Most reliable A4 Auto Engine/Gearbox combination

[Cubic_Inches]

Hi Gents and Ladies,

I'm looking to buy an A4 B8 (or late B7) in the next few months and would like some feedback from owners and mechanics (I'm sure there's a few Audi Master Tech's on here?) on which engine and auto box options are considered to be the most reliable and common faults to look out for.

I will happily sacrifice performance for reliability.
I'm not fussed about whether its 2wd or Quattro, but realistically I need something that will return high 40s+ mpg on motorway runs.

Depending on feedback reliability wise, my preference (in rank order) engine wise from a performance perspective is:

• 1.8 TFSI Petrol (158 BHP)
• 2.7 TDI Diesel ( 177BHP)
• 2.0 TDI Diesel (141 BHP)
• 2.0 TDI Diesel (138 BHP)
• 3.0 TDI Diesel (230 BHP) *
• 2.0 TFSI Petrol (197 BHP)*

*Reluctant on the last two due to fuel consumption, but if either of them is a really bullet-proof engine I'd consider them.

I'm told the Multitronic gaerboxes have more than their fair share of issues, so which one is the one to have on that score? I would prefer a conventional auto to a CVT (I am wary of these regardless of manufacturer) but again, if they're shown to be bullet proof I would consider it.

With the budget I've got I'm looking at something with 70-100k on the clock depending on age and spec, and will be doing somewhere around 15k a year with the intention of keeping it for a minimum of 3 years. At what sort of mileage do they start costing shed-loads to maintain/have major issues? (Bit ambiguous that one - not looking for a difinitive answer but any advice is appreciated).

Not fussed on servicing costs as I'll be doing most of that myself - which are easiest/hardest to work on?

Thanks for reading, hopefully you can help me pick a winner!

[sebgreen]

It is hard to say which are more reliable than other. How the car has been maintained plays too be a role in it. Plus you typically here the "issues" louder as those owners speak up. Problem free owners don't speak up as much.


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