A4 Avant Quattro?

[simonlewin]

A few questions from a potential purchaser of an 'old shape' Audi A4 Avant (I hope this is the right forum)...

I've interested in buying an Audi A4 Avant, the shape before the current models.

I'm tempted by a Quattro but wanted to ask a couple of questions re. the 4x4 potential.

I realise this is no off-roader and guess it was designed for its road handling - but I'm interested to know how much better a Quattro would behave on icy roads or fairly even but gritty dust tracks etc.

I'm not particularly interested in enhanced 'sports' handling so need to work out if it's worth looking for a Quattro rather than a standard A4 Avant.

Can anyone offer any advice?

My budget would be up to approx 15k - could I expect much of a car for that?

And can anyone recommend any dealers specialising in 2nd hand Audis?

Sorry for all the questions!

Cheers,

Simon

 

[DavidR]

Depending on whhich engine option you choose (i.e. total power/torque) the quattro provides a few advantages. It gives ability to rapidly leave wet roundabouts, junctions (especially uphill) without a flurry of wheelspin. On ice and packed snow, it gives the ability to accelerate really quite well, but of course the usual steering / braking limitations apply as in a FWD car. Additionally, it would create a very stable car accellerating on dusty surfaces and eliminates torqie steer (although the A4 chassis is not badly plagued by that on the FWD cars)

However, quattro is more costly, uses more fuel and point to point on give an take roads will not confer a massive advantage. Bear in mind that most of the quattro advantage in under acceleration, it creates a slightly more stable cornering pose, but by no means confers much extra cornering or braking grip.

More than 200bhp and FWD is not a happy combination on a FWD audi, the 150bhp 1.8T FWD however is a nice package. The 150bhp 2.5TDi has too much torque for FWD and is better with quattro.

Enjoy...

 

[excursion]

Excellent advice from David there - about says it all /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dippy]

IMO quattro is only really significant use on the S4 & RS4. On the 3.0 V6 and a chipped 1.8 turbo (i.e. over 200 bhp) it offers some use. On any other engine it is pointless (or worse).

 

[AndyMac]

It's certainly not pointless in the wet on any model.

 

[DavidR]

I'm with Dippy on this one...

 

[jdp1962]

If you live anywhere in Southern England, AKA the world's biggest car park, quattro gives you the greatest performance advantage in the world. Forget 150mph top speed, 0-60 & 200+bhp chipped monsters (get a life, you guys!), the most important performance stat is nought to three car lengths out of a junction. On any surface, in any weather, it will get you into the tiniest gap in traffic without wheelspin, tyre squeal or fuss of any sort.

 

[AndyMac]

Good Point Jeff, Audi should run an ad campaign demonstrating this unique Quattro advantage.