GT

Hello all,<p>Test drove an A4 1.8Tq automatic today, and I must say that I'm not all that impressed with the performance. The car definitely has a nice solid feel, and the ride felt really smooth. However, the acceleration was severely lacking. I was wondering if manual transmission will offer much of a performance boost (acceleration wise)? Also, how much of a performance boost can be expected from chipping the car? Thanks for any info!

Cameron

As the owner of a former A4 1.8T Auto (which then became a 1.8T Tip which then became a 1.8T manual...) I can tell you that it is, by far, the slowest A4 available. The right car for you to be test driving is the closest A4 1.8T Quattro Manual Wett1.0bar. That will get half the board angry at me, but that's the right car for a future 1.8T owner to drive. Forget the auto, it's an amazing piece of ZF gear, but it isn't the right trans. to have in the A4... I think everyone here agrees on that.<p>Cameron<br>

stanj

I got a 1.8T Auto loaner for a day when my 30v was in the shop and it was amazingly slow. When I got a ride in "slightly modified" (i.e., chipped) 1.8Ts manual, that was an all different story (these were kicking my 30v's butt).<p>- Stan<br>

MAXFX

As a loaner from a dealer. The car was a '97 with 27k on it.<br>The slowness of the car was pronounced!<br>Not since I used to drive a VW Microbus have I seen so many other cars pull up behind me and then instantly switch to another lane to pass.<br>This despite keeping the car floored off the line.<br>To be fair, when the tach reached something like 3,000 rpm it began to pull decently.<br>The 1.8 with manual is distinctly different (delightfully so).<br>If you want the auto trans go for the 2.8, or plan on chipping for sure.

ALD

Have a 1997 1.8T Quattro Manual, and I have to say that the acceleration is brisk and quick. Timed on my car the 0-60 with the 5th wheel and I averaged over 10 runs 7.94 seconds. The fastest was at 7.51 and the slowest was at 8.26. Most of the time I was below the 8 second mark and around 7.9. Only 3 runs were above 8 seconds. and two were below 7.7 seconds.<br>When I went looking, I was looking for a sport sedan with a V6 engine. Test drove a preowned A4 1.8T Quattro that I now own, and said to myself for a Turbo 4, this car does not need a V6 in the manual. Have never driven the Tiptronic version of the car. But just for comparison, at less then 10 seconds for the 1.8T Quattro with an auto, that car is no slouch either. Remember it was only 10 years ago, that a sport sedan/performance sedan had 0 to 60 times between 9 and 10 seconds for considered normal. The 1989 Ford Taraus SHO did 0 to 60 in 8 seconds flat, and it was considered one of the best performance/sport sedans of its time. Now 0 to 60 times for performance sedans are around 7 to 8 seconds I believe.<br>And 10 years ago, some premium luxury sedans from Europe, Japan and the U.S. had V6 engines that were under 170 hp. Today it is hard to find a V6 under that figuire, most are over 200 hp now. <br>Just thought that I would point that out how if the A4 1.8T Quattro was built 10 years ago on todays specs. (Every thing as we see it today) it would be considered a performance sedan most likely.<br>ALD<br>

Stan

<<Also, how much of a performance boost can be expected from chipping the <br>car? >> <p>I have read about 0-60 improvements in the 1.3 to 1.6 second range, which is very, very noticeable. And around 1.0 seconds and 6 mph for the 1/4 mile. That was on a manual 1.8T using an autothority chip as measured by Car and Driver. Less need to downshift too, in my experience with the chip. There are also chips available for the auto tranny itself to zip it up.<p>Stan<br>

Cole P

You guys have the wrong idea about this car. If you want a muscle car or a true touring car, you're in the wrong place. And you have to be nuts to expect true low end torque from a 1.8 liter engine. The 1.8 with a manual is a high revving, sling-able urban roller skate. If you want MORE POWER, spend MORE MONEY, or buy domestic (yikes!). <br>

Steve M

Try the manual transmission. I think you'll find an improvement in acceleration times.

BDW

<br>The manual makes it a totally different car ... quick, fun, a little bit torquey, but certainly not what I would call fast. The stock 1.8T manual does 0-60 in about 8 seconds flat, Quattro a tick slower due to weight.<p>People on this board report 0-60 times of right around 7 seconds in their stage 1 chipped 1.8Ts. The Tip is neat, but I think it a much better choice in the 2.8 (that car isn't fast either, but the Tip seems better mated to the V6 than the turbo 4).<p><br>BDW '99 1.8Tqms<br>

Mark

Good point, if you want high hp, low accel times, etc, get a Camaro and drive crazy around SteveS. !