Trouble choosing A4 1.8t vs. V6
04-26-2000, 12:41 PM
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Trouble choosing A4 1.8t vs. V6
I'm planning to purchase and Audi soon. I'm not sure which engine to choose. I currently a passat with V6. Its snappy. Which one has more horse power with modifications? (ex. chip, exhaust, intake . . .)<p>JohnE Gledhill
04-26-2000, 12:52 PM
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The 2.8 V6 comes out on top in hp with modifications, but at a high cost...
You can get the PES supercharger for the 2.8 V6 and push something like 280hp (new exhaust is highly recommended). This would give the S4 some competition, but it is costly. Around $5k or so for the supercharger and another $500-$1,000 for a good exhaust. For this price, you might as well get the S4, unless you already own the A4 2.8.
From what I hear on this board, the 1.8T peaks out around 220hp, I think, could be wrong. But it is the easiest and cheapest to upgrade. For about $1,000 for a chip and other stuff, you could get quite a boost in power.
Most 1.8T owners chip to get about the equivalent of the stock 2.8 in power, 190hp. But some do take the 1.8T to the max.
From what I hear on this board, the 1.8T peaks out around 220hp, I think, could be wrong. But it is the easiest and cheapest to upgrade. For about $1,000 for a chip and other stuff, you could get quite a boost in power.
Most 1.8T owners chip to get about the equivalent of the stock 2.8 in power, 190hp. But some do take the 1.8T to the max.
04-26-2000, 01:24 PM
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Depends if you are buying new or used ...
I think that a lot of this will depend on whether you buy new or used, and you might want to think cost/upgrading rather than just the raw tuning potential.
I agree with Shabbis when talking new cars, because if you are looking to buy a 30V v6, the modification path takes you into serious money right away and makes an S4 a very economical alternative. For instance, if you buy a new 30V for circa $34K and a supercharger for $5k plus installation, you are sitting right in the middle of the cost of an S4.
Starting with a used 30V though (which is what I'm now thinking), you can pick up a car for about $23-25K for a 98 , supercharger for $5K, suspension for about $1.5K, exhaust for $1k and brakes for about $1-2K, and you're dialed in for about $33K. Problem with this path is that the upgrades do not translate well into resale value, so you have to think of that as sunk money.
With a 1.8T, new or used, you can run comparale to a stock 2.8 with only a chip. The 1.8T is a world of fun to modify with a load of tuning options. The used 1.8T's are the kings of cost/upgrade because you can get parts cheaper than 2000 equivalents and the tuning packages available provide a world of options.
The S4, though is your tuning fun land, with a whole world of potential that has just started to get tapped. The only downside is the costs to play. The cover charge is the cost of the car, then your facing much more expensive upgrade parts. I personally was on the verge of buying an S4 on several occasions, but then I kept thinking about how guilty I would feel buying mods for the car when I'd still have to pay off the (significant) loan.
All in all, I think that if you're looking for out of the box power with a new car, start with an S4, no question. If you like car tuning (and who doesn't?) start witha used 1.8T and spend the savings on mods. And in between, a used 2.8 would be a good bet.
Brian T
97 1.8T QS AT
I agree with Shabbis when talking new cars, because if you are looking to buy a 30V v6, the modification path takes you into serious money right away and makes an S4 a very economical alternative. For instance, if you buy a new 30V for circa $34K and a supercharger for $5k plus installation, you are sitting right in the middle of the cost of an S4.
Starting with a used 30V though (which is what I'm now thinking), you can pick up a car for about $23-25K for a 98 , supercharger for $5K, suspension for about $1.5K, exhaust for $1k and brakes for about $1-2K, and you're dialed in for about $33K. Problem with this path is that the upgrades do not translate well into resale value, so you have to think of that as sunk money.
With a 1.8T, new or used, you can run comparale to a stock 2.8 with only a chip. The 1.8T is a world of fun to modify with a load of tuning options. The used 1.8T's are the kings of cost/upgrade because you can get parts cheaper than 2000 equivalents and the tuning packages available provide a world of options.
The S4, though is your tuning fun land, with a whole world of potential that has just started to get tapped. The only downside is the costs to play. The cover charge is the cost of the car, then your facing much more expensive upgrade parts. I personally was on the verge of buying an S4 on several occasions, but then I kept thinking about how guilty I would feel buying mods for the car when I'd still have to pay off the (significant) loan.
All in all, I think that if you're looking for out of the box power with a new car, start with an S4, no question. If you like car tuning (and who doesn't?) start witha used 1.8T and spend the savings on mods. And in between, a used 2.8 would be a good bet.
Brian T
97 1.8T QS AT
04-26-2000, 01:37 PM
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I chose the 1.8t, here's why....
1. The V6 is about a $4-5k increase in cost. The price of my 1.8 w/ quattro, sport & convienence and side curtains, was right where I wanted to be payment wise. I would have the 1.8 with those options rather than the V6 without them.
2. The 1.8 felt lighter than the V6, more so than it truely is, thus more tossable and fun to drive. The V6 drove like a bigger luxury car, while the 1.8 drove like a smaller sports car.
3. The 1.8 is not as quiet or smooth, but I like hearing and feeling the engine go through its motions. Depends on what you like.
4.The 1.8 is cheaper to tune. For about $500 you can chip it and have a real rocket. I just read you can modify the V6, which I didn't think you could do, but for $5k+... that is not an option as I see it.
5. The V6 comes with power seats, which do not go as low as the manual ones on the 1.8. I like sitting lower in the car.
6. I like the black instead of the chrome window treatment.
7. I agree with the fact if you intend to trick a 2.8, than just get the S4, and you won't have warranty issues.
I could go on.....
2. The 1.8 felt lighter than the V6, more so than it truely is, thus more tossable and fun to drive. The V6 drove like a bigger luxury car, while the 1.8 drove like a smaller sports car.
3. The 1.8 is not as quiet or smooth, but I like hearing and feeling the engine go through its motions. Depends on what you like.
4.The 1.8 is cheaper to tune. For about $500 you can chip it and have a real rocket. I just read you can modify the V6, which I didn't think you could do, but for $5k+... that is not an option as I see it.
5. The V6 comes with power seats, which do not go as low as the manual ones on the 1.8. I like sitting lower in the car.
6. I like the black instead of the chrome window treatment.
7. I agree with the fact if you intend to trick a 2.8, than just get the S4, and you won't have warranty issues.
I could go on.....
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04-26-2000, 01:49 PM
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The 2.8 V6 will not come close to a 1.8T with mods...
300 hp is a reality now with a streetable 400hp just around the corner. It depends what you want to do with your car. Track event cars are my personal preference so I like 1.8T's. I would say an S4 will need about $7000.00 more, chip, exhaust, suspension, tires, and MORE brakes. When you get done it will still wieght 600lbs more then an A4. You can buy a used Viper for that.
04-26-2000, 02:24 PM
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Or get a 2.8 with the PES Supercharger.. that will blow away MOST modded 1.8Ts
<p>-<a href="mailto:adhand@san.rr.com">Anand Dhanda</a>
1998.5 A4 2.8QMS
<a href=" http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3351">
<img SRC=" http://sdaoc.sixmillion.com/anand.JPG" BORDER=0></a>
1998.5 A4 2.8QMS
<a href=" http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3351">
<img SRC=" http://sdaoc.sixmillion.com/anand.JPG" BORDER=0></a>