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Advice on buying 2nd Hand Audi A4 for €12K

  • 24-03-2010 5:31pm
    #1
    Kid Curry
    Closed Accounts Posts: 70 ✭✭


    I want to buy an A4 for €12K or less, Ideally I wouldnt want to go older than 2006. However, not sure about the engine size, is a 1.6 too small for an A4 or would the 1.8 kill me on tax, insurance and petrol. Also, Im not sure whether to go for diesel or petrol (I know this will affect the price). What are A4's like for reliability and repairs and spare parts, will it out me in the poor house? Car will be used mainly for commuting to work in and around Dublin aswell as a familiy car (1 newborn). Mileage would be less than 10000 miles per year.

    Can anyone give any pointers when shopping for a 2nd A4 and point out any pitfalls. Car will be used mainly for commuting to work in and around Dublin. Mileage would be less than 10000 miles per year.


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Surely road tax is negligable enough if you are shelling out €12000 on a car, between a 1.6 and a 1.8 it's only €150 ish an annum difference if that. Insurance will also be much of a muchness even on a 1.8T.


  • #3
    PauloMN
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 10,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭PauloMN


    Personally I wouldn't touch the 1.6 petrol in the A4 as I feel it's too small an engine.

    1.8T or 2.0TDi are your best best. Tax is around €550 in the 1.8 and €600 or so in the 2.0TDi assuming you go pre-2008. You can thank the Green Party for that shambles.

    You don't need a diesel for that low mileage really, but most of the A4s you'll find are diesel these days.

    As far as reliability goes, I run two of them and both have been fine bar a faulty coil in the petrol one - cost around €90 to fix from a local mechanic. I service them myself so no costs other than parts for me. For other non-service repair work, I'd just go to a local mechanic rather than an Audi dealer. Mind you, I got the timing belt done in the petrol one last year and the Audi garage near me was cheaper than two independents I tried, so shop around.


  • #4
    EPM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭EPM


    I couldn't imagine a noticable difference between the 1.6 and the 1.8t in terms of consumption. That engine drinks it around town and the gearling means its not particularly good at a high speed cruise either


  • #5
    Kid Curry
    Closed Accounts Posts: 70 ✭✭Kid Curry


    OP here. Can anyone tell me what mpg I would expect to get (petrol and diesel)

    Are there better options for €12K. I also like the Saab?


  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The diesel should give you 50mpg + on a run, over 40mpg combined. With the 1.8T driven sedately on a run 40mpg should be attainable, my friend has a 225bhp TT quattro 2001 model that returns over 30mpg for him mixed driving, he doesn't thrash it at all though.


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  • #7
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,472 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    RoverJames wrote: »
    The diesel should give you 50mpg + on a run, over 40mpg combined. With the 1.8T driven sedately on a run 40mpg should be attainable, my friend has a 225bhp TT quattro 2001 model that returns over 30mpg for him mixed driving, he doesn't thrash it at all though.

    If you are in any way concerned with fuel ecomony, get a diesel.

    The 1.6 petrol is a joke & I wouldnt take one for free. Ive had 2 1.8T audi petrols now, One was a TT & currently an A5 with 1.8Tfsi engine. They are thirsty. I average 25 MPG in both cars which is mostly 6 to 10 mile runs.


  • #8
    Theta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,760 ✭✭✭Theta


    Kid Curry wrote: »
    OP here. Can anyone tell me what mpg I would expect to get (petrol and diesel)

    Are there better options for €12K. I also like the Saab?

    I have a 9-3 1.8t vector and I have to say I love my car. I managed to get a good deal on one with loads of extra and about a third of the mileage it should have on it (Thank you 1 lady owner). I will deffo buy another saab.

    They deprecate much faster then the Audi though!


  • #9
    PauloMN
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 10,871 Mod ✭✭✭✭PauloMN


    mickdw wrote: »
    If you are in any way concerned with fuel ecomony, get a diesel.

    The 1.6 petrol is a joke & I wouldnt take one for free. Ive had 2 1.8T audi petrols now, One was a TT & currently an A5 with 1.8Tfsi engine. They are thirsty. I average 25 MPG in both cars which is mostly 6 to 10 mile runs.

    Either you are flooring it or doing a lot of city driving. I'm getting close to 40mpg in a 1.8T, but that is with a mainly constant 90kph for 2/3 of my commute.


  • #10
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,297 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    I would not bother with the 1.6 litre A4, it's was a motor tax Irish friendly special with most having terrible spec too, generally poor value for money. As you are doing less than 10k miles a year then it is hard to justify buying a diesel version. That really leaves you with the 1.8T which are scarce enough here, maybe it is worth seaking a UK model as they are more plentiful over there and they also have a higher standard spec than Irish A4 models.

    Alternatives, I would recommend the Honda Accord, I know it's 2.0 litre but I reckon the extra few euro on motor tax but economy would be similar if not better than the 1.8T A4. The Accord are also generally higher spec than similar A4s, here is an examples:

    http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201010197208242


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