The really sad thing is that VW/Audi up until perhaps the early 2000s produced really reliable, well built cars - I say that as an ex JLR Engineer. The older 4 and the 5 cylinder versions were bombproof even with 10K mile oil change intervals, petrol or diesel and I owned a fair number. The same applies to BMWs and Mercs of that era too. Then came the race to "tech"...
@@olympbarca3313 I don't how trustworthy is a brand in which the oil pump is driven by a belt and not an actual chain. Now as far as I know the 3.0tdi has a chain drive, but the 2.0tdi for sure a belt driven oil pump.
used to own an a5, water pump yes, thermostat yes, radiator hoses yes, engine mounts yes, but they did not mention the ac evaporator. In US of A, that part has extended warranty for 8 years 100k miles, tells you how bad that part is. But its fast and comfortable
After the problems an ex boss had on his earlier A4 I would touch one with a barge pole. I will admit though a former friend had one of the older ones and it was a nice car to be a passenger in but that's about it. Surprised that it chews that much fuel to be completely honest. Good work as always guys and look forward to Sunday's video as per usual 👍
I have a 2018 Audi A4 Allroad and it’s gorgeous. I’m a car enthusiast and love having a car that is quite rare here in California. It’s not a rational purchase, but the car drives like a dream. I grew up with bouncy Toyotas with no body control and loud road noise inside. My Audi is the perfect road trip machine, the all wheel drive handles rain and snow impeccably. Cannot recommend the Allroad more, but yeah, it’s a toy and transportation. If all you need is economical transportation, there are cheaper cars to own, but mine makes me feel special. A note on maintenance. My local dealer was charging $350/hr labor cost and forgot to tighten the bolts on my shock replacements. After a month of hearing a creak I checked and finger tightened the bolts. They fixed it free of charge but I never went back. I like maintaining my car, detailing it myself, and don’t hesitate on spending money on it as long as it keeps driving nice. I now have a great relationship with a local specialist who staples jelly belly’s to the receipt. I’m very happy with the car, but it’s more enthusiast than a commodity appliance. I’ve never met an indifferent A4 Allroad owner to their decision.
@kevinsimmons4217 fully agree here. If you are concerned about expensive service or repair, there are other options. But the A4 (and other Audis as well) make me feel good and when walking away from the car, I want to turn and look back. That is not something to overlook when it comes to enthusiast cars.
@kevinsimmons4217 - 100% agree with your comments. For more affordable used cars, the B8.5s generation (2013-2016) are, IMO, the best value proposition. I don't think you could pick a better used car for the money that has the looks, performance and handling of various B8.5 models (A4/A5, S4/S5, RS5). I know people who are absolute non-enthusiasts (cars are an appliance to them) and even they (some begrudgingly) admit how nice the Audis look and drive. They've all be surprised at the low cost and the ease of maintenance (particularly oil changes which require no lift or crawling under the car).
In 2012 had a used B7, auto transmission ecu failed and it cost $3k to fix (and they found a cracked electro hydraulic engine when they were working on it). Luckily had a used car warranty that covered it. Sold it immediately afterwards and vowed to never buy another one.
I bought a 2019 A4 Allroad used 2 years ago with just 12k miles on it and a dealer service history and some residual warranty. Saved $20k and it was almost new when I bought it. It drives amazing, and with an inch of extra suspension travel, it just rolls over the crap roads and potholes here in Southern California. I’ve taken it skiing, camping and used it for hauling construction materials. It really is fantastic. I had bad transmission shudder recently, at 36k miles and dealer did the transmission fluid flush per the Audi TSB. Drives great now. But it was $1,600 for that service! Beware, and change the trans fluid! No other car like it, really. Subaru Outback? Way too big now. The BMW 3 wagon would be a good alternative and probably sturdier in the long run.
Had one and sold it after less than 2 years. Got it from Audi Centre Sydney. Spent months in the shop under warranty with very poor communication from Audi service centre Zetland. It was only a year and a half old. Kept cutting out in traffic due to a faulty fuel pump which transferred petrol from the reserve tank to the main one after you went under 1/4 full (there’s two separate tanks for some reason connected via a pump). They initially said they couldn’t open up the tank to see what was wrong but would need to replace the whole tank including the pump. This took a few months and when it was finally replaced it happened again shortly after and I needed another tow truck. I should mention the first time it cut out this occurred in the middle of an intersection. They eventually got permission from Audi Germany to cut open the tanks to see why the pump was falling and then claimed they found sediment inside, suggesting I had refueled it inappropriately, even though I only ever used legitimate, branded fuel stations like Shell (no third party pumps). I asked for a replacement or a refund of the car under the lemon laws but was obviously met with resistance. ACCC was toothless (Audi flat out lied to them about various details) and NCAT was painfully time consuming and not consumer friendly without legal representation. And that’s considering I spent ample time researching and submitting documents but was told by the presiding member on the day (who isn’t necessarily legally trained) I should have provided a copy of the lemon laws with my submission ( I had referenced sections of the law appropriately but didn’t have physical copies of the law) and so he wasn’t terribly sympathetic (bit like seeing a doctor and getting told off because you didn’t bring a medical text book along so that they can help you). Audi was also very resistant paying my loan vehicle fees and it took 20+ phone calls to be remunerated months later. In the end, to advance my case NCAT wanted me you resubmit my submission due to a technicality and by this point I’d lost 2 days of work which just wasn’t making much financial sense. Ended up trading the car back in to a different Audi dealership as I couldn’t trust it wouldn’t stall mid freeway on me as I drive a lot for work. Audis are nice when they work but they’re a nightmare when they don’t and Audi centre Sydney, Audi service centre zetland and Audi Australia are absolutely terrible (borderline criminal) to deal with. If you don’t mind driving around with a Jerry can in your trunk in case your new Audi gives out in the middle of no where with 25% fuel still in the tank then you’ll be fine. Probably not for you if you value safety, reliability and just your life in general 😅
This car is an absolute commitment to maintain. I have owned a 2.0T petrol since new, so 6+ years. Had to have replaced : waterpump/thermostat, engine mounts, all the struts, all the front control arms, rotors and pads, front passenger airbag sensor. And I still have to worry about PCV failure, Turbo failure, transmission malfunctions, timing chain stretch, coolant leaks, rock chips on the windscreen, evaporator core cracks/leaks.
I’ve owned 3 Audis and apart from wear and tear costs they were mint. Gets me thinking if build quality is different for each market or people simply neglecting them
@@zbychu6392 Don't assume that. A) sounds like zby put 200,000 miles on his car; and when you blame the manufacturer for having rock chips on the windshield you kinda loose all credibility. We had a B9 for 7.5 years with zero issues.
You've just described a whole lot of consumables needing replacement with age, with the exception of the water pump/thermostat failing and airbag sensor. So not sure where your point is considering you own a 6 yo car. Control arms don't need to be replaced, you could have saved yourself heaps by just changing the arm bushes... that's hardly a 'commitment to maintain'
I've had my now-18yo A4 B7 for almost 15 years now, and it's honestly never let me down. I'm looking to change it for a B9 Avant - this video is very useful to know what to look for.
The EA888 gen3 2.0l petrols are in my experience pretty good. The ones in the B9 are direct and port injected to reduce carbon buildup. PCV valves are reasonably cheap and easy to change. Main oil consumption issues are due to valve stem seals wearing or popping off. Far cheaper to fix than piston rings! Waterproof pump is still an issue, that's true.
My EA888 2.0TFSI just ate itself. 106XXX miles, and bent valves causing fire to melt the plastic intake portion (Flex fuel here with metal main intake). Had new injectors, new plugs and coils straight from FCP Euro, carbon cleaned, timing still in spec according to VAGCom. No warning either, just bang, 27 codes and fire. Feels good, just bought it 2 months ago.
@@h3n488 No, tensioner etc in spec via VAGCom. Not really 100% sure honestly. I bought it 8/31, and it died 10/26. Babied. Never taken over 4k by me, and I changed the oil as soon as I returned home from the dealership. Had regular oil consumption issues like they do, but that wouldn't case this. Cylinder 1 and 4 are 16 psi, 2 and 3 are 190. Leakdown test has cylinder 1 air coming out of cylinder 3 spark plug hole, 4 was exiting the fire damaged area.
Oh, I need to correct myself. The valve stem seals are a known problem on the g-tron models which use CNG and petrol. The petrol versions aren't that known to suffer from the valve stem seals. At least that I know of.
It would be bad enough to have to deal with the problems that the A4 suffer from if you live in a large city. But it would be a nightmare to have to deal with these issues out in the regional parts of Australia. Just imagine going on a long journey, the gear shifter fails to function, 100 km tow truck to a mechanic to wait a week to get it fixed. Totally unnecessary to have that problem just because it is cool not having a direct link to the gearbox selector. On top of that, the water pump will need replacing every 40,000 kms. That is a WTF. Then the seats don't fully lay flat, rattles coming from the dash and the suspension bushes wearing out prematurely etc which are all signs that this car is far from being a premium vehicle. So the answer to your question is No No No No NO. On a more positive note, OMG doesn't Jim get a wide variety of cars going through his workshop. Nothing against Jim and his teams abilities, and in fact it sounds like Jim is the place to take your car if you live in Newcastle, but no way would I have thought that Jim would have a Ferrari 360 go through his shop. I would have thought most Ferrari owners would get their car serviced at a dedicated Ferrari workshop but it is good to see Jim able to work on Ferrari's too.
You buy these as new company leases 3 years OR as a private buyer of a company lease straight after the fact. Nothing else. I bought mine after a company had leased it for 3 years and it still had a adblue tank issue which meant replacing the whole adblue tank, BUT as the car was still under a 4 year warranty I could fix anything at no cost the first year of ownership and then it was smooth sailing for the next 5 years, just making sure all the service internals were done in time and traded it in for another almost new one and the next owner takes the big hits of changing the brakes/pads, big service 100kkm, new tires etc. Rinse and repeat.
Unless it's under warranty you should never buy an Audi. And even then you must own a backup Toyota to get around when your Audi is back being fixed under warranty. It will be frequently.
I have both an Audi b9 s4 and a nissan note the Audi had no issues and drove it for 5000 kms without any issues has 78000 kms the nissan note has a bad cv boot now lol
2:17 you can get OE replacements from brands such as Zimmerman for less than 20% all around. I did it recently on my B8.5 S4 dealer wanted $3500 for brake rotors and pads. I got em for $700 to my door and fitted them within 4 hours. Also in regards to valve cover, DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU DONT KNOW. these are not typical valve cover where is has springs and cams are secured to the Valve cover.
Interesting segment. We own a Q5 and S4 with zero issues. Don’t buy a premium car brand if you can’t afford to run them incl annual servicing. ReDriven has the Hyundai Getz as one of their ‘car of the year’ contender - perhaps the better choice for the budget conscious. It’s all about choice… love your shows gents!
TL:DR - Lot of the "negatives" are because there's a LOT of missing information here. DO MORE RESEARCH. These cars *can be* as cheap or even cheaper than maintaining a JDM car. Most of the issues mentioned here are UNCOMMON issues. Gas door? Rear Parking Sensors? LOL. You can get non-Audi windshields so that's also a lie. The only truths is depreciation (true on any German car) and dealer labor/parts being overpriced. One thing potential buyers need to know is the difference between "Original/Genuine" vs. OE vs. OEM vs. Aftermarket. "Original/Genuine" means items which are the parts from the Audi Dealership with Audi logos on it, etc. OE means Original Equipment. OE parts are from the actual manufacturer of that specific part FOR Audi. Companies like Hengst, Meyle, Lemforder, Bosch, etc. actually make the parts for Audi. These companies also sell these parts to third party sellers such as FCP Euro, ECS Tuning, etc. These OE parts are 100% the same part that you get from the Audi Dealership minus the Audi logo. OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer which are manufactures that make at least one OE part for the vehicle manufacturer so while they may not make that specific part for your vehicle, the quality of OEM parts generally very good, if not as good as the Original/OE part. Then there are "Aftermarket" parts which may be great or terrible. Depends on the part and the manufacturer. One part from one aftermarket manufacturer may be fantastic and another part by the same aftermarket manufacturer may be terrible. So finding end user reviews on those parts are necessary so you can make a good decision. OE parts are a no-brainer replacement for high overpriced "Original/Genuine" parts. Unless there's a HUGE price difference, I would usually stick with OE over a OEM part. As for service/maintenance costs, I had a full front/rear rotor and pad job on my A4 not to long ago. The labor cost was less than US$300 (at an Audi specialist shop) and the the parts cost US$450 for high quality aftermarket rotors/pads/sensors/anti-squeal paste (same parts you replace on ANY modern car including Japanese cars). I went aftermarket in this case because the factory Semi-Metallic pads not only dust like crazy, they also have a very abrupt initial bite. I prefer a more progressive feel for the brakes and the ceramic pads offered that plus little to no brake dust. Additionally, I wanted slotted rotors which is another reason why I went aftermarket. All that aside, doing the brakes isn't actually a hard job for DIYers and with all the good step-by-step RUclips videos available, I'll be DIYing my next brake job. So folks, don't listen to these "clickbait" Audi brake job costs because anyone with a brain can get them done for MUCH less (and yes the Audi Dealership are a RIP OFF as are most dealerships) After exclusively owning Japanese cars my whole life until recently, I can honestly say my Audis haven't any more maintenance intensive. Still do oil changes, brakes, other fluid changes, tires, etc. The only thing I do more frequently than before are oil changes. I started doing them at 5K mile because it seems that even low-HP non-turbo motors (like a Prius motor) don't like 10K+ oil change intervals (check out bore scoring on low performance Toyota motors on youtube/forums). So even if I bought a older Japanese car (say a 2000's Toyota/Honda/etc.), I'd still do 5K mile oil changes using synthetic oil (which is pretty cheap now-a-days, e.g. US$25 for 5qts of Mobil1 Euro 0W-40 @ Walmart) A big bonus for Euro car owners come from companies like FCP and ECS with their "Lifetime Replacement Warranty". THIS is where maintenance cost can be lowered to below typical operating costs of even a junky low-power, low-performance Japanese car (that's not being abused or run into the ground of course.) It REALLY helps keep costs way down. Anyone considering a Euro car needs to look into. It will TREMENDOUSLY lower your operating cost over the life of the vehicle even for consumable parts (brake rotors, pads, oils, filters, etc.)
I had an old A4 1.8l and it was very reliable. I did have the sunroof issue and water in the cabin. A flood cooked my electrics and got rid of it. I ended up getting into an A5 3.0 TDI, that engine is a mighty beast, its now 14 years old and my only problems are a saggy roof liner, and the touch open unlock thing isn't working. The car still looks awesome, I love it, I reckon its a future classic. Enjoying the car daily means something to me, tried so many other cars before getting another Audi, but they just didn't do it for me.
I recently had the keys to an A4 45 for a couple of days. Great seats, nice interior and a sleeper - those things REALLY move. About the only thing I could complain about was the side mirrors, which were terrible. It's a crying shame that they are not as reliable as your average Japanese car. If they were I'd spend up and buy a wagon in a heartbeat.
I have 60k km on my 4th gen 2.0l, its also tuned to make 300+ hp. No issues so far, no oil leaks, no oil burning. I had 2 issues with self driving system, one of the radars was replaced and steering position sensor. I bought because i though these engines are bullet proof because they are in 4th generation, VW been making them since like 2004 i think. My previous car was 3.O TDI Caynne with 200k km. Generator failed, DPF reppaced, DEF system injector, and some very expensive coolant leak, a few Nox sensors. But everything was done under warranty
I bought an A4 Allroad 3.0 TDI with 90,000 km four years ago for €28,000 from an Audi dealer. Now it has 200,000 km on it, and apart from a broken air conditioning compressor at 180,000 km, it's running very well. It has the best and most beautiful interior. Unfortunately, everything that came after is filled with touchscreens, which doesn’t improve usability. I would buy it again every time. However, one should do thorough research before purchasing, as issues like the timing chain, which tends to cause problems with the 3.0 TDI, should be considered.
2017 S4 3 litre V6 quattro petrol Saloon owner here. White with red interior, black pack, matrix headlights etc etc. Bought in January with 30k miles /48k Kilometers on the clock. FSH bought from an Audi dealer. I'm prepared for some future expenses. Coming from a BMW 2 series into this....there's a big step up in refinement. It's less tight in the corners but with our roads full of pot-holes here in the UK, the suspension is less crashy and offers a slightly softer ride. The sound from the quad exhaust is quite understated but it's possible to get a few little pops and bangs on down shifts in sport. Negatives - interior leather clearcoat has worn off the front seats and middle arm rest, and servicing/parts costs are expensive. Positives - Lack of speed is not an issue, lack of grip also not an issue. In short, I love it but I still want an old hot rod with no electric stuff one day as a 2nd car.
We’ve had 3x2.0L EA888 engined cars from S3, Q5 and A4. All had their water pumps fail. However, cannot fault Audi interiors and mine have all done 120000kms in my ownership without any major issues. Current Q5 has been an absolute work horse of a car doing about 100km daily whilst being a tool carrier and long distance family hauler. Much better to drive than anything Japanese
Nowadays, I just jump to Jim’s part, and if it’s longer, I always steer clear of that car. Honestly, right now, the only German car I would consider buying is a BMW with the B58 engine.
Just sold my 2013 A4 2.0TFSI B8.5 at 180k. was fine till around the 140km mark then had timing chain issues, oil leaks and major oil consumption even with regular servicing and repairs. not worth the upkeep. not buying audi again.
Unfortunately, the amount of mechanically totalled Audis sold online speaks volumes. these days it has gotten to the point when you can go very wrong with any car manufacturer as they all have massive amounts of recalls and issues, some larger than others but still, even Toyota isn't what it used to be...
Had 2 Audi A4 Avants - 1997 V6 Quattro and a 2001 1.8T Quattro - both great and very reliable cars. Would love another but no more manual versions and way too unreliable these days.
I’ve had a 2L turbo petrol A4 (B7) as my daily for over a decade now and never had a single problem. Perhaps I got lucky. Perhaps it’s just that I treat it properly and service it regularly.
Jezuz! Just had my Chinese made, Haval Jolion Ultra serviced at 80,000kms..The bill was astronomical $480 to re-service the disc brakes and other sundries...Never had any other issues...and it'll still sell with only a 10% depreciation.
Ah right up my alley... Honestly love this car, from exterior to interior design and the way it handles. However, the interior is a squeak and rattle fest as was mentioned in the video. Furthermore, the paint quality is horrific... very thin clear coat that scratches and chips very easily, and at times can even chip off the paint underneath! Besides build quality and paint issues, my car has been very reliable and I'd say the major repairs that I've had to do such as engines mounts and wheel bearing are probably due to the horrible impacts from potholes in Ontario Canada. Overall I wish Audi spent more money into internal interior design as the cheap plastics used and the way the interior is put together is unacceptable at this price point.
My mum bought a new A4 Allroad in 2021 and the standard seats were so awful, she ended up selling it. In the first few years the MMI system was an absolute nightmare and the driving assistants cut out randomly, thankfully a software update fixed it. The allroad also handles like a boat, worse than some suvs
I absolutely adore the design on the exterior of this Audi but the interior design isn’t as fancy as say a Lexus with the multi layer interior (yes it’s a polarising design but if you love it there’s nothing like it on the market) But I’m more of a larger sedan buyer like Audi A6 I really want to see a video on the Lexus ES from 2019+ for the reliable and good build quality but also super comfortable ride and great interior I’m planning on getting one of those and would love to see how it compares to these, Toyota crowns, Mercedes e class, 5 series and the like and what to look out for
Looks so good. Only if it would be more reliable. Also looking for the future would be interesting to see review for Audi A3 8V petrol variants like 1.4, 1.5, 1.8 or 2.0. That car seems to be fun and zippy car.
had one 2016 a5 45quattro b9, its FAST even all stock but faster as i did the APR stage 1 tune. amazing to drive and got all the features like B&O, HUD, 360 camera etc.only issue i had is leaking cookant at 100k. after they replaced the radiator, nothing wrong. i would say the b9 a4/a5 are beautiful cars ,but in terms of the steering, still bmw 3 series better.
I've had 13 VAG cars, 3 of them A4's. No regrets.. Buy a few years old to skip the depreciation. No matter what car you buy, avoid the dealers for service as they will rob you. Since I do all my own work, parts aren't bad and service isn't difficult for most of them, especially the 4cyls.
It is just me or whenever a new video of yours come out i keep staring at your watch looking for if he has bought a new one ... and u have ig it's an erebus it looks fine af
When you say "dragged" onto the back of a tow truck. That is exactly it, wheels locked up, screeching and complaining. Oh and in this case, the factory tow eye is useless. If you try and tow a car with all the wheels locked up from one side the whole car will just go to sideways onto the truck. And I guess most customers are not at the other end when we tip the tray up as steep as it goes and shake the car until it comes off.
As the owner of a Q5 which is on the same platform with the 2.0T petrol engine, which is under warranty thankfully, it’s a beautiful car to drive and so refined. And absolutely one of the most dull and characterless cars I’ve ever owned. Can’t fault the interior and build quality. Much prefer to the new gen and touchscreen everything
Great video...but why do a lot of car reviews always complain that Audi's/VW's everyday cars are not as enjoyable/vanilla to drive? They've been repeating this for the longest time...Maybe they're really built that way: maybe the engineers' mentality are the less feedback means less fatigue in everyday/trafffic/long distance driving? Now that I'm a little bit older, I really appreciate the "more relaxed personality" of my VW on really long drives rather than my Japanese car. Sure, my Japanese car (fine for for short trips 30mins or less) has cheaper parts and is a bit cheaper to maintain long term, but I feel alot less fatigued after driving for 3-7hrs (with a couple bathroom/snack breaks in between, of course) in my VW. At least in my personal experience/observation. Keep up the good work!
Ok, not quite the PFL B9 RS4 wagon....I await patiently whilst you tease one step closer, maybe this will be my Christmas present. Until then, I will keep asking sir.
I have had a A3 (8V 2014) for 10 years and it has been faultless. It has the 1.4 litres COD engine which gives marvellous economy. The fit and finish of this model is superior to the current A3 and with regular yearly servicing, there have been no problems. It even has the original brake discs after 90,000 kms.
i am living in Germany and I have a audi a4 b9 avant with 2.0 tdi engine with 190 ps i have 245.000km on the clock without any problems only normal maintenance! i bought from autodoc full brembo kit with discs and pads front and rear and brake liquids for 390 euros and I paid my mechanic 180 euros to change the brakes. I dont know the prices in Australia but 4k for brakes is too much....
Anything in the VAG list is going to cost you unless, like my mate, he updates the car every 3 years without fail. I have the Skoda Octavia 1,8 (chipped) and it is fast. But a $9K engine rebuild has dampened my enthusiasm. A lot of the Audi parts can be changed for Skoda parts. I know this because some of the parts I buy for the Skoda come in boxes with the list of VAG vehicles it will fit. My next vehicle will be either a grey import Lexus wagon or maybe the G70. Just change the car every 3 years and stay in the warrantee and find a dealer that will support your purchase. That will be hard to find.
Ive had 3x A4s, differently models but the same issues everytime. Front brake calipers and front springs also needing to top up oil every 3 month on the 2.0TDI. Everytime I swapped to a new one I thought it was just that one car but now after 3 cars i'm pretty much done with Audi. Edit: Also, you are not allowed to use Cold Degreasing during winter month because youll destroy your tail lights. Even says so in the owners manual so you wont get it repaired during warranty.
I totally agree about the names used now for Audi but the other 2 German luxury brands are doing the same. After all, the new C63 has a 2l 4 cylinder. Ouch.
My 2016 A4 B9 Quattro 2.0T has been nothing but reliable, 110k kms and its still on its first waterpump/thermostat. Of course always serviced on time by a trusted mechanic (independent after the Audi warranty over), maybe that's the key ey? Just the regular once a year service, and probably don't drive it like you stole it.
Kia Stinger. Faster, roomier, great to drive, comfortable, looks good, none of the reliability issues of the German makes. Oh.. and cheaper. Shame they stopped making them.
Kia/Hyundai have had very bad reputation over the last 7 years. They don't last as long as many German cars do and the build quality overall is rubbish. If you want a reliable car, spend the extra and buy a Japanese car
Dude what are you talking about? I drive cars since 33 years now (and I worked 10 years as a car mechanic), and I never had a more reliable, better build and fantastic driving car than my A4 2.0 L Diesel (Break of course) from 2022. NO issues at all from 0 to 110 000 Km today (except 1 minor one). Still absolutely silent, amazing torque, unbelievable brake power and it really sticks to the road no matter what speed I try to get the chicanes (sport suspension as an option), just plenty of fun and comfort every day (acoustic windows). Had a VW Golf in the 90's (crap, everything was falling apart) and while waiting for the Audi in 2022 I had a VW Arteon with full options. Now that was a scam, considering its position in the VW segment, so much electronics that just didn't work as it should - automatic headlights, "traffic jam assistant" - I directly had to shut it off. And all these touch sensitive knobs in the inside just drove me crazy every day. Had a Skoda Octavia Break (2010?) also. I was shocked how loud it was in the inside and it was constantly drinking oil, and so much in the interior that pissed me off every day. And I even won't start to talk about the Peugeots (and even a Citroen once - brrrr) I was forced to use by my former company, french cars just don't work. Had to leave the company because of that. The A4 stands so much above VW or Skoda in point of technical perfection and reliabilty, how do you even dare to compare it one to one? I know a few VW owner's, and they constantly complain about technical issues. Btw, our Mazda 6 from 2019 is regularly seeing the repair shop because of heavy electronics issues (mostly safety feature electronics failure, and when it does work, it's ridiculous how "safe" it is, it even let me drive how I used to, too dangerous for it, that's what I call "woke technology" lol), but our early 2000's Mazda 6 was just perfect, while the A4 - and this was the one and only issue ever with this car - had one rear window that wouldn't fully close in automatic mode each time as it should - was fixed in 5 minutes by updating its software. Like I've sad - 33 years of experience and professional knowledge from working mostly on Mercedes cars, which I wouldn't recommend either - too expensive and not reliable enough despite it's price tag) while driving 45 to 50K Km every year - with Toyota (the older one's very very good too), Mazda (same), VW (always crap), Skoda (same), some french very big crap. And after 25 to 30 years I was quite sure that I will never find a really good car again that would convince me personally - but yes, it's the A4. Everything works as I would expect. Had the A6 as a replacement as well - man I was so glad when I got back my A4 after the service, the A6 is simply boring and didn't drive as well as my A4 despite of having more power. Boring, lame and nearly dangerous in the chicanes compared to my A4, because it's way to heavy. I have to use sometimes other cars from collegues for a single trip, mostly VW and Skoda, even a Citroen once (never again I swear, I rather would use public transport next time), and every time I'm so happy to have my Audi back. Other level dude. Vorsprung durch Technik. My next daily driver: A4 for sure.
I had a B9 audi A4 2.0TFSI, and honestly during my ownership it has been nothing but reliable. I understand that european cars are a tad more fragile then the japanese competitors but it really comes down to the maintenance on these cars. If it's maintained well it will last a long time.
Have an Audi A3 2015 1.8T EA888 Quattro (Haldex) Just hit 90K on odometer and Im already on its 3rd set of brakes, second water pump, manifold replacement and turbo coming up...and also have HVAC issues, what a POS. I also bought a Subarau Foz XT 2015 (new), has 125K on odometer...zero issues and just did brakes for the first time.
16:50 if you follow the maintenance manual the engine should be warm before removing the coils and boots. Pretty simple really, no issue unless you dont know what you are doing :) Jim i really wish you were fair in these analysis, instead of taking various experiences as gospel. This isn't the first in fact every video I watch of mechanical issues is really just you reading a script from some source you deem reliable. Every what goes wrong segment particularly on vag products I've noticed and some Japanese brands, you spin a lot of yarns mate. There are some issues that either are non events or are not relevant. It's very much click bait a lot of the time. Sure talk of Toyota dpf, ranger gearboxes, bmw hot vee etc but going on about rocker cover gasket oil leaks or consumption (which is subjective), as your moot every segment is a bit cringe. This coil boot issue is a prime example otherwise as a mechanic myself you are turning off your audience
I agree entirely. It seems that of lot of these 'faults' are anecdotal without any real substance or evidence. I have reached the stage where these videos are not worth watching.
It makes me appreciate the boring basic Japanese AWD car, an astute purchase compared to this, but if the Audi is a salary packaged lease as many are it is a different matter, it will be gone before the gremlins surface or is that optimistic?
My A4 sedan is great. 2014 with the same colour and rotors. Mine is the Quattro TDI with the exhaust upgrade. It’s got 75kms & has been great. Serviced every year with the dealer. It’s only been marginally more expensive than my wife’s South Korean cars. It has had a real main seal and roof lining replaced. I fit the RSNAV wireless CarPlay. It is a wonderful car to own and drive.
8 minutes forJim's segment means a hard no from me
The S4 is way better than the A4
Agree. Wouldn’t touch one
@@lexman8678it’s not a high bar
@@lexman8678 I'd hope so considering it costs twice as much
Absolutely spot on!
The really sad thing is that VW/Audi up until perhaps the early 2000s produced really reliable, well built cars - I say that as an ex JLR Engineer. The older 4 and the 5 cylinder versions were bombproof even with 10K mile oil change intervals, petrol or diesel and I owned a fair number. The same applies to BMWs and Mercs of that era too.
Then came the race to "tech"...
A long time ago, VW made excellent and long lasting cars. Then, they became greedy and ruined the brand.
Can't disagree because the new audi also are reliable especially the 3.0 tfsi or tdi , and even the 2.0 tdi
Does an ex JLR engineer have any idea what reliable means?!
@@olympbarca3313
I don't how trustworthy is a brand in which the oil pump is driven by a belt and not an actual chain.
Now as far as I know the 3.0tdi has a chain drive, but the 2.0tdi for sure a belt driven oil pump.
@@1dameister1 ?? Quite standard for lots of companies...
Great looking car, but would never buy one after the experience of several friends with Audis and VWs… and this video just confirms it
used to own an a5, water pump yes, thermostat yes, radiator hoses yes, engine mounts yes, but they did not mention the ac evaporator. In US of A, that part has extended warranty for 8 years 100k miles, tells you how bad that part is. But its fast and comfortable
I have an A4 and my friend has an A5 and both of our AC evaps had to be replaced lol
The headlights cost more than the car itself to replace, make sure you have a good maintenance plan
+ Insurance coverage
After the problems an ex boss had on his earlier A4 I would touch one with a barge pole.
I will admit though a former friend had one of the older ones and it was a nice car to be a passenger in but that's about it.
Surprised that it chews that much fuel to be completely honest.
Good work as always guys and look forward to Sunday's video as per usual 👍
I have a 2018 Audi A4 Allroad and it’s gorgeous. I’m a car enthusiast and love having a car that is quite rare here in California. It’s not a rational purchase, but the car drives like a dream. I grew up with bouncy Toyotas with no body control and loud road noise inside. My Audi is the perfect road trip machine, the all wheel drive handles rain and snow impeccably. Cannot recommend the Allroad more, but yeah, it’s a toy and transportation. If all you need is economical transportation, there are cheaper cars to own, but mine makes me feel special.
A note on maintenance. My local dealer was charging $350/hr labor cost and forgot to tighten the bolts on my shock replacements. After a month of hearing a creak I checked and finger tightened the bolts. They fixed it free of charge but I never went back. I like maintaining my car, detailing it myself, and don’t hesitate on spending money on it as long as it keeps driving nice. I now have a great relationship with a local specialist who staples jelly belly’s to the receipt. I’m very happy with the car, but it’s more enthusiast than a commodity appliance. I’ve never met an indifferent A4 Allroad owner to their decision.
@kevinsimmons4217 fully agree here. If you are concerned about expensive service or repair, there are other options. But the A4 (and other Audis as well) make me feel good and when walking away from the car, I want to turn and look back. That is not something to overlook when it comes to enthusiast cars.
350$/hr is crazy. In Germany a Toyota dealer is charging 100€/hr and a third party repair shop for most of the car brands about 80€/hr.
@kevinsimmons4217 - 100% agree with your comments. For more affordable used cars, the B8.5s generation (2013-2016) are, IMO, the best value proposition. I don't think you could pick a better used car for the money that has the looks, performance and handling of various B8.5 models (A4/A5, S4/S5, RS5). I know people who are absolute non-enthusiasts (cars are an appliance to them) and even they (some begrudgingly) admit how nice the Audis look and drive. They've all be surprised at the low cost and the ease of maintenance (particularly oil changes which require no lift or crawling under the car).
In 2012 had a used B7, auto transmission ecu failed and it cost $3k to fix (and they found a cracked electro hydraulic engine when they were working on it). Luckily had a used car warranty that covered it. Sold it immediately afterwards and vowed to never buy another one.
I bought a 2019 A4 Allroad used 2 years ago with just 12k miles on it and a dealer service history and some residual warranty. Saved $20k and it was almost new when I bought it. It drives amazing, and with an inch of extra suspension travel, it just rolls over the crap roads and potholes here in Southern California. I’ve taken it skiing, camping and used it for hauling construction materials. It really is fantastic.
I had bad transmission shudder recently, at 36k miles and dealer did the transmission fluid flush per the Audi TSB. Drives great now. But it was $1,600 for that service! Beware, and change the trans fluid!
No other car like it, really. Subaru Outback? Way too big now. The BMW 3 wagon would be a good alternative and probably sturdier in the long run.
Had one and sold it after less than 2 years. Got it from Audi Centre Sydney. Spent months in the shop under warranty with very poor communication from Audi service centre Zetland. It was only a year and a half old. Kept cutting out in traffic due to a faulty fuel pump which transferred petrol from the reserve tank to the main one after you went under 1/4 full (there’s two separate tanks for some reason connected via a pump).
They initially said they couldn’t open up the tank to see what was wrong but would need to replace the whole tank including the pump. This took a few months and when it was finally replaced it happened again shortly after and I needed another tow truck. I should mention the first time it cut out this occurred in the middle of an intersection.
They eventually got permission from Audi Germany to cut open the tanks to see why the pump was falling and then claimed they found sediment inside, suggesting I had refueled it inappropriately, even though I only ever used legitimate, branded fuel stations like Shell (no third party pumps).
I asked for a replacement or a refund of the car under the lemon laws but was obviously met with resistance. ACCC was toothless (Audi flat out lied to them about various details) and NCAT was painfully time consuming and not consumer friendly without legal representation. And that’s considering I spent ample time researching and submitting documents but was told by the presiding member on the day (who isn’t necessarily legally trained) I should have provided a copy of the lemon laws with my submission ( I had referenced sections of the law appropriately but didn’t have physical copies of the law) and so he wasn’t terribly sympathetic (bit like seeing a doctor and getting told off because you didn’t bring a medical text book along so that they can help you).
Audi was also very resistant paying my loan vehicle fees and it took 20+ phone calls to be remunerated months later.
In the end, to advance my case NCAT wanted me you resubmit my submission due to a technicality and by this point I’d lost 2 days of work which just wasn’t making much financial sense. Ended up trading the car back in to a different Audi dealership as I couldn’t trust it wouldn’t stall mid freeway on me as I drive a lot for work.
Audis are nice when they work but they’re a nightmare when they don’t and Audi centre Sydney, Audi service centre zetland and Audi Australia are absolutely terrible (borderline criminal) to deal with. If you don’t mind driving around with a Jerry can in your trunk in case your new Audi gives out in the middle of no where with 25% fuel still in the tank then you’ll be fine. Probably not for you if you value safety, reliability and just your life in general 😅
Thanks for all the details.......Very informative
This car is an absolute commitment to maintain. I have owned a 2.0T petrol since new, so 6+ years. Had to have replaced : waterpump/thermostat, engine mounts, all the struts, all the front control arms, rotors and pads, front passenger airbag sensor. And I still have to worry about PCV failure, Turbo failure, transmission malfunctions, timing chain stretch, coolant leaks, rock chips on the windscreen, evaporator core cracks/leaks.
I’ve owned 3 Audis and apart from wear and tear costs they were mint. Gets me thinking if build quality is different for each market or people simply neglecting them
@@zbychu6392 Don't assume that. A) sounds like zby put 200,000 miles on his car; and when you blame the manufacturer for having rock chips on the windshield you kinda loose all credibility. We had a B9 for 7.5 years with zero issues.
You've just described a whole lot of consumables needing replacement with age, with the exception of the water pump/thermostat failing and airbag sensor. So not sure where your point is considering you own a 6 yo car. Control arms don't need to be replaced, you could have saved yourself heaps by just changing the arm bushes... that's hardly a 'commitment to maintain'
I've had my now-18yo A4 B7 for almost 15 years now, and it's honestly never let me down. I'm looking to change it for a B9 Avant - this video is very useful to know what to look for.
The EA888 gen3 2.0l petrols are in my experience pretty good. The ones in the B9 are direct and port injected to reduce carbon buildup. PCV valves are reasonably cheap and easy to change. Main oil consumption issues are due to valve stem seals wearing or popping off. Far cheaper to fix than piston rings! Waterproof pump is still an issue, that's true.
My EA888 2.0TFSI just ate itself. 106XXX miles, and bent valves causing fire to melt the plastic intake portion (Flex fuel here with metal main intake). Had new injectors, new plugs and coils straight from FCP Euro, carbon cleaned, timing still in spec according to VAGCom. No warning either, just bang, 27 codes and fire. Feels good, just bought it 2 months ago.
@fdmjiv whoa, sounds rough! Is there any idea what caused this? Jumped timing?
@@h3n488 No, tensioner etc in spec via VAGCom. Not really 100% sure honestly. I bought it 8/31, and it died 10/26. Babied. Never taken over 4k by me, and I changed the oil as soon as I returned home from the dealership. Had regular oil consumption issues like they do, but that wouldn't case this. Cylinder 1 and 4 are 16 psi, 2 and 3 are 190. Leakdown test has cylinder 1 air coming out of cylinder 3 spark plug hole, 4 was exiting the fire damaged area.
Oh, I need to correct myself. The valve stem seals are a known problem on the g-tron models which use CNG and petrol. The petrol versions aren't that known to suffer from the valve stem seals. At least that I know of.
It would be bad enough to have to deal with the problems that the A4 suffer from if you live in a large city. But it would be a nightmare to have to deal with these issues out in the regional parts of Australia. Just imagine going on a long journey, the gear shifter fails to function, 100 km tow truck to a mechanic to wait a week to get it fixed. Totally unnecessary to have that problem just because it is cool not having a direct link to the gearbox selector. On top of that, the water pump will need replacing every 40,000 kms. That is a WTF. Then the seats don't fully lay flat, rattles coming from the dash and the suspension bushes wearing out prematurely etc which are all signs that this car is far from being a premium vehicle.
So the answer to your question is No No No No NO.
On a more positive note, OMG doesn't Jim get a wide variety of cars going through his workshop. Nothing against Jim and his teams abilities, and in fact it sounds like Jim is the place to take your car if you live in Newcastle, but no way would I have thought that Jim would have a Ferrari 360 go through his shop. I would have thought most Ferrari owners would get their car serviced at a dedicated Ferrari workshop but it is good to see Jim able to work on Ferrari's too.
Jim, is Strayyaas Car Wizard.
I can tell you have never owned this model
You buy these as new company leases 3 years OR as a private buyer of a company lease straight after the fact. Nothing else. I bought mine after a company had leased it for 3 years and it still had a adblue tank issue which meant replacing the whole adblue tank, BUT as the car was still under a 4 year warranty I could fix anything at no cost the first year of ownership and then it was smooth sailing for the next 5 years, just making sure all the service internals were done in time and traded it in for another almost new one and the next owner takes the big hits of changing the brakes/pads, big service 100kkm, new tires etc. Rinse and repeat.
Unless it's under warranty you should never buy an Audi. And even then you must own a backup Toyota to get around when your Audi is back being fixed under warranty. It will be frequently.
I have both an Audi b9 s4 and a nissan note the Audi had no issues and drove it for 5000 kms without any issues has 78000 kms the nissan note has a bad cv boot now lol
I also had a b8.5 s4 never had an issue at all so your claim is false you obviously have not even owned a well looked after Audi
@@lexman8678 huh?..if it failed after 5000k's its crap.
@@lexman8678 you drove for 5000kms with no issues and think that’s reliable? You’re a moron
I wouldn't touch any Audi/VW or most european
2:17 you can get OE replacements from brands such as Zimmerman for less than 20% all around. I did it recently on my B8.5 S4 dealer wanted $3500 for brake rotors and pads. I got em for $700 to my door and fitted them within 4 hours.
Also in regards to valve cover, DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU DONT KNOW. these are not typical valve cover where is has springs and cams are secured to the Valve cover.
Any chance they have a water pump?
These A4s can also have an issue with the heat exchanger for the AC. And to complete this repair, it requires the dash to come out on some models.
Interesting segment. We own a Q5 and S4 with zero issues. Don’t buy a premium car brand if you can’t afford to run them incl annual servicing. ReDriven has the Hyundai Getz as one of their ‘car of the year’ contender - perhaps the better choice for the budget conscious. It’s all about choice… love your shows gents!
TL:DR - Lot of the "negatives" are because there's a LOT of missing information here. DO MORE RESEARCH. These cars *can be* as cheap or even cheaper than maintaining a JDM car. Most of the issues mentioned here are UNCOMMON issues. Gas door? Rear Parking Sensors? LOL. You can get non-Audi windshields so that's also a lie. The only truths is depreciation (true on any German car) and dealer labor/parts being overpriced.
One thing potential buyers need to know is the difference between "Original/Genuine" vs. OE vs. OEM vs. Aftermarket. "Original/Genuine" means items which are the parts from the Audi Dealership with Audi logos on it, etc. OE means Original Equipment. OE parts are from the actual manufacturer of that specific part FOR Audi. Companies like Hengst, Meyle, Lemforder, Bosch, etc. actually make the parts for Audi. These companies also sell these parts to third party sellers such as FCP Euro, ECS Tuning, etc. These OE parts are 100% the same part that you get from the Audi Dealership minus the Audi logo.
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer which are manufactures that make at least one OE part for the vehicle manufacturer so while they may not make that specific part for your vehicle, the quality of OEM parts generally very good, if not as good as the Original/OE part. Then there are "Aftermarket" parts which may be great or terrible. Depends on the part and the manufacturer. One part from one aftermarket manufacturer may be fantastic and another part by the same aftermarket manufacturer may be terrible. So finding end user reviews on those parts are necessary so you can make a good decision. OE parts are a no-brainer replacement for high overpriced "Original/Genuine" parts. Unless there's a HUGE price difference, I would usually stick with OE over a OEM part.
As for service/maintenance costs, I had a full front/rear rotor and pad job on my A4 not to long ago. The labor cost was less than US$300 (at an Audi specialist shop) and the the parts cost US$450 for high quality aftermarket rotors/pads/sensors/anti-squeal paste (same parts you replace on ANY modern car including Japanese cars). I went aftermarket in this case because the factory Semi-Metallic pads not only dust like crazy, they also have a very abrupt initial bite. I prefer a more progressive feel for the brakes and the ceramic pads offered that plus little to no brake dust. Additionally, I wanted slotted rotors which is another reason why I went aftermarket. All that aside, doing the brakes isn't actually a hard job for DIYers and with all the good step-by-step RUclips videos available, I'll be DIYing my next brake job. So folks, don't listen to these "clickbait" Audi brake job costs because anyone with a brain can get them done for MUCH less (and yes the Audi Dealership are a RIP OFF as are most dealerships)
After exclusively owning Japanese cars my whole life until recently, I can honestly say my Audis haven't any more maintenance intensive. Still do oil changes, brakes, other fluid changes, tires, etc. The only thing I do more frequently than before are oil changes. I started doing them at 5K mile because it seems that even low-HP non-turbo motors (like a Prius motor) don't like 10K+ oil change intervals (check out bore scoring on low performance Toyota motors on youtube/forums). So even if I bought a older Japanese car (say a 2000's Toyota/Honda/etc.), I'd still do 5K mile oil changes using synthetic oil (which is pretty cheap now-a-days, e.g. US$25 for 5qts of Mobil1 Euro 0W-40 @ Walmart)
A big bonus for Euro car owners come from companies like FCP and ECS with their "Lifetime Replacement Warranty". THIS is where maintenance cost can be lowered to below typical operating costs of even a junky low-power, low-performance Japanese car (that's not being abused or run into the ground of course.) It REALLY helps keep costs way down. Anyone considering a Euro car needs to look into. It will TREMENDOUSLY lower your operating cost over the life of the vehicle even for consumable parts (brake rotors, pads, oils, filters, etc.)
I had an old A4 1.8l and it was very reliable. I did have the sunroof issue and water in the cabin. A flood cooked my electrics and got rid of it. I ended up getting into an A5 3.0 TDI, that engine is a mighty beast, its now 14 years old and my only problems are a saggy roof liner, and the touch open unlock thing isn't working. The car still looks awesome, I love it, I reckon its a future classic. Enjoying the car daily means something to me, tried so many other cars before getting another Audi, but they just didn't do it for me.
I recently had the keys to an A4 45 for a couple of days. Great seats, nice interior and a sleeper - those things REALLY move. About the only thing I could complain about was the side mirrors, which were terrible.
It's a crying shame that they are not as reliable as your average Japanese car. If they were I'd spend up and buy a wagon in a heartbeat.
I have 60k km on my 4th gen 2.0l, its also tuned to make 300+ hp. No issues so far, no oil leaks, no oil burning. I had 2 issues with self driving system, one of the radars was replaced and steering position sensor. I bought because i though these engines are bullet proof because they are in 4th generation, VW been making them since like 2004 i think. My previous car was 3.O TDI Caynne with 200k km. Generator failed, DPF reppaced, DEF system injector, and some very expensive coolant leak, a few Nox sensors. But everything was done under warranty
I bought an A4 Allroad 3.0 TDI with 90,000 km four years ago for €28,000 from an Audi dealer. Now it has 200,000 km on it, and apart from a broken air conditioning compressor at 180,000 km, it's running very well. It has the best and most beautiful interior. Unfortunately, everything that came after is filled with touchscreens, which doesn’t improve usability. I would buy it again every time. However, one should do thorough research before purchasing, as issues like the timing chain, which tends to cause problems with the 3.0 TDI, should be considered.
2017 S4 3 litre V6 quattro petrol Saloon owner here. White with red interior, black pack, matrix headlights etc etc. Bought in January with 30k miles /48k Kilometers on the clock. FSH bought from an Audi dealer. I'm prepared for some future expenses. Coming from a BMW 2 series into this....there's a big step up in refinement. It's less tight in the corners but with our roads full of pot-holes here in the UK, the suspension is less crashy and offers a slightly softer ride. The sound from the quad exhaust is quite understated but it's possible to get a few little pops and bangs on down shifts in sport. Negatives - interior leather clearcoat has worn off the front seats and middle arm rest, and servicing/parts costs are expensive. Positives - Lack of speed is not an issue, lack of grip also not an issue. In short, I love it but I still want an old hot rod with no electric stuff one day as a 2nd car.
We’ve had 3x2.0L EA888 engined cars from S3, Q5 and A4. All had their water pumps fail. However, cannot fault Audi interiors and mine have all done 120000kms in my ownership without any major issues. Current Q5 has been an absolute work horse of a car doing about 100km daily whilst being a tool carrier and long distance family hauler. Much better to drive than anything Japanese
When the mechanical issues segment is 1/3 of the video, you know it's a good car
Nowadays, I just jump to Jim’s part, and if it’s longer, I always steer clear of that car. Honestly, right now, the only German car I would consider buying is a BMW with the B58 engine.
RS3 is up there too. And the RS6. And pretty much every RS model
But I definitely wouldn't get a random Diesel base model
@@szotakandreiRS models cost an absolute fortune to maintain. Parts far more premium than A and S models.
Just sold my 2013 A4 2.0TFSI B8.5 at 180k. was fine till around the 140km mark then had timing chain issues, oil leaks and major oil consumption even with regular servicing and repairs. not worth the upkeep. not buying audi again.
I mean, it's a B8. They are notorious for oil leaks, burning oil etc.
what did you get instead?
That’s what I’m experiencing right now. Every 1000km, one litre of oil.
Best car channel on RUclips. There, I said it.
Mate, you’re too kind. Thank you!
Unfortunately, the amount of mechanically totalled Audis sold online speaks volumes. these days it has gotten to the point when you can go very wrong with any car manufacturer as they all have massive amounts of recalls and issues, some larger than others but still, even Toyota isn't what it used to be...
Had the fuel cap issue. Got a part off eBay for $20 and took 10 mins to fix.
Had 2 Audi A4 Avants - 1997 V6 Quattro and a 2001 1.8T Quattro - both great and very reliable cars. Would love another but no more manual versions and way too unreliable these days.
Don’t forget the 2019 mid-facelift. Hard af to find exterior add-ons
I’ve had a 2L turbo petrol A4 (B7) as my daily for over a decade now and never had a single problem. Perhaps I got lucky. Perhaps it’s just that I treat it properly and service it regularly.
But that is two generations before the one from the video
The Ferrari in the background in Jim's garage reminds me of the black Ferrari that's been stuck in the Car wizard's garage for so many videos.
Jezuz! Just had my Chinese made, Haval Jolion Ultra serviced at 80,000kms..The bill was astronomical $480 to re-service the disc brakes and other sundries...Never had any other issues...and it'll still sell with only a 10% depreciation.
Ha that’s no flex, you’re stuck with driving a Haval lol. They’re shit!
Depreciation seems to be about 25% for a 1 year old “ultra” model here.
Skoda and Audi A4 and above are not built on the same platform, first one is built on MQB and the other is on MLB. Transversal vs Longitudinal
Ah right up my alley... Honestly love this car, from exterior to interior design and the way it handles. However, the interior is a squeak and rattle fest as was mentioned in the video. Furthermore, the paint quality is horrific... very thin clear coat that scratches and chips very easily, and at times can even chip off the paint underneath! Besides build quality and paint issues, my car has been very reliable and I'd say the major repairs that I've had to do such as engines mounts and wheel bearing are probably due to the horrible impacts from potholes in Ontario Canada. Overall I wish Audi spent more money into internal interior design as the cheap plastics used and the way the interior is put together is unacceptable at this price point.
My mum bought a new A4 Allroad in 2021 and the standard seats were so awful, she ended up selling it. In the first few years the MMI system was an absolute nightmare and the driving assistants cut out randomly, thankfully a software update fixed it. The allroad also handles like a boat, worse than some suvs
I absolutely adore the design on the exterior of this Audi but the interior design isn’t as fancy as say a Lexus with the multi layer interior (yes it’s a polarising design but if you love it there’s nothing like it on the market)
But I’m more of a larger sedan buyer like Audi A6
I really want to see a video on the Lexus ES from 2019+ for the reliable and good build quality but also super comfortable ride and great interior
I’m planning on getting one of those and would love to see how it compares to these, Toyota crowns, Mercedes e class, 5 series and the like and what to look out for
Love my ´18 A4, such a great highway cruiser. Has never let me down, but im constantly worried something bad might happen...
Was looking at one of these.....but with that intro, I clicked off, no fault of you guys, you make the best videos.
Also have an a5 mechanically the same. Launch control seems to overheat gear box after 4-5 launches so be careful
Bugger the Audi..... Show us the 360 sitting in Jim's workshop!! 😍
Looks so good. Only if it would be more reliable. Also looking for the future would be interesting to see review for Audi A3 8V petrol variants like 1.4, 1.5, 1.8 or 2.0. That car seems to be fun and zippy car.
had one 2016 a5 45quattro b9, its FAST even all stock but faster as i did the APR stage 1 tune. amazing to drive and got all the features like B&O, HUD, 360 camera etc.only issue i had is leaking cookant at 100k. after they replaced the radiator, nothing wrong. i would say the b9 a4/a5 are beautiful cars ,but in terms of the steering, still bmw 3 series better.
I drove around the UK for a week in an A4 hire car. It was great but, then again, I didn't have to get it serviced.
My 2019 B9 had a leak in the rear drivers side footwell. Dealer couldn’t find what was wrong with it !
Daniel has great taste in music, love The Smiths.
I've had 13 VAG cars, 3 of them A4's. No regrets.. Buy a few years old to skip the depreciation. No matter what car you buy, avoid the dealers for service as they will rob you. Since I do all my own work, parts aren't bad and service isn't difficult for most of them, especially the 4cyls.
It is just me or whenever a new video of yours come out i keep staring at your watch looking for if he has bought a new one ... and u have ig it's an erebus it looks fine af
When you say "dragged" onto the back of a tow truck. That is exactly it, wheels locked up, screeching and complaining. Oh and in this case, the factory tow eye is useless. If you try and tow a car with all the wheels locked up from one side the whole car will just go to sideways onto the truck.
And I guess most customers are not at the other end when we tip the tray up as steep as it goes and shake the car until it comes off.
Jim What's the best VW/Audi water pump brand?
Hepu is not bad
As the owner of a Q5 which is on the same platform with the 2.0T petrol engine, which is under warranty thankfully, it’s a beautiful car to drive and so refined. And absolutely one of the most dull and characterless cars I’ve ever owned. Can’t fault the interior and build quality. Much prefer to the new gen and touchscreen everything
For 90k I would buy a Toyota Prado instead.
Oh god no. Why???
Great video...but why do a lot of car reviews always complain that Audi's/VW's everyday cars are not as enjoyable/vanilla to drive? They've been repeating this for the longest time...Maybe they're really built that way: maybe the engineers' mentality are the less feedback means less fatigue in everyday/trafffic/long distance driving?
Now that I'm a little bit older, I really appreciate the "more relaxed personality" of my VW on really long drives rather than my Japanese car.
Sure, my Japanese car (fine for for short trips 30mins or less) has cheaper parts and is a bit cheaper to maintain long term, but I feel alot less fatigued after driving for 3-7hrs (with a couple bathroom/snack breaks in between, of course) in my VW.
At least in my personal experience/observation.
Keep up the good work!
They are easy to maintain and parts are universal with Audi/Skoda/VW, when my Octavia was under warranty they wanted 480 bucks for an oil change 😂
wow, my 2009 fg xr6t with 270kw stock smokes this thing, and is cheaper to maintain
The PCV isn’t part of the valve cover, it’s bolted to the top
Plastic water pump that lasts 40,000kms 😅😅. There is nothing premium above a VAG product.
Ok, not quite the PFL B9 RS4 wagon....I await patiently whilst you tease one step closer, maybe this will be my Christmas present. Until then, I will keep asking sir.
Do the A3 (8V 2012-2020) please! Not all of us can get an RS3 and it would help a lot to know about the common issues with this very popular model!
I have had a A3 (8V 2014) for 10 years and it has been faultless. It has the 1.4 litres COD engine which gives marvellous economy. The fit and finish of this model is superior to the current A3 and with regular yearly servicing, there have been no problems. It even has the original brake discs after 90,000 kms.
i am living in Germany and I have a audi a4 b9 avant with 2.0 tdi engine with 190 ps i have 245.000km on the clock without any problems only normal maintenance! i bought from autodoc full brembo kit with discs and pads front and rear and brake liquids for 390 euros and I paid my mechanic 180 euros to change the brakes. I dont know the prices in Australia but 4k for brakes is too much....
Your mechanic would LOVE you to own one.
Superb 206 shooting brake is a better alternative.
Anything in the VAG list is going to cost you unless, like my mate, he updates the car every 3 years without fail. I have the Skoda Octavia 1,8 (chipped) and it is fast. But a $9K engine rebuild has dampened my enthusiasm. A lot of the Audi parts can be changed for Skoda parts. I know this because some of the parts I buy for the Skoda come in boxes with the list of VAG vehicles it will fit. My next vehicle will be either a grey import Lexus wagon or maybe the G70. Just change the car every 3 years and stay in the warrantee and find a dealer that will support your purchase. That will be hard to find.
You need Redrive with Audi A6 Allroad 😉These 3.0bitdi versions are something from another planet.
Ive had 3x A4s, differently models but the same issues everytime. Front brake calipers and front springs also needing to top up oil every 3 month on the 2.0TDI. Everytime I swapped to a new one I thought it was just that one car but now after 3 cars i'm pretty much done with Audi.
Edit: Also, you are not allowed to use Cold Degreasing during winter month because youll destroy your tail lights. Even says so in the owners manual so you wont get it repaired during warranty.
B9 s4 next 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 lay it on heavy with the mechanical issues lol
After what happened to my cousin's A3, I'm very weary of Audi cars.
It is supposed to be a premium brand. How can it break so much?
having been a vw (2 brand new) owner over the last ten years. I learnt my lessons the H A R D WAY
are you planning to review f10 5series? I just really love the car but i heard it has a lot of mechanical issues and i want your review
Oh hell no stay away. I’m a big BMW fan but unless you can work on them like I do on mine…do not bother.
Get yourself a nice Lexus.
I totally agree about the names used now for Audi but the other 2 German luxury brands are doing the same. After all, the new C63 has a 2l 4 cylinder. Ouch.
We need a video on the Modena 360 in the background :D
Reliable as, parts are cheap and universal,in the group, if your handy with a spanner , take care of a car go ahead and buy one
Please do a Audi 7 series review soon 🙏🏻
Good morning, i what to buy and second hand medium size SUV from 2016 up any recommendations please thank you
My 2016 A4 B9 Quattro 2.0T has been nothing but reliable, 110k kms and its still on its first waterpump/thermostat. Of course always serviced on time by a trusted mechanic (independent after the Audi warranty over), maybe that's the key ey? Just the regular once a year service, and probably don't drive it like you stole it.
A classic example of style over substance with a lot of Euro cars - when once they set the benchmark.
Aftermarket waterpumps for 2.0 tfsi
Names or links pls ?
Kia Stinger. Faster, roomier, great to drive, comfortable, looks good, none of the reliability issues of the German makes. Oh.. and cheaper. Shame they stopped making them.
Kia/Hyundai have had very bad reputation over the last 7 years. They don't last as long as many German cars do and the build quality overall is rubbish. If you want a reliable car, spend the extra and buy a Japanese car
Dude what are you talking about? I drive cars since 33 years now (and I worked 10 years as a car mechanic), and I never had a more reliable, better build and fantastic driving car than my A4 2.0 L Diesel (Break of course) from 2022. NO issues at all from 0 to 110 000 Km today (except 1 minor one). Still absolutely silent, amazing torque, unbelievable brake power and it really sticks to the road no matter what speed I try to get the chicanes (sport suspension as an option), just plenty of fun and comfort every day (acoustic windows). Had a VW Golf in the 90's (crap, everything was falling apart) and while waiting for the Audi in 2022 I had a VW Arteon with full options. Now that was a scam, considering its position in the VW segment, so much electronics that just didn't work as it should - automatic headlights, "traffic jam assistant" - I directly had to shut it off. And all these touch sensitive knobs in the inside just drove me crazy every day. Had a Skoda Octavia Break (2010?) also. I was shocked how loud it was in the inside and it was constantly drinking oil, and so much in the interior that pissed me off every day. And I even won't start to talk about the Peugeots (and even a Citroen once - brrrr) I was forced to use by my former company, french cars just don't work. Had to leave the company because of that. The A4 stands so much above VW or Skoda in point of technical perfection and reliabilty, how do you even dare to compare it one to one? I know a few VW owner's, and they constantly complain about technical issues. Btw, our Mazda 6 from 2019 is regularly seeing the repair shop because of heavy electronics issues (mostly safety feature electronics failure, and when it does work, it's ridiculous how "safe" it is, it even let me drive how I used to, too dangerous for it, that's what I call "woke technology" lol), but our early 2000's Mazda 6 was just perfect, while the A4 - and this was the one and only issue ever with this car - had one rear window that wouldn't fully close in automatic mode each time as it should - was fixed in 5 minutes by updating its software. Like I've sad - 33 years of experience and professional knowledge from working mostly on Mercedes cars, which I wouldn't recommend either - too expensive and not reliable enough despite it's price tag) while driving 45 to 50K Km every year - with Toyota (the older one's very very good too), Mazda (same), VW (always crap), Skoda (same), some french very big crap. And after 25 to 30 years I was quite sure that I will never find a really good car again that would convince me personally - but yes, it's the A4. Everything works as I would expect. Had the A6 as a replacement as well - man I was so glad when I got back my A4 after the service, the A6 is simply boring and didn't drive as well as my A4 despite of having more power. Boring, lame and nearly dangerous in the chicanes compared to my A4, because it's way to heavy. I have to use sometimes other cars from collegues for a single trip, mostly VW and Skoda, even a Citroen once (never again I swear, I rather would use public transport next time), and every time I'm so happy to have my Audi back. Other level dude. Vorsprung durch Technik. My next daily driver: A4 for sure.
Traded my A4 for a Mazda 6 Sport Wagon and couldn't be happier
I had a B9 audi A4 2.0TFSI, and honestly during my ownership it has been nothing but reliable. I understand that european cars are a tad more fragile then the japanese competitors but it really comes down to the maintenance on these cars. If it's maintained well it will last a long time.
Have an Audi A3 2015 1.8T EA888 Quattro (Haldex) Just hit 90K on odometer and Im already on its 3rd set of brakes, second water pump, manifold replacement and turbo coming up...and also have HVAC issues, what a POS. I also bought a Subarau Foz XT 2015 (new), has 125K on odometer...zero issues and just did brakes for the first time.
16:50 if you follow the maintenance manual the engine should be warm before removing the coils and boots. Pretty simple really, no issue unless you dont know what you are doing :) Jim i really wish you were fair in these analysis, instead of taking various experiences as gospel. This isn't the first in fact every video I watch of mechanical issues is really just you reading a script from some source you deem reliable. Every what goes wrong segment particularly on vag products I've noticed and some Japanese brands, you spin a lot of yarns mate. There are some issues that either are non events or are not relevant. It's very much click bait a lot of the time. Sure talk of Toyota dpf, ranger gearboxes, bmw hot vee etc but going on about rocker cover gasket oil leaks or consumption (which is subjective), as your moot every segment is a bit cringe. This coil boot issue is a prime example otherwise as a mechanic myself you are turning off your audience
Agreed. Also cool puller tools are cheap as chips
I agree entirely. It seems that of lot of these 'faults' are anecdotal without any real substance or evidence. I have reached the stage where these videos are not worth watching.
Any recommendations for after water water pump sellers?
What about the s4 wagon? The s5 Redriven video didnt show too many problems compared to this video?
that mans hair is sooooo coool love it
I hate this video.
I want one.
But now I cannot buy one 😅
Exceptional review.
It makes me appreciate the boring basic Japanese AWD car, an astute purchase compared to this, but if the Audi is a salary packaged lease as many are it is a different matter, it will be gone before the gremlins surface or is that optimistic?
Will you guys ever do Mazda 6 GH with petrol engines?
LOL Jim has obviously fixed a lot of these
Can you guys make a review of VW Arteon R line please 😬
What about B9 rocker arm bearing failure.
B9 S4 can have rocker arm failures because they use 0w30 or 0w20 oil if the owners use the correct oil 5w30 no issues at all
Two-thirds depreciation in six years!? What does it think it is, a Ford Falcon?
My A4 sedan is great. 2014 with the same colour and rotors.
Mine is the Quattro TDI with the exhaust upgrade. It’s got 75kms & has been great. Serviced every year with the dealer. It’s only been marginally more expensive than my wife’s South Korean cars.
It has had a real main seal and roof lining replaced. I fit the RSNAV wireless CarPlay.
It is a wonderful car to own and drive.
I’ve owned this for 5 years
Max I spent is 200$, …
Nice to see Jim taking over the majority of the presentation. Almost felt like Adam was non existent.
Hi guys !
I'd choose the Lexus IS without any hesitation.
I keep repeating myself but that IS is a really an excellent car.