TFSI to 2012 had a shocking piston ring design causing the higher levels of oil consumption. this was revised with the facelift (which then experience the issue of water pumps).
@@Ingotishere my 2009 a4 had the recall done and the car has been great 1 owner car all services done still runs like a champ no isssues
@@thenotoriousjoey9956 Yeah once the piston rings are replaced with the updated U variant the car is damn good, other than the mechatronics issues with the early DSG boxes
Besides the piston rings replacement which is dirt cheap (depending on your area), the early dsg boxes are actually holding up pretty good if you re not an average european teen.
My 2.0 diesel has the same clutch with 270k km and nothing done on the engine besides basic oil and filters. And oh god don`t get one with the adaptive bi-xenon and led lights (only on the first b8 model), bad seals and wet leds will cost you around 800 euros in repairs.
@@silviu9947 I have 2.0TDI B8 (before facelift) with adaptive bi-xenons and led lights 280tkm and i have no troubles. Lights should be working well unless someone unexperienced touch them and break seals.
Bought a 2nd hand 2009 A4 1.8T back in 2010. Burned oil like crazy. Remaining warranty got the pistons replaced. Sold it after the warranty expired. Not touching another one in my life. Phew...
Great video guys. Personally, I am not touching an Audi unless it is still within warranty and maintenance plan. The two that I owned were a nightmare. Both the A4 and A5
Year?
Just go with an old 80 or 100. Cant destroy those
@@xXRaMsiisXx My 80 that I had about 10 years ago begs to differ, there was more outside of the engine that inside, sieves leak less than that engine did.
I own a 2014 Q5 3.0T.
It has 205000 km .
I've had the water pump replaced ( $800 Cdn) ... needs the pcv done ($1700 Cdn ! ) and could have the secondary air pumps redone ( but why ).
It runs strong and I get 8.1 L/100Km easily overall for a year.
Tire wear is minimal.
Oil consumption has been 1L / 5000 km.
I love the car ... fast, dependable, quiet, smooth yet athletic.
The headlight bulbs burned out at 200000 km but I did it ... its a 2hr (max) fix for $150 Cdn. Not too hard.
I use an OBD11 to analyze it.
Used B8.0 A4 owner here (US variant). What is mentioned for the A4 would probably apply for the A5 as well. My feedback would be stay away from the B8.0 and get the B8.5. The B8.0 have oil consumption issues. If you previous own can prove that the piston have been replaced by a reputable shop then the B8.0 are great cars. Also all cars reliability are crap when compared to Toyota (Lexus) or Honda (Acura). So Toyota and Honda is always the anwer. But if you want something a bit different and something that drives a lot better and is fun, then Audis are great! But keep in mine, that Audis are enthusiasts cars. If you are not "into" cars and the lifestyle when it's probably not the one for you especially used and out of warranty. I absolutely love my A4. It's hard to find anything that compares to the price and performance. I have a 2.0t quatro with a manual gear box and it's an absolute blast to drive. I also have 240k mi on mine and it is still pretty solid. TLDR, you have to pay to play and if you're not interested in playing then this might not be the one for you.
I'm looking at a 96,000 mile 2013 Audi all road that has all the maintenance records. Do you think it'll be a money pit?
Should i get a 2010 audi a5 s line with a rebuilt engine and internals? The rebuild was done by a certified shop. So basically like a new engine, meaning it doesnt have the oil consumption issues right? 2.0T manual
@zureai if the rebuild was done with the updated pistons or performance pistons by integrated engineering. Like I said, these are good fun cars but they definitely have their quirks. If you're able to do some basic maintenance yourself and don't have to depend on a shot for everything, then go for it. (If the price is right)
Ive got an audi a4 2012 with updated timing belt tensioner and ive got the 2014 CAED engine , doesnt burng a spec of oil , ive had no issues with it , you have to keep it maintained and youre good to go.
hey man i know this is not my business but i have a 2012 a4 with 78k miles i love it if you dont mind saying how much did the timing chain service cost
Wow, overkill on the crazy number of variants. Set the tone for the vid perfectly with fancy VW comparison. Just letting you know, yes I would grab a tee and water bottle. 👍 great detailed vid.
I've purchased an used 2013 A4 Allroad with the 2.0 L turbo engine, full options, nice looking, nice ride, running perfect, 130Kms. Taking it in for service at Audi, they've found out the distribution chain was stretched and I had to dish out $ 2,400 to get it fixed. How's that possible, for a rather new engine? Had to sell it and, ever since, I totally distrust the Audi engineering.
You should've mentioned to avoid the 08-12 2.0t models because of the oil consumption issues causing engine failure. I may have missed this in the video.
My 2010 2.0T had its rings done by Audi during the first year. After 12 years and 100k miles it still uses no oil between services.
B8 2.0tdi Avant. 13k since I owned and never been an issue. It's now on 195k
You know how good is your channel - When you start to redefine some of the "EU Brands" Thank you for doing this... I think you guys are going to be huge... very huge... I bet soon you will be able to make good money and start to own some of this cars that you might not recommend.
Leon thank you so so much! We’re hoping you’re right!! - AK
Had my 2013 A4 Avant 3 years now. Its a 2.0tdi S-Line Quattro. Gets a genuine 50mpg on a long run at motorway speeds. It's 4wd so great for the shitty roads, especially in winter here in Scotland. It's an 'Avant' so loads of room and comes with a standard detachable tow bar which has been great for the bike rack. As an s-line it has lots of goodies including great leather seats and a brilliant audio system. In 3 years its needed nothing except a £20 ABS sensor I fixed myself. Bought for £11000 @ 52k miles when it just had a major cambelt service, its now at 72k. It was mint and came with Michelin Pilot Sports which is a good indication of a well looked after car. The only criticism I have, like most Audis, is its boring to drive. And the Satnav is seriously out of date but apparently Audi want an outrageous £300 to update it! (I believe its possible to do it yourself) Overall, in terms of the boxes it ticks, it's probably the car I've owned, but I only put up with the lack of driver engagement because I have other toys that give me that. All the issues mentioned in this video I've heard of but so far mine has been perfect. One major issue I was told by a VAG mechanic was do not buy an auto unless you have a solid warranty. The autos are great until they break, which they do, and then they are £'000 to fix.
Great video!
The A4’s with the Gen2 EA888 (1.8/2.0T) engines have some major issues with oil usage that requires an engine out piston/ring replacement. It gets to a point where the car will burn 1L of oil every 500km. Probably damaging the Cat.
This potential issues is on 2008-2012 year models. Ive seen plenty that have soot buildup on the bumper and they smoke like tdi’s
Agree and relate. My Dad got a used 2010 TT 1.8 TFSI. Went through oil like nobodys business. I also heard the issues normally stemmed from 08 to 12, though wouldn't be surprised if they persisted after. It's a shame because aside from the laughable 'high oil consumption- money pit engine' and electrical system, the rest of the car was good. I like Audis but it really makes you think, why bother? Just get something else.
@@PatLadsChan99 yeah had a couple of friend with the same issue. Its the EA888 gen2. Gen3 was sorted again, which was around 2013.
The 2.0tdi is a very reliable engine, probably the pick of the bunch.
@@semicolon101 it's seems that in America compared to Europe you are a Yr behind.. Over here 2012 was when 3rd gen fitted.. Only problem was waterpump over here but different fuel system with port inj so no carbon build up, doesn't use any oil between service updated tensioner fitted. Early models bit iffy though
This happened to me. Had to service the turbo, change the catalytic converter and now the engine is out with replacement needed for the pistons, piston rings, rod bearings and connecting rods. The interior quality is amazing, it's quiet, fast and overall a great car, just aim for 2013 up to 2015 if you're looking at the B 8.5.
Agree, have an 09 A4 2.0TFSI and it at one point burned 1L every 600km, had to put in 1L of oil every petrol stop like a fucking rotary engine. Thankfully got fixed for free due to the class action
I have the exact same car no problems just flat tires for bumpy roads with nails but honestly that’s it two years now .. and also a used car
Glad to see a popular mid size luxury sedan reviewed. I can’t wait till you review the Mercedes W205 that sold in huge numbers in Australia as well as the BMW F30. You could do the 2013-20 Lexus IS but we all know nothing goes wrong on them so I guess that should be a lower priority ;)
All on the “to do” list mate! - AK
Had mine for 1 year. Wheel bearing and bushings had to be done. That’s all the necessary work I needed done. Had it serviced too. Bought it at 86k miles now at 98k miles. Only cost me £500 in repairs as I work on it myself. The cars are quick and powerful too. My 2.0TFSI had 2011bhp and with an exhaust, intake and IE tune mine is now pushing 272bhp. It smokes most other cars on the road, and any cars people my age are driving (19)
New shirt looks 1000x better than the old one!🔥
Jim always cracks me up with his comments on Audis & VW’s. His overall mechanical knowledge is no doubt immeasurably more than mine, but he has a tendency to show his obvious disdain, and this causes him to over generalise with VW & Audi in particular, & make it seem like there’s many issues for all the different variations.
Want more reliability in an Audi?
1. Stick to petrol because ALL modern diesel engines in ALL makes have problems, mainly due to DPF & EGR devices that slowly choke it to death.
2. Don’t ignore service intervals, Find a mechanic that specialises specifically in Audi, not just any so called “European” specialist.
3. NEVER buy ANY vehicle with a CVT, Audi are no exception, & all CVT vehicles have transmission issues & failures.
4. Avoid the dry clutch tiptronic models. Try to find the wet clutch tiptronic models if you absolutely have to have a tip. And if you want it to last, avoid using it in tip mode at all. Best Audi automatic is the 8 speed which uses a standard torque converter.
5. Audi 6 speed manual transmissions are virtually indestructible. Learn to drive properly and reap the benefits of no gearbox issues.
The issue is, many owners don't take your advice for reliability, even from new.
Hence, we don't recommend the A4 as a used car, often people end up buying cars that have been poorly maintained and as we all know, a poorly maintained Audi/VW can be at ticking time bomb.
We don't deny that they are fantastic cars when they are at their best, but many other brands tend to cope far better with missed services, less than optimal oils and petrols and driving with a lack of mechanical sympathy, not to mention not having to find a specialist mechanic.
Most people just want a nice car that they don't have to care for fastidiously, that they can have serviced at their local mechanic and not spend a fortune on maintenance, and if they miss a service or two, so what. As you've stated with your reliability tips, unfortunately a used Audi doesn't provide that. - AK
This video should have been called “AK’s views on smoking, featuring the Audi A4” 😂
‘12 1.8 TFSI, 144k kms, after about 7 years it started having electrical issues, center brake light, heated seats don’t heat ur butt from the drivers side etc. Recently the hood strut broke too. You need to have cash for these if you want to keep them for a long time. The car drives amazing comfortably and dynamically.
Also there is no way to avoid not having electrical issues, just the nature of these cars.
The later models 2013 plus with the fixed steering rack is amazing especially in the allroad trim.
Had the A4 1.4 TFSI 2018 model from new, all good within warranty and things starts breaking at 5 years marks around 65,000km. Leaking transmission oil from broken gasket, entire transmission needs to lift out from the subframe and replace gasket. Water influx into the steering rake which resulted in an error code on the dash. Whole steering rake needs to be replaced. Both front strut tower needs to be replaced due to wear. I had my factory serviced, great car and nice to drive. Remember to get rid of it out of warranty or 5 years at best.
I love these videos and this channel. Well done AK, Jim, cameraman and all involved. Just brilliant.
Thanks so much, James!
I’ve a 2008 a4 it’s mapped to 180hp the only problem I got was the injectors I got bad diesel but the car has 250000 miles on it and it runs like a dream
Gosh I had one, 2011 with the 1.8t. Wife drove it in town and didn't do much mileage. Had it trouble free for 5yrs and by then only had about 70k kms on...then the s@*t started.
Started guzzling oil like nobody's business and before long we were on about 1L per 800-1000km. Took it to Audi who said its a known issue, replacement pistons needed. Of course out of warranty by then and decided to sell it. Cost to repair would have been more than the car's worth.
It's a lovely car within warranty and moral of the story, don't try and save kms on you car, put all the mileage on within the warranty period. If we had done that it would have been repaired under warranty.
I know a person, who always wanted an Audi so settled for a few years old petrol A5 TFSI. This person loved the car, lovely interior, great to drive etc. But then.........BOOOOM. The engine went self destruct at 36k miles, car had full service history and everything. Also was just out of warranty. The bill was almost the purchase price of the vehicle to repair, Audi UK were informed, they said get stuffed we do not care. Then the lawyer got involved and found that in the United States Audi had to reimburse every customer who suffered the same catastrophic fault even out of warranty if the odometer reading was low enough with full service history (I think the fault was a disintigrating timing belt tensioner or high oil consumption mentioned in this vid, although could be wrong). Audi eventually relented but said He had to pay the labour costs whilst they replaced/provided the parts. How do Audi/VW still have the reputation they do after major catastrophic faults like this, and why does the main stream motoring media not report on these issues despite the commonality? Thanks Redriven, this is the sort of information people REALLY need when looking into older vehicle purchases.
Chris we’re so sorry to hear this and thanks so much for taking the time out to write this. - AK
The EA888 is a great motor, especially the forged variant in the S3 and Golf R.
Unfortunately its ancillary components (waterpumps,thermostat housing, early turbos) let it down.
The forged variant is called the "Evo" i.e. EA888 Evo2, EA888 Evo4, etc.
the Gen 2's turbo (K03) is fine, mine has >200,000kms on the clock and has been pushing 18psi of boost for probably half of that, and I dont drive it easy
Currently I have Opel Astra 100kw for 3 years, I made 60 000km and on clock is 85000km. I do not have any oil consumption at all. Average consumption for 60k km is 4.5L of diesel and I do not drive slow, Average speed around 50km/h and use most of time country roads. I already had DPF cooler issue, fix jt for 50€n simply clean it ;)
This has actually changed what I'm looking for, I was very genuinely looking at an A4 Quattro for myself but hearing about how much of a bomb they can be if you get the wrong one I don't really think it's worth it, and I could probably look back towards BMW if I want to stay Euro or go to Japan because they're just safer options for my wallet. Thanks for the awesome content guys!
BMW is in no way more reliable than Audi😂. The only reason why the a4 has so many problems is the later versions before 2012. Anything earlier than that is fairly reliable
I wanted this as a first car, what other car should I look for that’s similar to this. I do want it to be reliable but also want it to look modern and a lil fast. The Jetta is the only thing under that category but it’s not as fast
This review is complete bs, you could literary make it about any make or model of car and show 100's of examples to "verify" the problems, I have had 2 a4s, both high mileage, both have been faultless.
Bottom line is ALL used cars are a risk, if you like a particular make or model of a car, get one and don't let anyone put you off with their opinions
Bought a second hand Audi A4 1.8TFSI . Can honestly say one of the best cars I've driven and found it to be extremely reliable and have not had any issues. So unfortunately I cannot concur with your assessment.
Good video. If you are buying one the variant is critical as mentioned. Best bet seems to be B8.5 cars with the Gen 3 2.0T and DSG/Manual. My car drives surprisingly well with the S-Line suspension.
I own a 2012 A4 2.0TDI bought it with 55000km, a fantastic car, service every 30000 km, now 266000km on the clock, let it tuned at 145000 km from 120 hp to 180 hp, it's the most reliable car I owned, i had new Renaults (R5GTE, 2 Laguna' and a Megane) and they were not reliable compared to Audi.
How about a series of videos that interviews owners themselves? I'll volunteer my VE series 2 SSV Redline wagon.
Key fob remote unlock/lock works intermittently, vanity mirrors with fragile clips, door speakers prone to blowing. Couple of interior faults I’ve seen on my 2009 a4 avant. Speaker and vanity mirror faults also occurred on my b7 a4 avant.
Hi ReDriven i love your channel and videos especially this one because i had a B8 before and it is one of my worst second hand purchases ever. my b8 had all problems such as door locks not working, lights are always faulty, oil sensor problem. the only good things were people appreciate my car because of the brand. i also like the aesthetics but too bad its one of the most unreliable cars. im from manila philippines and im a subscriber of your channel keep it up!!
Thanks so so much Pat, we loving you on board for the journey. - AK
I had a 2008 B8 Avant 2.0 diesel - did 55k miles in it and sold at about 65K - flawless no known faults ever. Petrol variants of this era did suffer oil consumption issues due to a design fault in the pistons and oil scraper rings which Audi did their level best to deny and ignore ! Mine was an SE but the S-Line tended to have over firm suspension.
I’m a fan of the water bottle , would like a coffee mug version too.
I would like a ReDriven ashtray.
I have this same make, but it's a 18. TFSI. I replaced that Plastic water pump already, but it was done under warranty. It's a 2015 model, I got a good deal on it. I have had one major problem on it outside warranty. "Burnt Valve". The oil consumption has began as well, I am topping up once or twice between services. 😆😆 I still like the car, it's sitting at 182000km.
The B8 is a much better product compared to the 3 series and C class. Less problems and easier to maintain.
Hell no the 3 series n52 engines were reliable af. The n55 weren't bad either. And n54 is the least reliable out of them but still not bad
Bought the 1.8 t 4 years ago after having oil consumption problem fixed before I found it . Been a great car without any problems
Im looking at getting a c7 Audi A6 3.0l biTurbo Diesel, if you guys could kindly do a review on one it would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!
Totally Petar, it’s happening and hopefully soon. - AK
My grandmas A5 Cabriolet it’s a 2013 with about 100k miles it’s been fine I don’t remember her having any engine problems in the past
Adam Morris, reducing the number of smokers one video at a time. Cheers bud👍
Our pleasure mate! - AK
Nice comfy and fast car I bought a4 b7 2.0 tfsi 200hp 80k miles got a huge repair after short warranty front local garage,
Almost all engine parts need to replace engine lights different codes. Head gasket, pvc valve, vacuum pump, injectors, turbo leak, exhaust smokes. Timing chain and tensionaire, collant flange leak. Not a reliable engine at 80k miles major repair.
I've been watching videos on the A4 all over the net.... I really want an allroad!!! There's no other car that can do what it's built to do. It's everything I need in a car, but damned the reliability issue 😕
Lexus doesn't make a wagon with awd unfortunately
I own a 2013 Audi A4 TFSI S-Line Quattro, beautiful example with all the options plus the Ea888 Gen 3 (CNCD). 3 years of enjoyment and regular maintence (DSG Service, spark plugs etc). Make sure when buying one to get the updated motor.
The more i watch redriven.. The more i realise that volkswagen group is a giant broken waterpump
I can relate. My water pump (Mk4 Golf with the 2.0 engine) broke yesterday, as well as the fan and exhaust system, and the engine mounts. All at the same time. I guess the broken engine mount situation is a common issue with those.
You can turn off the beeping noise while the door is open by pressing the button at the end of the wiper stock.
Gross, its disgusting, stop it... I know its coming every time and I still laugh each time🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My cousin has the allroad variant with the 2l diesel, it is a 2013 model with 180,000kms. The only things he has done to it in that time is servicing. It has needed 0 repairs.