Ask the Car People.SM


Audi A4 2005+

1366 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2011 at 1:05 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

Messages Page 101 of 138

#995 of 1366 Re: A4 compared to Passat [markcincinnati] by shipo

Sep 30, 2005 (8:27 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 30, 2005 7:44 am)
Hey Mark,
 
Back in 1998 when I very carefully compared my 1995 Passat GLX to one of the very rare 1998 GLX 5-Speeds I came away with the following observations:
 
1) Handling: With what felt like a significantly more robust suspension setup coupled with wider tires (215 vs. 205), the 1995 seems much more composed at anything approaching the limit than the 1998 did when driven over the same roads.
 
2) Engine: The VR6 of my 1995 was an eager torque rich engine (at basically any RPM above idle) that just begged to be run hard and put away wet. The Audi 2.8 mill in the 1998 just seemed to be more complacent and needed to be flogged hard before it would finally wake up. IIRC, the 1998's engine didn't even seem to come alive until it was well north of 3,000 rpms.
 
3) Interior Space (specifically leg room): The 1995 had a whopping 82.1" of overall leg room, and when confronted with the barely adequate 76.8" of the 1998, both of my kids complained that they couldn't get their feet and legs comfortable when I test fitted their car seats on the show room model.
 
So, from my perspective, the 1995 GLX was faster, handled better and had more usable room than the 1998, and those are the same criteria that I used to make my "back to its roots" comment. The new Passat will also be available with a much breathed on VR6 (one of my favorite engines of all time) so it should be quite fast indeed, it has more interior space than the 1998 (although not as much as the 1995 in the leg room department), and in terms of handling, while I haven't driven one yet, my bet is that it will easily out perform the 1998, and probably the 1995 as well.
 
There is one final criterion, the underlying platform. The 1995 and now the 2006 are both apparently based upon smaller VW products while the 1998 was based upon the same platform as the Audi A4. Good, bad or otherwise, my mind seems to want to think of the 1998-2005 Passats as Audis.
 
While in the end you may not agree with my "back to its roots" comment, does it at least make more sense now?
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#996 of 1366 Re: A4 compared to Passat [mooselook] by mooselook

Oct 01, 2005 (6:35 am)

Replying to: mooselook (Sep 29, 2005 7:42 pm)
Wow! This is certainly a topic that a lot of folks have a lot of opinions on. I'm tempted to post the same message on the Passat board and see what they're thinking over there! Thanks everyone for all the insights. I gained more information from you guys than I probably could have from any other source. Edwardsf, you're right, I am taking a lot of time researching this. In fact, it's become a sort of obsession, a monkey on my back, if you will. I have until 11/25 until my lease expires, so I still have more time for obsessing.
Just a couple more minor observations:
The Passat seems to have a few features that are not yet available on the A4, probably because the Passat is a new model, and the A4 is probably closer to the end of it's current model run (new grille refreshening notwithstanding...). For instance, the Passat has LED tailights, bladeless key in the dashboard (sort of like the BMW, but without the button), and an electronic parking brake activated by a button (instead of by a lever that is obstructed by the center armrest, as in the A4. What were they thinking?). Certainly these are not major items but they point to a future to which the A4 has not yet arrived. A recent comparo in Car & Driver ranked the A4 5th out of 8, simply because it had not yet moved on. Their closing line on the A4 was "For those who missed out on a 2004 A4, the 2005 is a godsend. For everybody else, it's old news."
So, all that being said, the final proof will be in the driving.I'm guessing that the A4 will be much more fun. Looks like another test drive is in my future...
 
Regards,
 
***Mooselook***

#997 of 1366 Re: A4 compared to Passat [mooselook] by byronwalter

Oct 01, 2005 (11:27 am)

Replying to: mooselook (Oct 01, 2005 6:35 am)
Mooselook,
 
I'm puzzled by that C&D review. Now I have no issues with the BMW 3 making the top pick.I've driven a couple of them and think that they are great. But the new B7 A4 placed behind the Acura TL? I've driven the TL and after my test drive I immediately ordered another A4.
 
So, without actually having read the C&D review, I'm "guessing" that they based much of the ranking on numerical data. The TL generates very good numbers but I gotta say the car just doesn't click in the driving dynamics arena. The A4, like the BMW, has a synergy in the way all the parts come together that is rarely matched (maybe by the G35?).
 
My previous A4 was an '02 which, like the '04 A4, was the B6 build. The new B7 is significantly improved in ride, steering, handling, & braking.... not so improved in looks . While my two liter engine is two cylinders shy of the competition, it is a nice compromise between performance & fuel efficiency. With only a 1000 miles on the odometer, I'm getting around 34 mpg at 75 mph (manual, sports suspension & Quattro).
 
And the build quality on my A4 is superb.
 
Let us know how your test drive goes!
 
Byron

#998 of 1366 Re: Bluetooth in 2006 only [chimay] by mikeinatl

Oct 03, 2005 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: chimay (Sep 22, 2005 1:36 pm)
I just purchased a 2006 A4 w/ Technology Package and NAV and unfortunately it does not have Bluetooth, does anyone know if there is a bluetooth upgrade module available or is it expected to be available in the future?

#999 of 1366 Re: Bluetooth in 2006 only [mikeinatl] by shipo

Oct 03, 2005 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: mikeinatl (Oct 03, 2005 2:12 pm)
Are you sure??? My understanding is that the "Technology Package" explicitly meant that you got Bluetooth. How do you know that you don't have it?
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#1000 of 1366 Bluetooth in 2006 only by chimay

Oct 03, 2005 (5:22 pm)

When I bought my A4 a few weeks ago, I got the technology package with bluetooth, and the bluetooth was specifically called out. The dealer told me that there were two tech. packages, and one did not contain bluetooth. Dont' know if it's possible to upgrade after the fact, but imagine so. Anything's possible for a price.

#1001 of 1366 Re: Bluetooth in 2006 only [chimay] by mooselook

Oct 03, 2005 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: chimay (Oct 03, 2005 5:22 pm)
On the website, under Bluetooth under the Technology Package section, it say's "Confirm availability with dealer". It seems to me that if Bluetooth is not available on a particular car that has the Tech package, then the cost of the package ought to be less...
***Mooselook***

#1002 of 1366 Re: Bluetooth in 2006 only [chimay] by rjlaero

Oct 04, 2005 (6:00 am)

Replying to: chimay (Oct 03, 2005 5:22 pm)
I thought Audi changed the order guides and there is now only (1) technology package that has memory seats, xenons, and bluetooth as well. The website has only (1) technology package.
 
You cannot get "retro" bluetooth added in your car from the parts or service department. You have to get it from the factory via the technology package when your car is built.

#1003 of 1366 Re: Bluetooth in 2006 only [rjlaero] by mikeinatl

Oct 04, 2005 (6:18 am)

Replying to: rjlaero (Oct 04, 2005 6:00 am)
My sales guy specifically told me it did not have Bluetooth and I even tried to have my phone discover the car hoping that it just was not listed, but alas no Bluetooth. Anyone have any idea if Audi will be offering this as an add on in the future?

#1004 of 1366 Audi A4 compared to Passat, BMW3 Series by schweikb

Oct 04, 2005 (12:22 pm)

I just picked up an 06 A4 2.0Q auto this past weekend - Quartz Gray with Ebony leather interior. This is the first Audi I've owned since a 1978 - that was a disaster and I'd sworn off the brand until now. I looked at new Passat and BMW 325 as alternatives. With all the discussion of Bluetooth, tech packages, etc. the thing that pulled me to the Audi (besides Quattro) was the overall build quality and the solid feeling of everything - doors, seats, console, trunk lid, etc. The earlier BMW 3's (including my buddy's 2003 M3 convertible) had rock solid, bank vault doors that you could slam to your heart's content and you would loosen nothing. I was appalled at the "new" 3 Series - the doors "click" closed and feel very insubstantial (kind of like my 02 Altima I just got rid of). I'm 64 and have driven many, many cars over the years, and this 06 A4 has the best "hewn from a granite block" feeling of just about anything I have ever owned or driven. On top of that, the interior design is the best in class. Even the new 3 Series is trying to look "Tokyo at night-lite" in its approach. The monotone dash panel and Teutonic look of the A4's buttons and such to me are a real treat. I opted for the dark Walnut interior trim and it makes the interior very luxurious looking for a "bread and butter" product. To me the Passat interior looks cheap. Not just the design of the instrument panel, but the materials and colors offered, not to mention the arrangement of buttons and controls. The 06 Audi A4 looks better on the inside than the new A6 and even the A8 (my daughter owns one). This car is definitely a case of "less is more" and change isn't always for the better (as in BMW 3's). Topping it off is the great new engine, the 6-speed Tip and the upgraded suspension. The 5 double-spoke 17" wheels that are now part of the Premium Pkg. are snazzy and put lot of rubber on the road. Smooth ride, great handling, no squeaks or rattles and sufficient power for a "sixty is the new 40" kind of guy. Love it!!

Messages Page 101 of 138

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement