Okay, I've been reading the archives, and seen people gleaming over their new A4's that they've gotten within a matter of weeks after their order. Thats all fine and great, except....<p>I put in an order for a '99 A4 (1.8TQ) on the 2nd of October, and the dealer says that he hasn't gotten any "allocations" yet, and that I'm probably not going to get the car until FEBRUARY! <p>Is this normal? Should I take my business elsewhere? <p>

It may depend upon where you are and where you are willing to go, order from, as far as how long it will take. I do not know what the dealer meant by that comment, but here is my experience.<p>I ordered July 29, 1998, Order Entry: 07.29.98, Production Release: 09.03.98, Production Complete 10.01.98, Ship Loaded 10.05.98, Ship in Transit 10.07.98, Port Arrived 10.19.98 (Houston), Allocated 10.19.98. This is where I am at. My dealer told me it is usually 7-14 days from Port Arrival before he sees the car in Van Nuys, CA (I am in Washington State so I will have some additional transit time flatbedding to Bellevue, WA). This may give you a ROUGH idea on what to expect. My dealer was kind enough to provide me with regular faxed updates on my order status from the AoA Computer. Some who ordered around when I did have, basically, been screwed by their dealer and their cars haven't even begun production as of yet. If you trust your dealer, great, but ask for regular production reports if for nothing else than to ease your mind. My dealer explained that Audi's production system is one of the most antiquated around for order inception and turnaround and sometimes orders seem to take a long time sans explanation. But, he predicted my order progress very accurately and said that generally this is what he has run into with very few exceptions.<p>I'd be happy to give you his name if it would be of help. Another poster, Marc, recently went to see him at my suggestion and instead of getting a car in Jan/Feb (he ordered around when I did with another dealer who seemed to screw it up, repeatedly) he should be getting his car within the next few weeks.<p>Kirk

My 98.5 Avant took 5 months from ordering till got it (manual, Sport suspension & seats) - Feb till July.

I ordered at the beginning of August (forget the exact date). My dealer told me it would last around 3 months and I think it's pretty accurate.<p>Last Saturday (10/24) the car was produced and may be en route even as I write this. It will take another 10-14 days probably before I actually get it, so all in all it will be very close to 3 months.<p>I am located in the Washington DC area and cars arrive here much sooner than in other parts of the country (port of entry is in Delaware, about 60-80 miles away).