Hello all, <p>I am kinda shopping for a new vehicle, and the A4 is currently at the top of my list. I actually stumbled on this site by accident, but am very suprised at the large volume of A4 enthusiasts as well as aftermarket accessories. I am currently driving a 1991 Nissan Pathfinder, and although I really have been pleased with my vehicle, high mileage is starting to take its toll. I DO Not want another SUV primarily because an all-wheel drive car seems more efficient. I do need a vehicle that will take me to the ski slopes and my favorite mountain biking spots....and I believe the A4 Quattro is the perfect vehicle.<p>I would like to know the +/- of the A4 1.8T and 2.8. I am leaning toward the 1.8 because it is turbocharged, but is there anything special about the 2.8? How many horses does an aftermarket exhaust and chip provide? I will be buying a Vehicle coming off a lease...please let me know what I should look out for. <p>Thanks in advance, Brett

I just purchased a 99' 1.8Tqms w/weather pkg. I drove a 2.8 also. The engine is a bit stonger but you do get the peak torque in the 1.8 at around 2krpm and it doesnt fade, ever. The 2.8 requires a bit less shifting but the 1.8 has plenty of go and is just as much fun if not more to drive. I just couldn't pay 5k more for a nicer engine and a power seat. Something else to condider, if you are buying off of a lease note that pre 98' 2.8 had the old 12v v6 not the new 30v v6. You loose about 18hp in the 12v.

Wait til you see the engine get its legs after about 20k. I'm at 25k on my 98.5 1.8TQMS, and it is extraordinary what happens on the highway when you need it. I don't see what's wrong with a little downshifting now and then, either.

U say the 2.8 30V is a better drive than the 1.8T.<br>No way!! Even the 2.6 V6 12V previously offered in Europe is a better drive than the Turbo. They had the same amount of hp too. The turbo has virtually no low-end torque and doesn`t feel fast either. It`s not slow, but it should feel a bit faster. The 2.8 30V is awesome!! <br>In Norway the 2.8 costs about 40% more than the turbo, due to taxes. But it`s a much better drive. Best buy here is one of the TDI`s. They offer a lot of torque, and can be chipped as the 1.8T. (the 1.9TDI has 110hp and 173lb/ft, can be chipped to 150-160hp and 230lb/ft. The killer is the 2.5TDI V6, with 150hp and 221lb/ft. This engine sounds like a V8 petrol. Can be chipped to 200hp and 300lb/ft. So it better be a Quattro.)<br>Even the 1.9TDI I drive feels faster than the 1.8T, simply because it`s a stronger engine.

I test drove both and ordered 1.8T quattro, manual trans. The 1.8T is lighter by about 150 lbs, and has a better weight distribution due to lighter engine. I t also gets better mileage, and with a chip upgrade you can easily boost the power and torque to the same level as 2.8. However, it is still a 4 cylinder engine and has it's 4 cylinder issues. The 2.8 is a nice smooth engine - just was not worthe the extra $$ for me.