Hi, I'm brand new to this forum, and would appreciate all of your help on this difficult question:

1.8T or 3.0 engine in a 2004 A4 manual trans?

We test drove both this weekend, and found that the 1.8T had more 'pep' and 'sensation' of speed, while the 3.0 was smoother, and obviously more torquey. The 1.8T did bog down a bit in 2nd gear low rpm's when we were going up a small ~15 degree or so incline, while the 3.0 pulled up nicely in the same gear.

I loved the fact that the 1.8T is ~$4000 USD cheaper than the 3.0, but I would rather just bite the bullet now and get something that I won't have 'buyers' remorse' later.

Having said that, I understand the 1.8T is the engine of choice for mods. I wouldn't want a motor that I would have to do more than stage 1 mods to (i.e. filter, chip, exhaust)--what hp gains would that be good for? How about engine longevity with the mods? And are these dyno-verified hp gains, not what the mod-manufacturer says?

I guess if I could get away with stage I mods and have the car perform as well, if not better than the 3.0, I'd go that way, but only if reliability wasn't sacrificed...

Thanks for all of your feedback and help...I know I should use the search function, but I would also like to get up-to-date advice too!<img border="0" src=smileys/smiley4.gif border="0">

 

I have a 2000 a4 1.8t, I love the sound of my turbo and the feel,and that I can barely hear my engine, if you want to race then I say get a 3.0, and if you get a german car like an audi CHIP YOUR CAR, a chip is the most bang for your buck for a german car especially an audi.

 

1.8T all day long more mods for than the 3.0 and ifyou want to race buy a 2.0 race motor there about 16k<IMG src=smileys/smiley4.gif border="0">