170 or 143?

[fraz]

I have the option of an Audi A4 S line 143 or 170 diesel.
I will cover about 100k miles in 4 yrs.
I am wondering if there is a noticable difference in "real" performance and fuel consumption, or mechanical problems?
Any thoughts would be helpful

[B3Svert]

I have a 2010 A6 with the 170 engine. This is the second I've had this year as the first went back to Audi UK after 6 weeks as it developed a rather sudden fault that could not be identified or fixed.

During the wait for a replacement, I had a few other courtesy cars, one was a 59 plate A4 with the 170 engine, manual with the stop start thingamyjig, that was quite nice. Other was another A6 170 with manual box and this was utter ste, one of the worst modern cars to drive and really shocked me. If I had driven a manual A6 on the test drive I had I would have left the dealership there and then, it was terrible.

I think the 170 lump has just about adequate power for the A4/A6, I went for it as a temporary compromise as I had enough of 23mpg in my last car. I would guess (having an older A6 with a c.130 TDI lump) that the 143 model would be more frugal on paper yet frustrating to drive.

[galenthe2nd]

I have just bought an A5 S-line, 170bhp. I didn't even consider a 143 because these cars are quite heavy and the last thing i wanted is the feeling of underpower. Its not bursting with power, but its still quite rapid and long legged. My friends A6 140bhp tdi is underpowered. In terms of fuel economy, expect something in the mid 40's, if you want to improve on that get it mapped!