Buying A2

M

mariajoaol

Member
Hello,

I'm going to buy a 5 years old A2 TDI.
What do you think about this car? I know it's a AUDI, but can I trust it? :rolleyes:


Thanks
MJ
 
sue118

I love my Audi A2 - easy to park - wonderful to drive - and as i have had it superchipped I can leave other cars standing

Just wish I had bought the top of the range Audi - but I am really proud of it

Fantastic on gas as well;)
 
Hi MJ, welcome to the A2oc
A few of our members have exceeded 100,000 miles without anything major going wrong and judging by our mailbox, expensive failures are quite rare.
My own TDi is over 5 years old and has had a misted headlight replaced in warranty plus anti-rollbar link rods, new discs and pads and a climate control sensor all replaced by me.
As with any car, proper servicing is the key to long life. The servicing can be expensive but £50/year road tax and excellent fuel economy compensate for this.
If you go ahead with the deal, let us know how you get on with the car.

Cheers Spike
 
Hi there my A2 is 5 years old in Sept 06 with 40k on the clock I have had eleven Audi`s in my driveing lifespan and all cars have never let me down I also wish I had got the A2 earlier because they are great cars mine is the 75bhp but I will get it chipped this year to 90bhp.As mnie is out of warranty I do most of the serviceing myself I live in cheshire not many miles form Chester
Christophe
 
Hang on...

it's not all sweetness and light.

Now don't get me wrong, I've had a 2001 A2 for three years now and it is a good car but let's ponder some of it's bad points...

1. The windscreen washer system is an absolute joke. They seem to have two settings, over the roof of the car or base of the windscreen. Attempting to fine tune the washer jets to plant water in the middle of the windscreen is seemingly a pointless exercise.

2. At speeds above around 25mph, it is more or less impossible to have the windows open. This is because the air seems to pound into the car in waves making you feel like your ear drums are about to explode. The only way to try to combat this is to open the rear window at the same time, not the easiest of things to do when you're driving unless you've got electric rear windows.
Of course I could switch on the air con, oh hang on, I haven't got it.

3. Oil. The oil the A2 uses for some inexplicable reason is more expensive that Chanel No 5, and boy does this car love oil. It was explained to me (rightly or wrongly for all I know) that to achieve the long life service program and thus not need regular oil changes, the car naturally uses oil. I bought a litre of oil in April, I had to buy more in the last week of July. My last car was a Lupo, which I had for 4 years. It was serviced every January and they changed the oil.In between times I put no oil in it, and yes I do check.

4. Which brings me to point 4, the dip stick that serves no useful purpose at all. Pull it out, wipe it, pop it back in, pull it out to check to oil level but oh dear, there is oil smeared the entire length of it making it near impossible to read.

5. Massive blind spots. OK you just have to learn the 'A2 shuffle' at juctions to see around them.

6. Massive windscreen, tiny vent in the centre to de-mist it in the winter.

7. Headlamps bulbs. OK not an everyday thing changing a headlamp bulb but it is something that most people can do. Not so the A2 owner, who has to take it to an Audi dealer unless they fancy removing the entire headlamp unit themselves.

I do feel a lot better now I've got that off my chest!
 
My A2 1.4 Petrol is also 5yr old. I have 4 Dunlop SP9000 and it has been really fun to drive. Turning circle is so useful in small London roads. It has also served as a transit van 4 times. I actually enjoy sitting at the back because it is quite comfortable and quiet.

No major problems except:
1. Break pad sensor came on and it was too late to save the disc, expensive stuff at the dealer. So the sensor seems a bit pointless except to save you from a total failure!
2. Ride is hard, not helped by low profile tyres on 16" SE wheels. How do you guys live with those 17"??
3. The much critised A-Pillar scares me everytime I go fast in a turn. You need to know how to look around it.

And to zebbt:
#2, strange. I used to smoke in the car with standard driver smoker procedure - small opening at front window and let the low outside pressure suck the smoke out which is visible. Opening the rear will drag your smoke from front to outside and then back in and make the ashes fly absolutely everwhere.
#6 That's why Climate Control is such a wonderful thing. Whether it is hot or cold, it uses the condenser to take out the moisture before heating/cooling the air for the cabin. I have never needed the front de-mister (or the ECON mode).
 
i agree with Zebby, it not all sweetness and light.

However my washer jet were off line, took it to Audi for a service and they sorted it perfectly (and so they should) and now i have perfect washers.

Done 40,000 miles never put oil in it

A pillar issues, well i had a New Beetle before and that was shocking, The Picasso can't be much better or the 307, and i think the A pillar needs to be that big on little cars these days to Pass the high N Cap tests. My little golf MK1 has match sticks for A pillars and i really wouldn't want to have a head on.

I have just fitted Brighter bulbs and it takes about 15 mins of fiddling!!!!

I must admit that i have had a few issues with the car, Radio faults tyre wear but its much better than the VW range, and the service is generally better from the dealer (although thats not saying much)

The main thing is you can only trust a new car, and even then not always. Buying a five year old car will cost money no matter what it is, but parts aren't to pricey for the general items.

Check back the old threads for problems popping up often to get a feel for the run of the mill issues.

Emm
 
Hi

I've a 2004 1.4TDI SE now done 24,000

Down points first:

1. The windscreen washer system is fiddly to set. I think the problem is setting it when stationary is different to using it when moving as the moving air lifts the water higher.

2. Oil. I didn't need to add any oil over the last 11K miles and I do most driving at around 60 mph.

3. My dip stick is OK - I think it is orange which helps.

4. I guess lots of modern cars with the A pillar and sloping bonnet have similar problems with visibility. After a short while one gets used to it.

5. Very occassionally in the winter I've had the windscreen suddenly mist up. Audi are going to check the vents.

6. Hard ride over bumps etc.. Watch for pot-holes!

Good points:

1. Average 62 mpg over the last year. Up to 65 mpg on some tank fulls.

2. Aluminium means no rust except the rear brake drums and front suspension arms which are steel. But these are replaceable items.

3. Lots of room inside for the overall size.

4. Looks different and looks good.

5. Volkswagen engine which I'm told will go on and on. When it's out of warranty you could use a VW dealer. Within warranty I'm using an independent Audi dealer - half the price.

6. This A2 Owners Club is friendly and really supportive.

7. "Green car" with low emmissions and low road tax and insurance.

8. The car could become a classic. I intend to keep mine forever!
 
Hi Zebby

Ref your comments about the windscreen washers.
I had similar problerms with the 'fan spray' screen wash system on my 2001 TDi . I upgraded to the later 4 jet spray nozzles (not expensive) which has given a significant improvement in screen cleaning performance.

Cheers Spike
 
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