S4 B73.0 tdi convertible - a good choice? - Please advise
Discussion
S4 B73.0 tdi Auto (non CVT) convertible - a good choice? - Please advise
Are these reliable?
Still reliable with a stage 1 remap and de-restricted exhaust? - Thinking of removing pre-CAT and replacing main CAT with a Sport version and removing rear silencers (adding a straight through mellow mid resonator if needed to soften sound rawness and volume
Are all 3.0 B7s free from particulate filter? - What about EGRs?
Any feedback on reliability, potential issues, mpg and tuning appreciated
Are these reliable?
Still reliable with a stage 1 remap and de-restricted exhaust? - Thinking of removing pre-CAT and replacing main CAT with a Sport version and removing rear silencers (adding a straight through mellow mid resonator if needed to soften sound rawness and volume
Are all 3.0 B7s free from particulate filter? - What about EGRs?
Any feedback on reliability, potential issues, mpg and tuning appreciated
As above, you have lots of good points already within your post, but I’m not clear exactly what you mean, or which car your specifically interested in.
I’ve owned Audi’s with all of the above mentioned engines, and they are all great, for different reasons. The 3.2 V6 FSI is a good all rounder, sounds nice and provides a good balance of performance and economy, but doesn’t excel at either. The 3.0TDI V6 has incredible torque, performance and economy, but I’ve gone off diesels in recent years. The 4.2 V8 is an absolute belter, sounds beautiful and pulls like a train, but likes petrol stations and road tax is usually £500+
The right engine is going to be based on your usesge requirements and unfortunately what is available to you on the used market. I’ve never owned an A4 convertible, but I’m on my second A5 convertible and love them! However my current has the 3.0TFSI Supercharged lump, which I believe is the best of all worlds. My previous A5 had the 2.0 TFSI, also a good option.
All come with potential risks, failings, strengths and weaknesses - but if you can keep an open mind I think you may end up with a better used car purchase.
I’ve owned Audi’s with all of the above mentioned engines, and they are all great, for different reasons. The 3.2 V6 FSI is a good all rounder, sounds nice and provides a good balance of performance and economy, but doesn’t excel at either. The 3.0TDI V6 has incredible torque, performance and economy, but I’ve gone off diesels in recent years. The 4.2 V8 is an absolute belter, sounds beautiful and pulls like a train, but likes petrol stations and road tax is usually £500+
The right engine is going to be based on your usesge requirements and unfortunately what is available to you on the used market. I’ve never owned an A4 convertible, but I’m on my second A5 convertible and love them! However my current has the 3.0TFSI Supercharged lump, which I believe is the best of all worlds. My previous A5 had the 2.0 TFSI, also a good option.
All come with potential risks, failings, strengths and weaknesses - but if you can keep an open mind I think you may end up with a better used car purchase.
Hi ,
I can give you some feedback on these.
I bought mine which is a 3.0 manual in 2010 when it was 3 years old, and had 21000 miles on the clock.
It was bought as a holiday and weekend trips car, so currently still only has 67000 miles on it.
We have been to the Italian Lakes, Swiss alps, Austrian alps, and several other Continental jaunts.
I mapped it with a bluefin remap after a couple of years, takes it to about 300bhp and 450 ft/lbs of torque. Cost was about £400, the rest of the drivetrain was left standard. The remap transformed the car, as standard it was quite hard to pull away in first, seemed to have a big flat spot, with the remap that was gone, and it now pulls in 4th as strongly as it used to in 3rd. Its not a slow car! I do not give it full chat off the line though, as I think I read the first gear is a bit weak, and with that much torque and 4 wheel drive, dont want to break anything.
When I got it, the steering was very heavy, for want of a better description. I assumed this was because it was quite a heavy car, and press reports when new, seemed to imply this was a trait of the car. However after having changed tyres, and having it set up on a 4 wheel alignment jig, by someone who really knew what they were doing the handling was transformed, previous "toy" cars were a Lotus elan and a 944, to me this handles as well as either of those now. Having said that I am sure a better driver may well disagree!
I service the car myself every 2 years, change all filters, oil and brake fluid, its pretty straight forward.
Suspension is standard, power steering seems to be creaking at moment, hopefully just cos it has not been used over winter.
Brake discs and pads changes for aftermarket ones.
Tyres Contis, seems to go about 15000 - 20000 miles on a set
In terms of comfort, with hood up, its as quite as a saloon, wind deflector is a massive benefit in winter with top down, highly recommended. We have driven 800 miles in a day, and been very comfortable. Boot is a good size, you have an option to increase it if you keep hood up. We got some fitted luggage, which makes the most of all the space. Rear seats are ok for average adult, although leg space is an issue behind the driver. With top down, rear passengers suffer from a fair bit of wind buffeting.
Fuel - Touring at sensible speeds 45 - 50 MPG. Day out in the Dales 33 - 40 MPG.
Reliability.
Inlet flaps - mine replaced in first year of ownership under warranty (was approved used.) common fault believe you can now get a rebuild kit.
Starter motor contacts corroded, again new starter under warranty.
Broken rear spring, so both replaced.
Hood motor started playing up - modified motor fitted by specialist in Harrogate.
Stereo amp stopped working, fixed by specialist in Scotland.
DPF clogged up, think cos doing lots of short journeys for a while, forced regen seems to have sorted it.
Thats about it I think.
One thing to look out for is rust underneath, mine was starting to look a bit scabby at only 6 years old, I took it to a place in Lincolnshire who specialise in rustproofing classic cars, they spent two days on it, and it still looks mint underneath now.
Insurance is cheap even with remap declared.
So I love it, its fulfilled my expectations, and has been superb holiday transport, highlights cruising at 130 MPH hood down next to a german in an RS4 convertible, on the Autobahn. Driving the Stelvio. Driving alongside Lake Garda, top down on a moonlit night, after going to the Opera in Verona.
Hope that helps!! Ther pic is outside a holiday cottage somewhere in England!
I can give you some feedback on these.
I bought mine which is a 3.0 manual in 2010 when it was 3 years old, and had 21000 miles on the clock.
It was bought as a holiday and weekend trips car, so currently still only has 67000 miles on it.
We have been to the Italian Lakes, Swiss alps, Austrian alps, and several other Continental jaunts.
I mapped it with a bluefin remap after a couple of years, takes it to about 300bhp and 450 ft/lbs of torque. Cost was about £400, the rest of the drivetrain was left standard. The remap transformed the car, as standard it was quite hard to pull away in first, seemed to have a big flat spot, with the remap that was gone, and it now pulls in 4th as strongly as it used to in 3rd. Its not a slow car! I do not give it full chat off the line though, as I think I read the first gear is a bit weak, and with that much torque and 4 wheel drive, dont want to break anything.
When I got it, the steering was very heavy, for want of a better description. I assumed this was because it was quite a heavy car, and press reports when new, seemed to imply this was a trait of the car. However after having changed tyres, and having it set up on a 4 wheel alignment jig, by someone who really knew what they were doing the handling was transformed, previous "toy" cars were a Lotus elan and a 944, to me this handles as well as either of those now. Having said that I am sure a better driver may well disagree!
I service the car myself every 2 years, change all filters, oil and brake fluid, its pretty straight forward.
Suspension is standard, power steering seems to be creaking at moment, hopefully just cos it has not been used over winter.
Brake discs and pads changes for aftermarket ones.
Tyres Contis, seems to go about 15000 - 20000 miles on a set
In terms of comfort, with hood up, its as quite as a saloon, wind deflector is a massive benefit in winter with top down, highly recommended. We have driven 800 miles in a day, and been very comfortable. Boot is a good size, you have an option to increase it if you keep hood up. We got some fitted luggage, which makes the most of all the space. Rear seats are ok for average adult, although leg space is an issue behind the driver. With top down, rear passengers suffer from a fair bit of wind buffeting.
Fuel - Touring at sensible speeds 45 - 50 MPG. Day out in the Dales 33 - 40 MPG.
Reliability.
Inlet flaps - mine replaced in first year of ownership under warranty (was approved used.) common fault believe you can now get a rebuild kit.
Starter motor contacts corroded, again new starter under warranty.
Broken rear spring, so both replaced.
Hood motor started playing up - modified motor fitted by specialist in Harrogate.
Stereo amp stopped working, fixed by specialist in Scotland.
DPF clogged up, think cos doing lots of short journeys for a while, forced regen seems to have sorted it.
Thats about it I think.
One thing to look out for is rust underneath, mine was starting to look a bit scabby at only 6 years old, I took it to a place in Lincolnshire who specialise in rustproofing classic cars, they spent two days on it, and it still looks mint underneath now.
Insurance is cheap even with remap declared.
So I love it, its fulfilled my expectations, and has been superb holiday transport, highlights cruising at 130 MPH hood down next to a german in an RS4 convertible, on the Autobahn. Driving the Stelvio. Driving alongside Lake Garda, top down on a moonlit night, after going to the Opera in Verona.
Hope that helps!! Ther pic is outside a holiday cottage somewhere in England!
Hey Steve, thanks so much for the feedback 
I am just about to become a pensioner...who do you recommend for a sub 300bhp mapped 3.0 B7?
Particulate filter? - When did they start fitting those?
Fancy making the exhaust less restrictive so u can hear the V6? - Search extreme straight piped versions on the Tube, and dial back to an MOT friendly compromise - I gave dropped Darkside a mail to see if they can link / supply Hi-flow cats
Re 1st gear weakness, presumably thats a Manual? - I am looking for a non CVT auto which hopefully will be ok
Tad horrified by the rust revelation!! - Thats one thing I had assumed I need not worry about!
What differences are there between 2007 (I understand the failing timing chains had been sorted by 06) and end of B7 production in the auto Convertible version
With top down, which I am pleased to see that u enjoy a lot, are there any dash / screen shimmy / thuds or is it all pretty mature - the 944 u mention...that was diabolical in convertible guise... - Incidentally I had a Silver Rose, which was pretty awesome
I seem to have narrowed my field of fun, frugal sub £4,5k daily drivers to the B7 3.0 ...and so far it looks like a good find - 300bhp, more torque than u could wish for, proper 4WD, 45mpg, good sound and convertible...whats not to like?
I assume the ride is comfortable and less understeer than a TT
I am just about to become a pensioner...who do you recommend for a sub 300bhp mapped 3.0 B7?
Particulate filter? - When did they start fitting those?
Fancy making the exhaust less restrictive so u can hear the V6? - Search extreme straight piped versions on the Tube, and dial back to an MOT friendly compromise - I gave dropped Darkside a mail to see if they can link / supply Hi-flow cats
Re 1st gear weakness, presumably thats a Manual? - I am looking for a non CVT auto which hopefully will be ok
Tad horrified by the rust revelation!! - Thats one thing I had assumed I need not worry about!
What differences are there between 2007 (I understand the failing timing chains had been sorted by 06) and end of B7 production in the auto Convertible version
With top down, which I am pleased to see that u enjoy a lot, are there any dash / screen shimmy / thuds or is it all pretty mature - the 944 u mention...that was diabolical in convertible guise... - Incidentally I had a Silver Rose, which was pretty awesome
I seem to have narrowed my field of fun, frugal sub £4,5k daily drivers to the B7 3.0 ...and so far it looks like a good find
- 300bhp, more torque than u could wish for, proper 4WD, 45mpg, good sound and convertible...whats not to like? I assume the ride is comfortable and less understeer than a TT
Never been in a TT so cant compare, when set up properly though understeer is def not an issue.
As far as comfort, yes very , mine is s line, the suspension is hard, but not stupidly so. I am 59, and would not hesitate to drive it to Switzerland tomorrow!
I think the build quality on these is really very good, a friend had a 3.0 tdi a 5 coupe, and we both felt the a4 was better built. I had a new BMW 335 x drive in 2016, and that did not feel as well screwed together than the Audi, faster though! The interior on my admittedly cosseted example is still as new, and there are no rattles. Scuttle shake is pretty much non existent and I have had new VW passats with more rattles than the Audi has.
I did drive an auto, when I was looking for mine, I did not like it at all, the change was just to slow. By contrast the manual box on mine is simply the best manual gear change I have experienced.
Top is down anytime it’s dry, with wind deflector and heated seats, it can be 5 degrees and it’s warm. Only exception to that is motorway over 100 miles, tend to put top up,oh and in France when it was 42 degrees! Air on is very good by the way.
One option well worth looking out for is the Bose stereo, very very impressive! You could get it with a 6 cd changer, or iPod connection. Mine is iPod, you need an iPod Classic. But it will also take 2 sd cards behind the flip up sat nav screen. You can get about 12 albums on each sd card.
Regarding chipping, the blue fin one I have is superb and it’s a simple diy option, has a device like a tv remote that stores the old coding on it.
I don’t like noisy exhausts, so can’t comment on that. Mine is still on the original.
It really is a superb car, a mile crunching GT to get to the alps, then top down and give it some stick, and it’s hugely entertaining.
The rust underneath was a potential issue on mine, and that shocked me too, it maybe because I went all the way to Aberdeen to buy it, so maybe it had 3 very salty winters, next to the sea as well! Worth checking.
Don’t know about differences in years, I think 2007 was pretty much the last of them, and I think from memory there was a significant suspension upgrade.
For 4-5 k I do not think there is anything else remotely as good. I intend to keep mine for as long as possible! If it got written off tomorrow, I would be looking for another straight away!
As far as comfort, yes very , mine is s line, the suspension is hard, but not stupidly so. I am 59, and would not hesitate to drive it to Switzerland tomorrow!
I think the build quality on these is really very good, a friend had a 3.0 tdi a 5 coupe, and we both felt the a4 was better built. I had a new BMW 335 x drive in 2016, and that did not feel as well screwed together than the Audi, faster though! The interior on my admittedly cosseted example is still as new, and there are no rattles. Scuttle shake is pretty much non existent and I have had new VW passats with more rattles than the Audi has.
I did drive an auto, when I was looking for mine, I did not like it at all, the change was just to slow. By contrast the manual box on mine is simply the best manual gear change I have experienced.
Top is down anytime it’s dry, with wind deflector and heated seats, it can be 5 degrees and it’s warm. Only exception to that is motorway over 100 miles, tend to put top up,oh and in France when it was 42 degrees! Air on is very good by the way.
One option well worth looking out for is the Bose stereo, very very impressive! You could get it with a 6 cd changer, or iPod connection. Mine is iPod, you need an iPod Classic. But it will also take 2 sd cards behind the flip up sat nav screen. You can get about 12 albums on each sd card.
Regarding chipping, the blue fin one I have is superb and it’s a simple diy option, has a device like a tv remote that stores the old coding on it.
I don’t like noisy exhausts, so can’t comment on that. Mine is still on the original.
It really is a superb car, a mile crunching GT to get to the alps, then top down and give it some stick, and it’s hugely entertaining.
The rust underneath was a potential issue on mine, and that shocked me too, it maybe because I went all the way to Aberdeen to buy it, so maybe it had 3 very salty winters, next to the sea as well! Worth checking.
Don’t know about differences in years, I think 2007 was pretty much the last of them, and I think from memory there was a significant suspension upgrade.
For 4-5 k I do not think there is anything else remotely as good. I intend to keep mine for as long as possible! If it got written off tomorrow, I would be looking for another straight away!
Hi again,
Yes remap made a very big difference. A standard one pulls really hard in third, remapped it keeps on pulling at that rate in 4th. Not so much a kick in the back of the seat, more that relentless surge you get in a jet plane when it’s taking off. Still puts a huge grin on my face!
I just go on compare the market, you can put in there that it’s been remapped and it comes up with those that accept it, at the moment it’s with esure I think. In the past have used Adrian flux.
Yes remap made a very big difference. A standard one pulls really hard in third, remapped it keeps on pulling at that rate in 4th. Not so much a kick in the back of the seat, more that relentless surge you get in a jet plane when it’s taking off. Still puts a huge grin on my face!
I just go on compare the market, you can put in there that it’s been remapped and it comes up with those that accept it, at the moment it’s with esure I think. In the past have used Adrian flux.
Good look hunting.
House isn't mine, it was a holiday cottage.
One last thing, you want the acoustic hood option as well, makes it far more civilised when the hood is up.
Here it is in in its element in Switzerland.
Cat wait to get back to the Alps
House isn't mine, it was a holiday cottage.
One last thing, you want the acoustic hood option as well, makes it far more civilised when the hood is up.
Here it is in in its element in Switzerland.
Cat wait to get back to the Alps
Edited by Stevemr on Sunday 7th March 18:08
fabulous cant wait to try one soon
I cant wait to get back to the Zillertal as I love Mayrhofen having skied there a dozen times over 15 yrs ago.....sooo expensive - lift and accommodation
Be nice to drive down, probably with a +! (if I can find one!) - averaging c 48mpg on long cruise?
I am told by Darkside Tuning that any exhaust mods are now illegal, which is both surprising and disappointing - dont want volume, just 6 cylinder character
cant wait to try one soonI cant wait to get back to the Zillertal as I love Mayrhofen having skied there a dozen times over 15 yrs ago.....sooo expensive - lift and accommodation
Be nice to drive down, probably with a +! (if I can find one!) - averaging c 48mpg on long cruise?
I am told by Darkside Tuning that any exhaust mods are now illegal, which is both surprising and disappointing - dont want volume, just 6 cylinder character
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