I was thinking today that it would be nice to be able to search the current forums, so that we could go right to the thread we are interested in. This would help when replying to a thread and then checking back a day or two later to see if there have been any other responses. Sometimes I have a hard time finding the threads I've responded to, as they move back several pages. Does this make sense, and is there any way it could be done? What would be really cool is if we could be notified by E-Mail somehow if responses are made, but that may be way too complicated. :-)

Charles

I found posts of mine in the very first archive in September of '97, though I was here first in the winter of 96. Wow, this site has sure changed since then!

Rick

PS Been hanging out on the bimmer sites..........

...I have been hanging out here since about the same time as you, I think. It started when your brother had his site, but I can't remember the name! It was the original one before AudiCar that was planned to have Porsche and others, if I remember correctly. Hard to believe how long it's been, huh? So, did you get the 540i yet, or are you still drooling over it? I'm gearing up to order a TT Roadster, if you didn't already know that. I just wish I could get more info. Winning the lottery would be helpful also! :-) Keep posting!

Charles

Charles,

Either car is a blast. You'll love it after the 90! (grins)

As for me, I've decided the 540 is too big and expensive for me. I've fallen in love with the 328Ci (coupe). I'll wait till my A4 lease expires next July and get the engine upgrade (330). I also have my eye on the new 340 hp M3 coming out about then. ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Rick

Charles,

Yeah, I think it was supposed to be for Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes. I can't remember the name of it either, though.

It looks like Jason has taken over VW Vortex. A4.org is growing like a cancer! (grins)

Rick

I'm going to go ahead and put down the deposit. Then, when pricing and options availability information becomes available to my dealer (Barrier Motors in Bellevue, WA), I will sit down and figure things out. I would like to get the 225 Quattro, but I also want the baseball glove leather and all the other good stuff! One of the things I'm really hoping is that the US will get the option of a manual or power top. I would gladly give up the power top, in favor of the manual one, especially if there is significant savings. It will be a loooong wait, but I think it will be worth it. Here's the ideal car:

225 Q Roadster
6 speed
Aviator Grey
manual top
Baseball glove leather
17" wheels
Xenons
driver display
Probably just standard stereo

If I could, I'd order it without a stereo at all. I would much prefer to go custom.

If price is too high (over $40K, or so):

180 Q Roadster
5 speed
cloth/leather

All other options the same.

I didn't realize just how slow the 90Q is until after driving the TT coupe! Infact, the TT was so smooth that it didn't even seem all that fast. But then, I got in the 90Q and it felt like a turtle. However, the 90Q has much more legroom, better clutch action, and much better modulated and progressive brakes. The TT clutch is way too soft, and the brakes are way too sensitive. I'm sure I could get used to it though! :-) The TT is an absolute hoot to drive and it's amazing how well it rides.

I don't usually like coupes, but BMW seems to have a knack for them. The new 3 series coupe is gorgeous! I wouldn't hesitate for a minute on that one! Infact, I'm thinking of a used M3 Sedan or coupe if the TT comes in too expensive. I love the Estoril Blue M3 sedan. YUMMY! The S4 or S6 is also high on the possibility list! Remember the M6? That was probably my favorite BMW from the past. There is no question my next car will either be another Audi or a BMW. There just aren't any better cars out there in the same price range.

By the time my TT would get here (next fall or winter, I hear), the 90Q will probably have 130K miles on it. I've already passed my goal of actually owning a car long enough to exceed 100K (two didn't make it past 30K, one past 60K, and one to 88K), so I feel like a new car is justified. The trick now will be to avoid spending too much on the old lady so that I can have some funds for the TT.

Well, let me know if you have any more questions. That M3 Coupe would fit you nicely. Don't stay away so long next time. I'm one who can easily appreciate a BMW just as much as an Audi, so tell me all about it! :-) Just don't go buying a Mercedes on us! You aren't old enough for one of them!

Charles

Charles,

Too bad Audi doesn't make an A4 coupe as I'd definitely consider it! The TT coupe feels a bit too small for me.

What I like about the 3er coupe is that it has most of the options of the five series that I like so much - for 10 to 20K less. It has that head protection system (and you KNOW that's important to me) - so altogether *six* airbags in front), Steptronic (just like Audi's Tip), dynamic stability control (won't let you over or understeer), and a bunch of other options.

The E46 coupe is wider and longer than the old E36 coupe and is sooooooo sleek.

With the 3.0 engine making 220+ hp it'll be pretty damn quick (0-60 already happens in 6.4 seconds in the 193 hp 328).

The 340+ hp E46 M3 is debutting along with the 380 hp RS4 in the Frankfurt auto show in September. Those are some awesome cars! The one thing I worry about in getting the new M3 is that it will be too firm for my tastes (18" wheels, etc.) Too bad the RS4 won't make it to the states as it would definitely be a contender!

I bet that 225 Q TT Roadster would fit you like a glove! The S4 would be cool too, especially with that two-tone leather! My guess is that you could get either for under 40K.

The E36 M3s are 240 hp and the 0-60 speed is very close to the S4 (some say it's faster than the S4, some say slower).

The A6/S6 while a pretty car, feels a bit too big for me. Besides, according to Autoweek, the new S6 won't make it here.

Rick

...it will create quite a stir in the midsize luxery market, I think. Will write more later! :-)

We will be adding better search functionality hopefully sooner than later. It is in the works... please be patient. You are right, it is needed.

Jason

Don't get me wrong, the new forum is great(!!), but I have not been able to figure out how to search for articles posted later than July 26, 1999 (when the new backend was implemented).
Do I need to do something different to access these articles? Not being able to find them is proving to be a significant handicap!

Thanks, and keep up the good work!! :)

Hopeful,
Paul
'98.5 A4 1.8TQTSS

What do you mean by "Jason has taken over VW Vortex"? Which Jason?

KLHI
99.0 2.8QM

I think Rick is thinking that the folks at VW Vortex have decided to lessen the forums on their site...which is not the case...they just needed to do an upgrade since the UBB software is such a hog on the server. Jamie at VW Vortex is alive and well...busy preparing a VW Vortex Magazine. Steve Pitts, Rick's younger brother, started Wetterauer North America, and then exited stage left. He has returned to his full time job of being a pilot for UPS. At one time he had an Audi website (name escapes me right now)...which fizzled out and died.

Steve S.
97 2.8QM