Advice please about which A4 Avant model to go for

[n_c]

Sorry if this has been discussed already - couldn't find much on the forums :burnout:

I am changing jobs and need to let my VW Touran lease car go, and buy a car. I have had a few VWs and Audis in the past and fancy an A4 Avant diesel. I only have a budget of about £8k but there seem to be a lot of high mileage A4 Avant diesels within my range. Does anyone have any advice about the best model to go for, and anything I should look out for please? Also, any advice about specialist independent dealers? I live in Cumbria but don't mind travelling to get a good car at the right price...

I suppose that as long as there is a full service history, particularly timing belts etc, then I would get a few good years out of a high-miler A4 Avant. Or do folks think this is a bad idea?

Any advice would be very welcome!

Thanks!

[jetset]

What sort of driving do you do (or will you be doing)?

Motorways/A-/B-roads? Short/long trips? Just you or family/loads in car?

Firstly what spec... I do lots of long-distance driving (mainly motorways) which pushed me towards the SE (cruise control, trip computer, suspension a bit softer than the Sport).

As far as engine goes, I have the 1.9 TDI 115 bhp which goes like a dream and has so far returned 49.1 mpg over its lifetime of 73k miles. On longer motorway trips it will do 51 - 53 mpg. If I'd had the money, I might have gone for the 130 bhp, but to be honest I don't think it would have made a huge difference given what I use the car for.

Others might (or almost definitely will) disagree, and one area where the 115 occasionally reminds you that you bought the bottom of the range is when you want to overtake on a single-carriageway A/B-road. The 50-70 acceleration is not blistering. I can't compare this to the 130, but I imagine that this is where you'll see the greatest difference.

My dad had an '00 plate A6 2.5 TDI and for some reason (I suspect crappy fuel and blocked injectors) it got very sluggish after it had done about 50k miles.

As for high mileage... like you say if it's got the service stamps, I wouldn't worry. I'd probably go for an ex-company car that had probably done most of its miles sat at 80 in the fast lane. Given the Audi variable/long-life service, it will have been serviced when needed (not at unrealistically long set intervals as some company motors can be). Also, although reps have a reputation for thrashing their cars, I think you'll find that whilst they might work them hard (high annual mileages), most take pretty good care of them given that they have to spend so much time sat in them. Far better a 100k 3 year-old than a 20k 5 year-old. See if there are any fleet sale auctions - you might get lucky.

[adamss24]

Hi, think your dads a6 might needed a mass air meter(MAF)...All round, the a4 avant 1.9 PD TDI 130 will be the best car to have, just get the SE model with the sport suspension. It might rattle your teeth on B roads but it will make you smile on the motorway ! If you can, go for the a6, higher spec as standard but a bit more expensive.

[prolfe]

You might be able to get an A6 Avant Diesel at around that price and year as well.

I saw a A6 Quattro 2.5l TDi SE 180 for £9k with 91k about 52 miles from postcode CA3.

[n_c]

Thanks both. Very helpful information. Will start looking! :-)