Fully loaded A4 Advice

[Andy_E_32]

Hi All

I hope this question hasn't been asked too many times already. I've had a quick look on the search function but nothing specific came up. Apologies if I've overlooked things and this has been done many times over.

I'm looking at replacing a very old and aging A4 Avant with something newer. I'm looking at the 2l TFSI Gen3 engine. Model years 2016 onwards with the Stronic gearbox.

There's plenty of used cars around. However, the higher specification ones are catching my eye. One in particular I've seen appears to have had literally every option ticked. Traffic sign recognition, adaptive dampers, panroof, memory seats, comfort access (think this is where you wave your foot under the boot to make it open?) advanced key, factory towbar, virtual cockpit, matrix lights,.it just goes on!

Having tried to read around a bit there are mixed reports on the reliability of the infotainment and electrical issues. But nothing really too specific about some of the less common features specified, that I've listed.

I appreciate this is a bit broad and probably a bit difficult to answer but has anyone got any experience of how reliable some of these extra features are? Are there any known problems around matrix lights for example, or the advanced key? Were there any specific recalls and so on? I am very aware of potential sunroof problems though. Although on the B9 some say this has improved.

Any thoughts, feedback, good or bad would be really helpful. This should probably be an easy decision and I'm probably over thinking it!

ATB

 

[spartacus68]

I think you are over thinking it. Panoramic roof is a great feature. B8 model used to leak like a sieve. Not heard any reports on B9 platform, yet. Again, electric towbar. Convenient and practical. Matrix headlights, absolutely and a geat extra, although standard LED are as good as old school xenon, virtual cockpit is good too and brongs car up to date. Traffic sign recognition, neither here nor there, a bit like lane warning, which oersobslly id switch off. Adaptive suspension, interesting. No idea how ot works, but can imagine it's expensive when it goes wrong.

If it were me, and this is a fully loaded A4, then service history first before you fall in love with the toys. VCDS software very useful for scanning car if anything doesn't work. You want history and lots of it.

In addition, these cars are sensitive to low voltage. If any spurious faults, get a multimeter on the battery. It needs to ne coded in (AGM). Should be around 12.6v not started.

STronic box needs serviced every 38k.

 

[Andy_E_32]

I think you are over thinking it. Panoramic roof is a great feature. B8 model used to leak like a sieve. Not heard any reports on B9 platform, yet. Again, electric towbar. Convenient and practical. Matrix headlights, absolutely and a geat extra, although standard LED are as good as old school xenon, virtual cockpit is good too and brongs car up to date. Traffic sign recognition, neither here nor there, a bit like lane warning, which oersobslly id switch off. Adaptive suspension, interesting. No idea how ot works, but can imagine it's expensive when it goes wrong.

If it were me, and this is a fully loaded A4, then service history first before you fall in love with the toys. VCDS software very useful for scanning car if anything doesn't work. You want history and lots of it.

In addition, these cars are sensitive to low voltage. If any spurious faults, get a multimeter on the battery. It needs to ne coded in (AGM). Should be around 12.6v not started.

STronic box needs serviced every 38k.

Cheers for all that information, that's a great help. Overthinking things is an accurate description. It's easy to get lost thinking about all the problems rather than see it in perspective.

Appreciate the reminder about the Stronic service interval. That's a must do service item but wasn't sure on the interval.

One other thing, I need to check but this quattro appears to have the Ultra Quattro. Not the time served and well proven mechanical diff . What's the general consensus on this? Still new technology but anything particularly I should be aware of? I guess it's the way everything is going.

 

[spartacus68]

Cheers for all that information, that's a great help. Overthinking things is an accurate description. It's easy to get lost thinking about all the problems rather than see it in perspective.

Appreciate the reminder about the Stronic service interval. That's a must do service item but wasn't sure on the interval.

One other thing, I need to check but this quattro appears to have the Ultra Quattro. Not the time served and well proven mechanical diff . What's the general consensus on this? Still new technology but anything particularly I should be aware of? I guess it's the way everything is going.

So Ultra quattro is two wheel drive unless it loses traction when it kicks in. That means it's a Haldex system from my understanding, so basically the same in TT, S3, etc. I think Haldex needs serviced every 20k miles, and importantly needs the internal mesh filter removed and cleaned, very mush depends on the version as there may not be a filter. Check out Dave Sterl on YouTube for his Haldex video. On a plus point your fuel consumption should improve v conventional quattro.

 

[GrumpyCustard]

Hello Andy,

To support the feedback you have received above, my experience of the B9 A4 has been generally positive, and I am the lucky owner of a near fully loaded A4 which I purchased used a couple of years ago.

For reference, my car has the Technology Package (MMI navigation, Audi phone box etc), Comfort and Sound Package (electrically adjustable front seats, convenience key, B&O audio), Light and Vision Pack (virtual cockpit, interior light pack, matrix headlights), Driver Assistance Pack Tour (adaptive cruise, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, collision avoidance, etc), Parking Assistance Pack Advanced (park assist, 360 camera, side assist, exit warning etc), head up display, adaptive sports suspension, heated front and rear seats.

All of which has performed without issue. The only major issue I have had is with a faulty AC condenser that had to be replaced (not an uncommon fault apparently).

I will echo to importance of having a battery in good condition. I replaced the AGM battery when it started suffering from low voltage resulting in spurious error messages being displayed on the virtual cockpit.

All the best with your search and do not worry about the overthinking - I am prone to this also. Plenty of information and help in this forum to assist with queries.

 

[Booboo]

I too have a fully loaded A4 as above. Ive had it 5 years with no issues at all. Just engine and gearbox oil changes as normal. No dash errors and passes MOT every year without a fuss.