John A.

<br>I ordered my A4 (1.8TQMS+Bose+Cold Wx, Santorin Blue, Ambiente+Cloth Seats, No Sun Roof) in November. Naturally I am with child (figuratively) to get it, though it is not due until ca. March '99. I also wanted to know if it would be a 99 or 99.5, so I e-mailed Audi of America and was directed to call "Audi Client Relations" at 1-800-822-2834 Option 3, where I spoke with Kelly.<br>She said that the 99.5 described at audi.com is a European-spec car that cannot be imported into US due to revised lights, bumpers, new head-level airbags, etc. that DOT has not approved. Audi is working on DOT approvals and many of the new features may find their way into later USA models, but that will be after my car is delivered in March or so. <p>Once again, Big Brother has protected us from progress, so it will be plain old 99.0 models for awhile longer. Of course, that is the AoA party line. If anyone has other info to the contrary...

Kirk

Hey, my plain old 99.0 is quite fine! I am sure you will not be disappointed whichever version arrives.

Jason M

Same restrictive garbage I suppose the more superior European regulations doesn't conform to the outmoded North American regulations....<p>Yawn.....<p>I guess the TT is years away to.

Kennon

I think Kelly is propagating a bit of misinformation. I bet the reps are told to deny this type of thing until the official AoA press release goes out. Also, the headlight and bumper arguments are bogus: the headlights are already DOT approved (A6) and the bumper is only a cosmetic change (plastic cover). The head-level bags and ESP definitely won't be coming to US A4s until at least the '00 model.

Jason M

I was talking to my salesman. He said Audi is bringing alot of the current A4 into North America right now. I guess flooding the market.<p>He also said that Audi would want to get rid of those before introducing the new A4.<p>So AoA is pulling your pisser.<p>VW said the same thing to me about the Eurovan VR6, then within a month their on the lot!

John A.

The plain old 99.0 is what I fell in love with and ordered, so there will be no tragedy if that is what I get -- and it cannot happen too soon! <br>Much of my anxiety to know whether I would get a 99.0 or 99.5 was that I would have added the head-level air bag and wanted make that change in a timely fashion. If Kennon is correct that those will not be available until the 00 model, then quite frankly my dear...<p>My thanks to everyone on this forum for all the information and enthusiasm that I have been absorbing (vicariously) these past few months. I look forward to driving a car that provokes such passionate brio among its owners.<p>

JIM H.

99.5 starts production early Jan. which puts first arrivals early Feb.-no &quot;Head Bags,&quot;but most other improvements that everyone's seen.nt