I'm looking at buying an '01 A4 and just found out they started the drive by wire in 2000. So I was wondering how it is with a manual. Since theres a slight delay between the pedal and the engine does this affect your clutching? I have an old POS truck right now that has a hesitation on initial throttle input and I have to adjust for it with the clutch.

Also do any of the chips change the linear progression of the throttle in the computer? Or rather are there any chips that will make it linear and give me more control of it?

 

I have both. My 1999.5 is drive by cable and my 2001 is DBW. I really can't tell the difference. Now, your question about a chip changing throttle response is interesting. I don't remember if any of the chip makers ever made that a selling point. DBW is a pain for other reasons (like when the throttle body fails), but I've never noticed a problem with throttle response.