I also like Andy opted for the BOSE for the same reasons. I believe you are one of the most respected A4 enthusiasts here and I really love how well you put together the "guide" to buying a used A4 all the way to the BOSE. Not because I love it sooooo much, but more because it doesn't make sense...

Here was MHO (like Andy said)
Dimitri

===
99.5 1.8TQMS /APR

that discredit you. Pardon me, but your thinking process is not normal. Please think before you write.

Bob

Lets not jump on Cameron for his prejudices (and he does state that they are his prejudices). That's his point of view and he is entitled to it. You may wish to disagree(as I do), but let's not comment whether his thinking process is normal or not - I don't think we have a right to do so!!

Rajesh

nt

the info provided in the post is simply what I would do in this gentleman's situation. For all I know, he may be a fan of how the Bose sounds, or have a friend with a Bose A4 that he's been lusting after. If so, I supposed that he would disregard my comment since I'm "just some guy on the Internet who said..." (aren't we all, Andy?). Otherwise, I thought I'd throw in my two cents. I wouldn't buy a car with a beanie baby hanging from the rear view mirror either, but different things influence our purchases... and tell us about the previous owner (which is the point I was trying to make, an ill-fated attempt apparently).

Figured you'd jump in on this one, btw. :-)

Cameron

...the statement I have a problem with is saying that a true enthusiast wouldn't order the BOSE option. That statement seems silly to me.

Whether or not the car has Bose, who buys Bose, and the rest of that is sitting somewhere in Auburn Hills in AoA's "Big Brother File" of buyer research. Great.

I'm surprised no one objected to the portion of my post that, upon reading it a second time, I find objectionable, as I neglected to talk about the safety considerations that go with changing model years and -- if we are hoping to discuss the average buyer -- these are a major factor. All A4's that came to the U.S. have passenger and driver airbags. Only more recent A4's than the model I discussed have side airbags. After thinking about this for awhile, I think the most important part of my post to change is the recommendation as related to swaybar links and supplementary restraint seating.

Firstly, the buyer should understand -- and might not from my original post -- that the fact that metal swaybar links appear on the earlier A4's does not mean the best way to upgrade the A4 is with swaybars, nor that damage cannot be caused to the early cars.

Second, the buyer should understand that, in an effort to keep occupants safe in certain types of collisions, Audi later offered side-impact airbags. I'm a supporter of side airbags, headbags, and so forth for most passenger cars, so I must comment that I would favor a car with these features for standard street use defined as the type of use 99% of A4's encounter. Also, looking at this board which, as is often pointed out, is not a random sampling of the A4 owners population, still only a handful of people have swapped seats so this point ("The 1997 A4 1.8T Quattro has no side airbags,") is of less value because of the low occurence of interior modifications.

Lastly, my goal when posting is not to build a happy little land where every A4 has a perfect record, never leaks a drop of oil, and has an owner that takes it to the track every weekend. The fact is, I would love for our 1999 A4 to not have gone through three wastegate rods. I would love for the stereo to not go on the fritz in our 1996 in cold weather. I think it's silly that the trip computer in our 1999 occasionally scrolls without input from the right stalk. These cars aren't perfect, and most A4 drivers I see on the street are inexplicably oblivious to the world that surrounds them. So lackluster is the number of enthusiasts that I've gotten to the point where I think, "Hey! He has clear corner markers! He's probably paying attention unlike the other six dozen dolts at this stoplight!" It's all who you trust, why you trust them. I'd buy a car with clear corner markers over one without, not because I value the turn signals but because the person probably cared for his car, washed it one more time than the other guy, parked it one more spot from the grocery store than the other guy, and that would matter to me. Don't listen to my prejudices, you aren't going to be owning my car for the next however-many years. Build your own prejudices, then talk to a few owners, and keep one question on your mind:

"Would you buy a car from this man?"

Cameron

nt

He's got passion - otherwise he would be just another rich spoiled brat :).

This comment was not intended as demeaning for rich spoiled brats :).

adc

I just bought my '98 1.8TQ last week from my former mechanic (when I lived in upstate NY and drove a Saab). I felt 110% comfortable buying a used car from him, and I LOVE the car.

I just read Cameron's dissertation on the '97 1.8TQ and I am wondering what I should know about my '98 car.
(I WISH I had the Alpine radio in my car, because I have an Alpine CD changer left over from my Acura lease. The left mounted volume knob would just be a bonus for me. Oh well.)

It's gonna take me a while to go through the archives to learn all I need to learn about my car. But if there is anything I should know ASAP, like TSBs, please let me know.

Incidentally, the seller has been running Mobil 1 15w50 since the first oil change. And this car is in showroom condition -- with 26k miles on it.

Thanks,
Peter

> subject: Request for Information
> comments: I'd like to know the implementation status of the European
> Delivery Program.
> I've sent you and Audi Germany 3 previous e-mails during the
> past 2 years regarding this subject and your answers could be
> summarized into: It's not available at present time but will in the
> future.
> My question is: How distant is that future if there is any?
> Thank you.

Thank you for contacting Audi of America.

We regret if there has been a misinterpretation of our response to inquires about a European Delivery program. For some time now our response has been: "... we do not offer a European Delivery program at this time. Since our programs are designed to satisfy the wants and needs of our public, we will refer to your interest in this plan when future recommendations are discussed." We are not aware of any plan to implement European Delivery in the near future.

If we can help with any other information, please write again.

Sincerely,