The usual buying problem

[Chriseybaby]

I set myself a budget of around £9000 to get an A4. I like my toys so sat nav and bluetooth are essential but I dont do too many miles so fuel economy isn't. I was looking for a petrol but can't find anything in my budget with a low enough mileage that tempts me.

Therefore I am looking at either

58 plate 2.0 TDI multitronic in silver (Not my favourite coulour) with 46k on the clock, nav, bluetooth, heated seats (no leather), front and rear parking sensors. From a big car dealer (I work for part of the group too so get a discount) for £10k

57 plate 2.7 TDI multitronic in Dark Blue (OK colour) with 71k with the above plus B&O, nicer alloys, heated/cooled leather (not sure about the cream colour) had a new gearbox fitted by a specialist 2k ago £9500. 5 services, 4 from Audi one independant.

Or another 57 plate 2.7 exactly the same as above but hasn't had the gearbox replaced for £9250 but FASH

I like the idea of buying the one with the new gearbox but am questioning why someone spent £3.5k and then sold it so soon.

My head says the 2.0 is the most sensible based on mileage but its not really the colour I wanted.

What to do...could someone just lend me £40k so I can spec a brand new one?

[Boy]

I agree that silver is a poor colour choice.
Perhaps you need to be a little patient and wait for a 2.00 tdi in a decent colour to turn up.
If you are lucky, there will be a decent one with a proper gearbox so you won't have to worry about multichronic woes.

[Jethro48]

All the fun is looking for the right motor. It's a lot of money so be patient and wait for the right one!

I personally wouldn't go for a car that's had problems, full history and lower mileage is preferred. Research is the key.

Good luck matey! :beerchug:

[Chriseybaby]

I agree that silver is a poor colour choice.
Perhaps you need to be a little patient and wait for a 2.00 tdi in a decent colour to turn up.
If you are lucky, there will be a decent one with a proper gearbox so you won't have to worry about multichronic woes.

I thought the newer multitronic box was meant to be more reliable? The ideal engine for me is the 2.7 so I can only get it in a multitronic.

The only problem is I want to sell my car privately since the trade in is poor but that means I don't have too much time to wait for the right car to come along once it sells

[markp306]

I thought the newer multitronic box was meant to be more reliable? The ideal engine for me is the 2.7 so I can only get it in a multitronic.

The only problem is I want to sell my car privately since the trade in is poor but that means I don't have too much time to wait for the right car to come along once it sells

I was of the impression the 2.7 was relatively inefficient for co2 and mpg amongst the TDIs? The 2.0 and 3.0 engines should be some of the most common A4 choices, so in theory you should have lots to pick from out there.

I'd also wait for the right one to come up, even though your private sale may dictate the timing of the purchase.

[Chriseybaby]

Ok so I've been put off the multitronic box and have also had the thought that I can justify changing cars if I get an Avant.

So that narrows my choice to

2009 1.8 tfsi with 83k, nav bluetooth

or 2008 2.0 tdi with 89k, nav, bluetooth, leather memory climate controlled seats.

If the petrol had the heated leather seats I would definitely go for it but I can certainly live without them.

The petrol is also down for having a toothed belt change at 71k, is that used to show the cambelt (I'm fairly sure they are a chain) or is it an aux belt?

[mina08]

Find a 2.0T perfect for your needs with 211hp, also with S-Tronic FASH, the TDI is sluggish in my opinion and it seems soon diesel will be a sin :)

[markp306]

Not sure about that suggestion. At the age of car the OP is targeting, he may risk hitting that oil burning issue on some 2.0T engines. The 1.8 might be a safer bet and, for diesel, the 170 would be a good compromise and far superior economy to boot.

Having said that the last few weeks of cold weather and crap traffic in my vicinity has seen my A5 dipping below 40mpg avg on the
display :-(

[Chriseybaby]

There aren't many 2.0 petrols in my price range with decent mileage. The same goes for the 170 tdi.

im off tomorrow morning to test drive the tdi a4 and am also going to test a 2.7 tdi a6 (a different option but may be too wide for my drive)

[Pork]

The 170 and 177 diesels are nothing like the same for economy.

I had a 170 (albeit a B7) and it was awful, lucky to get 500 miles from a tank and that was 70 litres not the 60 litres that the B8 has.

[markp306]

The 170 and 177 diesels are nothing like the same for economy.

I had a 170 (albeit a B7) and it was awful, lucky to get 500 miles from a tank and that was 70 litres not the 60 litres that the B8 has.

That would be a pd engine. I thought those engines were more economical. Guess not then...

[Chriseybaby]

Well I test drove the tdi this morning and was unimpressed. I haven't driven a diesel for a few years and am currently driving an accord ivtec which revs nicely up to 7,000 RPM. I used to like the driving off torque aspect of diesels but I think I've been concerted to petrols now. Turns out my accord is actually quite nice to drive still so I'm not too sure if I'll give a petrol A4 a go or not.

[Jethro48]

Why not try a 3.0L quattro then? Plenty of power and torque. Fuel economy's not too good though but hey ho!

[Chriseybaby]

I've been looking at 2008 V6's because they seemed to improve the fuel economy around there. For that age and my budget I can only find 2.7's. They are also le mans models and I really need to test drive one because I remember that my old A6 s-line was rather firm...I just can't quite remember how firm.

[Alex jb]

I'd suggest you drive a 170hp tdi, if you like the difference then go for the 140 and remap, I did this and I'm getting better MPG than before when driving normally.
I also didn't want the S-line suspension after driving a friends, so I bought an SE saved some cash and spent it on the remap and Sline wheels.


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[sportq]

I've been looking at 2008 V6's because they seemed to improve the fuel economy around there. For that age and my budget I can only find 2.7's. They are also le mans models and I really need to test drive one because I remember that my old A6 s-line was rather firm...I just can't quite remember how firm.

If you're going to go for a V6 TDi get an auto. A few years ago I had a test drive in a manual A4 2.5TDi demonstrator at a local dealer and we happened to hit traffic not long after leaving the showroom. Within a few miles I was desperate to get out of it as the clutch was ridiculously heavy. The salesman said this happened a lot.

Pete

[Chriseybaby]

Yep, Quattro with Tiptronic auto would be the plan.

if I knew for sure the a6 would fit in the drive alongside the wife's qashqai I wouldn't hesitate. I'm just not sure it will

[Embisix]

Surely the Datsun can live in the street! 😁