potential new S4 owner

["Patrick Sanger" <psanger@flashmail.com>]

hello quattro list,
I'm new to the list and I've never owned an audi. I have a couple (dozen)
questions regarding the new S4 and audis in general.
-I'm sure it is asked alot, but is the preferred pronunciation "o-di" or
"out-i"?
-before I ask too many stupid questions, is there a good faq somewhere with
info that someone new to audis in general would find helpful?
-are there any abbreviations or naming schemes I should know about?
-is there any protocol for posting to the list i.e. for mail filters etc.?
-are there any taboos on the list?
-what is the list's opinion on the new biturbo S4?
-I currently drive a (twin-turbo) 94 mazda RX-7 (aka third gen). it has the
following mods: cold air intake, front strut brace, downpipe (replaces
pre-cat), cat-back exhaust and rideheight and stiffness adjustable coil-over
suspension. I'm starting to consider replacing it with an S4 for two
reasons: (1) the superstiff suspension, little sound deadening, two seats,
etc. etc. etc. make it impracticle and tiring. (2) I'll be moving from south
florida to the northeast and 2750lbs+rwd+300hp+3in ground clearance+wide
rear tires+snow=bad.
-how do the audi turbo engines take to mods? I come from experience with
turbo rotaries, which, to say the least, take much thought and money to get
reliable power from. can you just turn up the boost (ie reprog ecu) without
ill effects?
-what is the reliability like on late model audis?
-is traction control really not needed w/ awd? I don't think it is offered
on the S4.
-are audis good track cars? ie are there any underengineered parts on the
car, that fail when stressed under track conditions? my rx7 will overheat
under prolonged track conditions, how is the S4's cooling system?
-I've only read the list for about a day, and looked at a couple days worth
of archives, but I want to commend you all on the lack of crap and nonsense
on the list. I'm also a member of the rx7 (rx7@world.std.com) list, and on
some days, my mailbox will be filled up with nothing but flame. and on most
days its filled up with off-topic crap. on that list, I'm glad for the
language filters, because if /that/ makes it through, I can't imagine what
doesn't.
-how is the aftermarket? what are prices like for typical mods (price for
ecu reprogram? price for cat-back exhaust?)
-what are the first typical mods? are there recognized mod stages?
-how is the fuel system? does it have high reserves?
-what is the drivetrain efficiency? ie what percentage drivetrain loss?
-how do you dyno a 4wd car?
-what are the dealers like? are they competent enough to work on the cars?
for example, it is known in the rx7 community that dealers should be avoided
like the plague. in the early days (early 93), a hose would pop off an
engine, and the dealer would replace the entire engine+turbo assembly
because they didn't know what else to do. the car was too unique and rare
for dealers to know how to work on them. do certain audi suffer the same
fate?
-are there many audi vs. ferrari,viper,porsche,<cough>rx7<cough hehe>
threads on the list?
-are there "list events" where people go driving together etc.
-I noticed a thread about putting a mazda rotary in an audi and then some
talk about the disadvantages:
"Fuel consumption however was never addressed, which is why (despite the
fact that it's a great engine) no-one really seriously gets into rotary
engines anymore." well, I guess audi-guys can't be expected to follow the
happenings in the rotary world, but in the near future, mazda will be
introducing a couple rotary powered cars, powered by an engine code-named
renesis (rotary engine genesis) which is rumored to produce 280 hp (NA from
1.3L 2-rotor) and get better gas mileage than any past rotary to boot. all
that in the size of a beer-keg. put in a miata weight (2300 lb) car. it will
seriously rock. I'll truly consider it as my second car (the first car being
the S4 of course). I digress...

I'd like to thank everybody in advance for any insight they can give me. I
hope to dive in to the world of audi and get to know as much about the cars,
company and people as possible.

thanks again,
Patrick Sanger


































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