Bought a B6 A4 Avant Sline - Initial thoughts
Discussion
So I finally decided to get a 2004 B6 Audi A4 1.8T Sline Avant to replace the Mondeo ST Tdci I sold a while ago. My initial thoughts are that it is a really nice place to sit and the interior feels really well put together. However, there are few things that kind of bug me about it. There some things it doesn't have due to them being optional extras. THese aree things that I assumed would be standard. These are, cruise control, auto wipers and an auto dimming rear view mirror! Didn't realise this when I viewed it, and although it wouldnt have been a deal breaker, it is a bit annoying.
It feels a lot smoother to drive than my diesel ST Tdci but it feels like it has less grunt than the ST Tdci had which had a Superchips Bluefin remap. I think some of this may be the fact that I've been driving it in low revs as I'm so used to the narrow powerband of the diesel.
I might get flamed for what I'm about to say next, but after a day of driving it around, I'm pretty sure that the handling in the ST Tdci was much better than the Audi. The steering in the Mondeo felt sharper and more responsive and it was an easier car to drive briskly on twisty roads. The steering in the Audi feels quite big (not sure if it is actually bigger than the ST Tdci) and I find that it feels like I have to turn it a bit more get it go in the direction I want. This means that my left hand hits my knee when you take sharp left turns. This might be due to finding the right seating/steerign position.
Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate. Just a tiny bit dissapointed with the handling in terms of the steering not being as sharp as I'd like. But I'm sure I'll get over it!
Anyway those are my thoughts. Would be good to hear the views of others with Audis or anyone in general actually.
It feels a lot smoother to drive than my diesel ST Tdci but it feels like it has less grunt than the ST Tdci had which had a Superchips Bluefin remap. I think some of this may be the fact that I've been driving it in low revs as I'm so used to the narrow powerband of the diesel.
I might get flamed for what I'm about to say next, but after a day of driving it around, I'm pretty sure that the handling in the ST Tdci was much better than the Audi. The steering in the Mondeo felt sharper and more responsive and it was an easier car to drive briskly on twisty roads. The steering in the Audi feels quite big (not sure if it is actually bigger than the ST Tdci) and I find that it feels like I have to turn it a bit more get it go in the direction I want. This means that my left hand hits my knee when you take sharp left turns. This might be due to finding the right seating/steerign position.
Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate. Just a tiny bit dissapointed with the handling in terms of the steering not being as sharp as I'd like. But I'm sure I'll get over it!
Anyway those are my thoughts. Would be good to hear the views of others with Audis or anyone in general actually.
Dift said:
I think your probably spot on with your analysis!
You can get cruise control retro fitted using a proper VAG B6 indicator for ~£150.
I don't think I'll bother retrofitting the cruise control. To be honest I very rarely use it but it was more the fact that it doesn't have it as standard that bugs me. Silly, I know! You can get cruise control retro fitted using a proper VAG B6 indicator for ~£150.
speedmachine said:
I'm pretty sure that the handling in the ST Tdci was much better than the Audi. The steering in the Mondeo felt sharper and more responsive and it was an easier car to drive briskly on twisty roads.
Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
It's an Audi FFS!Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
Maxym said:
speedmachine said:
I'm pretty sure that the handling in the ST Tdci was much better than the Audi. The steering in the Mondeo felt sharper and more responsive and it was an easier car to drive briskly on twisty roads.
Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
It's an Audi FFS!Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
speedmachine said:
johnnyBv8 said:
Which bhp? I think the A4 1.8T comes in 163, 190 and 225 bhp. Maybe others...not sure!
This particular one is 190bhp. It's not really that quick but does feel smooth. I need to get used using the revs a bit more as I haven't owned a petrol car for such a long time!speedmachine said:
Maxym said:
speedmachine said:
I'm pretty sure that the handling in the ST Tdci was much better than the Audi. The steering in the Mondeo felt sharper and more responsive and it was an easier car to drive briskly on twisty roads.
Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
It's an Audi FFS!Overall, I think it's a lovely car to cruise in and looks really smart as an estate.
johnnyBv8 said:
speedmachine said:
johnnyBv8 said:
Which bhp? I think the A4 1.8T comes in 163, 190 and 225 bhp. Maybe others...not sure!
This particular one is 190bhp. It's not really that quick but does feel smooth. I need to get used using the revs a bit more as I haven't owned a petrol car for such a long time!Matt UK said:
So the Ford Mondeo handles better than an Audi S-Line.
Who wooda thunkit?
Pretty much. But in the Audi's defence it handles bumps better than the Mondeo did. The ST Tdci was pretty crashy over poor roads. Both have 18" wheels but the Audi seems to be more comfy over harsher roads. Anyway, wasn't trying to give any new info, just my first impressions of the Audi compared to my previos car. Who wooda thunkit?
I wouldn't be at all surprised if a Mundano was more fun to drive.
I found my 1.8T CVT Avant was a bit breathless but you just get used to caning it, and it was ok when thrashed. It's never going to be exciting though. Everything else was ok on my 03, but the 05 2.0 Tdi saloon I got next was awful.
I found my 1.8T CVT Avant was a bit breathless but you just get used to caning it, and it was ok when thrashed. It's never going to be exciting though. Everything else was ok on my 03, but the 05 2.0 Tdi saloon I got next was awful.
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