Audi A4 Avant SE 2.0 TDI 143 PS 6 speed 2.0 diesel

I bought this new, replacing an Alfa 156 Sportwagon diesel, I had for 7 years from new thinking I would go "sensible". A mistake.

The likes: The sound system with SD card mp3 player and leather interior are excellent. Reasonable space and good boot for a "lifestyle estate".

The dislikes:

Interior plastics look and feel cheap, actually not as good as the older models. Pedals are offset, you won't notice on a test drive but doing 20k a year you do, and it's a pain in the **** and uncomfortable.

It has never handled well, and has been repeatedly back to dealership. It wanders horribly especially when tyres go off. New ABS/Steering/ESR controller needed at 6 months old after complete control failure and took 6 weeks to fix. Whilst UK dealer was trying, got the impression Audi UK not at all helpful.

Despite handsfree wheel option, no bluetooth or handsfree phone capability and it cannot be upgraded. There is no excuse for this on a 28K car. The dealer fit is phone specific at order!! Get real.

New cylinder head at 30,000 miles after tensioner failure, wrecking the engine.

Fuel economy not as good as you would think on real roads, 2.0 TDi engine is too overgeared and mainly driven in 4th on country roads because of this, but it does make this heavy car frugal on the Motorway.

Summary: OK as a "badged" family estate but overpriced for what you get, rather disappointing in terms of the expected reliability and build quality. If I wanted grief I would have kept the Alfa!