Open letter to Audi… dissapointed in 2002 A4 1.8T options

Autos Audis » Audi A4 » Open letter to Audi… dissapointed in 2002 A4 1.8T options

Question:

Obviously this is your first Acura. The leather might as well be rice paper as the quality will show long-term. Bottom line; you get what you pay for. The Acura is a great alternative for those that can’t afford a like-quipped German car. I’ll tip that hat to the 3.2TL-S for performance bargain, but that’s I traded my Z28 for a S4…and I prefer all-wheel drive for the winter. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Fully agree. After waiting with great anticipation for the 02 A4 I was >disappointed to see that seats were not leather. I’ve onwed 3 Audis since >1992 (100CS, 100CS,and an A6 which I still own). So, on Saturday I bought an >Acura 3.2tl-s instead of the A4. For about the same price I got my leather >seats, but more importantly, I got great car.

Response:

> Hmmm, And I was impressed with how much the "Letherette" looked and felt > like the real leather in our ‘01 A4 1.8T. > Hope you don’t live in snow country with that rear wheel drive BMW!

What could be more fun than a rear wheel drive car on snow! Wish they made more cars like that… Jone. ‘96 A4 1.8T

Response:

Remember though…power seats add weight. For that reason there are none on the already heavy TT

Response:

Enjoy that Acura for now…..but head to head if you try to cmpare the Acura to an Audi….no comparison, one will be a bit shatty and the other still a class act (guess which is which?)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Obviously this is your first Acura. The leather might as well be rice > paper as the quality will show long-term. Bottom line; you get what > you pay for. The Acura is a great alternative for those that can’t > afford a like-quipped German car. > I’ll tip that hat to the 3.2TL-S for performance bargain, but that’s I > traded my Z28 for a S4…and I prefer all-wheel drive for the winter. >Fully agree. After waiting with great anticipation for the 02 A4 I was >disappointed to see that seats were not leather. I’ve onwed 3 Audis since >1992 (100CS, 100CS,and an A6 which I still own). So, on Saturday I bought an >Acura 3.2tl-s instead of the A4. For about the same price I got my leather >seats, but more importantly, I got great car.

Response:

Big gotcha. Americans told all 3 of the German companies that they would not wait the 6-8 months to buy cars this way. Germans typically order their custom cars this far ahead of time, sometimes even upon delivery of their previously ordered car. Cant see that happening in the US. C. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I agree. > In one sense it simplifies things, but in another it is frustrating. > I remember living in Germany and being amazed at the way that all options > were truly options and none was tied to another. > I even had a 528i with power front windows and crank rear windows. You > could even order a car like that. > I wish we could do that, because, for example, I NEVER want to pay $1000 or > more for a hole in the roof– a sunroof. > And while I’d rather have sport seats and a sport (wheel/tire/suspension) > package, I’ll ALWAYS take a 4-spoke steering wheel rather than a "Sport" > 3-spoke steering wheel. I liked the 4-spoke steering wheel better in my > Rabbit (OK, it was a wheel stolen from an A1 GTi) , my 2 Jettas, my 528i > (D), and my 98 Z3 but did not like the 3-spoke steering wheel in my e28 535i > (US) and 99 M-Z3. > I’d also like to order a car with heated passenger seat but non-heated > driver’ s seat, especially in MY car (since I never use the heated seats > even in my wife’s Saab), but she does whenever the temperature drops below > 70 degrees….. > And I, too would like to have the Aluminum Trim in the 3.0 which I’ll > probably get next spring, but it is only available in the 1.8T. I don’t > need wood in any car. > Actually, if the Passat 4-motion were offered with three pedals, I’d not be > having this conversation. Especially now that VW has a 4/50 warranty like > it always should have had….. > (I say three pedals because it is more efficient than saying "manual" and > having a 57 year old VW salesman who sold Chevys last week tell me that the > Passat 4-motion IS offered with a manual– a Tiptronic.) > Dear Audi, > I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that > you > do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do > the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats > with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this > alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded > but > I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I > do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it > offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy > wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

Response:

Thats cos the old regime insisted on a local assembly capability for VWSA to avoid 110% tax on imported cars. No such luck in the US C – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Strange… > In South Africa we can order any of the models with most of the options, > including the power seats with memory… > Dear Audi, > I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that > you > do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do > the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats > with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this > alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded > but > I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I > do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it > offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy > wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

Response:

Americans are special-ordering Audis all the time and waiting 4 months for delivery. I’ve read several articles put out by Audi where they brag about how their production lines have total flexibility on a single-vehicle basis. Two examples they cite are how cars destined for different countries are freely intermixed on the line, and how they can change the paint booth color on a single-vehicle basis. I can’t imagine why building an A4 with a 3.0 interior and a 1.8T engine should impact the production and delivery time. This problem is caused by the AOA dufuses who think market positioning is more important than letting people get what they want. I was planning on getting a new A4, but bought a used Audi instead. A major reason was not being able to get leather with the 1.8T. Wayne Dohnal (email adr contains spam protection) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Big gotcha. Americans told all 3 of the German companies that >they would not wait the 6-8 months to buy cars this way. Germans >typically order their custom cars this far ahead of time, >sometimes even upon delivery of their previously ordered car. >Cant see that happening in the US. >C.

Response:

> >LOL! >Audis are for DRIVING. If you want wood and leather, why not just sit >in your living room? Please, do buy the BMW, and leave the Audis for >people who actually want to drive them. > Have you taken the carpet out of your Audi ?

No, nor the seats nor the headliner. You see, even the smallest, least-luxurious cars have even these small amenities. Let us hope that Audi doesn’t abandon their sporty character to suit the snobs who need a rolling living room. Spider

Response:

You are right, a very very few Americans, less than 1000 a year for the whole of NA incl Canada and Mexico, according to the Audi marketing VP. C. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Americans are special-ordering Audis all the time and waiting 4 months > for delivery. I’ve read several articles put out by Audi where they > brag about how their production lines have total flexibility on a > single-vehicle basis. Two examples they cite are how cars destined > for different countries are freely intermixed on the line, and how > they can change the paint booth color on a single-vehicle basis. I > can’t imagine why building an A4 with a 3.0 interior and a 1.8T engine > should impact the production and delivery time. This problem is > caused by the AOA dufuses who think market positioning is more > important than letting people get what they want. > I was planning on getting a new A4, but bought a used Audi instead. A > major reason was not being able to get leather with the 1.8T. > Wayne Dohnal > (email adr contains spam protection) >Big gotcha. Americans told all 3 of the German companies that >they would not wait the 6-8 months to buy cars this way. Germans >typically order their custom cars this far ahead of time, >sometimes even upon delivery of their previously ordered car. >Cant see that happening in the US. >C.

Response:

And I would prefer the opposite: The 1.8t interior with the 3.0 liter engine:). I don’t care about some of the extras such as wood or power seats which would keep the price down. Since I do want the larger engine I’ll be stuck with the wood & seats… we’re a fussy bunch…. Byron

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear Audi, > I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that you > do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do > the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats > with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this > alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded but > I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I > do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it > offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy > wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

Response:

Fully agree. After waiting with great anticipation for the 02 A4 I was disappointed to see that seats were not leather. I’ve onwed 3 Audis since 1992 (100CS, 100CS,and an A6 which I still own). So, on Saturday I bought an Acura 3.2tl-s instead of the A4. For about the same price I got my leather seats, but more importantly, I got great car.

Response:

> Dear Audi, > I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that you > do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do > the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats > with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this > alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded but > I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I > do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it > offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy > wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

LOL! Audis are for DRIVING. If you want wood and leather, why not just sit in your living room? Please, do buy the BMW, and leave the Audis for people who actually want to drive them. Spider ‘97 A4 1.8TQ (no steenking wood or leather, but damn fun to drive.)

Response:

… and for driving I expect to see a Subaru WRX STi hitting the shores over here (last half of ‘02 perhaps). Now that car might be ugly but she sure can cook. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> LOL! > Audis are for DRIVING. If you want wood and leather, why not just sit > in your living room? Please, do buy the BMW, and leave the Audis for > people who actually want to drive them. > Spider > ‘97 A4 1.8TQ (no steenking wood or leather, but damn fun to drive.)

Response:

>LOL! >Audis are for DRIVING. If you want wood and leather, why not just sit >in your living room? Please, do buy the BMW, and leave the Audis for >people who actually want to drive them.

Have you taken the carpet out of your Audi ?

Response:

Hmmm, And I was impressed with how much the "Letherette" looked and felt like the real leather in our ‘01 A4 1.8T. Hope you don’t live in snow country with that rear wheel drive BMW! Tom ‘01 A4 1.8T Quattro 5 speed "Leatherette and Aluminum" ‘00 4Runner SR5 – 5speed 4WD "Cloth and Wood"

Response:

Strange… In South Africa we can order any of the models with most of the options, including the power seats with memory…

Response:

>I like the way Audi equips their cars, but I understand it does not meet >everyone’s needs. Wood trim in a sports sedan is an anathema to some, >desirable to others. Those who want wood and leather with a 4 cylinder are a >very small segment of the buying public. Audi could offer all options as in >Europe, but the added expense for them would not pay off. There are very >good wood kits on the market and leather is available through >dealer/aftermarket installations. Get the car you want, and equip it as you >wish.

I’m buying a new A4, and I agree for the most part. I like the aluminum, and the fake leather is good enough for me. I do wish I could get the power seats, though. Oh, well. Chris

Response:

…and how much would you be willing to pay extra for this flexibility? I for one am glad Audi kept the price of a 1.8T down by reducing the choices. I guess you can never please everyone. Zig – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I agree. > In one sense it simplifies things, but in another it is frustrating. > I remember living in Germany and being amazed at the way that all options > were truly options and none was tied to another. > I even had a 528i with power front windows and crank rear windows. You > could even order a car like that. > I wish we could do that, because, for example, I NEVER want to pay $1000 or > more for a hole in the roof– a sunroof. > And while I’d rather have sport seats and a sport (wheel/tire/suspension) > package, I’ll ALWAYS take a 4-spoke steering wheel rather than a "Sport" > 3-spoke steering wheel. I liked the 4-spoke steering wheel better in my > Rabbit (OK, it was a wheel stolen from an A1 GTi) , my 2 Jettas, my 528i > (D), and my 98 Z3 but did not like the 3-spoke steering wheel in my e28 535i > (US) and 99 M-Z3. > I’d also like to order a car with heated passenger seat but non-heated > driver’ s seat, especially in MY car (since I never use the heated seats > even in my wife’s Saab), but she does whenever the temperature drops below > 70 degrees….. > And I, too would like to have the Aluminum Trim in the 3.0 which I’ll > probably get next spring, but it is only available in the 1.8T. I don’t > need wood in any car. > Actually, if the Passat 4-motion were offered with three pedals, I’d not be > having this conversation. Especially now that VW has a 4/50 warranty like > it always should have had….. > (I say three pedals because it is more efficient than saying "manual" and > having a 57 year old VW salesman who sold Chevys last week tell me that the > Passat 4-motion IS offered with a manual– a Tiptronic.) > Dear Audi, > I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that > you > do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do > the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats > with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this > alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded > but > I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I > do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it > offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy > wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

Response:

I like the way Audi equips their cars, but I understand it does not meet everyone’s needs. Wood trim in a sports sedan is an anathema to some, desirable to others. Those who want wood and leather with a 4 cylinder are a very small segment of the buying public. Audi could offer all options as in Europe, but the added expense for them would not pay off. There are very good wood kits on the market and leather is available through dealer/aftermarket installations. Get the car you want, and equip it as you wish. Gregg

Response:

I agree. In one sense it simplifies things, but in another it is frustrating. I remember living in Germany and being amazed at the way that all options were truly options and none was tied to another. I even had a 528i with power front windows and crank rear windows. You could even order a car like that. I wish we could do that, because, for example, I NEVER want to pay $1000 or more for a hole in the roof– a sunroof. And while I’d rather have sport seats and a sport (wheel/tire/suspension) package, I’ll ALWAYS take a 4-spoke steering wheel rather than a "Sport" 3-spoke steering wheel. I liked the 4-spoke steering wheel better in my Rabbit (OK, it was a wheel stolen from an A1 GTi) , my 2 Jettas, my 528i (D), and my 98 Z3 but did not like the 3-spoke steering wheel in my e28 535i (US) and 99 M-Z3. I’d also like to order a car with heated passenger seat but non-heated driver’ s seat, especially in MY car (since I never use the heated seats even in my wife’s Saab), but she does whenever the temperature drops below 70 degrees….. And I, too would like to have the Aluminum Trim in the 3.0 which I’ll probably get next spring, but it is only available in the 1.8T. I don’t need wood in any car. Actually, if the Passat 4-motion were offered with three pedals, I’d not be having this conversation. Especially now that VW has a 4/50 warranty like it always should have had….. (I say three pedals because it is more efficient than saying "manual" and having a 57 year old VW salesman who sold Chevys last week tell me that the Passat 4-motion IS offered with a manual– a Tiptronic.)

Response:

Dear Audi, I’m very dissapointed in the new A4 options for the 1.8T. Why is it that you do not offer all the same interior and luxery options that the 3.0 has? Do the owners that want a smaller engine not need or want 8 way power seats with memory? Do we not enjoy wood trim? I must say that this… and this alone(!) will push me to buy a BMW. I love the Audi A4 3.0 fully loaded but I do not want to pay the huge cost difference for the larger engine. But I do want the option to have all the convience and finish options that it offers… too bad you assume those that want a smaller engine don’t enjoy wood and leather. Again… very dissapointed!

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