My new 2004 Avant 3.0 - First impressions after 300 miles.
08-04-2003, 02:21 PM
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My new 2004 Avant 3.0 - First impressions after 300 miles.
It is atlas gray, 6 speed, sport and winter pkg (no premium), manual sunshades. Paid $34K + tax.
Back in April my Audi dealer had told me that I can not order `03 model anymore and I had to wait 4 or 5 long months for the next year car. Since I could not wait that long I have ordered 325ix wagon through European delivery. I had test drove the bimmer a few times and I really liked it: better handling than the A4, lower price (Euro delivery), great seats, perfect chassis balance and a free sunroof. Then a few things changed, I found out that the new generation of 3-series will be released in just 2 years. Long story short: I have canceled the BMW and decided to order the 2004 Avant. I just picked it up a few days ago.
First impressions.
Handling: My other cars are Porsche Carrera (C2 type 964) and `93 Ford Probe GT (a daily beater that is falling apart). I would never compare A4 to Porsche but my 10 years old Probe handles better than the new A4 with sport suspension. Part of the fault maybe the mediocre Conti tires (SportContact2, I was hoping for Pirellis) or incorrect tire pressure. But I can not get used to the steering feel. It feels imprecise and over-assisted at all speeds.
Engine: 220 hp V6 seems to be a good match for such a small but quite heavy car. I did not rev the engine more than 4K yet but I really like it already. I have never considered the 1.8 T motor (hate the turbo lag).
A very nice surprise is the engine/exhaust sound: deep and sporty "civilized growl" (could be a bit louder). There is no comparison to a S4 rumble or the racket that my air-cooled boxer makes but the 3.0 exhaust note is much more intriguing than on most other cars.
Gearbox/clutch: Another nice surprise. I drove a few 2003 A4s and the gear ratios and shifter were just O.K. but I absolutely love it in my A4. I have impression that Audi might have improved it for 2004 model. The shifter is shorter and much more precise now. Far better than BMWs and even my C2. I still need to get used to the light clutch, 6 gear ratios and need to find best shift points.
Brakes: Decent performance, with good initial bite. Seems to be adequate for 3,700 pounds car but I see some room for improvement here. S4 brakes upgrade will be one of first mods I will look into.
Interior: One of the strongest points of the car. The platinum trim is simply beautiful and very classy. I just stare at the dashboard and smile.
BMW or Porsche do not come even close. I still plan to replace the wood trim and the shifter with S4 carbon fiber trim when it is available (saw it on the RS6-stunning).
Stereo: I wish I ordered the Bose. The standard Symphony system sounds like cheap plastic player from WalMart. I will try to upgrade the speakers soon.
Climate control: I hate these + / - buttons but I am getting used it.
Seats : I wish there was sport seats option available but they are much better then I expected. I actually like them. Again, when I drove the 2003 A4s I was a little disappointed because of poor side support. Now my seats seem to be much firmer so I think Audi might have improve it for 2004.
Other:
- Satellite shark fin: It could be a little smaller but I think it looks sleek on an Avant.
- Unpainted lowers: I am really glad my Avant did not get the painted lowers. The lowers underline original A4 style and highlight purity of design lines. It also complements the Atlas gray quite well.
- 3 spoke wheel: I decided not to order the premium package mainly because of the rather unattractive multifunction steering wheel. I love the way my wheel is curved-in at 3 and 9 o'clock points.
And here it is:
<img src="http://users.bestweb.net/~krenz/AvantSide.jpg">
More pictures :<ul><li><a href="http://homepage.mac.com/krystian/PhotoAlbum3.html">http://homepage.mac.com/krystian/PhotoAlbum3.html</a</li></ul>
Back in April my Audi dealer had told me that I can not order `03 model anymore and I had to wait 4 or 5 long months for the next year car. Since I could not wait that long I have ordered 325ix wagon through European delivery. I had test drove the bimmer a few times and I really liked it: better handling than the A4, lower price (Euro delivery), great seats, perfect chassis balance and a free sunroof. Then a few things changed, I found out that the new generation of 3-series will be released in just 2 years. Long story short: I have canceled the BMW and decided to order the 2004 Avant. I just picked it up a few days ago.
First impressions.
Handling: My other cars are Porsche Carrera (C2 type 964) and `93 Ford Probe GT (a daily beater that is falling apart). I would never compare A4 to Porsche but my 10 years old Probe handles better than the new A4 with sport suspension. Part of the fault maybe the mediocre Conti tires (SportContact2, I was hoping for Pirellis) or incorrect tire pressure. But I can not get used to the steering feel. It feels imprecise and over-assisted at all speeds.
Engine: 220 hp V6 seems to be a good match for such a small but quite heavy car. I did not rev the engine more than 4K yet but I really like it already. I have never considered the 1.8 T motor (hate the turbo lag).
A very nice surprise is the engine/exhaust sound: deep and sporty "civilized growl" (could be a bit louder). There is no comparison to a S4 rumble or the racket that my air-cooled boxer makes but the 3.0 exhaust note is much more intriguing than on most other cars.
Gearbox/clutch: Another nice surprise. I drove a few 2003 A4s and the gear ratios and shifter were just O.K. but I absolutely love it in my A4. I have impression that Audi might have improved it for 2004 model. The shifter is shorter and much more precise now. Far better than BMWs and even my C2. I still need to get used to the light clutch, 6 gear ratios and need to find best shift points.
Brakes: Decent performance, with good initial bite. Seems to be adequate for 3,700 pounds car but I see some room for improvement here. S4 brakes upgrade will be one of first mods I will look into.
Interior: One of the strongest points of the car. The platinum trim is simply beautiful and very classy. I just stare at the dashboard and smile.
BMW or Porsche do not come even close. I still plan to replace the wood trim and the shifter with S4 carbon fiber trim when it is available (saw it on the RS6-stunning).
Stereo: I wish I ordered the Bose. The standard Symphony system sounds like cheap plastic player from WalMart. I will try to upgrade the speakers soon.
Climate control: I hate these + / - buttons but I am getting used it.
Seats : I wish there was sport seats option available but they are much better then I expected. I actually like them. Again, when I drove the 2003 A4s I was a little disappointed because of poor side support. Now my seats seem to be much firmer so I think Audi might have improve it for 2004.
Other:
- Satellite shark fin: It could be a little smaller but I think it looks sleek on an Avant.
- Unpainted lowers: I am really glad my Avant did not get the painted lowers. The lowers underline original A4 style and highlight purity of design lines. It also complements the Atlas gray quite well.
- 3 spoke wheel: I decided not to order the premium package mainly because of the rather unattractive multifunction steering wheel. I love the way my wheel is curved-in at 3 and 9 o'clock points.
And here it is:
<img src="http://users.bestweb.net/~krenz/AvantSide.jpg">
More pictures :<ul><li><a href="http://homepage.mac.com/krystian/PhotoAlbum3.html">http://homepage.mac.com/krystian/PhotoAlbum3.html</a</li></ul>
08-04-2003, 02:27 PM
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nice synopsis and congrats...I too
have driven the BMW 325 wagon but the one I had was a 2000. I prefered that body style to the newer "shaped" headlamps etc... Anyways the seats in the BMW were really all I prefered to the avant...
Super happy with my 1.8T 03 avant now - especially with the revo software...and yes your right, the seats are mediocre but the interior is one of best hands down on any vehicle...
the shark fin though- Im glad I dont have it - would interfere with my surfboard
Super happy with my 1.8T 03 avant now - especially with the revo software...and yes your right, the seats are mediocre but the interior is one of best hands down on any vehicle...
the shark fin though- Im glad I dont have it - would interfere with my surfboard
08-04-2003, 03:18 PM
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How's your 964 treating you?
I'm either questing for a late 964 or early 993 next summer and giving the A4 to my wife. I'm with you on the numb steering, eventually if you didn't have anything to compare to it would fade.
But after having two e46's, the A4 interior is a much nicer place to live and the seats are actually much more comfortable eventhough they lack any kind of bolstering.
But after having two e46's, the A4 interior is a much nicer place to live and the seats are actually much more comfortable eventhough they lack any kind of bolstering.
08-04-2003, 03:33 PM
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Re: My new 2004 Avant 3.0 - First impressions after 300 miles.
I agree about the 4 spoke steering wheel. I wish I had the 3 spoke again, but I had to have the sunroof and the xenons. Too bad Audi doesn't give you a choice to keep Premium package and skip the multi-functions.
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08-04-2003, 05:12 PM
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2003 Avant thoughts....
<center><img src="http://www.williamtoll.com/images/wmtflAWsig.jpg"></center><p>See my web page linked below.<ul><li><a href="http://www.williamtoll.com/new_page_26.htm">My 2003 Avant 3.0 thoughts</a></li></ul>
08-04-2003, 07:05 PM
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Re: How's your 964 treating you?
My C2 is 12 years old, has almost 100 K miles but it still looks, drives and handles like a new car. I purchased it from the first owner 4 years ago at 62K miles and I never had any problems with it. I keep it mostly stock and drive it only on weekends + some track events.
Air-cooled Porsche is an incredible machine, like nothing else on a road.
It is the way it sounds: distinctive roar of hand build flat six with its jet-like whine of the fan blades. It is the way it handles through fast corners utilizing throttle steering phenomenon. It is the the way the oil smells and motor cracks when it cools down after another spirited drive. But before you commit, remember : you do not own a Porsche, it owns you.
Air-cooled Porsche is an incredible machine, like nothing else on a road.
It is the way it sounds: distinctive roar of hand build flat six with its jet-like whine of the fan blades. It is the way it handles through fast corners utilizing throttle steering phenomenon. It is the the way the oil smells and motor cracks when it cools down after another spirited drive. But before you commit, remember : you do not own a Porsche, it owns you.