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Any Audi fans here? - pinkoos - 01-10-2012
Looking for a replacement for my Acura TL. Kinda want to try something other than Honda/Acura/Toyata/Lexus/Infiniti, etc. and would really like a European car.
Am thinking either of an A5 or an A4. The approaching middle age, mid-life crisis in me wants the A5, but the father of two family man in me is telling me A4.
For the uninitiated, an A5 is essentially a 2 door A4.
I've heard of general reliability issues as related to European cars, but nothing specific to Audi, etc. From the brief research I've done so far, both these models seem to fare pretty high up.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - Lew Zealand - 01-10-2012
At Consumer Reports the A4 gets average reliability, which sets it pretty high among European cars. Their biggest complaint is that the rear seat is small, otherwise it has a lot of upsides. When I read C&D they consistently rave about Audi designs.
When not raving about BMWs.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - SteveO - 01-10-2012
Between the A5 and A4, I'd go A5 all the way. They're both gorgeous, but this may be the last time you'ill be looking at coupes. Hey, none of us are getting any younger!
I also drive an Acura but I'm a huge Audi fan. I looked at the TT ragtop several years ago (I'm 6'1" and it just didn't fit me right, the top ws bar was right in my line of vision) and have had my eye on the A3 and A5 for a few years now.
Beautiful rides all, but know going in that you can and should expect some electronic goblins. An online acquaintance of mine has an A5 and loves it. He has also told me that sometimes the windows don't go all the way up, or otherwise malfunction. He considers it routine and can live with it. He loves everything else and says the B&O stereo is probably the best he's ever heard.
Another friend of 20+ years has a VW CC (sporty Passat...VW and Audi have many shared parts/architectures). He recently told me that the headlights randomly go out and won't come back on. He's taken it to the dealer several times but they can't seem to fix it. This is a huge, huge safety issue and I'm surprised there hasn't been a recall. Who knows, maybe it's not that widespread but the fact they can't fix it speaks volumes about their QC.
These malfunctions imo are unconscionable. I could see them happening 30-40 years ago when auto tech wasn't what it is today. But not now. So until I go drive an A5 and fall in love with it, the goblins are not my bag. And so I shall continue to drool at Audis from the other side of the glass!
You might get more info from some Audi forums (be prepared to drink the Kool-Aid) and Edmunds and Yahoo Autos boards. I have found Edmunds and yahoo reviewers to be a little more unbiased and truth-telling when it comes to problems. This is a high-end car, though, so you may not find many people publicly admitting issues.
(Incidentally, if you get an Audi, please PM me and tell me how wonderful it is so I can drool some more.)
Re: Any Audi fans here? - Buzz - 01-10-2012
Go big, or go home... you NEED the S8.
per C&D:
The Audi S8 is built with the North American market in mind: 30 percent of total production is sold here. But was the car engineered for this market or for the autobahn? After two days behind the wheel, it seems that the answer is both.
The new Audi A8 is a behemoth, meaning the S8, even though it is available only with a short wheelbase, is also huge. An aluminum-intensive body and structure help keep weight to about 4400 pounds, a little bit heavier than the Jaguar XJ Supersport but 600 or so pounds lighter than the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG.
The last S8 was powered by a high-revving, naturally aspirated, 5.2-liter V-10, an engine that seemed somewhat out of place in a luxury sedan. This one is propelled by a 4.0-liter V-8 force-fed by two IHI turbochargers. This powerplant may be smaller, but it is far more powerful—520 hp versus the previous model’s 450—and has tremendous torque: 479 lb-ft, available from 1700 to 5500 rpm, compared with 398 in the last car. This is great news for the S8’s straight-line performance. It should need only four seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, an improvement of more than a full second over the previous generation. Top speed again is governed at 155 mph. Under throttle, the S8 emits a delicate growl that grows in volume and urgency as the redline nears, but it is never loud. Speed compounds so quickly and discreetly that lengthy and costly roadside lectures from authority figures—like the one we encountered while driving the S8 in provincial Spain—seem almost inevitable.
In addition to cutting cylinder count and reducing displacement, Audi fitted the 2013 S8’s engine with cylinder deactivation. Thanks to active engine mounts that dampen unwanted vibrations and a noise-cancellation system that uses the car’s stereo, we never felt the switch from four- to eight-cylinder operation. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic. Even though you can play with the transmission a bit with the paddles on the steering column, we predict most drivers will give up sooner or later and leave the work to the slushbox.
Although there’s a 40/60-percent front-to-rear torque split and you can steer the S8 with the gas pedal on loose gravel, it would be a mistake to confuse this 4400-pounder with a sports car. On tarmac, understeer is the order of the day. Moreover, there is considerable body roll. The “drive select” system, which allows you to modify throttle response, damper stiffness, steering weight, and exhaust sound, includes a dynamic setting, but we wish it were far more dynamic. As it is, we found the sporty mode to be too similar to the comfort and auto settings. Granted, the (heavier) S63 exhibits similar limitations, but we expected the Audi to be far better.
Like most of Audi’s performance derivatives, the S8’s styling is only subtly differentiated from the regular A8’s. The most obvious changes are the standard 20-inch wheels—21s are available—the aluminum mirror caps, and the grille detailing. The lower air intakes are modified, and the exhaust exits the car through four tailpipes instead of two. U.S. pricing is not yet finalized, but expect a sticker north of $100,000.
As a fast, capable executive rocket, the S8 absolutely satisfies. But if you’re looking for a size-XL sports sedan, the Jaguar XJ Supersport or the Porsche Panamera Turbo might be more your (cornering) speed.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - mikebw - 01-10-2012
I suspect if you go with a new model that has a warranty you should be OK. Would advise against going used unless you have proof of a through maintenance history.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - Z - 01-10-2012
Volvo V70R - sleeper wagon without the Audi electrical gremlins (or so I hear). Only not available new anymore... therefore no steep depreciation curve!: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2007/04/volvo-v70r-awd/
Re: Any Audi fans here? - weapon - 01-10-2012
Great styling but amazing amount of electrical problems.
Friend of mine just got rid of her a4 due to the gremlins.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - Lux Interior - 01-10-2012
Drove a rented A6 wagon from Paris to Rome. Nice car. Kinda boring. What really pissed me off was the it had a proprietary connector instead of a USB port in the center console. I had to dig into my bag of tricks and find the bluetooth dongle for my iPod Classic. Good thing it has a long battery life. Not really an issue if you are the owner, though.
No steering wheel buttons for the cruise, either. They were on a short stalk on the left just below the turn signal stalk. Kept flashing the high beams instead of accelerating/decelerating.
Re: Any Audi fans here? - NewtonMP2100 - 01-10-2012
.....thought AUDI makes cars......???
.....they make FANS too.....?????
Re: Any Audi fans here? - bhaveshp - 01-10-2012
My sister had an A4 a decade back. It was great for 3 years and then a nightmare cost-wise to maintain.
Funny, she switched to an Acura TL.
Personally, the new A7 looks pretty sweet.