Find myself needing an automatic car.
Having just purchased a manual 1.8t Golf MKIV, it become obvious I need an auto due to several niggling nerve and health issues, I suspect I knew this but was putting off the inevitable..!
So looking to buy an A3 or A4 auto..something around £3000 tops...so 2000 to 04 probably with miles and hopefully a FSH. Could do with adjustable thigh supports and poss heated seats..so that may rule out the A3.
Anyone on here had hands on experience with the plain auto, multitronic and/or tiptronic boxes ( suspect I will not get a DSG for my budget )
K
I can't help re the specific model but before I bought my A6 I spoke to a motor dealer friend of mine who said don't touch an Audi auto, this might be specific to the larger vehicles in the range but def worth checking it out in more detail in case it is an Audi specific thing to avoid!
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Hi There,
From personal experience with a 3.2 Audi TT with a DSG gearbox, I would advice steering clear of a DSG gearbox if the car is of a similar age to my TT (2005). It was real trouble particularly once it warmed up. It would basically bang violently into low gears and proved to be a nerve shredding experience. Audi and a number of specialists failed to diagnose the problem and could only recommend a full gearbox rebuild which would have been around £3k.
I was also told (whether or not it is true I don't know) that they have a high failure rate after 70k miles. There are also websites dedicated to DSG failure and I understand that it was a major problem in the US.
So with you budget I would avoid a DSG even if one became available.
Marc.
Appreciate the comments so far gents.
What I know so far is that the Multitronics were for the FWD models mainly and the Tiptronics for the Quattros( although this may not be the case for the 1.8T ), there also appears to have been a 7plate clutch upgrade for the former as th 6plate was the cause of many issues
The internet is awash with horror stories for these types of boxes, but as with most things it tends to be the worst cases that makes it to the forums, so was hoping that somebody had several Ks worth of miles experience ...be it it good or bad.
K
I'm in a similar position myself (though I'm not in the Audi cash bracket). I currently have a C-Max 2.0 petrol (not the new model) with a smooth torque converter auto. I believe the new one, which I'll be looking at later in the year, has Ford's Powershift system. Not as good.
I think it's the case that torque converter autos are becoming less common because of their cost and associated increase in fuel consumption. Shame. Auto=civilised motoring for me.
There is a thread regarding this on Pistonheads
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... 2&f=86&h=0
Originally Posted by MonkeyBoy
Thanks, must of missed that particular thread whilst browsing late last night....
Was thinking that the CVT might be all that really available to me price wise, unless I go for a higher mileage 3.0 quattro.
I had a 1.8 petrol A4 avant 170 brake HP (70k on the clock) but I got rid of when the PRNDS lights began flashing on the dashboard. I too read some horror stories on the net as well and managed to px it before a new gear box was needed. When it was working it was brilliant. I seem to remember the problem was more prevalent in the higher powered versions.
I would have another one in a heartbeat but the threat of having to buy a new gearbox means I now drive the same car but a manual. I believe the later versions don't have the problem, but i would think they would fall outside your budget.
No good news I'm afraid from an gearbox point of view but great cars!!!!
Pete
I have the A4 2.0 Quattro MANUAL and am perfectly happy with it. From the horror stories I have heard, I would not touch the Audi CVT with a bargepole!
I had a VW DSG box (same as Audi) and it was superb, absolutely brilliant.
There were also Internet horror stories about that box, but it was the software controlling it not the mechanical gearbox itself.
I been reading up on various Audi forums about a future purchase. An A4 avant from 2005.
It seems that the 7 speed CVT (or multitronic) is fitted to front wheel drive cars and the 6 speed Tiptronic to the quattros.
I am avoiding the CVT as I want the quattro system.
The Tiptronic gearbox is not made by Audi but by "ZF Friedrichshafen", who also supply BMW as well as other motor manufacturers. See here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4...2.80.932008.29
When you hear Internet Stories about don't buy that brand or the other brand it doesn't make sense as the gearboxs in the same model range (i.e. A4) can be made by a different parts manufacturers.
I think I would prefer the assurance of the quattro system in the A4 as its a proper 4wd (with front and rear diff with a centre torsion diff).
As opposed to the A3 which is a Haldex semi permanent arrangement (mostly front wheel drive).
Oh and may I suggest this as what you might like (no affiliation to seller just a suggestion):
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3991163.htm
Good luck on your search
Had the DSG on my wifes Scirocco TDI which I thought was great. She currently has a 1.8t LE manual Avant, which again is a great car to drive, especially the sports seats which fit me perfectly and take pressure off my legs, and which I would happily drive more if only it was an auto..!!
Ha, saw that vehicle on Autotrader or Ebay, and was sorely tempted its just what I want really but rather vainly the interior puts me off a little. Might go and have a look though, its a lot of car for the money.
I've got a A6. 2.5Tdi with the tiptronic auto,mileage is approximately 151k at present,still as smooth as silk,although I had the gearbox lights up on the dash a few weeks ago after my documented dunking during some flooding.
Luckily my tech emptied the water from the gearbox ecu and dried it thoroughly and it hasn't missed a beat since then.
By the way mine is a fwd estate model.
Does it have to be an Audi?
I only say this as I've had 4 BMW auto's and they've all been brilliant. They've all been '02 to '54 cars so the era you're looking at.
If you like mk iv golfs have a drive in a V5 auto. Make sure it's the 20v though. Lovely motor.
I've also had two dsg cars, MKV GTi and VW touran. We've still got the touran. Dsg is light years ahead of the old style autos.
Stay away from Audi multitronic. Quite a high failure rate.
Have been thinking about a 3 series auto, or maybe even a compact.
Although I have a soft spot for the MKIVs, the seats just don't have the underthigh support I need. I think my problem may be nerve related as pressure in the wrong place makes my legs go numb, mainly my left leg, which is why an auto going to be best.
Which is also why I am looking for seats with an adjustable thigh support,something none of the Golfs have ( AFAIK ) otherwise I would have purchased a V5.
K
It might not be the auto box that will give you the problem, I had the use of a company A6 some years ago and it was simply thee most uncomfortable car I have ever used, the seats were terrible. So much so that one drive back up north being in a reasonable hurry to give it back to the full time owner of it I did about 300 miles with out stopping and had to be lifted out of it when I got back to the office.
Now you might think that was just me but the full time user of this car also had problems and actually paid out of his own pocket to have the seats changed to some aftermarket ones. Just as an asides it was an auto and never missed a beat in the three years and plenty miles of the lease. Horrible thing that basically wanted set on fire or something :lol: :lol: This was at the time where there was a bit of a transition from 5 series Beemers to Audi, the Beemers cars were miles better but the car to have amongst those that could have them seemed to be the Audi. This was early 2000's about the age you are looking at. And there were a few others that got them and were't happy with the comfort compared to their previous BMW's.
Find an auto VW Golf :wink:
I`m a recent convert to autos; Jaguar XF 3.0 diesel is my current motor.
I drove a couple of Jaguar S-types in the past with auto boxes and they were brilliant. These can now be picked up for very reasonable money.
Having got the auto bug I would never go back to a manual.
Paul
Three out of the four that I've owned had adjustable thigh support. It's the 'sport' seats that have this function - apart from the Land Rover Discovery I drive now, they're the most comfortable seats I've ever had in a car.
Three out of the four that I've owned had adjustable thigh support. It's the 'sport' seats that have this function - apart from the Land Rover Discovery I drive now, they're the most comfortable seats I've ever had in a car.
Is this the MK IV Golf you are refering to, or the BMW?
K
Just a quick point on the Haldex and 'proper' four wheel drive.
Since Gen 2, circa 2004, the Haldex system in VW and Audi transverse engined is permanent four wheel drive. There is always a percentage of power going to the rear wheels (20%) and this can be varied by the Haldex unit as traction dictates. Even the Gen 1 was a good system, where you benefit from the fuel savings of FWD but have the four wheel drive when needed. The system transfers torque to the rear when it detects slip of only 1/8 of a wheel turn so it's near instantaneous.
I have the Haldex system on my S3 currently, but was running the Torsen diff quattro setup on my previous A4, and the latter is indeed a bullet proof system, but the Haldex is still a good 'proper' four wheel drive system for most peoples needs.
On the subject of the Audi auto boxes, the problem with the Internet is that you can't judge the reliability of the DSG/CVT systems based on reported failures. It's a self selecting sample, and we don't know how many good cars are out there with no issues. There are a lot of reports though of flashing PRNDS failures, and Audi's default fix seems to be to replace the gearbox controller, and then the box itself if under warranty. Out of warranty, a lot of people have been sending their controllers off to specialist repairers, and circa £1200 later have a refurbed controller and a perfect box.
Admittedly, there are enough reports to put me off, running an older car is potentially worrisome enough without auto boxes to worry about too! If you can put some cash aside to pay for any box worries, it might be worth a punt though?
I would be happy with the Haldex set-up, and it would suit my needs just fine.Just a quick point on the Haldex and 'proper' four wheel drive.
Since Gen 2, circa 2004, the Haldex system in VW and Audi transverse engined is permanent four wheel drive. There is always a percentage of power going to the rear wheels (20%) and this can be varied by the Haldex unit as traction dictates. Even the Gen 1 was a good system, where you benefit from the fuel savings of FWD but have the four wheel drive when needed. The system transfers torque to the rear when it detects slip of only 1/8 of a wheel turn so it's near instantaneous.
I have the Haldex system on my S3 currently, but was running the Torsen diff quattro setup on my previous A4, and the latter is indeed a bullet proof system, but the Haldex is still a good 'proper' four wheel drive system for most peoples needs.
On the subject of the Audi auto boxes, the problem with the Internet is that you can't judge the reliability of the DSG/CVT systems based on reported failures. It's a self selecting sample, and we don't know how many good cars are out there with no issues. There are a lot of reports though of flashing PRNDS failures, and Audi's default fix seems to be to replace the gearbox controller, and then the box itself if under warranty. Out of warranty, a lot of people have been sending their controllers off to specialist repairers, and circa £1200 later have a refurbed controller and a perfect box.
Admittedly, there are enough reports to put me off, running an older car is potentially worrisome enough without auto boxes to worry about too! If you can put some cash aside to pay for any box worries, it might be worth a punt though?
My only problem is with the A3 seating, much like the Golf I don't think anything pre-03 has the adjustable support at the front I think I need.
Just sat in my sister-in-laws 05 plate A4 Avant SE...the seats are a lot softer than in ours ( Sports seats ) but still fall short at the front and its this that seems to cause me some of the discomfort I experience whilst driving.
Basically I need to have my legs flat against the seat squab, if I adjust the seat so as this is the case with the throttle I cannot fully depress the clutch in most cars causing me to stretch, soI tend to adjust so my right leg is bent, and I then tend to sit with it angled sideways, this puts pressure on a nerve??/muscle and causes me to get a dead leg.
Then I start to get dull pains in my chest and my left shoulder, which culminates in pins and needles down my arm and a numb hand ( mainly the left but occasionally both )
This can all happen within 5mins of driving sometimes.
Although also happens in day to day tasks causing mainly numb arms/hands pain in elbows, washing up, hoovering, feeding the baby, etc.....
And I suffer badly with RLS, which I suspect is connected.
Doctor seemed uninterested, though that was a few years back. As the problem has got much worse in recent months I think I should pop back...
I have given up motorcycling and bicycling due to these issue as well, was not fun barrelling into corners to find that you have no real feel for throttle or brakes..... :shock:
The multitronic is known as the multichronic. Avoid.
FWIW I’ve just paid £275 to have one refurbed and it comes complete with a lifetime warranty.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
How about a Saab? You'd get a decent one for the money, fantastic and heated seats, and lots of autos.
Look at other brands, and owned a few over the years but keep coming back to the VAG cars, so likely to stick with an Audi, VW or perhaps a Seat.
Been thinking on the seat issue, if i get an auto I won't necessarily need the additonal thigh support as I will nly need to adjust for my right leg ( providing I can reach the steering wheel of course.. :? )
With that in mind I may go and look for a suitable Golf MK IV auto...preferably the V5.
Thanks for all you comments and advice gents.
K
Firstly, I recommend you definitely get back to your doctors and discuss your symptoms with them: things have changed for you and so the medics should be updated.
SWMBO has a Golf MkIV V5 auto and FWIW I find it a very ‘easy’ drive insofar as supportive seats (Recaro), plenty of adjustment combinations and light input to cause breaking. A very ‘smooth’ drive IMO. Thought: whereabouts in the UK are you - if feasible, you are welcome to have a good try of the V5 just to see if it suits you?
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
The BMWs.Three out of the four that I've owned had adjustable thigh support. It's the 'sport' seats that have this function - apart from the Land Rover Discovery I drive now, they're the most comfortable seats I've ever had in a car.
Is this the MK IV Golf you are refering to, or the BMW?
K
Rather than a 10/12 year old VW Audi, I have just bought a 2008 Astra Design automatic for £4400... food for thought maybe? I suffer the numb foot/ankle too (took a knee cap through a pair of jeans nearly 20 years ago), but its the right one, so I can pull an auto up with my left leg without it stalling.
How about a different type of car though, rather than a specific seat? In the Mrs current shape Grand Vitara my leg/thigh is completely horizontal rather than cranked upwards? I'd guess most of the people carriers would give you this type of postion too.
I've got an A4 quattro 2.0T petrol with 6-speed tiptronic. Car has 80k miles and auto box shifts wonderfully still. I still have a manual for the weekends, but for daily driving to work and traffic, I've fallen in love with having an auto.
The Audi box has a 'S' option which is great for accelerating off the line and beating cars off the lights when the road is narrowing ahead.
I would second that, the BMW auto gearboxes are outstanding. I have had 4 now, mostly on new cars. However 3 years ago i bought an old one as I needed to raise some cash, got a W reg (now around 14 years old ) 530 D. it cost me £3k, you could probably get it for 2.5k for a decent one now. It has been faultless including the auto box - and it is 33mpg.
Audi / VW autos are great when they're working. Very expensive when they go wrong - especially the DSG gearbox. Had £2500 bill for repairing a DSG, needless to say I've not bought anymore since then.
They're made from chocolate. Avoid.
Thanks for all the advice and comments gents, always a wealth of knowledge on here to tap into.
But as usual when I ask for advice, I have ignored it all and gone for something else..... :D
Stretched my budget slightly and layed down a deposit on an 05 V50 T5 geartronic....the test drive indicated that the seats will be like a sumptuous armchair, I hope I am right as I can't afford to keep chopping and changing.
K
Good choice - Volvo seats routinely score highly for design & comfort & safety.
FWIW - I have the A6 multitronic and it's been faultless for 2.5 years and 50k miles.
Ride is firm though & VAG seats aren't great - so sounds like the Volvo was a better choice
z
Another happy A6 multitronic owner here. Very smooth indeed as you'd expect. Mine's an 07 and the earlier ones definitely had a tendency to eat themselves fairly early on in their lives, but from what I have read (and experienced) they had largely sorted it by 2007.
Still paying my extended warranty though!!
Hope you enjoy the Volvo, they are supposed to be good cars.
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