Audi: considering a4 1.8t quattro 1999

p.s.

How does one activate the "kick down device"? The reference manual says
"when the accelerator pedal is pressed down past the full throttle
position". Is that how kick down is activated, or how you would trigger it
once it's activated (by some other device). I'm wondering now about my test
drive passing situation--if it was activated and that's what resulted in the
too high rev. Just a thought....

Lisa,

The long lag may be due to a blown turbo bypass valve. I believe the stock
part was a "A" version (sorry can't find the VAG number but its a well known
weak part) but the part from the TT which is a "N" version is better.

Tony
Ottawa

"poo" <net> wrote in message
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EXCEPT 
freeway 
is 
on 
mechanics 
manual? 
language 
persnickety 

"poo" <net> wrote in message
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EXCEPT 

To me, that's a huge 'except'. Like you, I've driven stick all my life,
and was considering the Tip so that my g/f could drive it (she hates
manual). But after I testdrove both the stick and the Tip ('01 A4 1.8T
quattro), there was no way I was going to get the Tip. The only
usefulness of an automatic tranny is if you spend hours in
bumper-to-bumper traffic every day. Other times, it sucks. Turbo +
quattro + automatic tranny resulted in huge lag and just an overall slow
car, at least for me, and in comparison to the manual version. Maybe
with an ECU chip and a Tip chip it would have been more peppy, but I
would still miss the clutch.
 
manual? 

Well, it does work. You tap the shift lever, and it shifts up or down
with about a 1 second delay. The Tip chip can reduce this delay
somewhat. If you forget to shift by the time you approach redline, the
car will shift for you. I don't own a Tip, just test-drove one, so I'm
not really a good source of info. It was just not my cup of tea. I
bought the manual version and have been extremely happy with it for over
2 years now. It's chipped too. ;-) G/f got her own car (auto) and she
stays away from mine. ;-)

I know a few people who bought the Tip and later wished they had gotten
a manual instead. I don't know anyone who bought a manual and wished
he'd gotten a Tip instead.

But again, YMMV, so go out there and test-drive extensively. Go to an
Audi dealer that has a smiliar used car on the lot but with manual
tranny and ask to test drive it for comparison. IMO, if you really want
a stick, don't settle for the Tip. You'll regret it every single time
you get into the car later. Keep looking - there are quite a few of
them around with manual trannies.

Good luck.

Pete

Thanks for the advice (Pete and Tony). It's much appreciated. I don't
think there's anything as desperate as a bad bypass valve on the car--the
lag when shifting in high gears on automatic was there, but merely SEEMED
long to me, since I wanted to rocket. In reality, I'm betting it wasn't
tragically long (and therefore, not a mechanical problem). Merely a
patience problem ;-) And I did notice the delay before the Tiptronic
shifted as well. I'm sure the previous owner never put in the chip (he
actually never used it), so a chip install might ameliorate the shifting
delay during "manual" shifting a bit.

And it's funny, Pete, because the mechanic who checked out the car for me,
said just the opposite--that once you get an automatic, you never go back to
manual, and that he never met anyone who was sorry they purchased on
automatic. But I'm thinking I'm a part of that small (and DEMANDING)
percentage of folks who just cry for complete and utter control of the
process. And so a manual it will be. I test drove the manual a couple
years ago, and I remember feeling downright joyful about the control. Back
to my search, I guess. Now if only I can find another previous owner as
meticulous and fussy. That would be a real find!

Thanks again,

Lisa



"Pete" <com> wrote in message
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Lisa,
If you want a car owned by an enthusiast, look in the Matketplace on
www.audiworld.com
Depending on how close you are with your local dealership(s), you may ask
them to contact you immediately when a well-maintained car with the grocery
list of items you want comes in on a trade. The dealership will know who is
an "enthusiast" - most often you'll find them in the showroom while their
car is on the hoist, sitting in the latest S-model making "vroom vrOOM!!!!"
noises.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ - Vroom! - when it's running well.....
1980 Audi 5k - memories of vroom!
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - putt putt....
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

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"Steve Sears" <on.ca> wrote in message 

Yeah, I wasn't sure whether to lead her on that path or not, so I
purposefully didn't mention the Classifieds on AW. But maybe it's good
you did. While it's true that many AW'ers are enthusiasts, many of the
cars there are heavily modified. I wasn't sure if she wanted to buy one
of those or if she'd prefer stock and take it from there...

 
ask 
grocery 

That's a good idea. In addition, she may try the link someone posted
here the other day that lets you search the Audi certified pre-owned
dealer inventory:

http://www.audiusa.com/certified_cpo_search/0,5752,200,00.html

Cheers,

Pete

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 15:52:32 +0100, "Pete" <com>
wrote:
 

[other good advice cut]

Lisa, go with a stock car for your first Audi and learn for yourself
what YOU like. I'm on my second (third if you include the '95 VW
Passat) Audi and have decided that stock is fine for my current
lifestyle and expenses. My 98.5 2.8 A4Q is a dream driver that hasn't
been horribly expensive to maintain. Buying from an enthusiast is
something I highly recommend. People who have bought my cars have
been very pleased with them because I am anally retentive about
maintenance and instant repair. But I will admit that I'm not willing
or interested enough to spend the extra $$ to chip the engine or mod
the suspension. That doesn't mean I'm not an enthusiast: I most
certainly am in the sense that I want to keep my baby running
wonderfully for many years. I anticipate this car to be the last I'll
buy for the next 5-10 years, unpleasant events notwithstanding.

Also, buy the manual transmission.

Katie, 5-speed driver who loves "total" control over her driving
experience

Lisa,

The early versions of the bypass valve really were bad - the diaphragm
ruptures. The "N" version is the only worthwhile Bosch part.

As for automatics, I previously owned a VW Passat with Tiptronic. The
automatic was good. The pseudo automatic used very rarely. I currently enjoy
a 1996 S6 which in NA came as a standard only

Tony
Ottawa

"poo" <net> wrote in message
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