Got the word today, the wait is over!!!<p>1999 2.8 Quattro, 5-Speed, Sport Package, Bose, Santorin Blue, Opal Grey Leatherette....<p>Picking it up tomorrow afternoon! I ordered it on July 17 and was told to expect a four month wait. About a month ago, I was told it was about 30 days away, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. But, here it is, one month ahead of schedule!! How awesome is that?<p>Any new owner tips (break-in, care, etc) will be appreciated.<p>Will report tomorrow on first impressions...<p>Steve C

During the first 1000 miles, you should not use the cruise control option. Cruise control settles the engine at constant speed, the opposite of the varied engine use that's good for new engines. I know this is hard to do, but don't redline the car. Not immediately, at least. Really, the most important part of your break-in process is the oil change at 3000 miles, which will remove the manufacturing grit that grinds out of engines during the first 2000-4000 miles. Removing these slight imperfections in castings and fills that grind away will help prolong the life of your engine and help break-in progress quickly and safely. Again, congratulations on your A4!<p>Cameron<br>

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You are lucky!!! I'm still waiting for mine and have no idea when to expect it. Close to the same options as yours. You don't happen to be located in Utah, do you?

<br>nt

I would recommend a polish and wax job as soon as possible. Some dealers will wax car before delivery, however, their wax jobs are usually done quickly with inferior waxes.<br>There is an on going diference of opinion as to timing/mileage of 1st oil change. Read the archives, owners manual, and decide for yourself. <br>It's an excellent car and has a way of growing on you the longer you drive it. Enjoy! I have!<p>Nolan<br>98.5 30v qms<br>3000 miles

nt<br>

Fully agree with your tips, but to my knowledge, a first oil change is made by the manufacturing before the release of the car, just for the reasons you mention.<p>In my AUDI service book, the indicated frequency for oil change is every 15,000 km (9,375 miles) or every year, and that's what I do, even with a chipped car (Oettinger). <p>Does AUDI have different indications in US service book?<p>I think that, unless you drive in particulary hard conditions (in town, in sand, heat, 6000 trs./ min..) a more frequent change than the one prescribed by AUDI is not required. <p>Though, I use a synthetic oil, as you do. (Castrol RS).<p>Christophe, 1.8T, 38,000 km (23,750 miles).<p>BTW: congratulations to Steve for his new car. The mine popped up also one month before the due date. <br>Enjoy!

<br>nt

At the factory, there are special additives put in with the oil to aid in engine break-in, valve seating, etc.

At the factory, Audi runs the new engines with oil additives then drains the oil, and refills with regular oil before shipping the vehicle. That's why the owner's manual calls for initial oil changes at 5k (1.8t) and 7.5k (2.8). <p>Mick<br>98 2.8qm

Valve contact surfaces are ground hardened steel, the seats are an unusally hard material which may have Stellite as one of it's trade names. From the factory, there is little (no) change at this particular point during break-in.<p>But there are lots of other infinitessimally small pieces of metal and dirt which are too small to be captured in the oil filter and are suspended more or less harmlessly in the oil. Additives, which break down over time help to hold this crud in suspension as the oil is forced between spinning shafts and the plain bearings which carry them. This film of oil is the only thing between metal to metal contact. Only so much stuff can be carried in suspension. Be nice to your car, go to the Audi dealer, buy a filter and change your oil after 1 or 2k miles.<p>Car and Driver magazine interviewed an oil engineer from Chevron perhaps 6 months ago. When asked if it was OK to run modern oils for 7500 miles he said, yes. When asked how often he changed it in his own vehicles he answered 3,000 miles.(!)<p>eric

Picked up the car this afternoon. Everything was perfect, just as I ordered. <br>After getting a taste on the freeway ride home, I knew I had to go find some curves! I headed for the Palos Verdes peninsula ( for non-LA folks, this is about a 20 mile loop along the ocean and around some fairly large hills/mountains) and put it thru its paces.<br>THIS CAR IS AWESOME!!!<br>The high point was on a steep, very windy road that climbs the hill with about 4 SERIOUS hairpins. When I was accelerating all the way thru the final 3/4 of the hairpin and the car didn't even QUIVER, I knew I was in love. Quattro, there is no substitute!<br>Not to mention how beautiful the car is, and how solid and quiet the ride is. It is everything I hoped for and more at this point.<br>Tomorrow, I definitely heading for Mulholland!<p>Steve C<br>99 2.8 QMS Bose<br>