Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Audi A4, 2009 to 2014

[Autos_Editor]

A4 loved for all-weather performance and confidence, but have a used model checked for common issues and warranty-voiding modifications
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[hemusbull]

A "complicated vehicles like this one" with a lot of readings to refer to before buying...And the ignition packs problems still stay from the previous one? Holly crap!

[EV-Light]

A "complicated vehicles like this one" with a lot of readings to refer to before buying...And the ignition packs problems still stay from the previous one? Holly crap!

LOL...hard to believe this is any more complicated than most modern cards these days.

[Silverbird]

Agree on the most part.

Definately pays to look at the later years, I hear that the oil consumption issues got better starting in 2011 or 2012, as well as coil packs.

One error though, the tiptronic moved from 6 speeds to an 8 speed ZF unit starting the 2011 model year.

Also, don't bother looking for a 6spd manual on the Avant (wagon).  never made it to North Americal in this generation.

[Oldsguy]

Also, don't bother looking for a 6spd manual on the Avant (wagon).  never made it to North Americal in this generation.

Not even on the diesel model? 

[BernardP]

Having driven my 2014 A4 6MT for more than a year, the summary of my gripes is as follows:

--- gas tank is too small, allowing for about 500 kms of driving in winter and 550 kms in summer

--- transmissions ratios are too tall and too widely spaced. Sixth gear is almost unusable below 120 km/h because of weak throttle response. It's only good for inter-city cruising

--- automatic headlight washers are a nuisance. They start each time the windshied washer is used while the headlights are on. Each squirt consumes 250 ml of fluid. A short trip at night in winter can be enough to empty the tank. My workaround: disable auto-headlights, and try to avoid using the windshield washer. When I get to a stoplight, turn off the headlights, wash the windshield, then turn the headlights back on before restarting. After lenghty discussion with my dealer, there is no way to simply disable the headlight washers... They are even on the same fuse as the windshield washer.

--- hill-holder grabs too strongly and must be fought with more throttle than otherwise necessary when starting after a stop on a hill

--- rain-sensing wipers are erratic and can't be turned into a simpler time-delay mode.

--- air conditionning is weak.

--- the 280 km/h speedometer is too tight as usable speeds cover only 75% of the dial. 240 km/ would have been enough.

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

Apart from these design issues, my A4 has been completely reliable and is a pleasure to drive.

 

[tooscoops]

thanks for your opinion there! handy little tips and i agree that each of those things would bug me for sure... 250mls per wash, seriously?!

nice cars... and people really started falling for the audi brand in this generation... the "different" choice... trying to be the alternative for young, open minded well-to-do types. pretty timeless style.

[johngenx]

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

 

100% deal breaker in Edmonton.

[mixmanmash]

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

 

100% deal breaker in Edmonton.

One could install an oil pan heater.  Really, as long as the oil is flowing, that's all you need.  And using modern synthetics certainly helps with that.

But I still prefer the block heater as it means the engine will pump out heat faster.  Still can't beat the modern German diesels with their electric cabin heaters.  -30°C and it is pumping hot air in a minute or less.

[aquadorhj]

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

 

100% deal breaker in Edmonton.

neither of my FGC's are plugged in during winter, and have no problem starting at the end of my working day sitting out in -25 all day.

 and my previous MK4 Jetta didn't have block heater either.  had oil pan heater but rarely used it.   sure, it sounded like CRAP after a cold night, but it never had any issues starting..

[Sir Osis of Liver]

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

 

100% deal breaker in Edmonton.

neither of my FGC's are plugged in during winter, and have no problem starting at the end of my working day sitting out in -25 all day.

 and my previous MK4 Jetta didn't have block heater either.  had oil pan heater but rarely used it.   sure, it sounded like CRAP after a cold night, but it never had any issues starting..

Unless the battery is weak, modern cars will typically start, but they'll be running without lube until the oil gets flowing. That's the deal breaker part. Synthetic oil flows quicker, but even that has difficulties when the mercury is dipping below -40.

Block heaters are considered standard equipment here, and are automatically installed upon delivery to the dealerships, unless the cars can't be equipped with them.

I don't think I've had a car without a block heater.

[mixmanmash]

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

 

100% deal breaker in Edmonton.

neither of my FGC's are plugged in during winter, and have no problem starting at the end of my working day sitting out in -25 all day.

 and my previous MK4 Jetta didn't have block heater either.  had oil pan heater but rarely used it.   sure, it sounded like CRAP after a cold night, but it never had any issues starting..

Unless the battery is weak, modern cars will typically start, but they'll be running without lube until the oil gets flowing. That's the deal breaker part. Synthetic oil flows quicker, but even that has difficulties when the mercury is dipping below -40.

Block heaters are considered standard equipment here, and are automatically installed upon delivery to the dealerships, unless the cars can't be equipped with them.

I don't think I've had a car without a block heater.

Mobil1 0W40 has a pour point of -54 deg. C.  I've put a bottle out overnight in -40 deg. C temps to see how well it flows and it's pretty amazing.

Here's a great picture.  They don't state what temperature this was done at, but pretty neat to see:

[SKYMTL]

My Audi has been amazingly reliable despite a few hiccups: 

-  I change light bulbs and fuses more than I change socks.

-   Alignments are needed every ~4 months.  For whatever reason the thing likes getting out of alignment.

-  The rear trunk piston has erupted three times, leaking oil everywhere.

-  The power mirrors stopped working a few weeks ago.  I don't even want to know how much that will cost. 

[lebowski]

Having driven my 2014 A4 6MT for more than a year, the summary of my gripes is as follows:

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Seems the 2011's and beyond have better reliability -  a 2011 and 2012 A4 Avant is looking more appealing every day -  just not sure how much I'd miss a manual transmission, though I understand those 8-speed ZF's are the bees' knees.

[2JDM]

My Audi has been amazingly reliable despite a few hiccups: 

-  I change light bulbs and fuses more than I change socks.

-   Alignments are needed every ~4 months.  For whatever reason the thing likes getting out of alignment.

-  The rear trunk piston has erupted three times, leaking oil everywhere.

-  The power mirrors stopped working a few weeks ago.  I don't even want to know how much that will cost. 

Thats "amazingly" reliable?  Whats the year and mileage?

[tpl]

Having driven my 2014 A4 6MT for more than a year, the summary of my gripes is as follows:

--- gas tank is too small, allowing for about 500 kms of driving in winter and 550 kms in summer

--- transmissions ratios are too tall and too widely spaced. Sixth gear is almost unusable below 120 km/h because of weak throttle response. It's only good for inter-city cruising

--- automatic headlight washers are a nuisance. They start each time the windshied washer is used while the headlights are on. Each squirt consumes 250 ml of fluid. A short trip at night in winter can be enough to empty the tank. My workaround: disable auto-headlights, and try to avoid using the windshield washer. When I get to a stoplight, turn off the headlights, wash the windshield, then turn the headlights back on before restarting. After lenghty discussion with my dealer, there is no way to simply disable the headlight washers... They are even on the same fuse as the windshield washer.

--- hill-holder grabs too strongly and must be fought with more throttle than otherwise necessary when starting after a stop on a hill

--- rain-sensing wipers are erratic and can't be turned into a simpler time-delay mode.

--- air conditionning is weak.

--- the 280 km/h speedometer is too tight as usable speeds cover only 75% of the dial. 240 km/ would have been enough.

--- no provision for installing an engine block heater

Apart from these design issues, my A4 has been completely reliable and is a pleasure to drive.

Given that your A4 is very similar to the Q5...in terms of how it works.
1.  Hah! the Q5 has a huge gas tank...800+ kms in the highway...but then it has more underbody room to put it
2.  The Q is automatic of course but 8th is unusable under 80-90 km/h 
3.  The headlight washer cycle can be changed with VCDS  and therefore presumably with the VAG official tool as well.  How often it fires and for how many seconds can be changed
4. N/A to me
5. I find they do exactly what is says in the manual. Moving the switch changes the sensitivity of the sensor.  It may look erratic I agree.    Now if they would only change the switch so that washing the front screen doesn't turn off the rear wiper.
6. I agree that it is not like 'proper' a/c units that D3 cars used to have that would freeze you nuts off within 30 seconds on a really hot day but it does the jobs quickly.
7. Agreed
8.IIRC my 2000 A4 1.8T didn't either and I don't think the Q5 (2.0T) does either.  But of course as I live near the COTU I'd never notice.

[tpl]

Having driven my 2014 A4 6MT for more than a year, the summary of my gripes is as follows:

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Seems the 2011's and beyond have better reliability -  a 2011 and 2012 A4 Avant is looking more appealing every day -  just not sure how much I'd miss a manual transmission, though I understand those 8-speed ZF's are the bees' knees.

I am convinced that the ZF 8 speed slushbox is as good as the VW 6 spd DSG which I thought was pretty good. Speaking as someone who only drove manuals for 40 years.

[EV-Light]

My Audi has been amazingly reliable despite a few hiccups: 

-  I change light bulbs and fuses more than I change socks.

-   Alignments are needed every ~4 months.  For whatever reason the thing likes getting out of alignment.

-  The rear trunk piston has erupted three times, leaking oil everywhere.

-  The power mirrors stopped working a few weeks ago.  I don't even want to know how much that will cost.

I'd be VERY upset if I had to do alignment every 4 months....same for light bulbs and fuses....

[lebowski]

I am convinced that the ZF 8 speed slushbox is as good as the VW 6 spd DSG which I thought was pretty good. Speaking as someone who only drove manuals for 40 years.

Very good to hear - and that's a serious endorsement!

[whaddaiknow]

My Audi has been amazingly reliable despite a few hiccups: 

-  I change light bulbs and fuses more than I change socks.

-   Alignments are needed every ~4 months.  For whatever reason the thing likes getting out of alignment.

-  The rear trunk piston has erupted three times, leaking oil everywhere.

-  The power mirrors stopped working a few weeks ago.  I don't even want to know how much that will cost.

I'd be VERY upset if I had to do alignment every 4 months....same for light bulbs and fuses....

$300+tax per year on wheel alignment is NOT normal.