Subject: An Expert Opinion...or two

[TM]

Mark-
Congrats on the new car. As for your comments, some of mine:

Other than a slightly larger turbo (from what I've heard, not confirmed)
and more boost pressure, there really isn't any difference. I've heard
that there is some tweaking of the head as well, but I can't confirm that
to be fact. Audi and VW just turned up the boost a bit- basically you
have the powerplant of the TT180 in the new VWs.

As for the suspension- I don't consider the Sport suspension to be harsh
at all on the A4- in fact, it's quite compliant- too soft IMHO.

Coming from a 4kq I'm surprised that you'd say the clutch is nice in
an A4- I hate the clutch feel! The clutch engages at the top of its
travel, very light and without much feel at all. I prefer clutch engagement
right off of the floor within the first few inches, much easier to modulate
and control that way, IMHO. My 200's clutch is far better than the A4,
although it is heavier. The new S4tt I drove at Nazareth was very nice,
much better than the A4- clutch engaged literally right off the floor,
like the new BMW M cars.

The Avant is far more practical and a better looking car than the sedan, I
agree. It handles better because the extra weight balances the F/R weight
ratio a little better, although less so w/ the 2.8 and 2.7T engines due
to the much greater weight up front.

The real advantage to the 1.8 is the fuel economy- you can get around 28mpg
on the highway with the cruise engaged, which is not doable w/ the 2.8 or
the
2.7T. The upgradeability and the lighter weight are also pluses for
enthusiasts,
although IMHO the small engine greatly limits your options for power. When
my
200q was stock, our chipped 1.8T would still get smoked by my 200 on the
highway
because of the difference in torque and top-end power, even though the A4
was
lighter and awfully close in numbers- 210hp, don't know the torque figure,
but
I think 230lb-ft. at least, judging by the GIAC dyno sheets I can recall.

Taka