Hi everyone, fabs here. This is my first post here! We will soon be looking for another car. The cars i've been suggestion to my better half have been either a VW rabbit, tiguan but i also noticed a 2006 A4 3.2L car at the dealership. Looks to be in good shape. I don't know much about these cars and this engine. Are they pretty good? reliable , gas guzzler or money pits?
It's been a few months that my bro has his 2004 A4 S4 wagon (with 4.2 V8!). I love driving that thing and hasn't' given him too many headaches yet.
I just wanted to get some info on it. We also live in montreal and get a good share of snow in winter, so i think an AWD car is a good choice.
OH YA, also forgot to mention...we have two little kids, both in car seats...how is the rear leg-room area for kids? is the trunk a good size too?
Thanks
fabs

 

I haven't read many complaints about the 3.2 engine. Fuel economy will be less that with a 2.0T. Not sure of the numbers though. AWD on the Audi's is fantastic. I live in St. Louis and we get more ice here than snow. When it does snow the car handles it very well. I have never worried about being stuck. I like the AWD more for when it rains. Makes the car feel surefooted.

Rear seat room is okay. I have a carseat for my 4 year old with plenty of room. My 11 year old, who is tall, also has plenty of room.

 

I agree with Rhodes. I can't really comment on the 3.2 as mine is a 2.0T, but I live in Buffalo, NY and the quattro handles our snow with ease.

Regarding leg room, I have a 2-year-old, and the leg room with car-seat is fine for her on the passenger side because the front seat is up a bit further. She would not fit behind my driver's seat because I have the seat almost all the way back as I'm 6' 3". So if you're tall, you may want to check leg room behind you after you've adjusted your seat.

Trunk space is excellent in my opinion, I can fit more stuff back there (even the bigger strollers) than my wife can fit in the back of her crossover.

I've owned the car for 4 years and the only major cost so far was timing belt service, other than that just brakes and standard maintenance. The car is an addiction though, so I do replace parts that are probably still fine just for the hell of it

If you do go with it I'm sure you'll enjoy it, and welcome to AF!

 

RHODES...thanks for the reply. Glad to hear about the engine and the room in the back for the carseat. WOuld you know by change if the engine has a timing belt or chain? i think on the newer models they switched over to chains (i sure hope so)...
fabs

 

Damaniac,thanks i'm sure we will (if wel get it). I'm 5' 11" so it might get alittle cramped i guess. I think that with the exception (maybe) of the rabbit, the other cars we where looking at will all be a little cramped in the back area.
I'm happy ot hear the cargo area is big enough for strollers...
I know the 2.0T has a belt. We had a 2007 VW passat with the same engine before. Was an okay car, some things bugged me about it, and i was shocked on time when we had about 7000km on the engine,went to check oil, was almost nothing left in there ...my 2006 volvo v70 doesn't use any oil like this.
I know my brothers 4.2 uses some oil, mind you he has a leaky valve cover, so that doesn't help. I want something that is also good for winter and i know the awd system is good. Any electrical gremlins or have they been sorted out/?

thanks again,
fabs

 

My 05.5 has not had any crazy electrical issues, the only electrical issues I had, (which really were technically mechanical), were the brake light switch and clutch switch (Plungers were sticking). Both were cheap and easy to replace.

I change my oil every 4,000 miles and it barely burns a drop. Maybe I just got lucky :?

My friend has an '05 S4, and she's had quite a few electrical issues, nothing terrible, just more annoying than anything else. No burning oil though.

 

2.0T use belts, not sure about the 3.2. I am 5'11, but have short legs and my 4 year olds seat is behind the drivers seat. And I agree trunk space is great.

 

the 3.2 is timing chain driven, The 2.0T became chain driven in 2009.

The only common issue with the 3.2L is it tends to have a carbon build up issue. Top end fuel injection cleaning and making sure the ECM has the latest software usually will curb that.

If I had the option I would be a 3.2L Sline over a 2.0T anyday.