Re: Questions for 96 A4Q owners

[dan_masi@MENTORG.COM (Dan Masi)]

On Sep 26,  4:43am, Achille Riviello wrote:

> Now, I've got a couple of questions for those lucky 96 Q owners:
> 
> First, the blower fan seemed awfully noisy to me at high speeds, especially
> with the air conditioning on--is this normal?

Normal for cars in general, or for the A4?  To me, the blower
*is* extremely loud when it's at max.  Happily, you don't usually
have the blower on max for all that long, but it is a bit annoying
to me to own a car that's quite refined in most ways, but
goes to the opposite end of the spectrum in a select few ways.

Can't have everything, I guess.

> Do you feel you have adequate highway acceleration and low end 
> torque?  This is the one thing that I worry about--power. 

It's certainly "adequate".  I'd even describe it as "quick".
Sure, I'd like another 30 hp, but then, who wouldn't?

> Does the scheduled maintenance include oil changes every 3000 miles or is it
> more like 6000 or 7500 miles? 

Every 7500 miles.  I'm comfortable with that interval using
synthetic oil (which your dealer will likely charge you more
for... I just brought my own oil)

> After having the car "x" months now, what do you think of it?

For me, x=3.5.  I love it.

>  What is good?  What sucks? 

Nothing flat-out sucks.  You've already hit one of my peeves (blower
noise).  Again, I'd prefer a bit more power, but I still think
the car is quick enough to be fun.  At highway+ speeds, there's
a wind whistle at the driver's side (I think it's the mirror) that
seems endemic to this car.  The FM reception on the factory
radio (both BOSE and non, they're the same head unit) is awful,
both in sensitivity and audio coloration... this comes close
to flat-out sucking.  I'm having a bit of trouble getting comfy
with my driver's seat, it feels like it digs into the underside
of my uppermost right thigh a bit much.  I'm hoping that it'll
break in...

> Finally, is it worth it?  I should be able to walk away with a new A4Q,
> leather, sport steering wheel, sunroof, and keyless entry for right at $28k
> ($400 over invoice, including $475 destination).  Good deal? 

Yep.

> Anything better deals out there?  Anything better for the $$$?

I seriously doubt it.  

Good luck!

Dan Masi
'96 A4Q