Ham's New FL Wheels

[Hammy969]

Afternoon All

Well after having my exisiting A4 saloon for nearly 3 years I was beginning to get itchy feet for something new for daily use. I struggled to really justify it as I bought one of the first RS3 last year, (mid life crisis) which is tucked up in it's bed and comes out occasionally to frighten my license!!

Anyway as has been posted by Pitch I also had looked at a 5 series and was actually surprised by the deals on offer for M sport models. This was in March when I wasn't really looking seriously. Once I start looking it really is only a matter of time before the saloon had to go.

The decision was then what to buy, I need some way of transporting my various bikes and I do like something that looks good and it has to be reasonably economical and I guess German.

I guess it came down to a 5 serice M sport or a new A4 saloon or avant. After some initial enquires it became obvious that Audi could do some good deals on the A4 which made it cheaper (finance assistance). That ruled out the 5.

The next question was what engine, I tried a couple of 170s, 2wd and 4wd. The 4 was the more sure footed car as you would expect but neither felt considerably quicker than my 143 and to be honest if i need a speed rush I just needed to take it out of the garage!

I decided on another 143. The to avant or not. I toyed with the idea of a saloon with a tow bar easy for the bikes or just get an avant. Well the avant was the way forward.

Then did I need to factory order or not. My dealer looked through what was coming through that was not commited. Not much to be fair, but as luck would have it there was one Monsoon Grey Black Edition 2.0TDI 143 Avant available. Well the rest is history. I now have it sitting at the door!

Differences

Dashboard is better finished, piano black will require a duster in the car at all times!
The ride appears better the old saloon was pretty hard.
The car appears to be quite quick considering it is new, normaly take 20K to run.
B&O is excellent, didn't have this before.
DAB is a step change in radio clarity.
Seems to be quieter again.

I will get a picture up once I can resize them to the point the site will allow them to be up loaded.

Ham