Nick.Petty Posted June 26, 2004 Posted June 26, 2004 Looking to chop in my Jeep and I fancy one of these .. Need to tow a caravan/Westy on trailer and do some fairly hefty miles - need power/traction/good seats/nice hi-fi/reliability/strong residuals... Good car? Alternatives? TIA Nicko Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 Make sure its a 2004 model year, (not sure when they actually started selling them), I've got a petrol engined 2003 model (bought Sept 2002) year A4 and have been slightly dissapointed. 2004 year cars that I've been loaned during services have been much better. Quote
Guest Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 my mate has one that he tows with ..have been on a trip in it and was so impressed i am buying one too..........................although mine will not be a 2.5 (his is ) the new cars are also 180bhp where his is a 2002 car.............the bose upgraded stereo sounds great to. Quote
Impney Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 I've got a A4 Avant 1.9TDi 130 Quattro, less than 12 months old and it's brilliant. Tow's the Westy without any trouble. More regulary pull an Ivor Williams box trailer , and you would'nt even know it was there. Driven my mates 2.5TDi, definately more go but fuel consuption is normally low/mid thirties, where as the worst I've recorded with 1.9TDi is 38mpg. (Big roofbox , High speed , French Autoroute). Average over 35,000 miles so far is 46mpg and on the motorway 50 plus mpg. ( Yep, I'm a tight git ) If fuel consumption isn't an issue , get the 2.5TDi , don't even waste your time looking elsewhere. Only thing to bear in mind is that the A4 is being facelifted within the next 6 months or so. Quote
Thrustyjust Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 Just had my 2.5 tdi chipped at West Tuning at Thruxton,ballistic animal. Quote
DENNISTHEMENACE Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 Just had my 2.5 tdi chipped at West Tuning at Thruxton,ballistic animal. Bet the torque improvement is awesome too. Mate of minr had his chipped at AMD in Bicester. Transforms the car. Go for it. I have Audi 1.8T Quattro Sport, tows superb (caravan at over twice the weight of Westy and trailer) wish I had gone for 2.5D, but none around when I needed one. Quote
Thrustyjust Posted June 27, 2004 Posted June 27, 2004 think the traction control light is going to annoy me,might have to take it out,especially in 4th gear at 60 mph!!!! Quote
Nick.Petty Posted June 27, 2004 Author Posted June 27, 2004 'Kin ell. what bhp/torque does that take it to, and for how much ££££ Is yours a recent car? Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 I'm waiting for my estate 1.9TDi. Its only been 10 weeks and apprently it should be here in a fornight. I'll believe that when I see it! Buzz Quote
DENNISTHEMENACE Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 'Kin ell. what bhp/torque does that take it to, and for how much ££££ The AMD chip adds approx 40 BHP to most VW/Audi engines. I had my 225 BHP Audi TT chipped by them, ended up at 263 BHP on rolling road. Can't remember torque figue though,see AMD Quote
Thrustyjust Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 It is at 192 bhp at the moment and 300 lb/ft torque.Also remember it's a nice 6 speed gearbox!!! The car wasnt running right,so the dealer we got it from took it to West tuning.The mapping needed totally re doing(ecu from another car,nice!!,so he said I thought I'd give it a bit more ooomph.I didn't pay for it either,that was down to the guy we bought it from,Result!!!! I think you would be looking at £450 is + vat Quote
peterg Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 Alternatives? Surprised no-one's mentioned either the BMW330d or 530d, not 4WD I know but RWD (just like your Westy) and excellent residuals Quote
Nick.Petty Posted June 28, 2004 Author Posted June 28, 2004 Good call, I'd definitely like to have a go in the Bimmer also..... have heard very good things about them. The only downside is that sometimes on wet grass etc with a 'van on the back 2 wheel drive can be next to useless whereas the Quattro system should at least give me a head start (going from a Jeep which pulls anything through anything and up almost anything). Quote
davidgh Posted July 1, 2004 Posted July 1, 2004 A4 2.5 Tdi Quattro (which is the 180) will tow anything -- and with sport suspension and Krafts is great, if firm (but then again, if your Westie hasn't given you piles, the Audi won't either) to drive. Loved mine, but eventually had to chop it in for Allroad as space too limited. Audi scores against the BM if you are a wuss at reversing the trailer -- you can tow out forwards (almost) no matter what the terrain. Doesn't have the of the BM though....... Quote
Kev Bamber Posted July 1, 2004 Posted July 1, 2004 My 523 (2.5) showed nearly 30mpg towing the Westy to Curborough & back... so the petrol bimmers ain't a bad choice either, & that on an auto. Quote
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