New owner observations after driving my A4 for 2 months
03-13-2004, 06:48 PM
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New owner observations after driving my A4 for 2 months
My view of a 2001 ATQ 2.8 afer 1500 miles, with almost 29K miles on the car:
1. Engine gets very harsh when pushed. Not in the same league with other cars in it's class. When driving conservatively to stretch mileage, getting about 14 mpg with suburban driving (premium Mobil gas, 0w40 Mobil One, 34 psi, no idleing, driving easy). This sucks. My 993 gets 18mpg even when driven hard.
2. Idle has a bad vibration that is even worse when temp is colder.
3. TIP has been a positive surprise. Shifts and adjusts for varying driving styles. But it has rough jerk when coming to a stop as it downshifts.
4. The factory mats are of poor quality.
5. I will never again get a self dimming mirror. It makes everything dark at night, including police cars behind you! And if you blackout the sensor with a piece of tape so the mirror doesn't dim, there's no lever to flip the mirror when there's someone behind you with their brights.
6. The light stalk was a cute idea, but I'd prefer the standard dash rotary switch.
7. Brakes are just ok.
8. Wheels have about an 1/8 of a turn of play. When you shift into park, the car can roll more than I'd expect.
9. The driver's seat moves sometimes when you stop or startup. That is there is more play than sounds right, but I don't know if it is normal.
10. Wish I had audio system controls on the steering wheel.
11. Too many rattles, especially under the dash cover and the doors. Quality is lacking compared to competitors.
12. Any suggestions for a good repair shop in Montgomery County Pa (Philadelphia suburbs)??
Anyway, thanks for reading. Suggestions are welcomed.
1. Engine gets very harsh when pushed. Not in the same league with other cars in it's class. When driving conservatively to stretch mileage, getting about 14 mpg with suburban driving (premium Mobil gas, 0w40 Mobil One, 34 psi, no idleing, driving easy). This sucks. My 993 gets 18mpg even when driven hard.
2. Idle has a bad vibration that is even worse when temp is colder.
3. TIP has been a positive surprise. Shifts and adjusts for varying driving styles. But it has rough jerk when coming to a stop as it downshifts.
4. The factory mats are of poor quality.
5. I will never again get a self dimming mirror. It makes everything dark at night, including police cars behind you! And if you blackout the sensor with a piece of tape so the mirror doesn't dim, there's no lever to flip the mirror when there's someone behind you with their brights.
6. The light stalk was a cute idea, but I'd prefer the standard dash rotary switch.
7. Brakes are just ok.
8. Wheels have about an 1/8 of a turn of play. When you shift into park, the car can roll more than I'd expect.
9. The driver's seat moves sometimes when you stop or startup. That is there is more play than sounds right, but I don't know if it is normal.
10. Wish I had audio system controls on the steering wheel.
11. Too many rattles, especially under the dash cover and the doors. Quality is lacking compared to competitors.
12. Any suggestions for a good repair shop in Montgomery County Pa (Philadelphia suburbs)??
Anyway, thanks for reading. Suggestions are welcomed.
03-13-2004, 07:09 PM
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I just bought a 99 A4 2.8 with 80K.
*Mine runs like it was brand new!
*I get between 18-20 in the city depending on when I'm playing with the tiptronic tranny.
*I noticed a slight jerk also when coming to a stop. I drove a 2004 and it did it also. Both were very slight though.
*I do agree about the radio control, but I wouldn't want to give up the shift buttons on the steering wheel.
*I get between 18-20 in the city depending on when I'm playing with the tiptronic tranny.
*I noticed a slight jerk also when coming to a stop. I drove a 2004 and it did it also. Both were very slight though.
*I do agree about the radio control, but I wouldn't want to give up the shift buttons on the steering wheel.
03-13-2004, 09:28 PM
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Something wrong with your engine, the rest is small petty details
Have the engine checked. It should run smoothly and get better mileage.
You're complaining about the light stalk? Did you not notice that before you bought the car?
Seriously, it sounds like there is some problem with your engine, and it's making everything else look worse than it is.
You're complaining about the light stalk? Did you not notice that before you bought the car?
Seriously, it sounds like there is some problem with your engine, and it's making everything else look worse than it is.
03-14-2004, 01:27 AM
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Agreed. I have a 99.5 2.8QM as well, and get at least 21 MPG
I also used to have a misfire due to a clogged injector, and it idled roughly and did not like WOT either. Get your engine checked, it should run very smoothly.
03-14-2004, 02:29 AM
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Get your ride checked out, you should be getting at least 20 mpg.
Also make sure your interior screws are in tight. The previous owner might have had a bangin system but your car should still be "tight". Mine has 80k and still feels like a well put together car. Keep it maintained and it should last you a while.
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03-14-2004, 04:36 AM
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Some stuff is wrong with your car -->
Get your brakes checked out.
Check your MAF, O2 sensors, check for hose leaks, do a compression test, etc. I average 20+ MPG locally and 30+ Highway, and I'm in freaking NJ, traffic central. Also have your injectors checked, all filters, plugs, etc.
You're welcome to take a ride up to Central Jersey, we'll be having maintenance meets soon, and you can learn some really good stuff.
We can also show you how to kill any rattle. I am obsessive about killing noises.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/60502/car_pics_11-22-03_030.jpg">
Check your MAF, O2 sensors, check for hose leaks, do a compression test, etc. I average 20+ MPG locally and 30+ Highway, and I'm in freaking NJ, traffic central. Also have your injectors checked, all filters, plugs, etc.
You're welcome to take a ride up to Central Jersey, we'll be having maintenance meets soon, and you can learn some really good stuff.
We can also show you how to kill any rattle. I am obsessive about killing noises.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/60502/car_pics_11-22-03_030.jpg">
03-14-2004, 05:29 AM
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Going back to dealer
It's still under warranty. Last visit the tech said there were no error codes and he felt everything was normal. If you guys are getting closer to 20 mpg,and I get a lot less driving to stretch miles, there's something wrong someplace.
03-14-2004, 05:31 AM
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Thanks for the what to check list...I'll be sure
the dealer gives these a checkover. Also, I already changed filters and have run 2 bottles of Techron since I bought the car.