| Tech Article Title
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Author
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Date
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| '98 -vs- '98.5 A4 (What's the Difference?)
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Robert Overcash
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1998
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In an attempt to distinguish between the '98 and '98.5 monikers used on the Forum, here is a fairly exhaustive list of changes made to mid-year 98s vs. early production 98s (predominantly on 2.8 models):
EXTERIOR:
- There are no black jelly bean Audi logos below the side markers
- The tail lamps are solid red (no amber signals)
- The ABS system updated to version 5.3
INTERIOR:
- The instrument panel now has different hash markings and is *always* illuminated
- The analog clock in the instrumet cluster has numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12
- The warning light cluster in the center of the instrument panel (above the outside temp gauge on non trip-equipped models) now has 6 little warning light squares instead of the old 4 big ones
- Atmospheres interior selections introduced
- Sport steering wheel center hub gets "golf ball dimples" (previously faux rivets) with matching shift knob
- There are illiminated red "courtesy lamps" inside the doors when opened
- Side airbags (in seat bolsters)
- The stereo head unit is the middle-button Concert, not left-button Delta
- Center armrest storage compartment release latch is lift-to-open vs. slide-left-to-open
- Alarm "armed" red LED lights moved to doors (next to lock thingies) - Alarm activation used to be indicated by blinking red triangle on Hazard
- Lights switch
- Variable intermittent wiper control
- Sport seats available in leather (cloth on 1.8Ts)
- Headliner material is different (no longer looks/feels like felt)
- Bose sound system no longer available as stand-alone option w/out CD changer
- Late 98's (beginning ~7/98) also received new stationary cupholders relocated to under center armrest in place of quarky old "pop-up" ones
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