A4 .. Quattro or not ?
Discussion
Looking at replacing the company car ... donot like the new shape A4's, but have always liked the previous shape.
The 1.9tdi avant sport looks nice, the economy is good, and generally I hear good things about them ... then I spotted a 163 Quattro and a 180 Quattro...
Now.. obviously fuel consumption and emmissions are higher.. What advantages whilst driving is a quattro goign to give me ? Obviously when adhesion and traction are concerned, I am familiar with the differences in 4WD and 2WD.. but I have never driven a "normal" road car that has 4WD. (usually FWD or RWD)
The 1.9tdi avant sport looks nice, the economy is good, and generally I hear good things about them ... then I spotted a 163 Quattro and a 180 Quattro...
Now.. obviously fuel consumption and emmissions are higher.. What advantages whilst driving is a quattro goign to give me ? Obviously when adhesion and traction are concerned, I am familiar with the differences in 4WD and 2WD.. but I have never driven a "normal" road car that has 4WD. (usually FWD or RWD)
They did a test with the A4 quattros. 150 bhp awd vs the frontrak 150 bhp. The frontrak proved to be quicker on the slalom, and in the 0-60. They came to the conclusion that although traction may be better in the A4 quattro, the extra weight/transmission losses actually meant it was slightly slower.
I was in a similar sitaution but with the last-shape A6 avant.
Tested both the 1.9tdi and the 2.5tdi quattro. The 2.5 did have a bit more grunt but the extra weight of the engine and 4wd made it feel very dull indeed.
The higher power stuff needs quattro as fwd simply would not cope. But how much traction do you need in a tdi audi? Ultimate handling and grip is not really what these sort of cars are all about. In my opinion the fwd car is fine. At this end of the food chain Quattro will just add weight, complexity, running costs, sap fuel / performance and not really add anything to the handling.
If you are looking for more of a drivers car then I would look at the rwd BMW 3 series.
Tested both the 1.9tdi and the 2.5tdi quattro. The 2.5 did have a bit more grunt but the extra weight of the engine and 4wd made it feel very dull indeed.
The higher power stuff needs quattro as fwd simply would not cope. But how much traction do you need in a tdi audi? Ultimate handling and grip is not really what these sort of cars are all about. In my opinion the fwd car is fine. At this end of the food chain Quattro will just add weight, complexity, running costs, sap fuel / performance and not really add anything to the handling.
If you are looking for more of a drivers car then I would look at the rwd BMW 3 series.
ukross said:
I was in a similar sitaution but with the last-shape A6 avant.
Tested both the 1.9tdi and the 2.5tdi quattro. The 2.5 did have a bit more grunt but the extra weight of the engine and 4wd made it feel very dull indeed.
The higher power stuff needs quattro as fwd simply would not cope. But how much traction do you need in a tdi audi? Ultimate handling and grip is not really what these sort of cars are all about. In my opinion the fwd car is fine. At this end of the food chain Quattro will just add weight, complexity, running costs, sap fuel / performance and not really add anything to the handling.
If you are looking for more of a drivers car then I would look at the rwd BMW 3 series.
Tested both the 1.9tdi and the 2.5tdi quattro. The 2.5 did have a bit more grunt but the extra weight of the engine and 4wd made it feel very dull indeed.
The higher power stuff needs quattro as fwd simply would not cope. But how much traction do you need in a tdi audi? Ultimate handling and grip is not really what these sort of cars are all about. In my opinion the fwd car is fine. At this end of the food chain Quattro will just add weight, complexity, running costs, sap fuel / performance and not really add anything to the handling.
If you are looking for more of a drivers car then I would look at the rwd BMW 3 series.
Actually I found it was easier to spin the wheels of a tdi A3, than any other fwd car I'd driven... I'd say the torque of a tdi would work well with the quattro as you would still end up with more available torque to put down than the petrol equivilent.
Well, its gotta ge diesel, and im very inpressed with the VAG 1.9TDI PD engine in my Golf ... The wife wants me to get an allroad, but I cannot justify a V6 Diesel and 4WD. ok, in the winter ... 4WD is probably gonna help me as im goin gto be doing more mileage, and if the weather gets really bad, I suppose I would get through but the performance of the 2004/2005 1.9 TDI A4 Avant in Sport trim is attractive, plus I need a bit more space than I currently have in my MkIV Golf. Dont fancy the Passat .. too boring!
also, because of the high motorway miles ... Automatic is the peferred option.
also, because of the high motorway miles ... Automatic is the peferred option.
Edited by jvaughan on Monday 28th August 00:24
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