B8 A4 2.0T Quattro Y or N?

[vapourtrail]

We are looking at replacing our existing B7 A4 Avant 2.0T quattro with an early B8 version (2008-10). So what are people's experiences with the B8 2.0T and is the quattro a better car than the FWD version? Is the FWD 2.0T wheelspin\ traction control mad?

We're looking to change due to another kid on the way; Audi say rear space\ seats are a bit bigger and boot is fractionally bigger. We've already had a look at a few and it does seem to be the case (just).

I'm after an Avant petrol manual, ideally quattro, so that rules out the A6 (apart from the v.rare 3.0T and most of those are auto)

So any comments\ real life experiences on the FWD vs. quattro issue, size in the back\ boot and any reliability issues (oil consumption aside) would be much appreciated.



Thanks

[RammyMP]

I've got a FWD A5 and you do get a fair bit of wheel spin when the road is wet, no doubt quattro will be better but in every day driving you won't notice any difference. I decided against the quattro due to the higher initial cost, increased fuel costs (I do a fair few miles a year) and potential tyre costs if you get a puncture as the wheels on each axel need to be similar tread depths etc.

In the winter quattro is far better without a doubt, the wife's S3 gets out of our road no bother where's as I can't move. I've bought a set of winter tyres now so we'll see how we get in this year!

If money wasn't an issue I'd have quattro.

[vapourtrail]

Yep I think it is going to come down to price; although there's about £1k in it at the vintage I am looking at.... I have an S3 as well (which is up for sale at the mo- I'm after a sportback) So have been spoilt by Quattro for the last 6 years or so - I may struggle going back to FWD!

RammyMP said:

I've got a FWD A5 and you do get a fair bit of wheel spin when the road is wet, no doubt quattro will be better but in every day driving you won't notice any difference. I decided against the quattro due to the higher initial cost, increased fuel costs (I do a fair few miles a year) and potential tyre costs if you get a puncture as the wheels on each axel need to be similar tread depths etc.

In the winter quattro is far better without a doubt, the wife's S3 gets out of our road no bother where's as I can't move. I've bought a set of winter tyres now so we'll see how we get in this year!

If money wasn't an issue I'd have quattro.

[RammyMP]

The wife wants to swap her S3, I'm trying to guide her down the path of a new shape S3! She's not having any of it at the moment, too expensive!

[Dr G]

Given the choice of two I would go with quattro; it's the sweeter drive.

[Cupramax]

I wouldnt buy any flavour of B8 chassis with the 2.0t in FWD guise having had an A5. It wasnt good in the dry but in the wet it was very poor especially when trying to pull out of junctions, horrific wheel tramp and torque steer on nowhere near full throttle. The chassis just doesnt seem capable of transmitting the torque the 2.0t produces.

[RammyMP]

Cupramax said:

I wouldnt buy any flavour of B8 chassis with the 2.0t in FWD guise having had an A5. It wasnt good in the dry but in the wet it was very poor especially when trying to pull out of junctions, horrific wheel tramp and torque steer on nowhere near full throttle. The chassis just doesnt seem capable of transmitting the torque the 2.0t produces.

I thought that until I swapped the tyres from Contis to Eagle F1s and the difference was remarkable, the F1s were so much better.

[Cupramax]

I had both Dunlop Sport Maxx and Eagle F1's Assymetrics on mine, the car just has more torque than the chassis can handle.

[Gio G]

quattro all the way. My B8 A4 has been faultless in the last 2.5 years. I have heard that a very small remap transforms the engine!

G

[blade7]

Is it the 08-10 B8's that can guzzle oil ?

[Maracus]

Does the B8 A4 2.0T have any issues with the timing chain?

The Internet says the MK6 Golf GTI does, and I assume it's the same engine.