B8 issues?

[Beaconjon]

Morning all. 

After many years as a VAG owner in various guises, I'm looking at buying a 2.0 TDI A4 Avant around 2012 year. 

Just wondered if there are any big does and fonts 're spec and any issues I can expect from a car showing average mileage. I'm guessing a cam belt and water pump change should have been carried out around this age. 

 

Many thanks for any advice. 

Cheers Jon

[Steve Q]

Hi Jon welcome to the forum :) 

You'll find the members on here are a friendly and helpful bunch :) 

The a4 b8 is a good car and can provide reliable service if it's been well maintained and looked after. but a few recorded problems are as follows: 

High oil consumption

Vibration through the steering wheel at low speeds

High pressure fuel pump failure (mainly older examples)

Issues with injectors on some models

With any car you are considering purchasing I would advise you look at having an independent vehicle inspection carried out. Companies such as the AA and RAC offer this service for a fee.

If you ask the seller if you can get an inspection carried out and they refuse or is reluctant then you have to question what the seller or the car has to hide. 

Also on any purchase check the service history and ideally this should be full. Any car that 5 years or older or with 70k or more on the clock may be due a cambelt and water pump change. This will cost any where from £400-£600 depending on what parts and garage are used. Audi often has offers to have this done by them. 

Also check to see that all electronic items work as some of them can be expensive to fix. In connection to this sunroofs are desirable and check to see they operate properly. The sunroof also can cause a lot of noise and buffeting when open, more so than other similar cars.

You'll also find that Bluetooth was an optional extra and if it's important to you then make sure your potential purchase has it as it is very hard to retro fit. 

Spec wise s line is a good spec as you get better seats, more toys, nicer wheels or lowered suspension. Obviously the higher models then s line are better still :) 

Here's a YouTube video iv found: 

 

Hope IV helped :) 

Cheers

Steve 

[Beaconjon]

Great response Steve. Very much appreciated. Luckily I'm in a position where I can, within my means, take my time and make sure I get the right car. 

I'll certainly look at getting an independent inspection sorted. It has to be an realistic option when spending a good few grand. 

Not sure I can stretch to an S Line as my budget means looking at older higher mileage cars. 

What sort orvrealistic mileage can you expect from the standard 2.0 diesel in 134bhp form?

[Steve Q]

Your most welcome :) 

Taking your time is the best way! :) 

Oh I forgot to say that if your looking at an a4 with full Audi history then the history will be fully recorded with Audi so you can check what work has been carried out on it :) 

Don't worry, the best thing to do is buy the best condition, low mileage example you can :) 

Mileage? 

If your referring to mpg then round town I'd say high twenties to mid thirties but motorway runs or similar any where from low forties to mid fifties 

If mileage is referring to longevity of the engine then again this would depend on how well maintained the vehicle has been. For example my 2.5tdi has done 328k on the original engine but again this is due to no expense spared philosophy. My family have owned my a6 since new. Whereas IV seen similar a6 's that are currently being broken with less than half that mileage. Generally the 2.0 litre lump is reliable and 200k is achievable :) 

Hope that's helped :) 

Cheers

Steve 

[Beaconjon]

Hi Steve. 

Thanks for all of the advice. After driving several BMW'S we finally settled on a very tidy A4 Avant S Line 2.0tdi on a 13 plate. Full Audi service history with 86k on the clock. It drives luke new a feels very solid. 

We've got a good local specialist for servicing so I'm hoping we're hoping to get many more mikes out of it. 

Many thanks 

Jon

[Steve Q]

You're welcome Jon glad I could help :) 

Glad you got an a4 and I'll look forward to seeing some pics! :) 

Cheers

Steve 

[Beaconjon]

Here it is. 

19's wouldn't have been my first choice of rim but it looks nice I think. 

[Steve Q]

2 hours ago, Beaconjon said:

Here it is. 

19's wouldn't have been my first choice of rim but it looks nice I think. 

It looks great! :) Great colour and wheel combo in my opinion :) 

[Beaconjon]

Many thanks. We really like it. 

Any advice regarding DPF care? My commute is 15 miles each way, with about 10 miles on dual carriageway's at 60-70 traffic permitting. 

[Steve Q]

5 hours ago, Beaconjon said:

Many thanks. We really like it. 

Any advice regarding DPF care? My commute is 15 miles each way, with about 10 miles on dual carriageway's at 60-70 traffic permitting. 

Give it a reasonable run in the duel carriageway in.3rd or 4th gear at 70 and that'll keep the dpf clear :) around 10-20 mins should do it :) 

The car will.tell.yku when the dog is getting clogged up anyway. 

Cheers

Steve 

[Beaconjon]

Thanks for the reply. I had read similar. 

How often will this need to be done? Once a week? 

[Steve Q]

8 hours ago, Beaconjon said:

Thanks for the reply. I had read similar. 

How often will this need to be done? Once a week? 

Erm all depends on your driving style and your commute. Once a week is the average and I'd say that's about right for you :) 

[Beaconjon]

Sounds good. I can make sure I sit in 4th for the dual carriageway sections obce a week. 

[Beaconjon]

So, having had the car for nearly 2 weeks I have to say its lovely.

My only concern is I think I have a flakey thermostat.  My drive to work see's me drive A roads to a dual carriageway then probably about 15 mins on there with a couple of queues for round-abouts.  Speed is around 60 on the DC's.  The water temp gauge moves pretty quick from the off but drops from 90 now and again when downhill or in traffic.  Considering today's temp on the car showed 8.5 degree's I'm not sure I should be seeing these fluctuations?  I don't drive the car hard at all and use the cruise control where possible.

The car has 3 month warranty, maybe a case for taking it back for a new stat?

Cheers

Jon

[Shukhrat]

On 26/10/2017 at 8:18 AM, Beaconjon said:

So, having had the car for nearly 2 weeks I have to say its lovely.

My only concern is I think I have a flakey thermostat.  My drive to work see's me drive A roads to a dual carriageway then probably about 15 mins on there with a couple of queues for round-abouts.  Speed is around 60 on the DC's.  The water temp gauge moves pretty quick from the off but drops from 90 now and again when downhill or in traffic.  Considering today's temp on the car showed 8.5 degree's I'm not sure I should be seeing these fluctuations?  I don't drive the car hard at all and use the cruise control where possible.

The car has 3 month warranty, maybe a case for taking it back for a new stat?

Cheers

Jon

Hi John,

I would strongly advise you at least to get your thermostat checked by a specialist and if there is a genuine problem with it replace it. Overheating will cost way more...

Mine is 62 plate 2.0 tdi, and I don't have such issue, neither should you

[Beaconjon]

As it goes, my local VAG guys had a look and it's fine. The car warms quite quickly. I think I was being over sensitive.