My "new" ride

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G-MAN

G-MAN

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After spending a year and nine months with the 2012 300, I got tired of it and went car shopping. Two weeks ago, I came home with this 2010 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. It was an Audi Certified Pre-Owned with 27,000 miles on it. So far, I haven't looked back once. I love this car.

A4.jpg
 
I had a 2002 A4 Quattro with the 1.8T, best vehicle I ever had for snow, including Jeeps. Clearly the "nicest" car I've ever owned. One day I hope to own another Audi, I pass an Audi Dealer every day, and the A5 *Triple Black* keeps calling me.....when I pass by I look the other way.
 
Originally Posted By: montero1
I had a 2002 A4 Quattro with the 1.8T, best vehicle I ever had for snow, including Jeeps. Clearly the "nicest" car I've ever owned.

I had an '01 A4 tq, and it was the best vehicle I've owned as well. With that said, the new A4 just does not speak to me. I suppose it's the same issue with most new cars - they've become bloated pigs and make you feel disconnected from the driving experience. But hey, there is always the R8...
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Very nice car, how's the performance with the 2.0 4 banger?


211 HP and 258 ft/lbs of torque from 1500 rpm to 4200 rpm. How's that for a flat torque curve?

Believe it or not, one of the things that came to annoy me the most about the 300 was the 8-speed transmission. They either need to reprogram the shift points to better match the 3.6's torque curve (260 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm) or put a 6-speed in it. I got tired of the flat feeling the car had in normal driving. If you put your foot in it and wind it out, she'd go like a scalded cat. But for a nice "umph" off the line with moderate throttle, forget it. Now, this Audi with almost the same amount of torque down at 1500 rpm pulls like a freight train with moderate throttle input. And in all honesty, I think it would take the 300 in a 0-60 run.
 
Nice car. I'm sure you'll really enjoy the Audi.

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Believe it or not, one of the things that came to annoy me the most about the 300 was the 8-speed transmission. They either need to reprogram the shift points to better match the 3.6's torque curve (260 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm) or put a 6-speed in it. I got tired of the flat feeling the car had in normal driving.


This is what I really disliked about the loaner 300 I had. The car felt so "dull". It was like a mushy RWD Camry. Throttle response was either "on" or "off" due to the poor transmission programming. And they didn't give the driver basic control with a +/- shifter or "flappy paddles". It was a huge oversight in my opinion.

One could make the argument that a 300 owner isn't looking for excitement (and I suppose that's true), but Charger owners are faced with the same basic problem. And Toyota found it reasonable to put a +/- shifter in even a base model Camry.

If the 300 had more flexible transmission programming, it'd be a completely different vehicle. C'mon, Chrysler, gimmie some revs!
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Nice car. I'm sure you'll really enjoy the Audi.

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Believe it or not, one of the things that came to annoy me the most about the 300 was the 8-speed transmission. They either need to reprogram the shift points to better match the 3.6's torque curve (260 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm) or put a 6-speed in it. I got tired of the flat feeling the car had in normal driving.


This is what I really disliked about the loaner 300 I had. The car felt so "dull". It was like a mushy RWD Camry. Throttle response was either "on" or "off" due to the poor transmission programming. And they didn't give the driver basic control with a +/- shifter or "flappy paddles". It was a huge oversight in my opinion.

One could make the argument that a 300 owner isn't looking for excitement (and I suppose that's true), but Charger owners are faced with the same basic problem. And Toyota found it reasonable to put a +/- shifter in even a base model Camry.

If the 300 had more flexible transmission programming, it'd be a completely different vehicle. C'mon, Chrysler, gimmie some revs!


My 2010 Audi has the ZF 6-speed. I drove a 2014 model with the same engine and the 8-speed. I much prefer mine with the 6-speed. The turbo 2.0 wasn't quite as bad as the 300 with the 8-speed, but this engine with the 6-speed is much better.
 
Nice car, I also don't really understand the many many speed autos on non towing vehicles. Especially when they go to such expense to make the engine so flexible. Half the fun is listening to the rpms build and feeling the motor come into its sweet spot. I love taking the ford from 25-65 mph just in 3rd at 3/4 throttle and it has no vvt at all.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Nice car, I also don't really understand the many many speed autos on non towing vehicles.

It's done to keep the engine at a narrower RPM range in order to achieve better fuel economy.
 
Multi gear slushboxes and CVTs are all about "ratio spread".

The wider you can make the ratio spread between first and high gear the better you can keep the performance AND still get fuel economy in a typical car.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Multi gear slushboxes and CVTs are all about "ratio spread".

The wider you can make the ratio spread between first and high gear the better you can keep the performance AND still get fuel economy in a typical car.

I guess so, it seems to me the 5/6 spd autos must get 95% of the fuel economy and performance though? Since all the motors have a torque plateau now, not really a curve.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Multi gear slushboxes and CVTs are all about "ratio spread".

The wider you can make the ratio spread between first and high gear the better you can keep the performance AND still get fuel economy in a typical car.

I guess so, it seems to me the 5/6 spd autos must get 95% of the fuel economy and performance though? Since all the motors have a torque plateau now, not really a curve.


Just depends on the platform. Both Audi and BMW are using the ubiquitous ZF 8 speed to allow a smaller engine to be zippy yet get great economy when you just cruise. So you get the best of both worlds.

Ford and GM are developing a ten speed together. I'm watching closely, as we are in the market for a new pickup. My wife will select her favorite from a short list I provide her.

GM, Ford, and Dodge will likely be the choices...
 
Looks nice. Good luck with it. Audis and other German cars, esp. ones in a color like that, look very classy if you keep them shiny. Invest in a high quality wax and paint sealant and you'll be set.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
How do you like your A4 color ? I think red A4 looks terrific, it's a little stand out and attract cop attention like magnet.


I love the color. It's called "Dakkar Beige" but it's really a deep bronze. The interior is a 2-tone beige with the optional light ash wood inlays on the dash, console, and doors. It looks great.
 
Got 21.8 mpg on the first tank of gas (using FP60). That's about 80% short trip (20 miles).
 
Nice car, congrats. G-MAN, have you had it out in the rain yet? That's when you'll really see the benefits of full time AWD. Very stable.
 
Originally Posted By: buster
Nice car, congrats. G-MAN, have you had it out in the rain yet? That's when you'll really see the benefits of full time AWD. Very stable.


Yes, it was raining the day I picked it up. It feels very "planted."
 
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