USED Audi A4 Avant (00 - 05)

My car

I bought this car just before its third birthday with 50k on the clock. Nearly four years later with an extra 65k covered it's time for us to part company, and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet! The car has truly been the best I have ever owned for the mix of practicality, pace, economy and quality! The engine is extremely smooth, with a great 6 speed box which very rarely prompts a change down, even on country roads. It may not be the biggest, but then if you want big you buy a Volvo, but a roofbox adds all the space you could ever need when the need arises. It's comfortable in all driving conditions, but I find the seats to be quite firm on longer journeys.

Running costs have been really surprising considering, averaging 42mpg throughout, with some long distance runs fully laden taking it over the 60mpg mark which is amazing! Maintenance costs are ok as long as you avoid the main dealer and find a good Audi specialist - and don't be fooled by Audi's free MOT offer either, you pay in other ways!!

The quality of the engine and the build mean that nearly 7 yrs and 115k later the car still looks, feels and drives like new - with only a few niggles due to age and miles but would take a lot to break with the solidity of the build quality. Will be sorry to see it go, and fully recommend one to anyone.

My car

I have owned my Audi since new and have now reached 100,000 miles. In that time it has provided outstanding family transport for my wife, two children and me. It has lived in UK and European cities and rural areas alike and has never missed a beat. The interior looks as good as new with the only give away being the shiny leather steering wheel and mileometer; it could probably do with having a bonnet re-spray, but only to make it look better, not because of rust.

The servicing has been reasonable, although the cam belt service requires a deep breath before reading the bill! Even at 120+ mph on German autobahns I average over 35 mpg! The Audi staff are incredibly helpful and it is always a pleasure to visit the garage.

My wife's BMW 1 series does feel a little better to drive enthusiastically, but was parked in the garage for the entirety of the recent snow as it was absolutely pathetic; meanwhile my Audi didn't miss a beat and shrugged off the slippery rural roads.

I would buy another in a heartbeat but cannot justify it at the moment as there is nothing wrong with the one I have. I have driven the new A4 and I like its' slightly smoother and more powerful engine; but this should not imply that my car is gruff or underpowered. When I do eventually replace my car I will probably buy an A6 as my children have grown out of their car seats and are only getting bigger by the day!

I cannot praise my Audi enough and would recommend one to everyone.

My car

Beautifully built, ride comfortable on most roads but firm on uneven surfaces, docile drive in everyday driving but bit of a monster if you floor the accelerator, annoying Turbo Lag from low revs or standing will see you being out accelerated by the bleached blond 19 year old hairdressers driving Mum's Nissan Micra, has a built in homing device to petrol stations. In all an expensive love affair but exceptional quality never comes cheap. Why buy a car when you can pilot an A4 Turbo ?

My car

I bought this 52 plate with 36k on the clock and it now has 137k on. It's an auto so it averages 32mpg but you can get 35mpg if you keep to the speed limits. It is tough on front tyres; 15k before the edges wear off unless you do alot of motor way work. Forget audi dealers, find a good specialist, change the engine oil every 10k and cam belt at 80k. You get 3 sets of pads to every set of disks. Watch for poor performance from the rear wash wipe. No cruise control is a bind on long journeys. No faults, great car.