Way Over Engineered! Simple Repair Cost an Audi A4 Owner Dearly

We know that many German cars are over-engineered, but to do a simple repair on this 2018 Audi A4 we had to remove the bumper! Why did it have to be this complicated?!?!
🔮🔧 AMAZON AFFILIATE STORE #ad : www.amazon.com... 🔧🔮
🇬🇧🇬🇧 UK AMAZON STORE #ad : www.amazon.co.... 🇬🇧🇬🇧
👕 CAR WIZARD MERCH: teespring.com/... 👕
📷 INSTAGRAM @realcarwizard / realcarwizard 📷
🧰 BENDPAK LIFTS: www.bendpak.com 🧰
🎞️🚙 CAR WIZARD SHORTS ON FB: / carwizardfb 🚙🎞️
🎸 LIFT AND OUTRO MUSIC BY CLAYTON CAGLE: / claytoncalifornia 🎸
🎶 INTRO MUSIC: Green Daze by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon... 🎶
#carrepair #carwizard #carmechanic #autorepairshop #automobile #cars #car #audi #audia4

[@br549200]

At GM we suspend a heater core in mid air and build a car around it.

[@DWINTERS14]

🤣

[@NVRAMboi]

dang that's funny.

[@scootypuffjr.]

@@br549200 That's exactly what I tell people. 🤣

[@stevechase1512]

I couldn`t have said that any better.

[@ThreeDogsBar]

You win 😂

[@86LukeM]

I used to work at an Audi dealership in the service department. The shop foreman would say, "they just design it, they don't care who works on it."

[@KelsS1k]

😂😂😂

[@ozzyolof9209]

Before sitting in front of a drawing board,should be compulsory to spend 10 years on the tools

[@senadmusic8879]

Actually in Germany car services are affiliated with the manufacturer and they make money that way

[@MrGoogelaar]

Audis are not designed, a bunch of apes are let loose in a parts shop and voila...an Audi emerges.

[@SI0AX]

​@@ozzyolof9209They get professional mechanics to work on the car and study them and ask them what can they do to make the car harder, slower and more expensive to repair, then implement the designs to ensure it's not worth attempting repairs and anyone that tries will be deterred.

[@pxidr]

German engineers : "every solution has a problem"

[@davemckee4907]

Yes and why just use one relay when you can use three relays to do the same job!

[@1974Qball]

They lose every war for a reason.......

[@renegadeflyer2]

Porsche cars are a lot easier to work on . Even the mid engine cars. But then again they also designed the beetle.

[@janudholm]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@cedricjackson7521]

We gotta take the front bumper off every time you gotta do a service on it. Can I just take your word on it and Ilike Audis

[@jasonfabrick9308]

I like the "Take the whole front end off" montage. It reminds me of some TV ads, including the "Wheres the beef?" ads from the 1980s for some reason.

[@NVRAMboi]

I found it to be extremely helpful in relating to what mechanics/techs go through every day.

[@frankfurther3828]

RIP Clara Peller, Chicago.

[@Rsomero]

You don't own an Audi, you support it. Former TT owner here.

[@teslamr7333]

I test drove a TT back in 2000 and felt like it was too small inside. I wasn’t a fan of 4 door cars but I then test drove a S4 and was driving it off the lot.

[@differdf]

I daily drive 2016 Audi TTS Roadster and love it. It is such a nimble small thing and very nice to sit in. IMO interior it one of the best ever. So far no big bills, but in general every EU car has very squeezed engine bay, so maintenance cost depends mostly on parts and not on labour.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

Lol. Try owning a Jag or Aston or even any aged American car.

[@JayA.-cf8bn]

TT = 😭

[@user-360johnn]

I feel like Audi is also extremely stingy with horsepower, like the A4 is always consistently less powerful than all the cars in its class for example. Then for the S4, you only get 350 or so for 60k.

[@67daltonknox]

In German speak, the life of the car is the life of the warranty. After that, German car makers wash their hands of their products. They don't care how ridiculous maintenance and repair procedures are.

[@tomthompson7400]

ever owned a Land Rover ??

[@Go2scout]

@@tomthompson7400 🤣

[@6.7de92]

@@tomthompson7400😂😂

[@smal1393]

@@tomthompson7400 I recently was driving behind a Land Rover with a bumper sticker that read "the parts falling off this vehicle are of the highest British Quality".

[@HermannTheGreat]

I'd expect no lose from a Country built around losing.

[@GregoryBaker]

My dad had an Audi S6 when I was in high school. He kept it for 6 or 7 years. Stick shift and super fun, but by college it seemed like it was always in the shop. One spring break I came home to visit, and he had replaced it with an Infinity.

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

@@GregoryBaker Great choice. The only thing Audis are good for is ship anchors 😂

[@MrGoogelaar]

Replacing the Audi with an Infinity was an infinite good idea.

[@paulsz6194]

To Infiniti , and beyond…….😂

[@adanlopez1011]

Infiniti’s aren’t that great either, they require their repairs, but at least they come to an end for a while. An Audi is just a spiral. Best luxury car if obviously a Lexus, but they have an old retired man image.

[@jeffreyklebert4106]

Wa s considering one at one time! Bought an Infinity!

[@dawnpoint]

Good gravy. Did a Lexus radiator a few weeks ago and it was just two bolts holding it in (plus the fan shroud and hoses). Easiest job ever.

[@Paul-cl6uo]

Just moved from Lexus after 15 years of VAG. Delighted, and never going back….Not if the car was half price.

[@NVRAMboi]

Thanks Wizard! That was NOT "repetitious nonsense" with the front bumper. Not at all. AUDI engineers earned every bit of that.

[@oldrrocr]

"Should you buy one of these with high miles?... NO" Wizard, you're doing god's work!

[@mzee5533]

What is god’s work?

[@joeyc1563]

@@mzee5533being biased towards Toyota and not seeing how new Audis aren’t designed this terrible way

[@jaapaap123]

Well, you shouldn't be buying one with low mileage either.

[@joeyc1563]

@@jaapaap123 Explain why not, honestly if you consider the lawsuits German brands get for the dumper fire older models anything 2019+ should last you a decent amount of time or at least past 150k miles.

[@jaapaap123]

@@joeyc1563 because they're shit cars and anyone with a bit of knowledge will laugh at you.

[@VladoT]

The "service position" is not this. This is all out. Service position is when you put the front end on the second bolt hole and create a gap to be able to work. This way you can change the serpentine belt, idler pulleys and water pump without taking off the condenser and the radiator, however you probably have to take off the headlights and the bumper.

[@andrewmooreandrewrmoore7615]

Yes same idea with MINI.

[@michaeld5888]

@@andrewmooreandrewrmoore7615 I had an original mini van and I believe you could remove the front grill on the car but not the van. Replacing the the oil filter at the front priming it with oil and offering up was a very knuckle grazing bit of messy guesswork. Also the distributor at the front picked up dirt and I stripped it down every year to make sure the auto advance weights were moving. With most cars I have had replacing a headlamp requires 3 hands each only 2" wide with 2 thumbs and seven fingers.

[@garethgrundy8087]

Apologies if someone already explained this in the comments. A4 & upwards (A1,2,3 use transverse engines) use longitudinal engines with a transaxle so that either front or four wheel drive is relatively easily engineered without altering engine location. This has been the case since the late 1970’s and is almost a reverse of the Porsche 911 layout. To allow the front driveshafts to meet the front wheel hubs without too severe an angle the engine has to sit forward of the front “axle” and therefore this leaves very little space for the cooling package etc if the nose of the car is not going to be “too long”. Unfortunately this makes for a vehicle design where doing anything located in front of the engine has almost no space to work. Even changing a belt tensioner is tricky in there. They are a very technical car and you have to have a certain mindset to work on them without getting frustrated by them. Like any job, the more you do it the easier and quicker it becomes and these are no different. Plenty of folks pulling engines on these to change the timing chains etc and it is just another job to them. Means a big labour bill yes but do your research before choosing your car if you want to avoid big labour bills.

[@Salmon_Rush_Die]

Thanks for saying it.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

Thank you for the detailed explanation

[@Corvette_Z51]

LOL I've done that job, at home in my garage using simple tools. Didn't even fret about it. My '17 A4 gets 34 Mpg/ does 13.9 1/4 mile and I replaced the radiator once. No big deal. She's good for another 100k miles!

[@vagcentral2252]

Yea this is blown out proportion lol. Can't expect it to be a body on frame truck. If you can wrench you save thousands. Have the same one. Great car 100k miles

[@pfsantos007]

Good time to change the belt, tensioner and any idler pulleys!

[@heiner71]

As well as, engine, transmission, AC components, heater core and front suspension

[@Mkms111]

Cheaper than removing the whole facia again once it breaks.

[@kennethross786]

Engineers design cars to be easy to assemble at the factory. They aren't the ones who get their heads bitten off when the customer learns replacing a water pump is $1000 in LABOR ALONE, so they don't really care.

[@maxtokmin9683]

Completely agree all new cars are assembled as “modules” if you watch a German assembly line you’ll be amazed

[@petrosaguilar8916]

Engineers have dozens if not hundreds of targets to hit not just ease of service. That means tit for tat is often the end result.

[@FabienTeulieres93]

@@maxtokmin9683 Indeed. I was lucky enough to visit the Audi factory in Heilbronn in 2002. Fascinating, so I can only imagine how it is now, 22 years later. But that neat, modular, extra-tight and extra-precise method of assembly creates absurd situations when unbolting stuff for service is required.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

As if engineers care what mechanics on the other side of the Atlantic charge their customers.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

@@maxtokmin9683 Toyotas are the same. Go watch some videos from “ Car nut guy”.

[@oldguy2082]

As a former VW tech, the New Beetle was also a nightmare. The fog light assembly also required you remove the front bumper assembly. Even the some of the Prius require you to remove the bumper assembly to replace headlight bulbs (though its not difficult).

[@BitWalker]

It's usually the book method of replacing bulbs now. You can usually reach through the wheel liner to do it.

[@mikelarry2602]

How many hours to fix the New Beetle ?

[@peterpeter5666]

i did a heater core on a new beetle . OMG what a mess!

[@oldguy2082]

@BitWalker yeah, I know that a lot of techs do it that way to beat book time, however, it works only about 50% or so as issues with brittle plastic is an issue and you don't want damage the grill that the housing is secured in. I've done enough of these to beat book time and not worry about damaging anything.

[@bh2155]

I drive a 2012 VW Beetle and you are right they are a nightmare to work on. The repairs are frequent and very expensive

[@phillipkeeling7327]

I have great respect for auto mechanics, especially these days. I’m 70, grew up wrenching on cars back when you could practically stand in the engine bay of a six banger pickup. Now it’s a couple hours of KZbin to replace a battery or headlight bulb. I also worked in a large auto assembly plant in the 80s, watched the various layers of cars come together. I remember thinking, OMG! I pity the poor guys who have to fix these things.

[@pablopicaro7649]

German Mechanic shops ALSO have a Finance Department. This is NOT joke, the shops have a finance department for people to pay their repair bills (and there will be many with domestic makes).

[@IronFishChannel]

"Domestic" cars are actually rebadged global cars built in Mexico with a familiar badge slapped on

[@xxxy9928]

VW bank is to finance the car !!! ...not the repair

[@johneldorado]

Those plastic side tanks are where modern radiators leak every time. All to save probably $1 in aluminum.

[@douglasbrann7074]

As a multi-car Audi A6 C5 series owner and who is a trained mechanic, I can attest that this is TOO TRUE!

[@NVRAMboi]

Thanks for being honest.

[@chrishernandez2490]

What is your opinion of the Audi RS7? I heard the 4.0TT motor is pretty reliable besides the turbo screen and oil separator issues, however, I'm not that familiar with Audis.

[@jdm2gdm]

@@chrishernandez2490 The Turbo screen and Oil Separator on the 4.0TT is covered by a recall. Other than that, I've heard no issues even on high mileage ones.

[@heiner71]

I mean... a C5 A6 is 20-23 years old. Not quite sure what you expect. Sure your agricultural Camry will still run on the first set of tires with the original oil but they are absolutely no fun.

[@SCARSORGofficial]

@@chrishernandez2490 They can be wicked expensive to service outside of warranty due to the tight packaging. Case in point, stuck fuel injector? Remove engine and each injector was $570ish. Might as well do them all because the labor to do one is off the charts... so that's a 13k job at an independent shop. Electric power steering rack? The part is 5k to start. They do have timing chains as well and those don't last forever. Also remembered the valve spring issues the 4.0T engines can suffer from. I know of a few of those personally and that was a big expenditure. I'm a big Audi fan I do a lot of my own work but I'm not brave enough to take the RS7 plunge without a serious warranty.

[@gregedmand9939]

These were designed by engineers who never had to service what they built. It should be a critical requirement for anyone wanting to build complex technology for the masses. Either build it inexpensively enough that it can be thrown away when it fails or design so it isn't a nightmare to repair. They've learned that lesson with things like cell phones. Car companies still want to force you to buy a new version every 4 years that costs MORE than the last time you bought it. The exact opposite of how technology sales have evolved in nearly every other industry.

[@Paul-cl6uo]

Love him or hate him, Musk forced the Tesla design team to sit beside the engineering team so as to bring the designers down to practical reality. In some car companies they aren’t even based in the same country as engineering.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

That service position, I think that is what the technicians are also trained to take in Audi school.

[@Mr-pn2eh]

Possibly jared

[@scootypuffjr.]

@@TheQuestionableGarage You mean the service position and no lube

[@centralscrutinizer6108]

Bend over and say "aaaahhhhhhhh".

[@markusklose7607]

The service-position is actually a clever thing to access the front of the engine while even the AC stays pressurized, he is making a drama for nothing. Driving Audis for 20 years, never had a leak, never had a problem on the engine - even not with the TFSI which are told to consume oil.

[@postersm7141]

More like the owners. Take that position and no lube for you.

[@twentysevenlitres]

It's because they're a longitudinal Front Wheel Drive platform. In order to not make the car look weird and handle better, they go to great efforts to minimise front overhang. The result is compact packaging and having to remove the nose to get good engine access. It's also why all their engines (other than the 4's) are V's (Same with Subaru - why do you think Subaru insists on sticking with the boxer 4). If you like complicated, review the quad link front suspension on that thing! Marvelous design, also improves their handling.

[@MrGoogelaar]

A longitudinal front wheel drive car is already a stupid idea.

[@xg5zm]

​@@MrGoogelaar the multilink front suspension wouldn't fit in a transverse engine design. You would have to compromise and get Mcphersons. It is a very compact car for the design and layout. A VW passat to stay on the same manufacturer) is much easier accessible design but technically is not at the same level. If you want cheap don't get complicated cars. If you want good handling in a compact design, I am afraid it is going to be be more complex.

[@MrGoogelaar]

@@xg5zm Audi is not a sport car but a run of the mill passenger car and it is not as if front wheel cars with other set ups are pigs in the handling department.secondly VW uses longitudinal engines in front wheel drive for years, the first Passat also had that and with the asthmatic engines those cars had handling was the last thing to worry about! I remember the horrible diesel in some Passats. Trying to be overcomplicated is the downfall of many,

[@petrosaguilar8916]

@@MrGoogelaar you obviously don't know wtf you're talking about so just stick to your clapped out '05 Scion or whatever turd you drive..

[@xg5zm]

It is not overcomplicating it is a choice and a compromise in packaging that has its reasons. Other manufacturers choose diferent options, even same manufacturer for different products. A McPherson transversal engine layout is less comfortable for the same handling caracteristics than a longitudinal with multilink, suspension,but it is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. That is my point.

[@kevinbarry71]

A German engineer looks at something, thinks, and says, "that's not nearly complicated enough. Let me make this more of a disaster".

[@Karrpilot]

On another show, the mechanic had to remove the engine to do a timing chain cover job. Because the timing chain was at the back of the engine. I replaced the timing chain cover gaskets and related parts in my Pontiac, in the driveway. 231 Buick V6, series 3 engine, 167K on it. Drove it another 100K, and traded it in. With an Audi, those repairs would have sent it to the scrap yard.

[@BobBasshead]

True but you were driving a Pontiac and not an Audi.😂BUT I did special ordered a 1979 Trans Am Olds 403 cuz dad was a mechanic at the dealership and insisted on it, gobs of low end torque, 3:73 12 bolt posi no AC no T-tops (body flex and they leak) and the WS6 suspension package. 15.00 second 1/4 on shitty street tires at Englishtown. Opened the hood scoop, rejeted the Q-Jet, recurved the distributor and made a "bypass pipe" for the catalytic converter but still had single exhaust. It had a lot more potential but couldn't afford headers or slicks. Had to sell it with 17,000 miles on it, the company I was working for as a sheet metal mechanic went bankrupt couldn't make the payments, sold it to some chick who I know didn't have a clue to what she was buying. It had all the bones for a race car. Now I'm driving a 05 Nissan Maxima, made some mods and beating the piss out of the 3.5, fun to drive.

[@racekar80]

Brand new GM 3 L diesel needs transmission removed to change the timing belt. It’s not just Audi, it’s all new cars. There built to last just past the warranty.

[@mcytc]

A4 timing chains are at the front of the engine and have been for nearly two decades. The bumper needs to come off, of course.

[@jeffreyklebert4106]

@Karrpilot The Audi V6 and V8 motors have the chain at the back of the motor as I recall. What kind of idiots desighn these things? Das auto idiots!

[@rnldmanuel88]

​@@mcytc yeah the 2.0t does all the other bigger displacement engines have the timing chains at the back

[@twentyeightmcd]

Hey Wizard, you know what would be good, is a time lapse of Danielson taking off the various parts, so we could see what it really involves to take the radiator out.

[@maxmackinlay618]

Probably only takes 3 hours but they will still charge 5.8 hours. You cant penalise a tech for being a fast worker !

[@inanismailov]

If you look at an S4. When you consider the engine size, the fact that it is AWD, and how the car is about the size of a newer gen Jetta. Im impressed they managed to even fit it all into the chassis

[@markcarter9476]

I've owned my Audi B5 S4 Avant for 21 years now and after all that time I can achieve the 'service postion' in less than an hour now. It is a pain to have to do this but does provide excellent access.

[@johne7345]

I have a buddy who is a retired Snap On Tools applications engineer. When I advised him that it was time to replace the timing belt and water pump on his 2003 Passat, he then asked me how I was able to get in there to change the belt on my 2001 Passat. I showed him the "lock carrier service position" secret -- it was fun to teach a respected expert how to fix a car. :) I told him, "You're a navy flight mechanic veteran -- RTFM ("read the manual")." He cut some 8mm threaded rod for hanging his lock carrier and gave me a pair of cut rods for future work on my cars and my sons' cars (2002 A4, 2000 S4, 1996 A4).

[@jackpalczynski7884]

I watch VAGtechnic who's a tech specializing in Audi over in good ole England. Lots of timing chain, cam phasors, chain guide replacements. It seems to me that where people are tired of timing belts having to be done at 100k miles, it seems with Audi, you have to replace the chain, phasors, guides, everything at 100k miles. And here's the fun part. The timing chain is at the BACK of the engine. So you have to remove the engine, transmission, subframe first. Oh, yah, the front bumper too. Audis are great to drive but I'd only own one until the factory warranty is in effect.

[@Weezedog]

I've owned 2 cars where the first step in in the owner's manual for replacing the front halogen headlight was to completely remove the front bumper.

[@NMRH258]

For those that don't know: This procedure is commonly known as the "Audi Service Position". It has more or less been the norm for most Audi vehicles among enthusiast/DIY circles for a couple decades now.

[@Henry_Jones]

In 2019 I was seriously looking at trading my accord v6 in for an off lease a4. They were selling for less than half their original msrp. And then Car Wizard told me dont. I still have the Accord. Zero problems. Zero regrers. Thanks Wizard!!! Now shold I get a gmc acadia or chevy traverse? 😜

[@philb707]

I own a Audi an a Civic, why would any sane person sell a Honda for a Audi lol.

[@Henry_Jones]

@@philb707 easy. I love cars and was tempted. Honda accord v6 is a quick upscale midsize sedan. A4 is a luxury sports sedan. I was tempted to try something new. Now Im tempted to get a RAM 1500 lmfao

[@philb707]

@@Henry_Jones 🤣🤣

[@ericpowers2469]

Pretty much all Audi’s from 1999 to current requires this. When I bought my wife a C5A6, I was reading about the “service position”, I was confused, then someone on the forums showed a picture, I freaked out.

[@MagnoliaFerratt]

fixmyrideai AI fixes this. Audi owner faces costly repair.

[@johnshaw4140]

I have a BMW , difference is mine is 1975 build year....bullet proof , 98,000 miles , and a 1976 European Ford too Plus a 1984 G30 to trailer my beauties to shows and to my holiday cabin Daily is a Toyota Camry 😅

[@Anirossa]

I like my BMWs, but stay away from any new enough to have the M50 engine, I do enjoy the M30 and M20 engines a lot. Had European Granadas too (Mk1 and Mk2), not the biggest fan of their Cologne V6 anymore, nor are the rest of the cars too reliable, but they are definetly nice looking cars.

[@susannero6401]

1970's BMW's were mechanically bulletproof, generally simple even compared to other cars at the time. The Achilles heel, of course, was the rust.

[@littlereptilian7580]

98.000miles is nothing

[@mydimeisup5103]

CarWizard, I think I'm gonna be that guy. I personally don't think service position is all that bad. After the 2nd or 3rd time I had done it, it took me about 20 - 30 mins. Just pop the bumper off, remove the headlights, remove the crash bar and crash bar arms, and install long bolts then slide the core support out (or you can undo the top 2 Torx bolts for the core support and let it swing down). I had to do a water pump on a 3.0T A6 and while it was tight, its definitely doable. As for the S4 V8 and S6 V10, yeah those are ridiculous to work on, but the newer Audis I don't have many problems working on.

[@risingdough8078]

An A6 owner here, and about to hit the higher mileage repair zone. No problems... yet; I am still absolutely thrilled with the car. Glad to hear you've developed so much proficiency at removing the front end. If only the dealer would charge actual time rather than book time. Of course, that assumes the dealer has nothing but competent mechanics!

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

I'm German and they are junk cars IMHO...ugly looks to....I prefer an nsx..or even an iroc....these audis look like turtles

[@heiner71]

@@HANZELVANDERLAAY You prefer an Acura NSX? Well, I prefer a Ferrari 458.

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

@@heiner71 who is buying

[@dagamer667]

With the Audi V10, the service position is with the engine out of the vehicle and on an engine stand.

[@randomkoreanguy]

As a long time VW enthusiast, I can verify this is true and I actually have a photo of my old Jetta Sportwagen in exactly that state because the plastic intercooler snapped off at a support bracket and thus has a hole which meant it needed to be replaced. That took a weekend for an amateur like me. But just like the Wizard said, as she got close to 100k in mileage I had to get rid of her because the repairs were getting to be too much. They're great when they're new though. 😅

[@bh2155]

Right my VW starting at 88k miles repairs made: heater core, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor, 3 intake manifolds, water pump, ignition coils, oil sensor switch, complete clutch replacement, valve cover gasket and PCV valve replacement. I would love to get rid of it but I have more money invested in the car than what it is worth. VW/Audi's are the worse cars!

[@tycobandit]

@@bh2155good example of the sunk cost fallacy.

[@leandroarielpavon]

My Peugeot 504 diesel (1996) is 314000 km and only repaired , Seats and ignition key​. How diferente things are... @@bh2155

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

Was it properly maintained or it was approached “selectively”?

[@randomkoreanguy]

@@Pamlicojdjdj1487 I can only vouch for myself. As the second owner, I maintained it but it was a first year car, a single year body style (it was out one year and immediately refreshed) and also has what was then a brand new version of the 2.0T which has known issues (which have since been fixed in newer revisions of the engine). All in all probably not the best set of circumstances. Maybe the first owner was particularly abusive but I'm thinking it was more likely the confluence of factors I listed.

[@Oddman1980]

4:37 Suzuki Samurai Service Position: Lean the hood against the windshield. And with a four inch lift, you don't even need a jack to remove the oil pan.

[@georgechristov235]

It takes 20 minutes to "take the front off" once you get used to it. Audi in Europe charges 1 hour for taking off and putting it back. The car is designed to be serviced with the front off. The front is designed to be taken off with ease. You can't compare a truck with Audi 4. Audi 4 is designed as a small city car. It can be driven in any city. With the chevy in Europe you are limited to the main 4 lane streets only. There is no place in Europe where you can find a parking for the chevy. If Audi had to design the car for US they can put 10 feet engine bay, so you do not need to take the front off. For Europe every inch matters. A/S4 is an European model. So, it has to be as compact as possible.

[@b0nz1official]

1h at Audi serivce partner in Europe is around 250€ and they will charge you that on top of your serivce bill every time you have one of those issues described above.

[@davidbobo5517]

bro stop fan boying, it fucking sucks to work on audi, 2000 3000 2000 2000 2000, stacks up, stop just accepting how it is, and stop buying or supporting audis horrid building practice

[@bapr3887]

@@b0nz1official Taking front bumper in Audi is needed once-twice in its 15-20 years lifetime or every 5 years when there is timingbelt. And every normal guy do it with 30 minutes, which actually saves him another min 30 minutes in easy repair with super acces vs painfull repair in other cars with bumper on the car, so i really dont know where is issue? This is genius. I love repair auids, especially older.

[@markodeser6748]

Serpentine Belt change- take the Front of 😂😂😂😂not on one of my cars

[@b1pig]

@7:03 ... I drive a 2016 Tahoe with a 5.3 for work. The shop has had the front end off of it no fewer than 3 times fixing coolant issues. Maybe they're doing it wrong... Oh. There was a 4th time. Replacing the engine at 83,000 miles to put in a salvage engine. Yay me. Currently running on 7 cylinders.

[@HCGxKaLiBeR]

I changed my S4 B9 grill. The front end is not an issue. One bolt in each wheel well and a few under the lip. It takes less than 10 minutes, not an issue. But any major work on these cars are engine out job. The timing chains and stuff are at the back. Great design Audi...

[@wingman427]

Your comment that “Its the end of fun” is exactly what owning an Audi is all about. Owned 2 Audis in the “80s. Was meticulous with the service, bring them to the dealer. Around 90K many small things started happening. Not to the drive train but everything else. So I traded the first one for another new Audi. Didn’t learn my lesson. The same things started happening around 90K. No more Audis for me

[@NVRAMboi]

Thanks for sharing your firsthand experiences. Sort of validates everything I've heard.

[@seanhershey3390]

I’ve had 3 80s Audis .2 GTs & a 4000s..super reliable

[@jdm2gdm]

I owned nothing but Toyota, Honda, Infiniti and Lexus cars and then jumped ship to Audi many years ago and haven't had any issues (other than putting a ton of miles of them because they're actually such great driving cars).

[@magi115]

Audi's and BMW's are marketed at upper middle class lease consumers. They aren't really designed to last more than 80K miles like Japanese cars are. I don't know why people are always try to compare them to JDM vehicles. It's a completely different market segment and consumer base.

[@jdm2gdm]

@@magi115 Because the fact of the matter is that these cars do go on after 80K miles with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. owners. All the Audi's in my friend and family group have over 100K miles and only one needed major work (it was a older 2011 A4 that need the piston updated). The bottom line is that The Wizard likes to over dramatize things.

[@stuartn3522]

Great video; thanks for posting. Perhaps the more modern Audi models are flaky, but my 2003 all aluminium Audi A2 has almost 283,000 miles on the clock. Mostly routine service and maintenance in ten years of ownership- bought at 125,000 miles. The 1.4TDI is excellent. Apart from routine and service items, the clutch hydraulics have been replaced, the oil pump and balance shaft chain and tensioners have been replaced. Oh, and a radiator fan and intercooler. The front did have to come off, but it looks way less complicated to do than that A4! 😎

[@computercrack]

Most US citizens wouldnt consider the A2 as a car. Great car, but too expensive. Wanted to get one used back then, got something bigger for less money instead.

[@elev8j10]

If your mechanically inclined and have the proper tools working on these cars depending on the model isnt as bad as most make it out. Just know what your getting into if you are getting an older one or plan on modifications. Even doing the work yourself it can add up quickly. Its hard to beat the driving experience of some of these Audi's especially modified ones.... when they are running right.

[@DavidReagle-z1i]

I agree. Man up and feel good behind the wheel

[@Tread1775]

Those who know, know. I haven’t heard of any VAG engine self deleting. Stellantis, Hyundai/Kia, and Toyota (as of late) have shown this tendency. Basic maintenance is a foreign concept to many people. ✌️

[@Luisgtm95]

I like Audi and I´ve had Audis and spent some money on repairs, I personally don´t regret any of it, I feel like I´ve got my money´s worth because of how good they drive, the tech and luxury, and they can be very rewarding if you keep up with maintenance and doing the "while you´re in there" items to prevent future headaches as much as possible but you do need to assume it will get expensive as they get older, there is no point on having an older one as your daily driver and much less as your only car.

[@alant5757]

I once owned a 2001 Audi A6 with a 2.7 Twin Turbo… absolutely loved that car. But every time I would bring it in for maintenance… $2000…. $2000… $2000… $2000. Then my wife bought a new RAV4 in 2010 and she said that I could have her Honda Accord V6 with only 45K on it…. Or keep my Audi. I absolutely LOVED driving my Audi… but it then had 95K on it and I knew it was only a matter of time before something major happened. So…. I started driving the Honda. It took 6 months to get used to driving a “normal” car again. Haha

[@ericpowers2469]

Those 2.7TT cars are a blast to drive, especially the A6, it would startle other cars, but yep, once the warranty expired, it was $300 to $500 every month.

[@teedot1186]

Sad to hear. I'm in that position now. I haven't come to terms yet.

[@jamesdarcy3902]

This is why I have a Camry.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

@@alant5757 it's more to do with the American auto repair industry being grossly overpriced. This is essentially true with European brands where they think it's automatically ok to charge more on something that is not much more complicated to do than a Ford or Chevy.

[@andresboza8285]

You are so right about this madness Car Wizard! And the reason that I am not buying any Volkswagen Group product in the future.

[@willumsmith1177]

Been a mechanic for 23 years. I have forbidden anyone living in my house from purchasing an Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, or Mini. I simply do not have the capability to deal with working on them when I am not being heavily paid to.

[@dimitriasimov2140]

That's a little exagerated. The E90 M47 BMW with the chain in front it's pretty easy to repair. The old VW B5.5 or Audi A4 B7 have a lot of space (only thing is, you need to take off the front bumper to change the timing belt, but that is also pretty easy). The Passat B6 also has decent space of maneuver. So... basically the older cars are fine and don't really require too much time/money to repair.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

My experience has been that any mechanic who claims a certain brand is too difficult to work on isn't qualified to work on any brand, much less be heavily compensated to do so. It's similar to the carpenter that blames his tools.🤡

[@Visionery1]

@@petrosaguilar8916 I did my apprenticeship with Jaguar in the 80s. I hated working on these poorly engineered cars. You fix something today, in a few weeks the customer is back with the same problem (oil leaks, electrical issues, A/Ts failing, power steering leaks, coolant leaks, head gaskets, automatic chokes flooding and ruining the engine etc. etc.). They were great to drive, but a bitch to work on. If one wants a reliable car, buy Japanese.

[@dimitriasimov2140]

@@petrosaguilar8916 it's not that some mechanics don't know how to work on some cars. They simply don't want to do it. Because it takes time. And honestly, quite a bit of time, even with experience. For example, a lot of services will not accept to work on cars that have 20+ years, because most of those cars would have rusty bolts and parts which are a pain to remove.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

@@dimitriasimov2140 again, it just means they are shit mechanics that likely overcharge too like this wizard.

[@Dakiraun]

Wizard, Mrs. Wizard - you have the _perfect_ new t-shirt and mug idea; Wizard holding the Audi front end with "How do you fix an Audi?" then big text below "You take the whole front end off!"

[@mikehatch2114]

I worked on my GFs sons GTI 2.0 turbo. The front bumper took 20 or 30 minutes to take off. Easy.

[@NVRAMboi]

You played 36 or 72 after you finished I hope.

[@ne2i]

My A8 takes about 20 minutes to take the front end off.

[@charlie_nolan]

Which is 20 or 30 minutes you wouldn’t be spending if it was a different car. And the plastic only gets more brittle with time

[@MigySaan]

@@charlie_nolankeep in mind this also makes the job you are doing way easier so you may recoup time on that front

[@karraguer]

The other day, a xenon lamp blew out in my 2016 BMW 5 Series. The inspection window in the wheel well is not aligned with the cover behind the headlight, making it impossible to access. In the facelift, they changed the headlight design to fix a condensation problem by incorporating a cover with a rubber gasket and four screws. The only way to access it is by removing the headlight, which requires taking off a wheel, part of the plastic covers in the wheel well, other plastics above the headlight, and slightly removing the bumper to finally extract the headlight. Assembling and disassembling everything takes an hour of labor.

[@porcelainthunder2213]

They aren’t over-engineered, they are POORLY engineered! Packaging and ease of maintenance are a sign of a well thought out design, and should be simple and straightforward.

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

Junk cars IMHO

[@TheCompyshop]

@@HANZELVANDERLAAYGood thing your opinion doesn’t matter

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

@@TheCompyshop interesting the wizard agrees..may gay guys like em like u😜😜

[@TheCompyshop]

@@HANZELVANDERLAAY Oh wow calling people gay, are you uncomfortable with your sexuality? Feels like there’s a bit of projection going on here

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

@@TheCompyshop some gay people r really Kool..just trying to put u in ur place... Was agreeing with the wizards had to say about the vehicle.. and then you had to go against the wizard and me... So yeah we put you in the gay parade..with speedo's

[@aaronmcelhinney1436]

I just finished replacing all of the coolant hoses, radiator, valve cover, and oil filter housing gasket on my BMW 328xi with 145k miles. It was a huge pain in the butt, took a lot of time, and cost $1200 just in parts, and that’s even bargain shopping through Rock Auto & ECS Tuning, using non-BMW brand parts. If I couldn’t do the work myself, and I didn’t have another vehicle to drive, I would have just gotten rid of it. However, I knew what I was getting into when I bought the car 6 years ago with 70k miles. Honestly, until now, it’s been pretty reliable, with only brakes, tires, plugs, & coil packs. It’s no Camry, but then again, that’s why I bought it. I love the look and the performance & handling.

[@michaelqu]

My neighbour's Porsche Cayenne with the 3.6 is surprisingly easy to work on. I've seen him fix several things himself in his driveway including all the maintenance items except for tires.

[@Daemonettee]

This is mind blowing, i have several toyotas from the 90s and they are easy and amazing vehicles. I'd never want something this messy to work on

[@gregrussell5374]

Thanks Wizard for your down to earth advice.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

Down to earth?😂😂😂😂

[@christopherdawes4414]

Audi's are a labor of love!

[@maxtokmin9683]

Most cars have gone this way lately. I work in a collision center and on most new cars you have to pull the “cooler module” and take it apart just to replace a single radiator

[@heiner71]

Even some GMC trucks need to be taken apart quite substantially, just to replace the headlight bulbs.

[@Paul-cl6uo]

Having owned 3 Audis the past 7 years…never again. I won’t lie, I am taking a degree of satisfaction from seeing VAG in dire straits now as a company.

[@CoolTI-Daniel]

On the interior, Ill give Audi props for keeping analogue gauges and standard control button HVAC... not a digital dash and Ipad to control everything else. I love those cars, specially if they still exist in 6 speed manual in north america (which I am not sure if they do)... But my 2006 Jetta TDI is my final VW/Audi product. I like to buy used and maintain... which is the worst thing anyone can do when buying a VW/Audi as maintenance issues and "Surprises" such as 2.0T Grenade-ing is far too common. I like my new 6 speed manaul, 2.0 NA Civic... sure it's only 160HP and a base model, but it's got a good sporty drive feel and I love the Honda manuals.

[@NVRAMboi]

I covet the current Civic Sport (2.0 NA) with a stick. Always hoped to own a Honda but probably too late.

[@timewa851]

The Honda is like an appliance compared to VAG plastic fuse insanity. Great trade off. Only 160hp in a subcompact is still decent vehicle. Top speed more than you should be doing on the streets. : )

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

@@timewa851Slow and the new Civic seats are thinly padded and hard as park benches. Most stolen car too. You can keep them😂

[@robertsewell536]

By far the funniest video you've made. "Take the front end off" Priceless tears of laughter.

[@rusky325i]

awww you must be very special...it was not THAT funny.

[@focussport]

You're being a little hyperbolic here. Service position takes about a half hour in my S6... they're literally designed for it. Also, don't act like there aren't a thousand other vehicles from other marques that have terrible repair procedures for WP, timing components, or anything else. And with the time you have working on cars for you to think ANY Audi is a "1 hour" radiator maybe your knowledge isn't as deep as some people think.

[@front2427]

I look at my Seat Toledo as a smaller Audi a4,love it, never had bumper off in its 145k.

[@dB_944]

They’ve been dominating from the 1980s through the 2000’s. You can have your rice burners.

[@mruggadugga2998]

This is pretty standard for a lot of modern vehicles. I work at a gm dealer and have bumpers off all the time for repairs. It wouldn’t even take that long to get that stuff off to then have a wide open area to work

[@SouthsideKidd550]

On 2003-2012 Honda Accords, they say you have to take the front bumper off just to replace a headlight bulb. However, I was able to do it with just turning the wheel and dropping the fender liner.😊

[@NVRAMboi]

While true, that's bad design also. Shouldn't have to be done for such a routine/simple repair.

[@SouthsideKidd550]

@@NVRAMboi Super Facts!

[@lornestein7248]

Same for my 2013 Acura TL.. Love my upgraded HIDs..

[@ejsvirtualgarage]

Same for my 2007 Civic sedan. It was even explained in the owner's manual!

[@notsolegitgarage2967]

I had a little coolant leak on my 2015 Audi A8L (obviously gonna break) and I just got it back from the shop but I couldn’t care less because that warranty puts in work, $12,000 in one year work. The warranty has paid for itself 3 times in one year and 13k miles

[@NomenClature-o8s]

The owner will dump it at CarMax.

[@brians2328]

Carmax don't want that shit! 😂😂

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

And do you both drive?

[@performancepass4945]

So my friend has a 2011 Audi A4 Avant with 180K miles now. He got the car at 90K and the previous owner had the water pump replaced. I went to visit him and he was concerned about his car since he doesnt have too much knowledge on mechanical topics. I had him start the car just to see what it sounded like, and to my surprise, it sounded like a totally healthy 4 cylinder! Mind you, he drives this car very hard, and has been in two wrecks. I had him rev it up a bit and just some black smoke from oil burning, but he's never had the intake valves cleaned, just oil changes, air filters, and brakes. He does know Audis become nightmares at high mileage and he admitted he's waiting for the car to die with the miles it has now. I think he got a unicorn of a Audi, the CEO of VW probably oversaw this one's production.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

180k isn't much. I've seen them pushing 300k. 502/505:00 spec synthetic oil changes every 5k, don't hot rod it every chance you get, and cool the turbo off for a few minutes before shutting off and it should last. Change the trans fluid and filter too. check the health of the timing systems BEFORE any trouble arises.

[@markseibert8270]

Love all the Audi bashing in the comments. Like no other brands have issues. I have had an Audi in the family since 1991. All Quattro's. They have been incredible vehicles in poor weather conditions, and with regular scheduled maintenance, as per Audi, I haven't really had any problems. I've owned and driven many other brands. You can keep them. I stand by Audi. Current owner of a Q7 and an A4.

[@mcytc]

That’s because the people bashing them have never owned one.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

@@mcytcor are mental midgets, take your pick😂

[@bill4632]

My girlfriends 2012 A4 is running great! 156k miles on it.

[@kenbo80]

My dad was a mechanic and he warnd me to stay away from the old Audi 100’s in the late 60s. They were repair nightmares then and have got worse every year since. Don’t get caught with one if you have to pay for repairs.

[@deez023]

Audi 100 or A6 from the late 80s and 90s is a bulletproof vehicle as well as Passats b3, b4, b5. Somehow these cars in Europe work just fine

[@marcusnolte7476]

@@deez023 exactly. What are the Americans doing to these cars? they do 250k miles easy in Germany (with really high speeds on the Autobahn) with little to no trouble.

[@jdm2gdm]

@@marcusnolte7476 Germans take maintenance seriously, many Americans don't.

[@gtvgranberg]

All the tools i need for my 1990 audi 100 2.3E fits in a tool box of the same size as the cars battery. Old cars are easy...

[@iadubber]

Love the way my B6 S-Line Quattro 6 speed A4 drives, handles, comfortable, looks great to this day, the BOSE, but it is a f'n money pit! But, I own it, so a few repairs a year it's still going strong at 175k miles.

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

I liked the British triumph of the 1960s that front swings forward and you can sit on the front tire

[@The-Hexican]

herald or spitfire?

[@TheRogerhill1234]

Jolly Good !

[@NVRAMboi]

@@The-Hexican made me think Spitfire.

[@andrewmooreandrewrmoore7615]

Can do that with both. Spitfire derived from Herald.

[@briandawkins984]

Code named Zooboo

[@patk8417]

I utilized the same procedure to change the alternator in a Nissan Murano just to move the radiator forward far enough to get their alternator out and back in. I installed factory supplied AC kits into Mazda MPV's in less time.

[@royfrye333]

I bought my new A4 in 2001. Still driving it. It’s a Quattro system with the 1.8 T engine and automatic transmission. I have changed the timing belt and tensioner twice along with the water pump. Putting the front end into the service position is not a big deal at all. I am a licensed aircraft mechanic and I can tell you that working on my Audi is simple compared to some of the aircraft I work on.

[@indolentcheese]

Don't buy or fly any aircraft designed or built by Audi; it's not worth the risk. Saab did it but then they knew lives depended on it.

[@nickbeloff7307]

I used to own a 2000 A4 1.8T quattro sport (manual transmission). Brilliant car - I ran it to almost 300k miles before moving it on.

[@idefeczx]

​@DaveP-uv1ml They arent a big deal, it takes about an hour 😂

[@LightningStrike50]

Those B5s were great cars, I miss mine. I'm in a 2011 b8 a4 now, it feels so much larger than my '00 a4 did. They were a lot simpler to work on too, I just didn't know how to do the work at that time.

[@idefeczx]

@DaveP-uv1ml You said he spends his morning or afternoon taking a front end off and saying its no big deal... Not sure what book time is but doubt its 5 hours

[@josemartinez-br4rg]

God im happpy i bought a mazda. Still is fun to drive and interior is nice but it's still fairly simple to work on. It's got a naturally aspirated 2.5L so i don't have to worry about turbos blowing up.

[@Snowmunkee]

Had a buddy with a ~15 year old F250 Super duty with the big diesel. Had to replace a cam position sensor. Job required cab off frame....

[@conradcoolerfiend]

wtf thats insane

[@The98deville]

The new eco boost F150s are cab off for turbo work

[@privateer0561]

4 bolts and a lift. No big deal.

[@AaronAverett]

@@privateer0561 Doesn't it also require draining the coolant and AC refrigerant and disconnecting a bazillion electrical connectors and so forth?

[@Snowmunkee]

@@privateer0561 right... Just like this audi front end is two screws and some clips

[@GregSmith-jd7zm]

Craigslist in my city (San Antonio) is full of Audi's with over 120K miles. Each one is a tight bundle of woe with a very shiny exterior.

[@notbanksy8294]

Even the cup holders are engineered wrong. Put them behind the electronics in the center console.

[@johngaudet6316]

If you drive like it's a Prius you won't spill coffee on the electrical switches and maintenance won't be so bad either. 😂

[@vasyapupkin4780]

They replaced all these buttons and the dial with an open box in facelifted version.

[@Mike-108_v_]

My german car (2008 vw rabbit 2.5) .... needed a thermostat- whole front end came off....needed a new radiator- whole front end came off..... needed a new ignition- had to order a new one from germany- took an extra week of down time BUT the whole freaking front end DIDN'T have to come off, thank goodness it still cost $700. 175k miles ... runs like a clock.

[@heiner71]

Those 5 cylinder engines are good. My daughter has a 2007 Rabbit. She did not have any serious issues but she also only has about 100k mikes on it.

[@dB_944]

290k miles on my A4. What’s the problem??

[@ceylontea5877]

What year and Engine?

[@dB_944]

@@ceylontea5877 1999.5 1.8T.

[@splok2]

these cars are not for the faint of heart lol, personally i wouldn't touch any german car beyond the early 2000s, as they became more complex after those years, currently have a 98 528i 5 speed, did the cooling system recently and refreshed the suspension 2 years ago. I still daily it at 221k.

[@puregsr]

You should purchase a few with 200K for your parents

[@dB_944]

@@puregsr​​⁠my dad hasn’t a B5.5 Passat with almost 200k miles. 😝

[@tjm3900]

Makes me appreciate my old Triumph Spitfire.

[@Nascar14F1]

This episode was Fringing Hilarious!

[@stephenkirby4714]

Same deal on my 2003 Mini Cooper S. Has to be in service mode for quite a lot of things

[@808ecobeast7]

I love BMW, Audi, and Mercedes! A couple of my friends have them, and they often bring them to me for repair. Even with a discount I can send my kids to college, possibly the neighbors kid too! 😂😂😂

[@NVRAMboi]

Thanks for presenting that angle of it. :o)

[@Turd_Furgeson]

Is that you can ninja??

[@darylwalford8697]

My current daily driver is a 22 yr old MB C240, its as reliable as the 3 new Subaru's and 2 new Toyota's I've owned but its much nicer to drive than any Japanese car.

[@poodlescone9700]

BMW is not bad if you know what you are doing and have the right tools. The jobs can be very quick.

[@pablopicaro7649]

German Mechanic shops ALSO have a Finance Department. This is NOT joke, the shops have a finance department for people to pay their repair bills (and there will be many with domestic makes).

[@rogerpearson9081]

Wow! I changed the radiator on my Holden Commodore in less than an hour. Once I got the hoses and oil cooler lines, a couple of clips and it just slid out and the new one back in in 5 minutes. Stll amazes me the European complexity for miniscule advantage.

[@kurtistharp2031]

I had a 97 A4 with the 2.8 and the sport trim, can confirm these things can be a nightmare. Why replace a hub when the bearing goes bad when you can replace the entire knuckle assembly that has nothing to do with any part of your problem outside of its attached to a non serviceable hub? To paraphrase the wizard, these things are absolutely brilliant until you have to fix them

[@weckworths-ps4309]

I’m gonna chime in here as the young guy who works at an independent shop (this means I see a lot of makes and models and old stuff and new stuff) , my boss tends to give me a lot of the jobs where you have to take the whole front end off, and when I asked him why he doesn’t give any of the older guys those kinds of jobs he straight up told me, the way things are going he wants me to be able to take front ends off fast because it’s becoming a basic part of working on cars.

[@adamp7920]

I learnt my lesson with audi 30 years ago with a 1981 audi 5000 turbo diesel .....i ended up taking sledgehammer to it and scraped it after endless issues ...kept the gauge cluster as a memory and a reminder NEVER to buy an audi again !!!

[@Alan_GA]

And here I was thinking that older Audi's of thst era were easier to live with.

[@gtvgranberg]

I have a 1990 Audi 100 2.3E and it is easy to fix, what was so difficult with the diesel? Old cars are easy, everything is big and mecchanical...

[@brians2328]

😂😂😂 I had a Jetta I would have loved to explode with Dynamite!! Lol

[@petrosaguilar8916]

Funny because my grandfather still drives a mid 80's Audi diesel.

[@markhoppe4391]

I had an old Ford Taurus that had to have the front clip removed to replace the radiator. Same on my Chevy.

[@darylwalford8697]

As annoying as it is having to remove the whole front end it's not particularly difficult, it just takes extra time. I'd rather own a car that's a pleasure to drive but a bit more difficult to work on than a car that was easy to work but drives like an old bus.

[@MB-rr1fb]

Well so much for our Q5 shopping, thanks Wizard

[@mackjsm7105]

I sold my 2017 A4 with 102,000 miles.. not one problem.. Got a used 2023 A4 with 4K miles.. and Yes.. It is over engineered.. but.. I think these are great and getting better.

[@marcusvision]

Especially out of 80k miles , if this was the only problem since new...its doing pretty good.

[@NJRoadfan]

You made it to 102K in a B9 without doing engine mounts? Impressive.

[@mackjsm7105]

@@NJRoadfan YES. no joke.. Never did them.. Are there issues with that? Seriously.. I did not know.

[@NJRoadfan]

@@mackjsm7105 Engine mounts commonly fail around 60-70k on these. They are adjustable liquid dampened units, so they eventually leak and collapse.

[@mackjsm7105]

@@NJRoadfan Holy crap.. TY. So I got lucky?

[@unrealii]

I managed to replace the radiator on my 2009 bmw 335i without anywhere close to that. Definitely has a the oil leaks like you mentioned

[@boostedmaniac]

Yup. Wife had an 2002 A4 3.0 and to replace the power steering pump, you have to put it in “service mode” which is removing the entire front end. Once you do that, you mind as well so the belts, timing belt if it has it, any mounts that are worn etc.

[@EnriqueLujano-dp8nv]

I absolutely love working on these types especially the German one's because they remind me when I was younger putting together 3000 piece Lego set. I love taking extra steps to remove simple parts from cars, I hate simplicity. I’d feel more accomplished braking my head to remove parts like that.

[@bobvance-]

I'm also pretty sure like others have said, you can just move the bumper forward. As for owning a German car. Do it if you have the money, are an enthusiast and have patience. It's worth it. I love my w211 e63.

[@dr.wongel1510]

The trouble is that people who buy these cars don't realise that it's a luxury car and you are going to pay luxury prices!

[@97I30T]

The garbage resale value of Audis certainly doesn’t help, either. It makes people think they’re getting a nice cheap luxury car, but used Audis are cheap for a reason. They’re expensive to repair and break often.

[@Celician83]

And the sad part is more than half the parts have a VW part number that is half the price, but because Audi, double it.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

@@97I30TThey brake often based on personal evidence?