A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

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A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

Good day good folk!

I've been doing some reading and it seems like the 2nd Gen was the oil drinker.

Gen 3 seems to have stretching cam chain issues at 100k km, as well as issues with the electronic actuator on the turbo.

1. Anything else i should worry about?
2.Who has one care to mention reliability/economy?
3.Who can do a history check on an A4?
4.Is R17k worth it for a 2year mplan extension?
5.What are the gains with Sw?

Looking at a 2015 A4 1.8T with 80k km on the clock, still has a little bit of mplan left.
The 125kW version feels a bit faster than the figures on paper suggest, probably.

Thanks!
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by The Shaikh »

I have a 2013 model CJE engine at 145xxxKM

So I far I have done

1. Water pump - 135xxx KM apparently they go and you will hear it, makes a loud sound
2. Thermostat - 120xxx KM Stop Start System stopped working
3. PCV - Not sure when it was done
4. Some water pipes cracked and spewed coolant and had to replace a few pipes including the water container thingy
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by amstel18 »

Not sure if the a4 has the same motor as the a3. Mine has the integrated Manifold so the turbo bolts directly to the Head.

If it is the same motor, then what was listed above is the issues I had which was replaced under maintenance plan.

Seeing that it's still under FWP, any audi dealer will be able to give you a print out of the history.

Don't bother with Mods if you planning on extending the maintenance plan. Because it will become null & void.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by panic-mechanic »

waterpump and thermostat is a common failure on that entire series. RIght currently you cannot even get sock of them anywhere in SA except from the factory in 3 days at R13k. We have seen a number of stretched chains but so far no broken pistons.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

Thanks guys.

It doesn't really seem like a good idea then, the FWP expires in March 2020 so less than 5 months.
It's being advertised at trade value price which is why I thought it might be a viable option, as my car has 169k km on atm.

Might as well keep the Volvo then as its been quit reliable over the past 10months bar a water leak.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by GB9 »

SemiColon wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:57 am Thanks guys.

It doesn't really seem like a good idea then, the FWP expires in March 2020 so less than 5 months.
It's being advertised at trade value price which is why I thought it might be a viable option, as my car has 169k km on atm.

Might as well keep the Volvo then as its been quit reliable over the past 10months bar a water leak.
Not worth seeing what it would cost to extend the MP under Audi's new pricing and options? If it's going at trade, maybe it will still be a viable option with the extension.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

GB9 wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:52 pm
SemiColon wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:57 am Thanks guys.

It doesn't really seem like a good idea then, the FWP expires in March 2020 so less than 5 months.
It's being advertised at trade value price which is why I thought it might be a viable option, as my car has 169k km on atm.

Might as well keep the Volvo then as its been quit reliable over the past 10months bar a water leak.
Not worth seeing what it would cost to extend the MP under Audi's new pricing and options? If it's going at trade, maybe it will still be a viable option with the extension.
R17k for a 2year/40k km extension.

Advertised for 190k,
Trade: R 192 700.00
Retail: R 234 600.00
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by GB9 »

SemiColon wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 1:00 pm
GB9 wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:52 pm Not worth seeing what it would cost to extend the MP under Audi's new pricing and options? If it's going at trade, maybe it will still be a viable option with the extension.
R17k for a 2year/40k km extension.

Advertised for 190k,
Trade: R 192 700.00
Retail: R 234 600.00
If it's a good example and you are happy with everything else it offers, it seems worthwhile. What mileage are you doing per year?

I missed your earlier maint. plan pricing; apologies.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by Silverbird_96Kw »

That Extension price is good, I only extended my time and not mileage and was not close to 17k :roll: :eek:
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

The car is neat and will come with brand new tyres all round.

The problem is that the SE trim is pretty k@k in 2015 standards.
It's literally specced worse than my S40.

No bluetooth streaming which is an irritation, and the sound system isnt as good (Although pretty good still)

We already have an SUV as the long distance/weekend cruiser, I am now doing 300km a month.

Seems like a lot of wanted money if the car is just gonna drive 10km a day.
Better to rather look for something smaller and cheaper then.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by VGTI »

SemiColon wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:12 am

We already have an SUV as the long distance/weekend cruiser, I am now doing 300km a month.

Seems like a lot of wanted money if the car is just gonna drive 10km a day.
Better to rather look for something smaller and cheaper then.
For 10 km a day I'd get a scooter... use the volvo on rainy days.

I do 130km on most days and I am still not going to spend money on that kind of appliance

Rather get a toy/race car :driving:
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

Not really in the mood to die to be honest.

Im looking at these mid 2000's 4star ncap cars, Jazz/Swift/Mazda2/Spark/Rio/i20/i10 etc.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by The Shaikh »

They do have their share of problems, my biggest worry was the oil consumption that killed the Gen 2 but to date I have only added oil once after it was serviced and I don't think the mechanic had added enough. its annoying that they don't come with a dip stick and everything has to be done via the MMI thingy.

Amazing consumption though on the open road. In town its too heavy for a 1.8 IMHO
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by Silverbird_96Kw »

I don't have the A4 - but I'm enjoying my A3 Sedan tbh
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by SemiColon »

Silverbird_96Kw wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:08 pm I don't have the A4 - but I'm enjoying my A3 Sedan tbh
Yiss an A3 sedan is so pretty, best looking sedan right now.
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Re: A4 EA888 1.8T Gen3 reliability

Post by Unobeat »

SemiColon wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:28 am
Silverbird_96Kw wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:08 pm I don't have the A4 - but I'm enjoying my A3 Sedan tbh
Yiss an A3 sedan is so pretty, best looking sedan right now.
Yep
A3 Sedan looks damn hot :smile:
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