As a seasoned mechanic and content creator over at keyfobprog.com, I’ve turned wrenches on just about everything with wheels. From classic British roadsters to modern German engineering marvels (and sometimes, marvels of engineering gone wrong), I’ve seen it all. And when it comes to German cars, I have a soft spot for BMW and, usually, Audi. But let me tell you about the 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, specifically my wife’s experience, and why it might make you reconsider your next used car purchase.
My wife’s 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro boasts the 2.8 V6 engine and a manual transmission, a combination that sounds appealing on paper, especially with the promise of Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive. With around 90,000 miles on the clock, it seemed like a decent, reliable car. However, reality hit hard, and it hit in the wallet. The first major blow was the control arms. Every single control arm needed replacing. Now, I’m no stranger to suspension work, having 30 years of experience under my belt. But this Audi 2001 A4 2.8 Quattro fought back. Seized bolts everywhere. Defeated, I had to take it to a shop. This wasn’t just a simple job; it turned into a costly affair, especially when combined with the preventative maintenance they recommended – cam belts, seals, brittle plastic CCV/evap hoses, water pump, and hoses. The bill? Let’s just say it felt like a million bucks.
And the saga didn’t end there. The shop, bless their hearts, managed to mangle an ABS sender ring during the control arm job and then, incredibly, reinstalled a CV joint missing a ball bearing. A year later, guess who got to replace that CV joint? Yep, me. Then came the rear wheel bearings, the fuel level sender giving up, and a host of minor electrical gremlins that seem to plague this 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro.
The final straw, the one that really cemented my opinion, was the thermostat. In the dead of winter, with temperatures plummeting to zero, the heat vanished. A stuck-open thermostat. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. On this Audi 2001 A4 2.8 Quattro, replacing the thermostat is practically a timing belt service in disguise. You’re essentially dismantling the front half of the car. The labor involved is astronomical.
Now, I’m not someone who shies away from car work. I own a ’98 BMW M3, an ’01 BMW 525iT, a race car, a Miata, and even an old British car. I have a fully equipped shop; I’m a machinist, fabricator, welder, painter, and composites guy. I’m comfortable tackling almost anything. But after this experience with the 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, I can honestly say:
“I would rather catheterize myself with a jagged length of red-hot TIG filler rod than work on that B5 body A4 again.”
Yes, it drives okay. We’ve upgraded the suspension with Bilstein HDs and Vogtland springs, and it handles decently. But that engaging, joyful driving experience you get from something like my ’01 BMW E39 wagon? It’s just not there in the 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro.
These aren’t cars for driving enthusiasts, and they definitely aren’t cars for those who enjoy working on their own vehicles. If you’re considering a 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, do yourself a favor and skip it. Look at an E46 BMW wagon instead, or perhaps a reliable Volvo. Your sanity and your wallet will thank you.
