snowchaser

My dealer originally told me that later in 2014 we will see a Diesel A4 Quattro (BMW has it), and I am holding my breath. He told me yesterday that the new rumor is 1.5 to 2 years out. I have been hearing that from Audi for 3 years. Does anyone have any intelligence for the US Market Diesels and AWD? I only would be interested in A4, A3. Should I jump ship and go to BMW 3 Series wagon TDI? Not sure how it compares on AWD performance? I do a ton of snow driving.

Moviela

Audi does Diesel proud with the engine in the European cars. For a city car there is enough power to move confidently through traffic. It does not vibrate your back teeth like older diesels, and there is no visible black smoke to mark your trail.

If I were to move away from a gas engine, I might go for an electric A4. I found the performance akin to that of the diesel on the streets of Costa Mesa.

Sundowner

there is little if any value to paying a premium to get a diesel over a gas motor. (there, I said it!) I've owned both and to reap the savings of fuel economy over the often price competitive gasoline requires driving many, many, many miles per year, and by the time you do get back to parity with a mode4rn gas motor, the car will have well over 100k miles on it.

Diesel makes sense in Europe where fuel taxes favor its useage. Here in the US, there is no such coherernt tax policy (or any coherent policy). also keep in mind that the INSANE LEVEL OF RUBE GOLDBERG CRAP they have to put on a diesel motor these days to make it meet the Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards makes the total drivetrain package slightly less complex than a particle accelerator.

thinking man's reccomendation: avoid diesel.