tonyimp

Got a chance to drive my mother-in-law's '01 A4 1.8T Quattro today.
Yes, my mother-in-law. She is a librarian. But she has excellent taste in cars, and has only put 18k miles on this garaged cream puff.
We will probably buy it from her very shortly; remove the Abba CDs from the glove box, push the driver seat back 5 inches and you have quite a car.
So why the longwinded post?
Well, I drove the car for the first time today, Handled great but it felt VERY underpowered. Turbo lag felt noticeable. No power below 4.5k rpms. I was shocked. To the point where I'm considering passing up the opportunity to acquire this car at trade in price ($13k).
We owned a '99 C230 kompressor (similar size, speed and handling), but that car felt MUCH faster. I also own a '92 miata, again, 0-60 in 8 - 9 seconds. I owned a 76 BMW 530, 175 hp, probably around the same perf numbers. All of these cars felt much faster than the A4.
I know the '01 got a 20 hp boost, and that the 1.8t is a low boost, minimal turbo lag engine. On paper, I should LOVE this car, and count the days until she decides to replace it, but I was very dissapointed.
Are there any known problems/issues (slower running on 87 octane gas, bad airflow sensors, bad ignition, clogging air filters, bad plugs?) that might contribute to this cars percieved poor performance?
I really want to love this car.

And please save the flames. I am not knocking the A4 product line - if not for a whopping speeding ticket (whopping = 63 mph in a 25 zone, almost lost the license) on the way to the Audi dealer in 1999, I would have purchased one from the dealer myself.
Today, however I am concerned that there is something wrong with this specific car. Car has been servied routinely by reputable audi dealer, but only gets driven 8 miles a day.

Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tony

the senator

nope, its normal. have a nice day.

mobaar

Try B5 forum, and running 87 octane might have something to do with it since it requires premium.

the senator

frankly, 8 seconds sounds like the car is fast, especially with no mods.

tonyimp

Agreed.
Sorry, my post was unclear.
8.4 seconds is the 0-60 time I see in every review of this model year.
8.4 seconds is respectable, and if I were seeing that, I would not waste anyones time.

The car does not feel like it can pull off 8.4 seconds. It feels more like 10-11.
I have owned a bunch of cars that accelrate at about that speed. This A4 would be smoked by all of them.

the senator

she could have a boost leak not registering a CEL.

She could have low pressure in tires.

It could be very humid and hot where you are.

But Stopwatch timing it with your eye on the speedo is not going to give you a fair assessment, no mater what you think.

These cars are slow. And dont forget, anothe rpoint: when car testers review a car, they are PROFESSIONAL testers, who use experienced driving techniques to get the very best times.

For instance, if Car and Driver keeps getting 1/4 mile times in a new stock WRX STI of 13.2, that doesnt mean some dude who just bought a brand new one will go and get a 13.2. He'll go and get a 14.5 because unlike the pro's, he wouldnt have known the best shift points, etc.

So just some things to consider.

These cars are slow. Thats why we mod them.

mcpath

your car prob pulling sooo much timing it not even funny.

EGainer

well... how hot is it outside... stock, my 5speed was doin 8.3 in 90 degrees and 7.6 in 50 degrees

Mrkrad

simple as that.

also when you chip it say even a crappy nuespeed $279 chip you can go from 170 to 210hp with HUGE TORQUE gains the kick in the butt feeling.

but thats why its slow. stock dv lasted 10K miles on my car. I use the stratmosphere hyperboost something or another metal one.

let me guess never change the air filter either heh

tonyimp

Good call.
It is hot here (Philadelphia area).
Low 90s, high humidity.
I will give it a try when things are cooler.
Thanks