I was in Detroit this past weekend (the weather contributed to the fun, or lack thereof, of driving from Chicago), and drove a 2.8QM and got to see the handling in a 2.8 tuned QM (Cathleen's car). The manual transmission in the A4 suits me better, and my driving style better, than the AMS5hp19T... though the AMS5hp19T is the best sequential-shift setup for the enthusiast that I've driven.<p>stevebrown said it was impractical, Steve S. said it was a lot of work, Rich Quinlan hypothesized the car might be as different between manual and automatic as quattro versus FWD. Maybe they're all right, they usually are. But I found a shop willing to try to convert my car to a manual (with the S4 six-speed if we can find it, otherwise with another trans.).<p>This shop works with Audi's routinely (A4, 90c, 4000Q, 5000, etc.) and will crate the AMS5hp19T including the torque converter, hoses, linkage, magnetic input electronics, etc. ready for install in another car. The transmission was installed at 20,000mi or so, and right now my car has 25,000mi (5,000mi of elapsed time, six months, with no overrevs and no known overspins and no damage to the transmission).<p>Rebuilt transmissions based on the ZF5hp19 are going for $3500.00, that's out of a car that was damaged and in a junkyard or the transmission got fried and someone took the time to rebuild it. I think $3000.00 would be a competitive price for a low-mileage AMS5hp19T transmission with new components 5,000 miles ago that's had a relatively pampered life over the last 5,000 miles and never been harmed or rebuilt.<p>Opinions?<p>I wouldn't sell it, but people need transmissions and it isn't helping anyone sitting in my attic in a crate. Plus, I'd really like to run a nice pedalbox with my new transmission, and to recover some of the money I've put into my transmission... even if I only recover a fraction of the total time and money.<p>Cameron

I am down to the very last details of ordering an A4 in the next month or so.(I still have to sell my Jeep Wrangler '97.) I know what options I want so far..except for the Manual or Tiptronic dillema. I love stick, but the Tip would be a nice change for me. However, I heard the Tip Tranny costs around $10000 to replace...I have a feeling I will be keeping this car beyond its warranty period. With a price like that , I could put a down payment on another car in the future. <br>I know I'm going to get flamed for wanting a 1.8TQS with Tip. <br>Later

Christian,<p>No flame here :-) I owned a tiptronic 1.8TQS for six months, before trading it for its manual trans counterpart. If you love stick, you'll probably end up disappointed with the tiptronic after the "novelty" has worn off.<p>The tip is rather slow shifting (even in "manual" mode) and carries a pretty substantial performance penalty with the 1.8TQ. Even with a Wett chip, my tiptronic car was slower 0-60 that the stock manual.<p>Feel free to email me if you want further pursuasion against the 1.8TQ tip.<p>Tom P.<p><br>

<br>(nt)

<br>You're 17, or thereabouts, right? So do I assume correctly that you're not self-supporting?<p>I take it, then, that your parents are willing to not only plunk down $30K for a car for you, but to also finance all of the various modifications and re-modifications you can think of?<p>OK, so maybe I'm just jealous that my parents didn't give me those kinds of resources, or that somebody doesn't give them to me now.<p>But, I'd really like to know if your parents ever place any limits on your spending.

Get a Passat GLS with Tip you are covered for 10 years/100K

Just because he does this, doesn't mean that it is the only thing that he does. I suspect that his priorities are just fine, but that he's also able to do this. If you can't stand that thought, your loss.<p>Todd W<br>(yes, I'm a little jealous too, but I'm not insecure about my station in life :)

I've had limits placed on me, but -- to be frank -- I believe all the things I've done have successfully furthered my education. Educational goals are, to most good parents, important and worth some given expenditure (a quantified maximum, which you suggest exists, in essence limits this will from the parents). People cannot be force-fed the majority of useful knowledge. Through travel, projects, meeting people, having conversations... these are the ways most people absorb the majority of useful knowledge they apply during the course of the day. I submit a budget each month and meet its terms. While automotive expenses (with insurance costs as a subset of these expenses) are a part of my monthly and annual budgets to be resolved, these expenses do not dominate my budgetary allowance. I admit, as most truthful enthusiasts will, that I have spent more than my share of time considering modifications and lusting after a variety of cars. I approach the budget for my cellular phone charges, my varied computer costs and access charges, my literary expenditures and periodical (used as a class of literature, as opposed to a measure of frequency) purchases, and other accounts similarly. In terms of modification, however, I limit myself to three things:<p>1) Audi A4 Turbo Quattro<br>2) Cannondale Super V Raven<br>3) Digital Equipment HiNote Ultra<p>Translations:<br>1) Car<br>2) Bike<br>3) Computer<p>I don't ask my parents to spend so much as others my age... my car will likely be modified to suit me before I reach the price of other cars (SL500R, C4, etc.), and I do what I can to exercise the learning potential from the charges I do incur.<p>The most entertaining part of this for me, however, is this: the same person who is horribly offended the Audi salesman doesn't take him seriously when he is 22 is the same person who is horribly offended that a 16-year-old might own a heavily modified A4. I'm not going to bitch and moan about how unfair that is, or that I'm being discriminated against -- claiming one is discriminated against is far too trendy. Instead, I'll just throw in my hat in this discussion, hoping it will return to modifications and enthusiasm, the focus of this conversation.<p>Cameron

It's stupid to pick on someone with more AMMUNITION than you (Iraq vs. US). It's not his fault; let's just hope he handles it well!

Cameron,<p>I think its really cool that you are changing transmissions. Ive talked to some mechanics about it, and I know for a fact (people I trust have told me) that the S2 6-speed gearbox will "fit" the A4.<br>If it was possible, I think you should get the new 1999 S4 (BT) 6-speed box, as second alternative the RS2 gearbox, and last the S2 which WILL fit. Dont get a "non-Audi" gearbox though, that would clash... If you cant get some kinda sequential setup a la STW or BTCC!! ;) <br>When Im saying it will fit, Im referring to a manual A4 though.<p>I have NO estimate on prices on this. I think you should try to import from Europe, or Germany, possibly used, I dont know how "bad" it would be to get a used tranny though. <br>I think most people use the S2 gearbox because its relatively cheap, as its a spare part for a car that has been around for a while.<p>Another thought, if you can afford it, and want it, it might be a good time to upgrade the clutch, as labour will be pretty steep no matter what. If you deassemble the clutch and gearbox, you might want to look into installing a new clutch. Ive heard that the ABT Race clutch is supposed to be great for the A4. It can take up to 700Nm!! One guy did the install in Germany (at ABT) for ~$1250. (labour+parts).<p>Dont mind the people who are calling you things, thats really idiotic. Have had the same thing happen to me. They are probably jealous they cant do the same, or have nothin better to do than to flame people. I myself would eventually like to add a 6th gear, but cant afford it now. However, I would be extremely interested in your results in installing a 6-spd box. Please mail me with your updates and/or questions.<p>Joe M<br>98 A4 Avant T<br>http://avant.extreme.com/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=619

nt)

Hi,<br>I'm back. Life of course has been a mess but I'm doing alright. Day by day.<br>It's been snowing like mad. I'm enjoying the quattro + snow tires and playing in the snow. If only all those other slow cars would get out of the way...<br>Oh yeah, saw a poor M3 on the road this morning. He was going about 30 mph and I cruised by him in the messy, snowy lane at 65. Life is good in quattro :)<br>-Cathleen<br>

Lest ye be judged.<br>I grew up in a 'rich' town. I am not rich but have many friends who are. Just because you have a lot, doesn't mean you are automatically a spoiled person.<br>I know people who are complete snobs that are not even rich, although they pretend they are.<br>Cameron on the other hand is a very nice person with a good set of goals for his education. I was far less ambitious at his age. I believe he understands what he wants to do with his life and that he must train himself to be marketable in the world once he is on his own.<br>Having spent some time getting to know him, I'm sure he will do well.<br>It's easy to look at others and make judgements when you don't know them personally.<br>Don't fall in to that trap. I'm sure you are not perfect (as I am not either) and I have yet to meet someone who is.<br>Respectfully, -Cathleen