Audi A4 Avant

[AJA_GTi 0]

Sorry to start another boring buying a car thread but i'm looking at one tonight (10 years old) and taking cash.

 

 

It has done itro 150k but has been cared for well and is in good nick. Seen avants in dealers with over 200k so mileage doesnt put me off too much.

 

 

Has anyone owned one or know about them?

 

Thanks,

[Tesstuff 222]

All Audi drivers are total pr1cks.....fact.

 

You are far from being an Audi driver mate

[AJA_GTi 0]

All Audi drivers are total pr1cks.....fact.

 

You are far from being an Audi driver mate

 

 

Oh yes - forgot I will instantly become a pr*ck/To55er/ W4nker

 

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I have an A4, it is a good car. I had another A4 before it which was also a good car.

 

Main thing to look for is clunking noises from the front suspension. There are 4 suspension arms on each corner so it can get pricy if many need doing. Other than that the diesel engines are strong, make sure you know the cambelt history.

 

The spec varies a lot with some cars being very very basic, for example my old A4 2.5 TDi Quattro (a £27000 car when new) did not have electric rear windows. It had central locking but not remote central locking! So if any of these things are important, check the car you look at has them.

 

A ten year old car will be on the changeover- I'd try and get the later model if you can rather than on of the last of the earlier shape.

I also would not be too worried about miles, I would rather have a newer in years car with more miles than an older in years with less. My 2004 A4 1.9 TDI is fast approaching 150k with FSH, if you drove it and did not know, I do not think you would tell. Things such as the gear change etc are still tight, the trim looks good, no shiny steering wheel or gearknob.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Tom Fenton

[AJA_GTi 0]

I have an A4, it is a good car. I had another A4 before it which was also a good car.

 

Main thing to look for is clunking noises from the front suspension. There are 4 suspension arms on each corner so it can get pricy if many need doing. Other than that the diesel engines are strong, make sure you know the cambelt history.

 

The spec varies a lot with some cars being very very basic, for example my old A4 2.5 TDi Quattro (a £27000 car when new) did not have electric rear windows. It had central locking but not remote central locking! So if any of these things are important, check the car you look at has them.

 

A ten year old car will be on the changeover- I'd try and get the later model if you can rather than on of the last of the earlier shape.

I also would not be too worried about miles, I would rather have a newer in years car with more miles than an older in years with less. My 2004 A4 1.9 TDI is fast approaching 150k with FSH, if you drove it and did not know, I do not think you would tell. Things such as the gear change etc are still tight, the trim looks good, no shiny steering wheel or gearknob.

 

Thanks mate - I just bought it.

 

Fingers crossed it's a good one

 

Last of the old models but it's affordable for me

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...age/2?logcode=p

[Veero 1]

Good choice.

 

I've got an X reg A4 avant 1.9 TDi. I have to say it is the most reliable and dependable car I have ever owned. Solid, and well it just works. Minor things like the LED display pixelating and the drivers door switch have occurred but at 10 years that's not too bad. To be honest I was shocked when I found out how common the dash panel pixelating was on Audis.

 

I've had mine since last October and am just about to sell it (as it happens ) once my 205 goes. Looking to combine both by getting a Legacy import so the missus can get a car to learn to drive in, can't justify 3 cars at the moment.

 

But anyway back to the A4, it has been fantastic. Starts every time, you wouldn't think it had 106k miles on it. It's comfy, quiet will do 50 to the gallon cruising at 80 easily. Mine is the 110 brake SE model (maybe it's 115 - I can't tell the 5 difference) and it still goes well for a fairly hefty car. Suspension is a bit wallowy in corners but it is a family car not a sports wagon. In short I wouldn't hesitate recommending one to anyone, brilliant cars, just wish I had the money to buy a nice S4 but for far less I can get a much quicker Legacy. I can't wait

[AJA_GTi 0]

Good choice.

 

I've got an X reg A4 avant 1.9 TDi. I have to say it is the most reliable and dependable car I have ever owned. Solid, and well it just works. Minor things like the LED display pixelating and the drivers door switch have occurred but at 10 years that's not too bad. To be honest I was shocked when I found out how common the dash panel pixelating was on Audis.

 

Thanks for the advise

 

The LED display works but is pixelated as you say and there is a noise coming from behind the dash when you turn the screen blower off but everything else works.

 

I hope the noise doesnt cost a fortune to put right if it does i'll just drive with the radio on

[AJA_GTi 0]

Did 50 miles in it last night. Handling was a bit wooly at first but the tyre pressures were all over the place and a bit of air sorted it. Lovely drive with lots of grunt very impressed so far.

 

Just trying to get used to never indicating and tailgating now

[Stevo309 0]

I have a 2001 A4 saloon 1.8T and it's been a superb car. Some lines have gone on the display as they all do which hasn't bothered me too much but a couple of other common things with these cars that i have managed to repair cheaply:

 

Central locking pump. The doors are locked and unlocked by a bi-pressure air pump in the boot. If the central locking is starting to lock/unlock slowly or you can hear the pump whiring for a while after the doors have locked then the chances are it's on the way. If you get a second hand pump you're talking £100+ and then it needs to be programmed but if you're a little handy with a screwdriver you get VW internal parts off Ebay for around £30 and fix it. The graphite impeller disintegrates. Change this and it's job done without re-programming.

 

Key. They commonly snap after a few years. Audi dealers charge around £150 for a new one which includes an hour labout to re-programme to your car. If it's just literally snapped but you have the parts you can get a cheap replacement key from Ebay (around £10) and change the necessary metal parts yourself.

 

Alarm. After a few years the battery inside can die. Rather than buy a new one you can split the casing open and change the NiCD cells.

 

Good car! Hopefully you won't have any of these issue but if you come across them i hope this will save you spending a load of cash.

[AJA_GTi 0]

I have a 2001 A4 saloon 1.8T and it's been a superb car. Some lines have gone on the display as they all do which hasn't bothered me too much but a couple of other common things with these cars that i have managed to repair cheaply:

 

Central locking pump. The doors are locked and unlocked by a bi-pressure air pump in the boot. If the central locking is starting to lock/unlock slowly or you can hear the pump whiring for a while after the doors have locked then the chances are it's on the way. If you get a second hand pump you're talking £100+ and then it needs to be programmed but if you're a little handy with a screwdriver you get VW internal parts off Ebay for around £30 and fix it. The graphite impeller disintegrates. Change this and it's job done without re-programming.

 

Key. They commonly snap after a few years. Audi dealers charge around £150 for a new one which includes an hour labout to re-programme to your car. If it's just literally snapped but you have the parts you can get a cheap replacement key from Ebay (around £10) and change the necessary metal parts yourself.

 

Alarm. After a few years the battery inside can die. Rather than buy a new one you can split the casing open and change the NiCD cells.

 

Good car! Hopefully you won't have any of these issue but if you come across them i hope this will save you spending a load of cash.

 

Thanks mate - the rcl seems a bit weak so this may be one for the future.

 

Just priced up timing belt/ water pump/ tensioners and oil service at local indi and it comes to £321.51 so not as bad as i'd have thought to be fair

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

I have a late model B5 Audi A4 Avant in Black Metalic. V6 Tiptronic Auto,cream premium leather, Multichanger, upgrade lights, load liner, detachable tow bar, climate.....

 

My dad bought it brand new, used it every day and I got it off him last Xmas. It has done 116000 miles and drives like new!

 

I suppose this could be because it has been serviced at Audi at EVERY interval and never missed. I have all the bills, includiing the 700 quid timing belt one.

 

It drives better than a lot of pre reg and new cars I sell and never lets us down, EVER. The only problem it has ever had was a wheel bearing went on us, I changed it in about two hours and the part cost me about 19 quid from VW.

 

Even though it is a V6 petrol, it returns us an average of 28mpg and Abby potters about the town in it most of the time.

 

I am more than happy. Although, I am going to sell it soon as I am going to need to get something else....