hi all... i had a could of questions that i hope you guys might be able to help me out with.<p>1) just wondering who might a good SF Bay Area dealer to work with and would be "blind" to any mods that i might do.<p>i went to Sonnen in Marin and did a test drive w/ my wife... and the route they had us do was very unexciting and had lots of traffic. consequently, i could not really get a good feeling on the differences between the 99.5 1.8TQM and 99.5 2.8QM. they did NOT have any QMS on the lot either which i REALLY wanted to drive.<p>so, if anyone has any thoughts on dealers that have some fun test drive loops, please let me know.<p>2) also, my wife and i would be using this car to up to Tahoe. the dealer told us we did NOT want the sport package since the tires/wheels are more summer oriented. i told him i would most likely get a second wheelset just for snow etc., but he seemed to dismiss this idea because the Sport package lowers the car and would cause problems with heavy snow. is this true? i personally like stiffer suspensions etc., which i am assuming the Sport package would offer.<p>3) the old question of 1.8T vs. 2.8... 60% of my driving is a 35 mile commute (one way) via I-80, 101 from Berkeley -> San Mateo. This can range from 75+mph, to stop and go for miles. verdict: either car can do this.<p>the other 40% of my driving is up to Tahoe (summer/winter) where I really like to have the extra umph that I think the 2.8 could offer. My question is... can 1.8T deliver the goods with a fully loaded car (4 passengers, skis, toys, etc) or will it start wheezing when I-80 gets steeper? Any thoughts from you mountain drivers?<p>thanks,<br>chili<br>

... for mods is Andersen-Behel. They will even see modifications which you haven't done yet and will treat you accordingly.<p>GET the sport suspension. What the dealer says is bull - as long as you get a set of dedicated snow tires. The lowered ride doesn't impair your snow ability at all - at least here in the US they close the highway much much before you will even get a chance to work as a snow plow...<p>2.8 is more of a cruiser, 1.8T is more efficient and sporty, esp. if you want to do mods. I for one went with the 2.8 - love the smooth engine, quieter ride, leather, and the occasional times at the track I get my butt kicked by 1.8T's - so what.<p>- Stan<br>98.5 30vQMS<br>"Modified car beyond manufacturer's specs"<br>(installed new tires on stock rims)

Hi, I work in San Mateo also.<br>There is an excellent dealer there- Rector Motors in Burlingame.<br>Dave Liebenson works w/ buyers via the 'net also... DOH can't find his email just this second.<br>They have a website- rectormotors.com or something like that.<br>For test drives, you'll take 101 or whip down 92 to 280-- some faster roads that way.<br>They aren't completely blind to mod's but I have one little chip in there and it's not a factor so far...<br>I also work in the Bay and commute to Tahoe in the winter- I got a 2.8 v6 (bigger engine, longer life, more oomph in the moutains??? those were my thoughts) WITH sport package- the stiffer suspension is nice (I've seen the track once in my car and will definitely repeat THAT) and the lowering isn't so bad that you'll be pushing snow.... I know the tires are NOT M&S rated that come w/ sport package, but you could consider another set ($$) or finding an A4.org.er that needs to sell their stock M&S tires & rims to afford "their" new racing tires (anyone anyone).<br>I've had my 99.5 QMS to Tahoe twice, once in a weeee bit of snow (3" fresh on the road) and the Quattro makes all the difference. <br>I could easily tell the diff in the test drive between 1.8T and 2.8, so I got 2.8. Now I meet A4.org.ers all with 1.8T's who've chipped Stage 1 or Stage 2, and have as much horsepower as I do. If I had to do it all again, I'd get the identical car but with a 1.8T and then do the chipping.... 99.5, Bose, Sport, Winter, Trip, (add sport seats), Manual, 1.8T rather than 2.8, QUATTRO, Chip....<br>Where in San Mateo are ya?<br>Email me, there are a couple of us up here, we could meet for lunch & let you experience chip/non chip cars....<br>Good luck!<br>Christine Scholl<br>cscholl@bayviewcapital.com<br>

Another local to SM? That's great!<p>I'm going to have to agree with Christine on the dealer. Dave is pretty cool. I've talked to him but decided to go with Anderson-Behel because they were closer to home. If I had to do it again I'd go with Rector. Comparing our experiences, Christine had a better experience, and she didn't get charged that damn PDI fee (I'm still a little bitter about that).<p>Ditto on the Tahoe thing. My baby hasn't seen snow yet, but that means I still have time to get some M+S tires for it, which is my recommended way to go. Definitely get the sport pkg., you'll be glad you did.<p>But Christine's comment on going with a 1.8T the second time around is good news to me. I have the 1.8T and love it, but sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the 2.8. I'm still debating which chip to go with, though I think once I do chip my baby the wondering will go away.<p>Hope this helped.<p>Ed<br>99.5 1.8TQMS<p>

:)