Well I've got the go ahead to order a new company car at the end of this month to replace my Golf. I was given the choice of a highly specced A3 or an A4 with minimal spec. My manager thinks it will be ok to get an A4 S-Line with no options (they're fine as standard) and I think this is where I will go as I have two small kids and the space should be useful. Unfortunately BMW's are not an option which is a shame as the tax is good on those. (Upon checking, it appears they're a fraction more in terms of tax) Has anyone any experience of these cars?
I would drive one in S-Line trim to ensure you are happy with the ride - they are notoriously hard but maybe better with the new model
We have the A3, sport nav on lease, whilst not quite an A4, the saloon version of the A3 offers a nice package! Specwise, similar to Bmw, most of the desirables are options at cost..... The sat nav is slightly more intuitive, though Audi have them mounted in small screens, however the virtual cockpit (cost option) is fantastic, a friend has on his Q7 and has the wow! Factor! Buildwise, nothing but praise, for a small car, they have big car build quality, taking into account, the A3 is Mums taxi and has many a child through it, it’s held up very well plastics are good quality and don’t mark, whilst the Audi has cloth interior, a brisk wipe gets the muddy prints off and returns to new appearance. No squeaks or creaks yet and an all round holding up very well! Ridewise, many criticise the Audi’s for harsh ride, I’ll suggest they’re very composed and very forgiving. No real complaints. Engine, we have the 1.2tsfi, very well suited to the chassis, perhaps a bit rattly when the life is being wrung out of it, though overall, ample power for what it is! It’s certainly made me realise a big engine is not required! As a package, we have little bells or whistles, primarily as it’s the wife’s car, though I guess that adds to the overall reliability, so far, nearing two years of ownership, we’ve had no issues! On wash day, it’s all to,easy to return the car to new car appearance! So much so that we’re tempting fate and extending the Lease for A N other year & intend to replace with either the A1 or A3...
I think I'd seriously consider the A3 if we didn't have the M140i as well, having two small/medium sized cars has had limitations on weekends away etc hence the decision to opt for the A4. I'll certainly take an S-line for a test as I had heard the suspension was hard but hopefully this newer model is better. The Sport model is also something to consider if that's the case. Going through the configuration seems I can get an A3 2.0 tdi quattro for the same cost, bet that's good fun to drive.
Can you get the A4 as an Avant (maybe in a lesser spec?) - would make a better family machine for weekends away etc?
We looked a the S-Line when shopping for a saloon 5 years ago. The OH really wanted an Audi at the time. We drove a few A3's and A4's ,but didn't buy one. Loved the look of the S Lines,but the ride was quite harsh compared to an M Sport BMW. As others have said - go kick some tyres and drive a few.
Skoda Superb Sportline Estate - If you can get one of these - test drive one. In my opinion, a nicer car than the A4 on base spec.
Well the new car is ordered, I've gone for an Audi A4 190hp tdi S-tronic. The car is reasonably well specced as standard with heated seats and front/rear sensors being my most desired. I've added the technology pack with wireless phone charging, better screen and virtual cockpit which should give me all I need in a company car. I couldn't for the life of me decide on colour so I ended up going for black with privacy glass as I knew I wouldn't be disappointed in the long run with that although I did really want to go for something different. I find the car very good quality and a nice smooth drive even in S-Line trim, I guess they sorted the overly harsh ride of the older models. Just waiting for a build date now.
@paz325 Check the fuel size - some of the A4s only have 40 litre tanks! But you can get it with a 57 or 58 litre tank, so see if you can add that as otherwise coudl be frequent fill ups... thats what put me off when i was looking around originally as most A4s used all have 40 litre tanks at the time.. Kev
That's just about 1.5 jerry cans!! Where's the point in that - other than to make the fuel station your new BFF.
All about emissions... smaller the tank, the less fuel/weight in the official test (a percentage of tank capacity). All adds up as we know, to get accurate consumption figures. Peter
Well the car has arrived at the dealer and should be ready later this week after the pre checks and so on...in the meantime I've been driving the older A4 S-Line after having to give up my Golf and by God does this thing have hard suspension on the 19" wheels, glad the new ones are more refined. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Exactly this, the Golf I had was great but the one I pictured above is savagely uncomfortable. The new S-Lines are really good though.