Moving from Alfa 156 to an Audi A4...advice please?
Discussion
Not posted on the Audi PH forum before..... because I currently have a 2005 Alfa 156 1.9 JTDM150.... please don't laugh !!!!
But I am now looking for an Audi A4 Tdi as the running costs of my Italian machine are getting too high !
Although a brilliant car in many ways, ( I have done two full track days at Croft Race Circuit in it) the mileage of 120,000 on the Alfa is too high.
The remap I had done from the standard 150 to about 190BHP was very welcome, and transformed the performance. Although over time it may well prove to be too much for the clutch/DMF as these are both the original parts...
Therefore, any advice on the best A4 to go for, with a limit of about £2600.
I would prefer leather, and fairly stiff suspension ( but not uncomfortable !) and the little I know about VW diesel engines, I have been told that the older 1.9 TDis are the more reliable units ?
I have got used to the power upgrade of the Alfa, so any Audi with around 130 would be fine with a view to a remap.
I realise that these may be quite difficult demands to expect, but any advice would be most welcome !
I also have a mint BMW E36 318iS, but that is my 'weekend car' and will suffer if I use it for my 350 miles/week motorway commute.
The build quality and engineering/design my German car is what prompts me to get an Audi....!
I have today 'test driven' a 2004 A6 Tdi 130BHP which had about 86,000 on it, mainly just to see how an Audi of this age was like. Quite impressed but not overwhelmed it could be said ! Car seemd very well screwed together, had nice leather and all the toys....but the dealer wanted far too much for it.
Also the 1.9 130 engine seemed a bit underpowered in this body.
I have come to trhe conclusion that an A4 is the size that suits and that the A6 is too big ( although the saloon boot on the A6 is huge !)
But I am now looking for an Audi A4 Tdi as the running costs of my Italian machine are getting too high !
Although a brilliant car in many ways, ( I have done two full track days at Croft Race Circuit in it) the mileage of 120,000 on the Alfa is too high.
The remap I had done from the standard 150 to about 190BHP was very welcome, and transformed the performance. Although over time it may well prove to be too much for the clutch/DMF as these are both the original parts...
Therefore, any advice on the best A4 to go for, with a limit of about £2600.
I would prefer leather, and fairly stiff suspension ( but not uncomfortable !) and the little I know about VW diesel engines, I have been told that the older 1.9 TDis are the more reliable units ?
I have got used to the power upgrade of the Alfa, so any Audi with around 130 would be fine with a view to a remap.
I realise that these may be quite difficult demands to expect, but any advice would be most welcome !
I also have a mint BMW E36 318iS, but that is my 'weekend car' and will suffer if I use it for my 350 miles/week motorway commute.
The build quality and engineering/design my German car is what prompts me to get an Audi....!
I have today 'test driven' a 2004 A6 Tdi 130BHP which had about 86,000 on it, mainly just to see how an Audi of this age was like. Quite impressed but not overwhelmed it could be said ! Car seemd very well screwed together, had nice leather and all the toys....but the dealer wanted far too much for it.
Also the 1.9 130 engine seemed a bit underpowered in this body.
I have come to trhe conclusion that an A4 is the size that suits and that the A6 is too big ( although the saloon boot on the A6 is huge !)
This questions pops up now and then and it does come with a couple of 'gotchas'.
You're looking at a 10+ year old car to get maintenance costs down from your Alfa; The B6 platform A4 is a good, strong car and did get a reputation when fitted with the 1.9 TDI 130 for longevity and low running costs. This is a double edged sword in that the reputation made them appeal to people who wanted to run them on a budget of zero. As a direct result there are a lot of these around in poor condition with rubbish service records. If you can find something that's been used on the open road and serviced regularly then some miles aren't an issue but a 'low mileage' car will likely be more aggro than it's worth, they don't much like being bimbled around town.
I would almost be tempted to keep the Alfa you have and put the upgrade money into a repair/maintenance kitty rather than buy another car that will probably have just as many problems as the car you're getting rid of.
If you've already decided you're buying the Audi then go for condition first. Evidence of very regular servicing and repairs should be right at the top of your list with things like the exact colour, specification etc. further down. It's tempting to buy a sport in a funky colour I know but the shine rapidly wears off when the first service includes a new turbo and flywheel.
You're looking at a 10+ year old car to get maintenance costs down from your Alfa; The B6 platform A4 is a good, strong car and did get a reputation when fitted with the 1.9 TDI 130 for longevity and low running costs. This is a double edged sword in that the reputation made them appeal to people who wanted to run them on a budget of zero. As a direct result there are a lot of these around in poor condition with rubbish service records. If you can find something that's been used on the open road and serviced regularly then some miles aren't an issue but a 'low mileage' car will likely be more aggro than it's worth, they don't much like being bimbled around town.
I would almost be tempted to keep the Alfa you have and put the upgrade money into a repair/maintenance kitty rather than buy another car that will probably have just as many problems as the car you're getting rid of.
If you've already decided you're buying the Audi then go for condition first. Evidence of very regular servicing and repairs should be right at the top of your list with things like the exact colour, specification etc. further down. It's tempting to buy a sport in a funky colour I know but the shine rapidly wears off when the first service includes a new turbo and flywheel.
Thanks for the fast reply ! You may well be right about me keeping the Alfa...as I am reluctant to change it and the driving experience is still amazing...they just handle so well when set up properly, and there is now a kit for the clutch/flywheel that reverts to a 'traditional' single flywheel etc from the Alfa V6. I may be tempted just to keep it until it needs something major and then decide !
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