Audi/VW owners chime in

[tag3]

Stay away from VAG, period. I am a VW/Audi tech at an indy repair shop and have seen some fun stuff lately. The earlier cars, like Fast Eddy's fleet, were decent cars but when they switched to the 2.0 TSI and the V6/V8 models with the timing chains all heck has broken loose. The tensioners are failing at nutty rates and if you drive around with it rattling away you are bound to bend some valves. I have 2 V6's on my lot that need engines or at minimal new valves as they are bent, and another that was just picked up that customer didn't want to fix. I have done multiple chains and tensioners on the 2.0TSI motors and just did a valve replacement on another. We are talking newer cars here with relatively low mileage, the 2.0 I did the valves on had around 75k on the clock. These repairs are expensive and starting to be common. Also the CAEB 2.0 TSI has a history of ring issues which, if not under warranty, expensive. Like Skillet said, they are great as lease vehicles or if purchased new with a warranty but if you are buying used they are certainly not worth the risk.
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I read your later post. But, really, do we need all this s*** to make a car run?

 

[kbahus]

To Douglas S, the B5 S4 is in my opinion one of the best cars Audi ever made.

Yes the 2.0 has three chains with their own tensioners and guide system. The tensioners are the big problem followed by broken guide rails. The V6 and V8 motors are even worse, I might be opening one up in the next week or two and will take some pics.

 

[scottm]

To Douglas S, the B5 S4 is in my opinion one of the best cars Audi ever made.

After the 20V turbo cars? I'll still call on a '91 200 avant if I see one for sale, just can't help myself. Sold my '90 with 250k on it, still fast and comfy.

I still want an Audi to drive, but not to own.

 

[Weedhopper]

Does the pic show three separate chains?

Sent from my SM-G900V

Looks like it does to me. Look at those sharp turns around the idlers or whatever they are. Holy s*it batman.

 

[Heckraiser]

Infinities are ugly.

We are in agreement there.

You're in Colorado, buy a Subaru like all the other sheep.

Funny you mention that. I've been thinking about a 2014 Forester XT and lowering it to make it more "car like." Might get a sex change while I'm at it. The legacies are too big, the imprezas are too underpowered and the wrx are too "boy racer."

A few years back I had a Saabaru 9-2x Aero that I completely loved to drive, even though it felt pretty cheap materials-wise.

 

[Heckraiser]

About once a month I make a 480 mile trip. If I keep it at about 68-70 with the cruise on I can get just over 30mpg and do the trip with a single tank. Get up to 75-80 and mileage drops to 27. Around town it's low 20s, but that's using the power.

Pass a semi on a two-lane rural highway and you'll see 95-100 by the time you merge back over. It's a fun little car. I will say that she wants to rev to make the power, just like every other small displacement mill. If you want Hemi torque, this isn't the car for you.

A bit of caution on the 2wd G37, especially in CO... It's a decent amount of power going to the rear wheels and things can get 'interesting'. There's a "snow" button behind the shifter that dampens the throttle response and helps keep things in order. The X, OTOH, is a fantastic wet weather stoplight car. You can pin it on a rainy day and still find traction. If you don't drive the 2wd like an asshat then you'd be fine. But the X is a great all-weather sports sedan.

If you haven't already, take the time to drive one of everything you're thinking of even if it's the wrong color, wrong price, etc. Just get some seat time. Internet will only take you so far. I drove a 335i, 328d, IS350, TL Type S, WRX, and the G37 before deciding on it. The IS (2nd Gen) was a close 2nd but it was too small and not as quick, although smoother and more refined.

I drive mixed city/highway, my commute is not conducive to good MPG. Throw in my driving style and there is pretty much no hope. My TL is capable of 32mpg+ when driven appropriately, but I consistently get around 26.

I grew up driving a MKIII supra turbo and an olds 403ci 4bbl burnout machine year round, so I'm not too worried about a RWD commuter. Now that I make a decent living, I do invest in snow tires for my work vehicle as well.

IS doesn't cut it in the backseat department, otherwise this would be my #1 choice. The 3rd gen has more legroom but they're still in the mid-30's.

 

[OregonLC]

And the 2Gen IS has a single cup holder! It may sound trivial to automobile enthusiasts, but when travelling with the princess this is a big deal!

 

[Heckraiser]

you can open the cubby and there is a second cupholder space in there, not that I would recommend using it

 

[Heckraiser]

Hmmm... right now I'm leaning towards 2011 IS350 AWD (about $25k) and just tell my clients tough s*** about the back seat. Anything other than honda/toyota just doesn't feel worth the price tag to me since I have a ton of experience with both.

How about BMWs? Any BMW owners care to chime in? Plenty of those in the price range. I know parts cost more, but I don't think they self-destruct like the audis seem to do.

 

[OregonLC]

Have had two BMWs, a 330cic and a Z4 3.0. Neither would I own outside of warranty.

 

[Weedhopper]

Toyota Avalon too big ?

 

[Heckraiser]

Toyota Avalon too big ?

195" I'm trying to stay under 190" or preferably in the 185" ballpark. My TL is 186" and I don't really want anything longer than that.

 

[Heckraiser]

Saab 9-3 Aero 2008+ 275hp, 300tq, awd optional and they are all dirt cheap. I know they're clunkers, but my buddy does own the local Saab shop

 

[ryanCA]

^
Had a 9-3 Viggen coupe back in the day. Solid car. I helped my Saab mechanic to send his daughter to Princeton.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Trust me you don't want a modern BMW as a used car to rack up miles on. Just as much of a PITA as an Audi. Great car to lease or buy new w/warranty but boy are they ridiculous as they age. I've worked in BMW parts for 16 years. I'm always busy.

 

[doug720]

Nearly all modern vehicles are likely not to age gracefully...at least electrically and sometimes mechanically. With the Germans, it will not only be not gracefully, it will be expensive too!

New vehicles are disposables, or if kept, expensive to keep.

Simple and repairable are no longer used describe modern vehicles.

 

[Weedhopper]

Thats true. I don't know what i will do after the 4Runner, Lexus and the 97 Escort die.

My wife leases and gets a new car (Mini) every three years. Thats another car you don't want to own out of warranty.

British and German engineering mix.

 

[re_guderian]

6 pages of first-world problems...

Too long, too ugly, too few cupholders, too tame, etc etc

 

[OregonLC]

From a group who's all about trucks designed to function in the third world.

 

[ryanCA]

6 pages of first-world problems...

Too long, too ugly, too few cupholders, too tame, etc etc

Being from a third world, I understand what you are saying

HOWEVER, one thing I agree with OP is car length is important. Where my TSX Wagon resides (car hauler), I can't have anything longer than 190 inches. So size matters.