How's your wallet?

[tjfonville2]

Interested in getting some info from B7 owners.

1. What have been your highest cost issues to resolve/troubleshoot as a DIY or Indy shop expense? Trying to figure out how much to set aside for unplanned issues separate from regular maintenance and other mods. I've searched and read common problems and researched quite a bit, but interested in what other issues have crept up out there maybe not as common but have hit your wallet.

2. Also, what has been your biggest pain to troubleshoot/diagnose?

Thanks all.

[p0isin]

The biggest drain on my wallet is me. If I didn't continuously spend money on "mods" and other things then I'd have barely sunk any money into the car.

No major problems in the 2+ years and 30000+ miles that I've owned her other than some electrical problems which were the fault of the PO.

[aluthman]

I've spent most of my money fixing my desire to go faster… It's still not cured. As far as stuff that I had to repair/replace because there was an actual problem with it, I spent maybe $80 on a Rev. D diverter valve because my diaphragm DV ripped. That's it. I replaced plugs, coils, and cam follower as preventative maintenance, and everything else I've done was for my own benefit/piece of mind.

[swaggerwagon]

$830 or so for Timing Belt and all related accessories, that's about the biggest ticket maintenance item I've spent the money on.

[vce1232000]

My loss was spending an additional 2k at a APR\Audi dealer[facepalm] that [wrench] all the issue's from another APR screw ups[confused][=(]. Now she [drive] rite to the[race]. Sum times yaa just gotta pay to play[headbang]

[ericpaulyoung]

We'll got the car for 22k and I am approaching 30k in mods

epy

[mec]

My loss was spending an additional 2k at a APR\Audi dealer[facepalm] that [wrench] all the issue's from another APR screw ups[confused][=(]. Now she [drive] rite to the[race]. Sum times yaa just gotta pay to play[headbang]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDYr-vURSbg/UDkqFZK1ylI/AAAAAAAAB1U/sT5z81MqvqU/s1600/imagesCAT1010C.jpg

[vce1232000]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDYr-vURSbg/UDkqFZK1ylI/AAAAAAAAB1U/sT5z81MqvqU/s1600/imagesCAT1010C.jpg

As with infants I have to repeat myself[confused]......lol


My loss was spending an additional 2k at a APR\Audi dealer[facepalm] that [wrench] all the issue's from another APR screw ups[confused][=(]. Now she [drive] rite to the[race]. Sum times yaa just gotta pay to play[headbang]

[mec]

$830 or so for Timing Belt and all related accessories, that's about the biggest ticket maintenance item I've spent the money on.

That's fantastic...I think the last time I was at the dealer they tried to convince me to get a TB change and it was $1500 IIRC, I was also at 50,000...they were like well since we are repairing your camshaft for the cam follower warranty, you can get 15% off...I laughed so hard.

[kegobeer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVOFmu2ZIqI

[mec]

As with infants I have to repeat myself[confused]......lol

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/68/68e1a5f324b968910e7971c171b18561e68d0e36421d8c3fa9 5ac3f35d18f2ce.jpg

[vce1232000]

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/bad/giving-the-finger-smiley-emoticon.gif (http://www.sherv.net/emoticons.html)

Hows that for a smiley...........lol.......

[kegobeer]

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/bad/giving-the-finger-smiley-emoticon.gif (http://www.sherv.net/emoticons.html)

Hows that for a smiley...........lol.......

One per post...acceptable! BTW - how many cats do you own? hehehe

[wildcat333]

http://petadoptionangels.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/crazy_cat_lady.jpg

[4rings5stars]

I love it when a good n00b thread devolves right before my eyes!

Good times...

[papadelogan]

We'll got the car for 22k and I am approaching 30k in mods

epy


You can't be serious. For that you could have bought yourself a very nice RS6.

My timing belt broke on me (PO told me it was changed... shouldn't have believed him) and that cost me about $900 to fix. Mostly parts there (TB kit, used OEM valves, gaskets, etc.) and doing the work myself (and with a ton of help from Martin). Otherwise it's been a few sensors (N75, N80, clutch switch) DV and mods.

[aluthman]

You can't be serious. For that you could have bought yourself a very nice RS6.

My timing belt broke on me (PO told me it was changed... shouldn't have believed him) and that cost me about $900 to fix. Mostly parts there (TB kit, used OEM valves, gaskets, etc.) and doing the work myself (and with a ton of help from Martin). Otherwise it's been a few sensors (N75, N80, clutch switch) DV and mods.

I paid 12k for the car and about 25k on mods and I'm not doing a sequential build. I think he's pretty serious about those numbers...

[papadelogan]

Wow....for that money I could have bought an RS6, converted it to a 6 speed manual, and got tuned. Hmmmmm...500hp 6speed quattro beast.

[vce1232000]

My wife has my wallet[down] [=(][=(][=(][=(]. I get to hold her purse sometimes[confused]. How did I get here[confused][confused].....

[CWJC]

Brilliant Red 2007 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0T 6MT
Bought on 2013 Halloween night.
Wallet empty...within 30 hrs of owning the chain broke off the cam...cam was chewed up, bad pump, bad fowler and damaged head...etc..etc.
Lucky the bottom end lived. [headbang]
So rebuilt the head, did tb/wp and all new fluids and gaskets while i was at it. [wrench]
BUT this being said...i blame catastrophic failure, bad luck and the partially the previous owner.
I still LOVE my car and its been amazing through this harsh winter here in Toronto [:D] its now like a brand new car. Exterior and interior are immaculate as well [:)]

[ericpaulyoung]

I am serious. And yes, the wife reminds me almost monthly that I could have just bought an RS4 or similar. The thing is, it wasn't my plan to spend this much by any means. Modding a car is an endless hobby cost. But to tell you the truth I love it and don't feel bad about it (not often at least). ;)

EPY.

[kegobeer]

I am serious. And yes, the wife reminds me almost monthly that I could have just bought an RS4 or similar. The thing is, it wasn't my plan to spend this much by any means. Modding a car is an endless hobby cost. But to tell you the truth I love it and don't feel bad about it (not often at least). ;)

EPY.

After seeing the cash you've dropped, I don't feel bad spending a few thousand to fix the shit the previous owner screwed up in my A4.

[kloeb2]

You can't be serious. For that you could have bought yourself a very nice RS6.

My timing belt broke on me (PO told me it was changed... shouldn't have believed him) and that cost me about $900 to fix. Mostly parts there (TB kit, used OEM valves, gaskets, etc.) and doing the work myself (and with a ton of help from Martin). Otherwise it's been a few sensors (N75, N80, clutch switch) DV and mods.


I don't think many of us know for sure exactly how much we are gonna spend in mods before we get the car. It's sort of a monster that evolves the longer you have the car..

As for me, I paid 21k (still have a couple grand left on the loan) for the car and about 15k in mods so far.

[ericpaulyoung]

It is worse than a gambling habit :/ My wife has had me on a monthly car mod budget for over a year, and I keep going over. Let's just say she no happy.

epy

[esm]

Wow....for that money I could have bought an RS6, converted it to a 6 speed manual, and got tuned. Hmmmmm...500hp 6speed quattro beast.

But your gas mileage would suck, as would additional maintenance costs.

[esm]

Bought my A4 four around 22k, maybe put 8k in for maintenance and mods over 8 years. I'm only at 41,000 miles, and plan to keep her forever, so I don't look at future mods as wasted money, but rather an investment in my driving enjoyment.

Biggest/most expensive mods so far are the intercooler and new wheels/tires (going on this spring). I'm saving up for an upgraded hpfp and tune, and may stop my mods there until the turbo needs replacing. Then I'm on to the frankenturbo.

As far as regular/legit maintenance, its been fairly inexpensive. Some stuff was replaced early under warranty. However, once your car gets to be this old, you really do run into some longevity maintenance items like timing belt, motor mounts, and tranny fluid.

[4rings5stars]

I'm at $2200, 200 of which was maintenance or repairs. I've only had her since May '13

I've only got another 1200 or so preventative-wise to do this year. Been the most reliable Audi I've had so far

[groundround]

I have had 4 exhaust since buying it new in 07' and 2 of those exhaust were awe lol. 2nd set of coil overs h&r now kW v3 and that hardly breaks the ice :(.

[aluthman]

I'm at $2200, 200 of which was maintenance or repairs. I've only had her since May '13

I've only got another 1200 or so preventative-wise to do this year. Been the most reliable Audi I've had so far

I've only had mine since early April 2013...

[jimrobbington]

I can't afford a wallet.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[papadelogan]

But your gas mileage would suck, as would additional maintenance costs.

For what some guys have put in to an A4, I'd have money left over to cover those items. How many reliable 400hp+ A4's are out there? To each their own, and we each set our own values on "what it's worth" for a mod, or a whole vehicle. The A4 is my daily commuter that I want fun, but more importantly, day-in-day-out reliable. An RS6 may be in my future, and that will be a toy worth more tinkering. Stock it's a 12-second beast. I like that for a starting point. Again... to each their own.

[vce1232000]

[wrench]mods on a car is an addiction[drool]. Buts its a choice[=(]. "Whats in your wallet[confused]". A true car enthusiast never leaves anything stock[hail] [az]

[mec]

For what some guys have put in to an A4, I'd have money left over to cover those items. How many reliable 400hp+ A4's are out there? To each their own, and we each set our own values on "what it's worth" for a mod, or a whole vehicle. The A4 is my daily commuter that I want fun, but more importantly, day-in-day-out reliable. An RS6 may be in my future, and that will be a toy worth more tinkering. Stock it's a 12-second beast. I like that for a starting point. Again... to each their own.

Not bad at all, just needs a manual swap!

[aluthman]

For what some guys have put in to an A4, I'd have money left over to cover those items. How many reliable 400hp+ A4's are out there? To each their own, and we each set our own values on "what it's worth" for a mod, or a whole vehicle. The A4 is my daily commuter that I want fun, but more importantly, day-in-day-out reliable. An RS6 may be in my future, and that will be a toy worth more tinkering. Stock it's a 12-second beast. I like that for a starting point. Again... to each their own.

Granted, I'm a ways off of 400hp, but the only issues I've had with my car since the build were a flat tire and I had to bleed the clutch slave. Aside from that, it has been 100% drivable since the first start on the new engine.

[4rings5stars]

I've only had mine since early April 2013...
Damn! Quite some improvement in such a short time!


I can't afford a wallet.
LOL!

[Kubus]

Dropped a bunch of money on maintenance today and at the end of last month (2.3K to be exact) which hurts a bit but I wouldn't trade this car for anything (except a newer Audi)

[$nooze]

I can't afford a wallet.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
I was gonna say the same thing. Lol.

bought my love for 22k plus applicable taxes and interest two years ago. Usual services, tires and maintenance I've spent $1200 on rims and tires for summer and another $600 for winter tires $500 for parts to do the tb, $450 on a new hpfp, $200 on coils and a couple sets of spark plugs, $150 on the dv has the rubber now have the piston, $250 for a new battery, $150 for cam follower and labor to switch and that's it I believe. I've only spent $4k on actual mods; consisting of coilovers, exhaust and tune. All in all I would have wasted my money elsewhere and not have something tangible to enjoy over and over. I stopped going out and clubbing to fund my car.

[wildcat333]

^ almost exactly same everything for me.

[Obsidian]

Purchased mine with 68k miles bone stock nearly 2 years ago for $13,000~ w/ tax, title and registration. Currently have about....

$599 - APR tune
$750 - Control arms & labor
$54 - aFe dry flow filter
$245 - Blower motor
$70 - Diverter Valve (Revision D)
$49 - Cam Follower
$180 - 034 test pipe w/ Ceramic coating
$180 - 034 motor mounts (street)
$100~ - Misc.

Grand total - $2,227.00~

This is the first first I really added it up and I'm pretty pleased since the tune and control arms foot most of the bill.

[Dat Black Kid]

My biggest so far, was replacing the turbo and exhaust manifold for $1000. Then the catalytic converter for $792! The TB was around $600 +/-...converted UK price. I think I'll have the most CO efficient vehicle here. Hahah


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[konarider94]

My biggest expense was replacing the 6spd manual trans that went bad on me. Doesn't seem to be a normal problem though.
That was about $850 + $230 new oem clutch + $120 gear oil for trans and rear diff(replaced that fluid at same time for kicks). ~$1200 for that day
And the next was timing belt ~$350 in parts and half a days work.
Did both of those within the past month at 102-103k miles.

Mods are mods, I don't count those as maintenance costs.

[Tanner]

58 months off warranty, averaging about $210CDN on maintenance/repairs (excluding tires). Biggest was doing the timing belt, intake valve cleaning and oil change, and the tech working on my car (at the dealer) broke the turbo coolant hose and I had to pay for it (was really not too happy about that one).

[papadelogan]

the tech working on my car (at the dealer) broke the turbo coolant hose and I had to pay for it (was really not too happy about that one).

you got FUKKED Mr. Canuck. How does a tech break something on your car and you pay for it?

[Tanner]

Oh I know. They claimed that hose couldn't be removed without being damaged. I talked to another tech that works at an independent shop and he mentioned that it is possible to remove it without damaging it. At any rate, Audi has a newer revision for that part that is completely redesigned so it's easier to remove without damaging anything.

[Tanner]

Oh here's a better one. Had the car at an independent shop to get something repaired when something broke. What was that something?

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6046/6352399278_be83df3ea0_b.jpg

That's a vacuum line and it broke. Notice anything different with it? Yes, somebody tried to jbweld it back together.

There's only two places where I take my car. The dealer in the past and an independent shop now for everything. When the car's at the independent shop I'm not sitting in the waiting room but out in the shop talking with the guys and watch them work on it (not because I don't trust them but interested in the work and the shop talk). So that leaves only one possible place where it was broken, at the dealer.

I told the dealer about this, granted that it happened over a year ago so I knew full well nothing would be done. They didn't even say "it could be possible, we'll look into it" but came off very defensive. So I ordered the part from the parts dept and fixed it myself.

[mr_pulido88]

I bought the car on July 2013
'07 A4 S-line Dolphin gray, 99k miles for $11,000.
So far the biggest expense has been the timing belt, I spent around $650. Aside from that, just other maintenance stuff like an oil change, new coils, Air filter, PS fluid, tires.
And then some cosmetic expenses like LED interior lighting, LED DRL's, blacking out chrome trim/emblems/wheels, etc.
No actual mods yet, I'm saving up for that.

[4rings5stars]

Oh here's a better one. Had the car at an independent shop to get something repaired when something broke. What was that something?

That's a vacuum line and it broke. Notice anything different with it? Yes, somebody tried to jbweld it back together.

There's only two places where I take my car. The dealer in the past and an independent shop now for everything. When the car's at the independent shop I'm not sitting in the waiting room but out in the shop talking with the guys and watch them work on it (not because I don't trust them but interested in the work and the shop talk). So that leaves only one possible place where it was broken, at the dealer.

I told the dealer about this, granted that it happened over a year ago so I knew full well nothing would be done. They didn't even say "it could be possible, we'll look into it" but came off very defensive. So I ordered the part from the parts dept and fixed it myself.


What every cost-conscious Audi owner should be doing, IMHO

[CHOLOKID]

Brilliant Red 2007 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0T 6MT
Bought on 2013 Halloween night.
Wallet empty...within 30 hrs of owning the chain broke off the cam...cam was chewed up, bad pump, bad fowler and damaged head...etc..etc.
Lucky the bottom end lived. [headbang]
So rebuilt the head, did tb/wp and all new fluids and gaskets while i was at it. [wrench]
BUT this being said...i blame catastrophic failure, bad luck and the partially the previous owner.
I still LOVE my car and its been amazing through this harsh winter here in Toronto [:D] its now like a brand new car. Exterior and interior are immaculate as well [:)]

my camshaft broke out of no were. bend 4 intake valves, new valves rebuilt head, good thing my bottom save too. thats mine so far [=(] but i still love her [:D] more than my wife. dont tell her lol[>_<]

[Macky]

The leather's breaking in nicely.

[RustyBucket]

What every cost-conscious Audi owner should be doing, IMHO
Or take it a step further and if it's not an Audi-specific part, get it from the VW dealer instead

[4rings5stars]

Or take it a step further and if it's not an Audi-specific part, get it from the VW dealer instead

Like we used to do with pinch bolts back in the day!

[red_eh_4]

Bought mine roughly 2 yrs ago for $17k and change with 46k miles. 10k miles and 6 months later I ended up working with my local dealer to replace the long block and necessary parts after I broke down with a shaking car and blinking CEL...no explanations could be given (car was serviced by one owner by my local dealer with a good rep) for around $3.8k. Just last year I had to do the DV and other than tires and oil changes I've been good (knock on whatever you believe in) with no issues and she seems to be running well, now at ~78k miles. I'm saving up for TB, Serp, and other necessary maintenance and a few goodies like Coilovers, rims, tires, and tune, but I figure with the long block rebuild and hardware I should be good hopefully to go another 78k before I get rid of her. Thinking about going for a 2014 335i xdrive BMW around 2017 CPO. The new slight design and interior changes look beautiful... and although I've loved my first Audi so far, being able to buy a CPO German Engineered masterpiece in the sports sedan realm for $30k with stock 300hp twin-turbo v6 is making me drool. [cool]

[Jay-Bee]

I had my A4 for 2 years and 3 months.

I bought:
Nokian winter tires
several oil changes
Cam follower
4 coilpacks
8 spark plugs
AEM intake
Front filler plate
Fuel and a TON of car washes

IM flap motor, HPFP thrust sensor, PCV and valve cover gasket were all done under warranty.

It was the financing and insurance that hurt my wallet, as these vehicles go for a pretty penny up here, especially a 6MT Avant.

[80sGuy]

As my arms get shorter, my pockets get deeper!