Class: Junior Executive
Rivals: BMW 320d Tourer, Mercedes C-Class, Toyota Avensis, Lexis IS220d.
Sister Car: VW Passat
Variants: 4 Door Saloon, 5 Door Avant (Estate), 2 Door Cabriolet
Engines: Petrol, 1.6, 1.8 20v Turbo, 1.8 16v TFSI, 2.0 20v Turbo, 2.0 16v TFSI, 3.2 20vFSI
Diesel, 1.9TDi, 2.0TDi, 2.7 V6 TDi, 3.0 V6 TDi
Gearbox: 5 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Tiptronic, 7 Speed Multitronic
Awards: Top Safety Pick 2007 from the IIHS
This is easily, the best car I have ever owned, and because of the Irish economy, the best car I will own for quite the while. It took three and a half months religiously searching through Auto Trader and ringing dealers to find the exact car I wanted and I eventually found one in England one late February weekend. Two phone calls, a deposit and a ferry ride later and I was home with it and it was better then I imagined. A serious head turner of a car, flash but very practical. Serious power when you let loose and the 6 Speed short shift gear box is an absolute dream to drive! I choose the front wheel drive version because after driving a few quattros, I found the system absorbed too much torque in anything under 200 bhp and it tended to kick out a small bit when leaning into a corner. This car comes on RS6 alloys sporting 235/40 ZR18 tires that are seriously grippy. The 2 liter TDI engine sports the phase II turbo system which means all the little bugs from the early 2.0TDI are well ironed out. The only thing apart from regular servicing I have had to change is the Alternator in nearly 3 years owning the car.
The A4 B7 (VAG Chassis Name) derived a lot from the previous B6 chassis, but sported a heavily revised steering setup, suspension geometry, a new engine range as well as the new Bosch 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which is still top of the range in chassis electronics! The chassis name given to the Avant is B7 8ED.
A new range of engines came with the new A4 B7, the 1.9TDI was now only available in 115bhp, where the 2.0tdi started at 140bhp. It also saw the introduction of Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) on the 2.0 TFSI (Turbo) and the 3.2l V6 FSI. The new 2.0 TDI now featured Pumpe Duse (PD) injectors with 16 valves for the first time.
According to 2007 Swedish Vehicle Inspection sheet, the Audi A4 Avant 2.0TDI, is the most reliable vehicle on the market in the 3-6 year old category with a vehicle inspection rejection rate of 0.0%. This is the equivalent of our NCT.
With its Bosch ESP, ABS, side curtain and seat airbags, and its optional quattro system, The A4 B7 scored top marks in the Euro NCAP crash test results.
The S-Line Avant comes with Sports Suspension, Audi Concert Audio System, Riccardo Buckets Seats with Lumbar support and the 3 spoke Steering wheel. As soon as you sit in you know your in something special. Its extremely maneuverable and easy to park with a great turning circle for a car of its size.
Your looking at spending at least €10,000 to pick up a clean 2nd hand car, but they are worth every penny. At €614 to tax they are at the higher end of the spectrum but are well above the older 1.9tdi in terms of performance.
This without any doubt, is still our favourite car of the moment.
gary
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