A4 TDI Avant buying help..

**approvedlunatic** · 21-12-2009,07:08 PM

Hi, my name is Simon and I'm looking to purchase an A4 Tdi Avant early in the new year. Funds are limited to a very maximum of £1800 + my old polo coupe, so I need some help to stop me buying a lemon.
1.9 or 2.5?
Quattro or not?
Are there any major things to look for. Am i right in saying the body is galvanised so to walk away if there is any rust?
I can do most basic mechanical things myself. How important is service history?
Loads of questions, there will probably be more but thanks in advance..

**approvedlunatic** · 29-12-2009,12:32 PM

Anybody?

**olds_kool** · 29-12-2009,01:12 PM

budget should get you a nice 1.9 or maybe a quattro in need of a bit of work
avoid the 2.5, repair bills can be very expensive £1000 + if fuel pump goes
does it have to be a tdi?
drive a few, avoid ones with sqeaks and clonking noises from suspension, even high mileage cars should feel tight if looked after

check everything electrical works, sounds obvious but i bought my second a4 thought id checked everything untill it started raining and wipers only worked on full speed

**approvedlunatic** · 29-12-2009,01:22 PM

Thanks, I've got a few to look at, a 2.5 quattro with 155k that smokes a bit. Theres also a 1.9 quattro with 165k that sounds a bit more together, and a couple of standard 1.9Tdi's.
2 reasons for the Tdi, first being economy and second, theres a possibility I will need to tow a trailer with my kit car on. Would you recomend any of the petrols?

**martinA4passat** · 29-12-2009,08:08 PM

Originally Posted by approvedlunatic

Thanks, I've got a few to look at, a 2.5 quattro with 155k that smokes a bit. Theres also a 1.9 quattro with 165k that sounds a bit more together, and a couple of standard 1.9Tdi's.
2 reasons for the Tdi, first being economy and second, theres a possibility I will need to tow a trailer with my kit car on. Would you recomend any of the petrols?

With your price range I would look for a 1.9tdi non quattro, the quattro's are worth more money so you are gonna get a lower milage better car if you go for a non quattro, you will get better MPG from a 2wd and you should be able to get a newer car. I wanted to get a TDi quattro and my budget was a bit higher then yours but all the quatrros I looked at were in poor condition and needed money spending so I went for a non quattro and was very happy!

**neil w** · 29-12-2009,08:21 PM

That budget should get you a nice enough 1998/99 facelift 1.9tdi (110) Avant 2wd, try for something with decent service and less than 120,000.
The only potential rust spot on them at that age will be the front wheel arches which are susceptible on all of the B5 models.
Any serious rust elsewhere shows up bad accident repairs or a car that has been neglected badly.
Forget about a quattro at that price its not worth the hassle and the 2.5 is a gamble due to the head gasket problems on the earlier v6's.
Try and make sure that the cambelt has been recently done .
My B5 1.9tdi averages 43mpg in everyday use. My neice has a 2.4 V6 petrol saloon on a T plate which will manage 39 mpg on a run and 33mpg around the doors.
On any A4 check the suspension , if the front end is clonky it could mean any one of the eight front arms are worn (if all of them need changed it's £300 plus for decent ones) and make sure the rear shocks and springs are still okay especially if you intend towing.
A car already fitted with a tow hitch is a bonus and it will save you a couple of hundred pounds.

**neil w** · 29-12-2009,08:24 PM

Oops forgot to mention try to look at them from cold all of the TDI motors will smoke a bit when started from cold but once they get up to temperature they should pull strongly and not be smokey at all.
They do need a good battery on them to start in this weather and it will give you a chance to see if the heater plugs are okay.

**daddy cool** · 30-12-2009,09:25 PM

i was going to ask the same question as the op but dont need to now.

how much difference is there in performance between the two derv engines ?

**Jabez** · 31-12-2009,09:34 AM

I'd sujest 1.9tdi 2 wheel drive.... look for good history, mileage for last cambelt change as these need doing every 60k and will probably cost £200>£300 to replace, and possibly double that if you went to a main dealer...
As already mentioned listen hard for the rattling, knocking and banging from fron suspension... as these can prove expensive if you have to replace a few of them..
I drive a 99 110bhp with 156k on clock and it drive like new pulls really well and is at present returning 54.3 mpg, I wouldn't drive anything else, they are a proper proper car....
Hope this helps you in some way
Cheers
Jabez

**martinA4passat** · 31-12-2009,09:35 AM

Originally Posted by daddy cool

i was going to ask the same question as the op but dont need to now.

how much difference is there in performance between the two derv engines ?

I can only comment on the 1.9 110bhp, the 115bhp 2wd and the 2.5 quattro but I would say in everyday driving the 1.9's are fine and feel strong, I have only driven the 2.5 in quattro model and it felt good, smooth but didn't blow me away to be honest it might have been because of the 4wd soaking up some of the performance. If you are desperate for a quattrp I would go for the 1.9 but they are rare!