Equaliser Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hi, As a new member to this forum can I congratulate all those that help to run this great site. Some useful info here. Now to my question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm looking at buying A4 Cabrio, probably 52/53 plate at around the £8k mark, my first adventure with Audi's. I've been looking through the forum to see which engine/gearbox combination is the most reliable and pound for pound the best size engine i.e. performance over economy. The 3.0ltr looking favourite ( I like the sound of the V6) at the moment although mpg not that great. I tried reading the ‘sticky’ “essential collection” but unfortunately the links within don’t take you anywhere. So its over to you good people!!!!!!!!!!! Which do you think is best and why??????????? Many thanks EQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb_cab Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hi EQ, I am a relatively new member of this forum and I went through the same decision process as you last August. I ended up choosing a 53 plate 3.0 cabrio with 6-speed manual gearbox as my first Audi. I couldn't be more pleased. The 1.8T seemed rough in comparison and the 2.4 is an older design of engine than the 3.0 that has about 50 bhp less but similar petrol consumption. I avoided the automatic version and the quattro to maximise economy and reliability and minimise running costs. I get just under 30mpg around town and 35mpg+ on the motorway which I think is not bad. I'm sure others will have different opinions but I'm pleased with my choice. Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Whatever you do avoid the 2.4, it uses as much petrol as the 3.0 and is not particularly inspiring to drive...the 3.0 V6's however are lovely and really suit the cars laid back style but I'd make sure you get one with Quattro, the 2wd one I had on demo ages ago was a whole world of wheelspin. Also if you find a 1.8T with the spec you want I wouldn't dismiss it, although it may only have 163hp you can remap to nearly 200 with ease and the engine responds well to tuning. Its a good tractable engine with the only possible faults being coil packs but this affects every Audi with the 1.8T... As long as its got a full dealer history it should be fine. As always with cabs some of the essentials for resale (and nice to have) are leather seats, rear parking sensors (you'll see why when the roofs shut) heated front seats, and the Bose speaker upgrade. If you find one with the RNSE satnav then all the better and thats quite likely with a 3.0 though less so with the 1.8's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 If you find one with the RNSE satnav then all the better and thats quite likely with a 3.0 though less so with the 1.8's. If you find one with the Symphony (double DIN radio) then it's an easy (1 hour) job to swap that for an RNS-E - it's not plug'n'play (you need a couple of wiring adapters and access to VAG-COM) but it's easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equaliser Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I sat in one the other day just to see if there was enough leg room in the back. Got to say I was surprised how much there was. Uderstand the need for parking sensors, would make life a lot easier. I'm surprised at the MPG for the 3ltr. My 2ltr focus isnt that much better. Whats the concenses on gearboxes. Reading up on the auto boxes they seem quite reliable as long as they have an oil change every 40k, i presume that there is a slight drop in MPG, are there any other downers though. Any thoughts about the 2.5 sooty?? Again many thanks for the replies EQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 just a thought - have you sat in the back and with someone sitting in the front seats, ie driving position - will probably half the amount of rear space you thought you had, and give you a real idea of the space (lack of). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Very true, with a 5 & 8 year old in the back of mine there have been several near death experiences (for them not me ) caused by too much seat back kicking due to insufficient space/fidget itus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Mine are 8 and 9 - the oldest only stops moaning when roof is down (or maybe I can't hear him, hee hee), and the booster seats make their space even smaller! Other than that, fab car and I can live with the lack of space in the rear as I am always in the front..... Am hoping the A5 cab may be just a tad bit bigger in the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maersk Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 To be realistc set your seat comfortably then get out and 'sit behind yourself' it is the only realistic scenario. There are few cars in which I can do this at all, let alone easily........................ 80s Granada springs to mind....................... A6 just. A4 not too bad but 300 miles would be an adventure........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equaliser Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hmmmm 80's granada - next well be talking 3.5 rovers and zephurs LOL:roflmao: The comment I made about space was regarding cabro's. The last one I sat in the back was a BMW 330 and I certainly think there is more room in the A4 than that. I also think compared to the focus I currently have its not that much different. Anyway when I find one that looks to be the one I'll test it out further. The wife who I'm sure will end up being the main driver is a midget anyway. when she sat in one the other day there was nearly a foot behind here lol. Going back to my last question the multitronic gearbox good or bad particularly hooked up to the 3lt unit which is looking favourite at the mo. woooooo just seen on auto trader 3ltr auto 45k on the clock £8200 I'm looking forward to the weekend!!!!!!!!! and yet another question, I've read the cambelt change should be done at 80k is it purely down to millage or should it be after so many years if it doesnt make the millage? cheers eq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Have had the 3ltr multitronic but if I am brutally honest I would go for a manual again if I could (got the 3.2ltr now but only comes in auto), as had fun the in the 1.8 courtesy cab manual they gave me - made me realise how much I miss being able to bang down through the gears and always felt slightly (?) more in control of the car, but depends on your driving style I guess! Saying that am more than happy in the new one, sport mode gives it a real boost if needed (but rarely use it) but hubbie still hates it as it is an auto ...... you will b disappointed as it is a great car, and that is just my opinion, fwiw! Have fun, summer is nearly here ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 (got the 3.2ltr now but only comes in auto) No it doesn't, my 3.2 is manual... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 seriously !!! ??? When I ordered (March 08) they (Audi dealer) told me the 3.2 only came in auto, as per the brochure - would have to have the 3.0tdi if I wanted manual or a lesser petrol engine ! Am not gonna b happy if I find out they lied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 It may have been available on Quattro only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equaliser Posted March 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thks for the replies. Right at the beginning of this thread CB_cab wrote that he got 30mpg round town and 35 on the motorway from his 3.0, is this the norm???????? I think I've decided on the 3.0 now its just a question of finding one at a price I can afford!!!!!!!! LOL Why is it every one I see and like costs a grand over my budget lol cheers eq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 Equaliser - espec if its at the dealers, flash the cash and give them a cheeky offer - worst thing to happen is they say no, but given the current climate ..... good luck+++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 my 3.0 petrol multitronic cab would give around 400 miles/tank if stonking around motorways, around 450 miles/tank if cruising down motorways etc, and worst case tended to be ~375 miles/tank after lots of urban driving. got 500+ miles a few times driving at 70mph on the nose to cambridge and back. I've found the consumption of the 3.0tdi quattro cab to approx similar. makes sense as quattro reduces the tank by 7 litres, kills 10% of the economy ish. so diesel sooty only 15-20% more economical before you add the weight difference. I'd probably worry about buying an old multitronic cab due to lack of warranty as the gearbox isnt cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb_cab Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Equaliser, my mpg figures were driving the car reasonably carefully with economy in mind, you would get less if you thrashed it. But I have achieved as much as 37.5 mpg on a mostly motorway trip (that is according to the DIS, and they are known to be a little optimistic). Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now