Audi A4 - Purchasing advice, manual or semi auto?

**DiverDave** · 13-12-2011,01:52 PM

Hi guys,

Currently driving about in a 2000 VW Bora 1.9TDi which has served me well, but due to the age and mileage (and stupid car tax!) Ive decided its time to look at a new car. I would like an estate and the Audi A4 is at the top of my wish list. I wouldn't be buying brand new, probably a 2005 or 2006 diesel but i have noticed a lot have the semi-automatic gearboxes. Whilst i like the idea of semi auto boxes, is there anything i need to be aware of? Ive read on here issues with roundabouts, jerky gear changes and clunky noises. Should i avoid semi auto and go for manual gearboxes?? And finally, what are they like in the snow?

Thoughts and advice appreciated!
Dave

**mikeybutch** · 13-12-2011,02:18 PM

They are proper autos and the better one is Tiptronic .I have an 04 2.5Tdi quattro Avant which has this box .There s/b manuals about and you need to do some research to decide which model suits you.The quattros are great for winter but the 1.9 is the more common.Why was the Bora heavy on tax?

**DiverDave** · 13-12-2011,02:36 PM

Well due to the age of my car i get taxed on engine size as opposed to emissions, so im paying £215 per year which i think is a lot for a 1.9TDi Bora. To be honest, im looking at 1.9 and 2.0L A4's, i want to keep the running costs down.
Excuse my ignorance, i meant that semi-auto as being tiptronic :-s
And what do you mean by 's/b manuals'??
Thanks for the input :-)

**Monkey117SE** · 13-12-2011,02:43 PM

The general concensus on here is avoid the multitronic, go for the tiptronic, which is what all quattros have, multitronic are non quattro.

**the bodgemeister** · 13-12-2011,02:49 PM

I have the 2.5tdi MULTItronic, and whilst it's the smoothest drive I have ever experienced I wouldn't have another. There are too many horror stories out there of very expensive (£5k+) repairs needed. Mine runs fine, but it's always lingering in the back of your mind.

**DiverDave** · 13-12-2011,03:28 PM

Ok, im far an expert on the differences between multi and tiptronic and im sure if one of you kind folk told me......i still wouldn't be any the wiser lol. But thanks for the info. Im assuming from the advice given that i should stick with the manual gearbox, as the quattro's are too big an engine and out of my price range. Is there anything i should look for when viewing these cars? Whilst my gearbox knowledge is useless, i like to think im quite car savvy lol.

**mikeybutch** · 13-12-2011,04:54 PM

The 1.9Tdi comes in Quattro and is good on fuel.There are more manuals than autos is what I meant.Dont think you will save on tax though

**nevo** · 13-12-2011,07:24 PM

Go for a 1.9tdi with a manual box the tax is about £80 cheaper comparing a golf 1.9tdi to my a4 tdi you're right the taxation classes are crazy.

**vwcabriolet1971** · 13-12-2011,08:33 PM

A manual box is always going to be more reliable and cheaper to maintain than an auto. Manual boxes are much simpler than an auto and there is much less to go wrong. Also if ever you need to change a box there's always many more manuals about than an auto.

**DiverDave** · 13-12-2011,09:56 PM

Yeh i understand the manuals are cheaper if something does go wrong, just wanted to get a general consensus on reliability, but from what everyone has said, i think manual is the way to go. I really like the A4 and the estate model looks nice and sporty. Auto trader here we come :-)