Which A4 diesel model would you buy?
Discussion
Looking at a local A4 Avants. Which of these would you choose and why?
2004 Pre-Facelift A4 1.9 TDi Sport with 45k miles
2005 Facelift A4 1.9 TDi S-Line with 53K miles
2005 Facelift a4 2.0 TDi S-Line with 60K
Especially interested in running costs and reliability. Any major flaws with either I should be aware of? Any options which are a must have?
I'd also be interested to know if an aftermarket integrated ipod kit is available for these models?
G
2004 Pre-Facelift A4 1.9 TDi Sport with 45k miles
2005 Facelift A4 1.9 TDi S-Line with 53K miles
2005 Facelift a4 2.0 TDi S-Line with 60K
Especially interested in running costs and reliability. Any major flaws with either I should be aware of? Any options which are a must have?
I'd also be interested to know if an aftermarket integrated ipod kit is available for these models?
G
Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 20th May 08:49
scz4 said:
2005 Facelift A4 1.9 TDi S-Line with 53K miles
This one. Newest looking, the 1.9 although noisy and rough, is bombproof and with plenty of upgrade options should you want it. How long are you planning on keeping it, and how many miles are you looking at putting on the clock? I think the S-Line is pretty well specced as it is, so options are pretty much personal, and colour combinations and trim addenda will be of greater importance than anything (IMO)Well, I always start by saying I'll be keeping me new car for 3 to 4 years, but that never 
Perhaps 2-3 years. Do around 12k a year which perhaps isn't enough to justify a diesel, but have a weekend\track car so keeping the running costs down is important, plus I've never liked the 1.8 turbo engine.
Perhaps 2-3 years. Do around 12k a year which perhaps isn't enough to justify a diesel, but have a weekend\track car so keeping the running costs down is important, plus I've never liked the 1.8 turbo engine. Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 20th May 08:55
the later 1.9 tdi will probably be the 130pd engines. The 04 will be a B6 chassis and the others i am guessing will be B7 chassis.
The 2.0 tdi will be an earlier 140 bhp variant, they are twin c am and drive on the turbo a bit better, a bit smoother. but i recall there was an issue with he early 140 2.0tdis? anyone?
The 130pd engine is very good one, the remap really well and are generally bloody solid units. Try the S-line suspension i have heard by some it can be quite crashy. but if your after a commute wagon either will see you well, if it was me i would be going for the 1.9tdi sline and remapping straight away for a few more mpg and a bit more oomph. They tick all the sensible boxes... no idea if you have kidlets or not but the A4 isnt exactly roomy in the back. I think your local to me as well, post up some links if you like.
The 2.0 tdi will be an earlier 140 bhp variant, they are twin c am and drive on the turbo a bit better, a bit smoother. but i recall there was an issue with he early 140 2.0tdis? anyone?
The 130pd engine is very good one, the remap really well and are generally bloody solid units. Try the S-line suspension i have heard by some it can be quite crashy. but if your after a commute wagon either will see you well, if it was me i would be going for the 1.9tdi sline and remapping straight away for a few more mpg and a bit more oomph. They tick all the sensible boxes... no idea if you have kidlets or not but the A4 isnt exactly roomy in the back. I think your local to me as well, post up some links if you like.
istoo said:
I think your local to me as well, post up some links if you like.
I am indeed. This is the B6? one - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uvl/popup.jsp?cur...
I'll find the others later, the were more Scotland "local".
G
There was an issue with the early 2.0tdi 140, in the diesel particulate filters could become blocked and cause problems. This was very common on the Skoda Superb but not sure about the Audi, It is the same engine though.
It was made even worse by lots of town driving as I understand it and fast driving motorway driving was supposed to clear the filters, but they could still become blocked anyway.
The 1.9tdi is the better engine mechanically, but not as refined and quite noisy, but really only around town and at idle.
The 1.9tdi is tunable, but the best thing for it is a remap that puts it up to 160-170bhp without risking anything else much on the car (Depending on how you drive of course!)
It was made even worse by lots of town driving as I understand it and fast driving motorway driving was supposed to clear the filters, but they could still become blocked anyway.
The 1.9tdi is the better engine mechanically, but not as refined and quite noisy, but really only around town and at idle.
The 1.9tdi is tunable, but the best thing for it is a remap that puts it up to 160-170bhp without risking anything else much on the car (Depending on how you drive of course!)
scz4 said:
istoo said:
I think your local to me as well, post up some links if you like.
I am indeed. This is the B6? one - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uvl/popup.jsp?cur...
I'll find the others later, the were more Scotland "local".
G
Aye that's a B6, I had one for 18 months, good ride all round. But that price seems a bit steep to me.
I don't know what your reasons for purchase are, a commuting wagon? cheap to run? ferry stuff about? avant/saloon?
The sports I prefer, comfy seats, a bit lower and stiffer.
Both will do 50+mpg, MAF is a notorious fail point but not expensive to replace.
Chuck me an email i will gladly bore you to death!
istoo said:
I couldnt mind if it was "you" or not.
Aye that's a B6, I had one for 18 months, good ride all round. But that price seems a bit steep to me.
I don't know what your reasons for purchase are, a commuting wagon? cheap to run? ferry stuff about? avant/saloon?
The sports I prefer, comfy seats, a bit lower and stiffer.
Both will do 50+mpg, MAF is a notorious fail point but not expensive to replace.
Chuck me an email i will gladly bore you to death!
Email on it's way. Aye that's a B6, I had one for 18 months, good ride all round. But that price seems a bit steep to me.
I don't know what your reasons for purchase are, a commuting wagon? cheap to run? ferry stuff about? avant/saloon?
The sports I prefer, comfy seats, a bit lower and stiffer.
Both will do 50+mpg, MAF is a notorious fail point but not expensive to replace.
Chuck me an email i will gladly bore you to death!
Don't need a car for commuting, more just the day to day stuff, plus a lot of mountain biking so the Avant is a must. Besides, I think they look much better.
G
scz4 said:
FoolOnTheHill said:
The one with a DSG gearbox.
You're having laugh right? Never seen such a poor gearbox (well software I suspect), it's way behind BMWs SMG2, which isn't even great. Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 20th May 11:22
I've driven a Golf, Passat and 2 A4 S-lines with the DSG and I really liked it.
istoo said:
the later 1.9 tdi will probably be the 130pd engines. The 04 will be a B6 chassis and the others i am guessing will be B7 chassis.
The 2.0 tdi will be an earlier 140 bhp variant, they are twin c am and drive on the turbo a bit better, a bit smoother. but i recall there was an issue with he early 140 2.0tdis? anyone?
I'd have thought the B6 pre-facelift was the 130bhp and the post facelift B7 would be 105 or 115bhp (can't remember which).The 2.0 tdi will be an earlier 140 bhp variant, they are twin c am and drive on the turbo a bit better, a bit smoother. but i recall there was an issue with he early 140 2.0tdis? anyone?
Isoproturon1 said:
I'd have thought the B6 pre-facelift was the 130bhp and the post facelift B7 would be 105 or 115bhp (can't remember which).
sorry badly worded, I was referring to the later B6 (sport designations). B7 uses the B6 chassis from memory. B7 is the 115bhp variant. which is about bang on the money for best mpg/weight of car. The badge denotation isn't entirely consistent but I think it should have a red D and I on the 130 B6...G, check out that 04 1.9tdi quattro sport avant for sale locally. Worth a butchers, only downer is its not leather, if that bothers you, less likely to squeak as well!
some of the sport or higher spec cars may come with the BOSE sound system which good if you like sounds. I don't own an ipod so have no idea, generally burn CDs to suit.
Edited by istoo on Wednesday 20th May 16:46
istoo said:
Isoproturon1 said:
I'd have thought the B6 pre-facelift was the 130bhp and the post facelift B7 would be 105 or 115bhp (can't remember which).
sorry badly worded, I was referring to the later B6 (sport designations). B7 uses the B6 chassis from memory. B7 is the 115bhp variant. which is about bang on the money for best mpg/weight of car. The badge denotation isn't entirely consistent but I think it should have a red D and I on the 130 B6...G, check out that 04 1.9tdi quattro sport avant for sale locally. Worth a butchers, only downer is its not leather, if that bothers you, less likely to squeak as well!
some of the sport or higher spec cars may come with the BOSE sound system which good if you like sounds. I don't own an ipod so have no idea, generally burn CDs to suit.
Edited by istoo on Wednesday 20th May 16:46
Hi there
I bought a pre-facelift 2004 A4 Avant, 1.9TDI Sport with the 6 speed auto box
Got her about 17 months ago. Had 71k on the clock and i paid around £11k.
Now got 104k on the clock and I have to say it's a fab car!
It has the 130BHP engine (normally the I on the TDI badge on the boot is in red for the 130BHP model)
I do a lot of mountain biking like yourself, cars perfect, can get 4 bikes on the roof, all the kit in the boot and 4 lads in easy. Would recommend going for the leather though if you can, easier to clean the mud off and it wears much better with age/mileage!
Got the BOSE system in mine and it's top notch!! I just use an FM ipod adaptor and the quality is great
Only word of advice I have is watch the service history. Might work out better getting one thats past 80k as that service is a biggy!
(cam belt, brake fluid, aircon recharge, gearbox oil etc etc)
I run mine on the long life service so get max 2 years or 20k miles between services. (go to a specialist, main dealers a rip off!)
However, I do about 25k a year and drive her heavily so only get around 16k miles between services.
I think the 2005 facelift didn't do much more than headlights and steering wheel, so for budget, would hunt around and get a 2004 for a few grand less.
As already pointed out, the one you're looking at seems quite pricey and there's some real bargains out there!
Hope that helps
I bought a pre-facelift 2004 A4 Avant, 1.9TDI Sport with the 6 speed auto box
Got her about 17 months ago. Had 71k on the clock and i paid around £11k.
Now got 104k on the clock and I have to say it's a fab car!
It has the 130BHP engine (normally the I on the TDI badge on the boot is in red for the 130BHP model)
I do a lot of mountain biking like yourself, cars perfect, can get 4 bikes on the roof, all the kit in the boot and 4 lads in easy. Would recommend going for the leather though if you can, easier to clean the mud off and it wears much better with age/mileage!
Got the BOSE system in mine and it's top notch!! I just use an FM ipod adaptor and the quality is great
Only word of advice I have is watch the service history. Might work out better getting one thats past 80k as that service is a biggy!
(cam belt, brake fluid, aircon recharge, gearbox oil etc etc)
I run mine on the long life service so get max 2 years or 20k miles between services. (go to a specialist, main dealers a rip off!)
However, I do about 25k a year and drive her heavily so only get around 16k miles between services.
I think the 2005 facelift didn't do much more than headlights and steering wheel, so for budget, would hunt around and get a 2004 for a few grand less.
As already pointed out, the one you're looking at seems quite pricey and there's some real bargains out there!
Hope that helps
Gringo i assume by 80k you mean km's not miles as in the 1.9 version all the expensive bits are at 60k mile intervals. Main item is cambelt and waterpump as it is a known failure point so is best done every cambelt apparetly and only adds a small amount to bill.
I have a 2001 saloon 130 sport version. It's on 226K miles and going strong. Gets hammered daily up and down the motorways and on country lanes. Bought it for 11k in 05 with 32k miles as an indicator of price if it helps. It has elec windows all round and climate and elec lumbar support.
Main fail points wiper mechanism is known to fail/seize after a few years/miles or something mine seized up beginning of this year cost 85 quid to refurb.
Rear anti roll bar is known failure. Costs about 250 to replace.
Any q's just ask.
I have a 2001 saloon 130 sport version. It's on 226K miles and going strong. Gets hammered daily up and down the motorways and on country lanes. Bought it for 11k in 05 with 32k miles as an indicator of price if it helps. It has elec windows all round and climate and elec lumbar support.
Main fail points wiper mechanism is known to fail/seize after a few years/miles or something mine seized up beginning of this year cost 85 quid to refurb.
Rear anti roll bar is known failure. Costs about 250 to replace.
Any q's just ask.
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