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  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 10:48 a.m. cxhb Reader

    I'm not exactly sure why, but I am seriously considering a B5 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro. Of course i would have to sell my civic to fund it and i would probably have to add even more money on top of that to afford a good one.

    What is the maintenance like on a 1.8T? I feel like because its turbo, and AWD I would be heading down a path that MAY require more maintenance/more things to go wrong than I am used to. But it could still be fun.

    Anyone have any experience on how they drive? Are they as heavy as they look? Underpowered maybe?

    Whats your thoughts?

  • Autolex

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:13 a.m. Autolex HalfDork

    all your suspicions are true. AWD and turbo are fun...

    BUT!

    Pretty bad on the maintenance (especially coming from a civic)... propensity to break one tiny little part, that happens to hold the entire drivetrain together... they are pretty slow, but a chip/computer flash tends to fix that.. (and then you need a clutch).

    purchase wisely.

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:24 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    Autolex wrote:

    but a chip/computer flash tends to fix that.. (

    purchase wisely.

    May i introduce... Revo Technik for all your Flashing needs...

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:27 a.m. cxhb Reader

    hmmm.... i probably wont drive it THAT much. I own two cars so i have a daily.

    The civic just sits around till im ready to beat it like it owes me money. Whats bad about the maintenance? known issues? I think the first thing to be done to it if i bought one is lots of bushing upgrades. I dont like my cars to feel half flaccid. As far as it being slow, coming from a civic i will already be used to drive a dog slow car with spectacular amounts of understeer so those shouldnt be to suprising to deal with.

    how much do they have in common with the big bad s4? just the chassis?

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:28 a.m. cxhb Reader

    May i introduce... Revo Technik for all your Flashing needs...

    what is this revo technik?

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:30 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    The B5 S4 is a 2.7 Twin Turbo V6, AWD. They share just the chassis.

    Revo Technik is the ECU Tuning Company i work for, the "chipped" or "flashed" tuner company for Audis, VW, Porsches, Seat...

    www.revotechnik.com

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:31 a.m. cxhb Reader

    after checking out some revo technik stuff, it seems like the 1.8t motors can make some pretty good torque! that would feel nice compared to a civic.

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:32 a.m. cxhb Reader

    btw DukeOfUndersteer, your picture is awesome.

  • 16vCorey

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:33 a.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

    I would start by flushing the engine, as they don't care for crappy oil. If the POs didn't use synthetic exclusively, it could have some sludge build up. The turbos seem to fail around 125k miles, but they're easy enough to change and upgrade. The trans and AWD system are pretty damn stout, but a clutch job is a bit labor intensive. Suspension bushings and ball joints are common issues, and kinda pricey. That's all I can think of right now.

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:35 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    depending on the year 1.8 you get, we could bump you up no problem. The Stage 1 is for a bone stock car, if you get a 2001 and newer, you are sitting at 170hp stock, we could bump you up to 205 with Stage 1. Pre 2001(cable throttle), you are at 150hp, we will bump it up to 200..

    and thank you about the pic. She is my future ex-wife...

  • John Brown

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:35 a.m. John Brown MegaDork

    cxhb wrote: I'm not exactly sure why, but I am seriously considering a B5 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro. Of course i would have to sell my civic to fund it and i would probably have to add even more money on top of that to afford a good one.

    Year? Anything before 2002 is not worth it.

    cxhb wrote: What is the maintenance like on a 1.8T?

    Synthetic LOF every 5K, rotate tires every 10K, replace air, fuel and pollen filter every 20K, spark plugs every 40K timing belt every 80K, replace transmission filter and fluid every 100K.

    cxhb wrote: I feel like because its turbo, and AWD I would be heading down a path that MAY require more maintenance/more things to go wrong than I am used to. But it could still be fun.

    Fun yes.

    cxhb wrote: Anyone have any experience on how they drive?

    Rather bland, I believe teutonic is the term.

    cxhb wrote: Are they as heavy as they look?

    Twice as heavy.

    cxhb wrote: Underpowered maybe?

    Not a lot of torque but a nice powerband up high.

    The question is "Would I buy one?"

    Yes, make mine an A4 Avant with a stick.

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:37 a.m. cxhb Reader

    good input. thanks 16vCorey.

    maybe i should find one with a blown turbo so i can get a gt28rs or something....

    Im not sure if anyone would even bother buying the civic though. I always get the vibe from people around here that everyone hates them lol. I may have to just put it up for sale to see what happens....

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:38 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    John Brown wrote:

    The question is "Would I buy one?"

    Yes, make mine an A4 Avant with a stick.

    I am digging this one...

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:39 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    if you do go with a GT28RS, we have a Big Turbo file for that car... needs some requirements to run it though...

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:41 a.m. cxhb Reader

    HAHAHA thanks John Brown.

    Bland doesnt sound too good... but teutonic? eh... never owned a german car so i dont know how they "feel" if you know what i mean. I have lots and lots of german heritage, i take it Im bland......

    The heavy thing might be kind of scary, where can i find the weight on vehicles to compare it to my civic?

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:43 a.m. cxhb Reader

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

    if you do go with a GT28RS, we have a Big Turbo file for that car... needs some requirements to run it though...

    whats the powerband look like with that turbo? (if you have that information)

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:50 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    well, we did have the graphs, but they are being rude on our website. My co-worker says go GT2871R, he says the turbo spools to 20psi at 3000rpm and holds to redline, Redline = 7,200rpm...

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:55 a.m. cxhb Reader

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

    well, we did have the graphs, but they are being rude on our website. My co-worker says go GT2871R, he says the turbo spools to 20psi at 3000rpm and holds to redline, Redline = 7,200rpm...

    20psi! NICE... john brown said anything pre 2002 is no good?

    can you elaborate for me? i dont think i can afford some of the newer ones. I havent exactly looked hard, but what ive seen so far have been a little out of what I THINK would be my price range...

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 11:59 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    from what i hear, they had an oil problem, running 10k on 3 quarts of oil is no bueno, by 02, they figured out the problem

  • DirtE30

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:02 p.m. DirtE30 New Reader

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

    if you do go with a GT28RS, we have a Big Turbo file for that car... needs some requirements to run it though...

    do you have a file for a 1.8t running a holset hx35?

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:04 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    unfortunatley... nope, nothing.

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:08 p.m. cxhb Reader

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

    from what i hear, they had an oil problem, running 10k on 3 quarts of oil is no bueno, by 02, they figured out the problem

    like they use oil?

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:15 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    http://members.cox.net/ambox/audi_sludge/

  • cxhb

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:26 p.m. cxhb Reader

    Ooooooooohhhhhhhh.... i remember hearing about the sludging issue.... wow... probably not gonna find a clean example in my price range, I guess im stuck with my piece of civic lol. ill continue to keep an eye out, but i think i would definitely be better off with an 02 or later, ive seen some as low as 7900 but i think they had something like 109000 miles, which isnt too bad in my eyes. i think ill keep searching...

    besides, i think the 02 and later body style looks better.

  • amg_rx7

    Oct. 13, 2009 12:47 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

    Drive one before you spend too much time thinking of one. There is probably a fair bit of maintenance you'll have to do once you get it. Parts and maintenance are a little pricey for the performance and fun you get out of the car. It won't be nearly as fun to drive as a nice lightweight Civic. At least not in my opinion.

    I had an 99 A4 Avant with a 5 speed manual and AWD and V6. I've driven stock 1.8T A4s also. The chassis is just nothing to get excited about if you are looking for a fun car to replace the Civic in the way you drive it. Its a great all weather car - AWD safety cushion, decent power, roomy, comfy - but its not a sporty driving, fun car. Its heavy. The AWD system feels like it saps up the power. The shifter sucks. The gearing could be better - you are at 3500 RPM at about 80 MPH The pedal positioning is pointed over to the passenger side slightly and isn't positioned for heel-toe.

    Great car for all season, comfy driving. Not the best choice if you have sporting intentions for the car.

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