Late 90's Audi A4 2.5 V6 TDIs. Anygood?

[Horney]

Looking at possibly changing the Polo for something to tow the Golf on a trailer next year and these seem to be interesting. Anyone owned one and like to share their views?

nick

[Organisys]

I own a B5 '97 A4 as you know. The build quality is very good.

The 2.5tdi is an older engine, bit more unrefined and noisey compared to a 1.9tdi. Not that economical either.
I'd look for a 1.9tdi. Mind you these cost more, especially clean ones with low miles.

 

[Horney]

Exactly the kinda info I was after. 1.9 TDI it is then. It's either one of these or an Alfa 156 2.5 JTD. The Alfa looks better as a saloon and comes proper packed with toys but the Audi is the better looking wagon.

Cheers bud!

nick

[Sam]

My dad has just bought a 1.9tdi A4 estate and i have to say, i like it alot and can imagine its a decent tow car.

[Organisys]

The 2.5 has more torque as standard but we know a 1.9 will respond well to a remap.

Look for a Quatto if you can, in my opinion the extra weight and dip in fuel economey is worth it.

'loon will be cheaper but wagons are just sooo practical.

 

Edit : Join the AA if you get the Alfa! It might be packed with toys, but will any of them still work? 

[Horney]

Quattro wuold be nice, but don't seem to be many around.

The Alfa Dervs are very reliable apparently, it's the early petrol 156's which a re bit hit and miss.

Nick

[VW BUSH]

Quattro wuold be nice, but don't seem to be many around.

The Alfa Dervs are very reliable apparently, it's the early petrol 156's which a re bit hit and miss.

Nick

The Alfa engines have never been the main issue, its all the other bits that fall off. 
My dad has a 2.0 TDI A4 Wagon 55 plate with 6 spd auto and does 55 mpg fully laden, last trip to Cornwall was about quarter of a tank one way 

[Horney]

Peoples opinions on Alfa's are stuck in the 80's. They do build really god cars now. My old man has a 57 plate GT Blackline and it's an awesome bit of kit.

The early petrol 156's had issues with Tsprak lump which while sounding great and a good engine power delivery wise had real problems with oil starvation, piston rings and cambelts.

nick

[Agreeable Slick]

NB: Might be worth looking in to Alfa self feeding issues.

could have been a one off, but I went past one on the motorway and it was self feeding, chucking smoke out the back, and probably went pop.

[Horney]

NB: Might be worth looking in to Alfa self feeding issues.

could have been a one off, but I went past one on the motorway and it was self feeding, chucking smoke out the back, and probably went pop.

Trust me, I've been spending a fair amount of time on Alfa forums recently. When my Dad said he was getting a GT I thought I better check out what the crack was with modern Alfas.

He had a 155 back n the mid 90's and that was a bit hit and miss. Engine died when it was 2 weeks old after eating loose nut from somehwere int he head and if you used the hazards the indicators wouldn't work afterwards unless you wiggled the stalk and ressed the hazzard button a the same time a few times. He still loved it though. He also had an Alfasud back in the 70's which he adored and that he claims never missed a beat or went rotten. It only went because he got a comany car.

Anyhoo I'll likely end up with an Audi because I find it hard to deviate from VAG these days.

Nick