TT/S4 Pete

Hey there! Had a B5 S4, considering getting a B7 A4 Avant. Need room for windsurfing gear, sails, masts, booms etc.

Does the front seat fold either all the way forward, or recline all the way back (with the second row folded forward)? I need the linear length from the rear hatch all the way up to the front passenger side dash.

Thanks in advance!

-Pete

london

Get an avant!

RichAA

About the front seat: I don't have a pic to post, but no, it doesn't go down real flat. It doesn't go forward either. You'll no doubt see next time you're at the Audi store, but removing the headrest gives some clearance, and tilting as far back as you can might be enough.

I have an SUV that I do that kind of thing with, so my A4 doesn't even get dirty inside. But I can offer this comment: it's a very satisfying car to drive, and as you've seen, the Avant is a fine looking version. Good luck.

mksap11

Why not simply use a Thule rack system? Years back, my bro used to carry all his masts, boards, sails, etc on top of his itty bitty Toyota Corolla.

TT/S4 Pete

...and they will most likely fit into the Avant. My longest mast bag is about 108", and fits in a Subaru Legacy sedan, through the rear pass-through up towards the front dash.

Modern boards are very wide, and don't allow for as much space on the roof rack for sails, etc.

Also, when I go by myself (which is about 50% of the time), I like to be able to lock the rest of the gear I am not currently using in the car.

I will go to the dealer and play around with the seats and measure.

Thanks...

mksap11

I just remember him hauling his crap on top of his car everywhere (he had longer than spec'd crossbars for additional space). It was quite impressive and would have been a good ad for Thule.

FWIW, I've got a motorized passenger seat in front of my Avant. I'm pretty sure it won't fold down flat forward, but it might lie backwards far enough for space; I'll check it out tonight if you can't get to the dealer.

Mike

TT/S4 Pete

Yes, if you could take a second to try it, that would be great. What I do on my Subaru is (1) fold the rear seats down, (2) move the front passenger seat all the way forward, then (3) recline the front passenger seat all the way back (and take the headrest out). It basically provides a flat surface that gives me from the trunklid all the way up to the front passenger dash.

I am thinking of trading my Subaru sedan in for either a similar Subaru Legacy Limited GT Wagon, or an A4 2.0T or 3.2. The Sedan does not have fold-down seats, only a small pass-through, and thus greatly limits what I can carry.

Thanks!

mksap11

Rear seats folded. Front seat push all the way forward and recline as far back as it will go (not that far). Corner to corner is only about ~124", but the front seat is can not be folded flat...

<img src="http://tinypic.com/jfd7py.jpg" alt="Image hosted by TinyPic.com">

TT/S4 Pete

Thanks for posting the pic. Looks like the A4 will not work for me, bummer...