Two problems related to rear suspension coil springs have been reported for the 1998 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Rear coil springs failed at 114000 miles- cracked in half, fronts probably next. Vehicle's life has been in the northeast subject to heavy use of road salt; seems spring composition similar to the brake rotors and coil springs on Ford products that prompted a similar recall. An issue like this isn't expected from Audi, and is disappointing.
Vehicle has 114k miles in northeast conditions, both rear coil springs are broken; possible defect like in the Ford taurus recalls?.