Audi A4 in the back of B5 - the successor to the legendary 80s

Audi cars in Russia are traditionally loved. Is it possible to find a good Audi with a small amount in your pocket - from 150 to 250 thousand rubles? Someone will say no, but the first generation Audi A4 can be purchased just in this price range.


But is it worth it? Does such an old German car have a margin of safety, or, bought for 250 rubles, will it require serious investments?

Brief history of the model

The Audi A4 in the B5 body made its debut back in 1994, when any car of this brand in Russia was considered a sign of a successful person in life. Then one of the most desirable models for ordinary drivers was the Audi 80 in the back of the B3.



Restyled versions of the model were available to businessmen, and the new A4 was generally out of reach.

Outwardly, the Audi A4 has not changed much, but it has become luxurious, and the choice of engines was wider - for every budget and taste.

In 1998, the model was restyled, as a result of which it began to look more modern. On the technical side, the car has not changed much, with the exception of a number of small things.

The appearance and interior of the car should not be described - they are already familiar to those who set their sights on this model. We need to dwell on the technical nuances in more detail.

Engines

The engines on the Audi A4 in the back of the B5 were different, both gasoline and diesel. There were several R4 engines with a displacement of 1,6 / 1,8 / 1,8T and a power of 101/125/150-180 hp. With. respectively. These motors are more common in the secondary market and are enough for small sedans or rare station wagons.



V6 power units are much less common. They have a working volume of 2,4 / 2,6 / 2,8 liters and develop 165 / 139-150 / 174-193 liters. With. respectively. The units give good dynamics to the Audi A4, but their gas mileage is higher than that of the R4.

Sometimes a turbocharged V6 with a displacement of 2,7 liters and a power of 265 hp comes across for sale. With. Such an engine will turn even the oldest Audi A4 into an “airplane”. Only they were put on a sports modification of the S4, and not on the A4.


There are also diesel engines under the hood of the Audi A4, but about 10% of such cars are on sale. In Russia, heavy-fuel power units are traditionally disliked, and they are old, with huge mileage.

Whom diesels are interested in - they are found in the form of R4 1,9 liters with a capacity of 75/90/90/110/115 hp. With. There is also a V6 at 2.5, developing 150 hp. With.

Judging by the reviews of the owners, the most reliable and trouble-free power units are the R4. V6s are also good, but age, high maintenance costs and improper maintenance have affected them more, so you need to conduct a thorough diagnosis before buying. This is especially true for turbocharged versions.



Let's briefly mention about gearboxes. Most often they are mechanical, but automatic transmissions are also found. All units are reliable, but you need to understand that the cars are old, so versions with an “automatic” should be approached responsibly. Kicks, slips and other nuances in work are a reason to refuse a purchase.

Hodovka
Suspensions in the Audi A4 in the back of the B5 are reliable, but only if you use the car on good roads. A multi-link in the Russian outback breaks in a couple of tens of thousands of kilometers.

At the rear of cars with front-wheel drive (and most of them) there is a torsion beam. But in rare all-wheel drive versions, multi-link suspensions are everywhere.

Frequent problems

Like any old car, the Audi A4 in the B5 body breaks down and anything can fail. But well-groomed specimens still delight their owners with reliability.



The generator, starter and air conditioner, if any, can also suddenly break down. Often there are electrical problems, like any old car.



Engines and gearboxes in themselves do not cause problems, but due to age and wear and tear, they can break down to the point of complete failure. If these units work intermittently, then you should not be surprised if they suddenly break down.

When buying, the main thing is the well-groomedness of a particular instance. You need to understand that putting in order the Audi A4, bought at the bottom of the market, will be expensive. However, some specifically buy cars for 100-150 thousand rubles and drive them until they finally fall apart.

The main advantages of the Audi A4 B5

Despite their advanced age, Audi A4 cars are still in demand on the used market in Russia. Drivers consider the German brand reliable and worthy of attention.

The first thing that the owners of these cars note is the galvanization of the body. Despite the age of the car, and it has been produced since 1994, it is still possible to find a copy without problems. Of course, such an Audi will cost at least 250 rubles, but the very fact of corrosion resistance is amazing.

The main places that rot in the first place are the wheel arches and the doors from below. If everything is in order there, then it makes no sense to look at the bottom - the car was looked after.

But even if you find an Audi A4 with a body in perfect condition, this does not cancel the anti-corrosion treatment. By doing it on time, you will get rid of problems for the next 5 years.



Although outwardly the German car looks compact, the size of the trunk even in a sedan is amazing - 440 liters. But there is also a wagon! For this, the owners love the old car, not in a hurry to part with it and change it.

The comfort level of the Audi A4 is still amazing - the quality of finishing materials, convenience for the driver and front passenger.



Despite the years, the German car is distinguished by almost sporty handling on the track. In this, only the BMW E46 and the Mercedes C-Class in the back of the W203 can compete with him. For young drivers, this factor can also be decisive when purchasing an Audi A4.

Cons
The main drawback of the car is advanced age and the problems that follow from this. Previous owners, low cost, savings on repairs - all this together and separately can disable even a reliable car.



Owners often complain about the delicate multi-link suspension of the Audi A4. The main thing here is to try to buy original levers and analogues. Chinese parts and the front suspension of the Audi A4 are poorly compatible.



Having made a car with sharp and sporty handling, the creators of the Audi A4 had to sacrifice ground clearance. A clearance of 110 mm is not the best solution for rural areas. Although, if you do not drive through forests and fields, such ground clearance is enough to get to the village and even return from there.

Not so easy to repair a German car - if you do not know a number of nuances, you will have to tinker. At the service station, this will affect costs.

Is it worth buying an Audi A4 in the back of a B5? If you manage to find a copy in good condition, then it most likely will not cause problems for the next 3-5 years. But you need to understand that this is an old German car, and buying used equipment is a lottery.