The 2.8/3.0 V6s are OK, but you need to keep the revs up if you want any sort of "briskness" in your throttle response. You can do that with the tip in manual mode and it lessens the automatic penalty a bit.

Yeah, it would have to be auto. She doesn't drive a stick. In fact, she points the car rather than really driving it. Scary. Keeps her away from the 911's driving seat anyway .;)

Ian

I've had 3 A4's one of them a sedan and 2 avants. All 1.8 t w/ garrett chips. Well worth the $500. I have always has a warranty on them. The second car had starting problems, Audi traded even up on another no questions asked. All were black. All 3 had squeeky brakes in the colder months.
I would buy another tomorrow. The new A6 avant is the best looking in the line right now.(my opinion)
My suggestion if buying w/o warranty. Purchase pre 2000 they don't have the drive by wire. And a less refined more in the seat of your pants kind of feel.

Black is a good choice b/c lower valances tend to be matte black/ gives car a more uniformed/ more purposeful look.

Just my .02

FWIW I had an E36 M3 (2dr) prior to the S4. Overall I like the S4 quite a bit better. I know BMW's have a strong build quality reputation, but my personal experience was shaky. It required $thousands in warranty repairs early on, and was already developing rattles and creaks after about 6 months. My sister in law has an E36 318i conv. which is a real a POS. The E36 was a damn sexy looking car though...beats the A4/S4 hands down there...UNLIKE the E46 which I find fugly (plus now I need a 4-door).

FWIW I've driven loaner 1.8T's with the Tip and didn't like that combo at all. If you want a Tip, I'd go with a 6 (or V8).

I really wish Audi (and Porsche) would make an SMG available in regular production cars.

Interesting Chris, I haven't driven the two to compare, I was just passing along what I had heard/ read on other forums.

I agree on the tip, it makes the 1.8T and the V6 into dogs. Go with a tip S4, at least it won't be slow.

I own a 2001.5 1.8 turbo and love it. Great in the snow.. I did however have the extended 100k warranty ( it's not got 107k miles on it). I had a bunch of expensive stuff replaced under warranty. Now it's paid for so putting some $ into it once in a while isn't so painful.. For an everyday driver it's a great car.. Also the Audi Club DE's will let you run your P car!!!

I love my 1.8T A4 quattro as well. It is a higher maintenance car than a honda or toyota, but very rewarding to drive. It's the best riding car (for a daily driver) I have ever driven. I added a chip and it is now much more fun. I can see how an automatic tranny would be sluggish with the 4 banger. With the MT and the chip, it's a pretty quick car though. (I managed to outrun a redneck with his 'hemi' dodge pickup the other day. he was trying to cut me off while entering the highway.)