Several questions about the difference between the sedan and avant ...<p>Is there any handling different ?<br>Do you feel the extra weight when driving ?<br>Do any of you take your Avant for AutoX ?<p>Do you get any rude remarks because you are driving a wagon ? (It is a joke :) )<p>Clarence

cant feel the extra wait (100 lbs)<br>slight improvement in handling(extra weight in rear...better balance)<br>Avant is still very exclusive....if I wan't to drive a sheep-mobile, I'd by a BMW or<br>a Japanese product..<br>mark 98 Avant QMS

1) No. Actually, I haven't compared the two myself, though I've read where the extra weight over the rear axel improves handling.<br>2) No. As an aside, I did notice the lighter feel of a 1.8T Avant qMS I test drove recently.<br>3) No, although I might someday.<br>4) This is America, land of the SUV. Of COURSE I hear idiotic remarks about station wagons. If they're my friends, I let 'em test drive it. That usually shuts them up.<p>J.Russ<br>98.5 pelican blue Avant qMS

nt<br>

The smooth acceleration and torque pull in the 2.8 is really nice, both in the tip and the manual. Overall, it's a great car when stock. The 1.8T engine has to be pushed a lot harder to achieve the same performance levels of the 2.8 as well. That has to be a big contributing factor to the 2.8 outlasting a modified 1.8T.

If you are really concerned about 0-60 times, hp and torque, get a Mustang or Camaro. Not some "chipped" 1.8T with a stressed turbo that'll have a shortened life. Like someone said on this board earlier: "There's no substitute for displacement."

The V6 is as much an intruder to the Audi world as the 4cyl, probably even more because Audi always had 4cyl models even as their signature engine was the 5cyl.

adc
Not bashing, just observations

I was trying to state that the 1.8T was created by VW engineers and the 2.8 was actually created by Audi engineers. Sure VW owns Audi and they obviously trade parts, engines, designes, etc. But the 2.8 = Audi designed, 1.8T = VW designed. Plain and simple. Maybe this isn't a bad thing now that I think about it. The VR6 is a great engine at it was a VW project, perhaps even better than the 1.8T. But from what I read on this board the past couple months, I should stick with the 2.8.

Not bashing either, it's just an observation.

so there are family ties. Chekc out the October "Autombile" magazine for a review of the Bugatti EB218, a sedan with a 6.3-liter, 555-hp W-18 engine and first-class accomodations that include a humidor!!) The W-18 is based on a big-bore Golf engine and is three banks of six sharing a common crankshaft! WOW! The goal is to "irritate the competition"---as in MBenz, BMW, Rolls

Audi makes all 1.8T engines. They did the 5 valve heads.

Audi is the one who wants the entire turbo assembly. If it was after warranty (and I would definitely demand a post-warranty replacement regardless) you can just get the rod itself fixed by the aftermarket.

realise that the speed at which we drive has no relation to the size of our penis'

Don't get me wrong I like to drive fast, it's a blast but if it comes down to damaging a $27,000 machine be content with 150 horses and getting passed by Bimmers and Mustangs. This of coiurse is just IMHO I know most of you swear by your chips but until daddy wants to buy me an S4.....

You are right, Porsche(two syllables) is independant but the two men are still related. In my opinion it was a bold move releasing the TT as a possible competitor to the Boxster. You can pick your friends but you cannot pick your relatives.

.

Actually, the corporate watercooled engine is originally an Audi design, albeit not exactly. VW took the basic design of the Audi/NSU K70 and turned it into the B1 Passat/Dasher model. The basic block is VAG's answer to the Chevy small block, appearing in some way or another since the early 70's. At any rate, I'll take a VW designed engine any day. VW has as much access to technology as Audi or the rest of the family. They just have different priorities (rather "had", since the platforms/components are coming together more than ever now)