I bought this Audi two years ago, used, but as I knew the former owner personally quite well, I could rely on this one being a good and reliable and well watched car. Why this suspiciousness? Because there are several people around who change the motor electronics with a so called 'Chip tuning', that makes the engine run up to 100 or even more horsepowers, instead of the factory promised 90. So IF you're looking for an used TDI (no matter if Volkswagen, Audi, Seat or Skoda) watch for this!!! Audi itself says about chip tuning: 'No more warranty as the engine WILL suffer by this new program'. But that's just a hint for starting my op. So let's come to my experiences with it.

First of all, let's start with the facts:
As there's a picture of it at Ciao, I won't spend too many words about the design. Let's say, it's quite frumpy compared to the new A4, but still functional. The interior decoration is well handled and there's no clattering by now, and the car is 10 years old and has done 170.000 kilometres. All the switches are where they are good to use and also the place for the radio is okay. But if you are a smoker you shouldn't use the 3rd or 5th gear , as the ashtray will not be to good to reach when you're in these ones. In fact I'm talking about the left hand drive version of this car, but I think it's the same for the right hand drive YOU should prefer ;-).
The position for the driver was very unfamiliar for me at the first kilometres I owned this car, I always thought "O my god, WHY did I buy this car?", but today I dislike the position of the driver in the car of my wife (Toyota Yaris). In this Audi, you will be sitting like you do in a bathtub. The plate of the door almost reaches my shoulder (even if there is no pure plate in the inside, but stylish fabric and plastic).

There's one big downside for the people who will take place behind me: There's not much space left for their legs. I'm 186 centimetres tall and most of it are my legs , so my seat is at position 2 of the possible ones to choose) Very comfortable for me, but not for the ones in the behind. Here's the new A4 much better designed. But still this is not a limousine like a Mercedes S or BMW 7 or a Rolls Royce, but you also don't have to pay for it like you would have to for these 'alternatives' :-).

Reliability:
Nothing important to complain about. The heat up system for cold starts in winter is a bit strange, so you have to turn the key three times before you try to start the engine, and there was a reparation at the wheel bearing after an 'accident' on a very poor road. Also the accelerator pedal broke off the plastic top part two weeks ago, but I still could use it. But nothing really fatal or costly happened.

Handling:
Quite good, but the ABS is not the fastest one, so you can feel it when it's working. But I never had the feeling of loosing control at any time. What a great chassis! No over and no understeering at any normal situation and even in critical situations I never felt like I have to fight against something mad (like my VW Campervan was ;-))) ). The look to the back when parking into a small parking space is a bit tricky, but you can do it. :-)

My verdict:
The best car I have ever had. (And there were lots of them :-) f.e. two Volkswagen Golfs, Polo, Volvo, Opel (Vauxhall) and Volkswagen Campervan). Even if the passive security isn't state of the art no more it's okay. So you won't find no airbags in my car, but you could have bought them for about EUR 700 extra at the time of purchase). I'm planning to keep this car for another 5 years or 170.000 km, and I think it will make it. No rust, no aging of the parts to see, I'm delighted. :-)