Overview & Reviews
The 2.8 sedan gets a valve job resulting in 18 more horsepower and additional torque. Side-impact airbags are standard, as is traction control. Opt for the automatic and you'll get the same Tiptronic technology that allows Biff to manually shift Buffy's 911 Cabriolet. A new station wagon called Avant debuts, while the A4 1.8T gets new wheels, a sport package and an ambient temperature gauge. New colors and stereo improvements round out the changes for 1998.
- Gutsy new V6 engine. Comfortable interior. Great handling. Stellar design. Optional all-wheel drive. Optional Tiptronic automanual transmission.
- Small back seat. Useless cupholders.
User Reviews:
Showing 91 through 100 of 144.00-
Never Again!! - 1998 Audi A4
By weeksmj38 - January 31 - 2:00 amI was in love with my Audi for the first four years. Now, in the past 18 months I have spent $7000 repairing it. First the water pump was leaking, then the heat exchanger went, now the car is in the shop gettin the tensioners replaced which is a $2200 job. Once this problem is fixed, I am selling the car and going back to Japanese cars - I cant afford this German engineering any longer!! The styling on this car is terrific, but its not worth the cost!
-
A Beautiful but Unfaithful Lover - 1998 Audi A4
By sleelio - January 10 - 2:00 amThis is one of the nicest cars Ive ever driven. The faster you go, the better it gets - all the little rattles go away and it hugs the road beautifully. However, this car has had too many problems - broken ignition (waited 6 months for the part), heater core failed, 2 CV boots busted, water pump failed, broken radiator fan, sunroof problems, remote key works only when it feels like it. Weve taken good care of this care and done all the suggested maintenance, but it hasnt taken care of us.
-
Fun Car, but Nightmare Reliability - 1998 Audi A4
By CA-Jay - January 10 - 2:00 amI bought a 1.8T Q 5spd new in 1/98 and have religiously maintained it for the past 6 years. Car is in the shop so often that its humorous. Turbo had to be replaced at 2k miles all sorts of electrical problems cracked brake reservoir leaking oil from gasket I could go on... I will never buy an Audi again. The quality is horrendous for a car marketed as an upscale, performance sedan. Im in the market for a Honda or Acura. Take it from a reasonable, level-headed person--do not buy an Audi.
-
MUST HAVE $$$ TO BLOW - 1998 Audi A4
By MIKEO71 - January 10 - 2:00 amCant possibly fit all of my experiences in this small review. Purchased used w/ 50k miles, audi assured, well maintained by Audi by the book. Secretly phoned dealer where car was originally serviced and found it had many issues not disclosed to me prior to purchase. Numerous issues, some major and other minor. Audi servi ce is bad (5 different dealers in 3 different states).
-
Overengineered, but fun - 1998 Audi A4
By GreenMTNDoc - January 1 - 2:00 amIve put all 102,000 mi on my Audi since 7/1997. The first 4-5 years were great. The car is wonderful to drive, and I still love to drive it. However, its cost me about $2k-3k/yr over the last 2.5yrs to keep it running. Ive maintained it as meticulously as possible. My ind mech (got tired of the dealership) stocks the fr susp components because so many fail (about one set a week he says). In addtn, Ive had to replace brakes, radiator, starter motor, rear wheel bearings (twice!), and the timing belt (I guess this last one is expected).
-
Dont buy it - 1998 Audi A4
By ganderson101 - December 24 - 2:00 amFun to drive, handles snow very well. Repairs frequent and very expensive. Have had to replace two headlights, head gasket, and timing belt at 74,000 miles. $4000 so far. Rub rails falling off the car, (defective brackets), transmission shifts rough. Audis QA doesnt measure up to selling price. I will never buy Audi again
-
This ones good! - 1998 Audi A4
By happy for 8 years - December 16 - 2:00 amBought new 69,000 miles in 5 years. Very few problems, radio replaced, new dash cover, all under warranty. Average 24 mpg in mixed use driving. Ride quality has deteriorated in last 10k miles, rear dampers need replacing. Great highway car relaxed, quiet, very comfortable. V6 power adequate. Dealer experience very favorable (Commonwealth VW/Audi). This is my second A4, and they both have been excellent. None of the repair nightmares so sommon on this list. My cars are very well maintained, and driven sensibly. Bose stereo, drivers seat, and overall interior ambience have kept me enjoying these cars for this long (8 years and 120,000 miles between the two).
-
Its a keeper - 1998 Audi A4
By gerardrj - December 5 - 10:00 amDuring the warrany period, my A4 had quite a few little things go wrong: wind shield wiper pump, seatbelt case broke, trip odometer panel went dim (2x), all were repaired/ replaced under warranty. The only things that have gone wrong since the warranty expired where a direct result of abuse (usually by the car wash attendants), or normal wear (the break pads needing to be replaced). After 4 years the car still sounds and runs like the day I drove it off the lot.
-
My car is junk - 1998 Audi A4
By financeman1440 - December 3 - 2:00 amI bought the car with 39k last October, since then I have replaced all front control arms, brakes all around, now it is the shop apparently needs a new rear differential and possible wheel bearings. The front of the car keeps falling off, when I park too close to a curb. Cup holders dont work, my 850 volvo gets better gas mileage. Love the looks, hate the car. Local dealer sucks.
-
Beware of Beautiful Cars - 1998 Audi A4
By Gaucho Guru - November 28 - 2:00 amI bought my A4 new and have maintained it meticulously from the day I bought it. I would not buy one again. It started falling apart after 4 years: alternator, battery, engine control module, tie rod ends (twice), upper and lower control arm links, drivers side airbag, sunroof control switch, rear shocks, engine mount. All of this cost about $5,000. Luckily, I bought an extended warranty that defrays some of the cost. If you plan to buy one of these cars and keep it after the warranty expires, be prepared to spend a lot on repairs. And those repairs will cost you at least twice as much as you would expect.
