Re: 98 A4 musings

[Jeremiah Kristal <jeremiah@wbsnyc6.wbs.com>]

On Wed, 9 Sep 1998, Ti Kan wrote:

> I was at the Carlsen dealer yesterday to get my 96 A4q looked at
> (The radio's FM reception suddenly became very poor, and they wound
> up replacing the whole radio to fix it).  Anyway, while I was waiting
> I strolled around the lot to look at the new cars, and sat in a new 98
> A4 2.8q for a little while.
> 
> I noticed a number of small changes compared to my 96 model that are
> interesting.  The obvious ones are the color and wood choices (Atmospheres
> stuff), but here are some others:

Hmmm, I guess my early-98 doesn't get all the trick toys.  
> 
> 1. Different door lock pin (shorter) and alarm LED next to it.  My 96
>    doesn't have an LED on the door.  The only alarm indicator is the
>    blinking fog light switch light.
> 
I also don't have this.  Though the newer 98 that parks next to me does.

> 2. An extra wire-mesh grille on the inside door panel, above the speaker
>    and below the power mirror controls.  What's that for?

Speaker for the cellphone I think.
> 
> 3. The speaker grilles now have a badge that says "Audi/Bose".
> 
Don't have the Bose, so I can't say.

> 4. The instrument cluster graphics is slightly different, there is coarser
>    gradations on the clock, but they added numerics to the 12, 3, 6 and 9
>    o'clock positions.

I think I have this, which is a bit odd.  I guess when Audi says running
changes, they really mean running changes.  
> 
> 5. The digital odometer and trip odometer LEDs now light up momentarily
>    when you open the car door.  On my car, it will light up only when
>    you turn on the ignition, or if you turn on the parking light/headlight.
> 
I haven't noticed this, so I assume that I don't have it.

> 6. The 98 manual trans shift knob is bigger and uglier than the 96.

Is that the sport shifter?  I think the non-sport shift knob on mine is
the same as the 97 I looked at.
> 
> 7. The radio is different (I knew this one already).  The new Audi Concert
>    unit seems to have somewhat better front panel ergonomics than my Audi
>    Delta CC unit, but I light the Delta CC's looks better.  The volume control
>    knob is closer to the driver's side on the Delta CC.
> 
I've got the old radio, and I actually like it.

> 8. The climate control's '-' and '+' buttons have smooth faces rather than
>    the sculpted ones as on my 96.

I think mine are smooth.  Though I would prefer a plain OFF switch.
> 
> 9. The spring-loaded dual cup holders as found on my 96 A4 is no longer there.
>    In its place is a storage trough.  The larger storage trough next to
>    the hand brake handle is now where the dual cup holder is now.  The new
>    cup holder is simply two dished-in areas with two little tongues for
>    cup retension.  Maybe this could hold a cup better than the old design,
>    but not as "trick".

If you only drink canned pop, it works pretty well.  It doesn't do very
well with either bottles or coffee cups, but I prefer to drive with both
hands anyway.  Passengers can suffer.  :)
 > 
> 10. The arm rest lid-open latch is different.  The old design was to slide
>     the button sideways to open, the new one is to push in.
I've got the old latch, though you push in to lift the armrest.

> 
> 11. The sports steering wheel center is subtly reshaped compared to mine.
>     Also, slightly different textures.  The faux bolts "dimples" are gone.

Alas, I don't have the sport wheel.
> 
> 12. The dome light fades out gradually rather than just turning off.  Cool.

This I do have.  I also know that I didn't get the super-trick folding
key/alarm fob.  It seems like a lot of changes for a single model year,
but at least I got the 30V engine.

Jeremiah