Audi A4 Cabriolet

[A210AMG]

Hello,

Have to say if you want a bit of vrroom the 2.4V6 or 1.8T are not particularly 'quick', I guess the 1.8T is easy to remap.

The convertibles are hevier and seem to need a big lump to get them going.

Obvioulsy if its looks rather than vroom then this doesn't matter I guess.

I do like the look of the A4 with the right wheels.

 

[Alps]

i was actually considering chopping the golf Mk1 cab for an A4 for the missus next year, have to keep an eye on this thread before spending any cash!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Well, I've only limited time with the car but overall I'm very happy.

The hood is fabric rather than steel but I'm happy with this (keeping the threat slightly MB focused) the CLK hood is fabric too. I much prefer this as every car I've owned or driven with a metal folding hood has rattles or squeeks, this includes those dreaded glass sunroofs and any detachable hard tops - this seems worst in hot weather as if the rubbers have softened. Anyway the hood is triple lined and you wouldn't know it was fabric by wind noise.

The 1.8t is sufficient. It's not a fast car despite the rather attractive twin exhausts! It will do the job without fuss - the turbo whistles like a good 'un. On paper it will do 60 in just over 9 secs and do 130ph.

The multitronic autobox is a little unusual, sems to have no gearing but is tiptronic and has paddles on the steering wheel which initiate artificial gears - all 7 of them. I suspect that this is a toy that I'll soon tire of.

I chose the sport trim which means 17 inch alloys and low profile tyres with a firmer suspension. It's certainly firmer than the C class but softer than our SLK. It's not over firm but does feel very solid around bends.

I'm finding the seats a little snug around my fat @rse but the C calss felt the same when I first had it, maybe the seat will adapt like Homer Simpson's settee cushion!

I chose leather, bluetooth phone integration, centre arrmrest, auto and a wind deflector - all seem worth having but wish I'd had reversing sensors. I think that retrofitting these has become better with the sensors built into the numberplate surround.

I'm glad that I bought it, it's brand new and will work well for business mileage and give us some fun on weekends and on holiday in the south of France.

I wouldn't bother with the 2.4, apparently it's no faster than the 1.8 but a lot thirstier - incidentally I'm not over pleased with 350 miles on a full 70 litre tank!- I hope that this willimprove with age.

I don't know about you but I just couldn't face driving a diesel convertible.

 

[Will]

I would avoid the 1.8T like the plague IMHO.

It's a very tiresome engine, very little torque and needs to be worked very hard to get any sort of progress out of it, not really a good match for a heavy cabriolet.

I'm sure that the 3.0 is the engine of choice, but even the 2.4 must be smoother and more suited to this model - it's not as though the 1.8T is good on fuel (I averaged less than 20MPG overall )

I reckon the newer 2.0T FSI (200PS) would be fine, but that's only in the latest facelift models (2006 onwards IIRC). Ideally with Quattro

The body/interior/looks of the car are it's major point - handling I thought was OK for a heavy FWD cabriolet, but considering the ride comfort vs. handling ability it could be better, I'm sure a CLK Avantgarde would be more fun to drive and smoother.

For the money they look pretty good value and the residuals are strong, but I would much rather a 2 or 3 year old CLK 209 with a good spec as opposed to a brand new A4 cab base model with hindsight

Will

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


I've had a few convertibles and also thought not sure about a diesel convertible. However there are some great engines out there, the 3.0Tdi in the A4 and the 335d in the BMW, these will go well yet still return good fuel. Roof down at the lights must be a bit odd, but you do see more and more from Saab, Reno, Pug, and the above to name a few,

For me I do like the idea of a convertible to be fun and drive well, I'm not sure about running out of revs in the dervs having only driven manual ones but its a different driving style.

That 1.8T sounds like a looker rather than anything else, my bus would probably give it a run....and 22mpg surely the 3.0 would do that?

However when I had my 330 bmw convertible in real terms I probably drove it slower than many other cars I had, Its great just cruising round with the roof down, great at night with the seat heaters on.

So like you say in France roof down cruising the town its the same 'feel' as an S4 convertible and I do agree its a nice looking car. Hopefully the fuel will improve as it losens up.


Just noticed your spec, did you get seat heaters? parking sensors I fitted to my bus looks original and cost £30 !

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Thaks guys, I appreciate your comments.

You're right the 1.8 is mainly for looks and that was part of my rationale, most normal cars seem to have similar performance these days and I bought this for fun and looks really - call it my last sporty car for business use!

Don't forget that I came to this from a 180K C class so day to day performance isn't really an issue - besides I do have the v6 in the SLK for a blast if I really need it.

I ummed and ahed over this for ages, in the end the deal was too good to turn down. The car was pre registered and I paid £7k below list, I'm not married to it and will keep 2 years tops.

I did come very close to buying a CLK but couldn't justify the extra cost, they are also due o be replaced next year and I've been caught out a bit with the C class - selling just after a new one was launched.

Cheers

 

[Will]

It's ok Lewy, I think your rationale was similar to mine when I got my A4 cab.

It was brand new, I had it for 2 years, 1.8T, Sport Pack, Nappa Leather.

Cost me less than the depreciation would have been over the 2 years - on a lease.

So I basically ran it for the cost of a much lesser car. This was my justification, I wouldn't have paid full whack for one.

How much did you pay for yours out of interest? I presume it's an '07 plate - there's a few changes from that one and mine.

Incidentally, my #1 hate of that car will not trouble you - the 5-speed Audi gearbox (manual) was the worst bit

I do still miss it on sunny days (not that often at the moment )

Will

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


Sorry to ask after the fact, did you consider leasing? I was soooo close to leasing a Saab Aero Hot convertible when I decided against it and bought the BM, albeit a second hand one.

I was quoted just over £300 a month (private) at the time 3+23 which I figured was a great deal, no need to worry about selling it, new models etc etc. I know the cars going to cost me and my cash stays in the bank.

The only thing that put me off was I don't 'own' the car, I know that no one else would realy know but I like the fact my cars are paid for, no balance, no balloon, end figure etc.

There are some great deals though, sorry I mention this after but then if you do more than 10 - 20K a year the deals are not as good.

As an example there were Q7's for £399 a month...

certainly makes you think. Seems to be the done thing in the USA


cheers and enjoy your car

 

[reflexboy]

Ummmm, errrr, dunno what to do next. I think I firstly need to drive one, drive a CLK320 cab and drive a few more E's, possibly an E320 CDi and an E320 petrol and then think again. Thanks for all your comments...They have got my mind ticking.

 

[Will]

To be honest, it's a pity you can't borrow one for a week or so.

I know it sounds silly but I think you need to let the novelty factor wear right off with these cars. They look so good that you convince yourself you want one before you even get in it, and then you're trying to justify it to yourself as opposed to properly critiquing it.

Some cars 'wear' better on you - ie modern diesels etc. Not so exciting from the off, but the long term satisfaction with them is greater.

I'm sure in two years or so time, a nice smooth auto CLK320 will be doing the business and the wheezing A4 FWD would be starting to grate.

If I had one again, it'd have to be either a 3.0, pref quattro, or a 2.0T FSI if going new - but ideally a CLK

Good luck

Will

 

[A210AMG]

If I didn't need a car that could tow and when out little one is a bit bigger,

I would have loved the ///M3 convertible, although the CLK55 Convertible would be on the list (did they do a convertible version?)

ooh well I will be back to roof down driving one day...

 

[Will]

Shame you seem to be after a 4 seater cab, and also I imagine you don't own a business:

http://www.skyfleetltd.co.uk/carman/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=155364

That looks like a cracking deal for an SLK

Will

 

[A210AMG]

That looks great for the wife...

I guess like I have found adding options increases the lease cost a lot, I would have to change the wheels from standard.

I'm not in the market but that sounds like MX5 money for a Merc

 

[gl boy]

Ok, so I've had the W202 for a few years now, and if my financial plans pan out right I MAY be in the market for a new car next year. I am thinking perhaps CLK320 Cab or Audi A4 Cab. Whilst I adore MB, I am also impressed by Audi's build quality as I feel MB's build quality had dropped off a bit around 2000-2002, which would be about the age car I may be able to afford. Does anyone have any personal experience on A4 Cabs? What are they like? and what is the best engine to go for? It seems most people go for the 2.4 V6, although a 1.8T and a 3.0 V6 is also available? Thanks in advance ladies and gents.

Cannot comment on the audi but the clk have plenty of room in the back compared with other cabs i had a bmw 6 and a bmw 3 and the room in the back was a lot smaller, px/.ed my 6 series for my present amg clk ...as others as said the build and mechanical is great hope it helps regards jon