Buying an Audi a good idea?

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TeRRoRByteZ2007

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Hi all,

I currently own a Ford Fiesta, nice car but time to upgrade. My fiancee will be taking the Ford.

I'm looking at a 2004 Audi A4 2.0 Executive Multitronic as a family car (only has 80000km on clock). Are they any good?

I'm really worried about prices for parts and services. How does Audi compare to say, Ford or VW? Are parts readily available? Funny enough I found that insurance on the car isn't bad at all, similar to Ford of same value.

I had a Chrysler before the Ford. It really gave me headaches... Parts were damn expensive and not available. I don't want to make the same mistake again.

If you have any experience or can shed some light on the above I'll really appreciate it :D
 
My first assumption is that the Audi is in a good condition, ie no problems with anything.

Based on this assumption, and that you don't have any expensive parts giving in anytime soon, it's going to run you about the same costs as it would a VW.
It's a German car. You will never have issues getting parts for it, assuming in your case it's not something unique to that model.

You will pay more for parts than you would a Ford, obviously, but as long as you take care of it you shouldn't have a problem.

The services should be priced give or take the same as a Merc/BMW.... the Merc's B-service was R1500 or so, then parts/labour was added. The A-service is about R2500 and then parts/labour.
 
They are very good but have a lot of cash available for when something breaks, on an 8 year old car it is inevitable, especially one with a lot going on like an Audi. There is a reason why they are dirt cheap out of motorplan. Someone on myBB had there Multitronic gearbox pack up out of motorplan, R120k to replace lmao.
 
R120k? I doubt it. A BMW 5spd auto box is R45k.... (and a Volvo which has expensive parts has a R70k transmission).
 
froot said:
My first assumption is that the Audi is in a good condition, ie no problems with anything.

Based on this assumption, and that you don't have any expensive parts giving in anytime soon, it's going to run you about the same costs as it would a VW.
It's a German car. You will never have issues getting parts for it, assuming in your case it's not something unique to that model.

You will pay more for parts than you would a Ford, obviously, but as long as you take care of it you shouldn't have a problem.

The services should be priced give or take the same as a Merc/BMW.... the Merc's B-service was R1500 or so, then parts/labour was added. The A-service is about R2500 and then parts/labour.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks!

Car looks in great condition, just looking at photos. Will be test driving it next week. Just worried about if something goes I'll have to start selling body parts.

I guess I also don't have to have the car serviced by Audi. Trusted mechanic should do?

If prices are similar to that of VW then I don't think its such a bad idea getting an Audi then. I'm not sure if there are parts specific to this model, maybe the Multitronic gearbox?

I don't race cars, so parts should last, and try to conserve as much fuel as possible. BUT I do want that extra oomph at times.
 
froot said:
R120k? I doubt it. A BMW 5spd auto box is R45k.... (and a Volvo which has expensive parts has a R70k transmission).
Click to expand...
Then again, multitronic is not a normal automatic transmission... it's a CVT.
 
TeRRoRByteZ2007 said:
Holy sheets.... I don't have that kind of money lying around... getting married next year and that'll cover the wedding and honeymoon!
Click to expand...

Don't buy the car!!!!

Getting married is a great idea, a late 2003 early 2004 multitronic Audi is a very bad idea. I believe they sorted the boxes out later in 2004 but don't quote me, I'm not entirely sure. What I am sure about is Audi will charge you in excess of R100k to replace that box should it fail. Brawlers got a good memory and I was the lucky recipient of the R118k excluding labour quote to replace the damaged box on my Jan 2004 A4 2.4 multitronic....

My after market motorplan was with Motorite and they paid out R28k to get the box repaired through a local gearbox specialist. Touch wood, to date I've had no further issues with it.

Get manual if you must.
 
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I am on my 4th Audi. Won't drive anything else. Love the cars.
Never had anything major go on any of them.

A4 1.8, then A4 2.8, then A6 2.8 Quattro and currently driving an A6 3.2 FSI Quattro. Current one is my best of them. Black, Servotronic steering, lowered suspension, 275/35/19 mags/tyres. Looks sexy and goes from luxury sedan to beast on heat in an instant :)

I have an excellent mechanic in Edenvale that takes care of my car when out of motor plan. He is way cheaper than the dealer and does a better job. My current A6 went out of motor plan Dec 2011.

My wife drove an A4 1.8T until 2 weeks ago. She changed to an SUV.

Next car will be an Audi too :)
 
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Mike Smit said:
I am on my 4th Audi. Won't drive anything else. Love the cars.
Never had anything major go on any of them.

A4 1.8, then A4 2.8, then A6 2.8 Quattro and currently driving an A6 3.2 FSI Quattro. Current one is my best of them. Black, Servotronic steering, lowered suspension, 275/35/19 mags/tyres. Looks sexy and goes from luxury sedan to beast on heat in an instant :)

I have an excellent mechanic in Edenvale that takes care of my car when out of motor plan. He is way cheaper than the dealer and does a better job. My current A6 went out of motor plan Dec 2011.

My wife drove an A4 1.8T until 2 weeks ago. She changed to an SUV.

Next car will be an Audi too :)
Click to expand...

Yip, this A4 is my 5th Audi, hopefully wont be my last. Awesome cars!!

I use a mechanic out in Honeydew, but Edenvale would be a lot more convenient. Would you mind inboxing me the details of your mechanic?
 
118k for a gearbox. Haha, you can buy an entire car for that.

These VWs are priced way out too high. Not even Mercedes charges those prices...
 
sand_man said:
Don't buy the car!!!!

Getting married is a great idea, a late 2003 early 2004 multitronic Audi is a very bad idea. I believe they sorted the boxes out later in 2004 but don't quote me, I'm not entirely sure. What I am sure about is Audi will charge you in excess of R100k to replace that box should it fail. Brawlers got a good memory and I was the lucky recipient of the R118k excluding labour quote to replace the damaged box on my Jan 2004 A4 2.4 multitronic....

My after market motorplan was with Motorite and they paid out R28k to get the box repaired through a local gearbox specialist. Touch wood, to date I've had no further issues with it.

Get manual if you must.
Click to expand...

Was just about to PM and ask if you had the issue sorted...

Will ask the seller when the car was bought. Going to do some research and see which cars were affected with crappy gearboxes.

I like the idea of Multitronic, but its actually just a "nice-to-have".

Have you had any other issue other than the transmission? How many KMs has your car done now?
 
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Mike Smit said:
I am on my 4th Audi. Won't drive anything else. Love the cars.
Never had anything major go on any of them.

A4 1.8, then A4 2.8, then A6 2.8 Quattro and currently driving an A6 3.2 FSI Quattro. Current one is my best of them. Black, Servotronic steering, lowered suspension, 275/35/19 mags/tyres. Looks sexy and goes from luxury sedan to beast on heat in an instant :)

I have an excellent mechanic in Edenvale that takes care of my car when out of motor plan. He is way cheaper than the dealer and does a better job. My current A6 went out of motor plan Dec 2011.

My wife drove an A4 1.8T until 2 weeks ago. She changed to an SUV.

Next car will be an Audi too :)
Click to expand...

Great to hear! So I'll still consider Audi then... If I can find a cheap enough one here in the Eastern Cape.

Just want a car that has a luxury feel to it and sits nicely on the road. My Ford, rattles and I can feel almost every bump.
 
Ok... Deciding not to go with this one. Will still look out for Audi's though.

I Googled a bit and it is mentioned that specifically 2004 models have issues with Multitronic transmission.

....so its back to car hunting again....
 
sand_man said:
Yip, this A4 is my 5th Audi, hopefully wont be my last. Awesome cars!!

I use a mechanic out in Honeydew, but Edenvale would be a lot more convenient. Would you mind inboxing me the details of your mechanic?
Click to expand...

Sure. Well post here for everyones benefit.

Auto Service Centre.
011 452 0819
Owner is Andre.
I think the name of the road is Diagonal Rd, close to the Edenvale CBD and Terrace Rd. Just double check when you call.
 
TeRRoRByteZ2007 said:
Ok... Deciding not to go with this one. Will still look out for Audi's though.

I Googled a bit and it is mentioned that specifically 2004 models have issues with Multitronic transmission.

....so its back to car hunting again....
Click to expand...

True. My wife had a 2005 multitronic and got shafted on her trade in because if it. It is almost guaranteed that the gearbox will need replacing before 200k kms. The dealers put the gearbox at R80k and then split it with you on trade in so you share the risk. So R40k down on trade in straight away. Newer models are fine.
My cab is tiptronic which is hundreds.
 
Thanks Mike,

I think dealers look for any excuse to shaft the customer on trade in. I bet when it comes to selling the multitronic they'll be lauding its benefits.
 
I'm on my 3rd Audi now - great cars!

But I would rather suggest you go for a newer model that has a bigger blanace of the motorplan left. The parts are very expensive...
 
If you're asking questions about affordability out of motor plan then you shouldn't be looking at luxury vehicles at all.
A modern Audi. BMW, Mercedes or Volvo vehicle is something that you do not want to service outside of a motor plan if a major component breaks.

Also considering you're getting married and all the expenses you'll have, the last thing you want on your hands right now is another expensive headache.
 
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