im interested in audi a4 avants. I like the style and would go for a diesel. Just wondered which one to look for. I would have to go for an older model (<£4k) and have seen a nice looking 2.5tdi quatro auto but it looks a bit heavy on the gas.
Any info/advice appreciated
PS reliability is a must so are there any common niggles?
thanks
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if you think that the 2.5tdi is heavy on the gas, go for the 1.9tdi then.
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i was just after a general opinion to help me with a search
what is the car like in general?
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It's not a great engine, try and get a gigher output 1.9TDi.
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front suspension arms fail, dont bother trying cheapy replacements - they fail even faster.
MAF - cheapish
abs ecu issues - usually fixable cheaply.
t/belt expensive because the front end of the car has to be removed - consider water pump and radiator at the same time.
If a PD engine then use the correct oil.
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I just sold my a4 avant tdi 130 on an 04 plate. It was a fantastic car and I'm sure that the new owner will be very happy with it. I would highly recommend the a4 avant, they dont suffer from any major drawbacks and the 1.9 tdi is astonishing on fuel ie 50-51 mpg at reasonable motorway speeds.
Fantastic build quality and rattle-free interior.
If I had to list the bad points there aren't many other than not too much space in the back, expensive, although infrequent servicing and higher mileage deisels may suffer from MAF sensor failure which is an easy diy job to fix and costs about £80.
The 2.5 tdi is nice but I could never see the massive advantage considering the difference in MPG.
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this is great info.
I usually service my own cars (oil and filters change, brakes etc)
is this easy to do on a4 avants?
cheers
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yes.
The undertray is a pain - but arent they all. I think dealers use a pump.
remember that the t/belt interval is down to 40K miles for the PD engines, 60K on the older ones.
2.5 v6 diesel had some issues - but off the top of my head I cant remember what ?
1.9 perfectly good even as 110bhp
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i really fancy the 1.9td looks a real nice economical car. Ill wait to see if one jumps out at me
cheers
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I had identified the VAG PD diesel as the power unit of choice for what is now my present car and also wanted a galvanised body shell. The image/badge is immaterial but rear legroom is important as I sit well back and have tall kids.
Result - one 2 year old Skoda Superb with the 130 PS Cat III PD diesel engine. This power unit is a remarkable achievement in terms of fuel economy and performance; it's hard to believe that it repeatably matches petrol Ford Fiesta economy unhitched, and tows my heavy trailer like a train.
It was half list price second hand as a 2 year old/20k car, useful extras like cruise were negotiated from the dealer at the point of sale. Apparently the later 140 PS Cat IV diesels are a pile of trouble with blocked particulate filters, and are not as economical as the 130 when running properly.
This thing will have zero resale value, but I keep cars a very long time. As a tool to do the job I wanted, it's ideal. The build standard is noticably better than that of VW badged cars and so far has shown none of the rattles of the B6 Passat. I'm very aware of the weaknesses of the B5.5 Passat/Superb such as water ingress, and will address these. So far, a cracking bargain - often the last of an old model is less trouble than the first of a new one.
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in 2004 I bought a 1996 P reg 1.9tdi 110bhp (pre-common rail) A4 Avant with FSH and 59k on the clock.
Fantastic car and sold on to a family member when n·3 kid arrived and had no problems in 2 years of ownership. Not the quickest off the blocks but mid range was OK but I was comparing to a 3 litre BMW diesel that was the other car. MAF played up every now and then - maybe 5 times in all (but seemed to calm down when engine turned off and restarted) but very comfy in town. Steering a little on the light side at speed. Very economical.
One of the best buys that I made and would definitely go down the old car low mileage route again (as opposed to the young high miler) hence why I do not feel the need to change my 7yo BMW 530d with 72k on the clock. To be honest it was better built than the BM and a nicer place to sit behind the wheel, although it did not drive as well.
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