A complete n00b

[i_c_the_light]

Hi everyone, I trying to get myself educated here. I'm eyeing up a 2002 A4 1.T wagon with 90,000km on the odo and just got a couple of questions.

At 90,000km, what is likely to let go on these cars? What should I be looking out for as potential signs of future trouble when I finally man up and actually decide I want to throw money at another car?

How solid and reliable is the 1.8T further on down the road, assuming no abuse is given?

What kind of fuel economy should I be expecting? I'm used to a turbo Legacy that does 20L/100km, so surely it'll be FAR better, right?

Is it a nice ride around town? What about open road crusing?


I'm pretty sure I could come up with plenty more, but will wait till the time gets closer.

TIA!

[Boosted3.0]

Search

[i_c_the_light]

Search

Too lazy. Plus I don't even know where to start.


The similarities with NASIOC are there, I'm going to love this place when (or if) I get this A4.

[illaudiill]

Hi everyone, I trying to get myself educated here. I'm eyeing up a 2002 A4 1.T wagon with 90,000km on the odo and just got a couple of questions.

At 90,000km, what is likely to let go on these cars? What should I be looking out for as potential signs of future trouble when I finally man up and actually decide I want to throw money at another car?

How solid and reliable is the 1.8T further on down the road, assuming no abuse is given?

What kind of fuel economy should I be expecting? I'm used to a turbo Legacy that does 20L/100km, so surely it'll be FAR better, right?

Is it a nice ride around town? What about open road crusing?


I'm pretty sure I could come up with plenty more, but will wait till the time gets closer.

TIA!

well the audi is a fine car. if it has 90k on it....def check Timing belt/fuel pump/brakes/ coils & packs....1.8t pretty reliable wen stock. ull prolly get 27 MPG with the 1.8t. also make sure u get the 5-speed..

[trueno429]

get a 6 speed if you can..i LOVE my 6speed

[illaudiill]

thats rare.....i see alot of people with 6 speed 1.8ts but I never ever actually see any...why is that..its that like a 2003.5/2004.5/2005.5 thing?

[i_c_the_light]

well the audi is a fine car. if it has 90k on it....def check Timing belt/fuel pump/brakes/ coils & packs....1.8t pretty reliable wen stock. ull prolly get 27 MPG with the 1.8t. also make sure u get the 5-speed..

Well the one I'm eyeing up is an auto, going completely against my natural car buying behaviour. But I the GF factor too (she's pushing for me to give her some basic driving lessons). However the Legacy will be too much of a steep learning curve for her tootling around town with the heavy clutch pedal and the power output. I have an agenda here too, she won't know about the turbocharger, all she sees is "1.8". I haven't purchased a naturally aspirated car in 4 years! Coil packs you say? I'm used to changing those on a regular basis and maintenance isn't so much of an issue for me because I do a lot of it myself currently.

[illaudiill]

Well the one I'm eyeing up is an auto, going completely against my natural car buying behaviour. But I the GF factor too (she's pushing for me to give her some basic driving lessons). However the Legacy will be too much of a steep learning curve for her tootling around town with the heavy clutch pedal and the power output. I have an agenda here too, she won't know about the turbocharger, all she sees is "1.8". I haven't purchased a naturally aspirated car in 4 years! Coil packs you say? I'm used to changing those on a regular basis and maintenance isn't so much of an issue for me because I do a lot of it myself currently.

yea well there easy to change....thing is 90k if they havent been changed look foward to changing them.

[i_c_the_light]

Anything is easier than changing coilpacks/plugs on a Subaru.


To really show how much of a n00b I am, after having a nosey in the gallery forum, I realise that in fact the 1.8T is a B5, but it's registered as a 2002...was 2002 the change over year from the B5 to B6? Or am I way off?

[wolfdog]

Too lazy. Plus I don't even know where to start.

Too lazy to search? I lurked here for months before I dared make a post and get flamed for being lazy. Nice set of balls you got there.

Ask about timing belt being done (do early, ~80k miles, as a DIY or at a euro shop), check for rear coolant flange and ECT sensor leak with your hand, look at coilpacks to see if they are revision L or R (higher letter = newer = more reliable), large oil filter and always synthetic history, battery may be due (though mine is still original). Check tire wear if it's a quattro, new ones may be due. I get 400+ miles mixed city/highway per tank with mods. I hear avant rear windshields may shatter in cold weather so poke around there but don't take my word for it.

Glad I'm not too lazy to answer and help a noob... ya fairy!

[Exanimas]

Too lazy to search? I lurked here for months before I dared make a post and get flamed for being lazy. Nice set of balls you got there.

Haha, at least he admits it. Unlike some people who will say "I searched" yet a carbon copy of their thread is pretty much on the first page.

And about the coilpacks on these cars, they're so easy to change it's ridiculous.

[i_c_the_light]

Too lazy to search? I lurked here for months before I dared make a post and get flamed for being lazy. Nice set of balls you got there.

I'm spend a lot of time on NASIOC, so I was prepared for similar replies.


I'm hoping a mod will move this thread to the B5 section so I don't have to make a new thread and then get flamed for cross posting.

[wolfdog]

2002 = B6, FYI.

I have no idea what NASIOC is but welcome to the forums.

[widgget]

you said it's an auto. the question is: is the car FWD or Quattro?

FWD uses the Multitronic or CVT transmission. this transmission runs like a snowmobile belt system where there is only one "gear". the computer provides you with 6 "shift points" which just make it jump to a certain position so it feel like you are shifting, but when you are in D it's just a long continues pull from 0 to 100, no gear shifting. the problem with the CVT is that it can not be upgraded to handle anything more then a basic stage 1 ECU upgrade. anymore and your risking having to replace a $8000 transmission.

If you have Quattro (AWD) then the car has a Tiptronic transmission.
This is the better of the two autos (of course most people say go manual, but everyone has their reasons). The tiptronic transmission has 5 real gears and is able to handle more power then the CVT. if you need even more you can have the valve body and TQ converter upgraded for about $1300ish. but unless your going really big that won't be necessary, we have many stage 3 cars running on stock tiptronic transmission (myself being one of them).

bottom line is this: If it's a CVT don't buy it!

the car is slow in stock form with it's little tiny turbo, minivans will easly take you on a strightaway. so keep in mind that you will likley want to go atleast with a stage 1 ECU flash, but honestly, noone ever stops there

[ApexIt]

the 1.8t engine is prone to producing sludge if the owner doesnt follow strict engine oil replacement guidelines. The car you are thinking of buying seems to have a fair bit of mileage on it so take a look into that. On the cruising note, I find the car great. I made two 1500 mile round trips and felt pretty good (as did my passengers). The only flaw would be the drivers seat. After sitting in it for a while, it gets a bit uncomfortable. But for everyday use, its great. FYI, seats are useless if you plan to track the car.

[i_c_the_light]

2002 = B6, FYI.

I have no idea what NASIOC is but welcome to the forums.

Confuses me. B5 is the older version with the not so rounded headlights? Well this is what I'm eyeing up - From what little I know it IS a B5 but it's registered as a 2002. Prolly just a weird thing. What's even more hilarious is that it came from Japan...so it's a JDM Audi!
BTW NASIOC is the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club...so basically the US Subaru forum. NASIOC own OT raided here a wee while ago when some muppet posted videos of him doing stupid speeds in his Audi, and it turned into a massive stalker-fest. Hilarity ensued. Once we invaded Audizine we realised that not all Audi drivers are tools and think your OTters are pretty cool. - I was there - I saw the awesomeness unfold.

[i_c_the_light]

you said it's an auto. the question is: is the car FWD or Quattro?

FWD uses the Multitronic or CVT transmission. this transmission runs like a snowmobile belt system where there is only one "gear". the computer provides you with 6 "shift points" which just make it jump to a certain position so it feel like you are shifting, but when you are in D it's just a long continues pull from 0 to 100, no gear shifting. the problem with the CVT is that it can not be upgraded to handle anything more then a basic stage 1 ECU upgrade. anymore and your risking having to replace a $8000 transmission.

If you have Quattro (AWD) then the car has a Tiptronic transmission.
This is the better of the two autos (of course most people say go manual, but everyone has their reasons). The tiptronic transmission has 5 real gears and is able to handle more power then the CVT. if you need even more you can have the valve body and TQ converter upgraded for about $1300ish. but unless your going really big that won't be necessary, we have many stage 3 cars running on stock tiptronic transmission (myself being one of them).

bottom line is this: If it's a CVT don't buy it!

the car is slow in stock form with it's little tiny turbo, minivans will easly take you on a strightaway. so keep in mind that you will likley want to go atleast with a stage 1 ECU flash, but honestly, noone ever stops there

No it's a Quattro. I live by the motto "Friends don't let friends get FWD" and I wouldn't buy one. Hey I drive one when I'm working though ('06 Nissan Micra) and while it's fun to induce some wheel spin in the wet, I'd rather prefer AWD. I seriously doubt any mods will happen, since I do own a Legacy that's getting attention from me, and is a long term sleeper project. Because I've been too lazy to whack it on a dyno, I can only estimate 200AWHP @ 9PSI, and it won't be far off it when I do get some actually figures. Lord knows what it puts out at 14, which is what I normally have it at and torque is anyones guess.

[i_c_the_light]

the 1.8t engine is prone to producing sludge if the owner doesnt follow strict engine oil replacement guidelines. The car you are thinking of buying seems to have a fair bit of mileage on it so take a look into that. On the cruising note, I find the car great. I made two 1500 mile round trips and felt pretty good (as did my passengers). The only flaw would be the drivers seat. After sitting in it for a while, it gets a bit uncomfortable. But for everyday use, its great. FYI, seats are useless if you plan to track the car.

Yeah I'm shocking with the Legacy when it comes to oil changes. I tend to forget and then buy the oil and filter, then procrastinate. Then when I do decide to do it, it rains and I nobody wants to let me use their garage! Remember that is is 90,000 kilometres and not miles on the odometer.

It'll be odd for me, as I always have owned old cars. I newest car I have owned was built in 1990, the oldest was 1986. I enjoy them more. Something about them attracts me. I'm enticed to old bombs. So getting a car made within the last 10 years will be a huge thing for me. I think it's my subconcious telling me "It's time you actually got a nice car for once. Stop being such a knob and just do it!"

[AudiA4_20T]

Confuses me. B5 is the older version with the not so rounded headlights? Well this is what I'm eyeing up - From what little I know it IS a B5 but it's registered as a 2002. Prolly just a weird thing. What's even more hilarious is that it came from Japan...so it's a JDM Audi!
BTW NASIOC is the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club...so basically the US Subaru forum. NASIOC own OT raided here a wee while ago when some muppet posted videos of him doing stupid speeds in his Audi, and it turned into a massive stalker-fest. Hilarity ensued. Once we invaded Audizine we realised that not all Audi drivers are tools and think your OTters are pretty cool. - I was there - I saw the awesomeness unfold.

lol that was a classic... Amazing what people can do nowadays... Anyway, yes I dont know if we have that rep but Ive found that in the audi community (this does not include VW), most of the guys are cool as hell... There are some douchebags with STIs also though lol...

[a4maverick]

As far as maintenance goes the vehicle should be plenty fine its only got 56,000 miles on it. Timing belt and water pump are suggested for 70k miles or earlier so the problem is there in the immediate future.

In my opinion driving my a4 around town is fun with a couple mods it can look and perform also open road driving like the highway is great due to the 1.8's decent torque.

[wolfdog]

Confuses me. B5 is the older version with the not so rounded headlights? Well this is what I'm eyeing up - From what little I know it IS a B5 but it's registered as a 2002. Prolly just a weird thing. What's even more hilarious is that it came from Japan...so it's a JDM Audi!
BTW NASIOC is the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club...so basically the US Subaru forum. NASIOC own OT raided here a wee while ago when some muppet posted videos of him doing stupid speeds in his Audi, and it turned into a massive stalker-fest. Hilarity ensued. Once we invaded Audizine we realised that not all Audi drivers are tools and think your OTters are pretty cool. - I was there - I saw the awesomeness unfold.

Ah, 2002 = B6 in America. If it's a foreign 2002 then I have no idea. IT very well could be a B5. Check Wiki, they always have a nice breakdown of models and years. I learned a bit about VWs using that site (among many other things).

[ApexIt]

Yeah I'm shocking with the Legacy when it comes to oil changes. I tend to forget and then buy the oil and filter, then procrastinate. Then when I do decide to do it, it rains and I nobody wants to let me use their garage! Remember that is is 90,000 kilometres and not miles on the odometer.

It'll be odd for me, as I always have owned old cars. I newest car I have owned was built in 1990, the oldest was 1986. I enjoy them more. Something about them attracts me. I'm enticed to old bombs. So getting a car made within the last 10 years will be a huge thing for me. I think it's my subconcious telling me "It's time you actually got a nice car for once. Stop being such a knob and just do it!"

yeah, i noticed its in kilometers not miles. i bought my car with 50k miles on it and it turns out it had sludge im in the process of using the auto rx treatment (which some people have had good experience with) so hopeully that will make things a bit better. basically, its still possible its got sludge.

[i_c_the_light]

It's likely I'll be taking it for a test drive (read=thrash) tomorrow. I decided to wander onto the dealership yard wearing super casual clothes and was ambushed by a salesman. Turns out this A4 has been sitting there for a while and wanted me to drive it then and there. I actually would've if I didn't have to pick up the GF in 15 minutes and it wasn't peak hour traffic. Just confirming it is a B6, as they have an identical (sans colour) one there and it's a 2003 - was in the right place the whole time.

Showed the girl afterwards and she was all about it and a tad sceptical about buying a car, but then when I said she'd be driving it more than me. Partly true. I told her it would be fine because it'll be cheaper to mod the Legacy than the Audi.

[ApexIt]

Showed the girl afterwards and she was all about it and a tad sceptical about buying a car, but then when I said she'd be driving it more than me. Partly true. I told her it would be fine because it'll be cheaper to mod the Legacy than the Audi.

haha now theres an argument for getting the car. Once you drive the car, you wont want to sit/drive in anything less.

[i_c_the_light]

lol trust me. The Legacy looks like a POS. it's got a bit of rust, the lifters tick, the interior is in pieces. The difference is it'll walk over most STi's on the strip when the boost gets wound up.

[Audi_Doody]

thats rare.....i see alot of people with 6 speed 1.8ts but I never ever actually see any...why is that..its that like a 2003.5/2004.5/2005.5 thing?

Not 100% sure but I got a 6spd and it's a 2004.5 if that helps.

[SleeperAvant]

You won't need to do the timing belt change until 120,000 kilometres. As stated above, sludge is an issue that should be checked, take off your valve cover and inspect cams, bearings for any signs of obvious sludging, and wear on the parts. Check to see previous history of all service intervals and its receipts.

[i_c_the_light]

SOME BASTARD BET ME TO IT!!!

I just rang the salesman to organise a test drive, and he sadly informed me that someone rang up after I left yesterday and bought it then and there. But don't worries, there is a that black one I mentioned before!

[SleeperAvant]

Good luck on your hunt for the perfect A4

[i_c_the_light]

I could do a Jeremy Clarkson and be a total knob about the whole experience and tell the salesman how horrible it is as I'm driving. I'll compare it to a mid '80s Toyota Corolla.

Then take off in my boat handling 1990 Legacy, crunching 3rd and going PPPSSSSTTTTT.


All because some tosspot bought a car I was after over the phone.

[i_c_the_light]

To make matters worse, some other sod has come in and bought the black one, a mere 2 days after the silver one went. Both before I could even get a test drive in.


I give up!