Audi A4 avant all the car I need?
Discussion
Convince me there’s a better alternative to the above named car.
My reasons for thinking it will meet all my needs
Estate car but not as big as others
quattro for the s
tty months and my rallying exploits.
Diesel will be better economy on runs considering quattro fitted.
Estate better than saloon as more lugging about space, kid on the way and currently doing home/garden improvements so much more suited to lugging flatpack about than fussing with hiring a van/paying delivery.
Usually the donkey that ends up driving family/friends to the airport so will be plenty good enough for suitcases and bodies.
Tax is much lower than its decent engined petrol brothers.
Actually think its one of the better looking estates in the last decade, in my budget range at least.
Cons I can think of -
Daily commute is under 10mins and less than 4miles round trip.
(Will never get the economy from a diesel if using daily, but considering any money left in the savings pot going towards a bike for work/walking in the summer. yep all 3 days of it
)
All are either uber high miler rep mobiles or ex lease. Most have basic history.
Most on sale are either base spec or up to the eyeballs with tech (pro and con to this obviously)
Having run an e46 saloon for the last 6yrs I’d like a change from rwd, done fwd so fancy a try at awd which will be used to traverse most of wales at weekends on Rally Marshal duties, diesel will be a bonus here for when I'm radio car and need to keep the engine on to top battery power up every so often, and having a solid bulkhead to the boot has been a ballache with needing vans/favours to cart around anything that wont fit.
Budget of £5k, plus whatever I can sell/part ex my knackered 46 for. But looking at £5k or just over with room to negotiate.
Personally prefer the looks of the B8 generation as has a nicer looking interior but would also consider a B7 as I like the looks exterior wise, I’m just put off by the bland/cut and paste interior and centre console from other vag products (imagine a double din stereo might help spruce up if I settle for a B7).
So current/ex owners appreciate input, and welcome others.
My reasons for thinking it will meet all my needs
Estate car but not as big as others
quattro for the s
tty months and my rallying exploits.Diesel will be better economy on runs considering quattro fitted.
Estate better than saloon as more lugging about space, kid on the way and currently doing home/garden improvements so much more suited to lugging flatpack about than fussing with hiring a van/paying delivery.
Usually the donkey that ends up driving family/friends to the airport so will be plenty good enough for suitcases and bodies.
Tax is much lower than its decent engined petrol brothers.
Actually think its one of the better looking estates in the last decade, in my budget range at least.
Cons I can think of -
Daily commute is under 10mins and less than 4miles round trip.
(Will never get the economy from a diesel if using daily, but considering any money left in the savings pot going towards a bike for work/walking in the summer. yep all 3 days of it
)All are either uber high miler rep mobiles or ex lease. Most have basic history.
Most on sale are either base spec or up to the eyeballs with tech (pro and con to this obviously)
Having run an e46 saloon for the last 6yrs I’d like a change from rwd, done fwd so fancy a try at awd which will be used to traverse most of wales at weekends on Rally Marshal duties, diesel will be a bonus here for when I'm radio car and need to keep the engine on to top battery power up every so often, and having a solid bulkhead to the boot has been a ballache with needing vans/favours to cart around anything that wont fit.
Budget of £5k, plus whatever I can sell/part ex my knackered 46 for. But looking at £5k or just over with room to negotiate.
Personally prefer the looks of the B8 generation as has a nicer looking interior but would also consider a B7 as I like the looks exterior wise, I’m just put off by the bland/cut and paste interior and centre console from other vag products (imagine a double din stereo might help spruce up if I settle for a B7).
So current/ex owners appreciate input, and welcome others.
I went from an E46 328i to an A4 3.0 TDI avant recently. The Audi is a better car in pretty much every way, so I don't think you will be disappointed. This one is a B7 model on 136k and still feels fresh. Outside of routine maintenance it has had the swirl flaps on the inlet manifold repaired at a cost of around £500 a few years ago. That is pretty much the only issue with the 3.0 ones, I don't think the 2.0 versions are as reliable. They did a 2.7 which is reliable, but doesn't have the performance of the 3.0 yet has the same economy so a bit pointless really.
The 3.0 TDI is a brilliant engine, extremely reliable and good performance too. Rear legroom isn't great however, and the interior space in general isn't great due to the thickness of the doors. On the plus side, it feels very solid and is well insulated. If you are looking at B7 models then some had DPFs and some didn't, but I am fairly sure all the newer B8 ones came with one.
It has managed the winters in the Scottish Highlands very well, never been stuck and been through some pretty hairy conditions in its time. Try one, they are great cars.
The 3.0 TDI is a brilliant engine, extremely reliable and good performance too. Rear legroom isn't great however, and the interior space in general isn't great due to the thickness of the doors. On the plus side, it feels very solid and is well insulated. If you are looking at B7 models then some had DPFs and some didn't, but I am fairly sure all the newer B8 ones came with one.
It has managed the winters in the Scottish Highlands very well, never been stuck and been through some pretty hairy conditions in its time. Try one, they are great cars.
Edited by SD_1 on Tuesday 9th April 22:15
ZX10R NIN said:
RyanTank said:
I didnt realise they made a 4x4 version of them. Discounted them early on in my considerations due to a friend having one and it not being that reliable. Will chat with him again about his time with it 
You do know they share the same drivetrain as the Audi.If the 4x4 isn't a deal breaker, I would consider a Mark 4 Mondy estate or even a Passat. They are both very comfy, spacious and have lots of kit even down to the mid-specced versions.
If your average journeys are sub 5 miles I wouldn't bother with a diesel. It wouldn't be warmed up enough and you're potentially setting yourself up for eye watering repair costs down the line, especially if you do chose an Audi.
If your average journeys are sub 5 miles I wouldn't bother with a diesel. It wouldn't be warmed up enough and you're potentially setting yourself up for eye watering repair costs down the line, especially if you do chose an Audi.
Unfashionable choice on PH, but an Insignia will be roomy and comfy. Plus, they depreciate very heavily so you would be able to get a newer, low mileage car vs Audi. Pound for pound I don’t think Audi are anymore reliable than a Vauxhall, but if the Vauxhall’s is newer and with much lower miles, it’s probably going to be much less hassle.
I had an A4 avant on a 14 plate, unfortunately it was stolen after 3 months ownership but it was a lovely car and all the car I needed for most of the time.
I replaced it with a Volvo V60 which is in some respects better equipped but not as nice as the Audi.
I should have bought a Skoda Superb
I replaced it with a Volvo V60 which is in some respects better equipped but not as nice as the Audi.
I should have bought a Skoda Superb
Thanks for the input all, much to consider.
Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
Vauxhall is a no, just cant get on with them and never have.
I've got to give my head a wobble and rethink what I want vs what i actually need and not consider a car that'll suit everyone and just get what suits me and my needs. In all likelihood I will not be using it for everyday commuting as its just pointless over such a short distance/time.
That said it has opened the doors for all sorts of cars further confusing myself
Sometimes I wish I didn't like cars and could juts do as a colleague has done and walk into a car superstore and drive away in whatever was the best deal and looked better to him
Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
Vauxhall is a no, just cant get on with them and never have.
I've got to give my head a wobble and rethink what I want vs what i actually need and not consider a car that'll suit everyone and just get what suits me and my needs. In all likelihood I will not be using it for everyday commuting as its just pointless over such a short distance/time.
That said it has opened the doors for all sorts of cars further confusing myself
Sometimes I wish I didn't like cars and could juts do as a colleague has done and walk into a car superstore and drive away in whatever was the best deal and looked better to him
RyanTank said:
Thanks for the input all, much to consider.
Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
Vauxhall is a no, just cant get on with them and never have.
I've got to give my head a wobble and rethink what I want vs what i actually need and not consider a car that'll suit everyone and just get what suits me and my needs. In all likelihood I will not be using it for everyday commuting as its just pointless over such a short distance/time.
That said it has opened the doors for all sorts of cars further confusing myself
Sometimes I wish I didn't like cars and could juts do as a colleague has done and walk into a car superstore and drive away in whatever was the best deal and looked better to him
Definitely do that. Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
Vauxhall is a no, just cant get on with them and never have.
I've got to give my head a wobble and rethink what I want vs what i actually need and not consider a car that'll suit everyone and just get what suits me and my needs. In all likelihood I will not be using it for everyday commuting as its just pointless over such a short distance/time.
That said it has opened the doors for all sorts of cars further confusing myself
Sometimes I wish I didn't like cars and could juts do as a colleague has done and walk into a car superstore and drive away in whatever was the best deal and looked better to him
How big a boot do you really need?
Eg Volvo V60 boot is pretty small bit Skoda superb is massive but they're a similar sized car.
Or, as others have said. A4 and Octavia are very similar under the skin but Octavia feels much bigger.
If you're dead set on on AWD, you can set that in autotrader as an option and have a search for ideas that way.
But basically it's easier an Audi, Skoda, Subaru or Volvo of you really want 4x4.
RyanTank said:
Thanks for the input all, much to consider.
Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
Good thing I find about Audi is that they don't drastically change their exterior design, so even an older car can look fairly new if in good condition (and a private plate?). Same for the XF including the Sportbrake. Have chatted with my mate who had the Superb and his statement that his XF was the cheaper and more economical car to run over similar distances has once again ruled it out. So also I think is the A6 as they share lots more parts than the A4 if I am to believe what I read online.
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