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Audi A4 2004 and earlier

6042 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

Messages Page 140 of 605

#1383 of 6042 A4 Purchase by jmad325

Jul 02, 2001 (2:26 pm)

Hi, I'm Josh from Houston. I am very near trading in my 95 325 BMW for a new car and have been looking at the A4. I actually came close to buying a used one I got a great deal on in 1998 when I bought my BMW, but the color was not for me so I didn't do it. The other day I was at Momentum Audi in Houston and was really surprised at the prices on the 2001 A4 now that the 2002 is on its way. I test drove a 1.8T but feel that I would want the 2.8 if I went for the Audi. The dealer said there are still 4 order spots left for the first shipment of 2002's which will arrive in November with $1000 deposit. I am debating waiting or getting a good deal on a 2.8 now. Since I am going to keep the car for a while I feel that maybe waiting and getting the new model with more power will be better. Any thoughts? thanks. josh

#1384 of 6042 New for 2002 by lisampls

Jul 02, 2001 (8:16 pm)

I was just at Carousel Audi in Minneapolis today and looked at the A4's and A6's (a friend and I also drove the TT!). I am looking to keep my new car pricing around the mid $30's, so was focusing on the A4 (2.8T)and took it for a drive. I really liked it, but the legroom in the backseats is pretty much non-existent. My salesperson told me that the 2002 will be larger (by gaining 14" OVERALL-not just in the back) and will have the body styling similar to the A6. Sounds like they will also offer a V6 as well.

#1385 of 6042 jmad325 by lauk0dg

Jul 02, 2001 (8:21 pm)

gotta change that screen name of yours soon, josh LOL.
 
Anyhow back to the serious stuff. For the 2002 A4's, the V6 engines won't be pumping out 190hp and has a 2.8L displacement. They will actually be 3.0L V6 30valve engines pumping out 222hp. So if you found that a 2.8 is the way to go, you better wait for the 3.0L engines. However, rumors saying that they're behind schedule on producing that engine, and that first year new engine + new model for a car might not be a good idea if those are not Japanese cars LOL. Plus you gotta convince yourself that you like the new bodystyle, which honestly has grown on me a little bit......but still not enough to convince me to get the 2002 instead of the 2001. But hey, you'll be one of the first kids in the block to have a brand spanking new A4.
 
The one thing to remember about the 1.8T is, you can chip it and get up to 207hp and 246lbft torque for a mere $500, while on a 2.8/3.0 engine, you gotta spend like $3-4k to add a turbocharger to it to make it go faster. Of course with the new 3.0L engine you get the power with the Audi warranty, i.e. if the chipped 1.8T engine gives you trouble, you won't be covered by the warranty if anything helps due to the chipping.
 
Billy

#1386 of 6042 lisampls by lauk0dg

Jul 02, 2001 (8:29 pm)

Lisa, for mid 30k's, (if that's what you want to pay out of pocket), you can get a loaded 1.8T or a medium loaded 2.8 (that engine is a V6 already) or a stripped S4. Honestly, if you ask me, I wouldn't spend mid 30k's on an A4. I'd rather save some more for an S4. People here in Chicago are walking out the dealerships paying about $39.5k for a loaded S4 (b4 tax), with a MSRP of $42.5k. I've seen FULLY LOADED A4 2.8's for a MSRP of $37.5k.....and that's WAY too much.
 
The new 2002 A4's are 14" longer than the 2001's? You sure? Geez that's one big sedan.
 
Again the current A4's offer V6 engines since they were here (the old ones got 12v engines, new ones got 30v engines). Only difference is, the 2002's will have 3.0L V6 engines pumping out 222hp while the current 2001's will have 2.8L V6 engines pumping out 190hp.
 
Billy

#1387 of 6042 hmmm, how about a 3-series (or another one) for you two? by scirocco22

Jul 03, 2001 (4:30 am)

Josh-- The only thing about reserving a spot on the list is that you still don't know the exact price you'll be paying for it because as I understand it, they still haven't published any final prices yet for the 2002 and you'll definitely be paying at least MSRP if not higher because of the "premium" some dealers will probably be adding seeing that they will be in such limited supply when first introduced. And a $1,000 deposit?? whew! Well, as Billy said, at least you'll be the first on your block to have one!! And why are you considering switching from a BMW to an Audi?? I can't wait to switch from an Audi to a BMW, lol.
 
Lisa-- Have you considered maybe a 325i? or xi? Like Billy, I would have much preferred a Bimmer if I weren't trying to keep my purchase price down below 30k. I like my A4 and the value it represents but let's face it, a BMW is THE ultimate driving machine!

#1388 of 6042 sunroofs again... by scirocco22

Jul 03, 2001 (4:50 am)

Billy, we forgot to mention to Jonathan that opening the rear windows a "crack" will also help to solve the buffeting effect coming from the sunroof.

#1389 of 6042 Billy and Scirocco by lisampls

Jul 03, 2001 (7:28 am)

Thanks for the feedback! Billy, the length for the 2002 will not increase by 14", the OVERALL increases to the car (width and length) will be 14". Not sure what that means for length, but Sallied (saleswoman) said that the body styling will look more like the A6.
It was my first trip to the dealership yesterday, and was a bit overwhelmed with the different pricing (and models) for the A4's, A6's and S4's. There are some incentives right now with low APR's so it would almost be cheaper to get an A6 (I think it was down to 2.9 for June and they are talking about carrying it over into July.)
Yes, I am considering the 3-Series as well and hope to test drive a few today (my first trip to the BMW dealer.)
I have been researching the Audi's and Bimmer's for some time, as well as the Lexus ES300 and would like to make a decision before the end of summer so it will be easier to sell my '98 Honda Accord ape V6.
You will get a kick (or maybe not) out of the fact that my new car shopping started with a desire for the RX300, which then turned into the Acura DX. I actually have a deposit down on the DX for fall delivery, but can't make up my mind if I want the SUB or a kick-butt luxury sedan.
Test driving will be the key here, and my main reason for the SUB was because the 4WD comes in handy during our brutal Minnesota winters. I was educated on Quattro yesterday, and understand that Bimmer's have traction control (same as WAD?), so I would still get better winter performance.
Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed! I'll keep you posted.
Lisa

#1390 of 6042 Thanks... by spridledog

Jul 03, 2001 (7:29 am)

Thanks folks for the help with the sunroof. This morning I did try cracking the rear windows a bit, and this did improve things. It also causes at bit more wind inside the cabin, but I can deal with that. I could never get myself to tack on one of those plastic air deflectors on the top of my S4! I have enough trouble just dealing with the bugs that get on the front bumper! I LOVE THIS CAR!

#1391 of 6042 Scirocco / spridledog / lisampls / a BIG announcement by lauk0dg

Jul 03, 2001 (8:05 am)

Yup Scirocco, cracking the rear windows help a little bit. Spridledog, glad it kinda solved the problem.... now all you need is to keep the right foot easy :>

Lisa, mmmmm let's get all those terms correct for ya. In the case of the BMW xi, under normal driving, rear wheels still have the most burden (not 100%) to drive the car forward. Only under extreme conditions will all wheels engage in driving the car. In the case of the Quattro in an Audi, all 4 wheels drive the car at the same time with equal bias under normal driving, and when it senses wheel spin it'll transfer power to the wheels with the most traction.

In the case of most SUV's, UNLESS they specify FULL TIME ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ONLY the front wheels drive the vehicle. These vehicles are often named or branded as 4WD. When the onboard computer senses wheel slip or after you press the button or work the lever that says 4WD, then all four wheels are engaged to work together. They are deceiving that in most systems you NEED to engage the lever or hit the button yourself to get all 4WD, and needless to say in emergency situations you won't have time to hit that button or lever. More deceiving is that, in these 4WD SUV's, it's recommended NOT to have all 4 wheels driving the vehicle at all times. It's recommended to use 4WD ONLY when you go to drive around in a mud pool or pulling your boat out of the water.

Now you see how useful the Quattro system and all other FULL TIME ALL WHEEL DRIVE vehicles are. With ESP in your Audi, you are very safe.

Now comparing the BMW xi and Audi Quattro cars. Read the Edmunds.com review on the BMW 325xi.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/spin/46587/article.html

It's titled "This Bavarian Motor Doesn't Werk". The editor basically slams a huge rock at this BMW, and read what he recommends.

Bimmers come standard with Traction Control, but you can add this $500 option to your Audi. Looks like you live in Minneapolis (been there in the winter), and I wouldn't drive a bimmer that comes standard with rear wheel drive. Only the xi or the X5 will be on your list if you want a bimmer, even I'll cross the X5 off the list cuz it's an SUV and with high center of gravity it won't do well in curves.

One more selection to your list if the ES 300 is on yours. THe Acura 3.2TL Type S. 260hp for a very nice price. And it's a HOnda too.

Whew I typed too much again, didn't I.....Now for the reward for reading all these. For ANY OF YOU who lives close to Chicago, I got good news for ya. Buddy of mine told me yesterday that Audi is hosting a Quattro Challenge in the Chicago Motor Speedway. A full day of activies such as Cornering Control, Accidence Avoidance, Skid Recovery, Timed AutoCross, Speed Laps and Personal Coaching are all included with a dinner in the famed Field Museum, all for.....you guessed it, FREE. I can't believe it, and to qualify you only need to have a 97 and up Audi and you can bring a guest. But be fast, it's limited to 50 owners for each day on Saturday (9/8) and Sunday (9/9). Click on the following link:
 
http://www.audiusa.com/myAudi/quattro_challenge/html/set.htm

Billy

#1392 of 6042 If I won the lotto tomorrow, I'd probably buy a Bimmer.... by scirocco22

Jul 03, 2001 (11:53 am)

oh jeez, gotta run but I'll quickly post a few thoughts--
 
Joanathan-- lol, I don't know whay you'd take Billy's advice about "keeping the right foot easy" ...what's the purpose of having an S4 if you're going to do that??? Might as well just have an A4
 
Lisa-- what's WAD?? lol ...and yah, if they made either the RX300 or the DX with a 5-speed manual, I'd seriously (very seriously!) consider getting one! When you refer to them as SUB's, does that stand for Sports Utility Burner??

Messages Page 140 of 605

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