Farewell A4, you will be missed...

[Red 2]

So the family A4 is approaching its 4th birthday and sadly it is time for a parting of the ways. Less pennies to spend and faced with decreasing value/increasing costs, our current cars are being replaced with a Golf followed by an A1 Sportback that arrives in a couple of months.

THINGS WE'LL MISS...
A4's long distance cruising talents. Many happy memories of continental autoroutes, taken with ease.

Electronic hill hold/handbrake...although A1 has version of hill hold.

Huge boot...although so big that retrieving something from the back involved having a mine rescue team on standby.

Interior build quality....after 4 years, it truly looks immaculate despite best attempts of toddler that grew into junior terrorist.Ext bodywork/paintwork also superb.

THINGS WE WON'T MISS...
My wife hates driving it due to heavy steering when parking ( launch A4 without servo), major factor in replacing it. Many references to the 'tank' although I was happy with it.

Cleaning inside of rear window...never did find an easy way. Bribing small children didn't work.

Iffy fuel consumption at times . Was careful but mpg was a tad variable.

Those projections on the front spoiler at each corner. 3 repairs due to catching kerbs in car parks. Thank the lord they've dropped them in current designs.

Reliabilty not been the best but probably serves us right for buying what was a new model. Another major factor in deciding to replace it although dealer great.

Oh those roof bars. Did anyone from Audi really test how easy(not) they are to fit?

THINGS WE MIGHT MISS BUT WILL STILL HAVE....

Dealer Service. Warrington Audi been superb dealing with the various issues and light years ahead when compared to our other experiences with VW dealers in NW. Same with sales....zero 'bs' and straight to the deal. Unlike others....
So bad news for trusty techs in Warrington, we'll still be there with the A1!

Xenon headlights and DRLs. Superb at night and mini daughter loved them. So much so that A1 is coming with latest version. In fact, from front, A1 looks like an A4 that has just shrunk in the rain.

So farewell A4. Superb car but looking forward to seeing its little brother in action and the cunning plan is to hopefully look at the new A3 when the Golf is up for replacement in a couple of years, Mr Cameron permitting.

Now, must head over to the A1 section. Seems a bit quiet there at the moment.

[Paul.693]

Do you really rate Warrington? I have tried to deal with Stoke and Crewe but as they are both owned by Swansway, the part exchange value at both is appalling. They appear to want £5000 to make on my car even though it is showroom quality. Lead times in months and dealers guessing predicted values don't help.

[Red 2]

Found some other NW dealers (you name one) that, despite the current finanicial climate, really couldn't be bothered following up enquiries or the trade in was, shall we say, questionable. Have a reasonable salesman at Warrington Audi that we have dealt with before who, whilst hemakes sure they still make a handsome profit, gets straight to the real deal without the usual prolonged and annoying haggling. Still faced the ' can't tell you my best deal unless you commit today' scenario at other dealers. Good grief, credit us with some intelligence.

Real selling point for us was the great after sales/tech service at Warrington which, having experienced the reverse at others, is a huge plus.