What Is the Best Audi A4 B7 Engine? (+ Engines to Avoid)
Nobody wants to buy a car that will give them trouble down the road.
So, what is the best Audi A4 B7 engine to get? And which engines should you avoid?
Generally, the 2.0 TFSI petrol engine is the best for the Audi A4 B7. It offers a near-perfect balance between performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability.
Continue reading for more details!
12 Engines Offered On The Audi A4 B7: An Overview
The Audi A4 B7 was released in 2004 and remained in production until 2008.
Tip: If you aren’t sure whether your Audi A4 belongs to the B7 generation, read this article to find out what model your Audi is!
The Audi A4 B7 is a popular choice for those looking for a used luxury car, but it’s available with several different engines.
Here is an overview of all engines that were available on the Audi A4 B7:
| Gas engines | Power (hp) | Diesel engines | Power (hp) |
| 1.6 MPI | 102 | 1.9 TDI | 115 |
| 1.8 T | 163 | 2.0 TDI | 136 to 170 |
| 2.0 FSI | 150 | 2.5 V6 TDI | 163 |
| 2.0 TFSI | 170 to 220 | 2.7 V6 TDI | 163 to 180 |
| 3.2 FSI | 256 | 3.0 V6 TDI | 204 to 233 |
| 4.2 V8 (S4) | 344 | ||
| 4.2 FSI V8 (RS4) | 420 |
The best engines offered on the Audi A4 B7
Here is an overview of the best Audi A4 B7 engines:
- Best Engine Overall: 2.0 TFSI
- Best Engine For Reliability: 1.9 TDI Diesel
- Best Engine For Fuel Efficiency: 2.0 TDI Diesel
- Best Engine For Performance: 4.2 FSI V8
Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these engines:
The best engine overall
Looking for a balance between the best reliability, fuel efficiency, and performance? Then this will be your best bet!
The best overall engine for the Audi A4 B7 is the 2.0 TFSI. It offers great performance and is decently efficient if driven calmly. The main downside of this engine is that it may have problems with oil consumption.
In terms of performance, this 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine provides between 170 and 220 horsepower, depending on the variant.
It allows the A4 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds.
It’s definitely more than enough for most people and day-to-day use.
In fact, this Audi 2.0 TFSI is an engine from Volkswagen, also used in more performance-oriented vehicles like the Skoda Octavia vRS or the Golf GTI. (Both Volkswagen and Audi are owned by the Volkswagen Group.)
Fuel economy is also great, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 32 MPG. For this reason, the 2.0 TFSI is also seen as one of the best and most fuel-efficient Audi gas engines.
However, some Audi A4 B7 owners with this engine have reported achieving up to 36 MPG:
Regarding reliability, the 2.0 TFSI isn’t likely to leave you stranded.
The most common engine problems Audi A4 owners report include high oil consumption, a faulty tumble flap in the intake manifold, a failure of the PCV system, or a faulty high-pressure fuel pump.
All in all, don’t let these issues scare you off too much.
If you can find an Audi A4 B7 with the 2.0 TFSI engine that has been well maintained and had frequent oil changes, you can drive it for years to come!
Related topic: Are you wondering how much it costs to maintain an Audi A4? Well, we did the research. You can find the results in this article!
The best engine for reliability
Looking for the most reliable engine in your Audi A4?
The most reliable engine for the Audi A4 B7 is the 1.9 TDI inline 4 diesel. It’s a simple economic diesel, meaning few components or systems can fail. Audi A4 B7s equipped with the 1.9 TDI usually reach some of the highest mileages out of all engine variants.
One of the main reasons for the engine’s reliability is its simple design.
It has very few moving parts, which reduces the chance of something going wrong.
In addition, the engine is built with high-quality materials, which helps to extend its lifespan.
Of course, no engine is completely trouble-free, and the 1.9 TDI is no exception. One example of a problem that may occur is that your intake gets clogged up with EGR soot.
But overall, it is a reliable engine that should provide years of trouble-free driving!
Tip
Although the official recommended oil change interval of Audi A4 B7 engines can be up to 15,000 miles or 30,000 kilometers, many reliability issues, such as sludgy oil, can be dodged by changing the engine oil at least every 5,000 miles or 10,000 kilometers.
The best engine for fuel economy
Are you a frequent driver or looking to pay as little for fuel as possible? Either way, this engine may be your best bet!
The 2.0 TDI engine on the Audi A4 B7 has the best fuel economy when used partly on the highway and partly in cities. The engine’s claimed combined fuel economy is 51 MPG.
Owners of the Audi A4 B7 have reported seeing a combined fuel consumption as low as 47 MPG, making it one of the most efficient engines in its class:
Even better, the A4’s fuel economy doesn’t come at the expense of performance.
The 2.0 TDI engines produce a healthy 136 to 170 horsepower, depending on the variant, making it more than capable of meeting the needs of most drivers.
And thanks to its powerful diesel torque, it’s an excellent choice if you want your Audi A4 to tow a caravan!
All told, the Audi A4’s 2.0 TDI engine is a great choice for anyone looking for the ideal balance between power and economy.
Tip: If you own an Audi A4 with a gasoline engine, remember that it’s best to use premium gas.
The best engine for performance
Looking for ultimate performance?
The best-performing engine on the Audi A4 B7 is the 4.2 FSI V8 Petrol from the RS4. It puts out 420 horsepower, allowing the Audi to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds.
When Audi decided to put a 4.2 FSI V8 engine in the RS4, they knew they were creating a monster. This engine can generate an astonishing 420 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.
And it sounds as good as it looks, with a deep, throaty growl that is sure to turn heads.
The 4.2 FSI V8 engine is a work of art, and it’s one of the things that makes the Audi RS4 such a special car!
Which engines should you avoid on the Audi A4 B7?
While the Audi A4 B7 is generally a reliable vehicle, there are certain engines that can be problematic or have other disadvantages.
In general, for the Audi A4 B7, you should avoid the underpowered 1.6 MPI petrol and the 3.0 V6 TDI, which can have high running costs. However, it is important to note that all engines on the Audi A4 B7 have advantages and disadvantages.
First, the 1.6 MPI petrol is a naturally-aspirated gas engine with 102 horsepower.
While this may work well for you if you primarily drive in the city, it lacks power on the highway. On the plus side, it is very reliable!
The other engine that requires a second thought before purchasing is the 3.0 V6 TDI.
It can have common issues related to the injectors, EGR valve, and water pump, which can be quite expensive to replace.
Last but not least, don’t forget to check when the timing chain on this engine was last replaced, as it’s also an expensive job!
Conclusion
Ultimately, we can state that the Audi A4 B7 came with many engines.
Some focus on fuel consumption, while others are powerful enough to outrun most other cars on the street.
But which engine is the best?
In our experience, the 2.0 TFSI engine is the one to go for, as it’s a perfect balance between reliability, performance, and fuel efficiency.
It was also one of the most popular engines for the Audi A4 B7, so there are many offers for it on the second-hand market!
If you’re still doubting whether an Audi A4 is a good car for you, check out this article about the 11 pros and cons of the Audi A4.
And if you’re already a proud owner of an A4, you can find nine amazing accessories for it here!
