AUDI A2 1.4 SE petrol
Discussion
Was looking for a little town runabout, and having owned its bigger aluminium brother, the D2 A8, thought I would give this one a try. Picked it up for a song, from a fellow car enthusiast (had a Renault Alpine A110 parked next to it).
Put some money and time to get it properly sorted out, Full service, all fluids, needed front anti-roll bar drop links, refurbished rims, new all season tyres, upgraded the headlight bulbs, replaced the crankcase breather separator and new exhaust gas recirculation valve, as there was an intermittent DTC code, along with what I considered heavy oil consumption. I had the door lock mechanism fixed, as the remote fuel filler cap opener would not work, as the driver door mechanism was not registering the door was being opened, which is needed to allow the remote opener to work, a known issue with VAG vehicles of this vintage. The A2 owners club was great in helping solve these issues. One of the best owners clubs on the web.
I also fitted a new continental radio giving Bluetooth connectivity and now looking to fit rear speakers (currently front only), fitting a self dimming rear view mirror and connecting up the daylight driving lights, with A2 owners club assistance. I have had the car a year so far and It is genuinely a great car to drive, remarkable interior space and the clever engineering found in the most unexpected places. You could electrify this car, put it on sale tomorrow, and it would not be out of place.
my only criticism is the blind spot created by the large A pillars, but that seems endemic to newer vehicles anyway.
Put some money and time to get it properly sorted out, Full service, all fluids, needed front anti-roll bar drop links, refurbished rims, new all season tyres, upgraded the headlight bulbs, replaced the crankcase breather separator and new exhaust gas recirculation valve, as there was an intermittent DTC code, along with what I considered heavy oil consumption. I had the door lock mechanism fixed, as the remote fuel filler cap opener would not work, as the driver door mechanism was not registering the door was being opened, which is needed to allow the remote opener to work, a known issue with VAG vehicles of this vintage. The A2 owners club was great in helping solve these issues. One of the best owners clubs on the web.
I also fitted a new continental radio giving Bluetooth connectivity and now looking to fit rear speakers (currently front only), fitting a self dimming rear view mirror and connecting up the daylight driving lights, with A2 owners club assistance. I have had the car a year so far and It is genuinely a great car to drive, remarkable interior space and the clever engineering found in the most unexpected places. You could electrify this car, put it on sale tomorrow, and it would not be out of place.
my only criticism is the blind spot created by the large A pillars, but that seems endemic to newer vehicles anyway.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Friday 1st July 15:53
Most practical cars I've owned very well thought out. I had 3 of them, very reliable and the fact you can remove the back seats to make it into a van in an instant. The 1.4 petrol is definitely the one to have. ULEZ compliant unlike that diesel and having driven a few diesel the fact they can do multiple moon mileage and 60+ MPG cannot excuse the clatter of a ridiculously agricultural engine. Having owned three petrols that are smooth and quiet I just could not abide a diesel one.
What made me get rid of my last one the earth cable drove me mad. The A2 being aluminium has about 8 earth points most hidden away. The main one is behind the passenger headlight and corrodes for fun so worth getting it checked out. The previous owner of mine had added some odd secondary earth one from the engine block to the wiper motor. When it was disconnected the wipers wouldn't work. They also added a bulb to the wiring loom to make the alternator work which when disconnected the car wouldn't start. I had it around multiple garages including Audi specialists and a main dealer and they couldn't fix it.
They are quirky and people never thought mine was 20 years old. I think I just got unlucky as nobody I ask that had one had the same issues.
Heres my last two
What made me get rid of my last one the earth cable drove me mad. The A2 being aluminium has about 8 earth points most hidden away. The main one is behind the passenger headlight and corrodes for fun so worth getting it checked out. The previous owner of mine had added some odd secondary earth one from the engine block to the wiper motor. When it was disconnected the wipers wouldn't work. They also added a bulb to the wiring loom to make the alternator work which when disconnected the car wouldn't start. I had it around multiple garages including Audi specialists and a main dealer and they couldn't fix it.
They are quirky and people never thought mine was 20 years old. I think I just got unlucky as nobody I ask that had one had the same issues.
Heres my last two
sutoka said:
ULEZ compliant
I quite like those colours, they are getting on in age now, so weird electrical issues are likely to raise their heads more frequently now. Mine is not ULEZ compliant at the moment as it is an early model, but I am in the process of getting the certificate of compliance from AUDI to get ULEZ compliance process underway. Some minor updates to car,
I fitted a self dimming rearview mirror, from an A3, as this was an early model and did not have the rear 4 speakers, had original rear Audi speakers fitted. they are an odd size and original speakers fit better without cutting etc. The sound quality is remarkably good with the continental radio fitted, gives Bluetooth etc. I also had the tagfahrlicht wired up, factory day time running lights wiring is all installed, just needed connecting up at the switch.
The Bose factory system is supposed to be very good, not just small car good, but at any price, I suspect it is a combination of excellent in door acoustics, decent speakers and the cabin shape.
Continental radio is great value, and fits in well with older interiors.
I fitted a self dimming rearview mirror, from an A3, as this was an early model and did not have the rear 4 speakers, had original rear Audi speakers fitted. they are an odd size and original speakers fit better without cutting etc. The sound quality is remarkably good with the continental radio fitted, gives Bluetooth etc. I also had the tagfahrlicht wired up, factory day time running lights wiring is all installed, just needed connecting up at the switch.
The Bose factory system is supposed to be very good, not just small car good, but at any price, I suspect it is a combination of excellent in door acoustics, decent speakers and the cabin shape.
Continental radio is great value, and fits in well with older interiors.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Friday 1st July 15:53
As has already been said, great little cars and I think the 1.4 is the pick of the bunch (tdi was too agricultural for me and the 1.6, though a bit quicker, has injector problems than can be pricey to fix as I found out to my cost).
We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
Sn1ckers said:
As has already been said, great little cars and I think the 1.4 is the pick of the bunch (tdi was too agricultural for me and the 1.6, though a bit quicker, has injector problems than can be pricey to fix as I found out to my cost).
We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
Which I3 do you have ? We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
I am looking at getting one of those for myself, but not sure for the full battery or range extender version.
QuantumTokoloshi said:
Sn1ckers said:
As has already been said, great little cars and I think the 1.4 is the pick of the bunch (tdi was too agricultural for me and the 1.6, though a bit quicker, has injector problems than can be pricey to fix as I found out to my cost).
We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
Which I3 do you have ? We now have an i3 and it has a lot in common with the A2.
Enjoy!!
I am looking at getting one of those for myself, but not sure for the full battery or range extender version.
I originally considered the range extender version mainly out of nervousness of having battery only but needn’t have worried. We use the 3 pin plug charger only and it does us fine. There’s also free charging at Tesco!!
Sn1ckers said:
We have the 120ah battery only version. It has a range of between 150 & 190 miles depending on the season. We really like it and especially so given the price of fuel!
I originally considered the range extender version mainly out of nervousness of having battery only but needn’t have worried. We use the 3 pin plug charger only and it does us fine. There’s also free charging at Tesco!!
Cool, thanks.I originally considered the range extender version mainly out of nervousness of having battery only but needn’t have worried. We use the 3 pin plug charger only and it does us fine. There’s also free charging at Tesco!!
Long long term update on the A2.
Still enjoying running the little aluminum runabout, had it over 5 years now. 26 years old, interior is brilliantly hardwearing, even the normal cloth seats are still in excellent condition, even with daily use. I had to reattach the roof lining as they come unglued with age and clean up the headlamps but other than servicing and normal wear and tear, running well. Spend a few hundred each year on maintenance & servicing, although this year was more expensive, as I did the cambelt and water pump.
it make a great little car for leaners too, lots of window area (besides a chunky A pillar) narrow, light controls and surprisingly spacious for tall people, taught a friend's son to drive, and he is 6ft 6, got enough room to drive comfortably, both legs and headroom, not many small cars he can fit into.
Still enjoying running the little aluminum runabout, had it over 5 years now. 26 years old, interior is brilliantly hardwearing, even the normal cloth seats are still in excellent condition, even with daily use. I had to reattach the roof lining as they come unglued with age and clean up the headlamps but other than servicing and normal wear and tear, running well. Spend a few hundred each year on maintenance & servicing, although this year was more expensive, as I did the cambelt and water pump.
it make a great little car for leaners too, lots of window area (besides a chunky A pillar) narrow, light controls and surprisingly spacious for tall people, taught a friend's son to drive, and he is 6ft 6, got enough room to drive comfortably, both legs and headroom, not many small cars he can fit into.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Thursday 28th May 16:03
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