Audi to 4Runner

[awdjunkies]

Just want to stop by and say hello. I'm currently in the market for a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I looked through the Buyers Guide and it's very informative. My main question is how reliable are 4Ruuners? My friends have Celicas, Corollas etc and they are super reliable and and easy to fix. Are 4Runners the same? I have an Audi S4 but maintenance and cost of ownership are starting to add up. Plus every day it seems like something breaks or needs to be fixed and honestly it gets old after awhile. I just want something I can get in and drive and not worry about breaking something. Anyways I hope to be in 4Runner in the next couple months.

Welcome Travis,
I am glad you came here to search for answers on the best generation 4runner..
With that being said, I too have owned Audis, wrx's EVOs, etc.. So, I know your pain when it comes to maintenance, ESPECIALLY Our infamous(But awesome when it all comes together without problems lol) 2.7L..

They are very reliable. In the 14 years that my family has owned the 4Runner, it has given us absolutely zero problems. Just regular oil changes and periodic maintenance (spark plugs, etc.)

The only two major weaknesses of the 3rd gen 4Runners that immediately come to mind are the lower ball joints and the factory automatic transmission fluid cooler. The failure of LBJ's usually happen after the owner installs a lift, when the geometry of the suspension is altered. However, changing the LBJ's for a new OEM set will solve the problem and take care of you for about 100k miles.

There have been quite a few cases of the transmission fluid cooler in the radiator failing and causing the coolant and ATF to mix, creating a "strawberry milkshake". This can be prevented by either installing a new radiator or by installing an external transmission cooler, bypassing the radiator's ATF cooler.

Excellent, advice.

Yes, it is a B5 Imola Yellow S4. I love this car and searched all over for an Imola Yellow but after replacing turbos, timing belt, water pump, and some other pieces gets frustrating over time. What type of Audi did you have? I couldn't imagine going from a B7 as those are nice!

Thanks for the advice 96743runnner.

Again, I feel your pain.

I just sold my turbo charged awd monster last week. Mine was a Suabru WRX though. I got tired of the maintenance and punishment the motor and drivetrain go through being boosted. So I got a 4runner last week. My friend is a Toyota technician. He told me Toyotas 3.4 V6 is bullet proof as long as you keep up with the regular maintenance, and after seeing some of the miles people have on their runners, I believe it!!

Yep ^ I did as well(Get rid of my Turbo Subie)

I too was worn out with the Audi maintenance fatigue. I had a C5 A6 4.2L with sport package. Heck of a fun car, but I was approaching the replace the entire suspension interval at 125k. Parts alone were around $800 just for the front! I think the 3rd gen 4runners are a great move. I've liked them since they came out in 96.

Awww, you my friend had one of the best Chassis Audi has made(In terms of comfort/size) I HEART the C5 as Ive had 2 of them.

My second car is a B7 2006 A4 CVT 55,000 miles and already dropped $3k on the transmission. I so want to trade it for a Scion FR-S but my wife doesn't want one it's a "status" thing. We test drove the FR-S and I love how it handles but lacks power.

CVT= Garbage!! but you already knew that. :gun5:

CVT was the problem...that is why you never buy a FWD Audi

Ding ding ding!!!

Thanks for all the replies! For all the money I have spent on S4 in the past years I could of had another car by now. I love the styling and the luxury but it spends about the same amount time in the shop as it does on the road. Plus I really can't take it camping or fishing.

I found a few 4Runners in my area. I'm going to the a dealer on Monday to check out a 2002 4Runner.

Cars for Sale: 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 in Louisville, KY 40222: Sport Utility Details - 323161687 - AutoTrader.com

Well, I could have told you (as well as the Audi boards) to buy the C5 allroad, Which in turn has all the creature comfort/amenities you seek in an Audi yet can take you fishing/camping due to the factory installed air ride suspension :hungry::art: . Believe me I've owned 2:hatsoff:

 

[4-Ripcord]

you should get a 3rd gen with leather seats, sun roof and manual trans. then swap in a v8 and SAS for the perfect 4Runner.

Yeah, becuase that will be easy to maintain..

 

[rebelbowtie]

but the allroad still gets him the 2.7TT unless he finds the somewhat rare v8 allroad

 

[rebelbowtie]

Yeah, becuase that will be easy to maintain..

it wont be hard to maintain at all. it may be hard to initially build it though, i am not sure which part you think is hard to maintain? just because a vehicle has had an engine swap or suspension components changed it doesnt become unreliable. unless the components installed are inherently unreliable to begin with or the install was done half ass.

 

[awdjunkies]

but the allroad still gets him the 2.7TT unless he finds the somewhat rare v8 allroad

Right, I was saying if he wanted to own an Audi/Avant with the space yet able to take him to his outdoor activities he could have achieved this by killing two birds with one stone ie.. his b5 s4= 2.7T allroad= 2.7T with suspension travel of an SUV plus space to take him there.

PS: I personally would not own a v8 AR though...

 

[TravisS4]

Thanks for the help guys. I really do appreciate it, Much more friendly than any other forums I have been on. I found a manual transmission 4Runner on Craigslist for sale and I called about it. I just don't know how I feel about shifting gears in a SUV. In my S4 I can throw it around and enjoy the manual aspect were as a SUV I really don't see the point of manual.

Yes awdjunkies the 2.7 is a blast! As far as the off road I just don't like the way they look at all. It's like Audi couldn't decide on whether to make it SUV?Wagon or Crossover. Its like all 3 combined into one ugly looking car in my opinion. Plus I used to own a 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro with the 5 cylinder turbo motor. That thing was a monster!

 

[rebelbowtie]

Right, I was saying if he wanted to own an Audi/Avant with the space yet able to take him to his outdoor activities he could have achieved this by killing two birds with one stone ie.. his b5 s4= 2.7T allroad= 2.7T with suspension travel of an SUV plus space to take him there.

PS: I personally would not own a v8 AR though...

dont forget the dual range gear box and better styling the allroad offers(my opinion).

 

[rebelbowtie]

very jealous that you had a 90 quattro i really want one of those things.

 

[awdjunkies]

very jealous that you had a 90 quattro i really want one of those things.

Oh baby!! CQ MT Yum Yum!!!!

PS; Yes, the wide body/stance in the AR was part of what made me chose IT for my needs.. plus I ABSOLUTELY need to get these wheels to make mine look the same :

 

[rebelbowtie]

i would touch that

 

[TravisS4]

Seems like every body in here has owned an Audi at some point. The Allroad just doesn't do anything for me. Although that is very nice looking one. Here is picture of my old Coupe Quattro.

 

[awdjunkies]

Seems like every body in here has owned an Audi at some point. The Allroad just doesn't do anything for me. Although that is very nice looking one. Here is picture of my old Coupe Quattro.

I love it but more so the color.. Very rare... And yes, we at some point do all own an Audi or two, as I still have 2 of them and love them to death.

 

[rebelbowtie]

that is because like 4Runners, Audi's are awesome machines...they just require a little more attention than most cars.

 

[4R99JB]

Yep; Beautiful, Expensive, Beautiful, Expensive, Bea... :welcome:

 

[TravisS4]

I found a 4Runner with 222k miles for 3k. That is really high mileage but looks to be in good condition. If I were to get that one I could keep my S4 too. How many miles can these 4Runner go for?

Is that TT a 225 with baseball interior?

 

[JayRolla]

I found a 4Runner with 222k miles for 3k. That is really high mileage but looks to be in good condition. If I were to get that one I could keep my S4 too. How many miles can these 4Runner go for?

Is that TT a 225 with baseball interior?

They can easily go over 300000 miles. But you never know. It wouldnt be too much to rebuilt it if you had too. Mine is still running great at 210k.

 

[LittleCaesar]

You can find one with much lower miles. But it isn't cheap.

I, for one, have never owned an Audi, but when I was in Germany in 05 I drove an Audi A2. Little compact car with an aluminum body. Good for European streets. The problem is that there were few if any people qualified to weld the car back together outside of Germany after an accident so insurance companies would not insure non German owners of the A2. It died in 2005/06.

A friend who works for Bosch in Germany is presently driving a 2010 A3 sportback and loves it.

 

[awdjunkies]

Yep; Beautiful, Expensive, Beautiful, Expensive, Bea... :welcome:

Nice!!! and Ohhh those Fat Five's!!!

I found a 4Runner with 222k miles for 3k. That is really high mileage but looks to be in good condition. If I were to get that one I could keep my S4 too. How many miles can these 4Runner go for?

Is that TT a 225 with baseball interior?

YES, Keep your B5 and buy a higher mileage 4runner. as for the 225, that would be the only MK1 I would buy if I was in the market for a TT :cheers:

They can easily go over 300000 miles. But you never know. It wouldnt be too much to rebuilt it if you had too. Mine is still running great at 210k.

My Runner has a TON of miles as well. Like any car, that has been properly maintained, miles don't mean much.. I have a few friends with over 200k miles on their B5s and they run perfectly fine.

 

[4R99JB]

Yes it is the 225 W/baseball optic leather. It just hit 90,000k. I picked up my 3rd Gen. To keep the miles down on it. I really like the truck too everything works @ 221000k. :guitar3:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Welcome to the forum.

The 3rd Gen 4Runner is a great vehicle and (relatively) a very reliable truck. I have owned mine since 2002 @67k miles. I am now at 211k miles.

If you buy one just remember that any vehicle including 4Runners require a good amount of maintenance after about 175k miles. I can attest to this.

Between 175k - 225k miles it will surely need new:

Rotors and pads
Radiator
lower ball joints
Rear diff seals (if original)
Steering rack
Spark plug wires
Valve cover gaskets
Suspension (usually at 10 yrs or 125-150k)
And more...

Not trying to scare you but I have done it all and most guys with this kind of mileage have as well. My list includes only what will -likely- need replacing not odd ball problems like a wheel bearing.

If you are lucky then by 225k you will still be running strong without a rebuild and on the original trans. 200k miles is a very good life span for heads / head gasket on ANY vehicle.

So I would advise setting aside about $3k for maintenance if you want it to stay tip top. And understand that with high miles there is a reasonable risk of major engine issues which could cost an additional $1000 or more depending on your resources.

That said, 4Runners are great cars and if you keep them up can last a very long time.

Good luck with the search.