As it Grinds The Gears

Actually, a (n) dream combo: A4 Avant with diesel and automatic. Although the latter worked continuously, in a duet with the drive shaft but unfortunately not a sound.

"The Multitronic from Audi - Cutting Edge Technology for more dynamics, comfort and economy. " So far, the Ingolstadt-art theory. Our photographer Christian Bittman does not notice when he on 13 Will start April last year with our long-term test-A4 to a production. Purely start key, engine, gear on D and - stalled! An automated system that allows us to die just like that at the crossing, we had lead us very differently. But before we Audis stepless bevel gears give the details, but let's start the story from the beginning.

When the Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI on 22 October 2009 for us to the 100,000-mile durability test reports, we think, yummy! So modern, so Misano, so Oh man, he is standing there. Granted, a big part also have many extras that make life aboard extremely pleasant. Additional equipment for about a third of the then new price (including automatic 37 150 €) to drive the value of the pretty boy of about 50,000 €. But for the combined sets also really into stuff. In the very first logbook entry of AUTO BILD CLASSIC colleague Knut Simon can be found on five lines, the words "agile", "sporty comfortable", "high quality" and "Roadrunner".

Similarly, it is only positive once more. The sporty, taut damping on rough trails but provoked ever discontent, but the A4 acquires quickly a good reputation and is booked for journeys like. Also, the driving duo from 143 hp two-liter diesel engine and the continuously variable transmission like the beginning - at least most of them. "The Audi is fun, going well - only those confused with the everyday life of an A4-race series, the effect of the rubber band sucks when accelerating." Life test expert Manfred sound forest it gets to the point. Only a few hotheads with digital accelerator foot is rather fussy about the TDI and listless.

Other criticisms seem to provoke the keyless locking responding randomly, the replacement of Ölpeilstabs by a display on the display or when creating loud rattling mirrors right. The popularity of the A4, however, does not detract. And the rebellious mirrors are later pacified by Audi so well. In the circle of traveling alone and childless, so there's applause. Once the fund had to be more than just a luggage room extension, the atmosphere cools, however, decreases significantly.

"Great car, but family car is different - behind the driver (1.87 meters) is hardly room for a second-grader, and the trunk is sooner than the child strapped in," Willi Kock archivist unloads his frustration. We come back as promised to the opening theme: the Multitronic. In June 2010, the first time it seems like she wants to tell us something. "The drive does not sound healthy," notes the alert sound forest colleague - and he is right. The Troubleshooting is time consuming but: In November 2010, the overrunning alternator, the clamping device of the multi-ribbed belt and tensioner and idler replaced the timing belt - the sound remains.

A few days later to take an engine expert from the Audi plant in Gyor, and a transmission specialist from Kassel investigation. It takes, but the concentrated expertise that Audi is the cause, and is not directly in the transmission: A connection between control box and left drive shaft is loose. Audi swaps out the fact still intact transmission. Just in case. Although the A4 and then every now and still might sink, run the remaining kilometers without any problems. Whether that would have been so even without gear exchange, remains speculative.

What is certain is that the Multitronic A4 Macke spoil the overall balance. 29th place - although he is closing the investigation without defects. Well, then, that Audi replaced with the next generation A4 Multitronic with a dual clutch transmission. Finally they would like to continue to talk about technical advance, the Ingolstadt.