Audi A4 Purchase

The_Hurricane

Hi All,

I currently drive a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra 2 litre, Diesel and I want to upgrade to a Audi A4. I had been thinking of something from 2006 or newer, how reliable are such cars and what prices should I be looking at? I've tried a number of sources but the price seems to vary considerably.

Thanks in advance.

motorguy

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Hi All,

I currently drive a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra 2 litre, Diesel and I want to upgrade to a Audi A4. I had been thinking of something from 2006 or newer, how reliable are such cars and what prices should I be looking at? I've tried a number of sources but the price seems to vary considerably.

Thanks in advance.

There is a specific engine code range that was a 'bad' engine around that time in the 2.0TDI. Its renowned for injector problems among other things. Will try and dig out this evening what that engine range is, unless someone has the info at hand?

Turbos can be a problem too.

TBH you're bang into the age of diesel that i 'fear' most to the point where i - and other traders i know - avoid reselling them.

I guess buy with fully documented service history, try to buy from a genuine private seller for the best value OR if you need dealer facilities then try and get an understanding of their warranty and what they'll cover and what they wont.

Clocking of them is rife, especially ex english cars which 'get a haircut' on the way over. So do an HPI check before you part your hard earned, and go through the cars history documentation with a fine tooth comb.

Avoid buying from someone 'selling the car for their mum' or whos keen only to meet you somewhere 'mutually convenient'. Also, find out what checks they've made and done to the car - service, timing belt, repairs - there are a lot of home traders who'll buy at auction one night and bung it on gumtree the next day knowing or caring nothing about the car.

You're making a bit of an awkward jump just to get up a couple of years. Your Vectra will be worth little on a trade in (approx £1000-1200) and yet the car you are buying will be relatively expensivee. You could sell your Vectra privately to get more, but you're still going to spend a lot, and probably end up with something no more (or arguably less) reliable.

The_Hurricane

Thanks, it does seem to be a big jump.

motorguy

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Thanks, it does seem to be a big jump.

You really will be spending the extra money just for the privilege of driving an Audi. That may well be worth it to you, but its a lot of dosh.

The_Hurricane

motorguy wrote: »

You really will be spending the extra money just for the privilege of driving an Audi. That may well be worth it to you, but its a lot of dosh.

I've just had so many problems with a series of Vauxhalls that I felt it was time to move away and a few have mentioned Audi as being more reliable.

motorguy

The_Hurricane wrote: »

I've just had so many problems with a series of Vauxhalls that I felt it was time to move away and a few have mentioned Audi as being more reliable.

Do you do above average miles? If not it might be better to get a petrol car as theres less to go wrong.

I sold cars for a couple of years there at a rate of 20-25 a month, and the cars that cost me most pain were diesel cars 2005-2008. They're amount the first of the 'newer' generation turbodiesels and often have dual mass flywheels, DPF filters, turbos made out of chocolate, etc, etc.

I'll be honest here, dont buy an audi if you're buying it for reliability. They're no better than average - and you're buying into an age of car were major things are likely to be starting to go wrong.

If you want an audi because you want an audi then grand. Quite nice cars.

The_Hurricane

16k a year in driving, I want something, strong, reliable that looks good.

spacey2012

A trip to the local taxi rank will show you the strongest most reliable cars to run.
Taxi drivers do not do repairs and breakdowns.

ballyblack

A trip to the local taxi rank will show you the strongest most reliable cars to run

My local taxi man is seriously thinking of buying a petrol car next time. He can't afford to run a modern high mileage diesel ................ to many expensive breakdowns as Motor Guy mentioned above

his old peugeot 405d (non turbo) went forever



.

OddballJamie

My Dad considered a Lexus IS before he bought his A4, might be worth a look. Only thing he didn't like about it was the 6th gear struggled at legal motorway speeds. Obviously there's HGF to consider but Lexus have extended the warranty for this.

spacey2012

The local firm here run a fleet of 15ish Skoda octavia 1.9 Diesels .
Every one has well over 250k miles on and they still go strong each day every day.
Personally I do not like the brand, but bang for buck money saving they must be one of the cheapest cars to run ever built.