MPG
 

Well, I finally broke the 500 mark with about 30 miles to spare, or that was what it was reading.
In California, I could not get over 380, city/HWY combined, now I get over 425 - 480 consistently! On the east coast!
Smiles per Gallon, or Liter for some of you!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...cc9aad69fb.jpg
!

Most of the miles my '08 with the 3.6L engine are road miles, and it consistently gets over 500 miles on a tank. Generally 21 mpg, and most trips include a mountain pass crossing. I don't brag about the in-town mpg, in the 15 to 16 ballpark.

The 4.2 was horrible, ~13 or so in-town average and only 18-19 highway but it sounded fantastic and hauled. The 3.6 is better on fuel economy, I get ~22 on long highway trips (but ~15 in town with a heavy right foot). The TDI is amazing, in around town driving it gets at least 100mi further on a tank, and on the highway 200mi further with out breaking a sweat. I haven't had the TSI engine (yet).

Do you think the better fuel economy is due to the terrain (hill vs flat), or difference in regional fuel composition/blend, or something else?
(I have a TDI so it's common to see 30-31 mpg on highway, and something like 20 mpg in city.)

I think a lot of things!
California has a special gas blend which you pay a dollar more for per gallon. There are some hills there, but nothing that concerning. There is a lot of stop and go on the highway there, parking moreso.
East coast/mid west is generally flat, but NC where I live has more hills, Appalachian mountains, gas is a dollar less on this side of the country and it has a certain smell from summer to winter.
My trip was generally flat from Michigan to Tennessee and cruise was set most all the time at 77 - 80 with 2/3 stops.
I also leave my bars on the roof full time, if I were to remove them excepting when needed, it may get better yet, from what I have read.
So all in all, there will always be factors concerning MPG.
We just do our best to get the best we can when we need to and not worry about it when we don't! :)

I love the sound of my V8, but it really is thristy. How does the TDI compare as far as performance? I saw 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 16.4 seconds in the quarter for TDI vs 6.6/15.0 for 3.0T.



https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...rm-test-review
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-s-line-page-6

Tossed these air filter on my V8. It doubt it will add power or mpg. It didn't see to even get louder.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...fbcddfbd6f.jpg

The 2013-2015 3.0L TDI has an 8spd transmission and more power/torque. It actually should be sub 7s, certainly feels that way. It will readily rotate with "offroad mode" with some pretty decent slip angles before the TCS kicks in and kills the fun. I'd guess it was at least 30 degrees, possibly more, before TCS kicked in on a rain soaked road. It will also get wheel spin on WOT from 0mph in the rain with "offroad mode". The better fuel economy and similar performance is why I switched from the 4.2 to the '13 TDI...Sure, it sounds a lot worse than the 4.2, but I still have a 4.2L vehicle that is far from quiet and only weighs around 3150lbs with no ABS, no traction control, etc etc. Just me, the 4.2L and quattro.

Good info. Looks like the 2013+ tested out much better. I keep thinking a 4.2 in an S5 would be a blast and pretty cheap.

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2...-ar158184.html

How are the shift points on the 8 speed? I am very happy with how the 6 speed downshifts when I put my foot in it. My BMW 535i with 8 speed is horrible. Downshifting is horrible. In auto, it seems to take about 2-3 seconds to make a decision and in manual it is not much better.