An Expert Opinion...or two

[ldmoore at att.net]

Good to hear ya got the green light.  Here is what I
found which may be helpful to you.  If not, the delete
key is in the upper right corner of your keyboard.

In December of last year, I bought a 1998 BMW 323iS.  In
the process I drove a new, 2000 A4 1.8TQ with five
speed, it didn't have the sport package.  I asked about
the sport package.  The salesman said they hardly ever
get one with the sport package because it doesn't do
anything and the seats are hard to get in and out of.
The power was ok, but to me the thing pushed like a
front wheel drive car.  I bought the Bimmer as a result.

Now keep in mind I had a 4000csq pro rally car and
longed for quattro...which I later sold and went off the
list.

Recently, my wife and I got a 2000 A4 Avant 2.8Q with
the five speed and the sport package and now I'm happily
back on the list.  In this process we drove the auto and
the tiptronic with and without the sport package.
Again, I found that the sport package to be essential
and so did my wife.  Push, push, push.  Also, we both
felt the auto and tip are less than desirable, as if you
gave up 50 horsepower.  And, my wife really wanted an
auto!  You know what we bought.

Here's my opinion:  Sport package and manual, otherwise
buy a Taurus, they push about the same amount.  I'm
coming down hard here.  Totally different cars, almost
with and without the sport package.  The other option is
get some real suspension components from the get go,
tell the dealer that as a bargaining tool.  2.8 vs.
1.8T.  Your on the money as far as mods, etc. go.  The
2.8 likes to rev a bit.  The 2.8 is probably a better
around town car without mods...you may differ, depends
on what you're use to and where and how you drive.

Both my wife and I are car freaks...so look at the
signature listing to tell where I'm coming from.

YMMV, as always...best wishes.
L.D. Moore
1998 BMW 323iS
2000 A4 Avant 2.8QM
1998 BMW M roadster