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I'm looking at buying a 1.6se audi a4 it has 120k on the clock, i was wondering if anyone could tell me how reliable these cars are at such high mileage, what problems i could face or if im better of avoiding such a high mileage car?
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I have a Bora with the 1.6 litre petrol engine - it's my third VW on the run over the past 13 years.
Providing the engine has been properly serviced then you should have no qualms about the "high" mileage as they are built to accomplish it.
My first Jetta (a 1.3, four-speed box) had 66.5k miles on the clock and was three years old when I acquired it in 1992; I doubled that and it was still as sound as a bell and with no oil leaks when I swapped it three years later for a big bumper 1.6 TX Jetta (52k). I had found the lack of power for overtaking was the only setback with the original car.
Exactly the same outcome with the TX, apart from the fact I changed it after eight years, but only because the Bora (another with 52k on the clock) came up unexpectedly at a great price from a friend who runs a car sales business.
The Bora has now been owned for nearly three years and, like the previous two, has never leaked a drop of oil nor needed topping up between oil and filter changes.
I know I can get into it whatever the weather conditions and it will start first time at the turn of the key.
A few years back I seem to recall that a certain well known car magazine considered the 1.8-litre VW engine to be the best all round unit, because of its ability to clock up well into six-figure mileages with laidback ease if properly looked after.
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Mileage aside, the Audi A4 is a large car, and the 1.6 is a small engine. It is also bottom of the range so comes with few if any comforts at all, but still attracts a high price becuase it has a badge that says Audi.
Buy something else.
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Yes, I agree. The A4 is a really good car and the B5 ones were exceptionally well screwed together but the 1.6 is just not up to the job and in standard trim was pretty basic. If you want an A4 look for SE spec (climate and toys) and a 125 bhp 1.8 20v at least.
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as with all the posters - the 1.6 audi is a real sloth and not enjoyable. If you are investing in an Audi experience, at least get a bigger engined one and enjoy it.
--
RF - currently 1 Renault short of a family
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>>the Audi A4 is a large car,>>
I've always been under the impression that the A3/A4 were basically the same as the Bora (mine's a 1.6 SE), Octavia and Toledo i.e. an Escort class vehicle, with the A6 being the Mondeo equivalent along with the Passat etc.
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The A4 is physically pretty big (but not that roomy - discuss) - about as big as a Mondeo. As far as know the A4 and Passat share the same floorpan. The A4 has an inline engine and this tends to steal a lot of space.
The A6 is a bigger and (much) roomier car altogether - and a good buy used, I can recommend the 1.8T SE unreservedly.
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>>the Audi A4 is a large car,>> I've always been under the impression that the A3/A4 were basically the same as the Bora (mine's a 1.6 SE), Octavia and Toledo i.e. an Escort class vehicle, with the A6 being the Mondeo equivalent along with the Passat etc.
The Mk1 A3 / Mk IV Golf / Bora have the same floor plan, the A4 / Passat shared a floor plan up to the 'new' A4 in 2001 which had a new chassis where the Passat carried on with the older somewhat soggy chassis. AFAIK the 2005 A4, A6 and Passat all share an updated version of the 2001 A4 chassis. Various Skodas and seats are based on the VW/Audi floor plans.
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The 2005, A6, A4 and Passat have three completely distinct platforms, each with noticeably different driving characteristics.
IIRC the A4 has its own platform (B7). The 2005 model is broadly the 2001 chassis with new suspension.
Similarly the A6 is its own platform (C6), designed for the 2005 model, albeit using the rear trapezoidal-link system taken from the A8. I don?t believe that either of these platforms are shared by VW.
The 2005 Passat platform is a variation of the Golf V chassis.
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Oh and as others have rightly said the A4 you're looking at will be solid but that the lack of power from that engine in that car will depress the hell out of you.
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>>Various Skodas and seats are based on the VW/Audi floor p (l) ans.>>
Yes, that's part of the reason why VW was able to turn around Skoda and Seat's fortunes in such comparatively quick time.
But I've never considered the A4 to be a particularly large car and I've driven a lot of them over the years.
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My old man used to have a M-reg A4 1.8, 125bhp. I had the option of buying it cheap off the finance company, but I didnt bother cos the performance was only adequate in my opinion.
I personally think a 1.6 will definitely feel underpowered, and will spoil it for you.
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The Bora has now been owned for nearly three years and, like the previous two, has never leaked a drop of oil nor needed topping up between oil and filter changes.
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I wish my car did use some oil between changes. That way at least the old oil would get some dilution with new oil.
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1.6 is too underpowered for the A4. Because of the weight, you need a fairly torquey engine to pull it along with.
The A4 is MUCH BIGGER than Focus/Escort/Golf/Bora. It is comparable with the Ford Mondeo/Passat. It's slightrly bigger than a Merc C class and noticeably bigger than a 3-series.
As for "toys and specification", the engine doesn't make a jot of difference. The 1.6 is available in Base, SE, Sport trim etc in the same way as the TDi, 1.8, 2.0, etc are. The equipment is based on the trim not the engine.
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Im confused by all these - 'the A4 is a big car' comments. It isnt. I've had a couple of a4 estates and I think of them as being average. certainly smaller than a passat or mundaneo. Never parked next to a a golf estate so couldnt say how it compares in size to that.
the a4 is comparable to a 3 series.
the a3 is golfish sized, the a4 is similar to a skoda octavia in size.
fwiw the a4 with the 110hp diesel is fine. It isnt a racing car but more than adequate.
drive one and see if it is OK for your needs.
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>>the a4 with the 110hp diesel is fine>>
The last A4 I drove was an estate with the 110hp engine - it was lively enough for me.
I've just checked the basic length and width of a 1998 A4. They are 4521mm (14'10") and 1732mm (5'8" respectively.
The Bora figures are 4376mm (14'4") and 1735mm (fraction over 5'8").
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i had a 110hp A4 TDI. Nice to drive and with all the torque fun in town: in jams no throttle required to move at 10mph iirc.
But a 1.6 engine? Hmm no thanks. Long motorway inclines/ driving in town, starting up hills will not be fun imo.. Too little torque, tooo many revs.
No saving in economy vs a 1.8 petrol I suspect.
Of course if it's SERIOUSLY cheaper and in vgc.. but don't think you will enjoy driving it.
If you think driving is a chore, it will prove your thinking is correct!:-)
madf
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so 6". Hardly 'much bigger' (or at least not in car terms...)
I dont know anyone with the 1.6 engine, I have only had audi's as diesels or 5 cylinders. On the whole though audi's last very well. Galvanised bodies, reliable engines. see the bangernomics rec for audi.
watch for suspension arms, maf failure, probs with the standard radio. Audi dealer parts are fairly reasonable, lots of good indy places.
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