Is the Audi A4 Expensive to Maintain? (7 Costs to Consider)
Are you considering getting an Audi A4?
If so, you may wonder about the cost of maintaining such a vehicle.
Quick Answer: Is the Audi A4 expensive to maintain?
The maintenance costs of an Audi A4 are $117.15 per 1,000 miles (or $78.10 per 1,000 kilometers). This makes the Audi A4 relatively expensive to maintain, as the maintenance cost of an average car is around $90 per 1,000 miles.
In this article, we’ll review the seven main costs of keeping an Audi A4 in tip-top shape. Keep reading to learn more!
Overview: The maintenance costs of an Audi A4
Although an Audi A4 can provide many years of reliable service, it is necessary to maintain it to keep it running at its optimum level.
This maintenance includes everything in the Audi Care package, including regularly scheduled oil changes and replacing tires, filters, spark plugs, and more.
The exact costs of maintaining an Audi A4 vary depending on its model year and your location, but we made a general overview based on the seven most significant maintenance costs:
| Maintenance | Service interval | Avg. cost | Cost per 1,000 miles | Cost per 1,000 km | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | 10,000 miles (15,000 km) | $150 | $15 | $10 | $300 |
| Air, fuel, and cabin filters | 20,000 miles (30,000 km) | $135 | $6.75 | $4.50 | $135 |
| Tires | 40,000 miles (60,000 km) | $1,000 | $25 | $16.67 | $500 |
| Brake pads and rotors | 50,000 miles (75,000 km) | $670 | $13.40 | $8.93 | $268 |
| Brake fluid | Every 2 years | $100 | $2.50 | $1.67 | $50 |
| Spark plugs | 40,000 miles (60,000 km) | $180 | $4.50 | $3 | $90 |
| Unforeseen repairs | N/A | $1,000/year | $50 | $33.33 | $1,000 |
| Total | $117.15 | $78.10 | $2,343 |
Disclaimer: This calculation is based on an Audi A4 owner who drives 20,000 miles (30,000 km) per year.
As you can see, the maintenance costs for an Audi A4 are roughly $117.15 per 1,000 miles (or $78.10 per 1,000 kilometers). This equals a yearly maintenance cost of $2,343 for someone who drives 20,000 miles annually.
Interested in learning how we came to these results? In that case, read on!
7 Maintenance costs to consider for an Audi A4
Owning an Audi A4 is a great way to experience luxury driving, but there are a variety of maintenance costs to consider.
Taking the time to research these costs beforehand can help streamline your budget and avoid unwelcome repair bills in the future.
So, here is a list of the seven most significant maintenance costs you will experience with your Audi A4:
Disclaimer: The scheduled maintenance intervals assumed in this article are sourced from Audi’s official maintenance schedule for Audi models from the 2020 model year.
1. Engine oil and filter
One of the key parts of your Audi A4’s routine maintenance is getting timely oil changes.
These consist of changing the old engine oil with fresh, new oil along with a freshly fitted filter.
Most mechanics recommend changing the engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles (15,000 km).
An oil change typically costs around $150, depending on what kind of oil you use and other factors such as labor costs.
Note: Obviously, a higher-powered engine like the turbocharged V6 engine on the Audi A4 B8, or even any Audi A4 with a V8 engine, has higher maintenance costs than the smaller, more economy-focused engines.
Replacing the engine oil and filter helps keep your car running efficiently, improves fuel economy, and prevents engine damage from unclean or low-level oil.
Lastly, you can increase the life span of your car by using premium gas.
Learn more: Is Your Audi Burning Oil Too Fast? (Here’s How To Fix It!)
2. Air, fuel, and cabin filters
Keeping the air, fuel, and cabin filters on your Audi A4 fresh is an important aspect of preventative maintenance that shouldn’t be overlooked.
It’s recommended to do this maintenance job every 20,000 miles (30,000 km), which will cost you around $135.
Curious about what these filters are for? Here is a short overview:
- The air filter. Keeps debris and other particles from entering the engine, which can reduce performance or cause significant damage if not changed regularly.
- The fuel filter. Prevents contaminants from entering the fuel delivery system, which can reduce power or even cause stalling while driving.
- The cabin filter. Prevents airborne pollutants, dust, pollen, and odors from entering the cabin, providing much fresher air for you and your passengers.
3. Tires
When it comes to cars, tires are often one of the most expensive purchases.
Tires are an essential maintenance item to keep on top of, and well-maintained tires can lead to improved fuel economy, long tread life, better handling, and an overall smoother ride.
A set of tires last roughly 40,000 miles (60,000 km), depending on your driving style.
A set of four new tires for your car can cost you around $1,000!
This price tag might feel like a hefty expense; however, the savings it brings far outweigh any financial strain.
Keeping fresh tires with ample tread depth on your car will reduce the risk of adverse conditions like skidding, hydroplaning, and underinflation, keeping you safer while driving!
So, if you require some fresh rubber, we’ve listed the best tires for each Audi model here!
4. Brake pads and rotors
An essential maintenance item that’s easy to forget is the brakes!
Every 50,000 miles (75,000 km) or so, it’s important to get your brake pads and rotors replaced. This can come with a hefty price tag of around $670.
Over time, normal wear and tear causes these brake system parts to become thin, rusty, and less effective in braking power.
Without replacing them as necessary, you risk having an unreliable performance that can lead to longer stopping distances – or worse! Another plus; changing these components as recommended reduces noise from squeaking brakes when driving.
5. Brake fluid
Wait for a second! We’re not done with the brakes yet.
Besides the rotors and pads, regularly changing your brake fluid is an essential maintenance task for any A4 owner, especially if you put the car under heavy loads, like using your A4 to tow a caravan.
You should change your brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage, which will cost around $100.
The friction created by the brake pads will cause a build-up of dirt, oil, and water in the brake fluid. Together with the aging characteristics of the liquid, you may experience reduced braking capacity!
6. Spark plugs
Making sure your Audi A4’s spark plugs are up to spec is essential for optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
It’s recommended to replace your spark plugs every 40,000 miles (60,000 km), which costs around $180.
Spark plugs play a critical role in the combustion process. If your spark plugs are worn out, you may notice an audible change, such as a whine, a significant decrease in performance, and poor fuel economy.
Driving with neglected spark plugs also increases the chance of carbon build-up, which can reduce engine life.
Basically, having fresh spark plugs will make your A4 run better for longer and save you money in the long run!
7. Unforeseen repairs
Owning a car is an excellent source of freedom and convenience, but dealing with unexpected repairs can be a burden.
Despite its reputation as a reliable car, owners of the Audi A4 should be aware that repairs can and will come out of the blue.
These can include brakes that need to be replaced more often than expected or a water pump that might go out after only a few years of use.
To account for these unforeseen repairs, you should budget around $1,000 per year for an average Audi vehicle.
You can avoid many of these repairs through regular maintenance, so don’t skimp when taking care of your car! And remember, you can check out accessories for your Audi A4, like car cleaning kits, to keep it in good shape.
Learn more: Audi A4: 6 Engine Problems Reported By Owners In 2024
FAQs about maintaining an Audi A4
You might still have some questions about the Audi A4. Let’s answer a few common ones.
Is it expensive to fix an Audi A4?
The costs to fix an Audi A4 vary depending on the age of the car and the severity of the repair needed. Some repairs, such as oil changes and tire replacements, may be cheap, while complex maintenance, like replacing a transmission or engine parts, will be more expensive.
Is an Audi A4 hard to maintain?
Audi provides information for the A4 on how often routine maintenance should be performed. When keeping up with this schedule, maintaining an Audi A4 is not hard!
Which Audi is the cheapest to maintain?
As a general rule, the Audi A1 is the cheapest Audi to maintain. It’s a small hatchback with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. Its parts are readily available and cost-efficient, making it the cheapest Audi to maintain.
Conclusion
So, is an Audi A4 expensive to maintain?
Ultimately, the answer depends primarily on your luck and the A4’s maintenance history.
However, if you have an Audi A4 that is well looked after and you keep up with Audi’s service schedules, it doesn’t have to be expensive to maintain. Expensive maintenance generally isn’t a part of the pros and cons of an Audi A4.
But again, remember that maintenance prices will vary depending on where you live and the type of Audi A4 you own. For instance, an Audi S4 may be more expensive to maintain than an Audi A4 S Line.
Have you owned an Audi A4 before? What were some of the maintenance costs that you encountered?
Let us know in the comments below!
