Anyone drive new 2017 Audi A4?
11-23-16, 07:32 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
After back to back Lexus we got our first Audi a 2013 Q5. I went in with fingers crossed and it turned out to be a great experience with no issues other than routine maintenance. In June I bought a 2016 A6 and although it's only been 5 months, no early issues. Another good experience.
11-23-16, 10:22 AM
#19
Pit Crew
Chiming back in on this thread. I've owned a '98 A4 and '06 S4 (still own the '98 as my son drives it). Was an Audi enthusiast. Overall great cars... but they did have their occasional issues. I saved tons of money doing a lot of service myself. And whenever I couldn't take care of them myself I had to take them to the dealer (which tended to cost a lot)... unfortunately there aren't any reliable independent shops in my area that i trusted on Audis. Most dissappointing was that they both burned oil... the A4 was and is reasonable. The S4 became very unreasonable. Apparently the new Audis are more reliable... i tell my friends I wouldn't buy an Audi because of reliability and I wouldn't not buy an Audi because of reliability. One thing that was more 'impressive' on the Audis was their solid as a rock feel (solid, no rattles or creaks). Unfortunately my IS has it's share of door, seat & general plasticy noises... that has been dissappointing.
11-23-16, 10:34 AM
#20
Pole Position
Chiming back in on this thread. I've owned a '98 A4 and '06 S4 (still own the '98 as my son drives it). Was an Audi enthusiast. Overall great cars... but they did have their occasional issues. I saved tons of money doing a lot of service myself. And whenever I couldn't take care of them myself I had to take them to the dealer (which tended to cost a lot)... unfortunately there aren't any reliable independent shops in my area that i trusted on Audis. Most dissappointing was that they both burned oil... the A4 was and is reasonable. The S4 became very unreasonable. Apparently the new Audis are more reliable... i tell my friends I wouldn't buy an Audi because of reliability and I wouldn't not buy an Audi because of reliability. One thing that was more 'impressive' on the Audis was their solid as a rock feel (solid, no rattles or creaks). Unfortunately my IS has it's share of door, seat & general plasticy noises... that has been dissappointing.
11-23-16, 02:25 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
The new A4 is getting outstanding reviews. Just search a few of the major publication magazines and read up to see. Consumer Reports also rates them very high, including reliability. I feel you'd have nothing to worry about.
I currently have a 2016 IS200t loaner and it is underwhelming. The engine sounds downmarket (like a typical four-cylinder), it is getting worse mileage than my 2008 IS250, and the interior has zero luxury in it. The only way the IS shines in my opinion is going with the full-blown F-sport model with the V6. Otherwise, I'd go right to a new A4 if I were in the market. My 2003 A4 was one of the best cars I've ever owned.
I currently have a 2016 IS200t loaner and it is underwhelming. The engine sounds downmarket (like a typical four-cylinder), it is getting worse mileage than my 2008 IS250, and the interior has zero luxury in it. The only way the IS shines in my opinion is going with the full-blown F-sport model with the V6. Otherwise, I'd go right to a new A4 if I were in the market. My 2003 A4 was one of the best cars I've ever owned.
11-23-16, 02:59 PM
#22
Pole Position
The new A4 is getting outstanding reviews. Just search a few of the major publication magazines and read up to see. Consumer Reports also rates them very high, including reliability. I feel you'd have nothing to worry about.
I currently have a 2016 IS200t loaner and it is underwhelming. The engine sounds downmarket (like a typical four-cylinder), it is getting worse mileage than my 2008 IS250, and the interior has zero luxury in it. The only way the IS shines in my opinion is going with the full-blown F-sport model with the V6. Otherwise, I'd go right to a new A4 if I were in the market. My 2003 A4 was one of the best cars I've ever owned.
I currently have a 2016 IS200t loaner and it is underwhelming. The engine sounds downmarket (like a typical four-cylinder), it is getting worse mileage than my 2008 IS250, and the interior has zero luxury in it. The only way the IS shines in my opinion is going with the full-blown F-sport model with the V6. Otherwise, I'd go right to a new A4 if I were in the market. My 2003 A4 was one of the best cars I've ever owned.
but back to the a4 -- it's probably the class leader at the moment.
11-23-16, 05:05 PM
#23
It is something to consider anyway. For those that say "I only keep my cars for 2 years anyway so it doesn't affect me" - fine, but don't go touting your vehicle tech as the best if you are nervous about keeping it beyond its warranty.
11-23-16, 05:34 PM
#24
Re: the transmission failures, there was one guy whose A4 died on the road. Everyone thought it was linked to a faulty transmission, but it turned out to be one loose wire that has been fixed. There was another guy who received a letter from Audi saying that they would be replacing his transmission at the dock before he takes delivery of the car. Aside from those two incidents, I have seen no incidents of transmission failures posted on the Audi forums.
Yes, occasionally some electronic glitches happen, but they usually involve the MMI system, are minor and can be fixed by rebooting the system. Nothing we haven't seen in other vehicles (except maybe Lexus).
It is definitely worth a test drive.
Yes, occasionally some electronic glitches happen, but they usually involve the MMI system, are minor and can be fixed by rebooting the system. Nothing we haven't seen in other vehicles (except maybe Lexus).
It is definitely worth a test drive.
11-23-16, 06:19 PM
#26
I thought this review starting at 10:40 gives an excellent explanation why Lexus has carried over the same engine (in the IS350 at least) since 2006, and should give pause to the OP or anyone else considering a German competitor, including Audi:
It is something to consider anyway. For those that say "I only keep my cars for 2 years anyway so it doesn't affect me" - fine, but don't go touting your vehicle tech as the best if you are nervous about keeping it beyond its warranty.
It is something to consider anyway. For those that say "I only keep my cars for 2 years anyway so it doesn't affect me" - fine, but don't go touting your vehicle tech as the best if you are nervous about keeping it beyond its warranty.
Last edited by dseag2; 11-23-16 at 06:25 PM.
11-23-16, 06:31 PM
#27
For anyone who is considering the A4, the A5 Sportback with the same mechanicals, interior and driving experience should be hitting dealers' lots in the spring. It is just gorgeous and has more hauling room in the back. I would guess it will sell for may a couple thousand $$$ more. We've never had 2 Audis in our garage but this may change that.
11-23-16, 06:54 PM
#28
see what i mean?
11-23-16, 07:01 PM
#29
And that's supposedly a bad thing? So, I choose not to keep my cars until the wheels fall off. It gives me a broader range of choices. I don't need something that will still be reliable at 100k miles. Also, technology is evolving so fast in automobiles that something built 5 years ago is already obsolete. I would have probably bought out my lease on my '15 S5 because the car is so gorgeous, but the advances that have been made since that car was introduced are amazing. I can't speak for everyone, but I think a number of people feel the way, which means that not only the most reliable long-term brands have the advantage.
11-23-16, 08:20 PM
#30
Lead Lap
I thought this review starting at 10:40 gives an excellent explanation why Lexus has carried over the same engine (in the IS350 at least) since 2006, and should give pause to the OP or anyone else considering a German competitor, including Audi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuC64BDdQUE
It is something to consider anyway. For those that say "I only keep my cars for 2 years anyway so it doesn't affect me" - fine, but don't go touting your vehicle tech as the best if you are nervous about keeping it beyond its warranty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuC64BDdQUE
It is something to consider anyway. For those that say "I only keep my cars for 2 years anyway so it doesn't affect me" - fine, but don't go touting your vehicle tech as the best if you are nervous about keeping it beyond its warranty.