New Model Audi A4 - Any feedback

PattheMetaller

Folks,

just about to go to the dealer and place an order for the A4 2.0 Tdi (120bhp).

Has anyone heard or have any feedback regarding new model niggles?

Cheers

tossy

Brother in law got one a few months back.my thoughts in a nut shell would be lovely looking,nice interior,even the poverty spec seats are quite nice,its alot bigger than the old A4,the common rail diesel engine feels quite smooth although in my opinion its too underpowered for such a heavy car.i can't comment on economy as i haven't lived with it for a long period!

Have you driven one?

DaMonk

the 120 engine is grand if you remap it up to I'm guestimating about 150-160bhp. lovely looking car.only thing is you wont get the super funky cool lights!

PattheMetaller

Drove both the 143bhp and 120bhp 2.0 Tdi. Was very impressed with the ride quality and build quality, but a man could go mental with the options list so keeping control there is essential. Base models are well enough specced with one or two tastey extras.

Coming from a 105bhp passat i found te 143bhp A4 a rocket and even found the 120bhp A4 lively enough when compared to the passat, even though its very heavy.

Thought with the salesman (who lives local to me) is that the 120bhp will represent better value for money as the extra paid for the 143bhp will cancel out come selling-on time.

PattheMetaller

DaMonk wrote: »

the 120 engine is grand if you remap it up to I'm guestimating about 150-160bhp. lovely looking car.only thing is you wont get the super funky cool lights!

I'm concidering the sport model which comes with: Xenon lights with led daytime running lights; 17 inch alloys; 3 spoke s/wheel mf; front sport seats.

Was onsidering metallic paint but now like the brilliant red, non-metallic. That will save me €1300. Why in todays market is metallic paint extra?

copacetic

don't skimp on the paint. also I'd say you should go for the concert stereo, you get the SD card reader and the big colour screen with it. That and the colour DIS option make a big difference to the interior. Otherwise as well as the sport package I'd add hill hold, it's cheap and worth having as it stops a lot of the messing with the electronic handbrake.

Make sure you take a long test drive, the offset pedals were a major annoyance for me.

PattheMetaller

copacetic wrote: »

don't skimp on the paint. also I'd say you should go for the concert stereo, you get the SD card reader and the big colour screen with it. That and the colour DIS option make a big difference to the interior. Otherwise as well as the sport package I'd add hill hold, it's cheap and worth having as it stops a lot of the messing with the electronic handbrake.

Make sure you take a long test drive, the offset pedals were a major annoyance for me.

Yip, was going for the concert radio. Whats the issue with non-metallic paint? The Brilliant Red stands out and is an eye catcher. Is it a durabiity or quality issue? Surely it all covered by the warrenty?

copacetic

PattheMetaller wrote: »

Yip, was going for the concert radio. Whats the issue with non-metallic paint? The Brilliant Red stands out and is an eye catcher. Is it a durabiity or quality issue? Surely it all covered by the warrenty?

assuming you ever want to sell it on, non-metallic paint is a killer for resale value. As you say it should be std and thats what everyone buying second hand thinks too.

-Chris-

Metallic is €1,045 based on the post-July pricing. I'd consider it worth it as non-metallic paint does affect the resale price.

If you like Brilliant Red, buy it. All the promo photos have been Brilliant Red with the LED lights and it looks savage in print. If you're merely buying Brilliant Red to save money, I'd consider it false economy - what you save on one end, you may lose on the other.

mickdw

I advise to take a drive in one with the wheel size you intend running. Ive an A5 (same platform) and it is a pig for pulling around the road to the point of being dangerous. If you are in the countryside with uneven roads, this certainly is a major issue as ive located a few now with the same trouble.

-Chris-

I'd suggest Servotronic for that, I reckon it'd fix most/all of the problems you've experienced Mick.

unkel

brundle wrote: »

yes thats my other user name

Why do you have another user name?

peasant

brundle wrote: »

yes thats my other user name

other username?

You do know that dual accounts are a bannable offence ?

brundle

Didnt know that.

R.O.R

We've returned an A4 2.0Tdi 143 to the manufacturer for consitently non-starting, Airbag light permanantly on and an untraceable rattle from the dash. The driver does have a replacement model on order though and we have about 12 other A4's on the fleet with no issues.

I love the look of the car, and even the standard model is well specced (for an Audi), but I wouldn't order one. Possibly because of the way I sit, but the outside of my left foot catches on the foot rest whenever I depress the clutch - it's not just me either, a couple of customers have mentioned this after test driving. Would annoy the hell out of me every day.

kluivert

What is wrong with the this country when it comes to buying underpowered cars.

Buy the 140bhp model.

-Chris-

R.O.R wrote: »

I love the look of the car, and even the standard model is well specced (for an Audi), but I wouldn't order one. Possibly because of the way I sit, but the outside of my left foot catches on the foot rest whenever I depress the clutch - it's not just me either, a couple of customers have mentioned this after test driving. Would annoy the hell out of me every day.

When I first drove the RHD A4 I noticed that too, but after about half a day you've adjusted your foot position and it's not an issue.

It's only an issue for the test-drive, if at all.

maidhc

I don't think people should pay any attention to resale value when buying a car.

Just accept it will be worth very little anyway if you sell it on amd pick the options and car you like. Ideally keep the car for longer than 2 or 3 years and get value from it.

copacetic

AudiChris wrote: »

When I first drove the RHD A4 I noticed that too, but after about half a day you've adjusted your foot position and it's not an issue.

It's only an issue for the test-drive, if at all.

Could be Chris, but thats all most of us get before deciding! I was extremely unhappy with the awkward offset in the A4. The lhd version hasn't got the same issue, they really skimped imo leaving the rhd that way.

Morrisseeee

I don't know what kind of spec they have in Ireland at the mo, but when I was in Germany recently I got an Audi A4 1.8t sports tiptronic (or something) when I actually asked for a family car !!!! doh !!
But........I didn't complain, I did push it to 210kph on the Autobahn, >>> wow ! You then grab the steering wheel with both hands, especially around corners, ie. loooong corners then become fast corners

see pics...

copacetic

Morrisseeee wrote: »

I don't know what kind of spec they have in Ireland at the mo, but when I was in Germany recently I got an Audi A4 1.8t sports tiptronic (or something) when I actually asked for a family car !!!! doh !!
But........I didn't complain, I did push it to 210kph on the Autobahn, >>> wow ! You then grab the steering wheel with both hands, especially around corners, ie. loooong corners then become fast corners

see pics...

weird spec that, manual, not tiptronic though. Looks like a 1.8T 'sport' with the cheaper version of the satnav (cd based with no colour maps)

Ice_Box

Its a pity the boot is the same size as the old one. I didnt notice a big difference between the 140 and the 120 so I'd either go for the 120 or the 170. Anyone know how much parking sensors are? AUDI.IE is quite poor. I might go up north and get the 170bhp avant sport in 2009 depending on exchange rate. But I'll also be testing the new Skoda Superb in a few weeks too (looks huge but its only 13cm longer than new a4 saloon)

Morrisseeee

with the cheaper version of the satnav

yeah, it looked cheap, but performed well, ie. it got me around fairly easily.

the boot is the same size as the old one

note: the boot in the 1.8t was quite small

PS. I wouldn't mind this as a 2nd car, ah well, I'll keep dreamin !

copacetic

Ice_Box wrote: »

Its a pity the boot is the same size as the old one. I didnt notice a big difference between the 140 and the 120 so I'd either go for the 120 or the 170. Anyone know how much parking sensors are? AUDI.IE is quite poor. I might go up north and get the 170bhp avant sport in 2009 depending on exchange rate. But I'll also be testing the new Skoda Superb in a few weeks too (looks huge but its only 13cm longer than new a4 saloon)

think they were about 400 just for rear with audio, ~1k for parking plus (display on screen with front and rear sensors)

Cork4ever

All

just so ye know, a friend of mine bought a new A4 in Jan 08, car was going great until one day it stood up on the road for him, not a budge, happened in May/June, brought to Audi garage where they told him the fuel filter had disintergrated and gone into some part of the engine and basically the car needed a new engine, of course you can understand his frustration about the whole thing, anyway the upshot of it was that the serivce manager told him that it was/is a problem in per july 08 A4's and that they are to be recalled to have this item fixed.

bazzachazza

Anyone know what the service interval and cost of a service on the new A4 is?

tossy

edit: i just found out the bro in laws one that i drove is actually the 143bhp version oops! id hate to think what the 120 bhp version is like as the 143 version is still underpowered!

E92

kluivert wrote: »

What is wrong with the this country when it comes to buying underpowered cars.

Buy the 140bhp model.

+1 million

Buy one with a proper engine, not the bottom of the range Irish special model. IMHO the 143 TDI is not fast at all, so I'd be going for 170 minimum or the 2.0 TFSI petrol. The latest A4 has gotten that much bigger, so it certainly needs a bigger/more powerful engine than what would have been satisfactory before.

Why anyone would spend the kind of money a premium badge car costs and then proceed to go for a distinctly un-premium low power engine is beyond me. The only logical reason I can see is to have a better badge.

As for resale value, if you trade it in soon enough, then you're guaranteed to get more for the more powerful model than the low power model, and what about all the added satisfaction of driving a car with more power?

All those extras the OP was talking about earlier, with the honourable exception of metallic paint(essential in any car, not just an Audi), the rest count for a big fat nought come resale value time too.

Apart from metallic paint, leather and an automatic gearbox, extras merely make a car more desirable and that's it. You won't get a red cent back come resale time for any of the others.

So go and enjoy a premium car the way it was intended and buy one with a proper engine, not a mickey mouse underpowered paddy special one:)!

PattheMetaller

I was offline there for a few days folks so thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

Its a fine car to look at and drive, I got over the initial odd feel with the pedal layout after taking the car on a long test drive. Its not an issue with me.

Cheers for the feedback

groupb

E92 wrote: »

+1 million

Buy one with a proper engine, not the bottom of the range Irish special model. IMHO the 143 TDI is not fast at all, so I'd be going for 170 minimum or the 2.0 TFSI petrol. The latest A4 has gotten that much bigger, so it certainly needs a bigger/more powerful engine than what would have been satisfactory before.

Why anyone would spend the kind of money a premium badge car costs and then proceed to go for a distinctly un-premium low power engine is beyond me. The only logical reason I can see is to have a better badge.

As for resale value, if you trade it in soon enough, then you're guaranteed to get more for the more powerful model than the low power model, and what about all the added satisfaction of driving a car with more power?

All those extras the OP was talking about earlier, with the honourable exception of metallic paint(essential in any car, not just an Audi), the rest count for a big fat nought come resale value time too.

Apart from metallic paint, leather and an automatic gearbox, extras merely make a car more desirable and that's it. You won't get a red cent back come resale time for any of the others.

So go and enjoy a premium car the way it was intended and buy one with a proper engine, not a mickey mouse underpowered paddy special one:)!

Premium car? I thought we were talking about Audis?

tossy

Another priceless contribution to the motoring forum by the man they call groupB,have you considered dropping top gear your CV boss,you seem like the natural successor to clarkson?

As my granny used to say if you have nothing worthwhile to post on the thread don't bother posting!

pburns

groupb wrote: »

Premium car? I thought we were talking about Audis?

tossy wrote: »

Another priceless contribution to the motoring forum by the man they call groupB,have you considered dropping top gear your CV boss,you seem like the natural successor to clarkson?

As my granny used to say if you have nothing worthwhile to post on the thread don't bother posting!

Wow, keep your hair on! In fairness Audis ARE premium, at least in the way they're marketed [gentle dig;)].

I fully agree with E92s points about underpowered, underspecced paddy specials. An A4 Quattro with at least 170bhp upwards would probably be a great car. But an underspeced 120bhp one on steel wheels? For status seeking badge snobs...

Biro

tossy wrote: »

As my granny used to say if you have nothing worthwhile to post on the thread don't bother posting!

Words of wisdom from your Granny. Well up on technology, she was.

RedorDead

pburns wrote: »

Wow, keep your hair on! In fairness Audis ARE premium, at least in the way they're marketed [gentle dig;)].

I fully agree with E92s points about underpowered, underspecced paddy specials. An A4 Quattro with at least 170bhp upwards would probably be a great car. But an underspeced 120bhp one on steel wheels? For status seeking badge snobs...

Audi in alloys now standard shocker!!! :eek:

groupb

tossy wrote: »

Another priceless contribution to the motoring forum by the man they call groupB,have you considered dropping top gear your CV boss,you seem like the natural successor to clarkson?

As my granny used to say if you have nothing worthwhile to post on the thread don't bother posting!

Buy this weeks Autocar and see how the A4 Avant comes last in a test against its prestige rivals , the Citroen C5,Subaru Legacy,Honda Accord and the Ford Mondeo (which wins). looks like someone else might have a similar opinion.

tossy

groupb wrote: »

Buy this weeks Autocar and see how the A4 Avant comes last in a test against its prestige rivals , the Citroen C5,Subaru Legacy,Honda Accord and the Ford Mondeo (which wins). looks like someone else might have a similar opinion.

At least now i know where you are getting all your expertise motoring knowledge from,i think ill pick myself up a copy of what knitting machine magazine and head on over to the knitting forum to spout crap ive read in a magazine that i have no practical knowledge of.

Ive actually driven the car in question on this topic,i agree it could be classed as a premium car but not with the low powered diesel engines on board.

Did Autocar have a free poster of the winning ford mondeo to hang on your wall beside the other car posters?

EDIT

The fact you answered this topic with a snide comment proves to me that you don't belong in here,if you were a real motoring enthusiast you would have answer this topic by advising the OP to pick up the latest autocar,that you had just bought it and there was an interesting road test of the new A4 against some of its competitors and that it made for interesting reading,but no your entire contribution to this thread is yet another useless contribution.

maidhc

tossy wrote: »

Ive actually driven the car in question on this topic,i agree it could be classed as a premium car but not with the low powered diesel engines on board.

I dont know. Audi A4s are the motoring equivalent of Brown Tomas. Some people believe they are getting top quality kit. In fact, they ARE getting top quality kit, but at an astonishingly high price.

I have driven neither the new A4 nor mondeo, but past experience would suggest the mondeo is at least as good to drive, and at least as reliable (i'd wager better in both counts though). The a4 will have a nicer interior. There is however a massive diffence in price that is not reflected in reality...

Even if the A4 was rwd of fwd i'd say something. but even Subaru can do all that for under 30k.

A4s are just a waste of money really.

groupb

+1 . By the way Tossy I bought the mag on Friday AFTER the comment I made that upset your rose tinted view of Audis. I've had both old model Mondeos and A4's and i'm a qualified fitter and I can assure you by going on EXPERIENCE plus the thoughts of some well respected motoring journalists the mondeo is in my experience a far superior car to an A4 and it appears with the new models the trend continues. If I upset the OP in any way , sorry but we are all here to give an opinion. As for you Tossy , I'll send you a poster of a mondeo if I get one in that mag. If you get one of an A4 in max power or whatever you read you can send it to me.

tossy

groupb wrote: »

+1 . By the way Tossy I bought the mag on Friday AFTER the comment I made that upset your rose tinted view of Audis.

That still doesn't excuse the comment you made,it brought nothing to the thread whatsoever! As for my rose tinted view of audis? i don't know what ive said to give you that impression,im on record here as saying that the lower end diesel engines are underpowered,surely if i had a rose tinted view i would be on record saying the lower power diesel engines are rockets? i did say i believe it was a nice looking car alright,and i still think its a nice looking car,thats a matter of opinion though.

groupb wrote: »

I've had both old model Mondeos and A4's and i'm a qualified fitter and I can assure you by going on EXPERIENCE plus the thoughts of some well respected motoring journalists the mondeo is in my experience a far superior car to an A4

Ok my brother is a mondeo man and has been since day one,the latest shape and previous shape mondeos are a great car,the latest shape isn't around long enough to rate yet but the previous shape is standing the test of time well,but the first shape (mk1 and mk2) mondeo?? come on that was a joke of a car,put it this way how many 98 mondeos do you see on the road still in pristine condition? none! ....how many 98 A4s do you see on the road still in pristine condition? quite a few,how many mid 90s 1.8 diesel(absolute mare of an engine) mondeos are out there touching 300k? not very many as the had a nasty habit of shedding there timing belts long before the were due.So i will admit that slowly but surely ford are picking up the pace but it took them along time to get there.Besides personally i wouldn't ever buy a diesel car again so i would be looking at secondhand big engined petrol cars like old S4s or RS4s,these are the only audis to tempt me these days,let me see RS4 or mondeo ST? hmmmmmmmmmm (again only a matter of opinion)

groupb wrote: »

As for you Tossy , I'll send you a poster of a mondeo if I get one in that mag. If you get one of an A4 in max power or whatever you read you can send it to me.

No no you are ok i stopped hanging posters on the wall along time ago,save it for your garage,i like to gain my knowledge of cars by actually getting out there and driving them,if i haven't driven a car or at least got a spin in a car then i will refrain from having an opinion on it that goes beyond how it looks.I also refrain from posting useless and unhelpful posts on threads.

PattheMetaller

Sure there's nothing like posting a thread about the VAG stable to get the debate going.

I've test driven the new A4, impressed with the ride quality, comfort and the car in general. The slightly offset pedals takes a wee while but i got used to them.

Wouldn't go for a Ford, same as others wouldn't touch VAG. Just a personal opinion. And no worries folks, the OP didn't get offended by any comments

maidhc

tossy wrote: »

come on that was a joke of a car,put it this way how many 98 mondeos do you see on the road still in pristine condition? none! ....how many 98 A4s do you see on the road still in pristine condition? quite a few,how many mid 90s 1.8 diesel(absolute mare of an engine) mondeos are out there touching 300k? not very many as the had a nasty habit of shedding there timing belts long before the were due.

That has more to do with who bought Mondeos and A4s than the cars. A4s and mondeos react the same way to concrete bollards and pillars! The mondeos had terrible bumpers though that cracked on the slightest impact.


You are wrong about mondeos being unreliable. We have had a Mk1 1.8TD from new. The engine was outclassed in its day only by the 1.9TDI (although by 2000 it was well behind the HDi etc). It forms the basis of the 1.8 TDCi in modern fords. Our car has 205k troublefree miles up.

I have never heard of timing belt problems. Most mondeos died from snobbery.

An RS4 is of course a superior car to the Mondeo ST. It would want to be.

169

I got my new 2.0TDI A4 in April. Since the middle of August it has a slight pull to the left and steering to the right has been stiffer that steering to the left at speeds below 40mph. I took it to the dealer and they re-aligned the car and it has been fine since. Why would a 6-month-old car go off alignment so soon? I drive mainly on National Primary Roads and did not hit any kerbs while parking. The first set of tyres is still on the car.