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Audi A4 2004 and earlier

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

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

Messages Page 338 of 605

#3370 of 6042 Hermann by markcincinnati

Mar 06, 2002 (2:26 pm)

My 1997 Audi A8 with a 4.2 300 HP V8 was mated to a 5spd non-Tiptronic transmission.
 
You are correct, you cannot buy an Audi A4 1.8T with leather, power seats, sat navigation. You are "forced" to buy a 3.0 V6 for such features.
 
We generally cannot get manual transmissions on most Audis even though they are on the German and British "konfigurators" of Audi web sites in those countries.
 
The Audi A6 3.0V6 is at least $5,000 more than the new Passat W8 -- and while I would agree that the Passat is slightly smaller than an A6, it is also slightly larger than an A4.
 
In the US, the Passat W8 will cost $37,900 and the A4 3.0 with many options will cost over $39,000. I am wondering if you think that it is possible that the marketing of these three cars in the US will cause confusion in "new customers" minds.
 
I find myself, so far, able to differentiate between Audis and VW's and prefer Audi's to VW's -- but the Passat W8 and Phaeton seem to be in the same market segment as the Audi A4, A6 and A8 respectively.
 
I would think, making more options available (e.g., leather, sat nav, parktronic) on the A4 1.8T would mean more dollars in Audi's pocket -- if I wanted leather and was willing to pay for it, but did not want an V6 I should be able to buy.

#3371 of 6042 A4 colors by samuel70

Mar 06, 2002 (3:22 pm)

I am considering buying an A4...I notice several posts about people's dislike for the :"finish" in the lower quarter panel, in fact all around the car...I was sitting a traffic light and noticed a 3.0 and it had body paint all the way down...can anyone tell me if this is std now did audi change the paint process or did the customer have the dealer paint it......have not had time to go the local dealer and check it out...

#3372 of 6042 samuel70 by a4_4vince

Mar 06, 2002 (4:03 pm)

I believe that the lower of the A4 3.0 you saw was aftermarket painted. As far as I know Audi has not been painting the lower on the 2002 A4. Not sure if you could special order it from Audi that way too...
 
vince...8o)

#3373 of 6042 After 4 yrs 8 mos, 78K miles later ............ by yoonny

Mar 06, 2002 (4:33 pm)

It has been almost 5 years ever since I took delivery of my silver 1997 A4 1.8T Quattro 5 speed with sport package and moonroof. Then I put on Avangarde side skirts, painted front and rear bottoms, tinted the windows, put on Alpine head unit with 12 disc CD changer in the trunk. My car was the BEST looking A4 for a while until people started noticing A4 and A4 became very popular. But, still my A4 is one of the best looking. I didn't have one accident thanks to the Quattro's stickiness to the road and the exceptional brakes. Thanks to the loaners, I took long day/overnight trips every 6 months. (I am sure the car rental companies were not happy about the milege I put on to their fleet.) Here are the pros and cons of this car:
 
Pros:
* Quattro - sure handling and good brakes
* Details to exterior and interior except the cup holders
* Nice firm seats and material
Cons:
* Cup holders
* Engine - My turbo had 150hp and had decent acceleration but after about 4 years, power has been reduced dramatically and I must downshift to speed up or for passing
* Brake squeal and dust
* Remote - works only near the car
My only problems were the warning chime system quitting and a whining noise from the water cooler. But other than that I love my car.
 
Now I am considering to change my car to something new. I am narrowing down my choices to new A4 1.8T, BMW 325Ci or 330Ci (depends how much I can sell my car for), and Infiniti G35. I sat on the new A4 the other day and I noticed the differences b/w mine and the new one. I will just say that 95% of the things are nicer in the new A4. Cupholders still need to be worked on. I wanted to get a coupe for my next car and was waiting for A4 coupe. But I am not hearing it's coming soon. Anyone know of any news about A4 coupe? I still need to check out the coupe version of G35 which comes out in the fall. I am not in a rush to get a new car so I will wait and see. I will keep you posted about my decision or any other news about my car. Thanks for reading.

#3374 of 6042 change oil by tan7

Mar 06, 2002 (9:23 pm)

I bought my Audi A4 1.8T last sept. and on my service manual my Oil change is due march 3 but I only have 2695 miles on it.I called the dealer for service and I was told that they can't do it yet 'coz the miles is still too low. I'm confuse 'coz I thought its every 5 months or 5,000 miles which ever come first.I need help here. thanx

#3375 of 6042 Hermann by dl7265

Mar 06, 2002 (10:28 pm)

Welcome to the board, and i see you also have a Alfa 156 , I promise not to get off Audi track but how are u liking it ?
 
DL

#3376 of 6042 Oil change: by schwitzer1

Mar 07, 2002 (6:51 am)

It's my understanding that the engine needs time to break in properly, and that during this time a lot of particulate matter will be created. This is suspended in the oil, and when the oil is changed, it goes away. Engine break-in is considered complete after 5000 miles, which is when they'd like you to change the oil. Then you'll go at 10,000, and then not until 20,000. Personally, I chose to change mine at around 15,000, but that simply satisfied my need to feel like I'm taking good care of my car.

#3377 of 6042 yoonny by nyccarguy

Mar 07, 2002 (8:20 am)

+Its good to hear you're enjoying you car so much. I too can't wait to see the A4 Coupe. My guess is it might come out later this year maybe as an '03 model. I will also be checking out the 325Ci.
 
You mentioned in your post that you will either be looking at a 325Ci or a 330Ci (depending on how much money you get for your car). Then you should look at the 325Ci and not get your hopes up. Don't get me wrong, I wish you luck. The used car market is terrrible now. Trying to sell the car yourself makes it even worse that the dealers/Audi are in the Certified Pre Owned (read USED) market. Sure your car may be in good shape, but someone can buy the car Audi Assured with less miles and an extended powertrain warranty. Plus you seem to be really passionate about your car (most of us in Town Hall are). That hurts you when you walk into the dealership because you think that your particular car is the best example of all the used 1997 Used A4 1.8Ts out there. I'm not trying to flame you by any means. Just passing along some of the knowledge I've learned by lurking in the "Any Questions FOr a Car Dealer" & "Inconsiderate Buyer" Threads.

#3378 of 6042 nyccarguy by yoonny

Mar 07, 2002 (9:39 am)

Thanx for your thought. I am hoping I can find a private buyer who likes the look of my car and pay some premium. If I am lucky I will find that person. I hope A4 coupe comes out soon b/c I prefer owning Audi than BMW. If I buy BMW in the future I will definitely use the Euro Delivery and save a few thousand dollar plus have a vacation in Europe. I wish Audi offers this too. I can't believe 325Ci's ED invoice starts under $25,000. I figure with options and about $1,200 for dealer will put me in the same price range with 1.8T. It will be a tough decision but I have a few month to make it.

#3379 of 6042 tan7: oil change by scirocco22

Mar 08, 2002 (4:44 am)

nathaniel-- I had a similar question as you have but I have an '01.5 and the according to the owner's manual, the first oil change is scheduled for 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever occurs first. At 6 months, I had only about 1,700 miles on my car and I thought it ridiculous to change oil with that little mileage. So I called AoA to check. The AoA rep informed me that I MUST have that service (and each subsequent scheduled maintenance service) performed exactly as prescribed in the maintenance manual by an authorized Audi dealer or run the risk of voiding my warranty. My dealer agreed so they changed the oil at 1,700 miles when the car was six months old. I'm now approaching my one year anniversary and only have 2,300 miles on it and the same thing will occur ...I'll have to have the oil changed again with only 600 miles since it was last changed six months ago. From now on, the rest of the scheduled maintenance services will be every 10,000 miles or one year (12 months) whichever occurs first.
 
So insist that your dealer do the first scheduled maintenance service at 6 months, regardless of how many miles you have, because according to AoA, this has to be done in order to keep from voiding your warranty. I thought it was ridiculous but I didn't want to take the chance.
 
--'rocco

Messages Page 338 of 605

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