ALLROAD (2.7t) OWNERS, I have questions...

[TM]

To answer some of your questions, Rolf-

I don't own a 2.7T car, so this is all based on my impressions
driving various cars (S4tt, A6 2.7T, allroad):

1. Skip the Tiptronic if you can avoid it and your wife and you can
agree on the manual transmission. The clutches in the current cars are
so light that it's not going to kill you to drive a stick, even in
traffic.
I've had no problem lugging around a 2.7T in 6th, at highway speeds
(read
60+ mph), but obviously it's better in 4th or 5th. The little K03s have
so
little lag relative to the older I-5 cars that I don't really worry
about
turbo lag driving one of these cars, turbo spool up on the 1.8T (which I
do have quite a bit of experience with) is nearly instantaneous, even
w/ the chip, in marked contrast to my 200.

2. What are you used to driving? That makes the relative comparison a
lot
easier to figure out. The stock allroad is quite a heavy car and only
250
(or 265, depending on who you believe) hp. Chipped 2.7T cars are
monsters
in terms of power and torque- you gotta love them. Seems that early S4s
are
the most problematic, although I still hear of bypass valves failing
relatively
often and throttle body boots going bad. As long as you follow proper
cool-down
procedures, don't use too heavy of an oil (I'm sticking w/ Mobil 1 0W40
for
the 1.8T and 2.7T) and make sure you don't have bypass valve failure or
TBB leaks,
you should be fine.

3. I think that's a little much to ask for, but if you can get into low
$41k range
on a new '02, that's a heck of a deal. I doubt you'll get one for under
$40k.

4. Xenon HID, IMHO, is a must- totally worth the price. Especially if
you live out
in the countryside, which, IIRC, you do. (Reading, right?) It's too bad
you can't
get the bi-Xenon system as offered in Europe- check to see that's not
offered for
'03, might be worth waiting for, but I'm obsessive about brakes,
lighting and
performance.

5. If you have to get something else, the new Honda Pilot looks awfully
nice-
same engine/drivetrain as the Acura MD-X, cheaper price, less luxo
features.

Taka

-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-admin at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-admin at audifans.com] On
Behalf Of R. Mair
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 9:39 PM
To: Quattro List
Subject: ALLROAD (2.7t) OWNERS, I have questions...


Welp, I test drove a new 2002 tiptronic Allroad tonight and was pretty
impressed. The test drive circuit consisted of nice back country roads,
with allot of switchbacks, bumps and a few straights in which to open it
up a little. Basically this car will be my wifes daily driver, however I
have questions that need to be answered by the enthusiasts on this list,
and not a salesman who needs to sell you the car. In reply, please CC
waves at epix.net as well...

#1 I dislike the tiptronics somewhat. They seem, after all these years,
to still have to much computer assist and lag. Does anyone have a 6
speed in their allroad and if so, what sort of fuel mileage do you get.
Also, does the engine seem to have enough grunt to accelerate from a
taller gear without shifting?


#2 I wasn't impressed with the power. I thought it should have a little
more smoke. I do realize that the demo car only had 100miles, likely had
old fuel and the AC was on, plus it's heavy and yanking all 4 wheels.
Question is, has anyone chipped these cars and what was the result. One
of the companies make an 4 level chip (valet, stock, sport and race
setting) for what seems to be a reasonble price. I'm just wondering if
these motors have reacted favorably and reliably to being chipped?


#3 Price, it seems that the 2002 are going for a few thousand under
MSRP, in order to make way for the 2003 which are presently sitting in
parking lots at the docks. I don't need all the fluff (xenon lights, nav
system, northstar etc.) but still want heated seats and minor options.
Pricing seems to be in the low $41-42k range, with what the salesman
says is even, 'perhaps', a little more room to work. Has anyone
purchased a mildly equipped 2002 allroad for under $40k?


#4 I'd love to have the xenon lights, but I'd need to buy into the
premium package which adds $2k to the price. Can anyone say these lights
really are that awesome, compared to the standard projection lights,
that they'd be worth the extra cost of getting all the other options I
really don't need? I know they are better, but by how much?


#5 Any other suggestions are welcome. If the wife doesn't agree with me
wanting an Allroad, I'm affraid we may be shopping for a cheaper SUV :-(

Rolf