The Multitronic auto box is worth avoiding.
By 80,000 miles it can be showing the symptoms of impending doom such as
juddering on take-off, and they’re just a gamble at this age. the regular
manual gearboxes are very long lived and last even longer if the oil for the
gearbox and diff is changed every 50,000 miles.
Suspension, steering and brakes are very
similar to the previous A4 in terms of what can wear out and, as before, it
will be bushes, ball joints and CV joints. The quattro models always have the
extra fear factor, but they’re generally pretty good with only clutch
replacement being the expensive bit. On all cars, ABS modules can fail and a
brand-new Bosch unit is far cheaper from a motor factors such as Andrew Page –
always check the new Bosch price before buying second hand. Power steering
whine will be a low fluid level, but don’t over-fill it!
In terms of body and trim, the B6 is about
as good as the B5 was. You can get the occasional rusty front arch but it’s not
as common as it is on the A6 and the B5 Passat. Window regulators can break,
but this is mainly due to the glass becoming stiff in the vertical felt runners
– some spray grease now and again is a good idea. Non - working rear windows
can often be a failed window master switch, and a misbehaving sunroof will also
be a switch problem. You can often take them apart and clean up the contacts,
but a new switch isn’t dear. A similar issue can affect the boot latch that
will not stay shut. this can either be the small spring inside the unit or the
electric solenoid, and a good used unit is the best plan.
In terms of prices, the B6 is now getting
very cheap, but cheap isn’t always good and a really nice B5 is better than a
ropey B6. A quick scour of Auto trader revealed that $1,681.4 would buy a 2003
2.0 FSI manual saloon with 157,000 miles, no history to speak of and an
interior in need of a serious valeting job. We’ll pass. An extra $336.28 found
a 51 plate 2.0 Sport in much better condition with a new Mot, six months tax
and recent bills for a new clutch, brakes and one for a timing belt in the last
20,000 miles – much more like it! $2 269.89 found a 2002 1.9 TDI Avant
with 263,000 miles – a bit risky, but it shows the mileage they can do.
Audi
B6 A4 premium rubber floor mats
Moving up to $3,362.8, we found some much
more interesting metal such as a 2004 2.4 SE with 150,000 miles and a 2002 52
plate 1.8tAvant with 127,000 miles. High mileage is common on these cars and of
course, low mileage attracts a hefty premium. For all that, though, we found a
2001 51 plate 2.0 SE with just 53,000 miles and two owners with full history
for $4,035.36 and, even though it’s twice the price of a 150,000-mile car, it’s
worth every penny because a 53,000-mile A4 2.0 is going to last another 100,000
miles with ease and the 150,000-mile car probably won’t.
Audi
B6 A4 On Road
Avants and diesels also attract a premium,
and while I’m not convinced that diesels are worth the bother, Avants certainly
are. Keeping within reasonable mileage bounds, we found a 98,000-mile 2.4 SE
Avant from late 2002 for $2,690.24 and a real rarity – a 2002 3.0 quattro Avant
with that glorious 30V petrol V6, and just 80,000 miles for $3,699.08 – what a
car! A similar-aged Avant with the 130 PS 1.9 TDI engine was almost $5,884.9 –
be careful though, because sub-100,000-mile B7 models with the 1.9 TDI engine
are available for not much more than $7,566.3.
Windscreen
washer fluid sensor is optional and will tell you when the washer fluid needs
to be filled
