Scared to buy B7

[kxl77]

So I've been looking into buying a new car, and I've pondered the idea of picking up a 2006/2007 Audi A4 2.0T.

Problem is, it really seems that every corner I turn I find a negative comment about the reliability of this vehicle or something breaking on the car. Which REALLY scares me since I need something reliable for work. I really want AWD due to my commute and I'd pick up a 05+ Subaru Legacy GT but they're hard to come by (05 + stick + leather)

What do you guys think of the reliability? Engine? Transmission? Electronics?

Thanks :)

[Louis J.]

Frankly, I'm not sure where you're reading this info but these cars are very reliable, much more so that BMWs and MBs.

There are a number of kids on AZ who have beat on their cars and then post complaining about something they've broken as a result of trashing on their cars. That doesn't mean these cars are unreliable or fragile.

[A4_Joe]

Make sure if you buy the vehicle it's CPO vehicle from a dealer. They do check out their vehicle before they CPO the car. Such as engine, transmission, electrical... etc

As Louis J. stated he is correct other ppls beat their car and complaint that it broke or something is wrong but it their fault for causing that. If you take care of your car the car will take care of you.

[AudiWxGuy]

The A4 gets a good review from Consumer Reports.

[chaze]

Make sure if you buy the vehicle it's CPO vehicle from a dealer. They do check out their vehicle before they CPO the car. Such as engine, transmission, electrical... etc

As Louis J. stated he is correct other ppls beat their car and complaint that it broke or something is wrong but it their fault for causing that. If you take care of your car the car will take care of you.

x2 on that. I just bought CPO and as a result have a great warranty package should anything go wrong.

good luck,

[Glassnpowder98]

Louis J has a good point. Also this is a car forum, people come on here for advice and help fixing problems. Therefore, it is much more likely for someone to post about an issue they are having than for someone to post praising the reliability... There are thousands of people on these boards so it's likely that you will see some issues. Unfortunately no company makes a car in which every unit that rolls off the factory floor is 100% reliable...

[nramsey]

I think alot of the negative reviews come from people who are used to having an appliance car...ie Honda or Toyota. People who appreciate that kind of car are looking for something that never raises their blood pressure, for good or bad. I've always been of the opinion that you have to "pay to play" so to speak. With rare exceptions, I find that most cars that hold my interest require a bit more attention.

Expect to run into a few odd issues with any German car. But between these issues you will likely enjoy your car so much more than other "more reliable" cars. Kind of like a fine suit...you can't just throw it in the washing machine, but sometimes that's the price you pay for quality...they require quality upkeep.

[Bigswoll61]

The only problem I've had with my 08 B7 are the shitty tires that come on the car. 2 flats in 6 months.

[Overboostin]

As anything, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Get the records.

[Great White]

I had mine for a year, 6 months of it with APR 93, and 0 problems.

[CoreyRandmetz]

As anything, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Get the records.

Good advice Lou,
2 and a half years of non excessive abuse has equaled no serious issues. i have yet to have the glove box fail on me, dispite the numerous uses due to pull overs...coil packs have served me well thru 40k miles, suspension is still riding strong (non s-line or sport), cold start issues are at a minimal, etc etc...car has treated me right because i treat it right...the best advice that i can give...dont abuse it and it wont abuse your wallet.

[akasch]

I would say they are pretty reliable. I have had no problems besides my glovebox falling off, but the dealership fixed it for free.

[jdubbs119]

Make sure if you buy the vehicle it's CPO vehicle from a dealer. They do check out their vehicle before they CPO the car. Such as engine, transmission, electrical... etc

99 percent of the time they don't even pop the hood.

[Brent27]

i have had my car for over a year and half, no problems yet just expensive oil changes...a lot of the maintenance on these cars is preventive stuff, as others said you'll hear about the bad but no one gets on here to talk about how nothing is wrong with their car....


As a daily driver the A4 2.0T gets great gas mileage on the hwy and is a enjoyable ride, I loved having my A4 in buffalo in the winter, nothing seemed unbearable.....

[supamannn99]

ive been chipped for only 15k miles and i've had the following problems:

fuel pump, DV, fuel sensor, Positive Crankcase Ventilation failure, and cam lobe wear leading to fuel cut. i hate this car and i'm getting rid of it for an sti probably

[Element]

99 percent of the time they don't even pop the hood.

Yep thats why my dealer CPOed my car for free. They didnt even find the bald worn tires or the scratches in the windshield. Needless to say i picked a different car off the lot.

[a4dc89]

Just dont buy a 2005.5/2006 the fuel pump and cam issue is more than anyone wants to deal with, even under your warranty

[Audi007]

ive been chipped for only 15k miles and i've had the following problems:

fuel pump, DV, fuel sensor, Positive Crankcase Ventilation failure, and cam lobe wear leading to fuel cut. i hate this car and i'm getting rid of it for an sti probably

thats your problem

[Audi007]

the B7 was consumer reports recommended

maintenance and how you treat your car is key, the manual even says constant WOT and harsh driving will cause the cars parts to wear faster

[davis449]

I maintain the shit out of my car. I have been chipped for a year and half and stage II for 6 mos. I blew the DV (normal) and the PCV (normal) That's it. I consider that pretty damn reliable compared to the Mercedes I used to have.

[{PMS}fishy]

Just dont buy a 2005.5/2006 the fuel pump and cam issue is more than anyone wants to deal with, even under your warranty

No kidding. Took the dealer a month to fix mine.

[minameismud]

they only major (if you can call them that) issues i've had are due to stupid things i did/installed/"fixed".

that said, if you're looking for AWD with the reliability of a JDM, check out the Toyota Venza. it's based off the camry and highlander, comes with AWD, and probably has more interior room than an a4 avant. review here: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/rev...-toyota-venza/

[Latin Audi]

I have an 05.5 as my daily and only had the DV valve go. But when I replaced it, it was revision B and they are now on G so it was a bit outdated. As always if you take care of your ride, it will take care of you.

[SEXICÄN]

I have had 2 B7's and both i have put over 100k with little to no problems. only thing i had was a DV and fuel pump

[A4_Joe]

Yep thats why my dealer CPOed my car for free. They didnt even find the bald worn tires or the scratches in the windshield. Needless to say i picked a different car off the lot.

lol I do. I make sure p/s, oil, coolant & brake fluid level is good. Make sure nothing is leaking & check all the hoses.

[jdubbs119]

Yep thats why my dealer CPOed my car for free. They didnt even find the bald worn tires or the scratches in the windshield. Needless to say i picked a different car off the lot.

yeah its really ridiculous, i guess you sort of have to get lucky, i did, i bought a used demo with a few thousand miles. But if they get a car, and it looks like a car, theyll put it out there.

[chaze]

99 percent of the time they don't even pop the hood.

The CPO folder I got with mine had the "inspection checklist" they used and it seemed like kind of a joke. Two pages of boxes checked "satisfactory", nothing needed remediation? Course they probably just assumed it was perfect since there were only 12k miles on it.

[Types Cnversion]

dont do it.

[Types Cnversion]

all these guys here saying its a good car this that, most of them were the first owner. Its at your own risk if you want to pick up a used one or a lease return. aint worth it budd

[redkid's b6]

you should be scarred its a dangerous car. lol. Audi's are very reliable. and if you plan to buy an 06 or 07 the car should be under warranty so you have nothing to be worried about

[quattro.it]

Hey that 'Vezna's cute! I only have 15k on my '07 and I think Audi has replaced all the coil packs. The PCV has been replaced twice. These are common problems. One headlight had the TSB performed on it to reduce/eliminate the condensation issue. I haven't had to replace the DV yet. At least all of this has been under warranty. I had an early VW Touareg for ~8 months and talk about a maintenance and reliability nightmare. I'll never buy VW again.

If you buy a pre-owned A4 just be sure it's a CPO. Audi has the best CPO program in the industry. Basically you end up with a 6 year/100k factory warranty.

[4RingRook]

I've put 15k on mine so far this year (bought it with 12k - '07), and the only thing I've had replaced is the PCV, which is a common problem in our cars.

It's been said, but a forum is a place where people come for help with their problems. It's not an accurate depiction of the car. I'm not sure what other reviews you're using outside of this forum.

Audi's are very reliable cars if taken care of properly.

[toxxin]

i just bought an 07 with 34k miles exactly one month ago and not a single problem with the car. it was an off-lease and got a great deal on it and im loving it. i had the oil and cabin filter changed and will be doing the rest of the 35k service myself and doing preventive things to it. really you should check the car well before you buy it or have a mechanic look at it the dealer will not mind if he really wants to make the sale.