Buying Advice Needed

[Alun]

Hi All!

I'm thinking of upgrading my car within the next few months to an Audi A4 TDi. Now I've been looking at various makes and models of cars and I originally wanted a Mondeo TDCi. But now however I have decided I want to stick with Ze Germans and Get an A4, either the 1.9 or the 2.5 TDi ('96-'01), either way it has to be diesel. I want at least the 110bhp version but I was just wondering is there anything I should be looking out for when I eventually get round to buying one? I've heard the air flow meter is something to look out for but other than that I'm clueless. Can anyone give any pointers?

Also, I'd seriously want the 2.5 TDi, how good/reliable are these engines? And what is the fuel economy like? I currently run around in a Golf MK3 TD (not the TDi) which gives around 45mpg but I've read on Parkers.co.uk that the 2.5 gives around 40mpg. I'd preferbly like to save myself a few quid and get more mpg, how true are the figures? I'd mostly be doing motorway miles.

Can anyone give any advice help?

Cheers all

[phill]

i have 1998 R-reg audi 2.5 tdi 150 bhp auto/tiptronic gearbox,it is a 24 valve V6 and it as 180.000 mile on the clock,and still runs like new .i live in scotland and when we travel down to england,it is around trip of 1000 miles.my car averages 38 mpg,and thats with a lead foot.the motorway is no trouble at all,the car will cruise all day long.audi say it is the best engine in the range,so cant be bad.

[Fizzbitt]

You tend to find that the bigger TDi engine cars do better on the Mways as they require less effort to maintain a solid 70mph than its smaller sibling...

If you see a car that smokes badly then it could well be the MAF sensor that has gone as it controls the air/fuel mixture.

[davegm]

Hi
I bought an 2000 reg A4 TDI 115BHP.
I have put about 5 tankfulls in and the arverage so far is 57 mpg.
I do about 27,000 miles per year mixed motorway and ordinary roads.
I get excellent performance, much better than my previous car which was a Citroen C5 TDI 110 BHP.
I got about 50 mpg out of that.