good car, lively if you want it to be or comfortable if u just want to cruise. good on fuel. i hav'nt found much difference in servicing costs against ford as i run a ford as well. My audi dealer (east kent audi) are even good enough to throw in a loan car will being serviced. I am looking at replacing soon with another audi.
While the 170 hp A4 1.8 T's looks make double takes inevitable, driving is what it's all about. Whether with FrontTrak® front-wheel drive or optional quattro® all-wheel drive, this car exhibits a zeal to hold the road and never let go. Inside, a visual and tactile feast. Great sound, too. Thanks to the optional 215-watt premium sound system from Bose®.
New for 2004, the Ultra Sport package: An enhanced aerodynamic exterior with modified front and rear bumpers, side door sill extensions, full body paint and 18-inch 9-spoke cast alloy wheels. Inside, take hold of the multi-function, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle controls and perforated leather shifter. Just watch the heads turn. Audi's revolutionary multitronic Continuously Variable Transmission is a work of high art, delivering a driving experience like no other. No shifting. No lag. Just pure, unimpeded driving excitement from standstill to redline.
Its a common argument that Audis cant be intrinsically better than VW's or a SEAT's or a SKODA's because they are all the same company and share the same platforms and designers and production methods, and merely separated by Geographic plant location.
Strange then how we all perceive Saabs to be better than Vauxhalls, or big German built cars to be wonderful unless its called a Vauxhall. Or how little of BMW's shield of invincibility managed to rub off on poor old Rover.
Its an Argument we can and do twist to any view point.
It was no surprise that Russian's could not build FIATs, an Mexicans don't make great Beetles and it will be no surprise to find out long term that Czech's cant build VW-Audis.
Its going to be a while yet until Skoda finished rebuilding its tarnished image (though they have made great strides) and SEAT manages to create any kind of image at all. Despite the fact we all know that AUDI and Volkswagens are to all intents and purposes the same products in different wrappers, given a money no object choice 99% of us would go for the snob value of Audi's carefully protected image.
If you want to pay less try a SEAT or a SKODA. I suspect the difference long term will be quite small as the likes of AUDI and VW traditionally hold their price pretty well. At the moment it would appear that VAG is trying to hedge its bets VW is the no brainer badge, a safe bet without too much thought, SKODA a cheap way to gain entry to the range, SEAT a SKODA without the historical joke tag baggage, and AUDI are for slightly introverted would be BMW owners.
Volkswagen and in particular AUDI servicing is said to be a little on the expensive side, it would be interesting to compare VW, AUDI, SEAT , SKODA prices to see how they stack up. Long term I suspect such things will come back to bite the badge/platform engineers in the proverbial A**.
This is fairly plain Jane A4, minimum spec minimum thrills, Basic as an Audi can be, There is an even less exciting 1.6 jobbie with a 100 bhp single cam motor, which we will resolutely ignore, as we don't want to think too much about a poverty struck AUDI getting out run by its bigger engined Skoda cousins.
This is probably in most peoples eyes the entry level A4. 1.8 DOHC 20 valve motor pumping out a respectable 125bhp. This is at least enough to endow the AUDI will moderately good performance if you ring its neck. Its probably a couple of dozen horses short of exciting, but it can generate enough go to keep you happy most of the time. Like most modern multi valve fours its a little short of low end torque and high on revs but it pulls happily fairly low down and becomes a little livelier past 3000 revs the exhaust note hardening past five thousand before getting a little breathless towards its Six and a Quarter Red line. The slick gearbox and short shifter help keep it on the boil, so there's no real excuse to try and grind onwards and risk the motor bogging down. Whether its down to the engine, the insulation, the Aerodynamics or a combination of all three, the A4 is a quiet machine at all speeds with only the slight intrusion of a little wind noise at well over the national speed limit. Economy wise I managed 33mpg with some very leisurely driving conditions. It would probably manage a couple more with a very light foot, or less trafficked roads, but will probably run out a couple or three less in normal conditions.
German cars normally have exemplary ergonomics, so its a shame to report one or two quibbles with this one for myself I found that the brake pedal was set a little to high, requiring to lift my knee rather than just foot to apply it. This wouldn't by its self have been too bad had my knee not then come into contact with the steering wheel. No amount of the limited range of height adjustment would cure it, but fortunately the wheel telescopes too , so I was able to gain clearance with the seat set low and the wheel out. At this point I couldn't actually see the leading edge of the bonnet, though I could now wear a top hat inside the car. It may just be down to the peculiarities of my body, but my much shorter other half , found that the seat didn't go far enough up for her liking either so its probably worth a sit and fiddle before you buy one just in case. Other wise it was fairly faultless with all other controls falling neatly and easily to hand.
The only thing I didn't like about it was the Sony radio - cassette also seen in the Golf which has buttons far to small and fiddly for comfort.
Construction is to AUDI usual standards. Witness the way that the door pockets are carpeted on the inside to see how little touches give you a real feeling off quality and attention to detail. Twin cup holders by the drivers left hand would be nice if these ones were not so reluctant to actually popup. (a little Mr. Sheen would probably fix it).
Can anyone explain to me what the little flap just forward of the driving mirror is for, is it really a mini sunshade to block the gap twixt drivers and passengers and around the mirror. If it is, it doesn't really work.
The A4 comes only in saloon or estate deviations and it has never majored on space. What practicality it may lose to the hatchbacks of the world it at least makes up for with good looks. The boot is bigger than it first appears as it is deceptively long, but it is still rather shallow and the lip is quite high. Space in the front is more than adequate and the rear seat has reasonable it not amazing leg room. The seats don't look much with their slim depth of padding and exposed shell, but they are comfortable. I couldn't find the lumber adjustment but then again they don't need it so who cares. The material facing looks light and fragile but is of proven toughness and longevity.
Being well built and good looking is all very well , but will pale into insignificance if its not at least pleasant to drive. I'm happy to report that it is a pleasant and painless experience. The ride is firm but not so hard as to disrupt over uneven surfaces, On smoother road that are probably more akin to its home environment it is exemplary with fine body control and barely a trace of roll around corners. The steering is Audi's love it or hate it super light system, personally I love it around town and hate it every where else. Very little feed back comes from the front end despite its front wheel drive, and to get only the lightest of sensations fed back to your hands you need to accelerate very hard over fairly bumpy roads. Most of us probably don't care and would never complain about it, but just a little more weight would inspire much more confidence. It does make it very easy to drive, and if I'm being honest is perfect for 90% of today's traffic laden stop start roads.
I've already mentioned the hi-set brake pedal , it may not be perfectly positioned but it sure is effective, light foot pressure from the uninitiated will have the car standing on end, if you think Citroen can make some grabby stoppers then you really should try these. Once I was acclimatised it was no problem until I got back in my own car and discovered that it no longer appeared to have brakes fitted.
What you get when you buy an AUDI A4 is peace of mind. Yes it costs a lot , but its a safe reliable car, solidly constructed and resistant to both rot and depreciation. Its a car that has brought AUDI in firmly as a mainstream brand rather than a niche player, and if your of the mind that thinks a VW badge is just a little too down market for your lifestyle expectations then its a perfect choice.
GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY ESPECIALLY WITH UK FUEL PRICING
Owned for 3 months.
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