I've been a avid A4 fan since they were released, and have been reading this site regularly for 2 years now (at least since the time when A4.org had that mustard color) My dad has an A4 Quattro (99) and i managed to get 2 of my friends into A4's :) Always been considering what car to get, my choices:

Saab 9-3 Turbo
Lincoln LS-6
Contour SVT
Audi A4

Well, im finally getting one :) I was wondering if people have experience here in Chicago, my dad's A6Q came from Laurel Motors, and they seemed to be decent folks, i hear that Loeber is bad, but my folks got a great deal on an S Class Mercedes from them long ago. I know that, from this site, the wait on a 2000 1.8TQMS will be painful, but i doubt that many 99.5 1.8TQMS's could be on lots this time of year.

Finally, how should i broach the chip subject? My friend put a deposit on an Audi from Scottsdale Audi and they chipped from the dealership. Should i flat ask them how are they going to treat a chipped 1.8? I know that warranty claims will have to be traced to the chip to prove its culpability, but i would really like the dealership to support the chipping (generally hoping for a Audi enthusiasts dealer)

I really cant believe that i am getting one, i thought i would have to wait a year before looking. Hopefully i can be complaining alongside you all about the shipment wait in a week or so!

most of us have A4s, or are wannabees. As far as asking just do it, if they say no than just nod your head sagely and do it anyway.

my dad's buying a new car - so he gets me to make him a short list. I go out and drive all kinds of cars, bearing in mind the characteristics that he looks for.

The ride on the LS is very stiff for a Lincoln. I have a 99.5 1.8TQMS and it's not nearly that stiff, but I was still surprised (it IS still a Lincoln after all). It had satisfactory pickup, but a number of times I confused the tranny. Full throttle shifts could also be rough. The interior isn't too bad for an American car, but the plastic on the console still looks cheap. The exterior (IMHO) is gorgeous (the grill might be a little overdone but once again, it IS a Lincoln). One last thing (and the thing that immediately disqualified it for my father): the trunk is only about 1.5 feet high, and oddly shaped at the top on the sides, barring effective use of space. (I think the rear speakers are in some sort of enclosure that consumes a lot of space.

Anyways, that's what I thought. Then again, I'm biased, cause I'd like my dad to get the new A6 with the V8. ;-)

Cheers,
Mark

and I'm very satisfied. Ask for Art Rodriguez - he's a good guy. However, I don't have my saervice performed there as my car's in Canada most of the time.

As far as Laurel goes for chipping, I asked Art about it and he seemed OK with the idea, as long as the level of tuning isn't too excessive. However, an exhaust qualified as excessive. I did not ask the service manager (which would be the more intelligent thing to do).

As fo rlooking for an enthusiast dealer - Laurel's owner drives an M coupe. ;-)
Anyway,
Good luck,
Mark

Loads of power...handles exceptionally well...got into a four wheel drift coming out of a loooooong right hand sweeper at about 85-90mph...drifted completely predictably (the one I drove did not have the active handling package...just traction control).

I tell you what...that is a car that I would drive vs. a 528i. The 540 beats it for power, but for the money, the LS-V8 is a bargain. The power is better than the 528, and the handling/ride are on par with the 528i that I test drove.

The BIIIIIG downside: it's a Lincoln. I've already seen a couple of blue-haired women driving around Houston...amazing that Lincoln can do all the marketing/hype to different demographics and little old ladies still buy whatever they sell. Kinda sux.

steve

Gouge City, Sameer. I checked out the first couple of TTs they had on their floor. They wanted nearly $10,000 over MSRP! Not the best way to build a loyal client base, I think. I don't know what their tactics are when dealing in A4s, etc.

.

I bought a 99.5 1.8tqms from Continental Audi in June. Pleasant group of guys with the exception of their sales manager. He was not honest with me regarding my car's delivery, try to avoid him.

The general manager, Andy Tangen, was great to work with.

I just had my car in for it's first scheduled service, and their service guys were friendly and knowledgable. You might want to stop by there, when I was there they seemed to have a bunch of cars on the lot.

Laurel was not real willing to negotiate when I talked to them. Also, when I called them to see if they could do the service on my car (I live closer to them than Continental), they told me I would have to wait 3 weeks. They also wanted to charge me $20.00 to reprogram the computer control for one touch open and window control from the remote. Continental did it for free.

Good Luck!

because I ordered my car through Carsdirect during their invoive deal. So they sent Laurel a check for the difference between dealer invoice and what they wanted ($2100 over invoice).
Good Luck,
Mark

I posted earlier about Loeber... they are highly overpriced. Do not buy from them; you will regret having paid substantially over invoice. It's worth a trip elsewhere (not sure about other Audi dealerships in area) to buy a great A4.

The sales manager at Loeber is one of those brutal guys who has contempt for the customer that his salespeople are ripping off. I really disliked him and wish I hadn't bought there.