Buying: How important is year-model?

M

Metro

Member
Hello you all,

first, as a newbie (allthough I've already made some posts) let me thank you for a great forum. It's very helpful for a potential A2-buyer.

Anyway, although the cracking doors-issue has somehow put me off, I still very much consider joining you A2-owners. The question I have for you is how important is the year-model of the Audi? As I understand, there was a mid-life update in 2002?

I'm currently looking at a petrol 2004-model (S-line) vs. a 2001 1.4 tdi ("normal" model, but with air-con). They sell at almost the same price, and same mileage. Keeping the question of petrol vs. diesel aside (but if you have input - I'm listening...) - how important is it to buy a newer A2 compared to say a 2000 or 2001-model? Is the 2004 a different beast, internally, compared to the 2000/2001? I've read somewhere that the A2 got at new BUS around 2002, I think. But what is a BUS?? (I thought we were buying a car here...LOL)

And is the A2 like so many other cars - that they get more reliable towards the mid/end of their life-cycle?

So many questions.... :)


Thanks for any advice!
 
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Bus

The new bus refers to the electrical wiring standard used when electronic items have to talk to each other. This includes most items from engine diagnostics to the radio. This was updated to a later standard around 2002.
 
As far as I am aware there was no s-line model in the a2 range.I'm sure Skipton can advise better on this but I reckon someone has put badges on it.
 
DAZ A4 GONE said:
As far as I am aware there was no s-line model in the a2 range.I'm sure Skipton can advise better on this but I reckon someone has put badges on it.
Click to expand...

Hmm... have to check on that one, then.

Regarding the new BUS - does this mean that there are less electrical issues with the new BUS? Or what are the advantages?
 
Daz is correct - there are no right hand drive S-line A2s in existence - mine is about as close as you'll get, having the black headliner and perforated leather wheel. True S-lines have white faced dials, but they only read in kilometers per hour.

The 2002 BUS upgrade refers to the CAN bus (CAN is the Controller Area Network and Bus just means a signal path). Visually, there is no difference inside, or out.

2004 models onwards also got a fre other mods - such as a new wiper design and new slatted grille, but nothing that would make it much more desireable over a 2002/03 model.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Quote 'Anyway, although the cracking doors-issue has somehow put me off, I still very much consider joining you A2-owners. The question I have for you is how important is the year-model of the Audi? As I understand, there was a mid-life update in 2002? '

Yes, their is an issue with the doors, but keep it in proportion. All my previous cars have needed welding at some point to pass the MOT due to rust. That isn't a problem with the A2.
The mid life update in late 2003 was very minimal in reality. One useful update that occured (early 2003 for petrol and late 2003 for diesel) was an increase in fuel tank size, and for some people, Euro 4 emmisions compliance on diesel models (late 2003) which may be useful for those who enter the central London charge Zone when the new rules come into force next year.
Other then that, take each model as you see them. Look at condition, and features you want, rather then looking at the age.
 
Also worth mentioning about the fuel tank.
Pre 2002 cars had a 35 litre tank and after the revisions it went up to 42 litre.
Quite a few more miles out of a tank with the later cars.

D'oh - just read the above post properly and seen that this is already mentioned....
 
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the 2004 model year change from 75 to 90 bhp on the 1.4TDI. :rolleyes:

Unless I missed it. :confused:

Nige. :)
 
75 and 90 models

Quote 'I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the 2004 model year change from 75 to 90 bhp on the 1.4TDI.'

Okay, a quick summary:
The 75 bhp model (both petrol and diesel) was sold from the very begining to the very end. The 90 bhp diesel was only sold for the 2004 model year. Just for completeness, the 1.2L diesel was never sold in the UK; a handful have been privately imported, and the 1.6L petrol was sold for the 2003 and 2004 model years.
All UK model engines were available in standard, SE and sport trims. Early SE models were better equiped then later (post 2002 I think). In the last year, 2005 model year, the range was consolidated to the Special Edition 75 bhp (petrol and diesel) only. DO NOTconfuse Special Edition with earlier SE models.
 
Metro, if you can afford it I would recommend that you try and buy the best A2 model you can get, arguably the 2004 90bhp TDI. I would have, if I had the money. My reasoning is:

65MPG, equal to the 75 TDI
The highest amount of 'useable' power in the A2 range
Low CO2, equal to the 75 TDI, means £35 annual car tax
2004 model means it is Euro IV compliant with associated tax incentives and theoretically free from London's congestion charge next year
2004 model means larger fuel tank (only really important if you have a big commute).

Beyond the usual considerations on buying a used car, if possible prioritise a model with Symphony/Bose stereo & leather seats before OpenSky & 17" sport wheels. Don't worry about the small cracks by the door hinges that some owners have found (no doors have fallen off yet!). It is because of this useful & informative forum that owners have been able to get together and do something about it at an early stage.
 
Skipton01 said:
Daz is correct - there are no right hand drive S-line A2s in existence - mine is about as close as you'll get, having the black headliner and perforated leather wheel. True S-lines have white faced dials, but they only read in kilometers per hour.

Mike
Click to expand...

I'm living in Switzerland, so that might explain why there seems to be an A2 S-line on offer over here, as opposed to the UK-market. It seems like the S-line offers sport-seats, sport-chassis, sports-alloys and some extra interior-trim.

Nice enough, but don't know if the sports-chassis is something I would really want, though. As I understand the A2 ride is on the firm side as it is...

OK, so from the different advice here (thanks!!!) it seems the year-model is not that important, maybe apart from the BUS-issue. And from other posts, I really feel a TDI would be the way to go, but, as you know, they are harder to find and more expensive. But it seems as if the diesel-engine has the upper hand when it comes to reliability? I've seen several posts mentioning the coil going bust on the petrol-model.

Also, if you seasoned A2-drivers care to know, another thing that might bother a humble prospect buyer after reading your posts, would be the suspension on the A2. It seems strange that Audi made a car that needs retro-fitted Konis to get a comfortable ride... But taking into account how cute the A2 is, I'm almost willing to forgive anything... :eek:
 
GBMSU said:
Quote 'I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the 2004 model year change from 75 to 90 bhp on the 1.4TDI.'

Okay, a quick summary:
The 75 bhp model (both petrol and diesel) was sold from the very begining to the very end. The 90 bhp diesel was only sold for the 2004 model year. Just for completeness, the 1.2L diesel was never sold in the UK; a handful have been privately imported, and the 1.6L petrol was sold for the 2003 and 2004 model years.
All UK model engines were available in standard, SE and sport trims. Early SE models were better equiped then later (post 2002 I think). In the last year, 2005 model year, the range was consolidated to the Special Edition 75 bhp (petrol and diesel) only. DO NOTconfuse Special Edition with earlier SE models.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the attempt at clarification....

I wasn't aware that the 75 continued production after introduction of the 90....So not just selling off old 75's :confused:

Isn't that what SE stands for :confused: or are you saying the 2005 Special Edition has a better spec?

Thanks for the info.

Nige. :)
 
Metro, if you are in Switzerland then that makes a difference! Go for the newest, lowest mileage TDI you can find and afford. What are the condition of the roads like in Switzerland? I wouldn't be surprised if they were quite good (compared to Britain...grumble) and you should not need to worry about the firm suspension as much. :)
 
Hi Metro
I suspect the A2 was packaged differently in Europe so the UK spec for an SE model could be quite different to something you could buy in Switzerland. We have 3 model year brochures on the forum (see link) if you want to compare UK specs.
For me, the most important option would be climate control as the A2 is not pleasant to drive with the windows open. If you like the idea of sat nav then try and pick a car with a double din Symphony radio unit as this makes the Audi RNS-D or later RNS-E sat nav fairly easy to retro-fit.
My 2001 TDi has the early can bus system and I see the only slight advantage with the later system is that the newer Series 2 radio units are easier to fit - if for example you want to change from a radio-cassette head unit to a radio with CD player. The only other negative with an early car is the anti-rollbar bushes can be a problem and the whole roll bar usually has to be changed for the later version.
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=60

Cheers Spike
 
MPG Lover said:
What are the condition of the roads like in Switzerland? I wouldn't be surprised if they were quite good (compared to Britain...grumble) and you should not need to worry about the firm suspension as much. :)
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The roads in Switzerland are somewhat better than in the UK (where I lived last year). The problem is.... I'm Norwegian, and I'm planning on taking the car back home sometime in the future.

And the roads in Norway are so apalling (this has nothing to do about climate, but government spending) that the only useful thing is really a 4x4 SUVs. But that's a type of car you'll never see me in! :( NEVER!!!! :)
 
Metro said:
The question I have for you is how important is the year-model of the Audi? As I understand, there was a mid-life update in 2002?
Click to expand...

Hi Metro
I agree with MPG Lover that the 2004 90bhp TDI would be a good choice. A 2005 Special Edition would give you climate control as standard whereas for a 2004 model it would have been a optional extra at purchase (I'm pretty sure I'm correct but no doubt Spike or someone else will correct me). As for options like open sky, sports wheels, leather seats etc., one fact to bear in mind is that only 19,000 odd A2s were sold in the UK. So the more combination of options you seek will in turn reduce the pool of available cars. You may well have to wait longer and search a wider geographical area, maybe the whole UK.

Here are some DVLA stats. Not 100% correct as it depends on the accuracy of the info from the dealer, but will give you an idea of the potential pool for any year model combination.
 
2005 Model Year 'Special Edition'

Quote:
'I wasn't aware that the 75 continued production after introduction of the 90....So not just selling off old 75's

Isn't that what SE stands for or are you saying the 2005 Special Edition has a better spec?'

The 'Special Edition' for the UK 2005 Model Year was based on the standard model with a few options added and a significant price cut as a 'run-out' version. Climate Control was the most visible option thrown in. Made the A2 almost price competetive against other supermini rivals. A pity Audi didn't use this pricing policy much earlier and rack up a few more sales (supported by a bit of marketing - but that is a can of worms best left for another day).

As reported above, the 90 bhp is possibly the version of choice, but is also the rarest version. In total just over 7000 were ever made (for all markets) whilst the two 75 bhp models were the most common, with the petrol having the slight edge on sales.

Edit: Total production numbers for the A2:
A2 1,2 TDI 6,555
A2 1,4 petrol 81,649
A2 1,4 TDI 75 bhp 69,676
A2 1.4 TDI 90 bhp 7,416
A2 1,6 petrol 11,081
 
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And don't forget the Colour Storm A2's in 2003-4. These added Yellow. Red and Bright blue to the options with a few extras like 17" wheels, matt black roof, and tape/cd/multichanger. I have a yellow one, but ordered it before these were added as standard
 
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