A4 Heavy Steering ?

[R100 OOF]

Hi

A change in motoring circumstances and needs sees me in a 58 plate A4 2.0 TDI saloon after a string of A6's . Generally the A4 is doing everything I want, very economical, cheaper to own than the A6 etc BUT , the biggest difference I have noticed after a week's ownership is the very heavy / wooden steering on the A4, particularly at slow / town speed. Almost like going back to a car without power steering !! This is particularly noticeable because the steering on the A6 was excellent I thought, but the A4 is a complete dissapointment in this area. Once on the move it is still heavy, but more acceptable. I wonder if this is a trait of the car, and will be something I grow use to ?? - ( The car is a 12K mile 1 year old model, brought from an Audi dealer, so shouldn't have any faults ??)

Would appreciate your thoughts ?

Apologies if this has been covered before.

[Cupramax]

I'm guessing the A6's will have had servotronic steering and the A4 hasn't. I had pretty much the same symptoms when I took a new A4 2.0tdi out recently.

[Escort2dr]

Had 3 A4s and noticed the A6 steering is a lot lighter (though bloody 'woolly'). Out of interest, what makes you say the A6 was dearer to run? Only had mine a month but wondering how it will differ from the others I had.

[gizlaroc]

The lightness of the steering is the one thing I hate on my A6, just no feedback at all.

The A4 is a little better, but get in a BMW and you will know what heavy steering really is, but at least it communicates with you.

[hman]

Having had a 54 plate a4, a 56 plate 04 and a 52 plate A6


I can tell you that the order above is the order of heaviness in the steering.

54 plate a4 was v. heavy, 56 plate was better (in fact just about right) and a6 is very light.


count yourself lucky you dont have an older a4 !

[Tame Technician]

New shape "B8" A4 has servo tronic steering as an option, you can really tell when you drive with and without back to back, non servotronic car is very heavy. Its said to give better driver feel and feed back, hence the customer has the choice, but they both feel much the same to me in that area, I felt there was more feedback with the B7 shape A4.

[R100 OOF]

Thanks for the feedback ( pardon the pun! ) I guess in time it will be something I get use to.

Cheers all

[R100 OOF]

Escort2dr said:

Had 3 A4s and noticed the A6 steering is a lot lighter (though bloody 'woolly'). Out of interest, what makes you say the A6 was dearer to run? Only had mine a month but wondering how it will differ from the others I had.

Mine was a 3.0 TDI Quattro Allroad ! - Now running 2.0 TDI A4 - Hence it should be cheaper to run - Road Tax £ 125 p.a instead of £ 405 ! - mpg high 40's instead of mid to low 30s etc etc - Plus cheaper to purchase, so overall I'm happy !

Just need to build up my muscles to steer it and I'll be there !!