Advice please Re: Audi A4 or A5

[BusLane]

Hi I have just started looking to get a car for work / general use.

Started looking at A5's today my 1st choice or maybe an A4.

I have spotted an alarming amount of posts about oil consumption and it appears it was such an issue, it was a repaired foc under warranty.
Audi have offered some customers free oil or free parts to rebuild engines for owners with this issue.

I did not expect that from Audi. I've not heard people having these issues with less expensive cars.

I am looking for a car registered 2010 ish maybe a little older maybe a bit newer.

So if I go for the 2.0 ltr engine am I in high risk territory?

I don't have issues with my current mode of transport, that I've owned for several years it's just not appropriate for everyday use now.
I'd hate to buy something that needed an engine rebuild or new engine... I' expect a well serviced motor to do 200'000 miles before having these sorts of issues that people are reporting very frequently.

Is it just 2.0lt engine, petrol or diesel? What about the 3.0LT engine or new models?
It sounds like a design fault and not something I could live with.

I will be looking at S line, probably quattros, preferably a diesel.

Any advice appreciated. I much rather spend the money on something else having just quit racing due to time & cost.

[Gio G]

I have owned both A4 and A5 in recent years. Found them to be good dependable cars.

The choice of which model really depends what duties you need the car to perform, whether you have a family, as a coupe is not always practical being 2 door and A4 will do everything you need, however IMHO does not as good as an A5.

I have owned 3.0 tdi, 2.0tdi and the 2.0T and never had an issue with any of them egine wise. I have always had automatic S-tronic/tiptronic versions with quattro and generally gone for s-line or black edition spec, as they are generally well specified. A4/A5 will do motorway journeys in great comfort, s-line suspension can be a little hash on our roads, especially on larger wheels.

Any questions, let me know or drop me a PM..

G

[tigger1]

My A5 is a diesel manual - it would suit an auto well TBH. They're both confy motorway cars, quiet at speed (although tyres seemingly play a big part in that). The A5 is available in 4(as well as just 2 door coupe), and has a similar size boot to the A4 but with the advantage of a hatchback (A4 boot opening is TINY!). Inside they're broadly similar.


The oil consumption issues relate to the tfsi (petrol) engines up to about 2011 (sorry, can't remember for certain - but there's lots of info on it) - no specific issues with the diesels (although the 2.0 tdi is subject to a recall for "VAG-gate" - shouldn't affect power / efficiency though).

Edited by tigger1 on Wednesday 11th May 11:19

[BusLane]

Thanks guys that's a bit more reassuring. I will avoid the 2.0L petrol engine.
Obviously trying to buy something not subject to common issues that can result in big bills or down time.

I had started looking at older ones 2002 - 2005 like the 1.8T but I'd rather a new model, with low mileage full service history.

I don't need the performance but I want the spec, 4 wheel drive is a bonus. Most my trips are quite short 30/45mins each way usually not stuck in traffic, we have friends we travel to see and it will be used as an occasional family car too. I don't do school runs very often and I have other vehicles for fun that I like to keep the mileage down on them.

Audi ticks the sporty enough, sensible enough box.

I've driven a Japanese 4x4 for several years and despite main dealer service costs, it's never let me down or had any issues. I'm limited on choice for work, it can't be too ostentatious.

Edited by BusLane on Wednesday 11th May 18:35

[Kell]

The only word of caution I'd give as a 'family' car is that the A4 is very small in the back.

We had two B6 A4s straight after having a MK4 Golf and there was more passenger space in the Golf.

[va1o]

A5 is also seriously small in the back, much less space than a Golf!

[BusLane]

That has surprised me, externally they look like quite big cars.

I need to look into this more obviously.

Thank you.

[jonwm]

I've got an A5 company car and can confirm the rear is quite cramped, boot is good though, I have the sport back in diesel form, chose over A4 as it is 109 co2 for the S line ultra.

To answer the oil question I have a Leon 2.0 tsi, I believe mine is after the oil issue but still uses lots of oil, the car does mainly short journeys but does a litre every 2.5k.

[djc206]

I owned an RS5 for two years and getting in and out of the back was interesting, leg room was ok for short journeys but not great.

The oil issue is definitely something to be wary of with the 2.0TFSI.

Personally I wouldn't buy a FWD Audi either, steering is far too jittery for my liking. Also avoid the multitronic gearbox, utter crap.

I have a huge soft spot for A5's, they just look great to my eyes. A4's I can take or leave which is funny because for the last years I've run an RS4!

[Gio G]

I have a huge soft spot for A5's, they just look great to my eyes.
[/quote]

I agree - One of Walter de Silva's best creations!