Hi! I am considering purchasing an A4 1.8 and have a few questions that I hope someone can answer:<p>1. Anyone who owns one, what are your likes and dislikes and overall impression of the car?<p>2. What is the difference with or without the Sports Package? Is it really necessary?<p>3. I am moving to Texas soon so I will not need the Quattro, does it have traction control, and do any of you have Quattroless Audi's. How do they ride?<p>I appreciate any information you can give me, as this is on my "short list" of cars. Thank you.

I bought my 1.8T in late June of this year and it has been the best driving car I have ever owned.<br>The cars that were on my short list when I was shopping were:<br>Honda Accord Coupe<br>Acura CL<br>BMW 318/323<br>I chose the Audi mainly because of the style of the car, and I thought that it had a really good feel for a 4-cyl. Most 4-bangers really whine and you can hear the high REV noise in the cabin. The A4 is smooth and not very loud at all. There have not really been any serious problems with the car, but a few annoyances:<br>Tons of Brake Dust on Wheels (can be corrected with aftermarket brake pads)<br>Poor cup-holders (some people have designed their own)<br>Awkward Clutch positioning<br>Cruise Control Location <br>Sound System Quality not terrrific<br>Overall the A4 is a very solid car. Since buying my car, I tend to regret not getting the Quattro option. Because of the influence of this forum, I have become very interested in modifying my car's performance. With the FWD model I am limited because of Wheel Spin and Torque-Steer. If you do not plan on doing any mods, then there is no problem. <p>In this price range, I don't think that there is another car that comes close to the A4.<br>My 2cents!

1. over all fit and finish is almost perfect. i say almost because there are some minor problems with the car. one problem i have is the drivers chair is squeeking real bad. some little rattles comming from my moon roof. but it is well worth the money<p>2. ok sport package<br>you get the 3 spoke steering wheel which is thicker and smaller in diamiter. the shifter is a bigger ball shape also. the shocks and springs are also diffrent. the sports package is firmer in ride. if you choose not to purchase sport package the cars handeling is some what less responsive. the stock suspension also tends to have alot of float. I would suggest getting the sport package it is well worth the cash.<br>Buying the sport seats is not included in the sport package. i have the sport seats and only offered in cloth. the seats are firmer and are more agressivly bolstered. to some people they find it too firm for me it is just right.<p>3. Quattro System to my knoledge does not have a traction controll. i think if you get the winter pacakge it will give you a tracton controll switch not sure on this??<p>as for driving a Quattro and non Quattro. both cars feel real diffrent. the quattro is more responsive in taking actions. turning a corner feels more sure footed and the car really hooks the turn. the front wheel drive feels like any ordinary VW to me.<p>i don't know if you are into power or not? but i find the stock 1.8T weak in power i would suggest getting a chip. .8bar or 1.0 bar up to you?<p>Good luck! Happy Shopping

<br>Bonnie:<p>The existence and quality of this forum should be a sign to you just how inspiring an automobile the A4 is. Don't get scared away by all the problem posts, since any model of car has its share of troubles. <p>--Dislikes: people complain about the cupholders sometimes, and about how bad the stock radio sounds. Both of these minor quirks are easily remedied.<p>--Sports package: lil bit firmer ride than non-sport, but also gives you sharper handling and some aesthetic goodies for the car. Drive both of them back to back to see what you like better. <p>--Traction control: the front drive model has some form of anti-slip regulation; you can look in the FAQ for details.<p>--The ride: I have driven both sport and non-sport A4's and the ride is phenomenal. On one test drive I went barreling over a railroad crossing and all I felt was a minor rumble in my seat bottom.<p><br>$0.02<br>-K.

Here are my comments:<p>Likes: Peppy engine, exterior/interior design, handling, uniqueness<br>Dislikes: A few sporatic rattles, lower MPG than expected.<p>Sport package: Drive them both. If you want great handling & 16 wheels - get sport package, if you want smoother ride & are OK with the 15" wheels - don't get it. (The sport pack. ride isn't harsh, but you'll feel the bumps more)<p>Quattro: If you keep the car more than 5 years and you won't drive in the snow, I wouldn't recommend against the FWD (I know others will disagree). Resale is a big plus for quattro.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru<br>

Bonnie:<p>I have owned my FWD 1.8T for 13 months now, and I do not regret passing on quattro. Since I live in S.E. Louisiana, snow is something I see on T.V. I have driven the FWD hard and have never lost grip in a turn.<p>Likes: excellent fit and finish, turbo engine that loves to rev up, top notch reliability.<p>Dislikes: stock Goodyear tires, remote locking range. (both are easy fixes)<p>I hope you find this information and this board helpful. Good Luck<p>Chris<br>18.Tm non-q<p>

Ok, so I don't own a A4 but the Passat does incorporate the same multi-link upper and lower A-arm assembly and I can guarantee you, there is virtually no torque steer. I've done a few hand's free launches and it's just straight (unless the road itself is off camber or slick on one side.)<p>-HermanH<br>98.5 Passat 1.8tm

at 1600.oo, you will get at least that much or more when you sell or trade in, especially if you move up north; the car is also much more steady in the rain with quattro

I would also recommend sitting for awhile in both the std and sports seats to make a proper decision.<br>

I get a fair amount of Torque steer, not from take off, but when I punch it when I am already moving. (mostly on the highway) It is not very bad, but then again, I don't have that much power right now. I figure that it will be worse if I had alot more power.

I have to say, you guys have been the most candid and helpful out of any bunch I have encountered on any forum. You have made it much easier for me to test drive the Audi on Saturday, and not get some salesman who doesn't know the answer to any of my questions. The one thing I am a little puzzled about is a few of your answers about the stereo. Did any of you get the Bose upgrade? I have a Nissan Pathfinder LE right now that comes standard with the Bose stereo, and it is unbelievable! I am relocating to Texas from NJ in the next few months and don't need the utility of the 4WD and bad gas mileage, so my future husband is going to take the Pathfinder, and I am looking for a sedan. I have always owned 5 speed sporty cars in the past, and find that even though the Pathfinder has a great ride, I cannot have fun with it. I would probably get the Tiptronic, as as much fun as a 5 speed is, I would like to have the choice, especially in traffic.<p>You guys have been great in your helpfulness and honesty. Thanks alot, and I will keep you posted as to my assessment of the car when I drive it. <p>My short list is:<p>Audi A4 1.8T<br>Passat GLS V6<br>Honda Accord EX<br>Nissan Maxima SE<p>I test drove the Passat, and it drove great. I really like the looks of the Audi a little better, and my boss has one and loves it, so I might swing that way. As far as the Quattro, the jury is out on that one for now. I agree with all of you that it would be better for resale, and probably useful in all the Texas rain, so it is a viable alternative. I think the Accord has been eliminated, so now we're down to the other three. <p>Thanks again!<p>Bonnie

I have a 2.8 and live in Houston. For 1.8t, I would recommend the quattro and sport package if money is not a concern. I would highly recommend the sport package if you can only get 1 upgrade. For the milder climate in Houston, I do not really need the quattro. Buying the 1.8t will open up more upgrading possibilities then the 2.8

I've driven cars with torque steer...my A4 has virtually none. This is the 2.8 30V FWD...about the power you get with some chips on a 1.8T.<p>I wouldn't have considered the A4 if it had any annoying FWD tendencies. My wife forced my hand to the tiptronic (which I now love...!), so the Quattro would have been too draining to the acceleration performance.<p>So I test drove the FWD A4 (sales guy's only request was keep it under 5K RPM). Nada on the torque steer.<p>My wife's Camry is the poster-child for torque steer, so I can get a dose of it whenever I want...<p>I'm not saying the thing drifts & power-on oversteers like the 328 I test drove, but it exhibits NONE of the drawbacks of other FWD cars I've driven. Throttle off-oversteer, yeah...but I guess I can get used to that...<p>steve

It is not a huge problem, like I said. Only when I gun it (From 5th to 3rd usually) in a curve, passing or changing lanes.

I have a 98.5 1.8TQMS, which I have driven for a year and 28k miles. You have chosen one of the world's great cars. The small sacrifice in comfort represented by the sport package is made up for by incredible roadholding and agility when you want it in traffic, particularly now with all the holiday shoppers. Also, don't miss the sport steering wheel. What a pleasure, every day. The latest iteration of quattro in this car is both sophisticated and exceedingly durable, worth much more than it costs, and, like the sport package, a true ally when you need grip and agility. Just ask yourself, when the weather and driving conditions turn to crap, how will you feel then about the choice you made, as you attempt to pilot yourself home to safety? No matter what you do, though, you will never regret buying this car, and you will never forget it.<br>

What did you do to upgrade your stereo? Any comments appreciated!<p>Thanks,<br>Todd

First off let me state that I do not have the Bose upgrade. The Bose package now comes with the CD changer (which is a necessity IMHO). I have test driven a 97 and 98 A4 with a Bose upgrade and didn't see the drastic differences that would need to be paid. My recommendation is to skip the Bose Upgrade...and get a Panasonic CD changer from Clair Parts Express (aka Clair Audi in Boston) via mail order for about $275 and change. Install it yourself and save a bundle. One last comment...if you opt for the A4 1.8T Quattro Tiptronic...I would also get one of the performance aftermarket chips (increases HP from about 30 - 50 bhp...depending on who you talk to and which one you buy). Cost? From about $175 - $600.<p>Father Steve<br>97 2.8QM <p>P.S. Drats...you have a boyfriend! :-)

I don't have a 1.8T ( 2.8 ) but just to enforce a few points:<p>1. The Sports package is worth having as it tames some of the float out of the suspension, plus you get the 3 spoke sport steering wheel plus a nicer shift knob ( manual ) and better tires.<p>2. Quattro - yes get it. You reap the benefits when it comes time to sell. I had a few people drop my old 5000S from their purchase list once they found out it wasn't Quattro. <p>I would be perfectly happy with an A4 with just the two above options.<p>-randy<br>