Faults:

Replaced front and rear brakes and pads.

One rear brake caliper replaced.

One front coil spring.

Coil packs.

Rocker cover gasket.

Exhaust front flexi pipe replaced.

General Comments:

I've always wanted an Audi A4 since driving my old manager's company car Audi many years ago. I really liked the look of the A4 B5 1.8 T Quattro Sport, which was a limited edition model to mark the end of the B5 chassis production run in 2000. It has Recaro seats, which are very comfortable, full climate control with metal door and dashboard inserts, the exterior has the Ronal 10 spoke alloys, and mine is a green metallic colour which really suits the car. I always think old sporty Audis look classy.

The car as standard has 180bhp, and the permanent quattro all wheel drive system, which is great in the snow or ice.

I was lucky to find a car local with full service history and only 2 previous owners, which had just had a new head gasket, timing belt kit and water pump fitted. I don't drive high mileages and needed a car that I can keep to hopefully go up in value with it being a limited edition, rare model.

I've been very pleased with the car in over 3 years of ownership, it's been reliable, but being 17 year old, I've had to replace some parts, which can be expected.

The only changes I've made is having the ECU professionally remapped to around 200bhp. The torque arrives much earlier now and overall makes overtaking and driving much easier.

If you do buy this model, I would recommend a engine sump drop to clean out any sludge, and remember the oil pick up lines can get clogged up, so get that cleaned or replaced. This was the first thing I did. I always use fully synthetic oil changes, and fitted some better spark plugs, with new coil packs (they are a weak point on these engines).

The body is galvanized and has no rust problems. I plan a full custom stainless steel exhaust next year.

Overall, a quality well built and good performance saloon car, but get one with a full service history and check its timing belt and water pump have been replaced.

Faults:

Cruise control inoperative.

Airbag warning light came on.

Side skirt trim came off (very common on these).

Oil seal in engine needed replacing.

Minor coolant leak from radiator.

Alloy trim strip on boot lid corroded (also very common for these!)

General Comments:

I bought this car for £1100, just at the right time in January this year, before very heavy snowfall!

Got to say, Audi's Quattro system is fantastic, even on an older car.

The last owner had had new tyres fitted on the front (but only budget ones) and it had decent Bridgestones on the rear. Along with the ESP and electronic limited slip diff system, I had no worries. I even drove up the kerb and around a neighbour in his Fiesta, who was stuck in the middle of the street in deep snow, without a hitch, and this was on summer tyres, x2 of them budget ones!

I don't think I've ever owned a more confidence inspiring car in terms of grip levels in wet, icy or just generally dodgy conditions than this; you just point and go!!

The engine was a lovely sounding V6, one these 5 valve per cylinder ones, which were very hi-tech when new, and performance was also great; it always felt every bit as quick as the 7.3 sec 0 to 62 time Audi quote.

Downside... about 25 MPG, but I didn't drive it that gently... ever!

It also had a great sounding stereo for an older car, and was a nice looking Burgundy metallic.

Also had dual zone climate control, which worked perfectly.

One annoying thing was the cruise control never worked, which I looked into and found out was most likely the stalk needed replacing. It wasn't worth replacing, as I didn't keep it long enough.

Overall, one of my favourite cars I've owned, and a very cheap way of getting into a proper Quattro Audi.

Also, a hell of a Q car, as mine was debadged and looked standard, I wrong-footed tons of modern repmobiles in it; always a pleasure!!