B7 A4 2.0 TDI compaired to my B6 1.8T S-Line Q

[AZURES3]

Dropped my car off at the new very impressive Camberley Audi service centre last night. I was offered manual or auto and chose manual, should have gone for auto as it was a B7 2.0T A4 but I have the B7 2.0 TDI in Mauritius blue. It has the following option. 17" Alloys, sport suspension, light pack, chrome window strips, 3 spoke multi-function steering wheel, Zenons & auto-light/wipers.

Exterior

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I am still not sure of the looks especially on the lighter colours but the new grill is growing on me and looks better on the dark colours. There was a few new A6's in the car park too and the grill really suits that car.

Engine

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It is not the most refined engines on start-up or idle but once you get going it is fine. In fact fine does not do it justice it seem very fast. I dont think my 190 BHP S-Line would keep up with it from 30-70 as the turbo thrust is very impressive.

Interior

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Not much has changed from the B6 here apart from the following:-

Windows switches have more movement to them.

The optional steering wheel is excellent stereo controls at last.

Seat belt warning light/buzzer, I find these very annoying as I dont always put my seatbelt on straight away.

There is a new style key too after several years of the old design the new one has more defined buttons.

Drive

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This model is not Quattro and to be honest I dont think it needs it, from initial pull away you can encourage the ESP light to flash but it does allow some slip. There definitely seems to be a slight improvement in ride and steering feel over the B6, that said I am not sure if the S-Line suspension would be slightly bouncy like mine or the optional B7 sports suspension is the same as the S-Line. The new 6-speed gearbox that the press were raving about is much slicker and the shift seems shorter too, which is nice.

Conclusion

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Far better than expected and the looks are growing on me so I wont cross the S4 off the list for 2007. I think you will see many more dark colours ordered due to the new grill.

AZ

[spacelord]

Nice write up

I just got a moro blue A4 B7 myself and after 5 days of ownership and doing 1400km in it I can confirm most of what you say. Can't say much about the 2.0 TDI engine because mine's "only" the 1.9 (still feels plenty fast for me though ).

When I compare it to my parents' 2004 B6, I find that the ride is indeed a bit crisper and less wallowy.

About the color: I've seen a few B7s around in various colors and yeah the new grille does look a lot better with the darker colors like moro blue or black.

PS. For pics of my car, see this thread:

http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/385914/an/0/page/2#385914

[Avus_Bub]

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I dont think my 190 BHP S-Line would keep up with it from 30-70 as the turbo thrust is very impressive.

[/ QUOTE ]

I had a little 'burn up' with a A3 2.0TDi on the A3 the other day. We were doing 60+ ... It was more of a see how fast before you bottle it sort of thing... Anyway I stayed in 6th gear but that A3, at those speeds was right with me up to the ton (real world I guess). Would like a go myself

[lmmlmmam]

We've just ordered a A3 2.0TDi for my wife.

The performance of that engine just blew us away. Just as you say AZ we found it felt really quite quick (quicker than the figures suggest).

Not refined at low speeds granted but makes a nice willing noise (not harsh). A superb blend of performance and economy.

[kevinamarsden]

I've had my new A4 Avant 2.0tdi S-Line for a month now and have to agree with all of the above. It's a bit chuggy on start up and a bit intrusive in first gear but more than makes up for it once you hit 2nd gear and up. The acceleration in 3rd, 4th and 5th is amazing for a diesel engine. Even 6th gear will pull nicely as long as you're over 2000 revs.

My previous A4 was the 1.8t ltd edition( 163bhp) and my diesel is significantly quicker in the mid range. Overtaking in 4th is a breeze and it is actually quite refined through 3rd gear and up. The ride quality ( even on 18" wheels with S-Line suspension )is better than my previous model, the gear change is nicer and overall it feels more composed when pushed and yet more relaxing when cruising. It's kinda effortless to drive, with bags of torque across a fairly wide powerband reducing the gear changes, although 6th gear struggles if the speed drops below 50mph.

I looked at the 2.0T Fsi before ordering the diesel and although the 0-60 is obviously much quicker in the FSi, the in gear times for 30-50, 40-60, 50-70 mph etc were almost identical for the diesel and the Fsi ( a couple of the times were quicker in the diesel ).

It will happily pull right from about 1500 revs to 4500 revs with quite a linear delivery, unlike some diesels which seem to have a sudden surge and then nothing.

All in all, I am mightily impressed.

[Milo]

Sounds good Kevin. You are obviously happy with your choice!

I find my 1.9 Tdi is a bit noisy and unrefined in first (well, very noisy and unrefined!) but again once you get over 15 mph, it's really smooth.

The ability to effortlessly pull away from people when you're doing 50-60 still makes me smile.

[JoeNobody]

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The optional steering wheel is excellent

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, what does it come with as standard?

[Rich]

A guy at work has just got a silver 2.0 tdi S line. I'm soooo jealous, I really do think it looks superb!

Is the 2.5 diesel still available in the A4, if so what power? I heard they are bringing out a new 3.0 diesel in the A6, so I assume that will eventually filter down to the A4?

Rich