92egHB

Hey Man

I had and A4 1.8T
It was a great car the only problem is the turbo pumps 4.5psi stock
The chip that you can get for it bumps the psi to 14.5
I was running 14.5 psi for 2 years on stock internals but my head gasket did blow ... I only had and exaust, chip and A CAI ...bunped power to about 225hp .... still b/c of the 4 wheel drive it was always slow
Fun as hell in the winter though ... best 4 wheel drive car i have ever driven

imported_Gatsby

I don't get the rumores about 1.8T motor being not good....
The motor comes with Golf, Passat and A4 (New beetle too...?).
Now these cars are hands and feet of VW, and it is these cars that have made VW, the poeple's company.

If the engine has blown, it was obvoiusly abused... Think about it it has 4.5 psi stock, and all of the sudden, it gets pumped-up to 14.5 psi !!! And considering a lot more redlines that are caused by the newly-found power, sooner or later it will let go. No matter if its a Honda, VW, Audi or WRX. Its just the way boost works...

I dunno, I still like A4s ALOT. Its a REAL car. Not a tin can with 125 hoursepower and no gutts (torque)....

imported_loudsubz

if you want torque, buy a big rig

Nova_Dust

If one was poor and then later became rich, should he look down on all poor people? I understand your need of wanting something, but please don't bash what you once loved dearly. It is not just about cars, it can be applied to all things.

Don't forget where you were before because your history is part of you. Think of where the water came from while you are drinking it down. It will only do you good in the long run.

imported_Gatsby

Big rigs only sound good. They are heavy, unreliable and low-tech. They use large displacements to make up for the low-tech engine design. Plus most of the times, they are good for summer only. They barley handle well on dry roads, and are just impossible for winter time. Now I know that I want 1 car only. I hate winter beaters. I want 1 car and 1 car only. It has to be HOT and sexy and powerful for when there is no F*ucking snow around, and it has to be able to handle any snow-storm.
Living in GTA, we must accept that dealing with snow is our bussiness for at least 6 months of a year!! So you see where I'm comming from...

Anyway, I have always being a sucker for AWD and Turbo. If I could afford one, if would be a 2004 Sti, no doubt. But for now, a $15000 AWD turbo would be just as good...

imported_loudsubz

you make it sound like alaska here lol

i have never had a problem driving my civic in the winter, i dont know how you drive.

And driving a HOT car as you post, its debateable by everyone who views it

just get whatever you like, nobody will think of you any diff

imported_audiophilia

What 'rumours'? It's a great engine. It's just too slow...and the car's up to 60Gs...

Import Racer

I have an A4 1.8T.
The car is awesome, but maintenance and repairs can be expensive. Not sure how much research you've done, but I can tell you that the only problems I had were my front control arms. This is a known issue with all B5 models (96-01). They tend to go at around every 80,000 - 100,000 kms. So if you decide on a B5, expect that to be on your maintenance schedule like I did. I just had all 8 of my control arms replaced about 3 weeks ago and costed $2000 and change, and that wasn't even from the dealer. Another thing to look out for is the timing belt. The manual recommends changing it at 140,000 kms. DON'T wait that long. I've heard a lot of stories of peoples timing belts snapping at around 100,000 - 120,000 kms. I had mine changed at 90,000 to be safe. That costed $1000 and change. Other than that, I've experienced no problems what so ever. Well, except for a vac hose being cracked, but that can happen with any car.
Word of advice. Try looking for one that has already had it's control arms and timing belt changed.

As for performance, the 1.8T has a lot more options than the 2.8. Yes, 150 hp and 150 lbs/tq is kinda weak. That's where a chip comes into play. I have a chip by GIAC and for $1000, it pushes the hp up to 197 and torque is at 200 and you don't lose any gas milage . Talk about best bang for the buck. Don't worry about your internals because that motor can handle 300 - 350 hp stock.

Hope this is enough info. If you got any more questions, just ask away.

imported_GoldBadge

A grand for a timing belt change is quite a bit...A friend of mine was quoted that for his VW Jetta and ended up paying somthing like 250 at a VW specific garage. Anywyas, my point is that some money can definitely be saved if you go an independent mechanic rather than and Audi Dealership.

Import Racer

I didn't take it to the dealership....I also should have mentioned that I had the water pump replaced as well. Also, not sure about the Jetta, but for the A4's, the whole front end (bumper and all) has to be removed in order for the timing belt to be changed. Therefore, it's the labour that's expensive.

imported_Gatsby

Dude, who said I was looking down on anybody? I just like cars, and eventhough I realy, truly, and deepfully love my Civic, it is the most apperent to me, that there are better things out there. Now if one decides to isolate himself in his own little world, and live with one-thing, and not getting a taste of better things in life, do you think that the one's life is justified? I believe-in the best, one can being. I also believe in democracy, and single-class society. A society, without filthy rich, and without hungry poor.
If you ask anyone here that has met me, they will tell you that you have a totally wrong impression about me. I'm not what you think I am. I'm by no means rich. I just like to work hard and enjoy the best I can afford, at the present time.

imported_Gatsby

At least Matt has faith in me!

By HOT, I mean a hot, Modified car. A4s aren't that exotic. Hell they don't even fit the category. But they can look amazing, with the right mods. They are just like a Civic. They can adopt themselves to the environment very nicely. A nice body kit and rims and a drop would make them very, very good looking during good seasons, and they can survive very well, during the nasty seasons in stock trim.

And Matt, my friend, thanks for having faith in me and not thinking me any different for having something else than a Civic!
(p.s: we DO live in Alaska! God I hate winter....!!)

imported_Gatsby

Those things don't make me worried. I am going to become a Automotive Technician (Mechanic) in the next 6-7 months, so I'll be able to pull the labour off the bill. And there must be a source for cheap parts some where out there....

imported_Gatsby

Thanks for the info bro. Thanks for the tips. Control arms and timing belt, checked!

Import Racer

Hmmm? If you're interested in a 97, I may have mine up for sale. Completely stock with the exception of a GIAC chip and bypass valve from the 220 HP TT.
A lot of brand new parts:
timing belt - approx 10,000 kms
control arms - approx 1,000 kms
Spark plugs - approx 2,0000 kms
With all service records

Has 104,000 kms
sports package
Silver on black

imported_loudsubz

Hell, I dont drive a civic anymore, but that still does not change my view on civic drivers, or any car drivers in general. Were all in this sport to share the same love for cars, no matter what you drive, I have the utmost respect for anyone trying to learn more and make their car truly a part of themselves and how they view the car scene in general.

honda25

Hey man,

ive done a lot of research into audis and the 1.8T engine, and i currently own an a4. when i was looking to buy my car i spoke with a lot of ppl and this is what i learned. all a4's before 99.5 or 2000 had many problems with water pumps, timing belts, front suspension as well as coil packs and their ecu's. this led them to being fairly unreliable and ill admit that. for 2001 audi did a lot of r&d into their a4 and the 1.8t. a lot ot things were changed this model year and the engine internals were strengthened and the front suspsnsion was changed. all pre 2001 a4's 1.8t only make 150hp and i think 160tq, but in 2001 as i said a lot of the enginer internals were strengethed allowing higher boost levels so the 2001 and on 1.8t's made 180hp and 175tq.

my suggestion to you is that if your gonna get an a4 1.8t, i would shop around for a 2001 1.8t quattro. dont forget audis come with a 4 year/80000 km bumper to bumper full warranty which includes maintenance like oil changes and brake pad replacement as well as things like ur tranny, engine and all other parts of the car. that way you can get all kinds of work done b4 the warranty expires, by the way this is why most audis are in fairly good shape b/c of the free maintenance audi offers.

as other ppl have said, a car with a stock turbo can make hugh hp if u want it to. that and audis legendary quattro system and youve got urself a fairly nice car. with a simple chip and exhaust, an a4 can make as much hp as a wrx. and another benefit is that audis a4's arent played out like the bmw 3 series.

if u wanna see something cool check this out:
http://www.atpturbo.com/root/releases/release050304.htm

this a4 with stock engine internals and some mods ran 12.44 1/4 mile which is pretty damn fast.

i think a4's are pretty nice cars, and if u desire they can easily be modded to extreme performance levels.

Import Racer

Note: don't take this as a flame or any kind of bashing.

What problems did they have with the ECU's and the water pump? I have never heard a problem with them. As for coil packs and suspsension, they're the same. If I remember correctly, 2001 models actually had a recall on the coilpacks.

All 97-2001 A4 1.8T's are the same. Only difference between those years is all cosmetic (tail lights, headlights, inteior). Another difference is pre 2000 models are non-dbw as for the 2000+ models are dbw which will make it harder to mod.

2001 doesn't have 180 hp. It has 170 and the pre 2001 had 155 lb/tq, not 160. All 97-2001 models can handle the same amount of boost on stock internals. Like I said in a previous post, it can handle up to 300-350 hp and up to 20 psi (approx).

My suggestion is if you're thinking about modding the car, go for a 99.5 because it's non-dbw. Also, that's when the major cosmetic changes were made and has all the options of the 2000+ models.

You will not make as much hp as a wrx with a chip and exhaust, but will come close. However, the wrx is a few hundred pounds lighter
Also, don't decide what car to buy by determining if it's played out or not.

imported_Gatsby

Thats some great info there guys.
Honda25 thanks for taking your time and writing up all that. I'm total stranger to 1.8T and Audis in general. So every little bit helps!

ImportRacer thanks for the info bro, appreciate it.

1990da

imo 1.8T is a very very tunable engine. so much potential.