2003 Audi A4 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

The A4 is luxurious, sporty, winterproof and a few grand cheaper than BMW's 3 Series. As such, it's one of our favorite entry-luxury cars.

Pros

Available all-wheel drive, classy interiors laden with amenities, stable handling.

Cons

Price goes up quickly with options, engines a little short on low-end torque.

What's New for 2003

The big news is the arrival of the A4 Cabriolet, a fetching drop-top version of the A4 sedan. Initially, the company will offer only one drivetrain choice -- front-wheel drive with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and continuously variable transmission. Expect to see a 1.8T version midway through the model year and a 3.0 quattro Cab by October 2003. No word yet on the possibility of a manual transmission. As if this weren't enough, Audi plans to release a coupe version of the A4 in early 2003. The rest of the A4 lineup benefits from equipment upgrades. Leather is now optional on all 1.8T models, as are 12-way power front seats. All 3.0s will come swathed in leather, with more deluxe leather optional. Previous stand-alone options for the 3.0, including xenons and satellite steering wheel controls, have been swept up into the Premium Package. A new cold weather package includes seat heaters and a ski sack, and 17-inch all-season tires are a stand-alone extra.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Great car, but reliability issues

Written by: Brian on 09/25/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	5
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	7

Vehicle

2003 Audi A4 3.0 Fwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

I bought this car certified used with 43k miles on it. I have driven Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, BMW and Mercedes. In general this is a great and solid feeling car. Outstanding interior which I like even better than the new models. Strong performance (acceleration a little light), and fabulous in the snow. Great car when things are working. Some reliability issues. Car got stuck in tiptronic day 1. Received flats on 3 of 4 pirelli tires that came with. Antenna had to be fixed, wipers got stuck vertical on windshield, had to replace brakes, fix broken wiper fluid tube, and engine steamed up once. I have never felt that the car would stop running on me, but things always need to be fixed.

Favorite Features

Interior (wood trim) is outstanding. Great handling, car feels like you are riding between rail tracks. Quattro is unreal in the snow. Fun to drive and comfortable, great mix between the two.

Suggested Improvements

Acceleration is good, but not outstanding. Cup Holders. Stronger reliability. I now always fear that the warning in the dash will come up and warn me of another issue, and hundreds more on repairs. Costly repairs. I would like to hold on to for a while, but can't accept many more issues.

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Beware! Buy an Audi at your own risk!

Written by: jtkoomd1 on 08/31/2009


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	7

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

As I drove off the lot, the Xenon headlight leveling sensor warning light went on. I had to leave it overnight the first night I owned it! This was a problem that had to be fixed three times in the first year I owned it. My remote trunk release works only sporadically and I've had to fix it three times so far...this number would be higher if I hadn't given up on fixing this problem. I've had problems with the power window switches, power mirrors, and the memory power seats. At 3 years, the rubberized trim around the cabin began to flake off. Though no major engine disasters (so far), I've had many other problems requiring time in the shop!

Handles well and is relatively fun to drive when it isn't in the shop. But it is still no BMW.

Reliability!! All would be forgiven if I didn't have to drive a loaner/rental all the time.

2003 A4 Quattro 3.0L

Written by: monsterrider on 08/25/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

I've owned the car since new and now have 125,000 miles on it. Fuel pump was replaced under recall and everything else has been just routine service. No problems whatsoever. Gas mileage averages about 25 - 26 on the highway. Quattro is great in all weather conditions. Comfortable interior, excellent stereo, Xenon headlamps make night driving easy. This has been an excellent car.

Quattro AWD; Fuel economy given its performance capability; Bose stereo; interior fit and finish; handles like a sports car if driven that way, or is a very comfortable sedan to cruise in.

Be aware, like many AWD, tires need to be replaced in fours. One damaged tire can end up costing a lot.

Awesome Car!

Written by: Cam on 08/10/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	9

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

My A4 has 170,000 miles and is still running beautifully. It is fun to drive, comfortable, and not half bad looking either. Has run flawless its whole life (It has been maintained exactly when suggested by Audi). Will replace the timing belt again soon, though the manual says every 100 or 105k from what I have read it should be replaced every 60- 80k as that is when it is said to break. Build quality is in a whole different class, the car is amazingly sound and solid. Manual shifts smooth and precise. Gas mileage is anywhere from 23-24 city to 30-31 hwy. Quattro is awesome too!!!

AWD, gas mileage, build quality, fun to drive for what it is, space, stereo

The new A4 has all the improvements I would have suggested. The front end was re-modeled, there's more cup holders, and the new engine has the little bit more power that my car needs.

Save your money for repairs

Written by: utahsnowrider on 07/30/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	4
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	8

I have owned this car for 5 years and purchased it new. I love the handling, performance,and smooth,quiet ride. It handles well in the snow. As soon as the vehicle was off warranty and still under 50,000 miles, I had to replace the power steering pump, cracked vacuum tubes, and oxygen sensors. I calculated that it has cost me $100 per month for repairs since the warranty expired. Not exactly the fine engineering and reliability I expected when I purchased the car. I read a lot of owner reviews that are experiencing the same failures my car has. I still love to drive this car, but I won't be buying another Audi.

Comfortable ride, winter handling, performance, trunk volume.

Reliability.

2003 Audi A4 Consumer Ratings & Reviews