Diesel particulate filter - advice please

[54A4Avant]

I'm currently sizing up the purchase of a newer A4 (I have a 54 reg model at the moment) and will probably buy a B8, or a B7 if I'm running short on cash. I like TDi engines, but I've been warned that the newer A4s have problems with Diesel Particulate Filters, especially if you don't drive them many miles.

My annual mileage is something like 6000 miles, not very much, and I tend to make lots of short (less than 3 miles) journeys. Am I setting myself up for DPF problems if I buy a recent (B7 or B8) diesel A4?

Ps. I realise that on paper a petrol engine probably makes more sense at that kind of mileage, but I like the low down grunt of a diesel and I like Cargiant, who mainly sell diesel A4s.

[FinGerS o FuDgE]

I think with that sort of annual mileage and the fact it's mostly town driving or 3 mile trips, I wouldn't advise the new VAG diesels. The DPF's will clog very quickly making those short journies and the exhaust temperatures wouldn't get high enough to burn off the soot.
You could still go for one and just make sure that every week you go out for a good motorway drive to give the DPF a good burn off.


Lee

[54A4Avant]

Thanks, I was wondering if that might be the case. More sensible I guess to stick with a petrol engine and just get used to the difference in throttle response. Hate revvy engines though, I used to have a 2l V6 and that was a screamer.

Will have to cast my net wider than just Cargiant, who seem to mainly have diesel A4s for some reason.

[rd1]

Equally though a petrol engine will have as many problems with the short journeys. I do mainly town driving in my TDi with about once a month run on the motorway and never had a problems with the DPF. Just be aware and make sure that you regenerate it as the manual says.
On the diesel issue its far more powerful (although perhaps not quite so exciting) as the wifes 2.0 A3 and gives a lot more miles per gallon. Servicing works out about the same so its no contest for me but each to their own.
Good luck on whichever you decide as the A4 is a superb car.