Moving from A6 to A4 advice

[BUCKINGRAM]

Hello, I've just sold my A6 C5 and am looking for a nice A4 avant to replace it.

It seems there are a few to avoid but how do I know which ones?

Initially I'm filtering through classifieds, ebay so it's not easy to get engine codes which having looked on here it appears I need.

My budget is £9000 - £11000 and having also just sold my beloved Alfa Brera I want something distinctive.

When exactly are the timing belt changes due and would I be better buying post 80k with a higher spec or 65k with an upcoming belt change for a guess?

Also, why are many of the modded A4's in Ireland or is that just coincidence?

Are the quattros actually that good in the snow and are they that much less economical?

Any advice would be appreciated as I'm a bit bamboozled with the quantity on offer.

I'm looking at 2.0 tdi 140 or 170hp currently.

Thanks in advance.

[otterolly]

I just bought a 3.2 S-Line Quattro Avant..........its fantastic. I was going to go the 3.0 TDI route but like the sound of the V6 !!!

[B7Vic]

I recently bought an A4 Avant S-line with 3.0 TDI engine. Highly recommend it. Not the most economical diesel out there, but certainly one of the quickest ones. Great, realxed cruiser and good in town. When the mood takes you, you put your foot down and it really pulls like a train right from the bottom. and altough it is diesel, it is a V6 and personally I like the sound of it.
HTH

[Road Rocket]

I have a remapped 3.0TDI Titptronic V6 engine, massive torque and it goes like lightening if required or just relax and enjoy about 1,800 rpm at around 80mph.

However, to answer the bit about quattro. If you have real power then quattro is simply superb as it prevents wheelspin on acceleration and holds the road like a limpet. For instance, joining a fast motorway in the wet with quattro gives you immense confidence. In winter quattro is good on snow and ice but for the ultimate grip winter tyres should be fitted. Some folk forget that 4WD will still slip on ice if not fitted with correct tyres.

[Puresilk]

Go for the BRE engine code which is 2006 onwards so an 06 or 56 upwards will sort you out.

I would always go for the S Line models as you get 18 inch alloys, Sometimes leather, GMBH styling bodykit etc etc its definatley worth it trust me on this in the long run.

I bought a 140 BHP S Line saloon loved it, gives me 50+ MPG on average but I wanted more power so remapped it to 170 BHP and have not looked back since. I have read threads on here that the 170 BHP feels a bit flat and is not very economical and people have had a few problems with them so its worth reading the threads on here.

The Timing belt / Cambelt / Toothed belt (as audi call it) is changed at 80k or 5 years for the 2.0 diesel models. With the petrol I think its 115K but again have a look on here tons of threads.

Finally mine is 4 1/2 years old now with 159k and the engine is just about being run in, so with 9-10k you got plenty of room to negotiate and pick up a decent one :Blush:

[Puresilk]

Oooops

Forgot to add that if i could go back I would get the Quattro, I have seen them in the snow and they just are awesome and never get stuck. You will lose approx 5-6 MPG on them though.

[John140]

[QUOTE=
I would always go for the S Line models as you get 18 inch alloys, Sometimes leather, GMBH styling bodykit etc etc its definatley worth it trust me on this in the long run.

[/QUOTE]
I have got an 07 plate A4 Avant SE 2.0 TDI 140 with the BRE engine and it has been trouble free.
I would disagree however with the comments about 18" alloys on the S-Line A4 if you value the fillings in your teeth !

I dont think the SE with 17" alloys rides as good as some cars, the 18" alloys make for an appauling ride experience on all but the smoothest of roads. This setup is only for people who drive in a rally every day !

[BUCKINGRAM]

Thanks to all.

I've eventually gone for a 2005/55 A6 2.0 FSI Avant S LIne with 19" Split rim alloys, P Zero tyres, heated volterra, Akus silver with full same dealer service history 1 owner from new cambelt already replaced at 76k now 80k. (mileage schedule 11k)

The only things I'm short of are handsfree phone and ipod connectivity as it only has basic MMI but can't really afford a Dension 500 fitted at the moment.
Can anyone recommend a good parrot kit?

I've had it a week so far and am loving it, so so quiet when idling and a nice whiz when flooring it !

[Mr-Rob]

Do you not find it a little under powered?

I drove an A6 and then an A4 with the same engine and the difference
was unreal.

I think the bigger engines suit the A6.

[BUCKINGRAM]

Do you not find it a little under powered?

I drove an A6 and then an A4 with the same engine and the difference
was unreal.

I think the bigger engines suit the A6.

I've actually just moved from a 210 HP Alfa Brera to this A6 (the A6 we sold was the wife's car) and in my eyes it is in no way underpowered, not as fast as the Brera of course but I'm not looking for that in a large family car.

0 - 60 8.4 sec and 140mph as standard stacks up pretty well and with 37 mpg and cheaper unleaded it made economic sense too.

Diesels were starting to grate with me a bit and I think they are now using so much technology to draw every bit of performance/economy out of them that there is more to go wrong especially now they've started fitting DPF's to just about all of them.I think the tide is beginning to turn back in petrols favour.

I hear what you are saying about the larger engines and I'm sure the 3.0 tdi is still a good option but I was looking at another 40k miles on the clock for the same price.

I couldn't buy an A4 as there was nowhere near enough room for my 3 kids in the back, in fact it was the worst rear seat room of all cars we tried.

[Mr-Rob]

I do appologise, I only twigged when you mentioned Petrol that you hadn't bought a deisel.

I should have noticed the FSI bit !!!!

[BUCKINGRAM]

You don't have to apologise , I didn't make it very clear initially :-).

I would have loved it to be a quattro also as posters suggested and have a better MMI system but the price just crept up and up the more boxes I tried to tick.

[darren_mcneill]

Hi,

You dont mind if I jump in on this question do you?

I am also looking for an A4, I have decided on the 2.0 TDi S-Line version, as I am looking for the higher end of MPG rather than performance, mainly due to the ridiculous rise of fuel prices!!

This will be my first Saloon car...

I have up to £10k to spend, but Im lost as to what to look for. Ive searched threads and googled but cant really find much info.

And im totally lost on price/age/milage. Should I go for an older plate with lower miles, or a newer plate on higher miles? Example of 57 plate on 80k miles at £9k, or a 55 plate at 41k at £10k.....but then there is a 55 plate at 60k at £8k.... there seems to be a good price range difference.....

Also, is there anything in particlar that I should be looking out for when viewing..?

Help greatly appreciated!

Darren

[Mr-Rob]

Hi mate,

There are a lot of factors to consider.

My first bit of advice would be, stay away from 05/55 and early 06 models,
(BLB coded engines), they have a engine wrecking issue due to a crappy
chain tensioner on the oil pump chain.

Basically the tensioner breaks causing the chain to slap wearing away the
teeth on the drives and eventually the oil pump stops working.

Second peice of advice, full service history is a must, preferably Audi but
a recognised indy is OK.

Thirdly, If all of the above is OK get the youngest car you can with the
lowest milage.

And last, Enjoy, there a cracking car !!!!

Rob