Re: potential new S4 owner

[Kneale Brownson <knotnook@traverse.com>]

I've not seen a FAQ on the new S4, Patrick, but there've been a couple demo
drive reports here since last summer.  Maybe someone else saved them and
can point you to the correct archive date for the current-year archives.

A general FAQ regarding older Audi models is available at:

                 http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/9715/faq.html

Kneale Brownson



At 03:38 PM 11/14/99 -0500, Patrick Sanger wrote:
>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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