Steve Means

I'm going to buy an a4 in about 6 months and have some questions about the engines. How does the 1.8 respond on hills? I live in Tahoe on top of a 'hill' (about 8200 feet) and have to drive a winding steep grade every day back and forth from work. Is the 1.8 up to the task, or would I be better served by getting the 2.8?

There aren't any big hills near the closest Audi dealership (Reno NV) and I doubt that I will be able to convince the dealer to let me test drive two cars to Tahoe to compare. So anyone with some experience hill driving in the 1.8 and the 2.8 please gimme some feedback.

Shabbis

Since the 1.8T has a turbo, it will not be affected by high elevantions as much as the 2.8.

Youe decision on an A4 also depends on what you are looking for.

1.8T: More sporty, more tunable than the 2.8, can be faster off the line with upgrades, better value.

2.8: More luxurious, better highway cruiser, more expensive, not many upgrade options, the 6 cylinder is VERY SMOOTH.

Or you can get the best of both worlds and get the S4. V6 smoothness, 2.8 luxury without the loss of power at high elevations.

M.S.G.

Simple, chip it and get better gas mileage, more horsepower, and more torque. But also more engine noise.

JKG

The 1.8T produces full torque at 1750 RPM, and that continues to somewhere around 4600 RPM. Bottom line: it takes the hills really well.

Also, at higher elevations the turbo will produce more consistent power than the 2.8. The 1.8T is definitely noisier than the 2.8, but this should be obvious simply driving off the dealer's lot.

Shaun

Is the 1.8T that much louder than the 2.8?

Wes

Normally asspirated cars like the 2.8 loss a significant amount of power at elevation due to lack of oxygen. Turbocharged cars like the 1.8 don't suffer this problem because the turbo forcefeeds oxygen to the engine. Your best bet is the 1.8T.