B5 A4 2.8 vs. A4 1.8T chipped

[Grant Lenahan]

I'd go with the 1.8 - lighter (better handling), more power avail, and  
lower maintenance (t-belt, etc) - with one big exception.
You have to take good care of the turbo, or it will bite you (any turbo  
will).  But if you use synthetic, change the oil regularly (5k), warm  
up easy, and cool it down, it will run a long time.

There are good arguments for both.

Grant
On May 31, 2007, at 11:10 PM, Doug Hill wrote:

> Jason,
> Sorry I am a little late on this thread, I have a '97 2.8, and it is  
> plenty peppy. I have upgraded the housing for the MAF sensor  
> www.champagnemotors.com which was a noticeable difference throughout  
> the RPM's and installed a K&N Filter. I still get around 22 mpg,  
> mostly city driving. I toiled over the same decision before I bought  
> mine.
> Good Luck
> Doug Hill
> '97 A4 2.8q
> "87 4kcsq gone but not forgotten
>
>
>> From: "Jason Kohls" <jasonkohls at gmail.com>
>> To: quattro <quattro at audifans.com>
>> Subject: B5 A4 2.8 vs. A4 1.8T chipped
>> Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 13:32:47 -0400
>>
>> Been poking around the forums and have seen quite an impressive gain
>> in hp and torque from the various chip manufacturers for the 1.8T:
>> they seem to bring the numbers in close to the 2.8 for hp and exceed
>> the torque by a fair margin.  There's also the weight penalty of a 100
>> pounds or so.
>> Reliability on the other hand -- with all things maintenance being
>> equal -- would favor the non-chipped, NA engine, correct? However, the
>> 1.8T, from what I've read, is destined to be a "classic" and I think
>> it made Edmunds Top-10 engines list, so perhaps this is not the case?
>>
>> My question is: what would you rather have, power/reliability/gas
>> mileage -- a B5 A4 2.8 or a chipped B5 A4 1.8T?
>>
>> I'm looking at getting a "new" daily and have seen quite a few
>> high-mileage for B5 A4s for dirt cheap.  My priority is reliability
>> but obviously I'd like some around town pep and some highway passing
>> and would like to know what the listers think.
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