This review from USA Today claims that Audi acknowledged delayed throttle response, and that they were investigating. Two years later...denial...

I tend to agree with the latest posts--that it isn't turbo or tip lag, but "throttle-by-wire" lag. My TCU was replaced which cleaned up the wobble as well as the sloppy shifting, but hasn't done a thing for the throttle lag.

My local Audi tech said that the ECU is programmed to not bring on full power if the brake is depressed. Audi tech line was asking if perhaps I had my foot on the brake at the same time as the accelerator. I don't left foot brake, and made sure my right foot was completely clear of the brake when attempting to recreate the lag. It still does it...

I would love to see a sampling from the ECU to see when the actual throttle opens in relation to the accelerator being depressed. I know I can recreate the lag without needing a downshift (still in 1st), so I don't think it is transmission related...unless the transmission TCU has some control over the throttle-by-wire?

Take a look at the article. Yet more proof there is a problem that Audi isn't addressing...nor being honest about.

I love the allroad with exception of this throttle lag. With a 2 and 4 year old, it really bothers me that this lag shows up at inopportune moments where there is a risk of someone T-boning the side.

I'm ready to file with NTHSA. I noticed that there are several other complaints already filed on the NTHSA site on the acceleration issue--anyone on here filed yet??

Thanks,
Jeff<ul><li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/columns/healey/0033.htm">USA Today Review</a></li></ul>

 

You get on the throttle and nothing really happens.. DBW sucks! Would be nice to get it fixed, this is with 6spds as well, so it's not only a TIP problem

 

It's especially obvious that there is no pronounced delay in throttle response, when blipping the throttle in neutral. The accelerator needs to be pushed authoritatively for the tach needle to move with any speed, but it moves when asked.

When do you notice the problem? I think you're the first 6-spd driver who's reported the issue here.

 

I've been following this forum since I purchased a 2002 allroad 2 months ago. Interesting subjects discussed and a very avid group. I have been most interested in the hesitation issues. I have noticed this since day one and it's intermittent. We have had some of the same issues on a Passat 2.8 4motion. The VW dealer has stated that it's a drive by wire issue and that everything is working. There is a TCB on the Passat referring to the left foot brake thing. The Passat has over 10k miles and is much better but still has some hesitation intermittently. The allroad hesitation seems to be similar. Also the Passat 5 speeds don't seem to have the hesitation.

By the way I really like driving the allroad especially when compared to the SUVs I've owned for the past 15 years. I do however miss the visibility the full size SUV provided

 

Have not tested with allroad.. Need to do that.

 

Mine's posted under model name "Quattro." Last I checked, "allroad" wasn't a choice.

Haven't heard a response. Then again, I didn't expect one.

 

The problem is being tackled by Australian tech people and will be discussed when they visit Germany next week. My 2002 build has an interminable delay and is quite dangerous when merging.

 

no delay here................never heard anyone with a 6spd complain before...........

 

Here's the text of a letter I just wrote to USA Today. I'll let you know if I receive a response.

"In Mr. Healey's 11/3/00 article entitled "Test Drive: The 2001 Audi allroad quattro," he indicates that "Audi acknowledges what it calls "delayed throttle response" and says it is investigating."

Since then, many "allroads" have been marketed and sold by Audi, having this problem. A petition signed by over 100 allroad owners was recently filed with Audi. In response, Audi denied any delayed throttle response problem with its cars.

Would it be possible to talk to Mr. Healey about his original article. It would help to know who at Audi he spoke to, and what the results were of Audi's "investigation." Several complaints have since been filed with the NTHSA.

I wonder if USA Today might like to do a follow-up story. I can put you in touch with the folks who wrote the petition and probably most of the folks who signed it (via the Internet). Thank you for your consideration, and help with this important safety issue."

 

I have, currently, a 2001 A6 4.2, previously had a 2000 A6 4.2, and a 1999 A6 2.8 and before that a 1997 A8 4.2 quattro. All had five speed automatic transmissions. The '97 A8 was not a tiptronic.

All of these cars had what I would call moderate turbo lag. Funny thing, none of them were/are turbos. I had a 1995 S6 with a 5 speed manual -- I swear, it did NOT have turbo lag -- it, was a turbo. My wife is on her second turbo charged Audi, a TT -- her first one was the 180HP model and her current one is a 225HP model. I have driven both her turbo cars and my afforementioned '95 S6 and my 1988 5000CS tubo quattro extensively. The tiptronics have, compared to the automatics, very noticable turbo lag. I have never actually owned a turbo auto Audi -- all my auto Audis have been V8's except for the 1999 V6.

Based on what I have driven, the tips just seem to "wait a moment" when you ask them to "get up and go" much like what turbo lag is supposed to feel like.

I do not think this is unique to Audi.

Modern "smart" automatics (and I hear they keep getting faster and better) have a lot of calculations to go through when the driver pushes the accelerator down hard -- such as, how fast was the pedal pushed, is the car going up or down hill and what has been the pattern of the driving heretofore.

Through 2001 at least, the computers were fast, but not fast enough -- and certainly not as fast as the human brain when connected to a manual transmission. Today, even the mighty RS6 must make do with a five speed tiptronic -- albeit with a faster computer and a stronger build.

Although by "next Tuesday" what I am about to write may no longer be true, as of this minute, the truth of the matter is that the best of the best tiptronics are still not up to "human" capabilities with the standard manual shift transmissions.

If you want an allroad that performs to your expectations, I can only suggest that getting a tiptronic will leave you wanting -- and make no mistake, the tiptronic is a very good automatic.

When I read the bitches and moans about allroads with tiptronics, it makes me wonder if lengthy (several hours) test drives were taken. The tiptronics, in my experience perform as designed, which is to say they are adequate.

And, btw, the worst 5 spd automatic I have ever had was in my '97 A8 -- a hunting we will go, a hunting we will go, hi ho the merry-o a hunting we will go -- ah there's a gear, no wait, let's try a lower one, nope how 'bout a higher one. The damn thing would only hold a gear above 75 MPH -- which while very easily attained, is and was not easily gotten away with here in Ohio!

Get the 6sp manual -- or wait for what I hear is an excellent 6spd tiptronic -- coming soon to an Audi near you.

My 2003 allroad will be in my garage within 20 days! The anticipation is killing me!