Audi A4 2005+

markcincinnati · September 2006

Exactly a year ago while in Munich, my wife and I met a then college senior from Kentucky who was in his final year of a major in German language and a minor in business for dinner at Tantris (the best restaurant in Munich and may even the best in Germany, but I digress.) Our friend had been working at a BMW dealership here in Cincinnati and he was "THE" product guy when it came to iDrive, etc in the new Bimmers.

So, we meet with this young man and we come to find out that even with fluent German and a great GPA, BMW in Munich has no openings so he returns to the US to SELL BMWs.

The good news is we can now test drive some pretty nifty BMW's even though we will not be in the market for over 15 months.

Yesterday, we visited our friend at the local BMW outlet here in River City and we were given the keys to a new 335 coupe.

It had a 6 speed manual and the sport package.

You long time edmund's folks know I am pretty much "all-Audi" even though I appreciate, very much, the BMW lineup.

Gulp.

This thing with at least three option packages on it was pegged at $45K with the shipping charges.

This car probably could not out gun, so to speak, an S4 (but it would come close) -- and it was NOT AWD (but it will be next year, so says our friend.)

Add, perhaps $1,800 to this car for X drive. It still is under $47K.

The MPG on the sticker: 29.

Although it was a four seater, it did have about as much knee and foot room (if not a smidge more) than the S4 would have at some $53or $54K.

Yea, but the S4 has a 4.2 V8, right? Yes it does and it is sweet.

I find it hard to believe I would miss the extra horsepower of the Audi V8, and the BMW's torque was immediate and, as I am wont to say: Weapon's Grade.

Have you priced a 2.0T with about three option packages and metallic paint? Call it $39K -- and that is without navigation.

Have you priced an A4 with the step up engine, the 3.2? Easily $44K. The A4 3.2 would only see the Bimmers tail lights, unless the BMW was parked.

This coupe rivals the S4 -- it may not be able to beat an S4, if that was your purpose. But -- this BMW would come it at thousands less, handle better and be more frugal, as if you would really buy it for its economy.

When Audi dropped the 2.7T, I "assumed" the natural progression of things would be the turbo charging of the 3.2 engine (technically 3.1+, I know.)

I assumed it would be thus and would come in for marketing reasons at 295HP with like torque.

At the time, the V8 4.2 was NOT up to its present steam of 350HP with FSI, so perhaps MARKETING intervened.

Now, the three series will have a 328 and a 335 across the lineup and also across the line, X drive.

Audis, to my way of thinking, have always been about more.

And that included MORE value.

Now, we see Audi being "matched" (and of course BMW says better since they are already better weight balanced and X drive is already RWD biased, etc.) and, producing a car with comparable performance for way less MSRP.

Assuming the residual maintains -- hmmm, the BMW with this engine will be darn near a bargain.

Nothing, today, in the Audi lineup even comes close to this. And, yes a year is a long way off -- but the counter punch needed NOW is an A4 3.2T FSI rear biased quattro for about $46,500 - $47,900 including S-Line.

There has to be some 'splainin' to do in Ingolstadt, one would think.

donthegreek · September 2006

Shipo,
Actually my first choice is the A3...but was looking for a leftover 06....and i want certain options...and i'm figuring there isn't any left on the lots with what i want....i figure i could get a better deal getting an 06...but i suppose i should also look into an 07...money is an issue thats why i'm looking into an 06.
Waiting for a dealer to contact me to see if they can find any.
I want silver or grey exterior, auto dsg, winter package(heated seats), leather, and the upgraded stereo....figured if the A3 dosen't work out, then maybe an A4 would be my next choice.
Last i checked the Audi site hasn't been updated yet for building a 07 A3.

don

markcincinnati · September 2006

In the A4 line-up, the '07 will be less money than an '06:

1. the '07 MSRP is lower
2. the '07 residual is higher
3. the discounts on the A4, although decent, are small -- at least compared to the A6 which was coming in at discounts of $8000 off MSRP.
4. the '07 has unbundled some popular options, such as bluetooth from the technology package.

If you are paying 100% cash -- or somehow able to get 0% money, the A4 '06 MAY be a better deal if you factor in depreciation (an '07 will be worth more in 3 years than an otherwise identical '06 and/or at the same MSRP.

Generally speaking, the discounts OFF of MSRP have to be rather large for an end of year deal unless the car is either "unpopular" for some reason or is loaded to the gills with options.

In the latter case, if you could find a MAXED out A4 2.0T quattro (over $40K sticker, i.e., it would probably be a better deal than an '07 comparably equipped.)

Such a car, today, here in River city would be about $500 per month, 15K miles, first month and sec dept and perhaps the acquisition fee ($350 as walking away money.)

The term would be, based on the day of the week, 36 to 42 months.

An '07 comparably equipped would be a decent amount more per month.

On the other hand, a popular optioned '07 would probably be no more than a stripped '06 A4 ON A LEASE basis, that is.

If you want an A3, be advised they are fwd unless you step to the 3.2 version which, to me, seems too expensive when put up against the A4.

One last thing, the '07 will NOT have the Audi Maint program unless you are willing to poney up $550. I would do it, were it my choice.

Good luck.

edwardsf · September 2006

I don't know about Don, but if one is over 6 foot tall, one whould have a preference for the A4. The A3 is a scrunched car with little elbow, shoulder or head room. The cargo area is small. The A4 trunk is very large and the A4 Avant is much, much bigger. But Mark hits the main point. I screamed around the back roads of Alameda County for an hour each in an A3 and an A4. The A3 was fun but it had huge torque steer b/c of its FWD. (I can speak to the subject as the driver of perhaps the most famoous torque steered turbo, the 900S.

Also the suspension on the A3 is tight but really too firm for anything but racing around back roads. I was exhausted when I got out of that car and would not want to drive it over 1 pothole per week. The A4 has great front seat room for big guys, has a super smooth, S4/A6 based suspension and of course, has quattro, which makes aggressive driving a confident, road sticking easier experience instead of an exciting torquey labor of love.

donthegreek · September 2006

I'm 5'10 so that shouldn't be an issue. I like the A4 for the Quattro..I live in North Central PA. so when winter hits,quattro would be nice, but i feel confident the A3 would be ok in winter too! Its just that occasional day or two when it snows. Not sure if the harsher ride in the A3 would bother me...Looking to see whats out there on the lots...

dl7265 · September 2006

Having recently participated in the Audi SOT , and then the BMW 335I preview. The blown Bimmer, at least in seat of the pants feel gives up nothing, compaired to the S4. The factory numbers do not suggest that, but some independent test number are pretty close.

The big advantage here of course is ED, which makes the Bimmer considerably cheaper, plus free maintence ect..

Data:

Audi S4 0-60 5.3 weight 3869lbs Msrp $47,500

Audi RS4 0-60 4.8 weight 3957lbs Msrp $66,000

BMW 335I 0-60 5.3 weight 3571lbs Msrp $38,700 ED invoice 34k and change.

One independent test has the 335I coupe at 0-60 4.9

I say a bunch of "splain'in is in order...

DL

adeberti · September 2006

My brother is looking to buy a 02 A4 Q Avant with the 3.0 engine and 6spd manual, however some of the interior buttons are scratched and the plastic panel that houses the window controls on the driver side is peeling off.
The dealer will replace all of the above, but for future occasions, is there a website where we could order interior parts?(buttons, plastic panels, etc.) or the dealer is the only option?

Thanks

byronwalter · September 2006

While I do intend to drive a 335i, it has one issue that's a show-stopper for me... the lack of an LSD. I'm a one car person and have to deal with nasty road conditions for part of the winter. This is a case where AWD is very helpful and, at a minimum, an LSD is important.

We'll have to see how the AWD 335 compares to an equivalent Audi. Should prove interesting. I'm gonna wait it out until the next gen A4 or new A5 hit the shores.

My '06 A4 is now entering its second year and I have yet to have a single issue or even squeak from it. Last October I had the ECU reflashed and I really can't complain about the power of that nice little two liter engine.

Best gas mileage to date is 37.6 mpg @ 70 mph last spring. Must have been a tail wind.

Byron

dl7265 · September 2006

:sick: The Bimmer does have all speed traction control. Which in my experience has been excellent. In stead of kicking in below 20 mph or what ever the domestics engage, The Bimmer would activate at 100mph for instance, if so needed.

Living in the South we don't get heavy snow , however something worse, Solid ICE. I have never been stranded yet,with the traction control, self drying brakes and slowing down works pretty well. How 300Hp would perform in the nasty stuff ? ,I can't say.

It's too bad Audi is dropping the Free maintence :sick:

DL

byronwalter · September 2006

Well, as we know, Audi's maintenance was never exactly "free", it just felt "free".

I'm not familiar with BMW's traction control but that new 335i with three hundred plus hp and lb-ft of torque would really need it, eh?

Maybe I shouldn't drive one after all. It might be too much fun

Byron

markcincinnati · September 2006

There is a 3 series coming: an M3. I imagine the M3 will be the car put up against the RS4 in the comparos. The M3 will NOT be AWD, perhaps not ever. As Audi continues to refine, refine, refine -- including moving the engine back 4 inches, redirecting the torque (as they already have in some of the Torsen line), I would suspect both the high end and the lower end of the performance scale (from both Audi and BMW) will be/remain competitive.

But. . .

The current bottom end of the 3 (now on line) is 328i (rwd) and 328xi (awd). This configuration is good for 230 HP. Audi's excellent and more frugal 2.0T at this point remains @ 200HP.

The "middle" for BMW now is a 335 Coupe and Sedan (at present ONLY RWD, but already announced in AWD for the next year.) This configuration produces a stout 300HP and a similar amount of torque. Gone is the 330 with 255HP. Gone, at least from the US configurator is the 330xi.

The 335 can be configured price competitive with an A4 3.2 (and for my money quattro makes it more attractive.) Yet, a drive in a 335 and an S4 would reveal the 335 feels a heck of a lot closer to the S version than Audi's middle child.

Fast forward one year and add ~$2,000 to the BMW (for X drive) and, if Audi does NOT counter punch with something like the uprated 2.0T (taking it to at least 220HP) and bringing to market a 3.2T, I would think someone shopping these two car lines could conclude: for $45 - $48K (for the Bimmer) vs $43 - $46K (for the Audi A4) that I would need to look to the S4 for similar performance (but at higher bucks.) The 335 is less money than an S4, and even with x-drive, the 335 will be less money, better gas mileage and very similar performance.

Hence: Trouble in Ingolstadt.

A sweet 335 4-door sedan with AWD and "popular options" would be very close in performance to an S4, but priced more like an A4. Also a 328xi would be close in performance to an A4 3.2 (as it now is configured) but priced perhaps only slightly more than the A4 2.0T (as it now stands.)

The A5, seems to be either an A4 coupe and/or cabriolet -- and nothing about it (from the cyber rumors, at least) suggests anything but a continuation of the current powertrain lineup.

Audis, to me, have been about value, greater bang for the buck, i.e., than BMW's as well as greater performance.

My near term concern (if someone will accept RWD) is that to get to the performance of the 335, one has to consider the S4. Moreover, if a loaded A4 2.0T quattro is on your shopping list, a 328xi is now a serious contender especially with its new found power.

I have googled 3.2T FSI and there is some evidence that the 3.2 would easily surpass 300HP were it gently blown by Audis (bi) turbos (as applied to previous engines, including the 2.7T and 4.2T.)

Were BMW to continue the 255HP 330 and 330xi sedans, or have priced the 335 several thousand higher, etc, my "trouble in Ingolstadt" post would be much less ado.

As it stands, Audi needs to reduce the price of the S4 (but that won't help its gas mileage) or bring both an uprated 2.0T AND a 3.2T to market --soon. :surprise:

shipo · September 2006

"My near term concern (if someone will accept RWD) is that to get to the performance of the 335, one has to consider the S4. Moreover, if a loaded A4 2.0T quattro is on your shopping list, a 328xi is now a serious contender especially with its new found power."

Left out in that statement is that there are many of us who MUCH prefer RWD over AWD thus offering a further pricing advantage (and depending upon your point of view a performance advantage as well) to BMW.

Said another way, I would LOVE to see a RWD version of both the A3 (not likely given its engine orientation) and the A4 (which on the surface seems to be a fairly easy change). As it sits right now, if Audi and BMW presented the market with virtual like for like cars (i.e. power, mileage, acceleration, handling, space, looks, goodies...) at the same price, I'd opt for the BMW simply because I can get it with RWD.

Best Regards,
Shipo

markcincinnati · September 2006

Yes, Shipo, but you're wrong! :P

And, hopefully, you know that sarcasm, irony and/or humor are sometimes difficult to get across appropriately in these blogs.

You have made my point.

I have driven the 335 coupe, the S4 and seen up close and personal the 335 sedan.

I would opt for the AWD version. But you are representative of many folks, I am certain. For $45K the 335 is a whole bunch of car and, frankly, a whole bunch more than a $44K A4 3.2 with sport package and 6speed manual.

Ingolstadt needs to fire back.

:surprise:

shipo · September 2006

Yes, Shipo, but you're wrong! :P

Hehe, I love being wrong, it's sooooo much fun. ;-)

Hmmm, let's see, an A3 or an A4 with a 2.0T putting out say 250HP to the rear wheels through a 6-Speed manual and some form of an LSD down stream of the tranny. Being wrong never felt so good. :shades:

Best Regards,
Shipo

wale_bate1 · September 2006

As I still teeter on the edge of an S4 Avant, I awaken everytime Shipo drops a "RWD rules" post in the odd thread, and just slap my forehead a la Homer (not the Iliad).

"D'oh!"

I own the last RWD compact wagon sold in this silly country of ours, and loathe am I to give it up, Japanese though it may be.

"Dear Audi:

For Christmas, I would like a 250hp RWD compact wagon with all the Audi beauty of design and style I have come to know and love, plus the S4's suspension and a strong shot of DSG.

Warmest wishes for the season,
Wale"

dl7265 · September 2006

I though the A4 was to have a rear drive bias Quattro by now ? Not that it would help with Hp/Mpg but perhaps in feel.

Also, you mentioned a price reduction in the '07 line? I checked and a A4 2.0TQ 6 speed show's the same MSRP, perhaps the site needs some updating ?

DL

dl7265 · September 2006

EDIT: 170Hp 2.0 TDI

wale_bate1 · September 2006

You say "tomato" and I say "tomahto"...

markcincinnati · September 2006

I spoke with two Audi reps, guys I have know for some time and guys who, with me at least, are not likely to even attempt to ladle it on.

They indicated that the CONTENT has been "upped." The same money now gets more, so they contend. I did NOT vet this and really am not inclined to do so. If I am guilty of misspeaking, I will of course retract what I said once I get the story laid out.

My "gut" is that BMW is doing something similar.

markcincinnati · September 2006

Re: Dear Audi, send me an RWD A3 or A4 or whatever. . . .

When hell freezes over, I would wager, will be when Audi goes RWD.

YES -- they HAVE already put the engineering, development and manufacturing bucks into a 40 / 60 f/r torque split torsen diff. It is NOT yet across all cars.

As far as I know, ONLY the TT is NON torsen (of the quattro versions of the Audi line-up.)

The rest are torsen and are mostly 50 / 50 f/r torque split with "instant" power shifting capabilities (front or rear up to 75%, as I recall of the power fore or aft as needed.)

The few 40 / 60 f/r torque split torsen equipped Audi quattro cars can, so the press release says, shift up to 100% (rearward) when being REAR WHEEL DRIVE would provide the greatest performance benefit.

The upcoming B8 A4 has been leaked to offer: 40 / 60 f/r torque split in the quattro version (using torsen) and will also have the engine pushed 4 inches backwards doing a yeoman's job of improving the f/r weight distribution.

When this happens and if there is an S-Line version AND if there is a 3.2T FSI engine mated to a 7 speed DSG transmission AND the price stays below $49,999 decently equipped, I would think the BMW 335 threat would be nullified (RWD 335 OR X-drive 335.) :P

Other "chassis" improvements (to be found on some other websites) are rumored, too. These improvements, purportedly are to further improve Audis handling prowess with "advanced" quattro (TorSen) systems.

RWD, I Really Well Doubt you will see it any time soon, folks. Maybe if Dr. Piech drops dead.

Nah, probably not even then. :surprise:

shipo · September 2006

"YES -- they HAVE already put the engineering, development and manufacturing bucks into a 40 / 60 f/r torque split torsen diff. It is NOT yet across all cars.

As far as I know, ONLY the TT is NON torsen (of the quattro versions of the Audi line-up.)"

Ummm, how about the A3??? Last time I checked it was a Haldex (sp?) AWD system.

"The few 40 / 60 f/r torque split torsen equipped Audi quattro cars can, so the press release says, shift up to 100% (rearward) when being REAR WHEEL DRIVE would provide the greatest performance benefit."

Well, for me at least, that really isn't the point. Speaking strictly for myself, I really don't want an AWD car that is a RWD wannabe, and as such is carrying around all of extra FWD hardware and its associated mechanical drag and weight.

Thinking about this from a pure drive train perspective, it seems to me that the A4, A6 and A8 really are RWD cars with a trick tranny that can send power to the front as well. Yes, no? If that's the case, they why can't the fine folks at Audi just market a model without all of that extra hardware up there at the front end?

Once again I'm playing the "Loyal RWD Opposition" here. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

markcincinnati · September 2006

I should have said the TT and derivative models, for the A3 and the TT are that and the VW R32 is another example.

dl7265 · September 2006

OK, apparently the New Euro style web site is jacked. But best I can tell the former sunroof/leather for $1400.00 and 17" for $150. Are now combined for $800 bucks. Kind of makes up for the $600 price increase last 01/06 . O' wait they took away free maintence... :sick:

DL

byronwalter · September 2006

...MiC, I agree about the hp gap and its affect on sales. BMW has certainly raised the bar with the new 335i.

OTOH, I suspect that only the lunatic fringe :P will be nit pickin' their future vehicle purchases on whether the car is FWD or RWD.

I would like to see Audi bring over the new version of the 2.0t engine that is currently intended for the S3, which we will not see in the States. That particular 'four' is supposed to be good for 265 hp, which I believe would produce enough speed thrills for most of us (along with respectable mpg).

While we won't see the S3, I doubt that we will even get the pumped up 'two' due possibly to emission issues and 93 octane fuel requirements. I hope that I am incorrect on these points.

But that new 335i sure is tempting. I ain't gonna allow myself to drive it (well, maybe).

BTW, just came back from an unscheduled oil change (I have it changed every 5k miles) and got to speak with Fred Baker, who owns FB Audi. He said that he set a new lap record at Mid Ohio last spring. I watched that race on Speed TV and it was a good day for Audis and a not-so-good day for BMWs.

Byron

markcincinnati · September 2006

There are very few FWD Audis sold here in SW Ohio -- only a lone A3 FWD is on our dealer's lot, in fact.

NO A6 FWD's and NO A4 FWD's have been sold, so says the sales mgr here in Cinti -- at least since 2004.

Maybe this is so. In any case I can hardly imagine anyone considering an Audi FWD, but I can see people considering both AWD and RWD BMW's all day long, espcially since our Bimmer dealer say that 60% of the BMW's he sells are RWD -- although he thinks this will change somewhat once the 7x becomes available. Of course that will have a modest impact in units sold, one would imagine.

I priced out a 335i sedan, 335i coupe, 328 sedan and coupe and both in X drive and RWD.

The net seems to be that RWD to AWD will add exactly $1900 to the MSRP of a comparably equipped version.

A well optioned 335i with the $1900 added to see what the final number would be (and this includes iDrive and Sat nav and Sirius sat radio and everything identical between the two cars as evidenced by the 328i and 328xi) was configured by yours truly. The envelope please:

Including shipping, the figure was $48,065.

The performance, if not the price, was in the S4 league.

You can "mostly" get an S4 for that much money -- stripped.

Comparably equipped, as best as I could come up with it would seem that the S4 would be about $7K more than a 335xi both with all the toys on them.

The S4, one would imagine (and I would hope) would be a hotter performer. Only you can determine if the $7K premium is worth it.

On the other hand, an A4 3.2 would be just under $45K -- roughly the same content level and seems to be closer in performance to the thousands cheaper 328xi.

This, IMHO, is a first. Usually the BMW is thousands more than the Audi. A few years ago a fully loaded 6 cylinder 5 series was about $500 less than a fully loaded Audi A6.

Of course the A6 in question was a V8 and had quattro.

Reversal of fortune, in some ways.

The 335 is, in this light, almost a gift from BMW to the US customer.

The A4 3.2 with SLine and all the option boxes checked actually would, or could, cost more than the 335 sedan.

Trouble in Ingolstadt, indeed.

dl7265 · September 2006

"NO A6 FWD's and NO A4 FWD's have been sold, so says the sales mgr here in Cinti -- at least since 2004".

O boy, Sound's like some people need to hear Mr. Shipo's "winter tires are better then awd speech" That is just hard to imagine. Granted Audi has hung it's hat on the "unfair advantage of Quattro" Although now everybody's doing it..

One of my biggest issues of Fwd ( and I have a few) is torque steer. And Audi/VW do the best job on that. My TDI with Gobs of torque at 1900 rpm has none. I hear it has to do with this new electro mechanical steering. Honestly I dont care what the "why" or "how" is, long as it works.

To me Audi allways meant Value, which right now has me scratching my head... :confuse:

DL

byronwalter · September 2006

Here in NE Ohio I believe that Audi dealers do actually move a fair number of FWD A3's and A4's. Once I had to rent an A4 and it was a FWD'er with a slush box. That auto trans with the 1.8t engine was miserable for lack of power.

I believe that with the A3 you still have to pony up for the six cylinder engine to get a Quattro-configured car, which makes the A3 nutty expensive, considering that you are now close to the price of an A4 with the two liter and a Torsen AWD setup. The two liter A4 isn't very far from the six cylinder A3 in acceleration, gets better fuel efficiency, and has a nicer interior. The A4 also handles better, based on road tests that I've read and my uncalibrated butt-o-meter.

But then, as you say, BMW has changed every thing with the new 335i series. To counter this Audi is going to have to bump up the base engine to around 230 - 250 hp and perhaps swap the 3.2 liter for the 3.6 liter VW engine. This would at least keep Audi in spitting distance of the new 3xx series (assuming Audi keeps the price point from drifting too far up).

And this would be a great opportunity to slap that new 265 hp four into the A4.

But I bet that BMW's first targets were the current Lexi & Infinitis, which seem to have initiated the hp war.

Audi has time before the release of the B8 A4 to reconsider the engine configurations. I bet that Ingolstadt will 'get it'.

Last year when I drove a number of cars (from a Subie STI to an Acura TL), I nearly bought a BMW 330. And now with the 335i, I think that Audi would probably come in second. All that extra hp would really help on my 18 mile round trip to work. My usual average trip speed is a blistering 30 mph :P

Byron

shipo · September 2006

"But then, as you say, BMW has changed every thing with the new 335i series. To counter this Audi is going to have to bump up the base engine to around 230 - 250 hp and perhaps swap the 3.2 liter for the 3.6 liter VW engine."

The problem here is that the VW 3.6 won't fit in an A4 (or even possibly the A6) due to its length. The A4 and A6 engine bays were designed for a longitudinal engine mount and as such require shorter/fatter engines, on the other hand, the Passat (which can accommodate the VW 3.6 liter mill) was designed for a transverse type of engine mount allowing a thinner/longer mill.

Best Regards,
Shipo

markcincinnati · September 2006

Googling "3.2T FSI" produces some "encouraging" results, though. :surprise:

byronwalter · September 2006

Shipo,

Thanks for the insight on the A4 engine bay limitations.

Byron

63jag · September 2006

I am considering purchase of a 2006 A4 that has a 2.0 T engine. I have a '98 A4 with the 6 cyl. engine.
Can anyone give me some thoughts on:
1) Reliability of the Turbo (have >100K on the 6 w/no Probs.)
2) Whether Premium gas is REALLY required
3) Performance with an Auto Trans. compared to the 6 cyl.
4) How the 4 cyl compares to the 6 in MPG

Thanks

markcincinnati · September 2006

This is a great engine. Maintain it and it should go 150K miles.

Premium is required, but I know the story about the engine management computer and its ability to retard the spark enough to prevent pre ignition and other nasty side effects. But, using regular costs more, that using premium, so apparently you WANT to spend more money, which confuses the heck outta me.

Performance with the Auto compared to the 2.8 V6? Or the 3.2.

I have driven all three plus the 1.8T (with both transmissions.)

The 2.0T does have decent HP and torque and very little lag.

But the 2.0T, IMHO, begs for the stick for power and performance. But it is better than just OK even with the auto.

The 4 is a sipper compared with the 6.

Were you to use 1000 gallons per year:

Regular $2500
Premium $2700

I know it is $200. But it is a relatively small amount for the gains in both mileage and performance.

At $3, well:

Regular $3000
Premium $3200

And, gulp, at $4, well even less:

Regular $4000
Premium $4200

So the markup is $200 for Prem vs. Reg.

The probability of "below $2/ gal regular for a prolonged period of time" -- your guess is as good as mine.

I think we're not likely to be too shocked at $3/ gallon returning "in the near term."

dl7265 · September 2006

I saw an interview a while back with Boone Pickins. He suggested that prices would reach $5 before $2. Well in Dallas there's a $1.96 today I see... Opps

markcincinnati · October 2006

. . .and could NOT find an A4 3.2 in the configurator, only versions of the A4 2.0T and S and RS. Did the threat of the 335i from BMW kill the A4 3.2?

What's up?

Went there again, and there it is, never mind.

v_d · October 2006

"The problem here is that the VW 3.6 won't fit in an A4 (or even possibly the A6) due to its length"

How about the 4.2 litre in the RS? That fits, so my guess is that the 3.6 from VW should fit too... though I dont really think Audi is going to do it, they`ll come up with something smarter than that.
:P

shipo · October 2006

Trust me, it won't fit. The VR6 engine from VW is nearly as long as an inline 6, and as such is considerably longer than the 4.2 liter V8. There is absolutely no way the VR6 will fit in any current Audi engine bay designed for a longitudinal engine installation (except for MAYBE the A8) .

Best Regards,
Shipo

macmurdo · November 2006

Hi all... I have a 2005.5 A4Q 2.0T, now at 23K miles. I was just told by my dealer that my tires are almost worn and that I should consider putting on new ones ASAP. There was no issue of irregular or uneven wear, just "worn out"

The tires are Continental ContiProContact 17"...

I have driven on lots of different tires over my 32 years of driving, and have never had tires wear out so quickly. Does anyone have a similar experience or sage comment?

shipo · November 2006

Twenty-three thousand miles is a bit thin for ContiProContact tires as they are sort of a hybrid All-Season/Performance tire. I'm thinking 30,000-35,000 miles would be more normal, that said, 23,000 is a whole lot better than straight summer performance tires where 10,000 to 15,000 miles is all many folks manage.

See if you can get a reading in millimeters of the tread depth of each tire. If you have 4mm or more you can easily milk those tires to the 30,000 mile mark or more before they are legally gone.

Best Regards,
Shipo

markcincinnati · November 2006

These tires have a target wear of 25 - 30K. So, if you are "almost" worn out, you are right within the target.

I replaced mine at 25K with a hair over 3/32" tread left.

My wife's TT came with summer only tires UHP or MAX performance. They lasted about 12K miles and we thought that was OK considering.

Audi has taken an approach FOR THE US MARKET, so it seems, that attempts to get the most mileage possible out of tires that give the highest performance level possible AND typically are all season, to boot.

Grand Touring A/S or HP (not UHP) A/S tires seem to be a compromise. Frankly, I did not care for the Grand Touring, H rated All Season Conti's that came on my 2005 A6 (245 x 40 x 18") -- I thought the car was very quiet but the handling was not as crisp as it would have been with UHP tires (I replaced mine with another compromise tire, the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S which are UPH A/S tires.)

The handling improved greatly. The treadwear, I fear, will be 20K?

Your tires may have died young, but I don't think so. They simply died younger than YOU wanted them to die.

You can have: low price, longer [relative] wear, appropriate performance for the car's suspension -- pick two.

:surprise:

dhamilton · January 2007

I think we've discussed this on this board before, but I feel like Audi needs to do something quick because they are in last place of the horsepower wars.

Being an S4 fan, It no longer makes sense to me with the 335 being put in to play. Thoughts, questions, concerns, lab values?

rascal99 · January 2007

Hello all. Just bought my first Audi (previous BMW buyer). This is an A4 with manual transmission. Question. In my previous cars I always replaced my trans fluid with a good synthetic. It seemed to help the rough shifting after a cold startup. This car is at least as rough shifting cold than my previous BMW's or Honda's. I spoke with the dealer service dept about changing out the trans oil and, as expected, they were vehemently against doing this. Any advice from the Edmund's Audi krew? I am new to Audi so I don't know how persnickety they are with this.

BTW, so far I absolutely love this car. Never gave Audi a second look until I wandered into an Audi dealership last week, after a visit to Lexus and Infiniti. The combination of comfort, performance, and gas mileage is very impressive for the money. Hopefully it will be as reliable.

byronwalter · January 2007

Why would the dealership question you about changing the tranny oil? While I don't know if the OEM oil is synthetic or not, having it changed to a premium synthetic can't hurt and should reduce the roughness that you are experiencing. Besides, you're paying for it... it's not like it will cost your dealer a dime.

My manual '06 shifts pretty good in the cold (NE Ohio) if it didn't I would make the change too.

BTW, I had my ECU reflashed to the APR 91 octane program (about 230 hp) and really like the results. And after a year and a half my car hasn't had an issue with anything, not even a rattle. Down right creepy!

Byron

rascal99 · January 2007

Thanks Byron,
I wouldn't think it would be a big deal; however, the service manager nearly stroked out when I mentioned doing this. I may just ask a local Audi shop too. Just making sure I don't do something stupid.
I have been lurking over in the AudiWorld board and it seems the ECU reflash you have is the way to go. I may pull the trigger on that after a good break in period. Good to hear yours has been bulletproof

Cheers!

byronwalter · January 2007

Based on the reaction of the service manager, I'd certainly consider shopping somewhere else. Did he give any kind of reasonable answer for feeling that the transmission oil change was a bad, very very bad idea?

BTW, I too lurk (and post) over at Audiworld. While the site is full of 'cutting edge' Audi info, there's just a tad too much cultism for me.

Once you've cast your dice, get back and let us know how things played out for you!

markcincinnati · January 2007

Cultism?

Wow! :surprise:

byronwalter · January 2007

Well, you know... Subarus suck, Bimmers blow, and my 1.8 liter A4 with a custom exhaust and 20 inch wheels 'spanked' that redneck's Z06.

Perhaps that's too extreme but there is some of that self-congradulatory drivel by some of the less mature posters.

Cars as religion... and perhaps a compensatory mechanism for a deficiency of "manly tumescence"? :P

BTW, in a few months we're gonna need an A5 section

Byron

tubulus · January 2007

Test drove and loved the A4. Doesn't seem like anything was updated for 2007, esp. the nav (so subpar compared to bmw, infiniti, and acura ). Is there any good reason to get a new 2007, when I could save about 4-5k, get a certified used loaner with the extra warranty to 100k miles AND free service?

quasiactuary · January 2007

Does anyone know when the A4 is scheduled for a significant refresh?

tubulus · January 2007

I think late 2007 in Europe, coming to US a little later. Yet another reason I don't want to buy an 07

frisconick · January 2007

Cars are made so well these days, buying new seems like a waste of money. But I bought new anyway. :P

Audi A4 2005+

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