<br>I'm just curious how many satisfied owners are out there with a 1.8t and have not chipped, or is there a real need to chip the car?

x

I have a 1.8T with a manual tranny. I know the car isn't a burner, but it's not slow either. For some reason, the car feels a lot faster than it really is. I may step up to a chip eventually, but no where in the near future. For now, this car already has enough power to get me in trouble.<p>Mike

Even with 150 HP the car is quick and lots of fun to drive. I haven't had any real reason to wish for more power. I still may chip at some point, but not because I feel the current setup is lacking.

It's about as fast as my old Jetta GLI 16V 2.0, which was fast enough for me. Plus, my daughter is going to start driving in about 6 months...<p>Steve<p>But... I wouldn't throw a chip back, either!

With the proper gearing, there's nothing wrong with 150 horses. I'll admit that when I first heard that Audi was going to put a 1.8 liter turbo 4 into a car that was already "underpowered" (according to most car mags), I was dubious about the effect. After driving it though, I felt that the power, and especially the torque, were real-world numbers that were very well matched to the car. The 1.8 is no dragster, but it's quick. And any torque curve that's flat from 1700 rpm is okay with me. At the time I bought, I decided there was no way I would pay the premium for a 12 valve V6 with 20 more horses. Now that I've driven the 30 valve, the choice is more difficult but I think I'd still choose the four, especially living at altitude.<p>The chip is a good option and makes owning the 1.8 even more interesting. I may chip in the future but, for now, I'm more than satisfied.<p>Andy

I have a 1.8T triptonic, and had the same doubt before buying. I'm very satisfied... You will run out of street before you know it. This thing trows the 5th gear at 140km/hr, and there's the triptonic option if you want to get more racy.

The tuning potential of the Turbo was the deciding factor. I was offered the A4 6, and it was a better deal as far as discount, but at the time the 6 was 173 HP. I was told the 190 was on the way but still felt these cars did not have the power I like. Given the price and the cost of performance upgrades, I felt the 1.8T was a tuners dream. I looked at the M3 and really liked it, but the price compared to other factors like at the time only a 2 door was available, the lack of all wheel drive, I felt a tuned A4 1.8TQM was a better bet.

<br>nt

I myself am thinking of chipping my '99 1.8TQMS even before I bought it. But I was suprised how fast it is even without the chip. I know the supposed 0-60 time is about 8.1 seconds with a manual, but it feels faster. Plus 0-60 in about 8 seconds is still pretty peppy. Sure we are not talking M3, but is still is decently fast. I think I still will chip the car, because I have always had a soft spot for obtaining more performance. But in the end I had my doubts about chipping, and the hassle, because the car feels very sporty just from the factory.<br>

My 1.8T QMS is 700 miles old, so I really haven't had the chance to run it very hard. From all that I've read about and felt in the car, I believe I will be happy with its performance, although I do wish it had more torque and a better sounding engine/exhaust. I hate to say it, but my '93 Probe GT had one of the best sounding exhaust systems I've heard, even though the car is a complete piece of crap!<br>All said, I love my A4!