A4 Avant - any opinions?

[timwatsham]

Evening all, wondered whether you could help out?

We're having a baby in November, and having cleared out the impractical cars in our collection, we've turned our thoughts to a run-around for my wife. She has a love of estate cars, so has turned down the new shape Micra idea that I came up with and has requested an older premium estate.

We've considered all, and seem to have come down on a 2000 Audi A4 Avant 1.8 SE. We're not doing look distances, so diesels don't make sense, and we don't really need the power of a turbo or V6 as far as I can see.

Having had a look around it looks like we can get a facelifted (2000 V or W plate) with 125k-150k on the clock for around £2,200 which looks like good value to me...

Anyone any experience or opinions on them?

What should we be looking out for?

[ljdnc]

i've got an 04 plate a4 saloon 3.0 quattro sport quality motor buy vag and you cant go wrong dude go for it

[LeoSayer]

I had one of these for a few years.

It was a very pleasant car to drive, no major quirks or problems. If you are getting a 1.8 auto then it may feel underpowered.

Make sure there are records of cambelt being changed, and maybe get it done again to be sure (I can't remember if it is due at 60k or 80k).

The only real problem was the woeful rear legroom.

[Red V8]

I've got a 52 model... very nice car, but look out for front disk wear (mine only did 20k), rear anti roll bar corrosion, and the tailgate numberplate lights.. screws sieze and you have to replace the lot.

[timwatsham]

Sounds like some positive experiences there... We were going to go for a 1.8 manual so hopefully won't feel too pedestrian after the 530d...

Like you said, it feels hard to go wrong with something like this - never going to set the world on fire, but just a really nice looking, solid motor that is pretty classless... A modern day VW golf...