Re: new to list and shopping for A4Q

[William J Murin <murin@uwp.edu>]

On Sun, 7 Dec 1997, Jimidoe wrote:

Let me give you some preliminary information.  Folks on the list with A4s
can give you more specific information.  also, check on the internet for
Jet's A4 home page.  Filled with all kinds of information about the A4.


> Here goes:
> 
> 1) I am curious what other buyers have had to pay for a 2.8 in reference to
> the base msrp? (I am being told that it is 28,390 for 1998) I also found a
> website that claims the invoce base price is 24,944. Is this acurrate?

Could be.  I don;t have '98 invoice price in front of me, but for '97
invoice on FWD(not quattros) was 24,109 against an MSRP of 27,430.
Quattro was $1600, no dealer markup.


> 2) Has anyone had their warranty voided for the installation of an aftermarket
> chip. I am really asking if there is a way for an Audi dealer to detect that
> one has been installed.

A4 drivers will have to answer this.  My understanding is that factory
cannot warranty cannot be voided unless dealer/factory can prove that what
you did aftermarket caused the failure in the affected system or in
related systems.

> 3) Has anyone installed a TAP chip on a 2.8? (a claimed 17 hp) How well does
> the car respond to that chip upgrade? Are there any other tuners who make 2.8
> chips that anyone has installed and would recommend?

The "big 3" seem to TAP, Jo Hoppen in Florida and Ned Ritchie out in the
State of Washingotn.  Each has loyal advocates.  Accordiung to the posts
on this group, Ned is the kind of guy who will spend lots of time with you
answering all kinds of question about all kinds of things.


> 4) What about throttle body modifications or Cams? 

The favorite throttle body mod around here seems to be the one that
Schaumburg Audi (Chicago area) does.  Modest cost of a couple of hundred
dollars.  Modest gains.

As the seriously knowledgeable people on this list will tell you, the
normally aspirated engines (2.8 liter) will only experience very modest
hp, torque and other performance improvements from chips, exhaust mods,
K&N filters, etc.  For serious performance enhancements the 1.8 liter
turbo 4 is the way to go.

> 5) How well do the heated seats work? Is the "all weather package" worth 630$

Depends on where you live.  I'm in Wisconsin and my last 3 Audis have all
had heated seats.  Would not live without them.  My winfe has a new '98
Olds Intrigue with leather upholstery and no heated seats.  Guess whose
car tends to get used the most for "family" outings.  I would imagine on
some mornings in Charlotte from December through March they might be a
nice additon to have.

 Good luck with your decision.


Bill Murin
'89 100q

(Dear Santa:  what I really want for Christmas is a S4)