ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Hi yes i know it's not the right section but im not getting any responses there or on the Audi forum.

So i'm thinking of getting an A4 estate as the new general dogs body, not looking to spend more than £1,500 and the closer to 1k the better but will stretch for the right car.

What i would like to know is the usual.

Which one is the one to have.

What to watch out for.

Real world running costs/fuel consumption.

Come on snetters help me out

H2o-uk

iTrader: (1)

Ive had a few, and they are pretty good in general. The 1996 - 2002 B5 variant did suffer from easily worn suspension bushes, which usually mean a replacement arm or two, problem is they are all seperate so 8 in total I believe on the front alone. They sometimes have the similar problem to the VW Passats too of that age where they can leak water in through the bulkhead over the fan assembly, check the passenger side foot well for damp. The stereo's had issues and if you replace the head unit the rear speakers wont work as they are on a seperate amp. Cambelt is a pain to replace too as it requires a full front off the car, so its expensive in labour. Other than that I can't think of anything else major that went wrong with mine.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the reply, just wondering what the symptoms are and how to check if they have been replaced or are worn.

What sort of milage do they become worn at.

cheers.

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

They do indeed have 8 suspension arms on the front. Good news is, they are cheap and easy to replace from the likes of GSF etc. I would go for the later "PD" engine if you can as they are much better.
Great cars still and can be had for little money now.

H2o-uk

iTrader: (1)

I think its age dependent over mileage, the two early A4's I had a 97 and a 98, where the 97 had 79k on the clock and the 98 had 142k on the clock both needed some doing at MOT time due to knocking. I think the bushes just get hard and start to wear and knock. I totally agree about the PD engine comment too, as these are the later series diesel engines and are far smoother, and pretty trouble free also. Both of mine have been V6's, a 2.6 and a 2.8, and tbh they are pretty comparable in economy to my 03 WRX I now drive, just not in the same league tho for performance hehe.

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

check the heater matrix is not leaking (common fault) full dash out job to replace.

Kev_turbo

Did 80,000 miles in a 1998 110bhp TDi saloon over 4 years.

It was bought from a main dealer with 60k on and in the time we had it it needed both lower wishbones replacing at the front (both were warranty recalls at more than 90,000 miles and at least 5 years old). No other issues other than a battery.

Real world it did 600-650 miles on a tank (70 litres ish) this was mainly a 30 mile commute 15 back roads, 15 motorway. Managed 720 from a tank before the orange light came on with a drive to scotland and back.

Also had a 1997 P 1.8T estate, presentably quick, 35 to the gallon. Only owned it a year (about 5 years ago) and didnt have any problems in that time

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Thanks guys, what year was the pd engine and how do i make sure it's got one.

Also how do i check to see if the heater matrix is leaking, presumably water in footwell, but iv'e also heard they suffer from some leaky seals, so would like to know how to confirm its the matrix.

cheers.

The Zohan

^^^^^^^^https://www.scoobynet.com/other-marq...l-engines.html

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Thank you kind sir