Which engine should I go for in a A4 Convertible?

[Lewis98]

I am looking to buy a Convertible A4 (2002 - 2004), but am not sure which engine to go for.

I took out a 2.5TDI at the car shop in Northampton and was impressed with how smooth and quiet the engine was for a Diesel, but these seem to be a bit outside of my budget.

The 1.8T and 2.4 petrol's both look to be a couple of thousand cheaper, which will pay for alot fuel and extra tax!

My priority is reliability!

The 1.8T seems to offer a better balance between power and economy than the 2.4, but I have been driving a diesel for the past 5 years and like the low end torque, don't want a car I have to thrash in order to overtake.

So Should I go for a 1.8T, 2.4 Petrol or should I see the bank manager and spend the extra on the 2.5TDi?

Are there any common faults I should be looking out for, either related to the various engines or convertibles in general?

Any advice is much appreciated

Thanks

Lewis

[fourringsrus]

hi lewis, i test drove 1.8t and two 2.4,s before i settled on 2002 52 2.4 sport
in my opinion the 1.8t is woefully under powered, therefore needs a bit of stick so may not be too economical, I understand the 1.8t runs 150 bhp on 2002 car.
The first 2.4 I drove also seemed a tad gutless, so I came to the conclusion that I had been spoilt with the A4 3.0 quattro sport which I had just sold 220 bhp
The 2.4 is 170 bhp and although both the 1.8t and the 2.4 v6 are extremely smooth I think they are both penalised at the oomph stakes by their weight.
That all said, we are very happy with our cars tolerable performance and economy considering how much of a lard **** it is compared to the 3.0.
I think a bit more research into the 2.5 tdi or even 3.0 petrol v6 ,(BOTH NEED MANUAL BOXES IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPEND TOO LONG AT THE PUMPS)
My 3.0 petrol went like the proverbial, but with tiptronic auto box it just sucked it, if I got a bit keen on the right pedal.
So scrape up some more pennies, read some more statistics and maybe the 2.5 tdi with a manual (preferably the 6 speed if possible) could be the cabby for you.
Good luck hunting,and dont pay over the top,remember summer has gone
STUART.

[Lewis98]

Thanks for that, useful stuff to think about.

Money no object, think I would definately plump for the Diesel, the 2.5TDi seems a really good engine, lots of low end tourque and not too many trips to the pumps!

Plus with all the RFL noise and tax increases on fuel, who knows what Mr Brown (or his replacement) will want to charge me for wanting to drive round in a nice car.

Any one know of any issues with 2.5TDi engines??

[fourringsrus]

Yes, dont quote me but when i first started my love affair with audi, a good pal of mine who works at an audi repair specialist told me that a lot of their mechanics
dislike the 2.5 tdi as it is prone to leaving engine oil on your drive way
may be worth chatting to somebody more in the know than me
stuart

[borabear]

I'd save and buy a B7 2.0TFSI myself...

I currently have remapped 1.9QS and I miss the 2.0TSFI engine....all be it that it was surrounded by a skoda RIP 14/01/09....

[davidfbmw]

hi i had the same decision has i prefer diesels and went for the2.5tdi wiith multitronic,just has powerful as the other two but less trips to pumps.
i have had it 2 years and all in all it is a great ca,have had a few probs but all sorted under warranty,also you should put a smarttop on it,they are GREAT

[Lewis98]

Davidfbmw,

could you tell me the details on the little problems?

probably going for one from an independent used dealer, so doubt the warranty will be that comprehensive!!

Thanks

[Alan02]

Petrol model!! You dont want to be sitting at a junction with the Top down listening to a diesel engine clattering under the bonnet! I`ve drove the A5 Cab,2lt TFSI,and the final edition A4 2lt TDI....and after driving both i wouldn`t consider a TDI in a Cab.

[davidfbmw]

Davidfbmw,

could you tell me the details on the little problems?

probably going for one from an independent used dealer, so doubt the warranty will be that comprehensive!!

Thanks

air mass meter,egr valve and solenoid and new turbo although none of these cured the symptoms iwas getting,complaining about the auto box but they said it seemed to lack power so changed all of these.
the other thing was interior sensor for alarm,as for the other comment about noisy diesels you can't hear when moving

[Pybs]

I have only had my 3.0s petrol for 3 months but I have got to say its a joy to drive and has endless power, sure it easy to do 20mpg but it will also return 28-30mpg with less right foot, its just not so much fun. The only real advice I would say is. Go petrol and at least 2.4 and have fun.