Second hand A4

[danredfern]

I am thinking about buying a secondhand A4 Avant. My budget was is about £15,000.

I currently drive an 02 Golf GT TDI which I really like but will need to upgrade in size due to baby on the way.

I am not too keen on the passat and although the Octavia looks like a good buy i much prefer the look of the Audi. The interior of my Mark 4 Golf is really nice and the present VWs and Skodas dont seem to be as good. The only cabins with the same quality seem to be in Audis.

The question that I want to ask is do you think an A4 Avant is a good choice. Above what mileage do you have to really start worrying about things going wrong or expensive things needing changing? I was thinking of getting a 2005-2006 age model with a 2.0 TDi 140 engine. The ones in my price range seem to have about 40-50k on the clock.

If I use an independent garage for servicing etc will the cost of running the car be significantly more than an octavia or Passat?

Which woud be the best spec to get? Are the S-line models too harsh a ride?

Thanks,

Dan

[The Technician]

Dan

I drive a 05 A4 2.0 TDI (140) SE saloon with 103k on the clock and it drives like it was new, so take the plunge you will not regret it

Michael

[StephA4]

Def think the A4 is the best looking estate on the market.
The silver roof rails give it a touch of class.
If your budget can manage go for an S line looks the business.

[Rusk]

I would go for the sline all the way. I got the sline and when you put it next to an SE it looks so much nicer. Although the ride is rather alot harder. It is great for feeling the road and going round corners but if you have a family car in mind you might want the softer SE ride.

[Alan02]

You can get a better spec on an SE depending on how it was ordered so shop around,they`re all different.The AudiAvant is a lovely looking estate car and as said,the low level roof bars set it off.dont worry about mileage but i just bought an A4 2.0 TDI 140 SE saloon with 35000 from a Main dealer for just over 12000.

[kodkod.84]

Get an S-Line- looks just that little bit more agressive and you get the comfier sports seats.

I had an SE as a company car and much prefer the s-line I have now.

The ride with 18" wheels is a bit more jarry though- the SE had s-line suspension and 17"s and was superb.

Avant a great looker in either guise though.

[B8 TDI]

Audi's that are well looked after do not get old, they simply mature

[JohnH]

Get an S-Line- looks just that little bit more agressive and you get the comfier sports seats.

I had an SE as a company car and much prefer the s-line I have now.

The ride with 18" wheels is a bit more jarry though- the SE had s-line suspension and 17"s and was superb.

Avant a great looker in either guise though.

I agree that the S-Line looks way better but they miss out on some pretty basic kit from the SE like a trip computer and cruise control, having said that all models miss stuff that was standard on the B5 10 years ago like ambient lighting, arm rest and mirror lights unless you pay extra (I did but it irked me). The B8 finally has a decent spec but they've dropped cruise - ying and yang I guess.....

I'm not sure I can recommend the 170TDi either although mine drives very nicely these days - economy is only in the low 40s which isn't too impressive ?

[kodkod.84]

DIS/Cruise Control/Arm Rest- easily retrofitted

Bit annoying you don't get the vanity mirror lights as standard though

[Flakmunky]

I'm not sure I can recommend the 170TDi either although mine drives very nicely these days - economy is only in the low 40s which isn't too impressive ?

Is that going of the DIS or going off your own calculations?

My 140 is returning an average of 43.2 off my own calculations but the DIS was reporting it as 50-53 until I calibrated it properly with VAG-COM...