thank you for that info. I will check out the other forums. Living in the city, I am thinking about trying the automatic.... I will test drive both and see if I like it.

So if I buy a new bumper for the A4 and it has the holes for the headlight washers, I can just paint the bumper, and install the headlight washers onto it? How do these mount and what bumpers accomodate them well? I appreciate it. Funny, I don't own one yet..... but I want to know everything I can!

Also, is there a chip out there for the 3.0? There are less mods for that engine, but I am guessing a chipped 3.0 would be pretty quick.
So.... What are peoples thoughts on the 1.8T Q vs. the 3.0 Q, and the thoughts on the trannys for each?

Thanks in advance for all the information!!!!

If your are thinking of moding i would get the 1.8T as after a chip it has about the same power as the 3.0.

The Auto tranny is a bit more limited as to how much power it can handle.

The 3.0 is a really good choice, the torque is really great, but u gotta have the manual. Although the 3.0 has very limited modifications and a chip isn't really worth it because there is no turbo. But if your just looking for modification definitely go with the 1.8T because chipping it is really good.

Well I don't want to have to do a ton of stuff to get the 1.8 up to the 3.0.
And a chipped 1.8T has to have a different hp curve than the 3.0. My guess the 3.0 has a somewhat flat curve while the 1.8T just has a peak. I also think the 3.0 would have more of a '*****' factor, but someone could enlighten me on both of those topics.

Where can I find HP curves for these cars, modded or unmodded?
Man I need to test drive these... but it will be hard to compare because the 1.8 will seem so slow. No doubt I would be sold on the 3.0 on a stock test drive.
Is there a huge weight difference between the 1.8T and 3.0? I know the 1.8T has a cast iron bottom end, so it might weigh the same as the 3.0 bottom end. Also, what about gas mileage. With high gas costs that may play a role if the 1.8T is MUCH less than the 3.0, if its close then I don't care.

Thanks again for the help.

stock for stock , you are going to like the 3.0 over the 1.8T , expecially if you drive them with auto trannies.
The torque curve is much more peakish on a chippe 1.8 compared to the 3.0 , the 3.0 would be smoother.
But with just a chip , you have about the same power , and more TQ then the 3.0 .
I would recommend the manual , as I have an auto chipped 1.8t and now want a manual [:@]

After research I have decided to get manual. I love the fact the 3.0 is 6 speed.... never driven a 6 speed before.
I think I would be a fan of the smoother curve. My curve right now (on my 2.0T mazda) is very peakish, its extremely fast once the turbo kicks in (T25) but no ***** in the low end. Now once I installed the 3" turbo-back the turbo spools up VERY quick so its not too bad at all. With my next car I really don't want to get a larger exhaust to keep it quiet, but a turbo car needs this if you want more power IMO. Turbos like to breathe.

From the look of it, there are actual chips out there that can get 15 hp for the 3.0 - but chips are more than just hp gain. Their main purpose is to give good AFRs and timing, which is MOST important for turbo cars.... but I think it would be noticed on N/A cars too. Stock ECUs are very conservative, I don't know how the Audi's are, but I am guessing a chip would give a noticable driving difference overall.

So I think my final verdict is 2002 or 2003 A4 3.0 Quattro Manual. I have also been looking at the Navigation you can put in there.... which I will probably do. A new front bumper (keeping headlight washers), and a new grill probably. Oh, and of course rims, but stock suspension (hope wheel gap is not bad). So there is my goal. Thanks all. Any more input... go ahead! I will have a better chance of selling my car in the srping (weather + tax season), so I would not look for an A4 until then.

The 3.0 is nice .
But there really wont be any mods for it at all.

Mods for the engine.... the body and frame is the same... right? suspension the same? Just making sure. I don't really know what I would do with the engine of the 1.8T anyway, other than chip it and get a better DV to handle the boost. Once you start toying around with FI you can get into hassles like finding boost leaks, cooking on hot days (by not having a turbo timer), louder exhaust, intercooler couplers coming loose. These are things I want to try to get away from. Anyway... I am still thinking about it. We will see. Is there a dyno out there for a 1.8T with larger injectors? I guess with larger injectors and proper chipping your powerband might level off a bit. Thanks.

bump for answers. I appreciate those who have helped a ton already!