A4 buy or avoid?

[Saviola]

Hi All,

I am in the market to buy a second hand motor. I have been going back and forth between a Passat, A4, C class or 3 series.

I have just come from owning a passat so ideally want to try something different, i also want to buy a petrol engine to avoid any Dpf issues as my daily commute is 15 mile round trip in London traffic.

The interior, styling and value for money draws me to the audi A4. I am leaning towards buying an A4 1.4Tfsi 2016 below 50k miles ideally. I have had a trawl through the internet as you do and there seems to be some noise around the COD system. Other than that i haven’t seen many other issues.

Was just wondering if anyone could share their experiences with this model car and engine? 

Also anything to look out for when buying the car would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Steve Q]

Petrol is definitely best for the driving you do. One main issue is the brake servo restricted issue. You'll find an extensive post about it on here. Also check out YouTube for some good buyers guides. 

[TheITGuy]

The A4 1.4 TFSI does not have the COD engine.  I have a 66 plate 1.4 TFSI (owned for the past 3 years) and it is very good, although a bit lacking in torque at low RPM.   I've had to adjust my driving style so suit the characteristics of the engine but this is not an issue.  Other things to be aware of:

• Offset pedals.  I have the manual gearbox and the accelerator pedal is quite offset to the right, sometimes causing discomfort in my right foot, ankle and lower right back.
• Lack of lumbar support. I have the Sport model (with cloth seats) and lumbar support wasn't fitted as standard until later when leather / faux leather seats were fitted as standard.  If you are looking at cars with leather seats check if heating is included - some I looked at when I bought mine didn't have heated seats.  
• The brake pressure servo sensor - as mentioned by Steve Q.  It seems to have affected a lot of Audis of this vintage (not just A4s) and mine included.  If you test the brakes and they feel "odd", or start stop won't function or a message is displayed informing you of reduced braking capability, this suggests a sensor issue.

Despite these, the car always feels special to me: I love the internal ambient lighting (and the lighted exterior) door handles!  It is a very quiet, comfortable riding car (at least with the standard comfort dynamic suspension and 17" wheels) and I can easily get in excess of 50 mpg on a decent run.  If you are commuting into London, I reckon high 30's mpg is more realistic.

BTW my wife has an Audi A3 and that does have the COD engine, which is very impressive and we've had no issues in 5 years of ownership.

Any further questions, just ask.

Glen

 

 

[Saviola]

Thanks gents,

One question i did have is how is the car with this engine at motorway speeds 80-90mph? Are you working the engine hard at those speeds? 

I think my mind is made up on the A4.

Just waiting to find the right one. Looking for something with low mileage, good service history at the right price lol.

[Steve Q]

It'll be absolutely fine at the legal speed limit 👍

[TheITGuy]

I can also attest that the A4 is absolutely fine at those speeds.  It is a very smooth a quiet motorway cruiser in my opinion.

[audi999]

I have a 2017 Audi A4 Avant 2.0 Tfsi, I like the extra power for the occasional overtake and the fact that the engine does not have to work as hard in daily use. I get around 33 - 35 mpg driving locally (except for very short journeys obviously). Longish runs with 3 adults, 2 dogs and loaded up  get 40mpg + easily. I've started using the coasting mode more and that seems to improve mpg further. I'm the second owner and have had no trouble except for  the brake servo pressure sensor, just this week, at less than 15000 miles. Audi should have done a recall in my opinion. The genuine part costs £80 and it's a five minute job, if that. Audi dealers have been ripping people  off for hundreds for this job. I expect my local indie specialist ( a Porsche specialist I use for servicing to charge around a £100 when he does the job next week (including the part. I have the Sport model, which has softer suspension than the S Line. I just had the rear tyres replaced due to a puncture and cracking on the sidewall of the Hankooks. I fitted Michelin Primacys and for the 17" wheels they were around £100 each. The difference is noticeable. It has been an economical car to run. There are little touches that I really like, including the ability to put it into Sport mode by simply tipping back the gearlever. Tipping it back again returns the gearbox to the previous mode. Sport mode gives brisker acceleration, or a quick boost up steep hills if and also brisker getaways at roundabouts. It obviates the need to use the flappy paddles, although I use them now and again to change down approaching a sharp bend. I've been looking to replace it for months but can't figure out what to replace it with. I'm a big Skoda fan but where they can't touch the Audi is refinement, which is its big selling point in my opinion. It's really well insulated and things like rubber seals beneath the edges of the bonnet and acoustic windscreen result in a very quiet car.

Edited May 6, 2022 by audi999

[TheITGuy]

Like audi999 I'm also a big Skoda fan, having owned 2 Estelles, 1 Favourit, 2 Octavias and 2 Superbs 🙂

The Superb's were very close to the Audi for build quality and comfort, but were not as smooth, quiet or refined in the way they drove.

[Saviola]

Cheers guys, i appreciate the responses.

I do think the interior on the Audi’s are also much more modern and sleek.

I’m going to view an A4 next week, low mileage with service history. The only thing that surprised me Is the 20k service interval. I have always serviced my cars at a 1yr/10,000 mile interval and will do so with the A4. 

[TheITGuy]

Hello Saviola

The 20K service interval is an option, designed for drivers doing mostly long trips, usually on motorways and appeals to fleet managers.  I do about 20K miles a year, so my car is set to this "long life" interval, where the oil quality is monitored to decide when a service is required.  The maximum interval is 2 years, or about 19K miles, whichever comes first.  I would think if you are commuting into London, with its stop/start traffic, the fixed service regime of annually / 10K miles would be more appropriate.

Good look with your car hunting!

Glen

 

[Saviola]

Hi gents,

so i bought an A4 today from near Liverpool, bought it off a second hand car dealer, fantastic guys. I did notice the clutch biting point was pretty high when i test drove the car, the dealer told me this is normal on Audis? Is this so? He has given me 12 months warranty on the clutch on top of 3 months standard warranty, thats what swayed me to purchase in the end. 
 

Also on the 200 mile journey back to London the car averaged just under 58mpg. Amazing. 

[Steve Q]

11 hours ago, Saviola said:

Hi gents,

so i bought an A4 today from near Liverpool, bought it off a second hand car dealer, fantastic guys. I did notice the clutch biting point was pretty high when i test drove the car, the dealer told me this is normal on Audis? Is this so? He has given me 12 months warranty on the clutch on top of 3 months standard warranty, thats what swayed me to purchase in the end. 
 

Also on the 200 mile journey back to London the car averaged just under 58mpg. Amazing. 

Glad you're pleased with it 🙂 that's great mpg! 

[TheITGuy]

On 5/11/2022 at 8:20 PM, Saviola said:

Hi gents,

so i bought an A4 today from near Liverpool, bought it off a second hand car dealer, fantastic guys. I did notice the clutch biting point was pretty high when i test drove the car, the dealer told me this is normal on Audis? Is this so? He has given me 12 months warranty on the clutch on top of 3 months standard warranty, thats what swayed me to purchase in the end. 
 

Also on the 200 mile journey back to London the car averaged just under 58mpg. Amazing. 

Well done on your purchase and 58 mpg is excellent.  I don't think the biting point of my clutch is particularly high but I guess with the 12 month warranty on the clutch, you shouldn't have any worries.

[tmb]

Done the same myself regarding buying an Audi A4 1.4 tfsi sport 2016.

One year in and gearbox box oil has leaked onto my clutch and burned it out at 55,000 miles. Be warned there is no aftermarket clutch kits and dual mass flywheels for this model of A4 1.4 tfsi. All in has cost me near £2,500 buying from Audi.

I wish I had of bought an Audi 2.0 tdi.

Hopefully you will not need a clutch replacement anytime soon.