GSi

I have a mate who is looking at cars at the moment and he has asked me to go and look at a car with him on Wednesday.

It's an Audi A4 Conv '03 2.4.

Anyone know anything about these? owned one and know what the common faults are?

He is buying from a dealer (private sale though as it belongs to the dealers wife).

Any help would be appreciated

moff

My dad has the 3.0 and hasn't really experienced any issues. It does suffer from the odd rattle where the roof stows.

The 1.8T is really the better option IMO. It is more economical and virtually the same performance. The 1.8T can also be easily remapped to 190bhp.

Not sure if the coil packs were an issue with the 2.4 engine, but it's worth checking and ensuring that they have the latest versions (free or under warranty) if it is a problem.

They have great residual values - best in class, so will make an ideal used purchase.

IIRC 03 was the first year, so it might have some early niggles?

I would make sure that it has full leather, and the BOSE is great if it has it.

Tyresmoke is probably the best place to ask.

GSi

Ta, will try and get a post on there before I leave today.

MarkB

A friend of mine owns an '05 1.8T conv.

Solid-feeling as you'd expect from Audi, but he's had a problem with the DIS (Driver Information System) ever since he bought it, the automatic servicing warning comes up about 100 miles after it's been reset by the dealer.

They've tried on many occasions to fix the fault, so far it persists after 9 months of ownership. He's tried several dealers, but it seems as there's no fault shown on the computer, no-one can resolve his problem. He's getting more and more exasperated with the dealer network, and Audi themselves just refer him straight back to the dealers. He is now seriously considering chipping it in for a Saab conv.

In short, mostly well built, but if you get a bad one, the dealers tent to be crap and Audi are no help. Pretty much my experience with Audi some 5 years ago.

GSi

Are Audi servicing costs akin to BMW?

Any knowledge on an Audi warranty - terms? payout?

rralston

Pal of mine has this very one - nice to drive, solid (for a rag top) although by no means quick.

I've looked at them myself, and the 9-3 convertible. Audi's are comanding high residuals although the servicing is pricy, not as steep as BMW but probably double Honda prices.

9-3 represents more value for mony at 3yrs old for me. Watch this space.......

ADP

I have a mate yeh right, setting up a hairdressers more likely

MarkB

Oh, and it has the added advantage of (according to James May) 'working like beer'.

The theory being, that any woman becomes instantly more attractive when she dons a pair of fashionable shades and drives past in an A4 Cabriolet. It works too, my mate's wife looks a whole lot better in the car than out of it....

moff

Audi servicing is more expensive than BMW if the car has Quattro.

IIRC the first service for our S3 was