Summary:
Economical, easy on the environment, and excellent all around
Faults:
Engine speed sensor, cheap £60 fix.
Tyres wear easily and are not cheap.
Suspension parts require regular checks, CV boots, etc.
AC condenser punctured randomly by a flying stone, expensive £700 repair.
Open sky sunroof mechanism broke, and would cost £2,400 to repair, not very serviceable - not fixed.
General Comments:
Excellent ride quality, sports seats recommended.
Great car to drive on country roads, lovely chunky leather clad steering wheel, high seating position.
Very good spec for interior, the most cleverly designed car space I have ever seen.
High fuel economy is very real, not just a book value; I regularly get 64mpg.
15 inch wheels recommended unless you live around very good smooth roads.
A-pillars at the front restrict view but you get used to it; not good for windy housing estate roads.
It was 5 years before I had a major job to do on the car, apart from routine maintenance - if you take care of the car, it will take care of you.
I will have this car for a while longer, even at 96k miles - I am thinking about buying a 2nd one.
Audi should not have stopped making them in 2005 - should have put the line on hold for a while.
