2009 Audi A4 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2014 Audi A4 as a used buy. A major player in the trio of prestigious German cars Audi has become very strong in Australia in recent times. The Audi A4 is a midrange model that’s sold as a sedan, a two-door cabriolet and an Avant station wagon.  A further

For years Audi struggled to gain equal footing with BMW and Mercedes in Australia, but that has all changed and sales have been climbing at double-digit rates for several years now. Though the Audi range is extensive and growing even larger all the time the A4, with its smaller brother the A3 at its side, has

High-riding wagons are the car of choice for a large number of motorists today.

If you want to succeed in the prestige car business in this country you need to field a competitive mid-sized model.BMW gets by on the back of its 3-Series, 'Benz depends on its C-Class, and Audi its A4, so when it comes time to renew these models there's an understandable level of nervousness among executives of the respective companies.It was the turn of the Audi execs to feel the heat when the company revealed its new A4 in 2008. The company had established the credibility of the A4 over previous generations, but knew the on-going success of the brand depended heavily on the eighth generation model. The previous generation fell somewhere between the BMW and 'Benz. It didn't handle as well as the 3-Series and wasn't as comfy as the C-Class, but the B8 A4 was improved on most fronts, which was needed to keep pace with the competition.Unlike its rivals the Audi is predominantly front-wheel drive with some premium four-wheel drive models. There was quite a selection of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 1.8-litre direct injection turbo four boasting 118 kW and 250 Nm to a 3.2-litre V6 petrol with 195kW and 330Nm powering the range-  topping four-wheel driver.The base four came standard with a six-speed manual; the diesels were hooked up to a CVT, and the 3.2 V6 to a dual-clutch auto. With its engine moved back a little and the steering rack shunted forward the A4's handling was improved, although it was still not quite in the 3-Series league.The ride was also found to be a little too hard for the class, especially when stacked up against the C-Class. Inside, the cabin was well fitted out and nicely refined, with little road or wind noise to upset the inner peace. The seats were comfortable and supportive, and there was plenty of head and legroom for those in the front and the back.As befits a car in it class the A4 came with a decent list of gear, like climate-control air, auto headlights and wipers, leather trim, fog lights, alloy wheels, 6.5-inch colour info screen and a split-  fold rear seat.IN THE SHOPThe eighth gen A4 is relatively new to the market, so there's little to report in the way of niggles or serious flaws. Right now it's important to find a car that has been well cared for and serviced according to the book.Most on sale will be fresh out of a lease so should have been maintained, but check for a service record anyway. Oil changes are important with modern engines so make sure the oil and filter have been replaced at the correct intervals.VW and Audi engines tend to consume a little oil, which makes it important to keep an eye on the oil level at regular intervals. The oil usage is minor and not an issue, but it has caught some people out before when they never bother to lift the bonnet. Make the usual checks for panel damage, that's poor panel alignment and mismatched paint etc.Overall the A4 is a sound vehicle and not one to give serious trouble.IN A CRASHFive stars says it all, there's no higher rating available. To get the top tick of approval the A4 had eight airbags, ABS brakes, traction control and stability control.UNDER THE PUMPThe choice of petrol and diesel engines gives buyers plenty of choice when it comes to fuel consumption. The best of the bunch is the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel at 5.8 L./100 km; the thirstiest is the 3.2-litre V6 that Audi claimed would do 9.0 L/  100 km. All petrol engines required 95-octane premium unleaded fuel.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $50,900 to $88,500Engine: 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol, 118 kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 105 kW/320 Nm; 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel, 140 kW/400 Nm; 3.2-litre V6, 195 kW/330 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 8-speed auto, 6-speed auto. FWD and AWDEconomy: 7.2 L/100 km (1.8 TFSI), 5.8 L/100 km (2.0 TDI), 6.9 (2.7 TDI), 9.0 L./100 km (3.2 V6 Q), 7.4 L/100 km (2.0 TDI Q), 6.9 L/100 km (3.0 TDI Q)Body: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagonVariants: 1.8TFSI, 2.0TDI, 2.7TDI, 3.2-litre FSI Quattro, 2.0 TDI Quattro, 3.0 TDI QuattroSafety: 5-star ANCAP.Not as sporty as the 3-Series, not as comfortable as the C-Class, the A4 fits somewhere in between. Worthy of a look.

The traditional prestige players are priced beyond the means of most of us -- but the qualitative difference separating the business class and the topline versions of the rest has diminished to the point of non-existence. All right, you'll look better in the car park comparison stakes if you drive the exxier choices listed here, but you're by no means always driving the better car.WAGONSOne's a classy Volkswagen Group sport wagon with a direct injection turbo petrol engine with the option of a cutting-edge transmission. And so's the Audi.The Czech-made Skoda is essentially a bigger in the body, more discreet, better riding and cheaper VW Golf GTI, the car that more than any other blurs the distinction between the prestige pack and the rest.The handling-enhancing electronic diff of the new GTI is on its way to the RS, so while the twin clutch DSG adds $2300, the generous standard kit (including tasty 18s) and skinny options list means there's not a lot more to spend. Rare is the Audi of which that can be said.The output of the front-wheel-drive Avant's turbo four is similar (132kW/320Nm plays Skoda's 147kW/280Nm), limited for its continuously variable transmission. Quattro and the full-fat engine sets you back another $13,000 -- and the premium is already just a bit silly.SEDANSOne's a perfectly balanced, rear-wheel-drive, inline petrol six with great steering and a six-speed ZF automatic. And so's the BMW.All right, we're comparing a big tarted-up Aussie taxi with a thoroughbred mid-size Bavarian sport sedan here, but what of it? Priced $33K south, this Falcon is probably the best-value car in the country on a metal for money basis and that price difference buys a lot of basic unleaded petrol for that 4.0-litre atmo six with its whacking 195kW/391Nm. If there's a quickish car that rides as well as the Falcon, it's known not unto us.As to the Bimmer, well, you'd go there if you could, even if the peerless handling comes at the price of run-flat tyres and an options list to make your eyes bleed.DIESELSOne's a European-built front-wheel-drive with a sophisticated turbodiesel engine and bank-vault build quality. And so's the Volvo. Now the first prestige Euro to be owned by a Chinese company, Volvo did rather well out of its association with Ford (certainly better than Saab did out of GM). But the years of proximity invite comparison.Long the choice of UK sales reps and families, the Mondeo's marriage of the diesel with an auto and capable dynamics give it a comfortable niche position at this level of the market. The Titanium edition gives the long Ford the trim and kit to compare with the premium brigade.Despite its more potent five-cylinder engine and Swedish aura of invulnerability, we just can't see the extra spend in the stolid Volvo.SUVSOne's the best-driving compact SUV and... uh, that's the BMW, actually. We've often said that if BMW made front-wheel-drive family cars they'd handle like Mazdas, so the two brands' respective four-wheel-drives should logically be even closer.Not quite, but not to the extent that the X3 is nigh-on $20K better. The X3's only real advantage in Australia's restricted conditions is its standard six-speed auto. Stop us if you're tired of hearing this, Mazda doesn't yet have a slusher for its diesel.While the Mazda's engine is slightly bigger and more potent than the BMW diesel, it has to haul a nearly two-tonne kerb weight. The X3 is 250kg lighter but, within, it's also the most dated Bimmer.How much is that badge worth, again?

Pedigrees do not come much better than Audi's 2.0-litre TFSI engine. It won its category at this year's engine ‘Oscars’, having been voted best-in-class in the 1.8 to 2.0-litre category. But what does all that mean for consumers?Unlatch the bonnet and they will find this turbocharged engine in the engine bay of many Audi models. It is available in various tunes from 125kW to 188kW in the A3 Sportback, A3 cabrio, S3, A4, A5, A6 and Q5.In its most potent form it develops 200kW in the TTS coupe with S-tronic. The award cited the turbo's match of power and economy. There's no doubt that combined with Audi's seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the engine is a blast to drive in the newest $73,900 A4 sedan 2.0 TFSI.After a week pedalling the A4 quattro fitted with the 155kW/350Nm turbo four; buyers looking for performance but with an eye on the hip-pocket at the petrol pump will appreciate this modest drinker.Audi quotes a combined fuel economy figure of 7.4 litres/100km. That seems achievable but when you use the available low-down performance as we did, economy takes a back seat. With the 350Nm available from just 1500 revs the A4 will slingshot away from traffic lights with the single mindedness of a racing greyhound.There are no real surprises with A4's S-tronic gearbox, essentially Audi's version of a dual-clutch transmission. The S-tronic is well matched to the turbo four and reacts quickly and seamlessly once under way. But like many of the newer dual-clutch gearboxes, it still has momentary lapses in concentration at idle, a bit like a seniors' moment.The well equipped A4-2.0 TFSI combo is at the top end of Audi's mid-size lineup. Like most of the German brands though, the sting is with the options, the most outrageous being $1695 extra for metallic paint.Adding some spice with the $1695 18-inch alloys, $3390 for the navigation package, Audi's $3390 drive select with adaptive dampers, $1324 for side assist and $318 for high beam assist catapaults the price to more than $85,000. But even at this price the 2.0 TFSI is a worthy thoroughbred.

With different engine and transmission choices, plus the models that offer the German brand’s signature quattro drive, there’s probably an A4 for nearly every individual taste. And then there are some that should have appeal across a wider demographic. The A4 3.0-litre turbo-diesel with the quattro all-wheel drive is one of those.ExteriorAudi have made a big effort to make the new A4 appear more athletic, with taut, dynamic outlines and short front body overhangs, and the longer bonnet and wheelbase helping to give it more street presence.A strongly-tapered rear, 18in alloy wheels and bold wheel arches emphasise the vehicle’s muscular, sporty look.Wraparound xenon headlights with LED daytime driving lights are standard, and are echoed by the Led indicators in the exterior mirrors.Other features include keyless entry and start, plus Audi’s parking system with audible alerts.InteriorThe longer wheelbase of the new A4 makes for increased leg, shoulder, head and knee room and Audi have managed to incorporate more storage space throughout the cabin.The dash is simple and intuitive and shows careful attention to detail with good quality materials and workmanship. A large metallic dial on the centre console and a clear electronic display operate many of the vehicle’s features with minimal driver effort - as does the multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.The instrument cluster is easy to read and switches on the dash have a precision feel.The ‘symphony’ sound system is mp3 compatible and pumps out of 10 speakers, while for an extra $1589 you can upgrade to a Bang and Olufsen system.Three-zone electronic climate control airconditioning with sunlight dependent control, regulates the air temperature, flow rate and distribution. The new perforated leather seats with electronic adjustment and memory allow the flow of the airconditioning through seat base and back.The practical flat-surfaced boot holds a best-in-class 480 litres, which increases to 962 litres with the back seats folded down. Unfortunately, some of that space gain means the sacrifice of a normal sized spare in favour of a space saver.Drivetrain The 3.0 litre V6 trubo-diesel engine puts out 176kW at 4000-4400rpm and 500Nm at 1500-3000rpm.The quickest in the A4 range, it motors from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds via a six-speed tiptronic transmission with a direct-shift program that monitors the driving pattern and adjusts the shift characteristics to match..CO2 outputs are reasonable at 182gm/km as is fuel economy at 6.9litres/100km.Ride and handling The use of high grade steel in the body shell has saved on weight and contributed to the level of rigidity necessary for precise and accurate handling while still giving a comfortable ride, partly due to helping suppress vibration.Five-link front suspension coupled with an independent-wheel, trapezoidal-link rear system with brake assist have improved the dynamic behaviour.SafetyAudi’s latest A4 has won the top five-star ANCAP crash rating and comes with a comprehensive airbag package, electronic diff lock, stability and traction controls, and anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distributionPricing The A4 range starts at $50,900 for the 1.8 TFSI, with the 3.0 TDI we tested at $86,056. The range tops out at $90,900 with the 3.2 FSI.Driving This car feels solid and dependable. Overall, it does everything it was designed to do well and in a stylish manner.Audi have led the way in the refined turbo-diesel market and to this point they have had that niche sewn up. A lot of people would probably not pick at first that this is a diesel. And the efficiency of this V6 turbo becomes an even more attractive option with the price cap now closing again between deisel and unleaded fuelA diesel four-door family sedan that works at the entry level to the prestige market is becoming a higher volume niche, even here in Australia. Mercedes are now coming after Audi with their new BlueEfficiency 250 CDi engine in the C-Class, which promises similar performance and refinement in a twin stage turbo four. But for now, Audi has a distinct head start as well as the marketing lead with yet another win on debut of this year’s diesel GT1 racer.The A4’s exterior styling is clean, and the Audi family nose is one of the better and easiest to identify design cues around. The interior is also one of the best with the centre console controls being the most logical on the street - at least for my logic.Performance and economy are well balanced. Put the foot down and there is plenty of pick-up, with torque always an advantage of a diesel. Be gentle on the pedal and you will be rewarded in the hip pocket.Rating - 8.6