Audi A4 2.0t Quattro 2004/2005- opinions

[sparks_E39]

Looking at one of these circa £2.5-£3k at around 120k. Anything I need to look out for.. what are they like?

Cheers.

[benjijames28]

Same things as any other car. At that age and mileage your always going to have issues crop up anyway.

If it's manual I would be grateful if it had a new clutch and flywheel, they are expensive.

I would also expect this to be heavy on fuel.

[sparks_E39]

Thanks, I can afford to budget in a clutch and flywheel, what I would like is a recent cambelt and water pump. Don't really care about fuel consumption.

[blade7]

I didn't think the 2.0T came out until 2005. I'd be fitting a new fuel pump cam follower if it hasn't had one. I've also read about this engine sometimes needing a new tensioner on the chain between the cams too.

[sparks_E39]

Thanks very much. So what are they like to drive?

[blade7]

sparks_E39 said:

Thanks very much. So what are they like to drive?

Suspension on my 05 B7 S line with original 18" wheels is fine, unlike the 04 B6 S line I drove which was crashy over bumps. 200 bhp so they go OK. In the dry they're nothing special, but in the wet I was surprised how good it was, and amusingly I've driven away from all sorts of 2wd stuff in crappy conditions.

[sparks_E39]

blade7 said:

Suspension on my 05 B7 S line with original 18" wheels is fine, unlike the 04 B6 S line I drove which was crashy over bumps. 200 bhp so they go OK. In the dry they're nothing special, but in the wet I was surprised how good it was, and amusingly I've driven away from all sorts of 2wd stuff in crappy conditions.

On paper it's quicker than my old E39 530i Sport, and a lot more modern! Be good to experience 4wd. I run the E39 on a budget of around £1500 a year.

[blade7]

I think the engine in the Beemer would be nicer. My 2.0T isn't mapped and I reckon it would pull a lot better with an extra 40-50 bhp.

[Andy JB]

I've owned one for past 6 years & its one of the best Audi's/ cars i've owned. It ticks many boxes which is what you want from a daily. Its very spacious for 4 adults, large boot, light enough to be thrown around and quick enough for most circumstances (mine is 220hp tune) but also fuel efficient for a performance car, good brakes, suspension is on firm side but very reliable and cheap to maintain at an indy.

Just needs belts done every 5 years £300 & if cam chain rattle it will be around £300 mark to sort. I find handling & grip good up to 8/10ths but when it does understeer or torque steer at the extremes above this its fun predictable & easy to correct. I also have a quattro but i find this much more fun to drive. One the best manual gearboxes i've driven too. I am finding at 10 years old the body on arches is starting to bubble which hasn't ever happened on other (earlier) audis but i guess its no different to other marques & shouldn't be excessive to sort if it becomes an issue. I'm due to change mine at 60k but i'd prefer to keep hold of it its such a good allrounder.

[sparks_E39]

Thank you, I'm surprised to hear about the corrosion as I thought Audis were well protected. Can't imagine they suffer as bad with rust as BMW's of the era I'm used to do.

[blade7]

sparks_E39 said:

Thank you, I'm surprised to hear about the corrosion as I thought Audis were well protected. Can't imagine they suffer as bad with rust as BMW's of the era I'm used to do.

Me too, mines 11 years old with no rust on the arches. I'd always choose an Avant though the DTM saloons are quite nice.

Edited by blade7 on Sunday 20th November 20:09