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Audi A4 2005+
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Comments
We (four of us) rented a house in a walnut orchard about a quarter-mile west of 32 on W. Sac! Thursday nights were spent at the Bear in our "command post" which is that first booth in the center row next to the first floor bar. Most of my after hours time, though, was spent at Canal Street playing pool, and at the Deja Vu Mining Company listening to the 8th Avenue String Band.
I don't know if Carlsen is still selling Audi on the peninsula, but after my VW experience there, I wouldn't go back. I know a couple Porsche pilots who had unkind things to say about them as well.
I test drove an S4 Avant last Sunday at the new Livermore dealership. They have three RS6s on the lot as well, which caused small amounts of drool to pool on my shirt front! I have zero idea of their customer service abilities, but the sales guy was knowledgeable and avoided most forms of puffery and competition-bashing.
Too tight in the A4, eh? I admit to liking a close cockpit, so I find the current size near perfect, perhaps even a tad generous, but that's in comparison to my SportCross, which is exactly right for me, and the '95-'99 Eclipses, which I always thought had the best driver's cockpit I'd ever seen. I'm 6'0" and 180 with a fair amount of leg.
Chico Days, man my first year there was when the had the Playboy people up and there was that big riot near Riley's. I lived in the "zoo" then to Nord Gardens when they first built them.
Anyway, so you don't find the center console pushing in on your right leg at all? Have you sat in the S4? That is where I really felt it, I wonder if the S4 interior console is different than the A4 center console. Any thoughts there?
It's so close to the size and layout of my current car (which is near perfect for me) that I felt comfortable right away.
I can't even begin to describe the feeling of pushing pedals real hard! :-)
On a side note you'll love this, my last car was a 98 VW golf 2.0. Lack luster is a understatement, but I did the up grades anyway. Speed chip exhaust aftermarket intake etc... So we just got to Germany last summer and to show off the power of the golf on the autobahn we go for a cruise. Now on the autobahn it's dog eat dog and looks are not important just being able to get out of your own way. Needless to say when the golf eked over 130kph(80mph) I watched several station wagons, ford escort, ford mondeo passat, mercedes citroen you name it fly by me.
Morale of the story; It's not if, but when you get passed strive to be the head turner. I think I'll get some glances with an A 4 especially when the porsche rally rolls up in my back window on the Manheim Saarbrucken Autobahn!
Cheers:)
Haaaaaaaa. Got it on sale for $950 and was my first suit purchase that high. But it is nice and I don't know if I could back to the $600 anymore after that one.
I have a family connection at Patrick James, so everything I own is Hart, Schaffner & Marx (I'm alarmingly conservative when it comes to suiting!), with generous family discount. ;-)
Hey Mike: have any A3 Sportbacks hit the streets in your nape of the timber? I'm dyin' to hear from someone who's actually seen the 5-door in the metal.
I'm not ready to buy again until '06, and by that time, I'm thinking the A4 will have grown to meet the ever-bloating competition, which potentially makes it less appealing to me (I like compact wagons), so I'm watching the Sportback with great interest. If an S3 Sportback with DSG shows up here, I'm probably in.
The other prospect coming down the pike that could hook me is the Benz B. If they send it here (based on the pics I've seen) with a halfway muscled package, I'm very interested.
If I were pulling the trigger today, however, the S4 Avant would get my check and no two ways.
I was reviewing some old posts on the 2005.5 A4 and read your number 36 post. You mentioned the feeling of loss of power when you were loaned a 3.0 A4.
Do you think with the new 3.2 255hp FSI engine that will be a huge difference in feeling compared to the current 3.0 A4 engine?
Also, since my 2 local Audi dealerships are worse than a used car lot, I can't ever get any info out of them on future models or even accurate info on current models.
Soooo, next time you are out at your Audi dealership, will you inquire for us when a preliminary order sheet will be available. Also, try to confirm all the rumored changes. The Big unknown question is if the 2005.5 A4 will be getting the chassis change (which I assume widens and lenthgens the body ) or exactly what type of changes are happening on the 2005.5 vs the 2006 model.
Last question would be your point on a S line A4. I wonder if that is a possible change / option for the 2006 A4. It would be the same engine right, but have a stiffer sport suspension, larger rims, and some branding?
Thanks
I cannot get any clarification on the chassis config for the 05.5. I would not be shocked if the changes were almost entirely cosmetic (plus and new interior -- also cosmetic). On the other hand, I would NOT be shocked to find the new 05.5 A4 with some chassis improvements as well.
A longer wheelbase and a stiffer and wider chassis would be "nice" to understate the matter.
If my wish comes true, I may be out of the market for an A6 sized car after all -- I get my first look-see at the A6 on August 9th or 10th at the Cincinnati roll out of this model.
My list -- at this moment in time -- is the Acura RL, the Audi A6 (and now the possibility of an A4) and for the heck of it a test drive of a Chrysler 300C AWD version and/or SRT-8 version. At this point, the earliest I will ORDER a car is October, the latest would be March.
I just returned from a vacation in Italy (yesterday) and once again I have come to a greater appreciation of the possibility that I should consider a smaller car NOT to be a lesser car.
Heck, for a while there I was pretty smitten with the S4.
I keep thinking $3.00 gal gasoline, I keep thinking horsepower and torque -- then I think compromise. I have been so loyal so long to Audi, it is hard to imagine the Acura will win my dollar vote -- but there's a first for everything.
At least I will evaluate my choices.
The A6 -- had with a sport suspension -- looks like a great choice, still.
Color me biased and undecided. I would NOT think of the new A4, however, as a "settling for less" option in any case.
Configured as I want it, the A6 is MSRP'd @ $51,550. A similarly equipped A4 with the 3.2 would probably come in $8 to $10K less -- and that too catches my attention. I have 1 wife, 2 shelties, 1 90 year old mother (who doesn't live with me) and two very small in-laws who live 250 miles away. The back seat of my allroad has fundamentally been unoccupied for 33,000 miles save for the odd trip from Cinti to Pittsburgh when the shelties sleep there for about 4 hours.
The A4, thusly equipped, would probably be a bit more sporty -- and that too is a consideration.
Didn't used to have as many choices -- but, who am I to. . .
Thanks for the opinion. Hope you had a nice time in Italy.
I also have talked myself into the new 2005.5 A4 and out of the 2005 A6. Primary reason is I drive for Sales and have a Suburban for the family. I just don't need the larger sedan.
I was in my friends 2003 3.0 A4 over the weekend and it was perfect except a little slow for my taste. From what I understand, with the new lighter weight of the car and the new 3.2FSI engine, the 0-60 time should be around 6.5 sec. And yes, in lots of ways Mark, this 2005.5 is extremely similar to the 2002 S4. But for the .5 of a sec difference, I would rather have the newer vehicle.
So, let us know how your test drive goes on the A6, wonder if there will be a 4.2 and a 3.2 to drive.
Thanks
On those afforementioned trips to PA from Cincinnati, a speed range of 65 to 85 is "going with the flow" -- even the old A6 2.8's could easily muster that. So the 3.2 in either an A4 or an A6 ought to be just dandy. My wife is now talking "this is the end of her TT ownership" (she's had three), and she too is thinking either a new A3 or A4 2.0 FSI. Now two A4's in the garage might turn some folks off, but I'll wager we'll be just fine with that if that is the way it goes.
I'll keep the town-hall informed (over on the other discussion thread -- '05 A6, i.e.)
While in Italy, saw lots of cars, drove none. Lots of Touaregs (diesels!); lots of Audi A3's (both 2 & 4 doors); some really cool looking 4 door Alpha Romeo sedans (about the size of a VW Passat -- a styling tour de force, looks cool just parked.)
Saw several allroads 2.5TDI and gasoline versions; in Verona saw a W12 Audi A8L (big wheels on this thing too). Taxis were Passats and very nice.
Europe and Italy in particular make me think that "super nice" small (A3 - A4 sized cars) make so much sense -- especially with $44+ bbl oil.
Oh yea, saw 3 or 4 A2's -- even they look classy, but that one, IS too small.
Porsche's aplenty, too. Verona must be "loved" by German tourists who love opera, both were plentiful (Germans and Opera, that is).
Said it before, read it before: Europeans get all the cool cars and Italians in particular look good in them. Even the ticket taker on the trains looks dressed by Prada or Gucci.
As if the [cool] cars weren't enough, well, then there's the food -- I don't think you could find a bad meal there if you tried. We grabbed a quickie burger at the Rome airport -- even it was terrific!
Back to cars, already in progress.
The 330I 2006 info is already out earlier than expected.
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2006/audi/a4/100394301/photos.html?- tid=edmunds.f.review.leftsidenav..2.Audi*
If you can't see this it is on Edmunds new cars.
From what I can gather, the front nose of the spy pic is accurate, but there may be some subtle changes in the side and rear.
Guess we'll all have to wait and see what is presented in the next few weeks.
Thanks
http://www2.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3305&ca- tegoryId=12
Audi A4 shows new face, new engines
07/09/2004 07:37
The new Audi A4, due to be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this month, is not just a pretty face - it's got four new engines, too!
... ...
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/News/0,,1369-1372_1585010,00.h- tml
Enjoy:
http://news.kak.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=news&file- =article&sid=1592&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Engine - 3.2 FSI 255 Hp 0-60 in 6.5 sec
Style - all new body panels and a slight bit longer and wider. Trout mouth with exact same look as the new 2005 A6.
Interior - not sure if they are incorporating the MMI like the A6, wish they would.
Transmissions - 3.2 V6 FSI, with 6-speed manual or Tiptronic with Sport mode which debuted last year on the S4.
Soooo, here is a question for the experts. What essentially is the difference between the new 2005.5 A4 and the 2005 A6? ( besides the size )
Difference in Interior/ Exterior/ Suspension/ Dash Board & MMI/ Braking/ Chassis/
Thanks
Anyone see what I have missed?
Thanks,
- Ray
Hoping for 19 / 20 gallons – at least on the 3.2 and 4.2 Q versions . . .
The only mention I found about range was on GermanCarFans.
They mentioned that the 3.0TDI would get 7.5L per 100 km and would have a range of about 840km.
My simpleton math makes that 63 liters or 16.6 gallons.
All new exterior design conforming to the 2005 A6 & A8.
New generation steering wheels exactly like the 2005 A6.
Optional interior items -
Fine grained woods
Alcantara leather
Zenon adaptive headlights
Comprehensive airbag protection system
rain sensing wipers
upgraded Bose system
New engine options:
3.2 FSI 255 hp 0-6- in 6.4 sec
manual 6-speed or 6-speed Tiptronic
New Chassis
spring & shock absorbers
4-link front suspension
self tracking trapezoidal rear susp.
Brakes
A bunch of now Standard features
dual air conditioning
active head restraints
air bags
electric front windows
A "S" Line equipment packages ( YAAAAAAAAA! )
So the only area which i am unclear is in the Optional Infotainment system. They say it is the Dvd Radio & navigation system plus is based on the MMI standard familiar with from the A6 & A8 system. Does that mean a better version of last years model or the same version option as the one offered on the 2005 A?????
Otherwise, this seems in almost every way to be the same car as the new 2005 A6 but a little smaller etc.
What do you think? Any chances yo0u would be able to check with your contacts with Audi?
Thanks
http://www.audiworld.com/news/04/090704/index.html
I just read the review on AudiWorld and perhaps the upgraded navigation system will be available on the A4.
On another note, I was driving behind an all black 04 A4 with the optional sport package and DAMN that car looks hot!
I really want to stick with Audi (currently have 225 TT) when my lease is up, but there is some great competition out there.
If you find any concrete news about the new dash, new MMI system and bluetooth, let us know.
Thanks
http://www.audiworld.com/news/04/b7a4/content.shtml
I also like that they (Audi AG) are using the suspension components from the S4 to improve the A4. Imagine what they'll do for the new S4!
Looking forward to the unveiling later this month. Hopefully, I'll be able to see it at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. I'll have to take it for a spin too when they start showing up in March.
I cannot get clarity if keyless and voice response and some other stuff will be offered, but this is the kind of thing that I would say is "almost" a cinch to be included in the new model.
My desire for a stick, may trump my desire for the larger A6 (which, I cannot imagine getting in V8 guise due to my prediction of $3.00/gallon fuel and for what a 1 second drag race improvement that even in my small city will go, mostly untapped?)
The new A4 -- if I can "lux and sport" it up enough, may save me south of $10,000 -- the last time I drove the V6 2.7T S4 (2002) it had 250 HP and it was a rocket.
Yes, I know the HP on the 3.2 is bigger, but the torque is slightly less (14 pound feet) -- so I am not expecting the new A4 w the 3.2 and a 6speed to be up to the last gen S4, but I'll bet it will be no slouch and if Ultra Sport IS continued (my dealer is emphatic that it will be) this could be a great two person and two shelties car (which just happens to describe my household).
The problem is, the few times I take clients out -- the back seat may be an issue.
The magazines I've read say that Audi, being aware of this, has addressed the cramped back seat issue. How, by shortening the trunk? Or lengthening the wheelbase?
Anyone? Anyone?
I actually started to wonder though with a fully loaded 2005.5 A4, how that will compare to the 2005 S4. Hmmmmm!
Of course this impression is from photos and my opinion may change in person. Anyone know which auto show here in the states it will debut at?
Make no mistake the A4 3.2 Ultra sport will be a great and fun performing car, but "Senator, I've driven an S4, I've ridden in an S4 and you sir (A4) are no S4!"
But for the money the S4 it ought to be "better" -- and it is.
One other thing, the S4 was great in every way, but it did have high tire noise and a bit of NVH at "around town" speeds.
The Ultra Sport I also drove, was, as Goldilocks would say "just right" if it only had a bit more grunt, the 3.2 takes care of that.
Until later