First time family wagon - 2011 A4 Allroad
Discussion
So having owned various cars over the last few years, from Type r's, GTI's, a Golf R and most recently an 440bhp M140i, I needed something more sensible with a baby on the way. I was keen to keep the M140i, but with used car prices so strong at the moment, it didn't take much persuasion to send it on its way with Cazoo, which was incredibly easy.
The hunt for a replacement was on, originally I wanted an S4 Avant auto with the 3.0. But finding one of those in budget and stock, was apparently harder than it seems. I was also a little dubious of running costs with our first little one on the way, I can always look again in a couple of years time! I wanted something German, petrol, automatic and a bit different or quirky, quite a few Allroads came up, but with them being from the time frame when every estate/SUV had a diesel, the petrol's were quite tricky to find. I only do probably 6000 miles a year, so a diesel was not an option.
One did pop up on Autotrader, no pictures though and nearly 2 hours away, I was hesitant to commit to drive and see it without seeing some pictures, so I saved the advert and kept an eye on it, hoping the images wouldn't be too far behind... thankfully they didn't take long. The car is black with black leather, DAB, and most importantly the B&O speaker upgrade. Most of the service history is from West London Audi and had only just been serviced again.
Couple of plans to try and sort either Carplay, or Bluetooth audio and tidy up the calipers as they have gone a bit brown, I assume from where they are an unpainted finish from factory. So far so good though, and will try and get a couple more pictures soon!
The hunt for a replacement was on, originally I wanted an S4 Avant auto with the 3.0. But finding one of those in budget and stock, was apparently harder than it seems. I was also a little dubious of running costs with our first little one on the way, I can always look again in a couple of years time! I wanted something German, petrol, automatic and a bit different or quirky, quite a few Allroads came up, but with them being from the time frame when every estate/SUV had a diesel, the petrol's were quite tricky to find. I only do probably 6000 miles a year, so a diesel was not an option.
One did pop up on Autotrader, no pictures though and nearly 2 hours away, I was hesitant to commit to drive and see it without seeing some pictures, so I saved the advert and kept an eye on it, hoping the images wouldn't be too far behind... thankfully they didn't take long. The car is black with black leather, DAB, and most importantly the B&O speaker upgrade. Most of the service history is from West London Audi and had only just been serviced again.
Couple of plans to try and sort either Carplay, or Bluetooth audio and tidy up the calipers as they have gone a bit brown, I assume from where they are an unpainted finish from factory. So far so good though, and will try and get a couple more pictures soon!
I have an A4 of similar vintage and got one of these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001100606264.html
Works incredibly well, easy to fit - all the mod cons!
Works incredibly well, easy to fit - all the mod cons!
Edited by pavlovs-dog on Monday 8th November 17:01
pavlovs-dog said:
I have an A4 of similar vintage and got one of these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001100606264.html
Works incredibly well, easy to fit - all the mod cons!
Thats interesting, I have had a look on youtube and it looks to be a fairly easy install too. Thanks for the heads up!Works incredibly well, easy to fit - all the mod cons!
Edited by pavlovs-dog on Monday 8th November 17:01
Gandoolie said:
This is the first time I’ve ever seen on that wasn’t silver! Looks great!
Thanks, It certainly makes it stand out from the sea of normal A4's.
okenemem said:
looks tidy
Thanks. Few parts purchased, got new mats on the way from Audi as they were missing and a new filler cap as the little cord was snapped and it will annoy me.
Have also purchased a 'Bovee' Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the iPod port in the glove box, shall see how that goes, worst case will look into the carplay box mentioned above. New plates front and rear for when I can put my number plate, I have a thing about fresh plates for a car, scabby plates can let a car down so much.
Lastly I have purchased a 3 spoke steering wheel from an S Line A4 of similar age. Although my car is an S Line, all of the Allroads have the 4 spoke steering wheel, which is overly plain, so I have the below en route. Will have a bit of parts fitting spree and update with some pictures.
At the same time I'll take the boot badges off and leave just the Audi rings, theres too much on the go between 'A4 Allroad' on one side, and 'TFSI Quattro' on the other.
I have had a couple of the AMI bluetooth dongles but they were both pretty bad from a sound quality and functionality perspective to be honest, also they don't provide the ability to browse/skip tracks etc. so you have to keep fiddling with your phone.
They also seem to power on and connect to your phone when you open the car door - sometimes in the middle of important business calls (ask me how I know...)
YMMV of course.
They also seem to power on and connect to your phone when you open the car door - sometimes in the middle of important business calls (ask me how I know...)
YMMV of course.
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