A few

[T2theC]

Hello A2 officiandos...new to the board and thinking about getting an A2.

I have a ton of questions but here's some of my thoughts.

If possible I'd like to find a loaded 1.4 TDi 90, probably under 40K. So is Leather a possibility? I don't think I've seen a TDi with leather. I've discounted the Sport as the ride I suspect is too harsh, but is an SE worth the search? Am I likely to find a TDi with extras like Bose, Panoramic roof, heated seats, climate control? You know the stuff.

I have two dogs (Hungarian Vizsla) and I was wondering how the load space with the back seats works and the options for dog guards. Is there an option for a guard that sits behind the front seats? There's probably not enough for two medium/large gundogs with the rear seats up. How do they fold? Flat?

And of course there is the cost of chipping? I currently have an ST220 Estate which is a great car and for something so big remarkably quick. I don't expect an A2 TDi to be to keep up with the big Ford but it'd be great to surprise a few people.

[richard-]

Steath racing is the best for chipping, I think it costs between £200-300 I can't remember but it is well worth it. I guess if you want most of those extra things a sport maybe a better option, or downgrade to a tdi 75.

[vkx245l]

SE will come with climate. The opensky (panaramoic) roof has been known to be problematic.

The rear seats come as either a single bench (3 seat belts) or two individual seats (2 seat belts). I have no experience of the bench but the two individual rear seats fold flat (leaving a flat load area with the false boot floor, which was also standard on the SE), the also fold up against the front seats (leaving a flat load area with the boot floor proper), although the support bars may be in the way for your dogs or they are removable completely.

Hope this helps

Jonathan

[ULP]

SE will come with climate.

Only before the 2003 model year - after that it was an option but is fitted to most SE's and Sports.

You will find a car that you like, but you may have to compromise on some of the specification - there are a couple of TDI SE's for sale at the moment on the Audi Used Web Site with Open-sky, but no leather.

This one is an SE, even though it is not properly identified as such:

http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=501871101

This one is a TDI 75 SE in red with open-sky, cruise, heated front seats and electric rear windows - it would be my choice of the current crop:

http://usedcars.audi.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=501874163

A TDI 90 is a nice option, but I wouldn't discount a TDI75 if the spec/ price is right (I didn't!)

[richard-]

second one doesn't have aircon, prob better buying private but then again you dont get the warranty from audi.

[ULP]

second one doesn't have aircon

Indeed it doesn't - the piccies have just been uploaded by Worcester Audi. Shame as otherwise it's a nice spec.

[clived]

If it doesn't have aircon, why does it (appear to) have an "econ" switch? I appreciate it doesn't have climate control, but does that really mean it doesn't have any air-con at all? :(

[Skipton01]

If it doesn't have aircon, why does it (appear to) have an "econ" switch? I appreciate it doesn't have climate control, but does that really mean it doesn't have any air-con at all? :(

Because, as well as turning off the compressor on climate-equipped cars, it also turns off the diesel or electrical additional heater too.

The only function of the manually controlled ventilation system is to allow temperature variance between the ambient outside temperature and about 30 celcius.

So, if it is 5 celcius outside, you can have anything between about 30 celcius and 5 celcius. If in summer it is 23 celcius, you are going to bake, as you can't go lower than it is outside. If you turn the fans to max, it'll feel cooler as your sweat evaporates.

On the other hand, this car does have cruise and heated seats!

Cheers,

Mike

[clived]

Great - thanks Mike. It's been a long time since I drove a car without any aircon at all, and as great as your "cooler as the sweat evaporates" option sounds, I suspect it isn't for me ;)

[ULP]

I think the 'Econ' switch is why many people/ dealers believe their car has Air Conditioning when it doesn't.

For clarity, circular ventilation dials + Audi A2, never = any form of air conditioning whatsoever :)

My cousin's Golf S has got air conditioning that is manual rather than climate control - her's also has the 'econ', 'air recirc' and 'heated window' switch next to each other, but no evidence of air conditioning other than it's the odd semi-automatic system so there are temperatures on the heat/ cool '****' rather than a blue line changing to a red one.

She didn't realise it had A/C but wondered why it was quite cool in the summer...

[T2theC]

Thanks for all the info. The quest for an A2 is just beginning, but I was wondering of there are any board members in SW London/Kingston way with a TDi?

[Adrian888]

I have just bought a 75 TDi sport with the 'roof option, climate and split rear seat. Mine also has Alcantara upholstery which is very good at dealing with dog hairs although I agree leather would be better. There was a fully loaded but high miler ( and I mean fully loaded, roof, htd lthr, bose, etc etc) SE 90 TDi on Autotrader about 2 weeks ago ( just after I bought mine...). I also carry a large flatcoat retriever who wieghs about 38kgs ( well he will when he has slimmed down a bit, lol!), and fits in fine with the seats up. If I still had 2 dogs I would have to have at least one half folded down. Interestingly ( for A2 dog owners anyway!) the photo used to illustrate the RAC approved dog ramp is a labrador in the back of an A2. The ramp itself is IMO useless.

I don't have a problem with the sport suspension because i prefer the handling benefits.

I think the roof and climate are almost essential for dog carrying.