In spite of hundreds of hours of research, looking at many, I still have a couple of questions (will be wife's primary non-winter car):
- how many (and what was the option package) were produced with the dissimilar carpet and interior colors - example here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-A4...item4a9dccc750
- my impression of the 1.8 and 2.0 is that 2.0 turbo comes on very early and quietly (wife didn't like the dead area off idle on the 1.8, and thought 2.0 didn't seem to have this same feel) ... is turbo smaller, lighter, or just better job overall done at smoothing the whole profile between the two states
- does the 2.0 get better fuel mileage than 1.8? (have read dozens of posts re fuel mileage and while six is OK for mileage, the 1.8/2.0 still seem to be about 10-20% better)
- what's the MPG cost for quattro? (my impression is about 2 MPG regardless of engine?)
- seats on many of the B5s have a moveable seat support (Recaro style?) ... and side and back bolsters are differently shaped from B6 ... any issues or just a styling change? (we have noted almost every Cab has tears in the vinyl bottom side bolsters - even B7s)
- what's the general opinion/impression on the nav system ... issues from year to year (ones to avoid)

Looking forward to getting the search over with so can buy one - make her happy - and have a new piece of equipment to work on!

Thanks for the opinions and help!

George
Northern Virginia

 

The one that you're posting is a top top cab, it even comes with the RNS-E! (the sat nav system) You're still going to have all kinds of audi problems, like water temp sensor, window switches, control arms... the list goes on. As far as I know there's only 3.0 cabs, I don't think there were 1.8Ts on cab mode. Also I'd go for a Quattro, the fuel consumption is a tad more than the CVT but is far far far more reliable than CVT. I get 23MPG combined on my 3.0 Quattro.

 

Thanks, Dan ... not sure I understand, are you saying there are no 1.8 cabriolets? Have driven some so don't think that's what you meant, right?

Wife did like the 3.0 better than 1.8 - I think mainly cause no turbo lag - the 2.0 we drove seemed to have far less lag (turbo came in earlier), but she still liked the 3.0 ... yeah, re the CVT, sounds like it just isn't sufficiently long lived to warrant choosing.

I do like the idea AWD, and will probably go that direction.

 

No warranty? Not even a 30 day?

Other than that, I agree with Dan.. go for Quattro and leave the CVT behind (might even be the reason it got traded in)