Audi A4 2004 and earlier

keninplacitas · October 2001

http://audicanada.audi.com/cars/a41/build.htm is the audi web site for building and pricing an Audi A4. Looks like you're saving about $2,150 bucks. Not bad!

tmck · October 2001

I have a shot at a 02 with denim blue metallic paint and platinum interior. It would likely be a dealer trade. Would anyone care to share their reaction to it. There is a car in that color shown in the brochure but it comes across as being much lighter and less metallic compared with the paint chip.
Is the platinum vinyl interior a gray color. If so, is it really a light color like the beige?

raavir · October 2001

thanks, but by the time i decided, it was sold, I got quote on friday evening and slod on monday morning.

tmck · October 2001

I need to correct myself. The denim blue is not metallic, but pearl. I looked on the German Web site, thinking it might be ahead of the USA Web site. They had several photographs of the denim blue pearl. I do think I'm going after the car. Hope I'm not disappointed. Looks like the platinum interior is not nearly as light as the gray.

varig · October 2001

I've seen a crystal blue A6. To me, it could almost be mistaken for silver. Instead of the gray tint of silver, it has a faint blue tint. It is actually pretty nice. It is not a baby blue, which I would definitely term "feminine". Depending on what is parked next to it, the hue changes. It took on a green hue as I moved around the vehicle because of adjacent cars. It looks better than the color chip in the brochure.

varig · October 2001

I had winter tires last year on my FWD 1980's Japanese sedan. Because the vehicle was so old and only had 13 inch wheels, I did not have many options when it came to winter tires. Ended up with Blizzaks which performed very well. Now that I have the S4, I am trying to decide between staying with Blizzaks or going with either Michelins, Dunlop, or Hakkaapilita . Is it best to go with a 16 or 15 inch wheel? I was planning to get both wheels and tires. In the owners manual it made a point about matching th bolts to the wheels and to talk to the Audi dealer about wheel recommendations. Anyone do this or can I get just as good info from TireRack? Any recommendations about which tire brand is the best? In my region, we get about 3-4 snowfalls per season. We mostly get freezing rain turning to snow so ice is a concern. Thanks.

tysalpha · October 2001

I'm not really familiar with the other brands but I know that if you go to Michelin's web site they have a tire selector online. If you enter the info on your car, it will tell you which of their tires are suited for your car, and the widths, aspect ratios, wheel sizes, pressure, etc. that they recommend for your car. Although I've not bought winter tires, the selector was a great help for me in replacing my all-seasons with non- OEM tires.

MULAWYER · October 2001

I saw/drove the denim Blue at my dealer . . . Looks GREAT in person (It'll be the color I choose when I finally get around to ordering it).

merc1 · October 2001

Is it is me or has anyone else here noticed that the new A4 isn't painted all the way down like the A6 models are? It really detracts from the car. This to me a glaring fault considering how detailed Audi's cars are.

M

visordoc · October 2001

It's one way to maintain interest in the car's line from year to year by providing incremental "improvements" ... so it'll probably be body coloured next year. OTOH I think it provides some character to the body lines... but yeah, they should have made it more subtle.

merc1 · October 2001

That's unfortunate because I want to get a car in the spring, and the A4 is on the short list. But I don't know now.

M

raavir · October 2001

Wow they updated website with new audi a4

www.audicanada.ca

drc4 · October 2001

Congrats on the sweet ride.....I'm jealous!

Addressing waxes, whatever you do, don't get all crazy and nuts over the absolute need to use rare, expensive & special waxes like the obsessive guys over at the AudiWorld forum! Trust me....all those 'special' expensive waxes made only on Sundays by Tibetan monks from the hides of the Yetybar Yak and applied in 6 steps aren't any better than a high quality wax that you can purchase at a local auto parts store.

My neighbor owns a custom detail shop that caters to high-end vehicles, so when I purchased my 2000 1.8T in Feb 2000, I asked him to recommend a wax that could be easily purchased and provide quality protection. He highly recommended Zymol, which is what I've been using ever since with excellent results. Whatever you use, make sure its natural with no harsh chemicals, abrasives or solvents. A big plus to Zymol is that its easy and quick to apply. The secret to using it is NOT allowing it to dry to a haze. It's designed to be wiped off immediately after applying to an area, which is mentioned in the instructions. This makes it very quick to apply, and after 1.5 years, my car has absolutely no swirl or scratch marks. I wax every 4 months and use Eagle One Wet Wipe & Shine detail spray between waxes, and my car's finish always looks like glass. Best of all, after 4 months the finish still beads as if I'd just waxed it.

Probably the major key to avoiding swirl marks/scratches is a clean, good quality 100% cotton towel. Again, my neighbor recommended white, 100% cotton towels made in the U.S. Apparently, cotton products made in other countries aren't as refined as ours, and the towels can contain abrasive properties. Also, when washing & drying the towels, don't use fabric softener sheets in the dryer, as they can attach chemicals to the towels. You want the towels as clean and chemical-free as possible.

There are many high quality waxes that are easily available, and you certainly don't need to use Zymol just because I recommended it. I just know it provides excellent, natural protection and people are always commenting on how great my car always looks.

Enjoy your S4!
DRC4

kicker5454 · October 2001

Test drove a 2002 A4 3.0Q Denim this week, the platinum interior is beautiful but I would definitely pass on the color, very bland. Get the Dolphin Gray or Pearl Black. By the way, I wasn't blown away by the power of the new V6, I am still considering getting a 2001 BMW 330i, any thoughts?

mmcbride1 · October 2001

My advice - drive them both, get what suits you best both financially and in the driving experience. You can't go wrong with either one.

raavir · October 2001

2002 A41.8T at CAD $43000

or

2001 S4 at CAD $50,500

kk13 · October 2001

there was a posting on the Audiworld forum that said they Audi is considering a mid-year change to body colored skirt instead of black. Not confirmed.

brave1heart · October 2001

We have an '01 A4 1.8T Q. The engine is rated at 170 HP but rumored to be good for 180 HP. I can't figure out VW/Audi did with that engine for the 2002 model year. Is the '02 1.8T Audi engine still rated at 170 HP or is it 180 HP like the Jetta? Is the turbo different size from the '01 engine?

mmcbride1 · October 2001

According to AoA, the 2002 A4 1.8T is still at 170 hp, but some of it's VW cousins get the 180 hp version. Makes no sense to me, either.

bluewolf · October 2001

Hey guys. I own a 1.8T Jetta and plan to get another car in the not-too-distant future. The A4
is certainly appealing as I like the 1.8T engine but would like a more refined, better built car than my VW, and the Audi seems like it probably is
a step up.

Along with the A4 with sport suspension, xenons, 5-speed, I'm also considering the Saab 9-3, Volvo S60, and BMW 325i. Anybody have an objective opinion on these cars? The Volvo is underpowered with the base engine, and pricey with the 2.4T. I like the Saab's style, but don't see many. The 325i is pretty common and trendy for my taste, but is said to have class-leading handling.

Thanks for your opinions.

varig · October 2001

I had waited over a year for the new A4 to debut since I assumed that the new generation would top the current. After seeing the car in person, I liked the exterior but was not overwhelmed by the interior. When I drove the 1.8T, it seemed a bit slower than the 2001 1.8T I'd driven a few months before. I believe the extra weight without a corresponding increase in HP is to blame. After I saw and drove the S4, I seemed to have found the best of all worlds. I had the visual appeal of the car, the interior I preferred, and more power than I will ever need, but its good to know its there. So far, I have not regretted my decision. BTW, I had also driven both a BMW 325xi and 330xi and had been considering buying one of these. Both are beautiful cars. The seats in the BMW are the best I've ever sat in. One of the reasons I decided to buy an Audi over a BMW was because I felt that the quattro was superior. Today I was running an errand and I happened to park next to a late model 3 Series. The BMW was still there when I returned to my car. I still find it hard to believe that the S4 is mine, so as I approached I was looking at the vehicles with more of a "3rd person" point of view. I had always thought that the BMW had a more attractive design than the A4/S4 until I saw them side by side. I began circling the vehicles, inspecting them from each side (anyone who saw me probably thought I didn't have it all together). My opinion about which has the most pleasing design has changed, and not because I happened to be the owner of the winner.

Question about car wax.... Thanks for the input so far. I've read conflicting information on the web---imagine that ;-) Some say that caranuba wax (ie. Zymol) is best since it expands with the car's paint. Others say that caranuba wax causes a yellow build up and it is ideal to use a polymer (ie. Zaino). The caranuba group says that polymers do give a great shine but will ultimately damage the finish since it does not allow the paint to expand. Your finish ends up with fine spider web cracks. Which am I to believe???

audibon · October 2001

Picked up my vehicle today. Turned over the rental Tahoe and signed off on the paperwork. I can report that for the most part I will rate them excellent. They did use all 4 Qts. of Mobil 1 but haven't had a chance to check the level yet. They rotated the tires, checked for water in plenum, top off fluids. As far as headlight aim goes they double checked it and it is fine. They checked the washer jet aim and they could not properly aim the left side (driver's side) so they replaced it. I believe they washed the car but only vacuumed the front area. We have been having so much rain in the Chicago/Milwaukee area it is not funny. That is why I am not sure if they actually washed it or not. I know they did not vacuum the back seat and floor. Kinda feel they could have skipped the wash and just cleaned the whole interior. A minor thing really. Their service hours are excellent (McGrath Audi) 7:30am to Midnight Mon.-Thurs. They have Fri. and Sat. hours but are more limited. Overall, a good first time service experience. Happy motoring.

raavir · October 2001

such as color, price, options etc. So do you think 2001S4 is far better than 2002A4 for that price.

keninplacitas · October 2001

bluewolf, I owned a '94 Saab 900 (very similar to the current 9-3). It was a really fine car. It was reliable, good looking, comfortable, and had that turbo thrill kind of thing. The only issue I had with it was the torque steer that would tend to pull the car to the left when in quick acceleration. Either it or the 9-5 would be in contention now if I didn't feel the need for an all wheel drive vehicle (snow, mud, dirt roads, etc). On a minor point, I'd like to see Audi mimic the trip computer I had on that car. It's like Audi's but, if you tell it how far it is to your your next stop or to your destination, it will compute (based on average speed and time of stops) and display a running posting of time and distance to get there.

Audibon, I think dealer service managers should tell the folks who wash the cars that their job is to "Make the cars clean both inside and out", rather than "Wash and vacuum the cars". With both Audi and Saab, when I've brought the car in clean, I've often asked that they please not wash the car. It's frustrating to retrieve it after service only to see rag streaks (usually most visible on the windows) caused by washing the car with dirty water. Now, on the other hand, during that brief period when I owned a Subaru Forester, I asked about washing the car after service and I just received a kind of blank stare. I've never complained about the less than clean washed car because I really do appreciate the fact that their heart is in the right place.

audibon · October 2001

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the wash and clean concept. The car comes in for service and it should leave immaculate unless the customer requests otherwise. Like I said it has rained here so much the last few days, why wash it when I'm going to be driving home in a monsoon? Come to think of it the interior windows weren't touched either so I'll put that on my comment card as well. Nobody smokes in the car, yet I still can tell there is that nice haze on the inside that needs to be removed.
I can't believe they washed an already clean car with dirty water.. That is a new one on me. They didn't damage the paint did they? Just left the streak marks...
As tight as the economy is you would think customer service would be everyones top priority. I know when we bought our car back in July the salesman said we were his only "buyers" all week. Everyone else was just kicking tires. Guess it gives new meaning to the term "not my job." Too much of that and the dealership would go broke. Let the buyer beware. Just my take on it. Later.

02a4curt · October 2001

When negotiating a price with dealers, should one exclude the $575 transportation fee when talking so much off MSRP or over invoice cost - or is transportaton just considered part of the total cost?

scirocco22 · October 2001

Curt-- The manufacturer's transportation charge is usually considered a non-negotiable fee and as such, yes, should be considered part of the total cost as you'll notice that it is included in the Monroney or sticker price. The advertising fee, freight charges, additional dealer mark-up (ADM) or additional dealer profit (ADP), dealer preparation and undercoating or other dealer add-ons (whether listed on a "second sticker" or not), on-the-other-hand, are usually considered negotiable items which you should diligently try to eliminate from or insist not be included in the negotiating process ...in-other-words, don't pay for them! Now that's just when negotiating for the actual price of the car; there are also additional negotiable items when negotiating for a lease if leasing. Good luck!

--'rocco

02a4curt · October 2001

I had already agreed to a price and have a new A4 ordered. Couple days later got to thinking about that Destination charge and thinking maybe I got "took." I feel better now. BTW....Dealer called last night and thought he might have found a car with my specs, but it included the Bose which I had not ordered. Offered it for $300. I said OK.

yodasbaby · October 2001

Hey folks. Just wondering what kind of wheel cleaner to buy for my 2001.5 A4 Sport Package with the 17" wheels. I know you can't use certain cleaners on uncoated wheels, or anodized, etc. What kind are the Audi wheels? Factory clear coated/aluminum/chrome/etc.? I was going to buy Meguiars Gold Class or Hot Rims.

shawn325i · October 2001

I own both a 2001 325i and just leased a 2002 Jetta 1.8T for my wife.

While shopping for my 325i I did closely look at the 2001 A4 and was very close to leasing one instead, but A4's built the way I wanted were hard to find out my way and the 2002 were of course not available back in June.

The 325i is hard to beat for all around driving as long as the extra $'s are not an issue.

I agree with those in not understanding why my new Jetta has 180 horses as oppose to the A4's 170. Would love to have been able to afford 2 $40,000 cars (325i & A4) but budget forced me to go with the Jetta and the 1.8T engine is very fast, infact that's the main problem with this engine in the Jetta, the engine is too fast for both the suspension and brakes.

aegus1 · October 2001

Yoda,

Our wheels are clearcoated. I think either of those Meguires will work, just look for the 'safe for painted and clearcoated finishes' on the label. Do one wheel at a time. Don't let it sit on the wheel longer than the directions advise (you can stain your center caps). You might need to hit a few spots more than once. A good coat of wax after cleaning will help keep them cleaner longer too.

-Barry

spridledog · October 2001

I'm a car care freak, and here's my two cents on wheel care. First off, I'm not a big fan of wheel cleaning sprays. They're really harsh, and, unless your wheels are really neglected, are not necessary. Most of them, despite their claims, have a hard time removing the kind of black brake dust us Audi owners get, without extra elbow grease. My experience is that the "just spray on and hose off" technique leaves dirt in the crannies, etc. So, it's not much of a time saver. Also, no matter how much you rinse off, it tends to hide in the crannies, and runs out later, leaving streaks and stains. I put a nice coat of wax on my wheels every few months, which doesn't take too much time. Then, I make sure to wash the wheels, with the same car wash soap used on the rest of the car, frequently. If the wheels are waxed, the dirt comes off easily. You know how the wheels always start to look dirty before the rest of the car, because of brake dust?! Yeah, I hate that, too! Well, I've found a great solution! I buy "Speed Shine Wipes" from Griot's Garage (www.griotsgarage.com). Every 1-2 weeks, I just wipe the wheels clean with those wipes (no water/soap required), dry them with a rag, and they look great - takes just a few minutes! Then, you just throw the used wipes in the trash - no more flithy, black rags!! Try it!!!

02a4curt · October 2001

Some years back I bought a Civic hatchback with the mag wheel option. They stuck out somewhat from the tire and the first time thru an automated car wash, it like peeled/scratched the outside coating off. This is one of those car washes that has an automated brush come out and clean your tires. I think just about every automated car wash has this feature. I have a new Audi A4 ordered and wonder if I dare go thru a car wash with it. Were these just cheap Honda wheels or can I expect the same with the Audi wheels? During Minnesota winters, we don't have many other options for washing our cars.

tmck · October 2001

Hi Folks: Picked up my denim blue 1.8 Q with Tip this afternoon in Spokane, Wa. It was trucked over from Seattle. The blue is a sharp color. I have had silver for the past 4 cars so it will be an adjustment. I traded in a silver 2000 300M. The Audi feels much more solid and corners better and is more responsive at low speeds. Above 40 mph, the 300M is much better at passing. I knew that would be the case going into the deal. The Audi leatherette doesn't breath as well as the plush 300M leather, but the seats in the Audi are still good. On the 85 mile return trip home I had the Audi at 28.4 mpg. That is about the same as the 300M and I'm pleased considering I have less than 200 miles on the new car.
I got the Audi because I don't need the size of the 300M and I am anticipating enjoying the Audi "spunk" without being overwhelming as well as the all wheel drive. Audi looks good but tough to exceed the looks of a Zaino-polished silver 300M.
Ciao

brave1heart · October 2001

The Golf GTI and the Jetta both get 180 HP but the Passat gets 170. It's very unlike Audi/VW's recent strategy of sharing engines. Wondering if the '01 1.8T was indeed 180 HP but Audi understated its rating so they would not cannibalize sales of the 2.8 ltr engine as much...It would have been very hard to convince buyers to pay a 5-grand difference for 10 extra ponies.

brave1heart · October 2001

Even though I'm a 325i owner, I have to admit that the S4 looks stunning. The differences with the A4 are minor but it has all the right ones, especially the Avus wheels, which are the best I've seen. I wish the '02 A4 looked that aggressive. I also agree that the Quattro is the best AWD out there. The only three problems with the S4 are price, weight, and somewhat rubbery shifting. Oh, and the tiny rear seat but that's low on my list of priorities.

varig · October 2001

As I have mentioned before, it is a black S4. The standard S4 package comes pretty well loaded. Additionally had bose, moonroof, homelink, heated seats. Since the dealer was not willing to move much on a 2002 A4 1.8T price plus the fact that I ended up preferring the looks of pre-2002 models, I "rationalized" that the additional equipment/features of the S4 was worth the higher price (even though I had a several thousand dollar discount) over a loaded A4 1.8T (sport,bose,moonroof). Since I plan to keep this car a while, I figure that inflation will make the extra money I spent seem much less over time. You'll have to decide if the S4 is worth the extra $ over an A4. It all comes down to preference and what you can afford. Let me say that if I had been at the edge of being able to afford the S4, I would not have bought it regardless of how much I liked it. From a practical standpoint, is it worth buying an S4 over an A4? No, of course not, but then I could also argue that from a practical standpoint, it is better to buy a Subaru Forester instead of an A4 since both will get you from points A to B only the Subie does it for far less money. Of course there are other elements besides practicallity that enter into the car purchase process, not the least of which is the emotional componant. Having test driven both basic transportation (b.t.) models (Subaru Forester, Subaru WRX, Honda CRV, Toyota) and luxury models (Audi, BMW, MB), I can say that driving the later group definitely gives you a driving pleasure beyond that of the former. I'm also of the opinion, hopefully not misguided, that the build quality of the Audi/BMW/MB is superior in the long run to b.t. models.
It is a tough decision. I know. Best of luck to you.

fpereira · October 2001

Hello there, anyone here who's driven the 2002 A4 and BMW Ci back-to-back, want to comment on how they compare? Cheers.

visordoc · October 2001

Coincidentally... I had just posted the following on the BMW board...please keep in mind this is just my 2 cents...

I just test drove a 2002 a4 3.0 quattro with 6 speed manual non-sport package yesterday. My impressions as follows.

The exterior: took me a while to get used to the new lines on the car. Looks kinda plain, when compared to the aggresive stance of the 3-series sedan. From most angles it looks balanced with an organic rounded yet boxy look to it, but imho, it looks horribly ugly for some reason from the side profile with the bulbous trunk sticking out back. I tried hard to be open-minded and unbiased, but I really couldn't get myself to like that view at all. If the a6 exterior doesn't set your heart on fire, then ditto the a4 because it just looks like a 7/8th version of it. Oh, another thing, the very un-subtle black plastic lower skirting looks horrible with any colours lighter than gray or black.

The interior: on the other hand, is the redeeming part of the a4, because there are so many small and large thoughtful, elegant, and luxurious touches that add up to make this a true luxury sedan, even with base trim. Like standard 6 disc in-dash changer, 10 speakers with standard subwoofer, dual auto climate controls, etc. Also, one thing that the a4 has over the 3-series is that all the interior surfaces invite you to feel and caress the soft textures. And you get all this costing a few thou less than a similar 3-series.

Last but most importantly, the drive:
Driving position and steering wheel feels great. The shifter had short actions, however, it is "rubbery" and "distant" (now i know what the auto journalists mean when they say that in their reviews) when compared to the 3's. The first gear ratio in this 6-speed is also set quite high, so i had to shift into second almost immediately when accelerating hard because i was running out of room on the tach. I don't know whether that is something i can live with on a daily commute in rush hour. 2nd gear starts were possible, but i had to be careful not to stall the engine at a critical moment. With an aggresive right foot, the engine sounds a muted roar plus a little bit of the 3's "sewing machine" quality, but never did it approach the level of all-out aural delight of the 330's engine and exhaust. The non-sp suspension was soft with kinda tallish passenger tires: 215/55/r16. The grip going around corners was great especially when there were bits of loose gravel on the road. But on a straight, the accelaration was not as decisively forceful as the 330 due to the extra 300lbs it packs with quattro and luxury trimmings. The extra weight (and 60/40 weight distribution) also similarly affected the tossabilty of the a4 in attempting quick transient maneuvers. All in all, a safe, luxurious car, but not as sporty as a 330.

One thing i did notice after the drive, was that during the whole 40 minute trip, never once did my mind wander from the task of driving to the pleasure of appreciating the finer luxurious offerings of the interior. What does it say about me?

My $0.02 conclusion: in this competitive market for entry level luxury sports sedans, the a4 is built with heavier emphasis on luxury, whereas the 3-series is built with heavier emphasis on sports. So, in choosing one car, it really boils down to one simple question (to which there is no right or wrong answer): am i a passenger or a driver?

Oops... sorry, didn't realize it was going to be such a long post

raavir · October 2001

lauk0dg · October 2001

About the wheel cleaner, I got a bottle of Audi's wheel cleaner from the Audi Quattro Challenge and it works wonders. Just spray it on, wait for 15 or 30 seconds, and hose it off with a strong jet. The brake dust and everything else come off right away and you are left with a shiny wheel. Plus it's made by Audi.....thought they would recommend their own wheels to look good in their cars, right?

About dealer car washes, I did my service at Schaumburg Audi (for Audibon's ref) and every single time I went in, e.g. like last time I was just telling them that the wiper blades need to be replaced cuz they were "screaming" when the car is over 60mph cruising in the rain (by the way Quattro is awesome when travelling through puddles of water in heavy rain in Chicago), they will wash the car for me. It's funny cuz I was getting impatient after waiting for 30 minutes.....I was like, how long it takes to change the blades? Just give them to me and I will do it myself. Anyhow they're free so can't complain about that :> This dealership will NOT vaccum the interior unless you insist them to do it, however they did a very good job in cleaning the exterior of the car. In fact so well, I can't see water marks or streaks of water. Plus they wash the cars by hand. The way I know they have washed the car is, if right after they washed your car, you start to drive at speeds like 30mph, water will start flying out of the cracks on the rear view mirrors and mess up the pretty job.

I was on the rental Volvo V70 again and thought I would like to throw some comments out after driving the Volvo. I don't know if it's the additional weight on the back end of the V70 (wagon), or maybe I already get used to making corners in the A4 at higher speeds, every time I took the V70 around a curve the back end feels like it's going to break loose. And don't even talk about suspension.....comparing both cars with non-sport suspensions, LOL they're totally different. The Volvo (thanks to Ford) was tuned so that it has the American car suspension feel (almost like a Taurus). It's sad. The engine feels underpowered (it's the base engine making 168hp) to this car. Now I really believe the 2001 A4's actually got 180hp, or maybe it's because the torque on the 1.8T is so readily available that you can hold on to above 2500 rpm on the maunal tranny and it's so fun to drive. The Volvo on the other hand, feels clumsy if you put the auto tranny on D with 5 forward gears. It helps to put it on 4 with 4 forward gears. The interior feels "cheaper" than the Audi although the latter costs less. One thing to commend the Volvo....its stereo system and the wagon's cargo space. The standard system sounds as good as my Bose on the Audi, and the cargo space on the V70 is a lot bigger than the A4 Avant. OK it's not fair to compare that cuz the V70's size is between an A6 Avant and an A4 Avant. Speaking of the A6 Avant.....anyone has sightings of the new S6 (only comes in Avant form)???

Billy

keninplacitas · October 2001

visordoc, that was a well thought out review and comparo you did on the A4 vs. the 3 series (although an A4 with the sports suspension might have been a better comparison vehicle).

Your last comment about A4's lean toward luxury as opposed to BMW 3 series' lean toward sports got me to thinking about recent design decisions being made by Audi. It is beginning to look like Audi, rather than drive up the cost of the A4 to compete directly with the 3 series, has developed the S4 to do that (note also that the S4 body style did not follow the A4's for 2002).

As for the six speed, it may be that it's better matched to the twin-turbo in the S4 than to A4's 3L. When I drove the S4, I didn't experience the six speed transmission 1st gear issue that you describe, but then again, I really didn't drive it long enough to become fully comfortable with it.

Any chance of talking you into taking an S4 out for test drive and doing a write-up on that?

brave1heart · October 2001

The current S4 was designed to compete against the E36 M3 and overall, it did a very good job at that. The new S4 due next year (I think) will again be competing against the M3 but this time the E46 M3. The A4 competes with the 3-series, the S4 with the M3. We own both the A4 and the 325i and although the 325i is sportier, I would never think of the A4 as a passenger's car. Quite the opposite: I love driving and I could be very happy with the A4 1.8T. The 325 has the edge in sport and especially feel category but they are closer than a lot of people think. Everything in the A4 is softer in a good way and there are times in everyday driving when this is an advantage. If I'm driving on a dry road by myself, I'd take the 325i. If I'm driving in the wet and especially with my 6-month pregnant wife in the car, we always take the A4. It's still a pleasure to drive the A4 and it still feels sporty but in a more muted, luxurious kind of way.

dkelly3854 · October 2001

I'm very interested in the A4 and I have found everything out about it except for a few things.
1. I assume it has keyless entry, but is the key like all other audi keys, where the key pops out?
2. Is there a button that pops the trunk?
3. Is there an audible sound when the car is locked?
4. If you hold down the lock button on the key, will it close all the windows and sun roof (I know benz's do this)
Please help me out!!!
Thanks

fpereira · October 2001

Hi Visordoc, thanks for the impressions, that was very good. I'll go out on a limb and guess you went for the BMW...? :-)

What surprised me is that the 3.0 quattro is 100 pounds heavier than a 5-series!

lauk0dg · October 2001

Well the visible trunk button (on the trunk lid) is missing but it's actually opened by a soft touch on an area right above the license plate and next to the lights that illuminate it. It's opened electronically and it's just an easy lift to open the trunk (not like the pre 2002's which is kinda heavy). Closing it requires only a light push (again not like the pre 2002's that you need to really push it down). It also got the "child safety lever" that can be opened by a kid trapped inside the trunk.

About the locks, rear passengers can now lock the car via a button on the back of the center console. And if you opt for the rear "bun heaters" the controls are right next to that button.

Billy

crud_meridian · October 2001

I posted some messages when I first purchased in May, but have been lurking ever since. I own a six month old 2001.5 1.8TQ sport and love it, but am really regretting having bought the 17" sport package. I've scratched three rims, attempted to repair one and had it come back with a slightly darker finish. These sport rims seem to be very susceptible to curb rash as they extend just ever so much beyond the tire wall. Does anyone have recommendations for rims that are less exposed? I noticed some great looking Tocatta rims at Audi's accessories website -- go to http://commerce.audiusa.com , then go to Accessories A4, then performance, then to Tocatta 7.5" x 17". Anyone ever seen these in person?

scirocco22 · October 2001

Pat-- Oh man, sorry. I don't know what I was thinking ...I knew that but evidently did it anyway and in my haste didn't realize that it actually displayed a name at the bottom of the pic *still stinging from the reprimand*

crud-- welcome back. IMO, I believe the problem will have a tendency to exist regardless of what rims you use because of the lower profile tires that are used on the sport pkg. It seems the only way to allieviate the problem would be to go to higher profile tires (higher sidewalls) so when bumping a curb, the tires rather than the rims will rub. Those Tocatta rims do look sharp! Aren't they the ones that are used in the 2002 sport package? http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/us/a418t/black_a418t.jpg *being really carefull not to post the image*

Chris-- Although I haven't yet driven the new A4 as others on this board have (they'll have to comment and correct me if I'm wrong), from what I've read so far I believe the following in response to your questions:

1. Key is still switchblade type

2. No longer a button on the trunk (see Billy's explanation)

3. Default still has audible sound but can be disabled by changing code using VAG tool.

4. Default is still not programmed for this opening/closing window function by using remote but, again, can be changed to do this by re-programming. (I was asked by my dealer if I wanted this done but decided to leave it on default for the time being.)

You all may have seen this picture of the dashboard of the new A4 Cabriolet. My question is why they didn't use this on the Saloon (sedan) edition?? ...I believe it looks classier and more modern --more TT'ish. (...but still lacking the voltmeter and oil temperature gauges *looks dejected*)

http://www.vwvortex.com/news/08_01/08_08/06.jpg

--'rocco

pat · October 2001

it's okay 'rocco, don't worry about - I appreciate your understanding!

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

crud_meridian · October 2001

I don't think the Tocatta rims are the same as the '02 rims, but they're awful close. On the '02 rims, the spokes seem to narrow ever so slightly (if at all) from the center to the outside, where on the Toccato rims the spokes seem to do the opposite. Or my eyes may be playing tricks on me.

I think I may delay a decision on what to do with my current rims until after winter, that is if I am responsible and buy a set of snow/all weather tires and rims. I'm sure this has been discussed to death here and on other forums, but are there any suggestions on the cheapest yet decent winter tire/rim combo, anyone?

Audi A4 2004 and earlier

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