Thinking of buying A4 2.5TDi 180

[DocOck]

Hi all,

New to the forums, so be gentle with me!

I'm looking at 2001/02 cars (new model). Not too bothered about milage, as long as the cambelt's been done (is it 60k or 80k on this model?).

Any advice on common faults & what to look for would be most appreciated.

Cheers

[mustard]

Cambelts on V6 Audi 2.5tdi's are every 80k (had this question asked last week on an Allroad we were selling!)

[yertis]

My ex busines partner (we're still good mates) has one and he says it is without a trace of doubt the best car he has ever had and wishes he'd not fooled around with Mercedes or VW before he got it. Nothing has gone wrong - and for Phil that is mighty impressive because believe me if it can happen it will happen to Phil.

[leosayer]

If it's the 180 then is it the quattro? I've heard that the fuel consumption on the tiptronic is supposed to be pretty poor and it is a lot slower than the manual 6 speed.

[DocOck]

Yeah, all the 180s are quattros. Will definitely be going for a manual.

The car mags reckon you can get around 36 to the gallon from the manual versus 32 for the tip auto. Anyone know how accurate that is?

[993rsr]

DocOck - had one for two years and 60000 miles, no problems with it at all.

On the fuel consumption, don't expect more than late 20's, I averaged aroun 27-28mpg from memory.

Excellent car, I've had daliances with BMW's and have gone back to Audi again.

[tvrforever]

I've got a '02 A6 Avant 2.5 TDI 180 Quattro sport - comments :-

MPG = 33.3 on a 120 mile per day commute 50% motorway, 50% A/B roads

6 Speed gear box = ok, but 1st gear is very very low ratio and takes some getting used to

Power is good but usable band is tightish - with it tailing off very suddenly

Headlights = garage only to swap bulbs, currently costing my £19 a time

Quattro handling = great, last night at midnight in minus 2 freezing fog and shiney roads was very very sure footed

Overall - great car, wouldn't swap it at all but not quite to mpg or gearbox I'd hoped for...

[993rsr]

Mine was an auto btw

[DocOck]

Thanks to all for the advice, I had a pootle in a mate's 2.5 A6 on the weekend, which impressed massively. Think I'll be going shopping this weekend.

Of course, one of my other friends has just bought an S8...