looking for A4 Avent TDi - Lots of Q's

[JimLoskot]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy a b6 A4 avent TDi(or maybe an A6) in the next month or 2 when I sell my Lexus .

I'm after something with plenty of economy and plenty of torque and looking at all the options I think that the 1.9 TDi 130 would seem to fit the bill nicely after some tuning.

I'm a little confused about the different specs and have done a lot of searching and not turned up much. I'd idealy like the following in the car:

climate control, half or full leather seats, front + rear armrest, full electrics(windows, seats, mirrors, sunroof), DIS, 6speed manual box, 17" or 18" alloys.

I'm also intrested in the tuning options, I know that the revo units are very highly rated for audi's, were would be the best place near manchester for this? also what other engine tuning parts are available for the TDi (exhaust, manifold, intake etc..)?

Also after any buying advise, what to look out for etc..

Any thoughts would be very welcome

Thanks

Jim

[Milo]

First off, what sort of age car are you after?

If you're going to look to tune the car, I would strongly advise you look for a quattro as you may struggle a bit with the extra torque and power going through the front wheels.

Have you considered the 2.5 Tdi?

Someone on here (Garreth64) has an A4 Avant for sale - 2.5Tdi V6 Quattro Sport GmbH, 2003/53, AMD Remap, Leather/Alcantara, Audi Symphony, Front Arm Rest.

Looking at your list of requirements, the car will also have a 6 speed box, front and rear electric windows, climate control, rear arm rest, electric mirrors, 17" alloys and the sport seats are electric lumbar etc (manual fore and aft which is a good thing IMO).

In fact I could have saved myself some typing - see here!

[eolair]

do a search on the a4 forum for suggested specs. A few guys have had similar questions answered, and there is planty of detail in other posts going back a few years.

For performance, quattro/sport suspension is the way to go.

Standard/SE seats aren't the best - again sport model is better.

Sunroof is not a common option, might struggle to find it.

Exterior chrome pack is good, especially on darker colours.

The 4 can be nose heavy, the 6 (post 01) is a sharper drive.

hth

[JimLoskot]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking for an 02 or 03 with a budget around 11k. also I'm after a black car. I've considered the 2.5tdi but thought the 1.9 tuned would be more within my price bracket and get more mpg plus seems to be more available with people prefering it.

Thats a loverly car Garreth64 has got for sale, unfortunately is outside my price range and is not black.

Have spent a while searching the forum to find the trim options but I find this forum quite hard to navigate and I'm not 100% what I'm looking for.

I really like the leather/alcantara seats, just like in the lexus although I recon there not that easy to come by.

A quattro would be nice but extra £ and don't think I really need it as not looking to go mega fast round corners, just plenty of umph on the motorway.

Still would like to more know more about tuning the 1.9pd tdi 130. whats the most anyone has got out of it? how good are the stock intenals and where are good reliable places to get it tuned.

Thanks again

Jim

[Kell]

Jim - I can safely say that if you're looking for mpg, stick with the 130PS 1.9. We went from a saloon that returned over 50mpg on a long run to a 2.5 TDi Avant that I'll be lucky to get 35 out of. Not only that it will do low 20s around town when you put your foot down.

There are loads of options when it comes to tuning - depends on where in the country you're based more than anything else - and most will see an increase of around 30PS though I'm not sure about extra torque.

Spec is quite funny on A4s. For example, I assumed heated mirrors were standard, but they're not. Having said that, all the wiring is there if you want to do it yourself and it's an easy job.

I would try and get a sport if you're looking to tune it, as it has lower, firmer suspension and will handle the extra power better. quattro would be an asset, but not essential I guess.

I've not seen leather/alcantara in an A4, but that's not to say it isn't available. Bear in mind though that many are ex-compnay cars so don't always come well specced. Having said that, mine was an ex-company-director's car so it was nicely kitted out (just no heated mirrors). I think your best bet is to search for a black 1.9 Sport and that will be narrow enough without trying to add the leather/alcantara to the equation.

Having said that, I've just done a quick Auto Trader search and there are only two black ones in the entire country and they're both over 90,000 miles and SE spec.

[kite]

try here

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/car...rch_full=SEARCH

seventh one from the top.

Not black but a decent spec

[Kell]

Just one thing...thread title:

looking for A4 Avent [sic] lots of Qs

[kite]

sorry missed that bit

I'll get me coat

[JimLoskot]

err, sorry about the title, tried to modify it but it wouldn't let me. Could a mod do it... please

I'm not in a rush to buy one, looking to get one in mid september, just getting my research in early.

I'm also based in manchester.

It would be really usefull If I could get hold of a definitive options and specs list ie. what comes on which spec and what is extra. I gather there are only 3 different main specs, std, se & sport?

Thanks for the replies, keep em coming

[craigmat]

Jim, have a good dig, there's a few of potential buyers around asking the same questions

[garreth64]

[ QUOTE ]

First off, what sort of age car are you after?

If you're going to look to tune the car, I would strongly advise you look for a quattro as you may struggle a bit with the extra torque and power going through the front wheels.

Have you considered the 2.5 Tdi?

Someone on here (Garreth64) has an A4 Avant for sale - 2.5Tdi V6 Quattro Sport GmbH, 2003/53, AMD Remap, Leather/Alcantara, Audi Symphony, Front Arm Rest.

Looking at your list of requirements, the car will also have a 6 speed box, front and rear electric windows, climate control, rear arm rest, electric mirrors, 17" alloys and the sport seats are electric lumbar etc (manual fore and aft which is a good thing IMO).

In fact I could have saved myself some typing - see here!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the free plug Milo

Still trying to find someone with £17k burning a hole in their pocket.......

Personally I would go with Quattro if you are going to tune it unless you are a fan of rampant wheelspin!

[eolair]

try these

1

2

3

4

5

6

[JimLoskot]

reserection time.

Thanks for all your replies to my previous questions.

I'm off to look at some next week and have a few more questions.

Basically I want some tips on what to look out for when buying. by the looks of it nearly everything can be retrofitted so more worried about basic spec more than add ons (eg sat-nav)

whats the difference between the rns-e and the mmi sat nav systems?

which radio do I want ideally (the syphonyII double din is it? i'm not really sure)

what the 6 speed box like? do you get any better mpg with it. is it worth getting?

any other tips for buying gratefully recieved

Thanks

Jim

[JimLoskot]

also might have a look at this Audi A6 Avant

any opinions?

[ACA_Chap]

Jim

I ran an A4 TDI Avant 1.9 TDI SE for a year. Here's what I thought of it:

Positives:

- Good balanced engine on the motorway - it's happy cruising at 100 and you'll get amazing fuel economy. I reguarly got 55mpg.

- Decent gearbox. I have driven the six speeds although I think as this engine has a good amount of torque, you really don't need it

- Quality interior. Everything fits nicely together. Probably the best in its class

- Gas charged lights (not sure of exact name) are standard and cast a good beam

- Space. Loads of it

Negatives:

- Seats: they are ok in standard form but the sport front seats are better

I think the standard spec on the SE was: armrest, dual zone climate, cruise, fogs, 16" 5 arm alloys, concert 2 single CD player. The sport upgrade got (IIRC): sport seats (worth the extra) a fancy bodykit (which in my opinion looks a bit boy racer - it's a sootchucker and looks understated in SE form IMO. Bodykit is a bit furcoat and no knickers ), possibly armrest, 17" star alloys.

Hope this helps. The engine gets beaten hands down for acceleration by BMW 320d's (I had that next), but the audi would be my choice if I could choose again. Just a better quality car which is easier to live with day to day. The seats in the BM were rubbish.

[JimLoskot]

thanks for your comments ACA Chap. I'm pretty much sold on the sport. I'll be definately getting it chipped as well to up the umph a bit.

Still don't understand why they have dual zone climate control. seems pointless to me in such a confined space as a car

[ACA_Chap]

The dual zone climate is excellent. I travel a lot with the other half and I like to have AC on, while she likes to have it a bit warmer. You don't have different ambient temperatures, but you can have two different temeratures blowing on you.

(Plus it glows up really good at night).

Not sure about chipping as I've always ran them as company cars. I think you can hit 180BHP fairly easily but watch out for fuel ecnonomy and long term damage.

Good luck with the purchase. It's a fantastic car, espesh the interior.

PS would advise against the 2.5TDI. It's only got 163 BHP (IIRC), and gets much poorer economy. The 3.0TDI is impressive tho.

[NewNiceMrMe]

Jim, just a few other opinions on some of the points ACA_Chap mentioned, so you've got two views on the same areas...

[ QUOTE ]

Positives:

- Good balanced engine on the motorway - it's happy cruising at 100 and you'll get amazing fuel economy. I reguarly got 55mpg.

[/ QUOTE ]

On the MPG - I agree completely. I have an A4 Avant 1.9 TDi 130 Sport, and the frugal engine is astonishingly economical. It's the closest I have ever come to a car running on fresh air.

On the motorway cruising, I disagree. At 100mph you're thrashing it and it's certainly not what I'd call happy for the driver. The engine is tough though, but I personally think it's gutless when compared to a 320d (especially at 85mph or above where my wifes 320d is much quicker).

[ QUOTE ]

Decent gearbox. I have driven the six speeds although I think as this engine has a good amount of torque, you really don't need it

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, I disagree. I'd say the 6 speed box is a must. I can't complain overall about the gearbox though. It's precise, has a nice feel to it and isn't too notchy.

[ QUOTE ]

Quality interior. Everything fits nicely together. Probably the best in its class

[/ QUOTE ]

The interiors are nicely trimmed. The build quality is very good. They look nicer than their BMW equivalent, but are no better built inside. As an example - my glovebox handle has come off on the A4 (a 54 plate). The only caveat I have is that the driver legroom (sideways movement) is very confined in an A4. The centre console is very intrusive IMO. In a 320d you have much more legroom in the front.

[ QUOTE ]

Gas charged lights (not sure of exact name) are standard and cast a good beam

[/ QUOTE ]

Non-Xenons - absolutely LETHAL. I'm not the first to say this either as it has been discussed at length on the A4 forums. The standard non-Xenon lights are absolutely diabolical and easily the worst of ANY car I have ever owned. It's like driving by candlelight on dipped beam.

[ QUOTE ]

Space. Loads of it

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, I'm afraid I disagree. The A4 Avant is, IMO, the best example of form over function of any car I know. Its actual space is nothing like as much as it might seem from the outside. Indeed I can't fit any more luggage in my A4 Avant than I get in a 3-series saloon - unless you load up beyond the height of the headrests and rely on the split screen to protect you in the event of a crash. If you do that, you'll fit a little bit more in - but not much.

[ QUOTE ]

- Seats: they are ok in standard form but the sport front seats are better

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine are the Sports seats and yes they're very good. They lack lumbar support on mine though, and thats a big miss. Otherwise, no complaints at all.

[ QUOTE ]

Hope this helps. The engine gets beaten hands down for acceleration by BMW 320d's (I had that next), but the audi would be my choice if I could choose again. Just a better quality car which is easier to live with day to day. The seats in the BM were rubbish.

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely disagree. The seats in the 320d SE aren't as good as in the A4, but then again my A4 is the Sports derivative. The interior on the A4 is better too - but other than that the BMW 320d SE is by far the better car in my opinion.

I find the A4 gutless, noisy, unrefined...and more than anything the traction and handling isn't anywhere close to the 320d's standard. Were it me picking again, I'd have the 320d every single time and be much happier for it.

However - if economy is important to you, the A4 is stunningly good and it should be noted it is not a bad car by most car standards, indeed its a good one. I just don't think it's a patch on a 320d.

If you're set on getting one though Jim, you are making the right choice IMO by chosing the Sport. The SE is more wallowly in the bends than a bag of vomit on an airbed.

[PetrolDave]

[ QUOTE ]

whats the difference between the rns-e and the mmi sat nav systems?

[/ QUOTE ]

MMI is only on the new A6, new A8 and Q7 - A3, A4, old A6 and old A8 all use the RNS-E. It's a bit confusing that the RNS-E startup screen says MMI on it - Audi are trying to say that the RNS-E uses an MMI-style user interface.

[ QUOTE ]

which radio do I want ideally (the syphonyII double din is it? i'm not really sure)

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're going to retrofit the RNS-E you'll save a lot of extra work if you get a car with the double DIN Symphony II. If you get a single DIN Chrous II or Concert II then you'll need to replace or modify the climate control unit and ashtray as well as fitting the double DIN mouting frame. It's still possible, and has been done by quite a few people, but if the car you like has a Symphony II it will be quicker, easier and cheaper.

[ QUOTE ]

what the 6 speed box like? do you get any better mpg with it. is it worth getting?

[/ QUOTE ]

IIRC the 6-speed box gives you a longer legged top gear which is great for economy on long runs, and will be better if you chip the car. I had my FWD TDi 130 Sport Avant chipped, and would recomend you go for a quattro if you're going that route - the extra torque was too much for the front wheels and the ESP calibration needed changing (it allowed too much wheelspin for my liking).

[JimLoskot]

Thanks for the input MrMe.

I have been thinking about the BMW but I can't bring myself to own one as I really don't like them. Economy is important as its the main reason I'm changing cars from my thirsty IS200. I'm fairly set on getting one as I've not really seen anything else I like TBH in an estate on the road

[Chav]

[ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the input MrMe.

I have been thinking about the BMW but I can't bring myself to own one as I really don't like them. Economy is important as its the main reason I'm changing cars from my thirsty IS200. I'm fairly set on getting one as I've not really seen anything else I like TBH in an estate on the road

[/ QUOTE ]

If it helps, I can't agree with many of Chris's comparisons to the 3-series, but different people prefer different things.

[JimLoskot]

Thanks. Good signiture and avatar btw

[NewNiceMrMe]

[ QUOTE ]

If it helps, I can't agree with many of Chris's comparisons to the 3-series, but different people prefer different things.

[/ QUOTE ]

[A4_Family_Man]

I also disagree with a lot of the comments regarding the A4 v BMW 320d. A4 has the refined quality for me.

Ultimately I don't want to cross to the dark side and become a beemer driver!!

[JimLoskot]

Can't help but looking at all the mods and retrofits available for these cars. Can't wait to get one and start modding. don't recon you could do anywere near this amount of customising on the BMW's.