prijedor

More affordable to maintain: 1.8T B6 or 2.0T/3.2 B7,standard transmission or automatic?
Any obvious signs of engine issues(oil consumption ,sludge) before purchase?
Of course she wants bright red A4, I have seen and heard of some having fading paint/clear coat issue, even 2009 B9.
Any info or personal experience is appreciated.

jeff968

I have a 2006 B7 in red that I have owned since new. It is the best car that I have ever owned. Very reliable, no issues, great performance. I have the 2.0T with a 6 speed manual and the S-line package. No oil consumption. It now has 115K miles on it. The paint still looks like new and shines great. I do all the basic maintenance as it is an easy car to work on. I do oil/air filter changes and brakes. I have had to do coil packs (under warranty) and front control arm bushings.

prijedor

That is great, to bad its not for sale. I can say similar things for my 200 Quattro, owned it since 1996. still drives and looks like its 7 years old with 223k miles currently.
What do you need to have as far as special tools?

jeff968

Well for mine (B7), not too much. You should buy the special support for the pinchweld so you can lift the car with a jack. I'm still using a block of wood. For the oil change you will need a filter canister check valve drain (you can find these cheap) and a 36mm?? (I think, very large) socket to losen the canister. Everything else is standard stuff. Buy a deep socket (17mm) for the lug nuts.

prijedor

Just got 2006 A4 red,101k miles,6 speed for $6988.Dealer maintained whole life.
Where can I find pinchweld support and oil change kit?

John535is

ECS have a 'kit' part number 8E0801789KT2. There are probably others. They are pretty pricey for what you get. Jeff968 optional 'block of wood' is what I use, but I have 4 VAG cars to service (and 1 block!).

The 36mm socket and drain is available from lots of automotive places, I use suppliers that support these sites like ECS, Europaparts etc, but even flea bay has these. Just type in Audi or VAG oil change tools, you will find them.
Check which filter you have first, depending on the year and model, some have the more conventional spin off filter. I have also seen a conversion kit to use a spin off filter for some models as the OEM plastic canister has been known to distort when some over enthusiastic apprentice has tightened up the filter canister and stuffed it. There is also options to purchase after market aluminum replacement canister if this has happened.

The 2.0T has a cam follower that apparently fails. I have the 1.8T so I don't know much about it other than if you do a quick search on here you will find all you need to know. From my understanding its a cheap and easy repair but don't put it off.

Junius

If I were you, since the vehicle is over 100k, I would replace the oil with Mobil 0ne 5w-30 high mileage with filter, spark plugs and coil packs, and especially the cam follower, which runs about 25-40 dollars....

OKStriple

If I'm not mistaken, the owners manual for the 2.0T (at least my owners manual) calls for 0w-40 oil that meets VW 502.00 such as this:
Q1090015 - Mobil 1 European Car Formula 0W-40 Engine Oil - Priced Each - ES#1826601

FWIW many 2.0T will consume some oil and I wouldnt be concerned about it unless its like a qt every 2k miles. Mine uses a qt about every 6500 miles

Junius

yes that's true, but if you look in the manual, it says that the 2.0T can use any VW 502 approved oil, in which mobil one 5w-40 high mileage is an approved version, usually good for higher mileage (over 100k) vehicles in warmer climates.

Dolamite

Per Audi the only approved mobile oil for the B7 is the their 0-w40. That said, I have run 5w-40 in hot climate when I was in the south. Now that I'm in the ice belt I run 0-w40. It's good to understand what the numbers represent.