10,000 mile + report

[eob]

Just completed 12,000 miles since getting my B8.5 A4 Avant Black Edition 2.0 TDI 143 last September and thought I'd share my thoughts.

I have to say, that after being initially disappointed by the power and fuel consumption, the car is now growing on me.
There are a few niggles but nothing that merits a trip to the dealers just yet. Since passing the 10K mark, it is as if a switch has been flicked and the motor is really coming into its own.
I am now managing approx 550 miles per fill up and I'm covering 180 miles a day at the moment and it's a joy.

It needs a new set of front tyres, and all I can say is I'm glad I'm not picking up the bill. The Service interval says approx 7000 miles/540 days until service so at my current usage that will probably be around June/July.

The niggles I spoke about are:

• The interior window trims chatter going over bumps - not a huge issue but a bit disappointing on a premium car.
• I have a really annoying squeak/creak going over pot holes. Sounds like someone pulling a block of polystyrene down a chalkboard. Somewhere on the passenger side between the two doors. It's not the seats as I have checked but it is difficult to diagnose while driving. I'll get it checked at service time, but I don't hold out much hope. It did disappear the last time I cleaned the car but that could be a coincidence.
• The exterior rubber window trim at the very rear of the passenger side glass has come undone. I tried sticking it back down with silicon but it has come undone again. I'm going to try some double sided number plate tape and see if that holds. It should be weather resistant and thin enough to mend it invisibly.
• Rusty hubs - Going to clean and paint these myself when the weather is better.
• The Audi Infotainment system is horrible but I'm going to have to live with that one. Why they can't keep the volume muted between getting out and back in the car and why the radio has to come on if I change a CAR setting is just rotten.

I've always loved the styling of the car. It has real kerb appeal, especially when clean.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone else is having a similar experience.

[LeeJay82]

Good little report and also nice to know as I have just picked up the same car less than a fortnight ago.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about the interior window/door chatter when going over bump. It's not a rattle as such but more like something is moving inside the door panel.

With regards to your window trim/seal I would be taking that to the garage to get fixed without hesitation. You should not have to go looking for methods to solve the problem when Audi will likely fix it properly FOC if under warranty.

Lee.

[mr mugello]

From what I have experienced and other posts the A4 is notorious for window noise rattle/scuffing. My Black Edition was cured with a dab of silicon spray, been okay since but the ride is a bone shaker and will make me think twice about going for a sport line model again with Audi. Took my car in later with other niggles after first week and told there is no (forgot the word they use) official Audi fix.

[johndeere2130]

I have a 2007 renault trafic van from new, and the orginal tyres covered 72,000miles! The repacements have now covered 10,000 miles and are like new, Why do car tyres wear so fast?

[Guest 2]

I think van tyres are different compound/strength etc compared to car tyres to cope with the extra weight.