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Comments
The road had yet to be plowed and there was a good 4" alread on the ground so I said, "Sure."
I dumbed down the DSC, dropped the car in to 2nd and brought the back end around with a quick stab on the throttle. I'm thinking we did about 8 circuts, slinging snow all over the place as we went. After calling it quits and heading inside I heard the phone ringing. It was my Honda loving/driving neighbor calling to ask for a ride around the circle. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
I have some fun vehicles that would love doing that! Wonder how a lawn tractor would do!?!!
-Paul
Whereas my last car would hydroplane with even a sprinkle, this one is rock solid and sticks to the road like a dead armadillo that's been run over by an 18-wheeler (added some Texan flare there...).
Just got the new Samsung "Blade" or MM A900 cellphone today. It has everything including Bluetooth. It is a copy of the "Razor" from Motorola but offers more features and a much brighter screen. It is definitely the newest kid on the block in terms of cellphones. Can't wait to sync it up later.
I am waiting to see the new Moto "Beach Pebble" phone. It's got rounded corners in the shape of a large, black beach pebble.
Yet, when we have "winter" as we have had it recently, it is just plain fun to "go where no [non AWD] car can go" and play in the snow with a $50,000+ toy.
To each his/her own.
My personal least favorite season is summer (not that I hate it.) I am certainly not saying I want to live at one of the poles or anything like that. But I like winter better than summer, and seasons better than no seasons and my Audi (almost all 28 of them) and my wife's BMW are "all-season" cars.
All I meant was to share my personal glee in "playing in the snow."
Bring it on (the snow that is!)
And I, too, will be shocked and amazed if your post is retained.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! :shades:
And, whatchu talkin' 'bout idiot proof systems -- I resemble that remark! Further, there's never an idiot around when you need one! Of course, it is really rare to need one.
Is it possible that Audi has adopted electro-hydraulic brakes like MB. While the idea sounds like an advancement in technology, I don't think it is. MB will be discontinuing this "new technology" in upcoming models. The problem, as I see it, is that the low speed braking (from high speed to low speed) is way toooo touchy. Think about it. How do you send a low level electrical signal to easily apply brake fluid? Hydraulic brakes can be modulated to add or decrease brake pressure. Not so with the electro hydraulic system. Although it's not bad, it is not good either.
For myself I have resolved the problem through foot placement positioning. I noticed that if I keep foot pressure on the lower part of the gas pedal, using say, just the toes of my feet, I get the hesitation. If I re-position my foot, and lay most or all of my foot over roughly three fourths, or the full length of the pedal, then I get a very solid and spirited, full power response.
There seems to be no happy medium with respect to pedal pressure and engine response.
Other opinions/experiences?
Cure for this is to tap the cruise control button on the end of the stalk, the car will immediately upshift to 6 at highway speeds rather than wait.
DBW lag is certainly a possibility, but the new breed of engine management seems to be so much better than that of old, it is improbable that that is the issue.
Don't you just wish they would offer us both the DSG and the manual transmission and fughetaboud the tip?
I do think drive-by-wire throttle lag could indeed be the culprit. I had the same problem, only much worse, on my 2005 Lexus RX330 -- which I sold, btw! If you took your foot off the gas, paused a moment, then put it back on the gas the darn car would go into "pause" mode. Nada, no power. Nothing. Period. But I digress.
Good point about shifting into Sport (S) mode for fast response. Yes, the problem occurs in Drive (D) mode. The car assumes a new identity and the neutering problem it experiences in D seem to vanish in a blur.
On my A6 3.2, I mainly notice the problem when starting from a dead stop; I haven't really noticed it while at cruise speed.
What it is it about "TIP" (Tiptronic transmission?) that is objectionable compared to older, conventional tranny-engine linkages? I honestly would care to hear more.
Do you think that there is any material incremental cost to driving in S mode most of the time? Will it cause premature engine wear, or suck gas like a Hummer?
I find my car does the same thing if in D if I have come to a "nearly" dead stop -- in D this transmission desperately wants to wait as long as possible to shift to first gear, so you may be sensing the take up from a less than optimal torque perspective. The reason that S mode seems to cure this (more than seems, in fact) is that S mode downshifts sooner, so the transmission and engine in combination yield higher RPM's closer to the engine's torque sweet spot (range.)
The cost of driving in S most of the time, I would imagine is minimal or should be, but, my guess is that you might get into the throttle more often because the rush of acceleration will "tempt you." Now, if you drive in S mode deliberately economically, the transmission will upshift sooner -- but S mode seems to make certain that even these upshifts happen at a higher RPM.
Logically, I would ASSUME that some slight degradation in MPG would accompany this. I say, "small price."
I am at a point where I am in S mode the majority of the time I am behind the wheel -- but rarely do I use TIP mode to attempt to imitate a stick, I find it unsatisfying, and besides, in S mode, the tip is pretty good.
Audis DSG clutchless manual (with auto mode) will or should resolve most of the problems that these modern smart automatics come with. Hopefully by 2008 DSG will be just another option box.
I do not think there will be material premature engine wear nor gas sucking a la Hummer with the "S" mode practice.
Your enjoyment of this car -- IMO -- will improve substantially, however.
Finally, I do NOT believe that the tiptronic transmission stands alone with this "lag" issue. The nature of many "learning" (aka smart) manumatic transmissions is that they are generally programmed to be as smooth as possible and to upshift early and downshift late (early and late relative to when you might shift if you were driving a fully manual transmission version.) This programming contributes to the sense of "being disconnected."
The steptronic transmission in the BMW family seems every bit as prone to its own interpretation of lag -- perhaps the 7spd manumatic in the Mercedes "enjoys" this too. I don't know about that one.
In the "old days" the transmissions did NOT attempt to learn your style, did not attempt to "think" about fuel economy, etc.
The fact that these transmissions continue to be employed in more and more cars (of all classes) is probably testimony to the "minor" issues that accompany their deployment and further testimony to the positives these transmissions represent. If the cry from the majority of customers was loud and long about the problems, it is safe to assume they would not continue to be adopted in earnest as they obviously are.
Some of us, I imagine a minority, notice the imperfections -- but I have to admit, I can live with it quite nicely thank you by just using "S" mode and praying that DSG will be available next time (or better yet, full on manual -- dream on.)
Having said all this, I still believe the 6spd tip in my 2005 A6 is the best automatic transmission I have ever had, but the previous 5spd tips were REALLY not good at all. Take my remarks in context, i.e. :shades:
It's funny, the persona I seem to take on when I am driving in S mode. It's like all of a sudden I'm Steve McQueen in Bullitt. Vroom, vroom! All I need next are those hilly streets of San Francisco and a Black Dodge Charger to chase!
I feel so naughty! Like the "old man" is gonna find out I've been "revving" the car. LOL!!!
This A6 Sport mode talk reminds me of the days of burning rubber with '67 Pontiac GTOs, '70 Firebird Formula 400s, '68 Mustang GT Fastbacks, heck even the American Motors AMX Javelin. '70 Chevy Nova SS and Camaro SS. Those were the days when American muscle cars were THE cars to own if you were young and overloaded with testosterone.
One buck ($1.00) would buy you 3 gallons of gas and get you some change back.
In regard to the brake assist, I have had instances where it kicked in and yes it does happen at slow speed, but it never threw me out of my seat it just braked the car abruptly. Maybe statistically more accidents happen at slower speeds; e.g., parking lots and bumper - to - bumper traffic and Audi thought it would save someone's butt in those split second situations.
The Oyster gray has a blueish/purple hue to it in bright sunlight. I like it best w/ the platinum interior.
Oyster gray w/ amaretto leather looks nice as well.
If you have concerns about the Green, Audi has done a great job with the pearl effect (and assuming you like darker colors, this is about as dark as green can be.)
I have seen the dark blue pearl with Amaretto and it, too, is a rare beauty (IMHO.)
The final arbiter though was none other than my mother -- an artist, art teacher, author and designer. She has always shown no interest in cars whatsoever, but last week, when she got in my car for the first time, her jaw dropped in amazement and admiration. She was blown away by the interior of this A6. She actually reached out, in awe, and touched the blonde wood on the dash. Coming from a person who has always yawned at cars, this was ineed high praise, and one for the family history books.
Let's face it guys/gals, the A6 interior KILLS. And the blonde wood console and door/dash inserts really seal the deal, IMHO.
I believe the later models have a darker dash and upper door though.
-Paul
Happy New Year to you and all.
Glad it worked and you are welcome.
:shades:
I am OK with the HP all seasons on my A6, certainly not unhappy enough to change them out at 12K miles, they are wearing fine and they are OK otherwise.
UHP all seasons in defense of the factory choice probably give more than a nod to long term life which, as we all know, Americans prefer over almost any other characteristic.
Wear may not be the number 1 trait I look for, but it is in the top 3.
Same here. In fact "wear" is my number 3 criterium. First is performance, second is quiet, and third is wear. I don't mind paying for a better performing and/or more quiet tire with (relatively) average or below average tread life.
I think that this interior looks best in indirect sunlight. Bright sunlight gives it a yellow cast. It's particularly nice at sunset, with the glowing red interior lights making the console look a bit like an airplane cockpit.
Another reason I preferred the beige to the platinum interior is the grey instrument cluster surround. In the beige interior above, you get a nice color contrast between the surround and the dash, whereas the grey on platinum seems to read as a big solid mass of grey. Of course, the dark wood is quite handsome on the platinum.
Either way, a very unique, eye catching interior.
Thanks Tony, I agree -- on both counts!
Is it an expensive car to repair?
is there alot of life left in it after 100k miles?
thank you,
Jeremy
did you add an extra 0 by accident 151,500 seems high
Is it an expensive car to repair?
yes, even if you do it yourself
is there alot of life left in it after 100k miles?
probably, but is there much after 151,500...who knows
You didn’t mention the selling price. If you’re getting it for a tremendous bargain and are prepared (i.e. have the money sitting there ready) to spend on repairs then it may be a good buy.
Is this vehicle is the 2.7T?
You would be far better off looking for a gently used Toyota or Honda -- one owner -- with 40,000 to 60,000 miles on it.
Any car that approaches or is at 100,000+ miles is likely to be incurring myriad numbers of expensive repair items, be they timing belts, water pumps, shock absorbers or struts, and maybe a radiator; not to mention "major service" work and more. Of course, new tires, brakes, battery, spark plugs and alignment would all be reasonable to expect as well. Then there is the electrical system and dash lights/buttons to consider as well as the air conditioning compressor and related parts. And, leys not forget emissions controls, catalytic coverters, and mufflers, et al.
Add this all up and you're talking big bucks. And this assumes that the tranny and engine were well maintained and are trouble free. Is this a 'snow belt' car? Rust?
If one is contemplating buying a German car, think 2-4 years old, with a extended warranty. Older than that and you are asking for trouble. These cars are somewhat exotic, and parts and maintenance are expensive. Audi parts in particular, often take days to weeks to order and receive.
At 151,000 miles, you will likely spend more time rebuilding the car than driving it. That's pretty late in the car's life cycle -- to be buying someone else's very used car. :sick:
Again, if you want a 2000 model year car, go Japanese. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear, but that's my advice, and, for what it's worth, I've owned foreign cars for over 35 years.
If the maintenance has been kept up, you should be able to get to 175,000 without a lot of extra work. For example, on my Audi, at the 100,000 mark, I'll need the waterpump/timing belt, tires, and atleast front brake pads.Should be able to get to 125,000 before more service needed.
A few points in reply for your consideration:
It's a different story if you are the original owner, have done all the maintenance on a timely basis, and therefore know the history of the car. Buying a second hand car, and one with 151,000 miles on it -- 60,000 more miles than yours -- is another matter entirely, IMO.
Yes, maintenance is expensive, but having owned both German and Japanese cars, as a general statement, maintenance on Honda or Toyota Corporation cars (including Acura and Lexus) is considerably less expensive. Also, these two brands tend to produce the most reliable, least repair prone cars to begin with, and annual Consumer Reports surveys consistently bear that out. (Parenthetically, I will say that the VW Passat is doing much better now in Consumer Reports, as to need for repairs. Still, I wouldn't buy one, or any car for that matter, at 151,000 miles)
One final point. Japanese parts are readily available throughout the United States. Here in California, I have never waited more than half a day for a part. You can't say that about Audi, not without crossing your fingers behind your back.
When I had my 99 I remember hearing $10K for a tranny. Not sure if replacements are cheaper now (especially rebuilt ones), but hearing that scared me.
Personally, for a first car I’d rather lease an A4 or A3 (DSG!) to see if I like the Audi experience and service.
There was some mention somewhere that the autocheck feature was part of a package, and this (the autocheck) is required to determine low fluid (at least I think this is the case.)
Is it called the Premium Package? Heck I have it, but my 2005 A6 3.2 has every option but tire pressure and rear sunshade, so I have it -- whether it was standard then and optional now is something I think I have read somewhere.
Thanks for the response.
Thank you for the reply- but I DO HAVE the memory driver seat! I'm on my third day waiting for corporate customer service to make sense out of this.
Gee, that sounds familiar. I'm currently looking at the A3 for my next car, however, "in their infinite wisdom, Audi has chosen to make" the Convenience/Bluetooth package mutually exclusive with Xenon head lights for cars with the Sports Package. That being said, there is no such restriction for Premium Package cars. Go figure. :confuse:
Best Regards,
Shipo
Did it come with seat ropes?
Now, I probably would order the technology package (is that the one with Sat Nav?) but I would understand if the majority of cars are not YET ordered with Navigation.
This is an oversight of some goofy magnitude, eh?
When I got my first A8, which at the time had only one or two options available -- and I got both of them -- it came with INSIDE auto dimming rear view mirror and "normal" reflective outside mirrors. When driving along and the bozo behind put on his brights, I literally had to power articulate the outside mirrors to avoid the reflection. At that time my friends GM cars had BOTH inside and outside automatic dimming mirrors.
Maybe this is a case of things being lost in translation.
I thought the "auto check" feature which includes the low washer fluid warning historically was standard normal on every Audi (since, hmmmmmm, 1980?!?)
Someone needs to correct this ASAP and methinks retroactively would be a nice touch too.
:confuse:
I'm thinking that that's highly unlikely. Why? Because the Passat has returned to the 6 cylinder mill from whence it came, meaning the VW VR6. That motor, unlike the Audi V6, which is a true "V", the VR6 is a narrow angle "V" configuration that has more akin to I6 engines from BMW. What that means in real world terms is that where your typical V6 engine (including the one from Audi) is kind of short and fat (as viewed from the top), the VR6 is narrower and longer (although not as narrow or as long as an I6 of similar displacement).
Stepping back one generation of Passat we find a car that was almost exclusively based upon the Audi A4/A6, engine compartment and all, and as such, any six cylinder application required the Audi mill because the VR6 was too long to fit in the engine compartment in a longitudinal orientation. Conversely, the Passats from two generations ago as well as the current one have an engine compartment designed for transverse engine orientations, an as such the Audi V6 is too fat to fit, while the VR6 fits perfectly.
Best Regards,
Shipo