The A/C sucks too much power during really hot weather. I was hoping that chipping the car would help, and it did to some extent (I have a Wetterauer 1.0 bar chip). However, right off idle it still seems to bog down. Things get a bit better after 2,500 RPM or so but I'm still not looking forward to the warm summer months ahead. I may be nit-picking here, and this problem probably occurs in most 4-cylinder cars, but I figured I'd throw out my $0.02...<p>Andy Hedin<br>'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Wett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, Euro Headlights...<br>

Overall it's a great car and after 5 months and 8,000 miles I still love it. Now, you asked for gripes so here goes.<p>Needs leather seats as an option. Contrary to some I don't find the comfort seats bad (I've spent 16 straight hours in them before). That said, I wish I had been able to get the sport seats. The comfort don't have lumbar support and if your lower back gives you any trouble that may be an issue.<p>Clutch has a long throw and a high take up point, it's not bad once you get used to it.<p>Power window buttons are poorly placed.<p>Rear seat a bit cramped.<p>Needs more power (there aren't many cars I wouldn't say that about). Though, the AC issue is not as bad as people are making it sound...just adjust your launch speed when it's on (around 2500 RPM seems to work ok for me).<p>Good luck, and enjoy.<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<p>'99 A4 1.8tqms

Agree with the following previously made points:<p>- power window buttons hard to get at<br>- clock is difficult to read (don't like taking<br> my eyes off the road for the time it takes to <br> find it)<p>I agree that the back seat room is a bit small.<br>However, it is part of the compromise that was<br>made to the overall design. A worthwhile sacri-<br>fice IMO. If I needed it that much I would have<br>gotten a Passat.<p>Additional nits:<p>- the coin tray, if you can call it that, is<br> inconvenient to use<br>- the armrest gets in the way when shifting (I<br> fold it back always)<br>- no place to put the gas cap when fueling<br>- the Audi OEM phone isn't portable<p>All that being said, overall the car is great.<p>Consider getting a custom fitted reflective<br>windshield screen (Beverly Hills Auto). That and<br>popping the sunroof go a long way to keeping the<br>interior from getting too hot.<p>Regards,<p>John<br>99.5 1.8tqms

-

The only time the gas cap comes close to actual gas is when you put it back on. If some gas spilled on the tank threads, then it might get on the gas cap. But that's when you are putting it back on. If you spilled gas then and there, chances are you spilled it on your paint anyway.<p>When you go to remove the gas cap, there is no gas in the vicinity of the cap. Regardless, the part of the cap that is notched to hang on the door is even further removed from the gas tank spout.<p>As paint worries go, this is not a biggie. Bird droppings and bugs smashed at high speed are bigger concerns.<br>

Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play? You sound like a prime candidate for a BMW.

You can make the armrest go down a little lower by pressing the button on the front of the armrest. With the armrest all the way down there is no interference with the shifter at all for me. Maybe all this depends on your seat position and how tall you are.

!

(nt)<br>