B6/B7 A4 Cabriolet Buying advice please!

[Davey Blueeyes]

I'm thinking of a ragtop for the lovely summer I'm hoping we will have on the island. I think this every year and never do it so by the law of averages this is the year to do it!

Anyhoo, I know NOTHING about these cars! So, what is the engine/spec to look out for? Is the soot chucker too noisy in the open air?? Is the multitrauma auto really that bad?? Does having leather guarantee burnt hind quarters when it's hot??? Plus which colour is the quickest?!

To show the lack of pinpoint precision I am bringing to this, I might also consider a MX5! Mucho fun on island roads! Honestly, performance isn't really the goal here and there are so many engine choices here I'm not sure where to start

Plus is it true that having a 4 seater convertible makes anyone sitting in the back look like Hitler??

[Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Davey Blueeyes

Plus is it true that having a 4 seater convertible makes anyone sitting in the back look like Hitler??

I'd say Jackie Onassis



Can't give much advice specifically on the convertible, but the 3.0-litre TDI in the B6/B7 is the engine to have.

I'm sure another forum member bought a B7 a few months ago and was suitably impressed with it.

[1781cc]

That would be me... http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=13812

I love mine, its been brilliant to drive, I've had two S4's on the B6 platform and this B7 platform cabriolet, I also had the earlier 80 based cabriolet.

I have the 3.0 TDI engine, its perfect, roof down no issues with noise as you get the wind sound anyway and the exhaust sound waves are taken away a lot while you move forward anyway. Its surprisingly refined with the roof up, only the S4 and the 3.0 TDI have the acoustic fabric roof, seriously, its like a saloon with the roof up, not S8 quiet, but very good.

I get about 40-44mpg on a sensible run using 70-85mph as a guide. I've had it remapped and the difference is night and day, I would 100% recommend the remap.

Things to look out for:

- leaky rear lights
- leaky 3rd brake light
- make sure RNS-E works
- auto is best in any cab, 3.0 TDI is all auto
- like the A8, glow plugs can have issues, ditto swirl pots
- 2006 model is pre-tax hike, so £305 a year
- check for rust, rattles and suspension creak as they are heavy cars
- make sure the roof works, dont buy it in the rain!
- the Genuine Audi deflector is better than aftermarket because it folds up into a case in the boot.
- Bose is best, comes default on all S-line, which is the best pick spec wise too with cruise, etc..

A good service history will help retain values, its very easy to work on yourself though.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend a 3.0 TDI quattro with a remap

[Ameiseuk]

.....I'll probably be flamed for this on an audi forum!

Go for the MX5 - if you can find a clean Mk2.5 (the less ugly one) 1.8
More smiles per mile than any other car I have ever driven.

Perfect for blasting round the island, ultra reliable.
If you can pick up a jap import it should be rust free and last 20+ years

I have a 1995 mk1 tucked away in the garage and I love it.

[1781cc]

I see MX5s on track a lot, they are dog slow but the people driving them seem to be having a laugh so cant be all that bad if speed isnt your thing and you dont care about space

Also meant to say, the 3.0 TDI isnt multichronic

[Ameiseuk]

A fine pairing