2003 Audi A4 Consumer Reviews

All Season Driving

Written by: Michael on 06/28/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

At 76,000 miles, I am very happy with this car. The interior design is very ergonomic and everything is oriented to the driver. Trunk space is huge. The exterior design is simple, yet elegant. Quattro AWD makes the car suitable for any driving conditions and the car is more than capable of performing in the corners - it just stays controlled at all times. The 1.8T engine is a little under performing considering the brute weight of the vehicle, but an ECU upgrade quickly fixes that issue. What you lose in engine performance, you gain in fuel economy where I get an average in the low 30's on the highway - approximately 27 mpg over all. Original and stock clutch is still going strong.

Favorite Features

Quattro AWD invokes confidence during all seasons, German quality throughout, best in class interior design, classy and elegant exterior, large trunk space, relatively good fuel economy (low 30's on highway) considering the weight of the vehicle

Suggested Improvements

Nicely textured interior paint peels easily, highly recommend purchasing an ECU upgrade from a tuner shop for improved performance from the 1.8T, be careful when washing the engine - ignition coils are very sensitive to direct water contact.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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A Very Pretty Lemon

Written by: A very Pretty Lemon on 05/26/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is the prettiest lemon I have ever owned! Not worth the cost of the tires. It is very unreliable. I purchased this car for my daughter last year, a college student, and she has been stranded so many times that AAA canceled our contract after only 4 months! First the CVT went out, then it's been in the shop for numerous sensor replacements. Headlight replacements, $300 a pop. Just required to have the timing belt replaced at only 80K on Friday ($1500), Saturday a.m. my daughter called and said the check engine light came back on.

Favorite Features

Only the looks. It looks tough, meanest ride on the street. At least it looks that way. My daughter has lost faith in anything I have to say about cars now.

Suggested Improvements

How about lowering the costs for replacement parts. Better yet, how about using some quality parts. And quality does NOT = expense!!! This is a poor representation of the reliable German Werks!!! This car is a Piece of WORK, not worth the paint!!! Never will buy another Audi, recommend u don't!!

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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I wish I never bought this car!

Written by: qe212 on 05/13/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 Fwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

I bought my A4 in November of 2006 with 33K miles and now have 64K on it. I live in New England and wanted a 4 wheel drive sedan. In the three years I have owned the car I've replaced the windshield wiper motor twice ($500 each) and the windshield washer pump once! I've also had to replace the the rack and pinion steering, all 6 ignition cylinders, timing belt and water pump (Audi recommendation = $1200), brakes. I'm at the point I'm afraid to drive the car on any long trips and use it as little as possible. I'll be trading it in soon for a Honda Civic (going to take a hit on the trade in value and what I owe) but I just can't afford to keep the Audi.

Favorite Features

It's great in snow and rain.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love my car.....but....things to know

Written by: Damien on 04/18/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I love my audi and will say that it drives the same as the day I bought it (with 8800 miles on it). With that said, repairs are expensive so you should know that. Find a good VW or Audi mechanic and don't use your dealership as they are a rip off. Here are some things I have paid for on my car with 86K miles on it. At 43K a new clutch....70K a new timing belt, spark plugs, and water pump, front breaks at 72K and rear breaks at $77K.....82K catalytic converter, 85K miles suspension arms, etc. In the last year I have put $5,000 in my audi and plan to keep it for another 80K miles. My mechanic has been great and lesson learned is after the warranty was up I should have found a mechanic.

Favorite Features

Handling, comfort, AWD, acceleration, over 20MPG still, bose sound system, and full size spare.

Suggested Improvements

As many have said cup holders, rear seating space, and expense of repairs.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Perfect combination ...

Written by: peterr on 03/26/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 Fwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

I have owned several convertibles from Triumphs to Mercedes, I have never had one as perfect as the Audi A4 Cabrio. Imagine a car that treats you well when cruising the boulevard and at the same time lets you throw it into a corner at heart pounding speeds. A car that handles like a sports car but lets you take 3 friends along for the ride. Ar car that makes your 10 wife look like an 11 and gets you all the looks you need. PERFECT.

Favorite Features

I got the sport and premium package, I recommend it to anyone looking at this car.

Suggested Improvements

Looking forward to trading it in for the 2009 V8 S4 version.

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Beware the 2003 Audi A4 4WD

Written by: Lydia Bernstein on 03/20/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I purchased 2 2003 Audi A4's at the same time. Just as the warranty expired, similar defects appeared in both cars. In just over two years, almost everything has gone wrong with both cars. They are both lemons. The Audi dealership we went to charged me almost $3K for 2 visits in which they couldn't diagnose the problem. The turbo exploded 2 weeks ago in one of them and damaged the engine in the process. Both cars are a money pit, and I am attempted to dump both & absorb the loss. Audi corporate apologized for my frustration & loss & asked if there was anything else they could do today. DON'T BUY THESE CARS!!!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great handling...poor reliability

Written by: Oliv on 02/07/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 1.8T Avant quattro AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've owned this A4 for 2 years now and I am still not sure about Audi. I really like the car handling in all conditions. The Quattro system is excellent in all conditions. However, the engine power together with the auto transmission feels short on acceleration ability. Gas mileage could be better (23 mpg overall) for a car this size. I was disappointed with the reliability of this car but even more with the ability from Audi dealerships to find the issues. They replaced the throttle assembly 3 times (!) before thinking the issue could come from somewhere else (cracked plastic cover that messed the ECM box). I also had to replace the steering rack (leak) and two noisy wheel bearings (rear).

Favorite Features

Quattro = cat's agility in winter conditions (especially with snow tires). Interior quality Sports car handling Tiptronic transmission Audi warranty (buy a car with warranty!)

Suggested Improvements

More torque with better gas mileage (why can't we have the TDI diesel engines they have in Europe?). Better brakes (they feel weak), better reliability (electronics), better training for Audi service... faster transmission (like the DSG?).

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Just OK!

Written by: britt11286 on 01/10/2009

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have had my Audi for 2 years and it has been to the dealership for multiple problems 4 times and it needs to go back again. From interior peeling to ignition coils, it really has been one thing after another, mostly little things though. I hate the fact that the 2nd cup holder is in the center console, pretty useless! However, I have to say that I really love this car. It is a smooth ride and it can virtually get through snow and ice with very little slipping if any at all. The Bose stereo puts out great sound. It handles corners great. Could have a little more power, but its not bad. Will get another A4 but it will definitely be the newer 2009 model. Hopefully they'll get it right in 2009.

Favorite Features

AWD, handles great, Bose sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Interior peels, Power window failure, 2nd cup holder in the middle console.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Lemonade on Wheel

Written by: Lemonade Vendor on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 1.8T Fwd 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Review

First of all, this is the worst car I've ever owned. Second of all, the worst car I ever owned...now you got my point. At 57k miles replaced the CVT transmission ($8K), CV boot 4x, headlight every 3-6months, it goes on. Never will ever buy or own an Audi again, worst than Yugo and I'd rather drive a Pacer.

Favorite Features

Handling and convertible but can't enjoy it becuase everytime start the engine I'm always worried what will break next.

Suggested Improvements

Everything...build a reliable car

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love the car, but it's a heartbreaker!

Written by: Erin S on 11/10/2008

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 quattro AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I love to drive my A4, which makes it only more painful that it's been in the shop more times than I'd care to count. It's peppy, smooth, and easy to handle on the highway. It's beautiful inside when everything's working. But, it's had more broken electrical parts than I knew existed on a car, and every repair is crazy expensive. I wonder if they fly the parts one by one from Germany! Like others, have had multiple issues with the stereo, sunroof, various lights/indicators, relays, in addition to the dead fuel pump. Tires pop like balloons, and they're expensive, too. An expensive love, for sure.

Favorite Features

Interior styling, acceleration, trunk space (really!), comfort, gas mileage isn't too bad.

Suggested Improvements

For the price you pay for these, the reliability is completely abysmal. If you're going to make a car with so many parts that break, at least make the parts and service halfway affordable!

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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