Bill S

A friend contemplating a new car purchase asked her long-time, very honest and skilled, mechanic for some advice. He said if reliability is a concern, definitely stay away from any VW product. He said that "hands down" they have found much more frequent problems than with Toyota, Subaru, etc. Plus the parts are much more expensive even though they don't last nearly as long.

I questioned him more closely about the kinds of problems they've seen with VW's and Audi's. He said they haven't seen catastrophic failures in engines and transmissions, but lots of more minor, but annoying and expensive problems. His feeling was that companies such as Toyota and Subaru pay attention to ALL details, while VW makes solid engines and transmissions but doesn't carefully engineer everything else, which explains things like constant rattles, miscellaneous part failures, and overall high service costs.

This mechanic's statements square with my experience. TONS of unending service issues, which are starting to become expensive now that the warranty is up and have been extremely annoying and time consuming for the life of the car.

Dead

For the most part , I'd agree.

ex-quattro PETE

yeah, no kidding. you don't need a mechanic to come to such conclusion.

wmdunn

Sadly, so!

dB

The key to owning a VW/Audi is putting up with imperfection. Who wants to own a boring car???

SlammedA4

I have had more engine and transmission problems with my ride than anyone in the history of automobiles... NEVER going to buy an Audi again..EVER! Mine is junk.... Mine might be a lemon...but who knows...

dB

don't keep you from going.

ex-quattro PETE

If you want a reliable car, get a Honda or Toyota.

That said, my 2000 Accord had a bunch of manufacturing defects (air leaks, water leaks, noisy sunroof).

Dead

What type of trans?

dB

I think you may have been unlucky finding a dud.