Audi A4 18 T Convertible Review Audi Forum

NewFri 13 Jan 12 20:21

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes At present eyeing up iv-seater convertibles other than SAABs...

Choice of 2 2005 A4 Convertibles, both but under 50,000 miles, both silvery, one ten% pricier than the other:

- a 2.4 petrol (at a Mitsubishi chief dealer)
- a 3.0 petrol quattro (the pricier one!) at an Audi main dealer

Presumably operation and mpg volition be similar for either of them? I imagine the actress power of the 3-litre to be sapped past the 4WD gubbins and the extra weight?

I besides presume the Audi dealer is charging a higher price simply because information technology's their own make on their own forecourt, with Audi 100-signal warranty blah-blah.. etc?!

Anything inherently bad/wrong about either powerplant?

What would be your preference? Worth paying x% more for the iii-litre Quattro?

I program to get and view both inside the side by side few days, and see if at that place is a huge difference in condition etc. Thanks in advance!

NewFri 13 Jan 12 20:thirty

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - rtj70 Operation of the 3.0 will be greater despite the Quattro system. In the existent world it volition help. Not sure nigh mpg - I would imagine worse... why would you presume similar?

My preference? The 3.0 Quattro.

But I would assume space in the rear of the Audi is non great.... considering space in the saloon and estate weren't either.

NewFri xiii Jan 12 20:46

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - PeterS The 2.four petrol was never a particularly big seller in the UK; though smooth it didn't have much more more power than the lighter, cheaper and more than economic i.8T With the facelift and introduction of the 2.0T the two.four was dropped from the range.

My approximate is that the front heavy A4 will understeer fifty-fifty more with the 2.4 V6 engine; I'd go for the three litre quattro if I had to cull between those two. Was the two.0T available in NZ - that's the 1 we went for when I bought an A4 cab 4 years agone. Nosotros still have information technology, mistake and rattle gratuitous afterward 50k miles. No leaks either :-)

I've had people in the rear seats on enough of occasions; fine for brusk journeys, and longer journeys for smaller people. Ours is an 'S-Line', which means a black interior and black headlining - makes it pretty claustrophobic in the rear with the roof upward I accept to say!!

Peter

NewFri 13 Jan 12 20:54

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes Parkers' website tells me that the 3.0 has 50BHP more than the ii.iv, but weighs 120Kg more than, so 0-threescore operation is pretty much identical. More torque though (300NM 5 230NM) which might make itself felt?

FWIW: 29mpg for the ii.4 confronting 24mpg for the three.0... Will only be doing 9000 miles/year anyway, reimbursed at 12p/mile for nearly journeys.

No ii.0Ts around at all. In that location is a 2007 i.8T (imported from the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland!) merely with its newer historic period and lower mileage it'd exist beyond budget.

I'grand leaning towards the 2.4 at this phase based upon these stats, although I suppose they are pretty meaningless in the existent world..?!

NewFriday 13 Jan 12 21:11

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - PeterS Since the performance is similar, I assume they're both machine? The transmission iii liitre is a couple of seconds faster to lx than the 2.iv. If they are both auto I'd stil be leaning heavily towards the 3 litre. It has a 'proper' tiptronic 'box, whereas the ii.4 is 'multitronic', which is basically CVT isn't it?

Peter

NewFri 13 Jan 12 21:26

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes Yep, both auto: the 3.0 has a 6-speed tiptronic, and I'll demand to check if the 2.4 is a CVT. The gearshift gaiter is identical, with the tiptronic function though.

Both black leather interiors.

Only odd departure I tin spot so far is that 1 has a 3-spoke Audi steering bicycle (the 3-litre) whereas the other has an Audi four-spoke wheel. Presumably this is a giveaway as to i of them beingness a newer model year, say late-2005 as opposed to early on-2005?

NewFri xiii Jan 12 21:34

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - mikeyb >> Only odd difference I can spot so far is that ane has a iii-spoke Audi
>> steering wheel (the iii-litre) whereas the other has an Audi four-spoke bicycle. Presumably this is
>> a giveaway as to 1 of them being a newer model year, say late-2005 every bit
>> opposed to early on-2005?
>>

Mine was a late 2004 - I recall you lot got the 3 spoke steering bike if you paid the actress £750 for the sport pack. I did this every bit the bits yous got extra were worth far more than 750, but the sports suspension yous get is...er....quite firm

NewFri 13 Jan 12 21:35

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - PeterS In the UK the iii spoke bike came with 'Sport' and S-Line trim, and the 4 spoke with the standard and SE models. Don't know if thats the case everywhere though

Sport trim besides includes sport seats,which are well worth having - slightly bigger bolsters, but more importantly an extendable squab and lumbar support. I'd look for heated seats in a convertible too; not standard in the UK on whatever model (excpet perhaps Southward and RS versions?)

NewFri xiii Jan 12 21:31

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - mikeyb I had a 3.0 Quattro - lovely car, and driven gently you lot can get 32 MPG from information technology - I was getting around 28 virtually of the time. The 3.0 makes a dainty noise - used to love going through tunnels in it with the roof down.

Not sure if its an pick, only the 2.v tdi was also a nice drive to - pulled like a train. As already mentioned the two.iv was a bit pointless, although the three.0 was dropped for a 3.2 IIRC

I got one as we had 2 kids in car seats at the fourth dimension and, although not huge in the back, was most the biggest 4 seat cab I could notice, plus yous could notwithstanding get 2 stick fold pushchairs in the boot even with the roof downward. I only got rid of information technology because we had kid number 3, then it was only being used for me to go to and from work which was a bit of a waste product

For me it was a toss up between that and the saab. The Audi feels very different - very sure footed and a lot more solid - no comparison really. You wont regret buying the three.0

NewFri 13 January 12 21:48

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - Auntie Lockbrakes Cheers for the input and so far guys!

No sign of a Sports pack in either: seats are identical in both cars. Both have electric front seats, the 3-litre's seats are heated as well, but no mention of heated seats in the 2.four.

xviii-inch wheels on the three.0 - gonna be a hard ride?!

NewFri 13 Jan 12 21:59

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - PeterS Ours came on 18" wheels and lowered 'Due south-line' suspension. The ride's really not that bad. Though it has been on 17" wintertime wheels/tyres (no laughing out there ;-)) for the last few months and the ride is definitely more supple. The handling has got sloppier though, and it's possible to create some quite impressive tyre bleat in cetain multi storey machine parks!!

What'due south impressive IMO is that despite 50k miles, 18" wheels and lowered suspension, almost iv years of daily traversing one-half a dozen speed bumps in our function machine park and beingness driven by and large in sympathetic but making progress kind of mode in that location is not a single rattle

NewFri 13 January 12 22:18

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - PeterS >> Peter - that doesn't surprise me - they feel so solid and well built
>>

I know it'south a cliche, but it really does feel as solid equally when it was new. The but signs of wear inside are a shinier leather steering wheel and a slight patina on the leather seats. Usually when you go a new motorcar and the onetime one feels, well, old. Not so with the A4 - fantastically well put together car.

The programme was to keep it for another 4 years, then get rid, apply the Merc as a second auto and supervene upon the A4 with a new convertible. I'1000 not so certain though that the A4 won't still feel solid in another four years!! It might fifty-fifty have fewer ratles at eight years one-time than a 4 twelvemonth one-time Mercedes... That'll be an interesting decision...

NewMidweek 2 Dec 15 12:28

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - MPZ Peter

I just came across this mail researching opinions of A4 cabs. Have you still got yours and if and so does it still feel as solid?

I'd be looking at one of the last iii.2 quattro models - probably transmission, but they seem rarer.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

MPZ

NewWed two Dec 15 23:20

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - PeterS We oasis't, but we wish we did!! The post-obit will be brief as posted from an iPhone on 3G from Brazil...

It was actually sold a couple of years ago - information technology just wasn't getting much utilise... But, almost from the twenty-four hours information technology went we regretted it...

The good news is that it felt every bit solid at half-dozen years erstwhile equally information technology did when new, and was mechanically faultless.

Nosotros missed its convertible every bit, and and so I bought a 1994 Audi Convertible two.6E for £500 to replace information technology :)
Information technology too nonetheless feels solid, and has also never let us down!!

Will postal service more at the weekend!!

NewThu iii Dec xv 12:xiv

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - No FM2R I know information technology well.

I presume that you lot have worked out that you are more or less at the bring together of Copacabana and Ipanema? Walking upwardly through Ipanema and on into Leblan is safer and contains much nicer restaurants.

Do y'all need recommendations for places and stuff or are you fine?

I do have good friends in Rio so if you need anything, practise inquire.

NewThu 3 Dec 15 12:31

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - PeterS Thank you - much appreciated! Yes, information technology'due south a 10/15 minute walk along to Ipanema, though Andys limited mobility means a taxi (plentiful and cheap) is our usual mode of transport. Our arroyo wherever we are is basically take a taxi to somewhere that looks interesting (Lonely Panet driven commonly...) and then potter about, with enough of cafe breaks to people watch, and identifying potential dinner locations! Rio hasn't disappointed so far...

Raining today and tomorrow though past the looks of it, so any pointers on things to do without getting too wet would exist useful :)

Many thank you

Peter.

NewThu three Dec 15 13:22

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - No FM2R Niterói MAC (Museum of Contempory Art)
CCBB RJ ( Cultural Centre Banco practise Brasil)
Jardim Botánico

Or take a cab out to Barra de Tijuca - shopping and restaurants. And a nice embankment front end. Damned good fruit and veg market on a Saturday morn, too.

NewWed ix Dec 15 20:44

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - PeterS Right, every bit promised a bit more info on the Audi. It really did feel and look pretty much as new the day it left, bar the roof, which, maybe because it was never cleaned with any special treatments, did look a bit less black than when new. But it spend its entire life ungaraged. It was a lovely solid, comfy, swift-ish, economical-ish automobile.

Ours was a ii.0T half-dozen speed manual in S-Line trim. Quick enough for the blazon of car it is, and information technology averaged just over 31 mpg over five years and 50k miles I think. High thirties was easily achievable on decent length journeys. Getting information technology over 40mpg was merely possible if you were in a stupour... Audi recommended it be run on 97/99 octane fuel ,which is more expensive. I mostly did, but I accept no thought if it really made any difference...

Audi were (are?) a bit stingy on the standard equipment front. We added heated seats (essential), a wind deflector (essential), auto lights/wipers (really should have been standard), motorcar dimming mirrors (again, should accept been standard), cruise control (prissy to have) an ipod md (how rapidly engineering science moves on!!) and bluetooth. Information technology came with total leather - black but on the S-Line. I didn't order heated mirrors - assumed they were standard and they weren't!! I didn't order sat-nav (it was £2k) just its a common retrofit and I had the OEM unit of measurement added for £700. The one thing i really regretted not calculation was xenon lights; the headlights were poor. And should have known meliorate - I had a B6 A4 Avant in 2004 which had crap headlights too!!

The roof was used very ofttimes, but nosotros never experienced whatsoever faults. You could encounter signs of wear appearing where it folded above the rear windows; nothing major, but noticeable shut up

I kept information technology serviced at Audi the whole time; after iii years old information technology qualified for Audi's stock-still price servicing for older cars, which was reasonably priced I thought, all thing considered. Around £129 for an interim and £299 for a major service to start with, though I call up that did rise adequately sharply. £159/£359 teh last time it went in I think. Merely, that did include collection/delivery or courtesy car, free MOTs and and a wash and vacuum.

I don't recall it having anything other than routine servicing, and aught broke. I'm pretty certain it had at least one set up of front pads. Merely no discs I don't recollect. It's biggest achilles heel was tyres. 18" (deceit call up the profile) which would last for 13 ~ 15k miles on the front. And information technology wasn't driven *that* hard. But, it is a heavy machine, and FWD, so to be expected mayhap. I think its weight was besides a contributing factor in me not finding the ride a problem, even with South-Line interruption and 18" wheels. Other Southward Line Audi's are often criticised for having harsh interruption - I remember the weight of the cabriolet damps the harshness!!

Slightly unstructured - apologies - but those are my thoughts. With retrospect it is ane of my favorite cars. I ended up adding a convertible dorsum to our drive by spending £500 on a 1994 Audi Convertible (Princess Dianna style!!) It also feels pretty solid still, and likewise has an almost consummate Audi service history. The first thing our cleaner said when she saw information technology was "oh, your convertible is back. I thought you'd sold it" So, don't spend also much!!

Anything you want to know, only ask :)

NewSunday 13 December 15 15:04

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - MPZ Peter

thanks for the response, and lamentable for the tardy response, I demand to bank check here more ofttimes. It would seem that a late model A4 cab should definitely go to the top of my list. Looking to purchase next summer and I'm hoping to run it for up to x years.

Cheers again.

MPZ

NewSun 13 Dec xv 21:23

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Hows the Audi going - PeterS No trouble. The tardily 'Final Edition' cars were slightly meliorate equipped, but the additions were most cosmetic IIRC The only worthwhile thing was xenon headlights.

My perfect spec would, I think, be a 2007/8 2.0T Sport, on 17" 5 Spoke 'star' wheels, in a dark blue metallic with cream leather interior. Heated seats, current of air deflector, xenon headlights, sabbatum-nav/bluetooth (though whether the bluetooth will work with new 'phones I practise not know), autodimming mirrors, electrical memory seats and prowl control!! Auto or transmission :)

NewFri 13 Jan 12 22:12

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes I've found out that the 2.iv was commencement registered in Apr 2005, whereas the 3.0 is six-months newer (Dec. 2005) - I estimate that does count in favour of the iii.0.

The iii.0 spent some of its life with the private plate GR8 LDY - so one careful lady owner?!

Neither machine seems to take a valid MOT or paid-up road revenue enhancement since May last year, so information technology's possible that they have both been parked upward in dealer's yards since and so...

Guess it's time to make the lengthy bulldoze to go meet them both in the metallic...

NewFriday xiii Jan 12 22:37

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes - Zero, but I'm non entirely smitten with it (one or ii pocket-sized niggles) and I've got a small windfall coming. Basically I got the A3 cheap by NZ standards (great!) simply information technology's a bit older and tired-er than I would like.

Allow's run across what the cost to change is. And then get SWMBO on board, which I'one thousand dreading well-nigh of all...!

NewSabbatum fourteen January 12 07:26

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes Dilemma solved: one of the 2 was sold by the time I got in that location!

Got a halfway reasonable deal offered on the other i, going to sleep on information technology... Tempting.

NewSaturday fourteen Jan 12 nineteen:55

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - corax >> Or a Merc CLK. Both rwd which must be preferable. If information technology'due south an Audi I
>> would avoid a CVT box similar the plague, personally

Seconded. They tin can get wrong and exist a fortune to supersede. They besides take a slight suspension before they accelerate, not dainty if you lot need to step away smartish. Quattro's volition punch out some of the strong understeer. Simply if you're but cruising information technology may not affair to you.

NewLord's day 15 Jan 12 09:sixteen

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes The A4 Quattro was sold, and so I'm looking at the 2.four.

3-serial BMs are higher-priced, or generally at least 1 year older in my budget range.

Very few Mercs around - and in whatsoever case they really exercise scream "arm and a leg" costs to gear up if a problem arises, imho.

Dark horse for comparison might be a Volvo C70...

NewDominicus 15 Jan 12 18:56

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - corax >> dear NZ
>> Although I have no idea of 2nd hand car prices in the Antipodes, nor petrol
>> prices,my 2004 330 Ci convertible nevertheless feels tight every bit a drum. 54k miles, no squeaks
>> or rattles.

Await after it and information technology'll still feel skilful with three times that mileage. The whole drivetrain on these cars is extremely potent.

NewSun 15 Jan 12 19:38

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - a900ss If yous get for the 2.four, be prepared to put in LOTS of oil.....

I know 2 people who had them every bit company cars and both cars used a litre of oil every 2,000 miles or and so even when run in.

Skilful luck.

NewSun 15 Jan 12 21:51

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - Auntie Lockbrakes Thanks a900ss, hadn't heard about that foible.

FWIW, our dear friend HJ rated the 2.4 over the 3.0 in his review at the time. Despite the helpful posts earlier in this thread I think I've ruled out a 3.0 anyhow for its additional weight and mpg for scant additional performance.

NewSat 28 Jan 12 fourteen:xix

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - mikeyb Honey human being maths - helped me brand a few changs over the years :-)

Promise you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed mine.

NewTue half-dozen Mar 12 04:52

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - Auntie Lockbrakes Well, I did the bargain last month but merely picked up the car last weekend because I've been away.

Wow, nice car!!! Puts the used A3 I had earlier to shame. 48k miles, nearly 7 years old, totally rattle & squeak free, feels like it'due south been made from granite. Feels a bit heavy off the line ('cos information technology is!) just cruises beautifully. Nudged 34mpg on a longer run today. Feels bigger within than the A3, even with the black rooflining. I'thou well-chuffed!

NewSunday 6 Jul 14 ten:29

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - mikeyb >> i got a 54 plate A4 3LTR cabriolet last week,despite its 115k miles its drives
>> like new,everything feels tight an the V6 engines is smoothen as silk,a pleasure to drive
>>

Thats what I had - also on a 54 plate, so you never know, it might be my old ane :-)

............Not dolphin grey by whatever chance?

I liked the way it was serenity at low speeds, just I think it had a trick exhaust thingy that made it audio all snorty if you gave it the beans

NewSun 6 Jul xiv 17:22

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - Auntie Lockbrakes Had the cambelt washed on mine a few months ago, plus cam seals. Pricey!

Automobile nonetheless seems to drinkable a bit of oil. Hard to tell with the rubbish black plastic-tipped dipstick...

Think I need to supersede a CV joint soon too.

Body & paintwork in bully nick. 63000 miles and 9 years erstwhile. It might be a keeper...

NewSunday 6 Jul 14 20:26

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - mikeyb >> no its a matalic blue,with full electric heated blue leather,Due south Line auto box with the
>> sport mode
>>
>>

Sad as it sounds I remember that being the same spec as the 1 I examination drove before I ordered mine.

NewMonday 7 Jul xiv 09:38

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - DP Multitronic gearboxes of this age are a ticking timebomb. It'south not if, but when it will fail, and how expensively.

Last edited by: DP on Mon 7 Jul fourteen at 09:39

NewMon 7 Jul 14 11:55

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is best? - zippy I had a 2007 3.2l v6 petrol tiptronic from new. All-time car I ever had. The gearbox was the fastest and smoothest change that I have ever experienced.

Couldn't afford to run it nowadays at £1.33 a litre. When I had it petrol was 86 pence per litre and I was filling it upward virtually every day!

The engine burble when irresolute downwardly was so enjoyable and the dispatch was superb.

I wouldn't want the bill for fixing the gearbox though!

NewMon seven Jul 14 xx:54

 Audi A4 Cabriolet - Which petrol engine is all-time? - mikeyb >> Multitronic gearboxes of this historic period are a ticking timebomb. It's not if, merely when it
>> will fail, and how expensively.
>>

Don't think the demonstrator being multitronic, think it was a tiptronic.

I ordered a manual anyhow :-)

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Source: https://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?t=9262

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