considering an Audi A4 2.5L TDI 163 Sport Cabriolet - need advice/opinions

[jamespheely]

hi guys!


I'm looking to replace my Toyota Celica (below) and I am considering an A4 2.5 TDI Cabriolet. Originally I wanted to swap the Celica for something with a bit more punch but at the same time returns better MPG figures and when I first spotted the A4 with a 2.5 diesel I though I'd found it but looking at some figures I may be wrong so really need some advice from people using this car day in day out. After reading a few reviews it appears this engine isn't the quickest or most economical probably because the car is so heavy! Online figures quote 0-60 time of 9.9 seconds and looks like I would be very lucky to see MPG in the 40's. How accurate are these figures?



Also has anyone had this engine remapped? I have seen one company claim they could get 190BHP from this engine which I imagine would be a great improvement over the 163 as standard. Although I have heard mixed stories on how a remap affects the fuel consumption any ideas? In fact the price difference between petrol and diesel it might not cost me much more to run the 1.8T and with a remap and few mods could be pushing over 200bhp!


It's probably clear by now that I don't really know what I am talking about so I could really use the advice.


Thank you
James

[jamespheely]

little help?? is this the right section?

[the bodgemeister]

Hiya..I've sent you a PM re this.

Matt.

[Eshrules]

Hiya..I've sent you a PM re this.

Matt.

Why are you sending PM's and not commenting on thread?

Two reasons I ask

1) the OP doesn't have enough posts to reply to your PM
2) it doesn't help others with similar questions if you discuss the topic in private

[Sam]

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...-163-Cabriolet

There's a bit of info in the above thread.

You've identified the weaknesses already though, 2.5TDI, heavy car... etc

edit: and of course, welcome to VWAF

[the bodgemeister]

Fair enough, I see your point. Was sent as a PM as it was more specific about my own car which I am currently looking to sell.

Contents was along the lines of:

I've used mine daily since September last year. With the commute into Manchester centre, lots of stop / start, I get an average of 34mpg. On a straight run in I can get 39mpg. Motorway miles I'll average 45mpg.

It isn't the best out of the range for MPG, mainly with it's weight. I really enjoy mine thought. So smooth and just glides along. I was pleasantly surprised as to how quiet it is inside. For a convertible there is very little road noise. The engine sounds quite chunky too when revving.

Hope that helps.

[cotswoldcat]

when i was in the market for a a4 convertible i test drove the 2.4 petrol and a 2.5 tdi (that was in 2004). I bought the 2.4 petrol and I still have it. I was swayed in the end by my cars extras, bose, heated seats and six cd and phone prep. But to be honest given the length of time i owned it, i should have bought the tdi. All the a4 convertibles are heavy so the addition of a heavy engine is not that much of an show changer. The only quick real sports car ones are the 4 litres and you can forget liveable mpg with any of them. I found the 2.5 tdi had good torque and was great once moving and warmed up. mpg would have been startling different as the 2.4 petrol has never ever achieved audi figures (all that weight) unless kept on motorway at 60. however on a hard test drive i saw 35 mpg on the tdi.
Living with the car though, it still looks good and has weathered well and i struggle to find a better place to sit in many alternatives i consider to change to hence I haven't changed it. However they now seem to have reached that point when maintenance costs are rising again and having been a jap car owner before nothing is ever cheap on an Audi.