I'm in a bit of a dilemma and need some opinions...
I have a 2000-W B5 Audi A4 TDI 115 SE, it's been treated to a remap, milltek exhaust, h+r springs and koni dampers and is kicking out about 160bhp/260lbft, fk angel eye headlamps, de-badged, 17" New S4 replicas, RS4 front grille and S-line badges.
It's just hit 140k miles, I bought it at 60k.
Here's a Pic (this was when it was running on 18" - I got tired of the ride quality so went back to 17"s)
The Good: Has been totally reliable overall, 50mpg, 600 miles on a tank, quite quick, everyone who sees it says 'Nice S4' (engine off),
The Bad : Niggly things breaking, DIS went south, window motors dying, wiper motors/linkage need doing, corrosion on aluminium trim, a few squeaks and rattles, bonnet stone chipped to death, not 4WD, not really quick enough, beginning to feel 'old'.
I've decided I prefer something with a V6, RWD or 4WD, 0-60 in the low 7s or better, reasonable fuel economy. Coupe ideal, diesel ok.
Got between £12k-£17k available. Got to be good on the motorway, but a bit of fun on the twisties. Needless to say Audi preferred, VAG as a minimum. Tempted by BMW 330 but just hate the whole image thing with the beemer.
I've ruled out anything fun and classic (eg. Corrado VR6) because air-con is a must have.
Thought about:
1. Audi S4/B5 - Ticks all boxes except fuel economy and insurance. I do 25k+ miles a year and I like the TDI range. S4 Ruinous on fuel.
2. Audi A4/B5 1.8T Quattro - Not a bad place to start, but long in the tooth, can I find a good one?
3. Audi A4/B5 2.5 TDI - Starts with 150bhp out of the box, how tunable is it, could I find a Quattro? Still rather old and I've got to mod all over again. Does it handle with a big lump at the front?
4. Audi A5 3.0 TDI - Too new so too expensive - Wait?
5. Audi TT TDI - Not yet available - Wait?
6. B6/B7 A4 TDI - Too Dull, too big, too slow. Might consider B6 180 TDI Quattro with Bose and S-Line (hen's teeth)
7. A3 - No hatchbacks please
8. Old shape Audi TT 180/225 - Styling doesn't really do it for me.
9. Audi Cabriolet 2.5 TDI - Do I really want a Cabrio? Bit girlie.
10. VW EOS - Only 140 for the TDI, not enough.
11. Golf V GTI - FWD, I'm getting a bit old for that image. I like discreet.
12. Further mods and fix-her-up on current car. Not 4WD, bit bored with it if truth be told. What else can you do with a 1.9 TDI? TCS light already comes on to often, especially in the wet.
In fantasy land I'd have a Sport Coupe version of the B5 A4, 3.0 TDI, Quattro with around 220-240bhp and a decent stereo and working DIS.
What would you do?
Cheers,
Drew.
I have a 2000-W B5 Audi A4 TDI 115 SE, it's been treated to a remap, milltek exhaust, h+r springs and koni dampers and is kicking out about 160bhp/260lbft, fk angel eye headlamps, de-badged, 17" New S4 replicas, RS4 front grille and S-line badges.
It's just hit 140k miles, I bought it at 60k.
Here's a Pic (this was when it was running on 18" - I got tired of the ride quality so went back to 17"s)
The Good: Has been totally reliable overall, 50mpg, 600 miles on a tank, quite quick, everyone who sees it says 'Nice S4' (engine off),
The Bad : Niggly things breaking, DIS went south, window motors dying, wiper motors/linkage need doing, corrosion on aluminium trim, a few squeaks and rattles, bonnet stone chipped to death, not 4WD, not really quick enough, beginning to feel 'old'.
I've decided I prefer something with a V6, RWD or 4WD, 0-60 in the low 7s or better, reasonable fuel economy. Coupe ideal, diesel ok.
Got between £12k-£17k available. Got to be good on the motorway, but a bit of fun on the twisties. Needless to say Audi preferred, VAG as a minimum. Tempted by BMW 330 but just hate the whole image thing with the beemer.
I've ruled out anything fun and classic (eg. Corrado VR6) because air-con is a must have.
Thought about:
1. Audi S4/B5 - Ticks all boxes except fuel economy and insurance. I do 25k+ miles a year and I like the TDI range. S4 Ruinous on fuel.
2. Audi A4/B5 1.8T Quattro - Not a bad place to start, but long in the tooth, can I find a good one?
3. Audi A4/B5 2.5 TDI - Starts with 150bhp out of the box, how tunable is it, could I find a Quattro? Still rather old and I've got to mod all over again. Does it handle with a big lump at the front?
4. Audi A5 3.0 TDI - Too new so too expensive - Wait?
5. Audi TT TDI - Not yet available - Wait?
6. B6/B7 A4 TDI - Too Dull, too big, too slow. Might consider B6 180 TDI Quattro with Bose and S-Line (hen's teeth)
7. A3 - No hatchbacks please
8. Old shape Audi TT 180/225 - Styling doesn't really do it for me.
9. Audi Cabriolet 2.5 TDI - Do I really want a Cabrio? Bit girlie.
10. VW EOS - Only 140 for the TDI, not enough.
11. Golf V GTI - FWD, I'm getting a bit old for that image. I like discreet.
12. Further mods and fix-her-up on current car. Not 4WD, bit bored with it if truth be told. What else can you do with a 1.9 TDI? TCS light already comes on to often, especially in the wet.
In fantasy land I'd have a Sport Coupe version of the B5 A4, 3.0 TDI, Quattro with around 220-240bhp and a decent stereo and working DIS.
What would you do?
Cheers,
Drew.
