irenesbob

I finally realized why it is so difficult to park near a curb (either side) and know how far your wheels are from the curb in the 06 A4. I sat in two relatives' vehicles this Mothers Day (2006 Acura TL and 2006 Avalon). In both cases when I tilted the outside rear view mirrors even slightly downward I could see almost the entire rear tire and wheel. This is not possible with my 2006 A4 (without technology pkg). I looked at the three Cars and came to the conclusion that the A4 is poorly designed. Its mirrors are mounted fairly inward at the window glass (they protrude very little) while the doors bulge out several inches wider. This blocks the line of sight from the mirror to the rear wheel and tires. On both the other cars, the sides are somewhat more slab sided and the mirrors stick out a bit further making it a lot easier to see where you are positioned vis-a-vis a curb. With the cost of the wheels that they are putting on cars these days this is not an isignificant consideration. I view the Audi A4 setup as a design flaw and another reason why I am getting happier by the week that my A4 is a lease and it goes away after 16 more months.

John Stahmann

The passenger side mirror was smaller for ease in parking in tight spots.

Check out the pics of my 1998.5 below and you can see the difference in size of the mirrors.

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/news/99/turbo/t13.jpg">

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/news/99/turbo/t7.jpg">

John

teaberry

I'm sure there's euro mirror conversion u can do to improve visibility like on B5

newyorker2

IMO, when you get into a german car, you should be able to park it blind

kvanwagoner

and I agree with newyorker2............i dont ever use my mirrors to park?

Tgr_Clw

Meh, it doesn't bother me.

irenesbob

I do not necessarily disagree, that is why I am confused with my A4. I have been driving for a long time (maybe old age is the problem??) and I have never come close to hitting curbs with any car except this. I drive my daughter's 03 A8 and have no problem. I've had other Audi's, Porsches and plenty of others (an Isuzu Trooper a few years back, that was a great vehicle) as well over the years. Even an '84 Benz at one point. I frequently drive rental cars and do not have a problem with them. It started when I curbed the wheel one time because I was assuming there was more of a bumper effect from the tire sticking out further than the wheel (these are the lowest profile tires and widest wheels I've ever had). Then when I got that past me I noticed one time parking in Montreal next to a curb that must have been 15" high (and I really wanted to make sure I didn't hit that one) that I could not readily see the closeness of the wheel (not the tire since the wheel touches most curbs before the tire does) using the right side rearview mirror. I live and drive in relatively urban places and frequently parallel park, so this becomes an issue. Plus, I learned to drive on a 1953 Buick Roadmaster and have noticed over the years that for me parking a smaller car is more of a problem (even drove strech limos part time in the 1990's and they were no problem). I guess I left myself open with my original post - but it does interest me that I find the possibility of the wheels touching the curb a pre-occupying issue (maybe it being a lease on a car I do not intend to keep I am just trying to avoid having to pay for new wheels).

newyorker2

I leave extra inches between the wheel and curb. I guess, it's risking the other side's mirror ))) Also, I suspect, that light tapping against the curb when backing into a spot, may create a bubble on sidewall. BMW has a working prototype of computer parking system! Hint!!!

bhvrdr

i'm actually blind and mine is pretty easy to park.

Car Crazy

1) The slab sided look of the other two is booring and dull.
2) If the mirrors were to stick out as far as you want them, people would complain about how far they stick out (and they would smash them pulling into garages, car washes, etc.)
3) If all your complaining about the side mirrors, then I think the car is pretty good.