1997 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8: The Oppo Review.

Kinja'd!!! "jkm7680" (jkm7680)
06/09/2014 at 17:36 • Filed to: Oppo Review

Kinja'd!!!10 Kinja'd!!! 13

Recently, I obtained this 1997 Audi A4 2.8L Quattro 12V. I've gotten to know the car quite well since my purchase earlier in the last few months. It's well equipped, comfortable and practical. I've already started my modification list, but for the most part this review is from the stock car in the same form that I purchased it.

Exterior 6/10

Kinja'd!!!

The exterior is pretty basic, and somewhat generic. This being a high mileage car, it's not perfect. The exterior has rather conservative styling. Nothing is out of the ordinary, and the headlight washers wash the entire front end of the car. The drivers side mirror is a different size than the passenger mirror, and it's a bit too high off the ground for my liking. It's also got a Carolina squat type thing going on, that I have no idea of the origin of. The first thing to go where the wheels, as they were pretty heavily rashed, damaged and one of them had a sizable chunk missing out of the outer rim. It's a good looking car, and the paint almost shines blue under the right light. It's a handsome car, even if it doesn't attract as much attention as other cars on the road.

Interior/Toys 9/10

Kinja'd!!!

The interior is really where this car shines. It's got a lovely thick steering wheel that is leather wrapped, well padded and looks amazing. Paired with some very dark blue leather, and very attractive darker wood with aluminium pedals. It's got reasonable rear legroom, and soft to the touch interior plastics. The cupholders are a downside, this being a 90's Audi. Or any Audi before 2001 that is. They can't hold anything. Everything will spill out, they're suggested for cans but take a turn too fast and you'll have a sticky mess to deal with. The drivers seat is power, both of the seats are heated. The electronics seem to of held up nicely. It's also luxurious, comfortable and has a decent sized trunk.

Sub Category: (Interior, trunk) 10 Dead hookers.

Ride Quality 7/10

For the bottom of the line Audi, this car does ride quiet, and smooth. The non sport suspension is slightly high, but the overall quality is good, and the car feels more luxurious and sporty than it actually is. BECAUSE QUATTRO.

Kinja'd!!!

Audio System 7/10

The Bose audio system in this car is actually good. Yep, that's a shocker. For an older system, it comes out clear and crisp. There has been some wiring that has been tampered with and replaced, but I'm pretty sure that whatever runs to the speakers is stock. The sound quality is good.

Kinja'd!!!

Value 10/10

Just because this isn't a 1.8T, and being an old Audi it isn't especially valuable. A manual sedan with almost no aftermarket performance market. That doesn't keep it from being a great car, a hidden gem in some ways and more reliable from the 1.8t. The value is great, mine came in as a three owner car for around $2,500. You'll save money, time, effort without surrendering a German car, with a manual transmission. If you are given the choice, I'd say an early B5 is the answer.

Kinja'd!!!

61/80. A good balance, but needs more POWAHHH.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am biased to Audi. No I did not reflect that in my review.


DISCUSSION (13)


Kinja'd!!! Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 17:46

Kinja'd!!!1

Sub Category: (Interior, trunk) 10 Dead hookers.

You only get this in a JKM7680 report.


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/09/2014 at 17:49

Kinja'd!!!0

In-Deed. It's my main recourse for volume measurement.


Kinja'd!!! CAAD2 > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 17:49

Kinja'd!!!1

Nice review! I had a '99 B5 that I absolutely loved. It was equipped very similarly - 2.8, manual transmission, sport wheel, but no Bose. Traded it in '07 for a FJ Cruiser, worst car buying/selling decision I ever made.


Kinja'd!!! Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 17:51

Kinja'd!!!1

How many is your whole house?


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > CAAD2
06/09/2014 at 17:52

Kinja'd!!!0

Thank-Ya!

This one is proving to be the makings of a really great car, there's nothing wrong with it. Nearly 150K, it still starts up like a champ. The only thing that I wish I could change is subtract Hitachi and their non re programmable ECU from the mix.


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/09/2014 at 17:56

Kinja'd!!!0

Ok, we shall go room by room.

I've got a galley kitchen. There's one door, and it's like a small hallway. That's around 30 if really jammed in there.

My bedroom. Around 40.

My bathroom. Around 20

My roommates room. Around 35.

His bathroom. Around 15.

Closets and attic. Around 60.

Garage. Around 70.

Various other spaces. Around 100.

Too lazy for a total, but that's my count so far.


Kinja'd!!! Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 18:04

Kinja'd!!!1

I bet you once had that many in your home.


Kinja'd!!! AMGhehehe > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 18:56

Kinja'd!!!1

I knew someone who had a mother that owned one of these. All things considered, I thought it was a pretty nice car. Was especially good at getting hooned on back roads in the snow....


Kinja'd!!! Maddox Kay > jkm7680
06/09/2014 at 19:03

Kinja'd!!!1

Manual B5 gets a big thumbs up from me!


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > Maddox Kay
06/09/2014 at 19:05

Kinja'd!!!0

Thanks!


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
06/10/2014 at 10:14

Kinja'd!!!1

Awesome review, and awesome car. For the price, it seems like one hell of a deal! You are going against the paradigm of unreliable more than 10 year old German car!


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
06/10/2014 at 15:36

Kinja'd!!!0

Haha, Thanks! I hope that I can prove everybody wrong with a nearly 20 year old German car.


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
06/10/2014 at 16:16

Kinja'd!!!1

/Respect