Audi A4 2004 and earlier

markcincinnati · March 2003

I have no clue what you will ultimately end up doing, but here in southern Ohio, used non-quattro Audi's are simultaneously rare and in much lower demand. The few that are "out there" go for a discount over otherwise identical quattro versions.

If residual value (to you or the financing company) is of no concern, get the less expensive (initally) version.

Over the long haul, the FWD version may prove to actually be not as good of a deal as the quattro version. Not to mention the safety, performance and fun factors associated with quattro.

To me the essence of Audi IS quattro.

If you want a very nice car in about the same class, get a nice FWD Passat.

vocus · March 2003

What about the repair complexity added with Quattro though? That would factor into the cost equation as well, right?

markcincinnati · March 2003

Technically you are correct. However, I would not have the car beyond the 50K warranty, so the cost using this metric would be "nothing additional."

I know this is kind of a smart answer, which I really did not intend. The risks, in my opinion, are outweighed by the overall advantages of quattro.

Again, if I wanted an "almost" Audi at less $$$ and AWD was not what I wanted, the 03 Passats FWD are quite nice. (and for the money, an AWD Passat isn't bad either -- but at that price the 1.8T A4 gets real attractive. . . .)

Frankly, for product positioning and overall marketing -- I wish there were ONLY AWD Audis imported by AoA.

gusharls · March 2003

As much as I like the all wheel A4 . The extra weight and the ever rising price of gas(the [non-permissible content removed] Bush and his oil cronies)leans me towards an A4 CVT. Better power and better milage.

mbnut1 · March 2003

With the latest version of the A4 at least you get the same fully independent rear suspension (which improves the ride quality and handling) with both the FWD and AWD. The point being there is less advantage with the quattro version of the A4 then there used to be.

ajayme · March 2003

After turning in my 99 A6Q for my 03 A4 CVT, the only way I'll go back to Quattro is when they replace the sluggish tip with the CVT. There is no comparison in smoothness! Since I live in Dallas we don't worry about snow (only every couple of years-then no body drives!). Get the CVT and enjoy!

lee0001 · March 2003

Hello Audi Owners. I posted this same question to the VW forum, so I'd thought I'd post it here as well. I am just about to consider acquiring a new Audi A4 1.8T AWD. But, I'm beginning to feel that I didn't due my due diligence by not considering the Passat GLX. I was able to negotiate a good deal on the Audi, but I feel for a comparable price, I could get the VW. As I compare them side by side, it seems that the VW has more features than a comparable priced Audi. Can anyone tell me if the handling/ride is any different between them? Should I cancel my audi deal and work on a VW deal? tia, Lee

JBaumgart · March 2003

You will get more room and features for the money with the VW, but the Audi will provide higher grade materials, sharper handling and will be more fun to drive. It just depends on what's more important to you. I would say that if you can't see/appreciate the quality difference when sitting in the Audi and the VW, and then when driving them both, get the VW and save some money.

vocus · March 2003

Something else to think about, as I posted in the Passat forum, is the big discount prices on the W8 Passat. I have seen them with 3 different dealers in MD going for $32K. You would be able to get AWD and V8 power for the price of the 3.0 A4.

mtofan · March 2003

"Not to mention the safety, performance and fun factors associated with quattro."

I understand that safety is greater with a Quattro in snow or rain. The part I don't understand is how a Quattro gives better performance and fun. It seems to me that a Quattro is a much heavier car than a FWD and that causes acceleration to decrease. I would also think that the handling would also be compromised because of the extra weight. Does it maybe have different suspension than the FWD that would give better handling?

andys120 · March 2003

but I can say this. Quattro cars do weigh about 150 more, the weight of a typical teenaged male passenger and the weight distribution is improved.

Quattro cars are still nose heavy but the driven rear wheels help negate the push (understeer) you get from a fwd set up.

If you haven't driven a Quattro w sport suspension you should before you decide. IMO awd is well worth the $1600 extra.

I'm inclined to agree w Mark that all Audis should be Quattros. It makes for a nicer car and there might be some savings in standardizing it.

It's worth noting that in 93k of driving my 98 I've never had a maintainence issue related to Quattro (unless you count a bad wheel bearing).

pheonixuno · March 2003

Hey guys I'm in the market for a new used car and after a while of searching I've come to 3 cars. The Bmw M3, Audi A4, and the subaru WRX. Each have their own likes and dislikes. The M3 has a 240 hp engine, great handling, and is a BMW. I only dislike the rear wheel drive and the interior very stuffy. The a4 I loved the quattro, the interior, and the cheaper price. I disliked the exterior and it isn't very sporty. The wrx I liked the power, awd, and handling. I disliked that it had no moonroof and the interior was very civic like plus after the BMW and AUdi it is just a subaru. Right now I have a 96 honda civic cx and I'm ready to upgrade. Also I live in CT where it snows. What do you guys think? My budget is anywhere from 20k and below. THanx

vocus · March 2003

Since you live in CT where it snows, you might check out an A4 Quattro. I agree about the WRX's interior, it's cheap looking and feeling compared to the A4's. I think the M3 would be above your budget of $20K.

Keep in mind you would be able to get a newer WRX than you would an A4, if that matters. But if you want an upgrade from a Civic, get the A4.

markcincinnati · March 2003

Quattro no matter how you come down on it is NOT much heavier, than a non quattro Audi.

The Quattor Audi CAN be made to "power slide" -- which, even if you never plan to do this is indicative of both better balance (over the FWD version) and some RWD (it can be made to oversteer, that is) characteristics.

Moreover, above 50kph, the "rolling resistance" of the quattro (which is lower as the speed gets to this level) is lower which accounts for the tiny penalty in gas milage for the quattro.

A quattro (like all Audis sold for normal humans) still is a bit nose heavy and its proclivity is to understeer -- but less so than it's FWD counterpart.

At a certain horsepower and torque, too, the acceleration of the quattro version is both "better" (quicker) and more controlled.

The phenomenon of "load shift" plagues FWD cars (again at a "sufficient" hp and torque) -- in that under hard acceleration the load shifts off of the driving wheels and -- again with sufficient torque -- the front wheels accelerate faster than the car can be brought up to speed with the lightened front end. Wheelspin!

The load shift also happens in a quattro -- but the weight is shifted from the driving wheels, to, um well -- the driving wheels.

Overall traction -- slippery and non-slippery surfaces -- is enhanced with quattro.

If you don't buy the "fun factor" that I find appealing, you, hopefully, will buy the safety, control and performance factor that AWD provides.

So much ado about these factors has been made and, apparently proven to the Mercedes folks, that in 2003 and 2004 virtually all Mercedes automobiles will "offer AWD" which will be touted primarily as a safety feature (that adds "capability" -- you may interpret, as I co, capability to include performance, control and fun due to this added amount of "capability.")

Quattro has been at it longer (in the Audis, don't you know) than almost anyone else. And, certainly Audi -- for the time being -- is the leader in the AWD sport-luxury segement.

Wait a minute -- soon the market will be very crowded indeed with many more AWD models from Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Volvo, Porsche, and -- gulp -- high buck VW's!

Once you've had a quattro, there's no going back.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

vocus · March 2003

I was wondering how the 4Motion system in the Passat differs from the Quattro system in the Audis. Aren't they about the same?

affy · March 2003

4 motion and Quattro are just the same awd systems, but with different name

bodble2 · March 2003

dtwleungnyc · March 2003

If I remember correctly, the 4motion system for VW and the Audi TT uses a vicious coupling, while the quattro system for most Audi A4, A6 uses a center differential. I believe the A8 uses a slightly different setup, but for the moment, I don't recall what it is.

bodble2 · March 2003

I thought the 4motion uses a torsen centre differential which under normal situations divides power 50/50 front/rear.

tiredofmanual · March 2003

The line is blurring between 4 motion and Quattro because the definition of 4 motion and Quattro has been blurred.

All of the Audi Quattros except for the TT use a Torsen center differential. The TT uses the Haldex system.

The 4 motion Passat uses a Torsen center differential, while the rest of the 4 motion vehicles (sold outside the US mainly) use the Haldex system.

This is my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong.

rich_a4 · March 2003

Hi everyone,

I was reading through the posts of the last month or so regarding the coil pack letter and I remembered something, I was supposed to get some sort of package of information from AoA in the mail when I bought my car. I got the car at the end of October and still haven't seen anything yet. No coil pack letter either. Anyone know if it should be taking this long to get the information in the mail???

More technical questions:

1. Kind of silly question but, with all of the bad weather we've been having my washer fluid is about to run out as the driver information system keeps telling me. This will be my first fill up, is there a recommended washer fluid? I seem to remember my sales guy telling me something about the washer fluid that Audi uses - that it's non-toxic or something.

2. More important question - I'm at around 5100 miles on my car and getting really nervous about the dealer's recommendation to not change my oil before 10k miles. The salesman told me that the car came with synthetic (MobilOne) with special additives to break the engine in and not to remove it before 10k miles. What does the collective wisdom of the group think about that suggestion?

I may head to the dealer this weekend and ask in person - I might pick up some winter floor mats, which I should have done months ago! I'll post any interesting info that I get.

Thanks,

Rich

vocus · March 2003

You should be able to change the oil any time you want. Do you have the V6 or the 1.8T engine? I know the recommended change interval for the 1.8T (in the Jetta anyway) is 5K. I would change the oil now if I were you.

There is no special washer fluid, no. That's the stealership feeding you crap, again...

Also, I got some winter floormats at Wal-Mart that fit perfectly in the front of my Jetta for $8 a pair. I know they may not have the Audi or VW logo on them or anything, but it's better than paying $80-90 a set that the dealer wants.

andys120 · March 2003

and worth what you're paying <?8^) but I'd worry about leaving oil in a car for 10k miles. Evn though it's synthetic what about contaminents?

I do the same as Vocus with rubber mats in winter. They don't fit my car perfectly but colse enough.

tiredofmanual · March 2003

I actually bought a set of winter mats that were made specifically for the A4; they even use the stock mounting system to snap right into place. I liked them because they were contoured with the floor of the car and they rode up the sides a bit (as in they are a bowl). Half an inch of standing water on the floor mats and not a drop would touch the carpet!

The charcoal color also provided a very nice contrast to the rest of my platinum interior. Quite a few people have thought they were actually part of the Audi interior design.

I was pretty hesitant at first, because with shipping from Canada they came in at over US$100, but I'm completely happy and glad I took the chance. Some $8 floor mats would have worked, but I think the price difference was justified in this case.

vocus · March 2003

The mats cover my entire floormat area, that's good enough for me. Besides, I have black carpet anyway so it's not like you can see any stains on it.

tiredofmanual · March 2003

I'm up to about 7000 miles now and check my oil regularly. When checking the oil level, I take a good look at the oil I wipe off the dipstick. It doesn't look like fresh oil straight out of the bottle, but it's not by any means dirty or dark. If it does get to looking dark or dirty before 10,000 miles I'll change it, otherwise not.

GM started putting oil life monitors on the engines of some of their cars a few years ago. People with those cars are finding that they can go between 7 and 15,000 miles between changes, depending on how they drive and the type of oil they put in. My friend drives a Mercedes C-class with 10,000 mile oil change intervals and her car is up past 30,000 miles with no engine problems. If Audi is claiming that our cars can go 10,000 miles between oil changes I'm inclined to believe them, so long as my dealer uses quality oil.

markcincinnati · March 2003

Your understanding of Quattro (Torsen and Haldex) is mine as well. Also the torsen is the Passat and at this time that is all we can get here in the US.

Has anyone seen a live Passat W8 with 6spd manual and sport package -- I keep checking at my dealer and none on the lot. I thought this was supposed to hit the US in December.

Also, seems many on this board were right and I was wrong (again): I thought the Passat W8 would be perceived as a high value car -- when a Passat with a W8 was kind of an Audi A5 with more guts than an A6 2.7T (statistically speaking).

Now, I understand that the W8's are being heavily discounted: is it just the economy (ours and Germany's?) or is it that an "A5" at an "A4" price just won't fly "emotionally?"

rollie · March 2003

Regarding post #5049:

That's almost completely accurate. The TT and A3 models use a Haldex setup (Haldex I). Older Audi models still utilize the Torsen center differential. Come to think of it I presume the latest model, the new A8, uses a Torsen diff. but frankly I haven't been able to confirm (the Audi USA site isn't working properly at this moment.)

Generally speaking, Audi puts Torsen diffs in their longitudinally mounted engines and Haldex in the transversely mounted engines.

Thanks.

-rollie

rayainsw · March 2003

I have seen, and driven a Sport W8, but it was an automatic, like mine.

Last I heard from the salesperson I bought my W8 from is that there may be some 6 speeds currently en route. I drove this one because I was curious - and the 6 speed manual is of no interest to me - though the coming 6 speed DSG likely to appear here first on the R32 engined TT looks very interesting . . .
Cheers,
- Ray
Who is still hoping that an R40 W8 B5.5 will appear before the B6 Passat . . .

bodble2 · March 2003

Does the A4 have any light control system, or even just a simple auto on/off headlights?

markcincinnati · March 2003

. . .but what do you mean "light control system?"

Most Audis have available self-leveling Xenon or Bi-Xenon main headlights, front fog lights and one or two rear fog lights -- which if engaged turn off when hi-beams are engaged.

Running lights, in some countries, are also "available" or mandatory depending on the law of the land.

Audis headlights can only be turned on when the key is on, otherwise only the parking lights come on. In most areas it is illegal to drive with only parking lights on but there is no mechanism that prevents such driver-error, that I know of.

There is, currently, no "auto dimming" of the high beams even though when the headlights are on the three rearview mirrors (available on most Audis)are auto dimming.

What was the question again?

bodble2 · March 2003

I meant to ask does the A4's headlights have some auto mode so they come on automatically at dusk and turn off when the ambient lighting is bright? Or at the very least, turn themselves off after you've switched off the car. Someone else posted that the A4's cousin, the Passat, turns the headlights off when the car is switched off but leaves the dash lights on. That to me would be no good since you could still drain your battery. You see, I have a habit of forgeting to switch off my lights. The warning beeps don't seem to do much for me.

andys120 · March 2003

Like the Passat the A4's HLs turn off when the key is removed but the parking lights stay lit. I don't think they draw much current though. It seems to be a common set up on Euro cars. I think it's cuz they have laws about leaving unlit cars parked on dark roads.

I myself prefer the Saab set up which douses all lights when the key is removed.

mind18 · March 2003

Hi everyone. I just have a few questions if anyone can help me with...

1.) Does anyone know what the difference is between the Audi Prestige Lease and the Premier Purchase. They both seem similiar, but with lower payments on the Premier Purchase, what are the drawbacks (from my reading still seems very like a lease). Also, after considering getting a used 00-01 A4, but because I probably would have a hard time finding the one with options I want at a price I like, let alone one with a warranty, I'm started to consider leasing....the deals seem to have all of sudden gotten better.

2.) So Anyone know how long I can expect these deals to last?

3.) Also just to doublecheck, residuals and money factors are non negotiable, but captialized cost is right?

4.) When will the new A4 2004 models come out? Is there a good time to shop because of this fact, wher epossibly you can negotiate a good deal for a 2003?

Thanks...

cabbatan1 · March 2003

Good question regarding when the 2004's will be available. I too am currently in the market for a new car and the A4 1.8t Avant is on the top of my list.
My only concern is that If I buy too early,I may miss out on possible substantial changes. I can't help but think that the horsepower rating and torque on the 1.8t will get boosted to at least the Jetta level or possibly more for 2004. It's just a feeling I get. The salesmen will not give you any information because they want to sell what they have on the lot so it becomes a bit of a game trying to get accurate info from them.
If anyone has heard anything ,please fill us in..

audibon · March 2003

Hello to all of you Audi owners out there. I have not had much time to read and post lately so when I get a chance I think I'll have about 1000 posts to catch up on. (Whew.) I have a question for markcincinnati. Mark, what are the various cities where our cars are built? I know one is Neckersulm and the winter driving outing is held in Seefeld, Austria correct? I thought the S cars were all made in one place and the other models were made in other cities in Germany. Just curious, I may want to go to Germany one day and I'll definitely put those spots on my to do list.
Lauk0dg (Billy) please e-mail me at home if you can with any happenings within the Chicago area. I lost all of my e-mail addresses when Outlook crashed on my computer. Hopefully, you still have mine if not let me know. I also wanted to share some info with you off the board and compare notes so to speak.
'Rocco if you are around would you please put some miles on your car!?!? :-) Too bad you don't own an S4 because you would be one popular person to buy a used vehicle from...
Hope all of you are doing well and Thanks in advance to those of you answering my questions. Happy motoring.
Brian

markcincinnati · March 2003

Neckersulm and Ingolstadt are the only two final assembly cities that I know of.

Of course components -- even entire engines are built in other plants, some in other countries.

But as far as final assembly, the two cities above are it as far as I know. I have been through Ingolstadt's plant now 6 times. I had wanted, back in 1996, to visit Neckersulm to see the A8's being built -- when I bought my 97 A8, I did get a video showing A8's being built in the plant.

The plant in Ingolstadt is one of the world's largest engine plants, but that part of the factory is not included in the tour much, mainly the final assembly line and the presses and robot welders.

The paint area is kindof shown, but what is most impressive is the number of colors that audis come in, everywhere but in the US.

One note, the workers are permitted one beer per shift.

evans23 · March 2003

I have an opportunity to lease an 2003 A4 3.0 quattro AT5 with premium package and bose sound system. In NY state. MSRP is 37,050. Negotiated price is 33,661. Lease would be 48 months, 409 per month, 10,000 miles per year. 500 down plus 1st payment taxes title etc. Which comes out to about 1800 due at signing. How does this sound/look? Thanks

dinu01 · March 2003

That sounds too little IMO, but again, I drive about 20-22K miles/yr...

Dinu

andys120 · March 2003

I understand Audi TTs are assembled in Gyor, Hungary.

scirocco22 · March 2003

Brian-- Hey! ...good to hear from you! I don't post much either nowadays ...nobody listens to me anyway *laughs* but I do try to read the boards everyday. Yeah, I've actually been driving the A4 to work the past couple of weeks so now I've got around 3,200 miles on it. It will be two years old this month! When I bought it, I was anticipating taking it on a few road trips I had planned but those trips never materialized so in the garage it sits.

I'm still trying to pick up a good deal on an allroad if I can find one that I like but I'm in no real hurry to do so at the moment. But speaking of S4s, I thought I might check out an Avant next year. That way, I can drive the A4 as a daily driver and keep the S4 Avant in the garage and use it on the week-ends for hauling beauty bark and the such *says that hesitantly* ...hmmmmm, I might have to rethink that one. *chuckles*

So, how's your car been running lately? Yours is a '01.5, right? If so, are you worried about coil packs or do we have to worry about ours? I know I got the letter but I haven't heard many '01.5s having failures; not at the alarming rates that the 02s are having, anyway.

Again, good hearing from you.

--'rocco

audibon · March 2003

Mark: Thanks for the info. Now we have some more points of interest to check out once we get over to Europe. Which might be a while due to current world affairs.
'Rocco: It has not been a good year here and it seems to have included our car as well. Short and long of it- former employer went bankrupt, lost job, found new job, 2 car accidents (with A4), wifes purse stolen at mortgage office. Refinancing home has turned into hell. That sums it all up.
Regarding my '01.5 A4 1st accident not my fault, rear ended on tollway to work by inattentive driver. Total-$1500. His insurance pays.
2nd accident my fault hit huge patch of black ice at 40mph on ramp to tollway. (Not a cloverleaf either it is a mild right sweeper but no change in grade at all.) Learn from my lesson everyone, quattro, and all the driveline features did not help me. I do not have ESP but I really don't think it would have mattered. I spun out and around and wound up going backwards into a metal light pole!@#$%^& This was 2 weeks after getting our car back from the 1st bender. 2 days after Xmas actually. The car did its job though and I am alive... That is what impressed me the most. $10k and 2 months later I have the car back. It looks great and drives fine but I don't want to keep it. So, I am looking at S4's, '01 or '02 in Santorin Blue with low miles. I drove an '00 on Saturday in Santorin Blue, 6spd, with 10k miles on it and was impressed! I told the salesman it has to be an '01 or '02 and in that blue with stick! What a rush that car is though. That was what we wanted to begin with but couldn't afford them when they came out. I may have to wait a year and that is fine but that gives me some convincing time on the wife end of it. If I can get her to test drive one I think I can get the hooks into her no problem. It has to be 6spd though! Compromise on this and she can get her TT next that is my thought on the matter. Needless to say I drive the Suzuki to work now and she drives the A4. I want nothing to do with the car. The guilt trips are a killer! Mind you it is her car now, but this was my idea to get this model in the first place. And she loves TT's! So, at least I have a wife who is car nuts and likes to shift for herself and has a lead foot. Life is good.
I cannot imagine an RS6, just sell the thing with speeding tickets preprinted in the glove box!!!
As a side note when they tried to start the car back up at the body shop 2 coils failed so I gave them a copy of the letter from Audi so they wouldn't charge my insurance for the parts. I thought we were going to get another recall letter saying that all coils were to be replaced at no charge and all you had to do was set up an appointment. Haven't received the 2nd letter yet. Sorry about long post but I feel like I know many of you and wish to share my experiences with everyone, hopefully some positive comes from my ramblings. Take care. Drive safe.
Brian

marleybarr · March 2003

I'm getting about 18.5 MPG (In Town) on my '00 A6 2.7T w/tip and about 21.5 MPG (In Town) on my '98 TOY Camry V-6 engine.

The 3 or so MPG dif is an okay trade-off for me considering the QUATTRO advantage-especially here in snowy Minnesota.

On steady freeway driving- it is interesting to note that the Audi doesn't change much-maybe 21 to 22 MPG tops, while the TOY can zoom up to 26-28 MPG!

I wouldn't consider ANYTHING but AWD on any new car purchase after the enjoying the QUATTRO through 3 Minnesota winters! Vastly better than FWD!

marleybarr · March 2003

I have been told that none of the German car makers offer "auto shutoff lights" when the ignition is clicked off.

I haven't driven any late-model German cars (besides Audi) lately- so I don't know if this is true?

gusharls · March 2003

Well,after threating a law suit Audi finally coughed up the updated disks for the 2002 A4 Navigation system. It took about three months which is lousy service in anyone's book.

I was driving my wifes's 2001 A4 home+ from a concert we had just attened. The oil light comes on ! After we get home I check the dip stick. Two liters later it's topped up.
I take the car in for a checkup and they tell me its an gasket leak on the or near the rear cylinders."just a minor leak". "by the way we do not have any in stock"! No gaskets in stock! Can't say I'm very impressed with their stock system. Do I need to be concerned? I think so what about any of you folks out there? Are any of you starting to have second thoughts about the A4's motor?
I keep getting this nagging feeling that the 220 hp v6 just doe not have what it takes when it is married to the AWD!
Sure I took out a cvt 220 hp for a fun run and there was a nocicable differevce in performance.Even the gas milage was better.I have had nothing but AWD A4's and one S4. I thought it gave me an extra edge. I know it helps in wet driving and it makes a huge difference in snow.But I'm begining to think that the A4 although a fairly good car is somewhat overpriced when you compare different car builders. I do not want to get into any debates over who makes what and how much better it is.
But this last weekend I took out a Benz c230 4 cylinder and noted it's superior handling and smooth engine. Especially when I gave the supercharged motor a little more gas pedal.What was immediately noticeable was just how much better the power transfer was compared to the Audi 4 cylinder!
I know the car is entery level and that there are some serious Benz quality problems! But the difference was night and day!
So with the price of gas going ever higher should I keep with the v6 or look closer to a to the Benz 4 ? Tou can forgwt the S4 for 2004! As far as I know the car will come with 344 hp but at the expense of a v8 which in todays world somewhat puzzles me? After all Audi doest in fact I believe have a few v6's that push hp even higher. So why put a v8 in insted of a more efficent 6?
I though I should throw out these questins to the group and see what all of you think? It's pretty obvious that you are a knowledgeable bunch! So what I want is objective answers.

vocus · March 2003

I have an 02 Jetta, and the headlamps turn off when you turn off the key. The rest of the lamps still stay on though, until you turn off the switch manually. My friend's 00 BMW 323i is the same way, too...

vocus · March 2003

3,200 miles in 2 YEARS?? My 02 Jetta just turned 33K this morning on the way to work. The car turned 16 months old on March 3...

markcincinnati · March 2003

I think you may be right about the final assembly of the TT's -- I also think there are engines assembled in that plant in Hungary, too.

Come to think of it, though, the factory at Ingolstadt was crawling with TT's and A3's and A4's of all ilks. Our official tour, however, took us throught the assembly of the A4's however, there were A3's hanging overhead and there were plenty of A2's there too.

I assumed that they were built in Ingolstadt.

bodble2 · March 2003

So you're saying the 3.0 quattro is underpowered? I've been considering the Avant. Seeing how the Avant is heavier than the sedan, the power deficit would be even more pronounced. Something for me to think about since I plan on hauling kids and stuff on ski trips.

affy · March 2003

All car manufactures make mistakes, and I used to drove the C-240 and i had also test driven the C-230. Comparing both C-Class to A4, I was actually quite impressed with the A4 3.0 the power was great, but its noticeably slower than rear wheel drive car because of the weight of the quattro system. I don' t think the C-230 is any match for the 3.0 sad to say......
The car was definitely not overprice my old C240 elegance used to cost me around $48, 500 (only loyal reward, cars can't be discounted!) with a V6 2.6 liter engine and no heated seat, xenon lights or electric seats. I got the A4 3.0 for $48, 000 (3000 off MSRP) and got every essential items that' s options in the Mercedes. I think the Audi was more bang for the bucks!

In addition I am sorry to hear about your discs problem, but so far the services I am getting from Audi was excellent.
Last month I got a little chipped on my car' s exterior, I told the guy in the service department, he quickly took my car for wax and is free of charge now the chipped portion was less noticeable.

Audi A4 2004 and earlier

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