2.4, 3.0, 4.2 petrol 1.9, 2.5 TDi diesel [base, SE, Sport, S line, S4])
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Compact executive estates have been a small, but steadily growing market niche for a number of years now and Audi have been one of the prime movers and shakers with the A4 Avant. Primarily a lifestyle estate rather than a dedicated load lugger, the Avant allows the A4 driver a few more practical options when it comes to transporting gear. The cars refined image and wide range of engine choices has, coupled with the A4s legendary residual values, made it an informed choice. Picking a used example shouldnt prove too difficult and now is a good time to buy.
Heres what to look for when Avant shopping.
In producing second generation A4 Avant estates, Audi were under immense pressure to get things right. The shape was the thing that many customers loved about the original version, but the car had undergone a number of extensive revisions which had left that refined look largely unchanged. Not wishing to either kill the goose that was laying the golden eggs nor lay themselves open to the perception that they were selling an outdated car, the A4 preserved the character of the old model whilst freshening the style of Audis strongest seller. Its a philosophy that carries on throughout the car keep what was good with the old one and update and improve everything else.
Criticisms of the outgoing model were largely aimed at the slightly less than top-drawer chassis and the relatively meagre rear seat packaging. This car rectified these complaints pretty thoroughly and offered a selection of impressive powerplants as well. The Avant estate bodystyle yields 442litres of space with the seats up or 1,288 litres with them folded. Audi makes great play of its quattro four-wheel drive transmissions, claiming that 30 per cent of new A4 buyers opt for them.
Indeed, the whole range uses rear suspension based on the previous generation quattro models as well as a stiffer chassis and sharper steering. The car grew in size to help passenger space. The length extended by 2.5 inches, and although wheelbase improved by only half this amount, some clever repackaging of the bodyshell liberated extra rear legroom, and additional head, shoulder and elbow room front and rear.
In the quattro versions, the transmission tunnel running to the back of the car means that theres effectively only space for four passengers. The interiors correspond to what weve come to expect of Audi beautifully damped fitments, impeccable materials quality and an almost frightening logic to all of the major controls. As with many modern cars, the fitment of windscreen-pillar airbags makes all-round visibility less than optimal, the chunky pillars restricting views around sweeping bends. Should you fail to spot an oncoming tree however, the electronic sensors fitted to the A4 can detect how hard your impact is and tailor the deployment of the airbags accordingly.
In some areas, however, the A4 is not the advance some people expected. With many manufacturers incorporating many of the storage tricks theyve learned from their MPV ranges into more mainstream cars, the Audi seems to have missed a trick with its meagre array of oddment spaces. Nevertheless, for most the sheer depth of engineering evident in the cabin will be ample recompense.
It may come as some surprise to find that used prices for Avant models have held up better than their saloon counterparts. Therefore, you should expect to pay around £7,900 for a 2.0-litre base model on a 2001 Y plate although the SE version opens at £8,300. Id recommend spending a little more and going for the punchier 1.8T turbocharged unit if youre looking at entry-level petrol and here prices start at £8,800 for a 1.8T SE on a 2001 Y plate or £13,500 for a 53 plated 190bhp version. Sport models open at just under £9,000 on the 2001 Y plate although if you want all-wheel drive youll need to find at least £9,500 for a similar vintage quattro sport. The 2.4-litre models arent the highlight of the A4 Avant range and start at just under £9,000. Best skip these and look instead at the gutsy 3.0-litre. With a lot more power for not much additional fuel consumption penalty, theyre far more popular.
Mind you, youll need at least £10,600 to get your name on the registration document but you do get all wheel drive with which to deploy that power. Most reckon the pick of the Avant range are the diesel models and its hard to argue, the 2.5-litre TDI models being especially good. These kick off at £10,800 for an SE trim model with quattro variants opening at just over £11,000.
If youre serious about speed, track down an S4 Avant at prices from £20,500 on a 52 plate. You probably wont regret it.
You'll do well to find anything notable here. Early 1.8T models had some issues with ignition coils but these are largely ironed out, Do your homework and make sure buyers arent trying to promote a 150bhp 1.8T as a 163bhp model and likewise a 163bhp car as a 190.
Corrosion is simply not an issue with Audis and another reason why resale values are high. The load bay of this Avant isnt the most spacious and you may need to check it thoroughly for signs of damage. Also check that the very covetable tool kit is still in place as some unscrupulous buyers tend to ebay the tool kit when they sell the car.
(approx based on a 2001 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 A4 never built the reputation of a car to challenge the BMW 3 series or, latterly, the Mercedes C-Class as a drivers tool. This version does little to change that assertion. The ride is very firm, the steering still substitutes weight for feel and the brakes have that familiar overservoed feel common to all Audis. Roadholding is superb, however, especially if you opt for quattro all-wheel drive.
The 1.6 and 130bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines dont really have the power to haul all of that quality with too much alacrity, the 1.8T being the favourite petrol engine.
Likewise the 1.9TDI 130 may not be the most modern of diesel powerplants but its the most popular and delivers a hefty punch through the middle of the rev range. The pick of the line-up has to be the 2.5-litre diesel.
The driving position is near perfect although the chunky windscreen pillars can limit vision when circulating a roundabout.
The Audi A4 Avant is a car that identifies it owner as a creature of rare good taste, unwilling to indulge in brash one upmanship. Although some may have complaints about the ride quality or the amount of kit that comes as standard for the price, theres not much complaint about the quality of build or the fact that the car will retain its value well. Once youve overcome the initial asking price, A4 Avant ownership shouldnt prove expensive, especially if you opt for one of the 1.9-litre TDi models.
Our choice would probably be a 2.5-litre TDi version although - if funds permit - its hard not to be swayed by the awesomely seductive S4 Avant.
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