In the autumn of 2000, the German automaker Audi officially introduced the second-generation A4 model with the internal designation B6, which reached the assembly line early next year. The car not only became larger than its predecessor, but also acquired an appearance in the vein of a more status “six”. In 2004, the next generation of the Audi A4 replaced it, but the serial production of the second generation of this model continued until 2006 - during all this time more than 1.2 million copies.
The “second” Audi A4 is a typical representative of the European D-segment, or to be more precise, its premium group. The car was available in three body styles - a sedan, a five-door station wagon and a two-door convertible with a soft top.
Depending on the decision, the "four" is extended in length by 4544-4573 mm, its width does not exceed 1766-1777 mm, and its height fits into 1391-1428 mm. Between the axles of the car, there is a distance of 2650-2654 mm, and the ground clearance is 110-130 mm.
The 2nd generation car was equipped with eight petrol units to choose from - atmospheric and turbocharged "fours" of 1.6-1.8 liters, developing from 102 to 190 horsepower and from 148 to 2140 Nm of rotational thrust. There were also six-cylinder V-shaped "aspirated" with a volume of 2.0-2.4 liters, the output of which reaches from 130 to 170 "horses" and from 195 to 230 Nm. The diesel part is no less diverse - turbo units with a volume of 1.9-2.5 liters, producing from 130 to 180 forces and from 310 to 370 Nm of peak thrust.
There are four gearboxes - 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox, 5- or 6-band automatic transmission. Drive - front or permanent full.
The basis for the second generation Audi A4 is the PL46 front-wheel drive architecture. An independent four-link suspension is installed at the front, and trapezoidal levers made of aluminum are installed at the rear. The car is equipped with a rack and pinion steering gear with hydraulic booster. The braking system is expressed by disc brakes, supplemented by ventilation on the front wheels, with ABS and EBV.
The advantages of this model are excellent sound insulation, comfortable suspension, efficient engines, reliable design, high-quality performance and a rich level of equipment.
Cons - the high cost of original spare parts, not the most spacious rear row of seats and modest ground clearance.
The second generation Audi A4 debuted in 2000, and the serial production of the model began in 2001. The "Four" shared a platform with the Volkswagen Passat B5. In total, more than a million copies of the Audi A4 B6 were produced in the world. Even despite the relatively respectable age, there are no serious problems.
Audi A4 (B6, 8E) (2000 - 2004)
Engines
Audi A4 B6 was offered with a large number of engines with a displacement of 1.6 liters (100 hp) to 3 liters (220 hp) "charged" S-version. Three units are most widely used: petrol 2.0 l ALT (130 hp), petrol turbocharged 1.8 l (150 hp - avj, 163 hp - bfb, 170 hp - amb (USA) and 190 hp - bex) and diesel 1.9 TDI (100 and 130 hp).
The 2-liter ALT is famous for its exorbitant oil appetite, which comes after 100 thousand km. Only one thing calms - the increased oil consumption, as a rule, no longer grows and averages 2-3 liters per 10 thousand km.
With a run of more than 200 - 250 thousand km, pixels on the on-board computer display often begin to “float”. A new display costs about 2.5 - 4 thousand rubles, for its installation you will need to pay another 1.5 - 2 thousand rubles. Over time, with a run of more than 200 thousand km, the dashboard buzzer also stops. The reason is the failure of the speaker.
On-board computer display. Photo: audi-a4-club.ru
Comfort
The constant rotation (continuous) air conditioning compressor is in dire need of internal lubrication. It does not tolerate a small amount, and even more so the absence of freon and oil in the system. If a leak is detected, it is necessary to immediately find the cause and eliminate it, avoiding the operation of the car. The compressor itself is not repairable, and the need to replace it arises with a run of more than 160 - 220 thousand km. A new compressor costs about 18-25 thousand rubles, and the work to replace it is 7-8 thousand rubles.
On diesel-powered Audi A4s, the damper pulley may be damaged due to increased vibration. A new pulley will cost 6-7 thousand rubles. Over time, it will be necessary to replace or flush the heater core. The need for this will come when, in cold weather, with a fully warmed-up engine, warm air will no longer be supplied to the passenger compartment.
Electrician
Due to a wire break in the protective corrugation of the electrical wiring between the door and the body, the rear door electrics stop working, and the backlight is constantly on in the cabin. For a similar reason (a break in the corrugation), the trunk electric lock stops working. In addition, the license plate light may go out. With good wiring, the cause is a malfunction of the electric motor of the lock. A new one costs about 700 - 800 rubles.
Broken wire in the corrugation. Photo: audi-a4-club.ru
The standard security system may stop recognizing the keys to the car due to oxidation of the contacts on the comfort unit or the failure of the unit's processor.
Conclusion
Audi A4 B6 - the last of the Mohicans. This is a car that was created to serve its owners for decades. Despite a decent age, there are almost no serious problems. Engines serve faithfully, and the body steadfastly holds "salt baths". Against this background, the Multitronic variator, suspension and air conditioning compressor look a little weaker.
The Audi A4 B6, in terms of design, has become a smaller copy of the Audi A6 C5, which we considered in. In technical terms, these models also have a lot in common, but there are still a couple of differences and features of operation. The second "four" was released in 2000, and perfectly fit into its niche, thanks to the new design and excellent quality of materials and assembly. And the German wealth and variety of trim levels attracted not only fans of the brand, but also new owners. As always, let's start the review with one of the most important components of any car.
Audi A4 B6 body
Traditionally for a German manufacturer, the body of the Audi A4 is completely galvanized, and in the absence of accidents, it does not cause corrosion problems. The problem can be delivered by plastic panels that sheath the bottom of the car to improve sound insulation and corrosion resistance. Under operating conditions on our "pseudo-roads", these plates often break off, especially in winter, when snow clogs between them.
If you buy an Audi A4 B6, then do not forget to clean the drain under the battery, otherwise the vacuum brake booster may fail due to moisture. Well, once every couple of years, it does not hurt to clean and lubricate the mechanism of the front wipers, as they often turn sour and begin to perform their function poorly.
Salon
When you get inside the car, you understand that the “Lord of the Rings” is a representative of the premium segment. Interior materials are very high quality and look expensive, the assembly is excellent. The real German order reigns in the cabin, everything is in its place and the right size, it is easy to find a comfortable fit, after one hour of driving you get the feeling that you have owned a car for at least a couple of years. 
Finding a car with full power accessories, alarm, ABS, ESP (stabilization), ASR (traction control), climate control, heated front seats and six airbags is not a problem at all.
If the airbag warning light is on on the dashboard of the Audi A4 that you are going to buy, then there was not necessarily an accident, run diagnostics, a common reason is the airbag connector, which is not expensive to change.
The “four” has grown a little (7 cm in length, 1.3 cm in height can not be counted), but behind it is still “the third extra”. The trunk is average (445 liters), nothing special, and the rear seat does not fold out in all trim levels. The fact that being inside the Audi A4 B6 is comfortable and pleasant is a fact, but we will find out further about the “ride”.
Audi A4 B6 engines
The most popular “motors” in our open spaces are petrol 1.8T (150, 163 or 190 hp) and 2.0 (131 hp), as well as a 1.9 liter diesel (110 hp) . These units have been repeatedly considered in previous reviews, but we will repeat the main features.
1.8T (AVG, 150 hp)- a motor with an impeller, which gives 25 horses and pickup after 2000 rpm. On average, the turbine serves 150,000 thousand mileage, subject to the features of the operation of a turbocharged engine. Mandatory conditions: high-quality oil, timely replacement or cleaning of the oil pipe, turn off the engine with a delay of 30 seconds-2 minutes after stopping, or set a turbo timer. Ignition coils this motor "clicks like seeds", each of the four will cost $ 30-50.
Since 2002, 1.8T (BFB, 163hp) and 1.8T (BEX, 190hp) engines have been produced.
2.0 (ALT, 130 HP)- the dynamics are worse than those of 1.8T, but there are no problems with the turbine. Thanks to the system for changing the length of the intake manifold, the engine pulls well in a wide range of revolutions, but it is possible that after 150,000 km this mechanism will have to be changed ($ 150). Oil consumption, half a liter per 1,000 km, is almost the norm for this engine.
1.9 TDI (110 hp)- the best option for diesel lovers. If the diagnostics did not show obvious problems, then in the near future only routine maintenance will be needed. Compared to the 2.5 TDI, the difference in acceleration dynamics is large, but the cost of a capricious and often problematic six-cylinder diesel can reach several thousand dollars.
Often, engines with a volume of 1.6 liters come across for sale, which can only be recommended to lovers of a very calm ride, since 100 horses is frankly not enough for an A4. But in terms of gasoline consumption, you can keep within 9 liters in the city.
If you want dynamics, then take the gasoline six-cylinder engines, which turned out to be quite reliable, unlike the 2.5 liter diesel. The truth is on sale to find an Audi A4 B6 with an engine 2.4 (BDV, 170 HP) or 3.0 (ASN, 220 HP) not so easy. You will have to pay for dynamics with gasoline, oil and more expensive maintenance (timing replacement is twice as expensive as on four-cylinder engines). A 2.5 TDI is easy to find, only a “live” instance is a rarity. Read more about V6 engines in the review.
Gear shift
On the Audi A4 B6 there may be a five or six-speed “mixer”, which will not bring any problems, but you can spend money on the clutch (not of your own free will, of course). If the previous owner liked to skid spectacularly and “beautifully start”, then the dual-mass flywheel may not withstand this and ask you for $ 500 for a replacement, in addition to the cost of the clutch itself. To avoid this, do not take a car that has any extraneous sounds when switching, especially clanging. Under normal use, the clutch usually travels up to 200,000 km.
If you choose a car with an automatic transmission, then no shocks and delays are allowed when switching, otherwise expensive repairs shine. The Multitronic variator is considered the most problematic, the control unit in it is expensive and unreliable (but fuel consumption with such a box as on the mechanics). An automatic machine with a Tiptronic system is more reliable, according to reviews, electronics can “glitch” in this box, but this is not a general trend.
Chassis
Compared with the previous generation, the suspension of the Audi A4 B6 has become an order of magnitude more reliable. If at B5 the pendant was called gold, now it has become silver. For $600 (LEMFORDER, equivalent to Germany) you can take a set of the entire front suspension, which is enough for at least 60,000 - 70,000 km.
But you do not have to buy the whole set at once (if the suspension is “killed”, then you can easily determine this during diagnostics), you can change individual levers as needed. After 200,000 km, you may have to change the rear suspension bushings.
But the cost of maintaining the suspension is worth it, because the ride quality (ride comfort), as well as the handling, are excellent. Speaking of steering, the steering tips (if you don’t take the cheapest ones, of course) take care of 100,000 km.
If, when choosing a car, you come across an instance with all-wheel drive, you can only rejoice. The all-wheel drive Audi A4 B6 has many advantages, especially in winter, and only the possible replacement of several silent blocks of the rear suspension will be added to the costs. The AUDI all-wheel drive system is very reliable and you should not have any problems with it.
Outcome
Audi A4 B6 can be safely called the optimal city car (considering the year of manufacture, price and class of the car, of course). The main advantages: comfort of movement, high-quality interior materials and excellent assembly, galvanized body made of high-quality metal, good engines.
The disadvantages include a rather weak suspension for our "realities", the relatively high consumption of most engines, the prices for spare parts are above average (especially for electronics).
B6 is a powerful and interesting car. According to many experts, this car is a real reduced copy of another version, which is known as the "Audi A6 C5". Outwardly, of course, there are similarities, and technically they can be seen, however, there are plenty of differences. Well, this is what we should talk about.
About the body
So, the first thing I would like to tell you about the body of the Audi A4 B6. It is entirely galvanized, which is quite practical. If there are no accidents, then the problems with corrosion can be forgotten forever. The only problem that may arise is the plastic panels - the manufacturers decided to sheathe the bottom of the car with them. This was also done to improve corrosion resistance and sound insulation levels.
By the way, if a person decides to purchase an Audi A4 B6, then he will often have to clean the drain located under the battery. Otherwise, due to moisture, the vacuum brake booster can easily fail. And, of course, every few years you should clean the front wiper mechanism, as well as lubricate it. It’s just that they often turn sour, which is why they begin to cope poorly with their function.
About salon
Speaking about the Audi A4 B6, it is impossible not to note the interior design of this car. Everything inside is beautifully done. This car is truly a premium car. Comfort, coziness and quality - these are the three words that can describe her salon. The developers used only high quality materials. In addition to being durable and strong, they also look very beautiful and expensive. The collection is just great. In the cabin of this "Audi" reigns true German order. All devices are in the places where they should be. Plus, everything is done in the right, comfortable size. A comfortable fit can be found easily, and after some time after driving (maximum an hour), the driver begins to feel as if he has owned this car for several years.
Electronics
Another topic worth mentioning is the Audi A4 B6 quattro. And this is its electronic and technical equipment. Well, this car has almost everything you might need. This is a fully electric car. Plus, there is an alarm, ESP with ABS, traction control, climate control, heated front seats and six airbags.
By the way, the car “grew” a little - by 7 centimeters in length and 13 millimeters in height. The average trunk, the volume of which is 445 liters, of course, will not help in moving to a new place, but still a few bags will fit in it easily. And in this car, the rear seat folds out. In general, being inside this "Audi" is a real pleasure. And both the driver and the passenger.
Engines and their variety
There is one point that is much more important than the exterior or appearance of the Audi A4 B6. Engine performance is what it's all about. The most popular in Russia are gasoline, 1.8 liters. They exist in three versions - for 190 hp. (the most powerful), as well as 163 and 150 “horses”. Also in demand is a two-liter, 131 hp. And, of course, diesel. It is the weakest, the power of the 1.9-liter engine is 110 hp.
So, with special attention I would like to touch on the most popular. And this is 150 hp AVG 1.8T. This engine is with a turbine, due to which another 25 “horses” are given. Such a motor, despite the fact that it is not included in the list of the most powerful, can last a long time. The main thing is to follow the rules for operating a turbocharged engine. It is very important to change the oil in time (and use high-quality oil), clean or replace the oil pipe in time, and also turn off the engine not immediately, but after a minute or two after stopping. Another option is to install a turbo timer. The worries are small, but the “life” of the engine can be extended for a long time.
About shifting gears
Of course, the most popular Audi cars are those with either five or six-speed manuals. It does not give its owner absolutely no problems. But on the other hand, large costs can be spent on the clutch - in the event that a person takes a car from someone else. You must first inquire about whether the previous owner liked to slip or start quickly. If so, then probably the dual-mass flywheel could no longer withstand this. A replacement can cost $500. And that's without the cost of the clutch. So you should not buy a car that makes some strange sounds when switching. Otherwise, it may really need to be replaced.
Audi A4 B6 is also available in a variation with an automatic gearbox. But they are considered less reliable, because after a while, delays or jolts may begin when switching. Of course, more than one year will pass, but if a person decides to buy a car from his hands, then it is better to make your choice in favor of mechanics.
About the running gear
The suspension of the Audi A4 B6 1.8 t has become much more reliable, unlike its predecessor. So, for example, if the model B5 had a gold pendant, then in this case it is silver. $600 is the price of a complete front suspension kit. And it will be enough for a decent mileage - at least 70,000 kilometers. It is possible not to purchase the entire set, but simply change the levers (again, in case a person buys an already driven car). Well, the new car is doing great with this suspension. Only after a few hundred kilometers, the silent blocks will probably have to be replaced. And that goes for the rear suspension.
In general, the driving performance of such an "Audi" is excellent. Management, dynamics, the level of comfort while driving - just gorgeous. And the all-wheel drive system is extremely reliable and does not cause problems. You don't even want to get up from behind the wheel of such a car.
About the braking system
The "Audi" of this model has a good braking system. What can be said about her? Basic, hydraulic, dual-circuit, has double reinforcement and diagonal separation. Excellent anti-lock brakes, endowed with electronic separation of braking forces. Plus to everything - the vacuum amplifier. We can say about the brake mechanisms that they are ordinary - disc. The only caveat is that they are ventilated on the front wheels, which has a positive effect on the softness of braking.
It should also be noted that this car has simply amazing aerodynamics, which was achieved through the use of lightweight materials. Due to this, in fact, fuel consumption has also decreased. And due to the use of high-strength steel, as well as other additional elements whose function is protection, it was possible to provide an even higher level of safety than before. And, admittedly, the developers have worked hard to create large deformation zones, which is also a plus.
Outcome
Finally, I would like to say that the Audi A4 B6 receives mostly positive reviews. This is the optimal city car that behaves well on the road, does not require a lot of gasoline, and looks stylish, presentable - to say nothing of the comfort inside. Perhaps he can safely compete with some modern foreign cars. Of the main advantages - comfortable movement, high-quality, expensive finishing materials and, of course, excellent assembly of a galvanized body. Yes, the motors are good. Of the minuses, the owners note a slightly weak suspension (if we talk about our roads) and high prices for original spare parts. For the rest - everything is fine. No wonder this car is popular today, even despite the fact that other models already exist.
