Am I still the only one who has broken oil pans on a 2.8q? I've busted (burst) three. If the shroud touches the ground harder than a slight brush, it touches the oil pan which promptly yields. The aluminum pan cracks and oil leaks out. If only the suspension was a little stiffer, maybe I would've only broken one so far. Not a warranty item though due to "outside influence".

Is the car lowered or is this happening with the stock suspension???

PWV

Dips, dips, dips. Two have been relatively minor, one was a slam the pavement then leave the ground experience. But the point is, none of my previous cars have had such a problem. You could bottom out to some extent and they wouldn't break. <br>

Stock sport suspension. I think it needs to be a little stiffer. It just bottoms too easily. I love the ride and handling, but maybe they made the springs just a little too soft. I've been in Cadillacs from the seventies that seemed harder to bottom. Of course, the Caddilacs had more ground clearance and bigger tires and miracle of all miracles, twilight sentinels.

<br>.

nt<br>

You are definitely not the only one -- I did this the day after (!!!) getting my 2.8 QMS. I'm amazed you've broken *three*, though -- after finally getting it fixed, I've been taking bumps and dips a little gingerly, and have had no problems with clearance -- AND I live in San Francisco.

I changed from the Sport to Eibach springs that actually lowered the car another inch. However, I feel that the springs are "progressive" enough, not allowing the suspension to totally compress as much as with the stock Sport springs. I've had a few bumps that made me pucker a bit, but never did bottom out.<p>Frank Maassen 98.5 30 valve QMS (Eibach)

Perhaps at high speeds the suspension will reach bottom 20 or 30 feet after the speed bump?????<p>Frank Maassen

<sigh> had the same problem, but only once did the car have to go in for 'serious' work. My mother came down a ramp too fast from the parking garage...I asked dealer about the clearance problem and he claimed it was the stock springs/suspension....he suggested swapping them to oil shocks as the stock ones are gas (or vice-versa, can't recall). Anyone know if that would solve the clearence problem?<p>Adrian C

Post again with more detail or an e-mail address. I'd like to discuss exactly how it happened in a little more detail.

Depends. It's a minimum of $585.00 parts and labor if all you break is the lower pan.

:)<br>

I own a 2.8Q w/ sport package as well. I busted my oil pans, yes that's plural, on a dip. I was quoted a lower price for just the lower oil pan, about $350 or so, including labor. Not me though, I busted the lower oil pan, the upper oil pan, an engine mount, and the front engine cover, totalling a hefty $1260...<p>98.5 Wett RamAir'ed Santorin Blue 2.8QMS<p>

...it's important to note that the VW and Audi will shift hard when cold also. I think it is the very tight tolerances combined with heavy gear oil (for normal temp protection) that make them difficult in the cold. If you take it slow when you first start out though, the transmission should last a long, long time. <p>Charles<p>PS: I used to have a Rabbit that would only grind in second too, and mostly when cold. Maybe all the VW trannies do that? Did it from the time I bought it at 40K all the way to when I sold it at 90K.

Initially test drove a Passat V6, and really liked it compared to other cars in its class. Was persuaded to test the Audi A4 1.8T by my boss and a coworker and was blown away. If I definitely needed the room, I would go for the Passat, but if that is not a consideration, I would rather spend the extra money for the 1.8T over the Passat V6 for the driving experience. Personally, I think the Passat looks great, but the Audi looks sharper. My other observation was that the Passat seemed less tight in the fit and finish than the Audi. The Audi seemed put together really well. I was very impressed. Will be looking to test a 2.8 Audi in the near future, and will probably have one in my driveway in the Spring!

When I last checked, the MPG for the A4 2.8 30v was the same as the BMW 2.8. The 4 cyl was actually better than a lot of 4's out there in the same power/ displacement range.<p>

It is NO SECRET that a COMMON COMPLAINT on this board is<br>over the bad gas mileage the A4 gets.........<p>this is NOT A COMMON COMPLAINT among BMW owners...<p>check your facts.

That the 2.8 30v gets better mileage than my old 12v, which on normal western hiway cruising (75mph with A/C) returned 27-28 mpg (FACT observed by me). One of my friends managed 30 mpg under same conditions as me (FACT observed by him). These numbers agree pretty well with EPA estimates, which is suprising given the crappy CA oxygenated gas. Just because people complain about lower than expected gas mileage under hard or city driving does not an inefficient engine make.<p><br>Chris