3.2 quattro vs 2.0 tfsi cvt - pls help me decide!

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rhodri

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Hi all,

Just joined this great forum as will be owning a B7 A4 Avant very soon. I test drove two yesterday and would really appreciate any thoughts on what you'd go for or at least recommend between them. Unless something else similar is advertised soon, it will be one of these.

2007 2.0 TFSI Multi (SE). 78k miles at 4995
2005 3.2 quattro s line 60k at 5990.

Will provide more details on what I have found below

Deciding this weekend and can't wait!!


Thanks
 
2007 2.0 TFSI Multi (SE). 78k miles - Full (Audi/specialist) service history. 3 owners. Cambelt changed at 50k 5 years ago and will be again next week as part of sale. Very well looked after (current owner is his daughter who's husband works at an Audi specialist). Gearbox oil changes twice can't remember the mileage but lined up well. Faultless car really.

2005 3.2 quattro s line - 60k. Full audi history up to 45-50k then local garages sadly. 2 owners. Salesman didnt know that much on the car and wouldn't show me the v5 (data protection crap). Prev MOT's showed an oil leak as an advisory in 2016 and 2017 MOT's but since okay. Might be nothing but I did notice a smell of what might have been burning oil after test drive (didnt see any leak), plus it had 2 ignition issues - 1st time start (in a few days apparently), took 3-4 seconds of lumpy starting then fine. Then after the test drive, it didnt start after one attempt, left it 10 seconds and it did, then stalled after 20 seconds, then another start fine again? Might be nothing, but I have asked them to look at this.

Struggling with the decision. One is 2 years younger but with 20k miles more. Adored the sound and handling of the v6 quattro, but the cvt also felt quick, especially in sport mode. S line suspension didn't feel too harsh, but I only went out for 15 mins. I am hearing some horror stories about CVT, but appears that could relate to the pre-07 models?

CVT has cruise control, BOSE, walnut interior. Both have leather, with the v6 s line getting the sat nav head unit (bit of a fiddle I thought) and nicer body kit.

Really appreciate any advice

Thanks,
 
Hi Mate
I have a B7 3.2 which i bought 4 years ago which had 70k on it and now is on 184k.
It was a well loved car when i got it and it did have a issue with it when stuck in traffic for over 30 mins it would start to stall and the revs would go up and down but that seems to of gone.
The engines do smell a bit when hot but i think that is just a V thing and also drinks a bit of oil but thats a Audi for you.
It is a great car being S line and Quattro but i would get a specialist to diagnose the issues if you decide on it and get all the fluids changed.
Good luck.
 
thanks - that's very reassuring to hear. I have asked the garage if they can look into what I noticed and to let me know. I do prefer the 3.2 but I can't discount the 2.0 especially given how well it's been looked after.
 
Got to go with your gut feeling you do not want a nightmare.
 
my gut feeling will be the v6 if the garage / mechanics can convince me that it's in top condition. Would likely take the extra warranty too for piece of mind.
 
They are not great on petrol around town about 300 miles per tank but i put a stage one map on it which on a motorway cruising 70/80 i can get 400 miles per tank.
 
I have a cvt and it’s nice and lazy when you’re taking it easy, plus it goes pretty well in sport when you want it to. Only time it’s rubbish is off the line. I would’ve liked Quattro also but didn’t want the 3.2 so had to go for fwd as that’s the only option with the 2.0tfsi in the convertible
 
Thanks for the input all. I'm honestly not too bothered about fuel economy as it will be a weekend car mostly with occasional weekly trips here and there. Tax is around 300 for each (the 3.2 s line is in the cheaper bracket)

I really hope the garage come back and say the 3.2 is mechanically fine as I really fell in love with that v6 and quattro felt good. The 2.0 is still a great find and know it's been very well looked after.

If anyone here knows of any good 2.0/3.2 or even 4.2 S4's for sale worth looking at, then I am happy to travel up to say 200 miles from where I live in south Wales.

Cheers,
 
all 3 are different cars and should be treated as such.
2.0 turbo is excellent , v6 is excellent as is the V8 but other than chassis / interior etc all are very different cars to drive and own .
CVT is ok but manual is far better in any flavour, just my input.
You say fuel consumption is not an issue , running cost across the three can vary wildly along with insurance and road tax, all adds up really but only you can decide as everyone else will be biased to there own preferred model, like me really, all three are great but I prefer the 2.0t.
 
Thanks - good to know! So strangely enough, insurance is actually lower by 40 quid for the 3.2 over the 2.0 (possibly because it's 2 years older, I don't know), tax practically the same so it's just fuel costs really. But yeah, the S4 will be different again and haven't found anything good.

So I just had a reply from the garage on the issues I talked about above:

"I have just had the vehicle checked over again. They have confirmed that the vehicle had been low on fuel. They have put some fuel in and road tested it again, and everything is running fine. They have advised that one of the key remotes is not currently coded to the vehicle, and they are unable to re-programme keys. The vehicle doesn’t have the Bose speaker pack. The vehicle was serviced and all fluids checked/replaced where necessary. No oil leak has been found on either inspection of the vehicle."

A bit more re-assuring from them. Not sure how much of a pain re-programming that second key would be though. Would also be nice to have the BOSE pack but sure I am have fun adding that myself :-/
 
Last edited:
Also, out of curiosity, could anyone tell me if this video of the v6 idling sounds 'okay' ? I just need to get rid of some paranoia!

 
Santa Maria! That 3.2 doesn’t sound healthy. I’ve heard smoother 4 cylinder Diesel engines.

If that’s how it sounds in real life, I would walk away. As for the 2.0 CVT - I wouldn’t go with a CVT-equipped car anyway, regardless of how well it’s been looked after.
 
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I thought the same, hence the video. Wanted to check here because the only v6 I've had before is an Alfa and that was a fair bit quieter, so hoped I would confirm if these engines have loud injectors for example

If anyone here knows what that might be, I will contact the garage but right now, there are a few things putting me off it.

Shame, because it sounds amazing inside (and from the exhausts) and goes so well.
 
I’ve had a a4 3.2 b7 Quattro, injectors are noisy on these engines.

Just need to make sure the cam chain at rear of engine is not noisy for more than a second or so on start up. Check the values in VCDS if possible for cam adjustments.
 
audi upgrades
yeah I did read about the timing chain and listened out for chain noise and there was nothing, not even for a few seconds at the start.

I really hope it is loud injectors but if anyone else thinks it's good/bad sounding, then please let me know.

Hoping to buy this week.
 
Personally I'd avoid the CVT, they're well known for being trouble.
 
With the bonnet up both the v8 and v6 are noisy with a lot of injector noise and cam gear whine. The video is difficult to judge but it sounds normal to me. As mentioned above no cam chain rattle particularly on cold starts is key. The v6 is generally a solid engine aside from the cam chain tensioner, regular oil changes are important and both the v8 and v6 tend to suffer from oil leaks from the rocker gaskets. I had the v6 for 4years and averaged 24mpg on a mixed 25mile commute the v8 gives me 20mpg. The final thing to add is the v6 is the least tuneable engine of the b7 range, depending on if that is your thing or not. The usual bolt ons of exhaust, intake and map will improve sound and driveability but do not add significant power.
 
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Thanks for the input. I have said no the 2.0 CVT as I'm not feeling it. I will have a think about the V6 as still love it and see if any others are advertised soon
 
Last one on this sorry. They took another video from startup. Please let me know what you all think, as it will put my mind at ease before paying close to 6k for it. I think it sounds a lot better in this video but need some more experience viewers input.



Thanks!
 
audi upgrades
Sounds bettter than my Last 3.2!

Also looks nice and clean, just check to see if it’s been on long life servicing, really want to change oil every 10,000 maximum on these, not every 20,000
 
thanks Neil - good to know. They have confirmed 11 stamps from audi up until 2015 then 2 from independents 2016 and early 2018. The sales garage carried out an oil change a week ago. I have asked for service intervals just to be sure but seems to be well looked after just a shame past couple years wasn't audi
 
A stamped up audi service book doesn't really mean that the car's any better than one with half that and the rest from a decent indy.
With a 12 year old audi A4 and any sort of milage over 70k a folder full of receipts would be give a far better idea on whats been , or not been done for that matter.
Been there myself with audi service history and its not that conclusive by any means.
Look at the receipts for parts and work carried out more than relying on just stamps in a service book.
 
thanks. it's got fairly low mileage at 60k. audi servicing up to 45. I will also ask them on about any receipts / work done as well. May take out the extra nationwide warranty for piece of mind.

Hoping to work out how much the 2nd keyfob will be to programme to the car too
 
they got back and it looks good.

audi:
May 2006 – 7,900 miles
May 2007 – 12,100 miles
Feb 2008 – 14,600 miles
Feb 2009 – 20,900 miles
Feb 2010 – 25,800 miles
Feb 2011 - 31,000 miles
Feb 2012 – 34,300 miles
Feb 2013 – 37,800 miles
May 2014 – 44,500 miles
Jul 2015 – 47,600 miles

independant:
Jul – 2016 – 51,500 miles
Feb 2018 – 57,700 miles
Mar 2019 – 61,000 miles
 
Just Rob. said:
A stamped up audi service book doesn't really mean that the car's any better than one with half that and the rest from a decent indy.
With a 12 year old audi A4 and any sort of milage over 70k a folder full of receipts would be give a far better idea on whats been , or not been done for that matter.
Been there myself with audi service history and its not that conclusive by any means.
Look at the receipts for parts and work carried out more than relying on just stamps in a service book.
Click to expand...

I agree, receipts tell a far more complete story than a stamp in a book :)
 
rhodri said:
they got back and it looks good.

audi:
May 2006 – 7,900 miles
May 2007 – 12,100 miles
Feb 2008 – 14,600 miles
Feb 2009 – 20,900 miles
Feb 2010 – 25,800 miles
Feb 2011 - 31,000 miles
Feb 2012 – 34,300 miles
Feb 2013 – 37,800 miles
May 2014 – 44,500 miles
Jul 2015 – 47,600 miles

independant:
Jul – 2016 – 51,500 miles
Feb 2018 – 57,700 miles
Mar 2019 – 61,000 miles
Click to expand...

some very consistant annual miles being used per annum .
But i'd still want to see receipts for work done and parts really , stamps are just stamps but receipts show more .
It is very unlikely that it has not required parts and repairs over a 12 year period .
My old bus is on 72k and i'm the second owner and I have a very large quantity of receipts for work carried out and parts from the very first service.
 
no receipts and they are saying due to gdpr it's very unusual to get any past receipts these days.

they have offered to get the 2nd key sorted as part of the sale.
 
Sounds a bit odd most owners include paperwork for jobs carried out on a car, otherwise no way of proving if a job has been carried out, a stamp is just that, a service stamp.
 
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