A4QM Avant 40k report

["Shaun D. Mullen" <smullen@philly.infi.net>]

Some observations and comments on my 98.5 A4QM Avant, which just turned
40,000 miles:

-- Bought the car new in mid-April 1998, so I'm racking up miles at the
rate of about 1,000 a week, mostly hiway, some city, a fair amount of
twisty rural and mountain roads.  Gas mileage average 18-19 city, 28-30
hiway.

-- Complaints: None.  Have gotten used to the driver's side window
controls being too far back and the right-hand mirror being too small.

-- Problems: Trivial and few between, to say the least: (1.) First one,
then the other low-beam bulb burned out at about 30k, certainly
prematurely even tho I keep them on during the day.  Replaced under
warranty.  (2.) Car interior began developing stale sweatsock smell. 
Put in new pollen filter on advice of q-lister and smell disappeared. 
Replaced under warranty.

-- Praise: Sweet shifting, long legged.  Great looks continue to grow on
me.

-- Dealer service: Excellent.

-- Sum-up: A fabulous car that, as expected, has handled rain, freezing
rain, sleet and snow (okay, only up to 7 or 8 inches deep) with aplomb. 
Integration of quattro and ABS is awesome, far superior to my '92
100CSQW.  

Shaun Mullen
West Grove, PA