Audi A4 (B5) 2.8 30v Quattro Avant
Discussion
Hello everyone, long time lurker on here but thought I'd make a forum thread for a recent purchase of mine that I've been enjoying so far.
I'm a 22 year old student with a life-long car obsession. In fact, obsessed is putting it rather lightly to be honest
- Though within that I do have a a fairly niche interest of late 90s/early 00s Audis such as the B5 A4, C5 A6/Allroad, D2 A8 & 8L A3
I recently sold my second ever car, which was a 1.8 non-turbo B5 A4. I absolutely loved it, but being a saloon without a folding rear seat option, it wasn't the most practical and it didn't really have much of a power reserve for when I needed to overtake or get moving quickly. So when searching for a replacement, I wanted a more powerful engine, estate body, oh, and leather seats would be a bonus.
Then I saw this one for sale in the centre of London. Owned in the same family since it was 3 years old, ex-company car and -FULL- service history with some eye-watering bills in there, including a recent full replacement of the ABS system. The car was up for a little more than I wanted to pay, but I managed to get a fair amount off after convincing the owner I would take care of it.
Having put over 1200 miles on it so far, I can definitely say its a lovely car. Drives beautifully, very smooth V6 engine and the Quattro system and optional factory sport suspension make it a surprisingly good handler. On the motorway it comes into its own and just eats up the miles (and, unfortunately, fuel too...)
The colour is called 'Ming Blue' and its the sort of colour that only really looks good under the bright lights of a petrol station forecourt. Most of the time it looks fairly anonymous. I used to own a C5 A6 in special order Nogaro Blue and that was a much nicer colour - though after a thorough clean and polish it is growing on me.
Spec wise, its very high. As the first owner was a managing director for PwC, he clearly went ham with the options list. Pearlescent paint, Xenon lights with washer jets, BOSE sound system, Heated sports leather seats with centre arm rest in addition to all the kit you got as standard on the 2.8 models. (There weren't really trim levels as such. Aside from SE spec, It was based more on what drivetrain configuration you went for)
It's not without its faults however. I'm starting to work through them all, having already replaced the coolant temp sensor, PCV system, new undertray, repaired the sagging headliner and done an oil and filter change (dead easy to do on the 2.8).
Jobs left to do include: Replacing the stuck open thermostat (this should noticeably improve MPG), replacing the rusty front wings, new valve cover gaskets, A/C re-gas, replace the radio as the volume knob has a mind of its own and replace the door bottom weather strips and a few other bits and pieces. Oh yeah, and a new clutch as its done 140k and definitely feels like its on borrowed time...
I'm a big fan of OEM+ upgrades, and there's no shortage of them for a B5. So far I've installed a VW Beetle sunglass holder to replace the driver's grab handle, facelift C5 A6 silver ring surrounds for the gauges as well as a B5.5 Passat power steering fluid reservoir surround.
I'm a 22 year old student with a life-long car obsession. In fact, obsessed is putting it rather lightly to be honest
- Though within that I do have a a fairly niche interest of late 90s/early 00s Audis such as the B5 A4, C5 A6/Allroad, D2 A8 & 8L A3I recently sold my second ever car, which was a 1.8 non-turbo B5 A4. I absolutely loved it, but being a saloon without a folding rear seat option, it wasn't the most practical and it didn't really have much of a power reserve for when I needed to overtake or get moving quickly. So when searching for a replacement, I wanted a more powerful engine, estate body, oh, and leather seats would be a bonus.
Then I saw this one for sale in the centre of London. Owned in the same family since it was 3 years old, ex-company car and -FULL- service history with some eye-watering bills in there, including a recent full replacement of the ABS system. The car was up for a little more than I wanted to pay, but I managed to get a fair amount off after convincing the owner I would take care of it.
Having put over 1200 miles on it so far, I can definitely say its a lovely car. Drives beautifully, very smooth V6 engine and the Quattro system and optional factory sport suspension make it a surprisingly good handler. On the motorway it comes into its own and just eats up the miles (and, unfortunately, fuel too...)
The colour is called 'Ming Blue' and its the sort of colour that only really looks good under the bright lights of a petrol station forecourt. Most of the time it looks fairly anonymous. I used to own a C5 A6 in special order Nogaro Blue and that was a much nicer colour - though after a thorough clean and polish it is growing on me.
Spec wise, its very high. As the first owner was a managing director for PwC, he clearly went ham with the options list. Pearlescent paint, Xenon lights with washer jets, BOSE sound system, Heated sports leather seats with centre arm rest in addition to all the kit you got as standard on the 2.8 models. (There weren't really trim levels as such. Aside from SE spec, It was based more on what drivetrain configuration you went for)
It's not without its faults however. I'm starting to work through them all, having already replaced the coolant temp sensor, PCV system, new undertray, repaired the sagging headliner and done an oil and filter change (dead easy to do on the 2.8).
Jobs left to do include: Replacing the stuck open thermostat (this should noticeably improve MPG), replacing the rusty front wings, new valve cover gaskets, A/C re-gas, replace the radio as the volume knob has a mind of its own and replace the door bottom weather strips and a few other bits and pieces. Oh yeah, and a new clutch as its done 140k and definitely feels like its on borrowed time...
I'm a big fan of OEM+ upgrades, and there's no shortage of them for a B5. So far I've installed a VW Beetle sunglass holder to replace the driver's grab handle, facelift C5 A6 silver ring surrounds for the gauges as well as a B5.5 Passat power steering fluid reservoir surround.
Looks really rather good. Looking forward to seeing more updates.
Mines on original clutch i believe (shoddy service history) and am up to 161k now. Taking it from 118k. It's always been a high pedal and hasn't changed much if at all. Probably worth just leaving alone till it starts slipping.
Mines on original clutch i believe (shoddy service history) and am up to 161k now. Taking it from 118k. It's always been a high pedal and hasn't changed much if at all. Probably worth just leaving alone till it starts slipping.
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