[Vwdiesel] A4 handling issues

[Shawn Wright]

On 6 Mar 2004 at 10:58, Val Christian <val at swamps.roc.ny.us> wrote:

> A year later, I was still frustrated (this really annoys me when 
> roads are icy).  I talked with the alignment specialist.  He essentially
> confirmed that my observations are common with all A4s.  He doesn't
> drive his A4 on long trips, and ops for his Lexus instead, for just
> that reason.  He says that VW went to the new suspension to simplify 
> repairs and keep the cost of ownership down.  (No need to set camber
> after a strut replacement, for example.)  He says they went to the
> increased forward caster to make the car feel more "responsive" for 
> young drivers interested in a sporty feel.  My old Rabbits were plenty
> responsive.  And they didn't need power steering.  

Val,

(I changed the title since I can't stand seeing H*nd*s discussed here... ;-)

Interesting comments on the A4s. My parents are on their second one now, this one 
a 2002 (I think, it could be an '03) Jetta TDI Auto. First was a 2000 Jetta TDI 5sp. 
They have driven to and from Yuma, AZ to VI, BC several times per year, ~1500 
miles, done in 3 days, sometimes 2 days. My Dad has always raved about how nice 
the car is on the highway, usually he sets the cruise at 140 km/h, or about 85-90 
mph.

The previous cars were: 91 Jetta GTX, 89 Jetta GTX, and a handful of earlier A2 
Jettas. Both of the Jetta GTXs have been on this same trip at least once, so I'll have 
to ask him how they compare.

I do recall him saying the 91 GTX handled better than the 2000 TDI when he got it, 
even with 16" wheels on the TDI, vs 15" on the GTX (and 300k kms on it!). I 
attributed this mainly to weight and suspension differences. The GTX handled like it 
was on rails, and you felt every nuance of the road. The first time I drove the TDI, I 
tore down a local backroad and was doing well over 100km/h before I noticed the 
speed. (I would normally do 80 km/h on this road limit is 60.) This kind of scared me 
- I'm used to feeling the road, not being insulated from it. I haven't driven the A4s 
enough to experience the problem you mention though.

I still love the A2 feel, but would like to see some improvement in the suspension 
components, especially the upper strut mounts. I'm so tired of changing them - I 
have another set waiting to go in at the moment. One day maybe I'll try the A3 style 
mounts, which apparently can work in an A2.

--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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