Audi A4 (2005 - 2008)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
By the end of 2004, Audis second generation A4 was beginning to struggle a little in the face of mounting competition that included a new BMW 3 Series and a thoroughly revised version of Mercedes C-class. Audis response in early 2005 was to thoroughly facelift the car, improve its perceived quality, sharpen the handling and add some new engines. The result was the revised MK2 A4 we look at in detail here. It all worked pretty well too, the result being the creation of a car that many feel to be the most desirable compact executive car money can buy.
Mercedes might charge more for its C-Class and BMW might sell more of its 3 Series but in terms of image, the A4 hits the nail on the head these days. Buyers havent been slow to recognise this and Audi has trebled its sales in the last twelve years, the A4 being the prime mover and shaker in this transformation.
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| Comfort |  |
| Depreciation |  |
| Economy |  |
| Equipment | |
| Handling | |
| Insurance | |
| Performance | |
| Styling | |
| Value | |
Put simply, the A4 moved the game on a good few notches. Older A4 were held as the class best in terms of build integrity and ergonomics but some felt that from a design perspective, the acres of black plastics were starting to look a little too nineties. The post-05 model rectified this, taking many of the design cues from the A8, including more imaginative use of contrasting coloured trims, metal brightwork and electronic functionality. Though improvements in the cars crash structures optimised space, room in the back of this A4 still wasnt anything like class leading but the Avant estate versions can carry a useful sized load.
Whole life ownership costs are one of the reasons many buyers are drawn to the A4. Couple that with cleaner and more fuel efficient engines that make even more sense to company car users and this Audi will continue to attract British buyers in large numbers on the used market. The Cabriolet model is worth looking out for as it offers the traditional A4 virtues with a very rigid chassis.
Prices start at around £14,200 for a 2005 54 plate A4 Saloon 2.0-litre manual, or another £800 for the CVT gearbox. The popular 1.8T versions are worth seeking out, starting at £14,700 in saloon form or £15,600 as an Avant estate on a 54-plate.
Values for the 3.2-litre FSI saloon versions have remained firm, an S line version on an 05 54 plate retailing at around £20,300. S4s start at around £27,500. Diesel buyers are well catered for, the 2.
0 TDI being the most popular choice. These start at £15,300 on a 54 plate with SE trim another £700. The 2.5-litre diesel starts at £17,600 in SE trim with the 3.
0TDI opening at £20,400. Insurance ranges from a reasonable Group 12 for the 2.0-litre models up to Group 20 for the manic RS4 versions.
You'll do well to find anything notable here. Corrosion is simply not an issue with Audis and another reason why resale values are high. Look for a fully stamped up service history and look for uneven tyre wear on the more powerful models. The RS4 requires specialist care and abused examples can be costly to put right.
(approx based on a 2005 A4 1.8T) A clutch assembly kit will be around £205 and an exhaust system (without catalyst) will be about £250. An alternator should be close to £120 and a radiator around £160. Front brake pads are around £75, rear brake pads will be £50.
The post-05 A4 is certainly a good few steps ahead of its pre-facelifted predecessor in terms of driver enjoyment. If youre used to older versions of the A4, then youll probably notice that the gearboxes are better too. Five and six speed manuals are available, depending on engine choice, while front-wheel drive A4 models also offer the option of a continuously variable transmission. If you prefer the all-weather security of quattro all-wheel drive, you might find a car fitted with the very satisfying six-speed automatic that was offered as an option.
Another issue Audi addressed with the post-05 model was that of ride quality. To put it bluntly, earlier A4s didnt have the handling prowess to warrant their very firm ride. Those customers who selected the sports suspension option coupled with low profile tyres suffered even more in this respect over typical British B-roads. The post-05 model rides a good deal more fluently than the pre-facelift version, with less constant pitter-patter from the road surface transmitting itself into the cabin.
It still suffers from some bump and thump over larger irregularities and driven back to back with a BMW 3 Series, it has to be said that this A4 still doesnt quite match its Bavarian rival when it comes to dialling in a ride and handling compromise. Still, the 05 changes represented a big improvement and were enough for most drivers. The RS4 in particular showed that Audi has in recent years learned a lot about building an enjoyable sports saloon. This A4 adopted some of the A6s suspension parts in an effort to reduce unsprung weight and bigger brakes were introduced across the board with a trick brake disc wiping system that improved wet weather braking response.
Servotronic speed-sensitive steering, originally only fitted to the S4 sports models, was fitted as standard in the post-05 period to the 2.0T FSI, 3.2FSI and 3.0TDI variants.
Many cars came fitted with the optional xenon headlights with swivelling, adaptive cornering beams that make night driving a whole lot easier.
Audi has yet to build a poor A4 and the trend continues here. Stronger in every department compared to its predecessor, the facelifted post-05 model really takes the fight to its established rivals. The best cars for used buyers in terms of talent and availability are undoubtedly the 2.0TDI 170 diesel and the 2.
0T FSI petrol, although if you can run to an RS4, youll not regret it for a minute.
