A4, 1.6 or 1.8?

[Graham.J]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying an A4 for a luxo-towing-barge.

It'll be second hand, preferably under £4k so probably about a '95/'97 model with around 80k on the clock.

Just wondering what's best, obviously the 1.8 will be better due to the extra grunt, but do they each come with their own niggles and problems.

Thanks in advance.

Graham

[lois22]

I love the A4's! Thats just from a looks pov tho! never driven any of them but as a woman they look nice! hehe!

[plotloss]

Go for the 1.8, the 1.6 may as well not have wheels...

Matt.

[Graham.J]

I prefer the 1.8 to be fair and it's only a couple of hundred more on the insurance.

What sort of mileage is ok and what is a ??

I'm not up on Audi engines so don't know what they're 'planned obsolescence' is.

Cheers

Graham

[plotloss]

Some would say that they are not properly run in until 60K.

Audi lumps should be good for way over 100K and possibly more if kept in good nick.

There are a number of RS2's over 100K, different lump I know but that config is a helluva a lot more stressed than a 1.8 A4...

Matt.

[Graham.J]

Cheers Matt,

Sounds like the typical 'german engine' then.

I'm always wary when buying 'high mileage' cars as we've had a couple no brainers which have been more trouble than it's worth.



Graham

[trefor]

I'd go for an A6 - more weight which you need if you're towing something. I can never understand all those people crawling up hills on the M5 towing with their astras/escorts.

I've got an A6 1.8T with 92k on it. Mechanically it's like new - Audis handle the miles very well.

IMO, the A6 is soo much better inside than the old A4 which swung the choice for me (was looking at an A4 1.8T Avant - which also cost more to insure!).

[Graham.J]

Only problem is with the A6 is that it's much more to insure for me (17) and it looks bigger than the A4 too (?) A4 size is really the MAX I want to go up to.

[trefor]

Ah, 17 is a bit young!

Yes it's bigger, that's the point when you're towing.

[lois22]

A4's are front heavy so be careful breaking over hump backs!!!

[Graham.J]

trefor said: Ah, 17 is a bit young!

Yes it's bigger, that's the point when you're towing.

Yup, 17 is young, but a) I need it for towing the westfield as I hope to do my towing test sometime this year, and b) It's probably the furthest away from the bolt-on-boys that I can get

As I just said, I'll be towing a Westfield which, to be honest isn't that big of a load, how well would the 1.8 cope?

Whats the difference between an A4 1.8 and an A4 1.8 SE, I can get quoted for insurance on the 1.8 but they say they cant quote me on the SE

>> Edited by Graham.J on Saturday 5th April 03:50

[lois22]

Is that quote from over the net or phone???
Try Norwich Union - I found they were the best for insuring 17 y/o's

[Graham.J]

It was through www.cis.co.uk actually which, if you are going on your parents policy I (and BCA) found to be the best, will try NU though.

Ta Lo.