2008 Audi A4 1.8 TFSI 160 MULTI SPORT - AUTOMATIC

obi604

Hello

This is on behalf of a friend that does low mileage. Any thoughts on this type of car from a reliability point of view

2008 Audi A4 1.8 TFSI 160 MULTI SPORT - AUTOMATIC. 160 BHP

Something like this :

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Audi/A4/1.8-TFSi/33413620733493270/

Matthewjohn

It seems a bit expensive.

galwaytt

.....mmm........if the warranty is both bumper-bumper, and extendable (even at a cost), then I think it's a nice car. Not gone on the colour myself.

As for reliability, I'm a fan of the VAG 1.8t's anyway, but it's the gearbox I'd want both checked out, MUST have a fsh, and must come with a warranty. There are mixed reviews on the reliability of that box - my boss has one and the 'box went awol at 43k miles in an 09 A6, so do your homework.

The only other thing I can think of is that the multitronics aren't as economical as the S-tronics/DSG or manuals. If you're not doing big annual mileage, I wouldn't sweat it, as the road tax is 'reasonable' on the 1.8t

obi604

galwaytt wrote: »

.....mmm........if the warranty is both bumper-bumper, and extendable (even at a cost), then I think it's a nice car. Not gone on the colour myself.

As for reliability, I'm a fan of the VAG 1.8t's anyway, but it's the gearbox I'd want both checked out, MUST have a fsh, and must come with a warranty. There are mixed reviews on the reliability of that box - my boss has one and the 'box went awol at 43k miles in an 09 A6, so do your homework.

The only other thing I can think of is that the multitronics aren't as economical as the S-tronics/DSG or manuals. If you're not doing big annual mileage, I wouldn't sweat it, as the road tax is 'reasonable' on the 1.8t

Thanks for that.your not awful gone on it so
So bar the service records and stuff, is there any way one could know from driving it if the gearbox is dodgy ?
Or just get a mechanic to look at it

The mileage would be 70% city driving

obi604

Matthewjohn wrote: »

It seems a bit expensive.

What do you think would be a reasonable price ?

galwaytt

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks for that.your not awful gone on it so
So bar the service records and stuff, is there any way one could know from driving it if the gearbox is dodgy ?
Or just get a mechanic to look at it

The mileage would be 70% city driving

It's like a lot if things: when they're good, they're great. It's just important to make sure the one you get is a good one....

obi604

anyone else ?

Anjobe

I also seem to remember reading somewhere (Whatcar maybe?) that the multitronic box needs the transmission fluid changing a bit more often than Audi recommend to avoid reliability issues, so that would be something to check. Multitronic is a CVT, it works really well with the diesel engines to make the car a nice cruiser, but I'm not sure it would be as well suited to the 1.8 T engine and city driving. I guess take a test drive and see what you think.

Now, one bad experience probably doesn't mean anything but my next door neighbour has an A4 with a 1.8 T engine which seized after the oil pump failed on a long journey - by the time the car showed an oil pressure warning the engine was wrecked.

Tea 1000

Anjobe wrote: »

I also seem to remember reading somewhere (Whatcar maybe?) that the multitronic box needs the transmission fluid changing a bit more often than Audi recommend to avoid reliability issues, so that would be something to check. Multitronic is a CVT, it works really well with the diesel engines to make the car a nice cruiser, but I'm not sure it would be as well suited to the 1.8 T engine and city driving. I guess take a test drive and see what you think.

Now, one bad experience probably doesn't mean anything but my next door neighbour has an A4 with a 1.8 T engine which seized after the oil pump failed on a long journey - by the time the car showed an oil pressure warning the engine was wrecked.

A large amount of those 1.8T's seized because of that issue.

mickdw

Tea 1000 wrote: »

A large amount of those 1.8T's seized because of that issue.

Are you guys talking about the old 1.8T or the the Tfsi as fitted here?

Tea 1000

mickdw wrote: »

Are you guys talking about the old 1.8T or the the Tfsi as fitted here?

I guess the newer TFSI would be different alright.

obi604

so just to clarify, these issues with the car seizing - are they mainly linked with the older 1.8 T and not the 1.8 TFSI ?

mickdw

Ive a manual 1.8Tfsi 08 audi from new and engine wise, its been great. I had a slightly weeping water pump at 60k miles but with the layout of the engine, that was a DIY so no big deal. Also no timing belt to worry about - its a chain (Mine at least. Different versions of the Tfsi varied so maybe check that), Sparks plugs last 50k miles so you are left with very basic servicing requirements, cheap as anything I can think of really.
Im not familiar with which auto boxes were troublesome so that would need to be checked out.

sunnysoutheast

If it's a multitronic then the ATF needs to have been changed every 40k miles without fail.

When testing it, on a light throttle the takeup should be very smooth. Very different to a conventional auto, with the multitronic the revs rise and stay constant while the gearing catches up.

When stationary, select drive and reverse a few times and there should be no bangs, snatches or jerks. Check the manual function too.

I have just traded in a multitronic with 105k miles on it. I wouldn't buy one with a high-torque diesel engine, but on a petrol I think they're fine if not abused and serviced properly.

obi604

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

If it's a multitronic then the ATF needs to have been changed every 40k miles without fail.

When testing it, on a light throttle the takeup should be very smooth. Very different to a conventional auto, with the multitronic the revs rise and stay constant while the gearing catches up.

When stationary, select drive and reverse a few times and there should be no bangs, snatches or jerks. Check the manual function too.

I have just traded in a multitronic with 105k miles on it. I wouldn't buy one with a high-torque diesel engine, but on a petrol I think they're fine if not abused and serviced properly.

How do I find out if its a multitronic or not ?
Whats ATF ?

brugmand

Hi just thinking why not get a volvo s60 ? they are nice cars

sunnysoutheast

obi604 wrote: »

How do I find out if its a multitronic or not ?
Whats ATF ?

Sorry, automatic transmission fluid. There was a specific multitronic ATF fluid for my car.

If it's FWD I'd be almost certain it's a multitronic.

obi604

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

Sorry, automatic transmission fluid. There was a specific multitronic ATF fluid for my car.

If it's FWD I'd be almost certain it's a multitronic.

yeah, I think its a front wheel drive car alright
thanks

obi604

I know one can employ the services of AA to come out and inspect a car, but they are rather saucy

Can anyone recommend anyone that does this type of thing for cheaper than the AA ?

i.e some independent lad that would go to check out a car or check a car out if brought to him - and preferably some lad with a good knowledge of Audi's and automatic boxes ( not asking for much am I : ) )

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

obi604

peter barrins wrote: »

I don't like this version of the A4 - visually. I know the auto boxes on Audi can be bothersome and need fluid changes bang-on schedule. I think you'd be better off with a diesel version for that sort of cash.

Fair enough.

But a diesel wud be wasted as the mileage is only 5 or 6 thousand miles a year

Is there any car that isn't troublesome ; ) every car seems to give trouble

The Multitronics 08+ have pretty much been sorted. There are a few issues but probably more reliable "now" than the DSG.

There are more issues with DPF and DMF than multitronics these days.

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

obi604

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The Multitronics 08+ have pretty much been sorted. There are a few issues but probably more reliable "now" than the DSG.

There are more issues with DPF and DMF than multitronics these days.

So the car in the opening post shud fall in this bracket.

The audi in the opening link must have been one of the first few in Ireland - as I think the new version a4 was only launched in march 2008.

I know sometimes that the very early cars in a new model can be troublesome.......lack of true testing in a real world environment I suppose.

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

obi604

peter barrins wrote: »

Yes, but likely to have been sorted by the initial owner during the last 4 years!

You'd never know Peter ; ))

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

obi604

peter barrins wrote: »

It looks like a clean, well cared for car - has a fsh, low miles, good spec etc. Was probably a company car... I'd try to knock a bit off the price. Faults will usually have appeared at this stage and been covered under warranty. Any car purchase carries an element of risk and this looks like a low enough risk!

Yeah, dosent look bad alright from here.
How much to knock off the price ?

galwaytt

obi604 wrote: »

How do I find out if its a multitronic or not ?
Whats ATF ?

It tells you it's Multitronic in the ad

obi604

galwaytt wrote: »

It tells you it's Multitronic in the ad

I know ; ) but sometimes I don't trust half the stuff the sellers put in the ads ; )

Some ads say car has cruise control and parking sensors and you go and view the car and it has neither ; )

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

obi604

peter barrins wrote: »

One for €13K - not an auto or to same spec - but very low mileage, fsh and a few grand cheaper. €570 road tax - hefty!

Yeah. And I think the tax is gone up to near the 650 mark now since the increases.

obi604

obi604 wrote: »

So the car in the opening post shud fall in this bracket.

The audi in the opening link must have been one of the first few in Ireland - as I think the new version a4 was only launched in march 2008.

I know sometimes that the very early cars in a new model can be troublesome.......lack of true testing in a real world environment I suppose.

Just making a point, no need to be smart.

obi604

Deleted User wrote: »

Just making a point, no need to be smart.

apologies, I wasnt trying to be smart at all
its just there are so many different models and variants of cars that its sometimes hard to know

mickdw

obi604 wrote: »

Yeah. And I think the tax is gone up to near the 650 mark now since the increases.

Doubt it. Its surely the same as my 1.8t A5. Was 440 back in 08. Gradually increased to 480 then to 570 in last budget.

Tea 1000

Deleted User wrote: »

The Multitronics 08+ have pretty much been sorted. There are a few issues but probably more reliable "now" than the DSG.

There are more issues with DPF and DMF than multitronics these days.

Not really, they're still fairly bad.

obi604

mickdw wrote: »

Doubt it. Its surely the same as my 1.8t A5. Was 440 back in 08. Gradually increased to 480 then to 570 in last budget.

checked it there online via motortax.ie and the reg : 636 a year in tax !
probably the fact that its automatic , it may spew out more co2 or something.
pain in the hole

galwaytt

obi604 wrote: »

checked it there online via motortax.ie and the reg : 636 a year in tax !
probably the fact that its automatic , it may spew out more co2 or something.
pain in the hole

yes, but it's not a Lada you're looking at.