looking at buying an A4 quattro

**tassie_euro_mk1** · 03-01-2007, 07:40 AM

Hey everyone.

The time is coming to look at buying a new used car.
Ive been looking at 1996 - 97 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro.

Not really interested in the basic A4s as the golf is a very fun car to drive. I want something that wont leave me dissapointed. Auto is not an option as the electronic gearbox is apparently a nightmare.

So that leaves me with the 1.8T, 2.6 and the 2.6 Quattro. (that i know of)

Which one would be the best car? What are the faults with the early A4s?

Any info on these cars would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Eric

**Golf Loon** · 03-01-2007, 10:51 AM

95% of em are auto

**DubSteve** · 03-01-2007, 12:38 PM

There are the rare ones that you can find that are manual. If you get the turbo chip it you will not be dissapointed.

syncro · 03-01-2007, 12:41 PM

Most (or maybe all) of the 1.8T quattros are manual.
There are various engines in these. 110kw, 120kw, 132kw etc.

**h100vw** · 03-01-2007, 01:18 PM

I may be wrong but I think in the UK the q's have a 180hp 1.8T fitted. I know that the later A3q has that motor in.

With a chip you are looking at leap frogging the sixes in terms of power but retaining 1.8 economy if you can lay off the gas.

Check the engine code to get the power output. AEB is a common A4 1.8T which is 110KW. I had a tiptronic Passat in the UK which went pretty well inspite of the auto box.

Gavin

**tassie_euro_mk1** · 03-01-2007, 04:22 PM

Cheers guys.

The 1.8T are manual. I prefer the 1.8 over the 2.6 because of ecomony. I was planning to mod it a little bit. just a chip, A8 or motorsport wheels, exhaust. Nothing stupid.

So theyre a goer then?

No major dramas?

brackie · 03-01-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by tassie_euro_mk1

Cheers guys.

The 1.8T are manual. I prefer the 1.8 over the 2.6 because of ecomony. I was planning to mod it a little bit. just a chip, A8 or motorsport wheels, exhaust. Nothing stupid.

So theyre a goer then?

No major dramas?

Yeah... But where are you gonna find one?

syncro · 03-01-2007, 05:14 PM

Plenty on the big island

**MK2 GTI** · 03-01-2007, 05:15 PM

Im driving an A4 at the moment and love it. The only common problem i can think of is the upper control arms tend to go, they done a recall on them im pretty sure but thats long gone now. The auto behind the 1.8 is the 4 speed and they tend to give away if not serviced, the auto behind the 1.8T and v6 models are the ZF 5 speed transmissions and i have only seen one get pulled out and thats because the car had 200,000 kms on it and has never been serviced.

**Bug_racer** · 03-01-2007, 05:39 PM

There was never an upper control arm re call .
Only lower control arm , tie rod end , oil pump and airbag . The passat had an immobiliser re-call .

Are you looking for a Quattro or FWD ?

Not all the turbos had 5 speeds , the earlier ones had a 4 speed box (auto) .

Just dont buy a 96 model , cant get chips for them anymore