Article Comments-2009 Audi A4 First Drive and Full Test

34 messages, Last post on May 05, 2009 at 5:37 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

First Drive: 2009 Audi A4 Avant - First Impressions: A stylish, lively driving package as always, but there's even less cargo room than before.(more)

Full Test: 2009 Audi A4 - What Works: The best-handling A4 ever; beautifully built interior and now with actual rear-seat legroom; fantastic brakes.(more)

Outline

Messages Page 3 of 4: 1; 2; 3; 4; Prev; Next; Last

#15 of 34 Re: No Maunual or DSG is a deal-breaker [rjlaero] by sunilb May 18, 2008 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: rjlaero (May 14, 2008 7:44 am) My understanding is that they already build the car (with manual transmission) for the European market... so why not just offer the option here in the states?? Okay, so the mfr doesn't have to have them sitting on dealer lots, but perhaps they could make these available to customers who want to order them. Replies to this message: huntzinger (Jun 02, 2008 6:28 am) gasser (Jun 03, 2008 6:03 am)
#16 of 34 Full Test available! by KarenS HOST May 29, 2008 (10:29 am)
Full Test: 2009 Audi A4 Replies to this message: rjlaero (May 29, 2008 1:05 pm) 604doc (May 30, 2008 9:50 am) tib2006 (May 30, 2008 10:46 pm) contractor1 (Jun 01, 2008 4:20 pm)
#17 of 34 Re: Full Test available! [KarenS] by rjlaero May 29, 2008 (1:05 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (May 29, 2008 10:29 am) I don't think it's fair to compare the 265 hp 3.2 with a blown V6 300hp from Bimmer, and complain about the BMW being faster. Even the 328 get's pricey with options and get's to mid 40's for the AWD model. A 328x is a 7.0 second car 0-60 with an automatic. A 335xi automatic does not do 0-60 in 5 seconds. And a fully loaded 335 xi sedan with all the nav, tech, and sport packages can get to 52k. I'm thinking a top of the line new body 09 3.2 with all the navigation and tech upgrades coming in 46k. 6 grand will easily pay for a turbo V6 upgrade. Not everybody wants to pay that premium for power they may never use. Audi sells very few 3.2 model A4's to begin with. The turbo 4 is 80% of the A4 market in the US. The 2.0T is probobly a far better value for the money. Nobody has a gas turbo 4 with 260 lb ft of torque 1500 rpm. That engine will do mid 6's 0-60 and be just a hair slower than the V6, if at all. Audi has a new 330/350 hp supercharged S4 in the works, so if you need more power, it's coming down the road. Replies to this message: 604doc (May 30, 2008 9:50 am) tib2006 (May 30, 2008 10:46 pm) contractor1 (Jun 01, 2008 4:20 pm)
#18 of 34 Re: Full Test available! [rjlaero] by 604doc May 30, 2008 (9:50 am)
Replying to: rjlaero (May 29, 2008 1:05 pm) Is it a sure thing that the 3.2 with 6 speed manual won't be available in the States? I really want an AWD sedan with a 6 cylinder and manual trans. I think I'm running out of options. Maybe the '09 C-class will work.
#19 of 34 It's not about the horsepowers by keithseo May 30, 2008 (12:32 pm)
How many buyers of the entry level luxury sedans are revving their engines every day on the road? The A4 and the 3-series are driven mostly by ordinary consumers getting to work or around cities. The difference of the 35 hp, to me, sounds negligible, particularly when you compare the outdated look of the 335's interior and the awkwardly finished lines of its rear end with the A4's beautifully designed lines everywhere. I would buy a 2009 A4 over a 2009 335i anytime. (maybe just me)
#20 of 34 Re: Article Comments-2009 Audi A4 Avant First Drive [KarenS] by sluramod May 30, 2008 (2:20 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Apr 11, 2008 6:08 am) I'm waiting to test-drive 2.0T Avant. Audi dealer here (san jose,ca) says they will get the cars at the end of september. I used to drive manual, but there is no way anybody can convince me to drive manual to/from work in traffic. And my wife does not want to hear anything about manual. Get yourself S4 for hp and manual stick. 2.0T quattro avant with tiptronic is the best combination to have for a small family car IMO. Please don't compare this car to 335i, because even 328i (no awd) 'with packages' will cost you almost 40k. Add navigation and you crossed 40K mark for 328i.
#21 of 34 DIESEL by erik May 30, 2008 (3:40 pm)
We need the sweet 2.0 TDI engine.
#22 of 34 Bimmer is a winner by tib2006 May 30, 2008 (10:46 pm)
Replying to: rjlaero (May 29, 2008 1:05 pm) All things considered, the Audi A4 is a great car. But who wants to pay such a lofty sticker price for nothing more than a "great car" that can be outrun by a V6 Camry(6.0 seconds), not to mention a Honda Civic Si(6.3 seconds, per motor trend)? Also, if I were considering any of these cars (unfortunately not at this time!) I would choose the Bimmer 335i (minus iDrive please) in a heartbeat, as one can be had for around $42K as a 4 door. OK, maybe missing some of the luxury options, and no AWD. But I don't live in the snowbelt, so I have no need for it. In terms of all the luxury items, I would never use most of them anyway, I will appreciate the Bimmer for its handling and acceleration capabilities. Furthermore, the new A4 may be the best handling ever, but don't kid yourself into thinking its going to keep up with a 335i on twisty blacktop. Sure it will do an admirable job carving corners, and AWD helps with traction, but it still is missing the balance of the rear-drive Bimmer. Also, I think they could have skipped the adjustable suspension. The 3 series does without this, and there is never a substitute for a well-tuned suspension. Sure, the adjustable settings add flexibility, but its just one more thing to have to mess with. Sometimes you just want to get in and drive. On the flip side, the A4 has plenty going for it, including a great interior that always impresses, not to mention a better rear seat than before. Audi has a 3.6L V6 in its stable that it could borrow from the VW Passat (funny enough, a less expensive car making 15 more horses) and tune it to 305 horses with direct injection, than it would compete much more solidly with the likes of the G35 and 3 series. For 46K, this is the kind of zip I expect from the best from Stuttgart. In conclusion, how about a manual transmission with the V6 models even if less than 10% of the buyers go for it. Meanwhile, I will stick with what Bavaria has to offer. I rest my case.
#23 of 34 "Inside Line" "world's first" salesmanship... by bonzjr May 31, 2008 (10:47 am)
The article is titled on the front page of "Inside Line" as the "world's first" full-test of the 2009 Audi A4. I guess they missed "Autocar UK" testing it -- in full -- back in February 2008. Print edition and online (the fact that "Autocar" tested a FWD TDI variant is irrelevant -- "Inside Line" did not qualify engine-type or drive system in the headline). Funny -- "Inside Line" is an internet only publication and the internet is such a global medium, yet they missed something like that in the interest of self-promotion. "World's first?" Uh, no. Look around a bit. You beat the US buff books, that's it. Good review though.
#24 of 34 Drove A5 & absolutely loved it! by ribbonspeakers May 31, 2008 (8:06 pm)
OK, just drove for the first time the '08 A5 coupe 3.2L 6Tiptronic, so-called "S-Line" package whose apparently only mechanical difference is 19" vs. standard 17" wheels (I'll prefer the 17s though the car I drove was not excessively harsh). Don't want the coupe & am leaning toward the Avant/estate/wagon depending on finances. Salesman mgr in Layton UT is a great guy. I have absolutely no industry affiliation. To compare the bland looks of any non-M-series 3 sedan to this car is just an injustice, period (even the M3 sedan may not compete). I was looking at the road (no salesman in the car) & my wife said half the people on the street were gawking wildly at the car. The headlights are similar to the R8s (which the salesman said is, at $140k, $100k less costly than the next hand made supercar...& he's sold out till 2012). I favor the look of the new 4/5 series more than just about anything I can think of right now that mortals can afford. Plus my wife & I fit very comfortably...I'm 6-3-230lbs. We absolutely do not fit comfortably in the 3-series. The overall emotional reaction to driving the A5 was the closest I've had to that of driving a new '04 911 Cabriolet. I've driven the current 3-series & the current A4 sedan on an autocross course at high speed. The new A5/coming new A4 are hugely upgraded in handling, a different universe from the current A4. Maybe right there w/ the 3-series/Sport package; on bad traction surface no contest the A5 would be preferred (obviously). Definitely the A5 is more comfortable. Base '09 A4 will have: PMR, leather, Quattro 40/60 front/rear torque bias, ZF 6Tiptronic/paddles, split folding rear seat, electric driver seat, new 2.0L I4 turbo w/ 211hp/258tq. That's 15lb-ft more torque than the 3.2L V6 I drove today. MPG n/a. Base estimate $34-$35k USD. For that money BMW offers a 328i A/T w/ 230hp & far less torque. I'd take the '09 A4 over the Bimmer (Beemer is 2-wheel machines only) anyday...but again, I have specific comfort requirements & appreciate the new A4's special cosmetic appeal. We also get about 60" snow average here.