Faults:

Rear door won't open from outside, but will open from the inside (dodgy door lock catch).

Fuel pump replaced because it had begun to whine.

Thermostat replaced - symptoms were the engine was taking some time to get up to temperature, and in standing traffic the temperature gauge dropped.

General Comments:

This is the Audi A4 2.0 litre TDi with common rail injection, 170 BHP & saloon variant (aka B8 chassis). Mine is the non Quattro model.

Previously I had owned a 2003 A4 1.9 TDi 130 Sport, and took that car all the way to 253k on the clock. I was gutted when I sold it - loved it. Engine/turbo/gearbox were absolutely solid, and even with that mileage it just drove like a dream (having been serviced religiously).

There was no question I was going to go for another A4 TDi, and boy oh boy the new A4 2.0 litre S Line is an improvement. The handling strikes a balance between firm and comfortable. i.e. when cornering there is only a hint of body roll. The build quality is just exceptional, and the performance of the 170 BHP diesel engine is ample.

Also, another thing that draws me to Audi's in general is the body styling. Growing up as a kid, I always aspired to a BMW, but... the entire Audi range spanks its BMW equivalent in the looks department. Just my view - not knocking BMW's. I love the day running lights and the shape of the A4. These cars just look awesome, and will age well in terms of keeping a 'current' look about them.

Problems: OK so I've had a few things go wrong already that have disappointed me. Is it enough to put me off the Audi badge and look elsewhere... no! Love the look of the car, love the performance, love the Audi brand, all good.

Oh and fuel performance: This engine is bonkers. It's a bigger and more powerful engine than my previous A4 TDi, yet it's more economical. Right now (Dec 2013) it's costing typically £80 to fill the tank with diesel @ £1.35 per litre, and I'm averaging 625 to 650 miles. Note however a lot of my mileage is done on the motorway.

Absolutely recommend!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The look of this car is what made me order it, and you feel a lot more special driving it than a BMW of similar price.

Compared to my previous BMW 520d SE, it is remarkably smooth and quiet. The engine is less coarse and is significantly less tractor like in sound. However, it is less powerful (140bhp vs 163bhp), and slower by some margin.

Traction is OK, off the line it's initially quick as a front wheel drive compared to the BMW, but the engine runs out of puff after the first couple of seconds and acceleration becomes rather sedate. In the damp or wet, initial wheel spin with even moderate acceleration is high, with a thunderous judder if you give it anything more than a quarter throttle.

Handling is good, ride is hard, but to be expected with the lower and harder S-line suspension. Be wary with 3 or 4 people in the car, the slightest of speed bumps, humps and undulations in the road will be accompanied by a scrap of your undercarriage!

In car equipment is excellent, you want for no extras apart from Sat Nav, apart from that it's all there.

All in all a very good car. Looks good and makes you feel good. Power is lacking and ride is generally harsh, but drive it gently and calmly and it's all fine.

You get everything you need for a £30k car, but if I purchased it with my own money I would opt for a bigger output engine, an automatic (which I test drove and is excellent), and quattro 4 wheel drive.

Chris.