RE: PH Carpool: Audi A4 Avant

[Oz83]

gumsie said:

Oz83 said:

I agree with the sentiment of this review. Razor sharp handling in a family wagon...why? I'm fond of my A4 Allroad. Does everything I need, and it has cruise control :-)

Mines a V6 diesel quattro and it averages 38mpg mixed and around 45mpg on a long drive. I would expect more from a 2.0tdi. I couldn't get less than 50mpg from my previous 2.0tdi A6, even when driven with a lead foot.

edited to add: Instead of a remap, why don't you retrofit cruise control? It can be done using original parts.

Edited by Oz83 on Monday 12th December 08:33

I always raise my eyebrows when I see statements like that. I reckon I could do it, without driving like you say.

It was tongue in cheek, but really very close to the truth. It was a 2.0 tdi-e model. 137bhp of misery. You could drive full throttle everywhere and without speeding all of the time, it would honestly return 50mpg. You couldn't overtake, you had to plan it well in advance and even then, it would just take far too long. The best thing to do was enjoy the comfy leather, interior space, great stereo, and just sit there.

[TomEP]

Trophy-GTA said:

I'm sorry but is this Pistonheads or Whatcar?

PH could you also review the new Nissan Micra please. My Mum is looking at getting a new shopping car.

+1, a really dull car which does blah blah mpg.

[struttob]

I have one of these, albeit a 2012 "Avant" 2.0 tdi model (with cruise and Bluetooth, sorry) Celtic tuning will give you a great remap, 200bhp easy. I have to say I get nearer 55/gallon than high thirties, and I don't drive like a granddad (even though I am one)mine has approaching 120K on the clock and still pretty tight. I like you prefer the Avant/Estate shape to the saloon model. My only complaints are the original purchaser specced full leather but not heated variety (bit nippy around the nether regions this time of year)and the satnav does not have full postcode entry.

Bob

[struttob]

TomEP said:

Trophy-GTA said:

I'm sorry but is this Pistonheads or Whatcar?

PH could you also review the new Nissan Micra please. My Mum is looking at getting a new shopping car.

+1, a really dull car which does blah blah mpg.

My other car is a Clio RS and the audi with the remap is quicker !

Bob

[1974foggy]

Why read the article if you are not interested?
Anyway, I have a b6 tdi that I use for winter. The b7tdi 2.0 was always renowned for poor mpg, nowhere near claimed and poor longevity. I did my homework, the earlier b6 has the 130tdi PD engine which is punchier and more economical as well as more reliable.
Generally theyre an excellent tool if well serviced.
There are problems with the rear wash wipe (Water passes "through" the motor almost, when leaks it destroys the motor), the bulkhead drainage holes blocking, the soft touch rubber coatings wearing, window regulators as others have said but not much else.
It hard to think of a better cheapish runaround than one of these in my opinion. I'm normally a BMW guy but the thought of a diesel estate BMW didn't appeal (especially as they are rwd and I needed a winter hack).

[geeks]

Yay my diesel mile muncher made the carpool

No it isn't the most exciting car in the world but I still really like it and still think it is a great looking car too I know I can have (and will be next week) cruise retrofitted bluetooth will be in the parrot form though and its less than £200 versus the near £400 to get the Audi kit fitted. PH smiley now fitted to the car too.

I do race one of these as well for a bit of fun though just so I keep my PH creds in tact.

[dank]

Love my workhorse B7 S4, 4.2 litre high revving V8 in Sprint blue and an Avant as well! Superb machine, fast and capable, and 4wd. 366 bhp for my daily driver is fantastic, trips to Wales, B-road fun and shopping all no problem. Tax and fuel economy, lets not mention these, besides the growling sound of the V8 makes up for that!

[monthefish]

pd86 said:

Got the special edition 2.0T petrol from 2006. I like the car with regard to performance, economy, running costs but I feel it is let down by the quality of the interior. All the classics of cheap glove box and centre console handles/latches have gone on mine.

Is 10yo though so cant be too picky. Touch wood, mechanically solid. Just have to keep an eye on that dipstick!

How come?

[100hp]

Threaders?

[LukeBird]

Another voting for retrofitting the cruise control. My old A5 didn't have it either and I could never work that one out... 3.2 Quattro with a reasonable amount of toys (and he first owner did about 70k in just under 4 years) and no cruise... Mental!
I had a receipt for £400 from Audi to supply and fit the cruise stalk and flash the dash; I know specialists can get this to around £200-250.
My dad used to have 2.0TDi 170 of this shape and it certainly had a slug of torque, not a bad car at all. And it was the A4 Avant he liked the most.

[VR6 Eug]

I've got a Skoda Octavia with a vw 2.0 tdi and that's returning 46mpg round town and 59mpg on a run, which is about 80mph motorway crusing speed...I would take your A4 to the garage and see whats wrong with it..................

[geeks]

VR6 Eug said:

I've got a Skoda Octavia with a vw 2.0 tdi and that's returning 46mpg round town and 59mpg on a run, which is about 80mph motorway crusing speed...I would take your A4 to the garage and see whats wrong with it..................

Is it the 140 or the 170?

Also town driving for you could be very different for me, I live in Milton Keynes, town driving is 0-70-0 a dozen or so times over half a mile. The 170's are thirstier than the 140's it is well known. Like i said 50+ on the motorway and mid to high 30's elsewhere. Run to the office this morning in a bunch of mixed driving returned 40mpg over the whole trip of 65 miles (I was also running late so a little more firm footed than usual). I am ok with that.