A4Q: questions, comments, observations

[wong@agave.humgen.upenn.edu (Christopher Wong)]

hello everyone,

i have had my '96 A4Q for almost 2 months now, and am very impressed with 
it. ride/handling, styling, build quality are all excellent. i have never 
owned an audi, in fact, this is our first german car. there are some 
little things about the A4 which i find interesting, puzzling, etc. 
please excuse me if these things have ben brought up before, or they are 
just stupid points.

1. why is the right side mirror smaller than the right, as well as convex?
why are they tinted blue?

2. why are there "dummy" buttons on the dash, next to the buttons for the 
foglights, defroster. etc?

3. when you are driving w/o the ac on, does warm air flow out of the 
vents? is this normal? i thought it was fresh air, but it is too warm. 

4. when i first got the car, i folded down the rear seat. ever since 
then, they rattle when i drive over bumps. i am positive they are back in 
position correctly.

5. is everyone else's radio reception a little disappointing? i assume 
this is because there is no aerial antenna. has anyone done anything 
about this?

6. has anyone figured out a way to protect the armrests and center 
console. they are already showed signs of wear.

in general, i think it is a great car. just has a few "idiosyncrasies". 
but i'd take it over most things out on the road today.

thanks for any help.

chris

ps. what kind of gas mileage have people been getting? just curious.