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December 11, 2008
 2006 Audi A4; photo by Laurance Yap. Click image to enlarge |
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2006 Audi A4
Audi introduced the A4 in 1996 as a more conventional replacement for the Audi 90, a car that was just a little too quirky for a compact luxury car market dominated by BMW’s 3-series cars. As well, increased competition from high-end Japanese models from Lexus, Infiniti and Acura reinforced Audi’s need for a more mainstream car to maintain its market share.
The A4′s simple lines and availability of Audi’s well-known Quattro all-wheel-drive system made it a popular choice among buyers looking for a classy compact car with that Teutonic feel. The second generation A4 debuted in 2002 with changes that were more evolutionary than revolutionary, but which brought it up to date to compete with its German and Asian competitors.
As with most redesigned models, the 2002 A4 was bigger and more powerful than the model it replaced. Still, Acura’s TL sedan cast a larger shadow for a little less money than the Audi, and the Lexus IS300 was close to the A4 in size and price. What made the A4 stand out then – and what still makes it stand out as a used car – is that it was available with all-wheel-drive at a price that undercut BMW’s 3-series models with four-wheel traction. The A4′s Japanese competitors were available only with two-wheel-drive.
 2006 Audi A4; photo by Laurance Yap. Click image to enlarge |
The 2002 A4 came with either a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (170 hp), or a 3.0-litre V6 engine (220 hp). A facelifted 2005.5 model brought with it new engines: a 2.0-litre turbo four (200 hp) and a 3.2-litre V6 (255 hp).
Thrill seekers will be interested in the sportier S4 model. The 2002 S4 was a carry-over from the slightly smaller previous generation car, powered by a 250-hp twin-turbo V6. The S4 went on hiatus for 2003 but returned to the line-up in 2004 in second-generation guise and powered by a gutsy 340-hp V8 sourced from Audi’s larger A6 and A8 model lines. Also new in 2003 was a sexy convertible version of the A4, which was available in “S” trim as well. In 2006, Audi began selling the RS4, a 420-horsepower version of the S4.
Audi geeks refer to the 2002-2005 A4 by its platform code, B6; the facelifted 2005.5 model, sold through 2008, is also known as the B7.
2002 and 2003 models got one of four transmissions: there were five- and six-speed manuals, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a five-speed automatic. The five-speed manual went away in 2004, and a six-speed auto replaced the five-speed in 2006. The CVT could only be had in four-cylinder, front-wheel drive cars.
 2006 Audi A4 Avant; photo by Brian Early. Click image to enlarge |
Given that CVTs employ relatively new technology, it might be best to avoid a used A4 equipped with one of these novel transmissions. Posts on Audi message boards vary, from those indicating that there have been some durability issues with the A4 CVT, and others have experienced no issues whatsoever. Regardless, while any transmission can fail, CVT repairs and replacement units (if needed) are likely to be expensive on A4s no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
The A4 has generally been a reliable car, with electrical problems being the most common shortcomings. Faulty ignition coilpacks and power windows are two of the main culprits in that regard. A sunroof that refuses to close is a common issue, but this seems to be less of a defect and more of a quirk, according to owners posting in Audi forums online: the problem appears to be related to the heat of the sun affecting the sunroof’s mechanicals and causing the “pinch protection” function to engage. Thus, the roof will close partway, and then reopen. Try it a few times and it should close, though.
Certainly, reliability isn’t as strong as it is for the A4′s Japanese competitors. Those cars are less-expensive too, but they lack that inherent German-ness that makes the A4 such a special car to drive. While many A4 drivers feel that later versions of this generation A4 are more reliable, others suggest that any A4 that hasn’t been abused and that comes with complete maintenance records should be a safe bet. That’s a sensible suggestion and would serve you well in your search.
These threads – one; two; three; four – offer some advice on what to look out for in a used A4.
 2006 Audi A4 Avant; photo by Brian Early. Click image to enlarge |
Fuel consumption is best in four-cylinder models, with NRCan figures in the 9 to 10 L/100 km and 6 to 7 L/100 km ranges for city and highway driving respectively. Naturally, six-cylinder models are thirstier, using anywhere from 12 to 13.5 L/100 km in the city and around 8 L/100 km on the highway. While the V6′s power numbers are far superior on paper, keep in mind that even the four-cylinder is a potent motor, with performance that feels stronger than its numbers suggest. The V6, however, sounds better; both engines use premium fuel.
The A4 is a safe car though, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which gave the 2002-2007 A4 four stars for driver and passenger protection in frontal crash testing; and in side impact testing, it gave the A4 five and four stars for front and rear seat occupant protection, respectively, in side impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2002-2007 A4 its “good” rating in frontal offset crash tests, and side impact test results earned 2005 and later models a “good” rating too; 2004 and earlier models weren’t tested for side impact crashworthiness. Standard ABS, side airbags and traction control add to the A4′s safety quotient.
According to Canadian Red Book, used A4 values range from $10,800 for a 2002 front-wheel drive model to $58,450 for a 2008 A4 S-Line 3.2 Quattro cabriolet. Naturally, S4 and RS4 versions command far more cash; a 2002 S4 is worth $18,550, while the nutty RS4 is worth close to $76,325 – not a bad discount compared to its 2008 MSRP. I’m a wagon geek, so I’d go for a 2005 or 2006 A4 3.0 Avant with the six-speed manual; Canadian Red Book pegs values for these cars at about $22,225 and $29,100 respectively.
The A4 represents a good value for a German-built entry-level luxury car, with lower used values than a comparably equipped 3-series, but it gives up a little in reliability to its Japanese rivals, which tend to be an even better value used than the A4. It all comes down to how much that German-car feel and the cachet of the Audi name means to you.
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Pricing
Red Book Pricing (avg. retail) xxx:
Online resources
Start your online search with AudiWorld.com and AudiZine.com. Fourtitude.com and AudiFans.com are good spots, too. TopAudiSites.com is a great list of links to various Audi-centric websites.
Related stories on Autos
First Drives
Test Drives
Day-by-Day Reviews
Manufacturer’s Website
Recalls
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2002221; Units affected: 50
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2005062; Units affected: 616
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2005062; Units affected: 4,663
Crash test results
Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy. For information on recalls, see Transport Canada’s web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov. For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov. For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.lemonaidcars.com. |
For more Used Vehicle Reviews by Chris Chase, click here.
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