Poor_John
Member
Dear Reader,
Happy sixth Birthday to my A2!
At the start of August, six years ago, I took delivery of my A2 1.4 TDI SE. It is the second Audi that I have owned. My previous car was a 2 litre 80 sport. That one was a teenager and had 150,000 miles on the clock when I sold it after buying my A2. I still see the old car occasionally but I do wonder for how much longer. I sold it for £400, so its owner got a bargain.
I don't change cars very often. In nearly thirty years of motoring, my A2 is only my fourth car; Fiat Uno 60S, Cavalier SRi, Audi 80 sport and now A2.
Things I have liked about the A2.
The first thing I liked about the A2 was the huge reduction in fuel bills. I went from putting almost £50 per week, down to £15 per week into fuel tanks.
The second thing I liked was the way it went up hills - almost effortlessly. The A2 is my first diesel engined car. It is also my first turbocharged car. I had to learn to change gear earlier than I did with petrol. There is little point in revving much above 3000rpm and much of the time I change gear at 1800rpm, especially when trying to get 70mpg on a journey.
The third thing I liked was the traction and grip. I remember being amazed at how much grip I had, going round rain soaked roundabouts. My previous 80, with its fat tyres, would not have hung on as long. Perhaps all cars have better grip now, especially those with ESP, ASR, EDL and ABS. At the time I bought my A2, these were rare.
The fourth thing I liked was the air conditioning; yes the A2 is the first car I have owned with it.
The fifth thing I liked was its appearance and space. I wanted a 5 door hatchback and for me, the A2 stood out.
The sixth thing I liked was how easy it was to park.
Things I have not liked about the A2.
The first thing I didn't like was when less than a year after I bought my A2, Audi changed the specification and lowered the list price. Everyone who had bought an A2 had it devalued overnight. Thank you Audi! Careful examination of the specification showed that my car had been devalued by £600.
The second thing I have not liked is the front suspension. It runs out of travel too easliy and on moderate bumps and worse, there is a horrible sounding metal on metal bang. Much as I like sporty suspensions, this setup is not durable. Like many owners I have experienced broken springs, worn drop links and have had the front antirollbar replaced. I'm not sure the front suspension has ever been rattle free in recent years. From what I have read on this site, the ride can be improved if not fixed, by fitting Koni FSD dampers and 15" wheels. The dampers are on my to do list.
The third thing I have not liked is that in the last year, the black paint on the switches is starting to flake off. This is most notable on the drivers window switch and the climate control switches; the ones I use most.
Fourthly, the drivers seat is too narrow. If I lost a stone or two, this problem would probably go away.
Fifthly, I regret that I could not afford to buy an A2 TDI 90 when they were made.
So that is it. I don't think I am near ending my A2 ownership. Going by my previous cars, I am only about half way. With any luck, in less than six years Audi will have brought out the next A2. It will be interesting to see how the five door version of the A1 compares with the A2. It has a hard act to follow.
I must go and take some Birthday photographs.
John.
Happy sixth Birthday to my A2!
At the start of August, six years ago, I took delivery of my A2 1.4 TDI SE. It is the second Audi that I have owned. My previous car was a 2 litre 80 sport. That one was a teenager and had 150,000 miles on the clock when I sold it after buying my A2. I still see the old car occasionally but I do wonder for how much longer. I sold it for £400, so its owner got a bargain.
I don't change cars very often. In nearly thirty years of motoring, my A2 is only my fourth car; Fiat Uno 60S, Cavalier SRi, Audi 80 sport and now A2.
Things I have liked about the A2.
The first thing I liked about the A2 was the huge reduction in fuel bills. I went from putting almost £50 per week, down to £15 per week into fuel tanks.
The second thing I liked was the way it went up hills - almost effortlessly. The A2 is my first diesel engined car. It is also my first turbocharged car. I had to learn to change gear earlier than I did with petrol. There is little point in revving much above 3000rpm and much of the time I change gear at 1800rpm, especially when trying to get 70mpg on a journey.
The third thing I liked was the traction and grip. I remember being amazed at how much grip I had, going round rain soaked roundabouts. My previous 80, with its fat tyres, would not have hung on as long. Perhaps all cars have better grip now, especially those with ESP, ASR, EDL and ABS. At the time I bought my A2, these were rare.
The fourth thing I liked was the air conditioning; yes the A2 is the first car I have owned with it.
The fifth thing I liked was its appearance and space. I wanted a 5 door hatchback and for me, the A2 stood out.
The sixth thing I liked was how easy it was to park.
Things I have not liked about the A2.
The first thing I didn't like was when less than a year after I bought my A2, Audi changed the specification and lowered the list price. Everyone who had bought an A2 had it devalued overnight. Thank you Audi! Careful examination of the specification showed that my car had been devalued by £600.
The second thing I have not liked is the front suspension. It runs out of travel too easliy and on moderate bumps and worse, there is a horrible sounding metal on metal bang. Much as I like sporty suspensions, this setup is not durable. Like many owners I have experienced broken springs, worn drop links and have had the front antirollbar replaced. I'm not sure the front suspension has ever been rattle free in recent years. From what I have read on this site, the ride can be improved if not fixed, by fitting Koni FSD dampers and 15" wheels. The dampers are on my to do list.
The third thing I have not liked is that in the last year, the black paint on the switches is starting to flake off. This is most notable on the drivers window switch and the climate control switches; the ones I use most.
Fourthly, the drivers seat is too narrow. If I lost a stone or two, this problem would probably go away.
Fifthly, I regret that I could not afford to buy an A2 TDI 90 when they were made.
So that is it. I don't think I am near ending my A2 ownership. Going by my previous cars, I am only about half way. With any luck, in less than six years Audi will have brought out the next A2. It will be interesting to see how the five door version of the A1 compares with the A2. It has a hard act to follow.
I must go and take some Birthday photographs.
John.
