ive been lookin at 02-03 A4 1.8Ts...Ive got a few questions.......how well do the the cars respond to engine mods? im leaning towards an automatic mainly because i live in LA, are there disadvantages in having an auto when modding these cars? any recalls or common problems i should be aware of? any info would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

Hey Richie welcome to the forum. If you are looking to mod, the 1.8t engine will be the best way to go. The 3.0 engine isn't nearly as tunable. I would REALLY stay away from the auto tranny. It can't hold anywhere the power of the manual.

 

The 1.8t is an excellent platform to mod from from simple chip upgrades and exhaust to full turbo replacements. There is alot of potential in that engine. I would stay away from the auto tranny if you plan on doing alot of mods.

 

im not lookin to race or anything so the engine mods are gonna stay basic......does the auto hold basic mods well enough? (ie exhaust, intake, chip) as much as id like an 5spd i dont wanna deal with the hassle during traffic, i live in LA i cant even goto 7-11 down the street without hitting traffic. that still doesnt rule out a manual tho.

is there any common problems poeple often run into with the A4? whether its stock or modded?

 

hello welcome to the forum
i drive a 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro TIP and i love it
those years there was a few recalls
but you should check wit the owners to see if he went in for htem

and wit a tip tronic you cant mod much maybe as far as u can go is a K04 turbo upgrade
but u can always just chip the car and upgrade the injectors

 

Go with the 1.8T .
Ive got an 03 tip with APR93 oct and it drives fine.
Ive you plan on turbo upgrades then def get the 5spd..
but either way , get the 5spd.
I live in a city with lots of traffic , almost as bad as LA at times. And I still regret getting the auto [8D]

 

Just because your on here, you will want to mod, or have it in the back of your mind. I would rule out the auto if i were u

 

yes you will want to mod
first you will chip the car
then larger injectors
then get bored it and want to change the turbo
then u will realize that a tip can handle the bigger turbo
then u wake up everyday in disapointment

i have an automatic and i wish i had a stick

 

i live in Philly so there's PLENTY of traffic around me....

i'd recommend the 5sp.

but that is also very much just a matter of personal preferance..


but think about this....
it's a known fact that European automakers (especially German) pride themselves on the enjoyment factor of driving their automobiles. they also tend to laugh a little at the idea of automatic transmisions ( "lazy Americans and their automatic transmissions" )
So I would say that if you are going to buy an Audi, IT WILL BE MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE if you get a manual.
it might be be a little bit of a hassle in traffic at times...
but all those times when it's not and you can REALLY whip that A4 around a tight corner, not only because of the quattro AWD, but also by downshifting to come out of the turn in a roar.... YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU GOT A MANUAL !!


get the 5-speed


and yes, the 1.8T is very tunable BTW