considering defection from Volvo to Audi

[jbkeene]

I run a 2000 S80 NA and have done a lot of work on it...1 owner, garaged, babied

it's very close to Stage 0
One of the most comfortable cars I've owned
NONE of the horror stories that plague so many S80s (except ETM...but was no big deal to rectify)
I really do enjoy driving it!

Thinking maybe about a change...maybe looking into an Audi

Anyone have any advice...pros...cons, etc.?

I like to do work myself...if not too major or complicated

Talk me down from the ledge if appropriate!

What do you experts think?

[precopster]

The price of OEM parts and laboir times can be 4-5 times the cost of Volvo.

Recently looked at an old car comparison between 2000 model wagon vehicles (V70 2.4T vs Passat 2.8 V6 vs Saab 9-3 vs Audi 2.4 V6) and some parts prices were compared in a table.

Exhaust system on the Audi was $7,500 where the Volvo was cheapest of the four at $2,500 (these are Aussie prices)
Volvo radiator was only $300 when the others were all well over $500. They also compared front bumper assemblies, and afew other bits and pieces I don't recall but Volvo was always less expensive.

Book values on most repairs should be compared again because usually Volvo trumps other European cars with far easier access. A friend of mine had to pay for six hours of labour on a 2001 4 cylinder Passat sedan to remove and refit the alternator. That is a 1.5 hour job on most whiteblock Volvos.

Of course aftermarket parts produce a more level playing field especially when a DIYer is involved.

Whichever model Audi you want to research check out the Audi forums for known issues and first hand experience.

[oragex]

I would steer clear of any Audi with more than 100k miles (and even less than that). Various electric components are simply not designed to last more than 7-8 years on . Also, from personal experience, Volvo is way easier to work on than Audi/Volkswagen. I remember on a Passat, it took me 1.5h to change the air filter. They use the german engineering school that honestly (I'm a mechanical engineer myself) have overly complex designs for various parts reason why the replacements are so expensive and prone to failure. Germans are smart, but they over-think.

A vehicle with less miles might be interesting, but as mentioned prepare your pockets. I also drive a Q5 with 20k miles and it had very few problems until now.

[Ozark Lee]

My Audi experience likely isn't recent enough to be valid but I bought a used (2 or 3 years old) Audi 5000 5 speed years ago. I loved the car - when it was running. I had much less time and talent for working on cars then and it seemed that, in precise 60 day intervals it would need service. We had a decent German car specialty shop that was run by a couple of guys we just nicknamed Hans and Franz. They could always get it going again quickly but the bill was always $650.00 (+/- 10%).

I got to the point where I just wanted them to install a credit card reader on the dash where I could simply swipe my credit card every couple of months and have the car fire right up. I can't fully remember what happened to the car. I know that my wife got hit from behind while she was driving the car but I can't remember if the insurance company totaled it out or not.

Funny how I always wind up with 5 cylinder cars.

...Lee

[precopster]

Funny I had the same car named 5E here in Oz market. ....1978 model

It was Jetronic with mechanical injection. I recall it had an engine mounted fuel enrichment valve that was faulty and it guzzled fuel until that valve was replaced. It chewed through 2 fuel pumps at $300 each but it had probably the best chassis I had ever driven.

[jbkeene]

thanks for all your input

maybe I'll just go to different dealerships every once in a while and take one out for a spin

I'll also ask if they can provide the dashboard card-reader option!
I love it!

[mecheng]

Stay away, VW audi are the most unreliable cars you can buy, don't believe me read consumer reports. Most of my friends will never buy another. They do drive nice though.
If you want german I think certain models of bmw and merc are better but parts cost is still high

[abscate]

I have two VAG group cars I love, a 1.8T beetle convertible in manly dark blue, and a beautiful T4 Transporter Camper with that lovely AKW 2.8 liter VR6 narrow angle 201 HP motor.

Both have been under 3 cpm to maintain. I bought them both new to order.

I think the difference in the brands is VW people trash them and Volvo owners don’t.

[Rattnalle]

I have two VAG group cars I love, a 1.8T beetle convertible in manly dark blue, and a beautiful T4 Transporter Camper with that lovely AKW 2.8 liter VR6 narrow angle 201 HP motor.

Both have been under 3 cpm to maintain. I bought them both new to order.

I think the difference in the brands is VW people trash them and Volvo owners don’t.

Their smaller engines have had some issues with high oil consumption. As well as the dual clutch gearboxes. But both could be down to owners trashing them..

But my big thing against Audi is that they make expensive cars and yet every single little button and other stuff inside is the same as on the cheapest VW. Doesn't exactly make for feeling of luxury.

[abscate]

I love buying VWs for cheap and feeling like Im driving an AUDI!!