Audi A4 (2005 – 2008) Review

Audi A4 (2005 – 2008) At A Glance

3/5

+Looks classy from the outside and feels classy on the inside. Huge array of engines on offer. Reasonably balanced handling and good ride.

-Drive of oil pump of 2.0 TDI PD prone to shearing, wrecking the engine and possibly also destroying the turbo. Total repair cost could write off the car. Early S line had appalling ride, but this was later improved.

On average it achieves 94% of the official MPG figure

For 2005, the Audi A4 was comprehensively facelifted. And this wasn't simply window-dressing, because under the bonnets were four new engines: an all new quad chain cam 255bhp 3.2 FSI V6 petrol; the new 200bhp 2.0T FSI petrol engine shared with the Golf V; the quad chain cam 204bhp 3.0 TDI V6 shared with the A6; and the 140bhp 2.0 TDI shared with the Golf V, A3, Touran and Altea. This last engine is likely to be by far the most popular throughout Europe and the UK.

Underneath there were plenty of improvements, too. The new transmissions allow the longitudinal engines to be set a bit further back, aiding weight distribution. And the mainly alloy, four-link-per-wheel suspension has been redesigned using lessons learned on the S4 and the new A6 to give both a better ride quality and a sportier feel to the car, especially to front wheel drive models. The more powerful 2.0T FSI, 3.2 V6 and 3.0TDI have new speed-dependent servotronic steering. And the bigger brakes have a self-drying function triggered by the wiper's rain sensor.

Real MPG average for a Audi A4 (2005 – 2008)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

94%

Real MPG

24–60 mpg

MPGs submitted

345

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Should I buy a 15-year-old Audi A4 Avant?

"I've seen a tidy 2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSi quattro for sale with about 110,000 miles and only two owners. I've seen various conflicting expert reviews, many detailing a catalogue of known failures and many saying it is untrue. What is your view on this car?"
At 15-years-old, the car will have a catalogue of potential wear and tear issues. It's important to also note that both the servicing and repair costs will relate to the car's price as new (£25-£35k) and not one that's now worth £2-£3k. As long as you are aware of the potential costs, it may be a rewarding car to buy. But I can't overstate the fact that some old premium cars have a reputation for being money-pits. The gearbox and quattro system alone can cost thousands to put right, if either go wrong. All reported problems with the Audi A4 are listed here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/a4-b7-2005/
Answered by Dan Powell

It's difficult to accelerate in my car, but it runs well otherwise. Any idea what the issue might be?

"My 2005 Audi A4 automatic delays and lately slips. Any idea what the problem is and how to fix it? It's very difficult to accelerate, but after that it runs well."
This reads like a problem with the transmission oil. At 15 years, it probably needs replacing.
Answered by Dan Powell

Why is my insurer seeking to recover costs directly from the driver that hit my car?

"My car was written off in August after another driver made a right turn in front of me, hitting the front and side of my Audi A4. I had owned this vehicle since new, it was in very good condition, low mileage for it’s age but with a low market value due to it’s age. I was fortunate in that there was a fire service vehicle passing shortly after the impact who made clear to the other driver that they were at fault. The police who attended also confirmed that the other driver was at fault. The other driver subsequently admitted fault and this has been treated by my insurers as a no fault claim. My insurers quickly settled the write off value of my vehicle, provided a hire car for a few days and passed me onto their legal partners to resolve my uninsured losses. This amounted to the value of my insurance excess and loss of pay for one day. I was travelling to work at the time of the accident, had banged my head, was in shock and had to sort out the contents of my vehicle, pick up hire car, and deal with the insurance company. My wife also left work to pick me up, collect the contents of the car and assist me with dealing with the aftermath as I had bumped my head during the impact and was quite dazed for a while. I was also in shock. We included her one day loss of pay in the claim. There were a couple of other sundry losses but these were less than about £50 and all was evidenced including letters from our employers. I was expecting the next communication with the insurers to be a settlement offer. Out of the blue, I now find that I am now being asked to complete yet more documentation as my insurers have passed this to a legal firm who are now seeking to recover the market value of my vehicle from the other driver directly. It would appear that the other drivers insurers are refusing to settle the claim but no reason has been given as to why that is the case. I have the opportunity to add my uninsured loss to this. If I do not assist my insurers in recovering their costs this will go onto my insurance record as an at fault claim even though no one is disputing that the initial collision wasn’t my fault. I am now faced with another mountain of paperwork much of which duplicates what I have already provided. I am not finding my insurers legal team very helpful and it would appear that the other drivers insurers are being even less helpful. My claim is a relatively small one, the car was worth more to me than the market value. My uninsured loss is considerable, but the sum that I have been advised that I can claim for is minor and I am not making any claim for personal injury. This leaves me to be very confused as to why I am now in this position. I would be very grateful if you could offer some insight as to why I am where I am with this and any advice would be appreciated. It is clear that I have to go along with this but unclear as to exactly what I am getting myself involved with."
Clarify who you are dealing with. Make sure the solicitors are working for your insurer in contract. Make sure they are not an accident management company or solicitors acting on their behalf. It sounds like the at fault party was not insured, or his insurer are declining to act as his insurer for breach of policy conditions. They cannot do this, as they are bound by the Road Traffic Act 1988 to handle any claim made against their insured. This does not mean that they don't do it and will try to ignore their liability. This will be why your insurer/solicitor will be issuing proceedings directly in the at fault parties name. You can claim for "any loss incurred as a result of the tort feasor made against you" due to the other parties negligence. Going back to my first comments, establish who the legal team working for your insurer are and whether they have been appointed by your insurer. Let the insurer seek your insured losses, then appoint another solicitor to recover your uninsured losses. Read all of your paperwork very carefully and establish the facts.
Answered by Tim Kelly

Cam shaft fault due to bad engine repair by Audi - what are my legal rights?

"I own a 2005 Audi A4 Convertible 2.0 TFSI, the one renowned for the problem with oil consumption. My Audi garage repaired the piston rings and, I think, got Audi to pay for it. Since they did the repair, the engine had an oil leak, which again they repaired for free because it was as a consequence of the extensive repair they did. Now my engine light has come on and there is a problem with the cam shaft, something again to do with the oil. They are trying to say that they are not responsible, but another Audi specialist has said its down to the repair they haven't done correctly. This has all happened within the last year, what are my legal rights?"
If it's 55 reg, we're talking about a car here that is almost 12 years old. So, while the dealer replaced the piston rings and repaired the oil leak, he will not have replaced the camshaft or camshaft sensor which, after 12 years, could be suffering from wear. If the case went to court, I think he has a strong defence. So, if the car hasn't had a service for more than nine months, the best thing to do is co-operate, let them service it and hopefully fix what may only be a camshaft position sensor fault.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Audi A4 (2005 – 2008) cost?