Audi A4 Avant (Audi)

Member Name: daftasabrush

Product:	Audi
Date:	12/03/04 (3912 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: comfortable, swift, sure-footed, convenient loadspace

Disadvantages: high cost of diesel versions, not much legroom for back seat passengers

I was unsure how to replace my ageing P reg Mk 1 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X after 4 years loyal service, it had wiped out any savings I could have had with its expensive Auto box habit (£2300 on two recon boxes).
Although looking a little tired at 150000mls (stone chips meant that the bonnet looked like it was used as target practice by police marksmen), the car was perfectly serviceable and a comfortable 4-wheeled leather armchair on 4 wheels with all the extras.
I went out and spent bucketloads of cash on Parkers Guide, What Car and Auto Trader, and doing the research I realised that the loadspace of a hatch or estate was going to be a necessity if only to get the flatpacks home from Ikea. I liked the idea of German reliability (even though the Mondeo was built in Cologne, build quality on the Mk1 Mondy never came close to Beemer, Benz or Audi standards).
An Audi Avant was the solution! Classy shape, enough loadspace and a great combination of performance and mpg on the 1.9TDi Turbo Diesel, especially the Red Eye version. (I thought that was what the sales rep drivers suffered from when trying to stay awake on their coffee and Ginsters pastie-fuelled journeys between Travelodges).

My weeks of scanning Autotraders sadly turned up very few Avant TDi versions, those I did see at sensible money - £7000 for W/X reg - had 200,000 miles on the clock...
In the end I found an independent trader with a 2000 W-reg Avant 2.4SE with the V6 30V engine, up at £7000, reduced to £6600 and got £1000 part-ex on the Mondy.
This was still a leggy one with 97000 miles but one previous owner (lease company), and with the coveted FASH (full Audi Service History). The seller thought I was being cheeky when I asked where all the other services were (4 services in 3 years and almost 100000 miles), having been used to 10000 mile service intervals with other cars. Turns out that Audi (as well as BMW) have variable Long Life service intervals and that 20000-2200
0 miles between services would not be uncommon for a Fleet driver racking up sympathetically driven motorway miles. The Long Life refers to the ultra high quality oil used which does not break down as quickly as quickly as £2.99 20W50 from your local supermarket. The marvellous oil does not come cheap, £45 for a 5 litre can at Halfords, Audi recommend that top-ups use this oil.

The car needed a service soon anyway so not wanting to harm residual value by going to an independent garage (wanted a full check-out and expert confirmation that my shiny new purchase was worthwhile) went to local Audi dealer in Stockport. Very helpful and obliging. The 100000-mile service was not cheap - £220 at the Audi dealer, a nice new plipper key was £140 and £40 fixed a "fractured airbag pressure pipe" (oh really Mr Audi Dealer, I can't check your work so I will have to take your word on that one).
In addition the two front tyres needed replacing - 205/55WR16 Continentals obtained at £65 each fitted at a local tyre depot in Trafford Park. Still as grippy as the Pirellis that were on previously (previous owner was going through a pair every 16000 miles or so, according to the service invoices, I'm sure the Continentals will last longer). A clutch will need replacing soon but at £550 for a dealer replacement I think Mr Clutch or an independent will give better value for money (still £300-£350, ouch).

So much for the costs, what's it like? The car is a real wolf in sheep's clothing, performance from the 175bhp 2.4 engine is rapid once beyond 2200-2300rpm. No leather/heated/electric seats, no elec sunroof, no front heated screen, but there is an effective climate control system and a great Symphony Multiplay-CD Sound system made by Bose I believe. The seats, although cloth faced, are understated, stylish and very comfortable if a little on the firm side. All the controls are well designed and operate efficiently. The car is sure fo
oted on fast motorway or A road bends and has a solid no-nonsense feel in the way it goes about its business.
The fuel consumption is the price to pay for that glorious petrol V6 growl, 25-26mpg mixed urban and motorway use seems about average, nowhere near as good as the 1.9Tdi, but the lower cost to buy the car should cover this, my low mileage (7000pa) means that it is not a big problem.
I would recommend the Audi, keep an eye on the maintenance and operating (insurance and fuel) costs though.

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