[s-cars] 2004 A4 avant 1.8T, 6spd; insights?

[Tom Green]

The wife owns an '03 1.8T avant with tiptronic and sport package since  
new-
around 45K miles now.  It obviously does not get out of town much but  
on the
extended trips we have taken it averaged 28-30 at my 80mph average  
speed,
and she insists on using mid-grade fuel (89 octane here).  She doesn't  
record
the in-town mileage, and it probably wouldn't mean much with her 2 to  
4 mile
average trips. (That made me worry about the sludge issue but using  
Mobil !
shortly after break-in and changing at 7.5K seems to eliminate that  
problem)

I think the sludge issue was mainly a V6 problem, but there are emission
system problems.  Purge valve changed early on, then faulted again 6  
months
ago.  There is a TSB to remove a screen in the valve or a solenoid  
that operates
it to eliminate clogging.  It had the leaking cam tensioner gasket on  
the rear of
the head, and some problems with coolant leaks, one a plug that leaked  
all over
the alternator area.  The other issues were with the tiptronic control  
boxes.

I much prefer the S6 as the highway cruiser for the roominess and ride  
comfort,
but the A4 is good around town and in traffic.

Tom




> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:48:47 -0400
> From: matt ludwig <urs6avant at gmail.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] 2004 A4, Avant, 1.8T, 6spd; insights?
> To: S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> Message-ID:
> 	<60194b830907111248y334c2fffp262438f4a903cdc6 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Family,
> I am looking for any UrS owners with this car, or have had one, or  
> have
> knowledge of them. As in;
>
>   - realistic or observed gas milage
>   - oil sludge issues?
>   - any 'red-flag' items to be thorough to review upon inspecting?
>   - overall impressions as a primary daily driver (NOT as  
> replacement for
>   an S-Car, mind you ;)
>
> I have a line on a very well-priced example of this and just test- 
> drove it.
> Runs very smooth, boost is super-mellow and linear, imaculatly  
> maintained
> interior, w/ essentially every option available for 2004. Looking for
> qualifications to consider either way. Thanks!
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> matt ludwig.
> 1995.5 S6 Avant
> South Portland, ME