Picking up a lease on a 2008 2.0T manual early next week.

Interested on your feedback on how you “broke in” your cars during the initial few hundred miles, and how your performance/gas mileage varied if you babied it or pushed it.

I just did the same, I am also interested. So far I've gotten it to 0-80mph with no trouble but I definitely noticed a smell coming off the engine after it ran at that high of an RPM level. I attributed it to the newness burning off the engine--pretty typical I suppose. I haven't had it faster than 80.....yet. I just got this weekend and haven't had it on the interstate yet on the way to work, I'll open it up when I get the chance.

Otherwise I've had it out on curvey roads, taking each curve at like 20mph over the recommended speed limit (I have a quattro which helps a great deal on that sort of stuff).

I haven't really done much else. Since I did JUST get it, I haven't gone through a tank of gas yet, but I'll post back when I fill it up. I think the car is saying it is getting about 23-25mpg but that is always a little skewed.

I had my A4 for about 800 miles and for at least the first 600 have not taken it above 4K rpm. For the past 200 I have been pretty liberal on the speed and the RPM, even pulling a few maneuvers that push the car a little more. Maybe its just me, but its impossible to keep this car under 90 on the highway...

This thing is made to be pushed man. The first couple of weeks i pushed mine and redlined, and after 5K miles, i still get around 23-24 mpg.

Not very wise. It takes about 500 before your car is broken in and you should not be driving like a dick anytime before that.

I had a similar question. I only have one dealership in town. I have several dealerships in the 300 mile range, and have even considered looking in SoCal, which is about 1500 miles from me. If I buy a new a4 out-of town, would there be a problem putting it right on the highway for a road trip?

There should not be a problem with the car, but you're foot may have a mind of it's own haha. Just don't floor it or merge onto the motorway with redlining in between shifts. I stayed ~ 78mph till 500+ miles.

S-line? Color? What options did you choose for the new car?

oh yeah, definately wait until 500+. i guess i exagerated a little haha. at the 5K check, everything was perfect though.

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at a 2.0T quattro--probably one of the grays with an ebony interior. I will probably avoid the s-line, cause I'd like a little extra clearance for snow. Also, we have some pretty bumpy roads, and I'm guessing that the nonsport suspension will make for a more confortable ride. Will need the convenience and premium packages--dark wood would be a bonus.

I'm hoping that there will be good bargaining power of the 08s once those hot looking 09s hit the floor. I'm even leaving open the possibility of a low mileage CPO lease return if I can find one from a warmer climate. My local dealer had aquartz/ebony 07 with 11,000 miles and all options including navigation for 27,900 last week. It was gone before I got there.

What are some of you guys doing??? Redline and 80 MPH on a brand new car?

I waited until 1000 miles to do that. For the first 1000, I kept it under 4500 RPM. True, they are made for sport/to be pushed, but not right away IMO.