Audi A4 Avant 1997-1999

[ehyouwhat]

Anyone have one of these? Is the 1.8 20v engine any good in this car? How about the 1.9 TDi (110BHP)?

A friend is seriously considering buying one of these as they seem to be available for £2.5-£3k now. I've personally driven a 1.8 20v saloon and it was a smooth and decent ride, but I'm wondering if the Avant might be a bit too heavy for this engine?

[leosayer]

I owned one of these for a few years. The engine was adequate and the car isn't that heavy anyway. You can cruise comfortably at 100mph, but above this it sounds a bit strained and it's sounds a bit rough when accelerating and there is a farty-sounding exhaust note which isn't very nice. Other than this the car is very smooth, as you say, except for more wind noise than you expect. The ride quality and handling on 15" wheels was just a perfect compromise and better than anything else I've ever driven, much better than the later 2.0 Avant SE which I have now.

MPG was 25 in town/runaround and 35 on a run.

Try to get the clear headlight model, which has much improved suspension, I think these were available from 99/S onwards.

Overall it was a pleasure to drive, but if I was buying again, I'd probably go for the 1.8T or 2.5 V6 diesels instead which are probably more economical anyway.