Hello everyone.

Well today is my two week anniversary to my Brilliant Black 1.8TQM A4. Can life get any better? The engine is almost totally broken in now. The shifting and everything has just gotten so silky smooth. Acceleration is great, everything is just spectacular.

There is only one (1) complaint I have about my car which I *HOPE* to rememdy soon. Brake dust. That stuff is really pissing me off. I hate that stuff. Time for some Mintex. Aside from that there I have no a single complaint. Not one. Not the window switches, nothing. I've totally adapted to that car and have no problems with any of it's design at all. It's perfect IMO. I see some people complain about this and that, trivial things - BIG DEAL. I am so in love with this car I could not see myself complaining about ANYTHING. It's just not appropriate. People give me a lot of compliments on the car and I'm just loving it.

I have to say that the looks I get in my car are actually quite surprising. It could be that I look like I'm in my early 20s and people are surprised to see me driving this car. I've had a lot of people look at my car and just think it's awesome. They especially like my european front mounted plates that say "MY-EURO-A4". I got that from my last trip to Spain. It comes complete with the "E" for Spain and the 12 stars of the european union on a little sticker on the right hand side of the plates. The plates get a LOT of looks from people. They all really like it. Not as much as I do though.

Haven't done any off the line races yet (I'm breaking in and only have 150hp - not ready yet) but I have done some empty highway racing with two cars. One was a Grand Prix and the other was a 4 cyliner Accord (complete with your load of riceboy stickers - and that coffee can exhaust) The grand prix was driven by this younger girl, and was automatic, I got the jump on her and she got stuck behind a truck and a car in the right two lanes, and I had the far left lane all open to myself. I was at my exit before she could catch up. The Accord race was short because we ran into traffic, but up to then I had down shifted and jumped on him, but was not pulling away. I need a chip.

I'm ready to make my first step of modifications. First comes my complete Rockford Fosgate system. 2 4" Components, 2 6.5" Components, 1 punch 200 amp, 1 punch 250amp, 1 10" subwoofer, all connected to the Pioneer 8000 In-dash cd player. Runs about $2500 for the system itself, couple hundred more for install.

Performance wise, I'll be ordering the GIAC chip and Neuspeed exhaust. No wheels/tires/suspension until winter blows over. I wouldn't have it installed until then anyways. I'll get that done come spring as well as my PES supercharger system. All in time.

Ok well for any specific questions - feel free to email me. I'm open to anything. I really love the 4 rings. It's just such a great car. Wow.

Ok well better come back to earth and go take the car out for a nice drive!

Ciao,

Marcus Frost
99.5 1.8TQM - 850 miles and loving every single one of them!

Enjoyed your post... my silver 1.8 is a week old with less than a 100 miles on it. Too much rain and those @@#!$ love bugs in the Funshine State. Don't worry about the brake dust. Keep washing those wheels (when they are cool!) and it will taper off in a few more miles. They do what they are doing for some reason but it's supposed to stop.

I enjoy these posts about the experiences of us "newbies." I'm nothing short of impressed with the car and my local dealer (Classic Audi in Orlando) so far. My last experience with an Audi was the 100 LS I talked my dad into buying back in the 70's. He still hasn't forgiven me.

I guess I'll be doing the same in two weeks, I'm getting my silver '99.5 1.8tq tonight. Waiting for my wife to get home so we can go pick it up!!!

This waiting is driving me nuts.

My mother's Mercedes does not have any front plates whatsoever. She has had her MBz since 1998 and has not had any problems. I do believe they are required here in Illinois, but I don't think they enforce it too much.

My car's front gets a lot of looks and I have passed by many police cars from different cities and I know they have seen my plates. I have not been pulled over for it yet, and honestly I don't think I will be either.

Hope this helps...

Marcus Frost
99.5 1.8TQM

Well, I was thinking of putting them underneath the legal ones (stupid idea?)... and I also live in SoCal, so, I don't know if that idea will fly to well with the cops here.... Thanks for the reply.

Front plates are required in Illinois. I have a ticket from City of Chicago to prove it. I run my 911 with out a front plate (looks so much better). Most municipalities don't care, but Chicago does, and so do some others.

My front plate's already mounted, but I'd love to get a Euro one (My province does not require front plates). Problem is, it appears as if it'll look stupid with the Euro's reduced height. Did you get a special mount? Did it cover your NA mount holes (if you had them)? If you put it on your NA mount plate, do you have any pics? Thanks!

Cheers,
Mark