$43,200
{{ galleryProps.activeIndex + 1 }}/4
Drive Type:
FWD
Transmission:
Automatic
Condition:
New
Engine Size:
2.0L
Doors:
4-door
Cylinders:
6
Color:
Black
Offer Type:
Sale
Engine Size:
2.0L
Color:
Black
Description
The Audi A4 question keeps coming up in my inbox.
"Should I buy one?" "Are they reliable now?" "What's the real cost of ownership?"
Let me tell you why I think the A4 is still relevant. And why some people are completely wrong about it.
Why Everyone's Talking About the Audi A4 Again
Here's what happened.
BMW got boring with the 3 Series. Mercedes made the C-Class too complicated. And Audi?
They quietly perfected the A4 while nobody…
The Audi A4 question keeps coming up in my inbox.
“Should I buy one?” “Are they reliable now?” “What’s the real cost of ownership?”
Let me tell you why I think the A4 is still relevant. And why some people are completely wrong about it.
Why Everyone’s Talking About the Audi A4 Again
Here’s what happened.
BMW got boring with the 3 Series. Mercedes made the C-Class too complicated. And Audi?
They quietly perfected the A4 while nobody was watching.
The current B9 generation isn’t just good. It’s the car that made me understand why Audi sells so many of them.
What Makes the Modern A4 Special
Build Quality That Actually Lasts:
- Interior materials that don’t fall apart after two years
- Paint quality that shrugs off car park dings
- Electrical systems that work (mostly)
Technology That Makes Sense:
- Virtual Cockpit that’s actually useful
- Infotainment that responds when you touch it
- Quattro all-wheel drive that works in British weather
But here’s the thing nobody mentions. The A4 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone anymore. It knows exactly what it is.
Living With an Audi A4: The Reality Check
I’ve had three different A4s over the years. Here’s what actually matters day-to-day.
The Daily Drive Experience
Morning Commute: The 2.0 TFSI engine wakes up properly. No more of that laggy, cold-start nonsense from the old days. The cabin’s quiet enough for phone calls. The seats don’t leave you aching after an hour.
Weekend Duties: Boot space that swallows a week’s shopping. Rear seats where adults can actually sit. Fuel economy that won’t bankrupt you.
The Honest Downsides:
- Road noise on motorways (it’s there, just manageable)
- Rear-seat space isn’t class-leading
- Premium fuel isn’t optional if you want proper performance
Audi A4 Engine Guide: What You Actually Need
35 TFSI (150 hp)
The Reality: It’s adequate. Nothing more, nothing less. Good for company car drivers who care about benefit-in-kind rates.
Who It’s For:
- Fleet buyers
- Anyone doing purely urban driving
- People who see cars as appliances
40 TFSI (190 hp)
The Sweet Spot: This is the one most people should buy. Enough power for motorway overtaking. Reasonable fuel economy. Best balance of cost vs. capability.
Real-World Performance:
- 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds (feels quicker)
- 45+ mpg on a motorway run
- Pulls cleanly from low revs
45 TFSI (265 hp)
The Enthusiast Choice: Properly quick. Makes the right noises. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.
The Catch: Fuel economy drops to the low 30s. Insurance jumps significantly. You’ll want the sports suspension (which costs extra).
Petrol vs Diesel: The A4 Reality
Diesel (40 TDI): Still makes sense for high-mileage drivers. 60+ mpg on long runs. Torque delivery that feels effortless.
But:
- Diesel prices aren’t what they used to be
- City driving kills DPF filters
- Resale values are unpredictable
Petrol (40 TFSI): Smoother, quieter, and more refined. No DPF worries. Better for mixed driving.
My Take: Unless you’re doing 20k+ miles annually, go petrol. The 40 TFSI is sweet enough for most needs.
Audi A4 Trim Levels: What You Actually Get
Sport
What’s Included:
- 17-inch alloys
- Sports seats
- LED headlights
- Virtual Cockpit
What’s Missing:
- Sat nav (seriously, in 2025?)
- Decent audio system
- Proper climate control zones
S Line
The Popular Choice:
- 18-inch wheels (that cost a fortune to replace)
- Lowered sports suspension
- Aggressive styling
- Better interior trim
Reality Check: The suspension is too firm for British roads. The wheels bend if you look at a pothole wrong. But it looks the part.
Vorsprung
The Full Fat Option: Everything you can imagine. Massage seats, premium audio, and adaptive suspension.
The Problem: Costs more than a BMW 330i M Sport. Depreciation hits harder. Half the features you’ll never use.
What Nobody Tells You About A4 Ownership
The Hidden Costs
Tires: 18-inch wheels mean £150+ per tire. 19-inch wheels (on S Line Plus) mean £200+ per corner. Budget £800+ annually if you drive normally.
Servicing: Variable servicing intervals sound good on paper. In reality, 18-20k mile services stress the engine. Independent specialists charge £300-500 per service. Main dealers want £600+.
Insurance: Group ratings are reasonable. But the S Line tax is real. Same car, different trim, £200+ more per year.
Reliability: The Honest Truth
What’s Reliable:
- 2.0 TFSI petrol engines (post-2018)
- Quattro drivetrain
- Basic electrical systems
What Goes Wrong:
- Carbon build-up on direct injection engines
- Thermostat housing failures
- MMI system glitches
- DPF issues on diesels
The Bottom Line: Modern A4s are reliable if maintained properly. But “properly” means following Audi’s schedule religiously.
Buying Used: The A4 Sweet Spots
B9 Generation (2015-Present)
Best Years: 2018 onwards (post-facelift models). Better engines, fewer electrical gremlins.
What to Pay:
- 2018-2020 models: £18k-28k
- 2021-2023 models: £25k-35k
- Current generation: £30k+
Mileage Sweet Spot: 40k-70k miles. Low enough to avoid major issues. High enough to avoid the depreciation cliff.
Inspection Checklist
Service History: Must be complete. Audi main dealer preferred. Independent specialists are acceptable if reputable.
Common Issues to Check:
- Carbon cleaning history (petrol engines)
- DPF status (diesel engines)
- Thermostat housing condition
- Tyre wear patterns (suspension alignment)
New A4 vs Competitors: The 2025 Reality
Against the BMW 3 Series
A4 Wins: Better interior quality. More comfortable ride. Superior infotainment system.
3 Series Wins: Better driving dynamics. Stronger resale values. More engaging to drive.
Against the Mercedes C-Class
A4 Wins: More reliable electronics. Better real-world fuel economy. Simpler to live with.
C-Class Wins: More luxurious interior. Better ride comfort. Stronger brand cachet.
Should You Buy an Audi A4 in 2025?
Here’s my honest take.
Buy if:
- You want a quality executive saloon without the drama
- Comfort matters more than driving thrills
- You appreciate good build quality
- Quattro all-wheel drive appeals
Don’t Buy if:
- You want the ultimate driving machine (get a BMW)
- Running costs are a major concern (get a Toyota)
- You need maximum rear-seat space (get an estate)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Audi A4 reliable? A: Modern A4s (2018+) are generally reliable. Service history is everything. Budget for carbon cleaning on petrol engines every 60k miles.
Q: Should I buy an A4 with petrol or diesel? A: Petrol unless you’re doing 20k+ miles annually. The 2.0 TFSI is smooth, refined, and trouble-free when maintained.
Q: What’s the best A4 engine? A: 40 TFSI (190 hp) petrol for most buyers. Good balance of performance and economy. Avoid the base 35 TFSI unless the budget is tight.
Q: Are A4 parts expensive? A: Yes, but not ridiculously so. Independent specialists charge reasonable rates. Avoid main dealers for routine maintenance.
Q: Should I buy new or used? A: Used, unless you’re keeping it 5+ years. 2-3-year-old cars offer the best value. Let someone else take the depreciation hit.
Q: Is Quattro worth having? A: In the UK? Absolutely. The confidence in wet/winter conditions is worth the small MPG penalty. Only comes on higher-spec models, though.
Q: What about the A4 Avant estate? A: More practical, same running costs, slightly worse handling. Perfect if you need the boot space. Holds value better too.
The Final Word on the Audi A4
Look, the A4 isn’t perfect.
It’s not the most exciting car to drive. It’s not the cheapest to run. It’s not the most spacious in its class.
But here’s what it is: A thoroughly competent, well-built, comfortable executive saloon that does everything well without any major flaws.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
If you want drama, buy something else. If you want dependable quality that won’t embarrass you in the company car park, the Audi A4 delivers exactly that.
Just make sure you buy the right one.
Need more executive salon advice? Check out our guides on [German luxury car ownership], [executive car running costs], and [premium saloon comparisons].
Active head restraints
Adaptive headlights
Airbags
Backup camera
blind-spot monitoring
Blind-spot warning
Brake assist
climate control
Forward-collision warning
lane keep assist
LED headlights
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Before you decide to buy a car, read its history for free.
Features
•
Airbags
•
Blind spot alert
•
Bluetooth
•
Cooled seats
•
Heated seats
•
Keyless start
•
lane departure warning
•
Leather seats
•
LED headlights
•
Memory seat
•
power liftgate
•
rearview camera
$43,200
Make:
Audi
Model:
A4
Color:
Black
Drive Type:
FWD
Transmission:
Automatic
Condition:
New
Year:
2025
Mileage:
0 miles
Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Size:
2.0L
Doors:
4-door
Cylinders:
6
Color:
Black
Offer Type:
Sale
Offer ID #23553
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