Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI Review – Is It Worth Buying?

Looking for an Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI review? I bet you're wondering whether to go for the petrol A4 or stick with the familiar TDI diesel. I hear this all the time at the workshop. People worry that the petrol engine will drink fuel, burn oil and give them endless headaches. But here's the thing. The Audi A4 B9 (8W), built from 2015 to 2023, with the third-generation EA888 2.0 TFSI engine, is quiet, quick and more economical than most people expect. But! There are a few things you really need to know before handing over your money. I'll show you what we look for at Das Auto Service and why these checks could save you a lot of trouble.

Who Is the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI Right For?

If you mainly drive around town, commute to work, don't cover huge distances and occasionally head out on the motorway, I'd seriously consider the petrol B9. You get a lovely, quiet engine with plenty of power, without constantly worrying about the DPF, AdBlue and all the usual diesel headaches. That makes a real difference, especially if most of your journeys are short. I'm not saying the TDI is a bad choice. I'm saying you should choose your engine based on how you actually drive, not what someone in a Facebook group told you.

Which Engines and Gearboxes Does the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI Have?

The petrol A4 B9 uses the third-generation EA888 2.0 TFSI engine. There are two versions worth knowing about because they have quite different personalities. Both are enjoyable to drive, but they're designed with slightly different priorities.

• 2.0 TFSI 190 hp – this version uses what's known as the B-cycle. In simple terms, the engine is designed to use fuel more efficiently. A good choice if you want a petrol A4 for everyday driving without chasing maximum power.
• 2.0 TFSI 252 hp – the more powerful version, for someone who wants a bit more punch under their right foot. If you like your car to respond confidently when you put your foot down, this is the one you'll find more interesting.
• 7-speed S tronic – an automatic gearbox with two clutches. There are also quattro versions, some of which use quattro ultra. On those cars, the rear-wheel drive system uses clutches, and its oil needs changing every 30,000 km.

There's something I really want you to pay attention to here. When buying one of these cars, don't just look at the horsepower in the advert or whether it has quattro. You need to know exactly which version you're buying, how the gearbox has been serviced and whether the four-wheel-drive system has been properly looked after. Because all those lovely extras won't help you if the previous owner was cutting corners on maintenance.

What Problems Do We See Most Often at the Workshop?

Why Do the Water Pump and Thermostat Cause Problems?

This is one of the first things I check on an EA888. The water pump and thermostat are housed together in a plastic unit that can develop leaks. The owner notices the coolant level dropping, tops it up a little and carries on driving. Then tops it up again. And again, until a small problem becomes a serious one. I've explained exactly what happens in my article about water pump and thermostat leaks.

Why Does the Engine Whistle and Idle Roughly?

Another thing we check is the crankcase ventilation system. It deals with the gases that build up inside the engine, and when it isn't working properly, you might hear a distinctive whistling noise or notice the engine idling unevenly. People come in and say, "There's a funny whistle and the car shakes a little, but it drives fine otherwise." Don't be too quick to accept that as normal. We need to find out where the problem is coming from rather than throwing new parts at it and hoping for the best.

What Should I Know About the S tronic Gearbox?

S tronic is a lovely gearbox when it's healthy and properly maintained. But it really doesn't appreciate the "just drive it until something breaks" approach. The oil needs changing every 60,000 km using genuine oil, and we always carry out a gearbox adaptation afterwards. That's a procedure that adjusts the gearbox so it works correctly after the service. If you notice harsh gear changes, jolts or hesitation during a test drive, don't accept the old excuse that "they all do that". Get it checked first. Buy it afterwards.

What Should I Check Before Buying?

If you've found an Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI you like, don't rush to leave a deposit just because the paintwork looks good and the interior is tidy. I want you to know exactly what you're buying, not discover the problems afterwards. I'd start with three things.

1. Check for coolant leaks. Inspect the water pump and thermostat, and find out whether the coolant level stays where it should. Don't ignore signs of a leak just because the engine isn't overheating at the moment.
2. Run a proper diagnostic check and look through the service history. Someone saying "I've plugged it into a scanner and there are no fault codes" isn't enough for me. I want to see what work has been done, when it was done and whether the history matches the actual condition of the car.
3. Take the car for a drive and pay attention to the S tronic gearbox. See how it pulls away, how it changes gear and whether there's any hesitation, jerking or harsh engagement. Don't let the seller convince you that it'll somehow sort itself out.

If you're not sure how to check all of this, book a pre-purchase inspection. It's much better to find out what's wrong before the car belongs to you than to spend your first few weeks of ownership wondering which repair to tackle first.

How Should You Service the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI?

There's nothing complicated about it, as long as you're consistent. I'm not a fan of those long service intervals where you simply wait for the car to tell you it needs attention. With the driving conditions we have in Bulgaria, I'd much rather protect the engine and gearbox than gamble on everything surviving until the very last kilometre of the manufacturer's service interval.

• Engine oil and all filters – every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. We change the oil filter, fuel filter, air filter and cabin filter together with the engine oil, even if you're using LongLife oil.
• S tronic – genuine gearbox oil every 60,000 km, followed by a gearbox adaptation every time.
• Crankcase ventilation – replace the filter every 60,000 km on the petrol engine.
• Coolant – change it every third heating season, and check for leaks at the same time.
• Brake fluid – every 2 years.
• Workshop inspection – every 6 months, so we can catch problems before they become expensive.

If you want to keep everything organised, have a look at the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI service schedule. That way, you won't have to rely on your memory or risk missing something important.

What's My Verdict on the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI?

For me, the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI is an excellent choice for city driving and a mixture of town and motorway journeys. You get a quiet, comfortable and properly quick car without all the usual diesel-related worries. But I'd only buy one after checking the cooling system, gearbox and service history. I'm not trying to put you off this model. I want you to buy a good car that you'll genuinely enjoy, rather than one that sends you straight to the workshop after you've bought it.

Tip from Kris Mladenov: With the petrol B9, keep as close an eye on the coolant as you do on the engine oil. Check the water pump and thermostat, never skip the S tronic servicing and don't convince yourself that a small leak will magically disappear. Look after the car at the right time, and it'll look after you.

I hope you've found this article useful! If you have, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with a friend who drives an Audi or is thinking about buying one. My mission has always been simple: when I know something useful, I want more people to know it too. Because one check at the right time can save you a lot of headaches. And if you ignore a problem, you'll be the one paying for it out of your own pocket. I'm telling you this as a friend.

The solution in our shop

Genuine Longlife III FE 0W30 oil 5L

Genuine LongLife III engine oil is the right choice for servicing when it meets your particular engine's requirements. I recommend changing it together with all the filters every 10,000 km or once a year, regardless of that LongLife name.

View in shop

Genuine VAG G12Evo antifreeze G12E050A2 1.0l

Genuine G12evo coolant is designed for cooling systems that require the corresponding specification. The important thing isn't just using the correct coolant. If the level keeps dropping, you also need to find out why and fix the problem.

View in shop

Read more

• Pre-purchase inspection
• Routine servicing
• Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI service schedule
• EA888 Gen3 Water Pump Leak: Causes and Fix

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI?

The things I pay most attention to are water pump and thermostat leaks, the crankcase ventilation system and S tronic gearbox maintenance. That doesn't mean every car will have these problems, but I always check for them.

Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI or 2.0 TDI?

If you mainly drive around town and don't cover many kilometres, I'd choose the 2.0 TFSI. That way, you avoid the DPF and AdBlue headaches that come with the diesel versions.

Does the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI burn oil?

Don't automatically assume that every EA888 burns oil, but don't ignore reports of excessive oil consumption either. Check the individual car, its service history and the condition of the engine before buying it.

How often should you change the S tronic gearbox oil?

Every 60,000 km using genuine oil. A gearbox adaptation is essential after the service to make sure everything works properly.