Newbie to the A4 3.0TDI and have some questions?

[snapz1980]

Hi Guys

I've had my fair share of cars in the past (TVR T350, M3, Golf GTI) but with my miles going through the roof with a new job decided to change my car from a Honda S2000 to something with a bit more comfort.

I'm thinking of purchasing a A4 3.0TDI. I have about £13k to spend.

I have a few questions.

What year/miles will I be able to get with the £££ I have?
When did they change from 200bhp to 231bhp?
If I go for the lesser bhp what will I get out of it by remapping the software?
and if I go for the 231 what can you get out of it with remapping?

Does anybody know of any buying guides also...

Thanks for all your help in advance!!!

Snapz

[Lateknight]

Welcome.
The 231hp 3.0 tdi engine was introduced in the A4 as from Jan 2006 (production). Engine code ASB
These would probably be available from '06 plates onwards - abeit an '06, '56 or even '07 plate car might still be a 204hp version. The 204hp version carried a BKN engine code. So there is no fixed change date I can advise you on, as there would be mixed stock at Audi dealers during 2006.
If your looking on Audis own used car locator don't believe the output figures they advertise them at a few of them are wrong - i've even seen one car advertised as a 240ps engine in a B7 shape A4 (never happened).

The engines are pretty much identical, sharing heads / injectors / turbo / block (on later versions of the BKN engine) making the power diffrence between the 2 engines a software tune only. Once you've had a re-map there should be very little difference between the units. MTM list the 204 going to 275hp, and the 231 going to 285hp. Both with over 380 lb/ft of torque.

As far as year/ miles - £13k should bag you an '06 with 40-60k miles from a non Audi agent. S-line models are usually a few hundred quid more. Best thing to do is look on autotrader for a few weeks to check current prices. Since the start of the year some desirable Audi models have even increased their second-hand values.

Buying guides - have a look in the search function of this forum. A few peeps have already asked this sort of stuff already. Most of the car checkpoints have already been asked about, and should be on here - somewhere.

[auroan]

Pretty much covered in the above post. But I'm not sure you'll find a well looked after 3.0Tdi for 13K.

Every cheapish one I've seen have been high mileage dogs with the awefully coloured cream interior and multispastic autos.

[Lateknight]

Pretty much covered in the above post. But I'm not sure you'll find a well looked after 3.0Tdi for 13K.

Every cheapish one I've seen have been high mileage dogs with the awefully coloured cream interior and multispastic autos.

Your probably right about condition of 13k cars.
Definitely right about the horrible catsick coloured interiors of some Audis (IMO).
No 3.0 tdi has the Multitronic though. They are either proper Tiptronic autos or 6spd manuals.
I personally would never consider an auto for myself, but even I would have to admit the 6spd auto attached to the 3.0 tdi is a good 'box.

[dovski]

I paid 13.5k for an 80,000 avant quattro 204hp 3.0tdi s-line, leather, bose 18".
Great car, solid performance. Needs a cruise though and that 275bhp upgrade sounds nice high 30's mpg and burns the same at 70 it does at 56! Just off peak torque perhaps?

I have VAG-com and wondered if the ECU in my car would be programmable through a galletto? If so where can I purchase a reliable tuned ecu file? Thx

dov

[brummieboy]

my mate has a 56 plated 30TDI auto (not tiptronic)

[onemanparty]

my mate has a 56 plated 30TDI auto (not tiptronic)

What is it than. Multitronic is not available on quattro?

[Lateknight]

Its got to be a tiptronic auto. (or manual). All multitronics are front wheel drive.
All 3.0tdis are quattro - I would hate to drive a FWD car wih 369lb/ft of torque. Failing that, its a 3.0 Petrol V6 multitronic (B6)

Imo, Multitronic was a huge waste of time for Audi.
Lock-up torque convertor autoboxes are very good now. This is just durch technik, theres no vorsprung when it comes to the multitronic

[auroan]

Its got to be a tiptronic auto. (or manual). All multitronics are front wheel drive.

Fair enough. I was under the impression that tiptronic had flappy paddles, but I've checked against ETKA and they were optional.