Hello,

I am thinking to buy A4(manual), and before I do it I have a few questions.

1. Does b8 model (manual transmission) has hill assistant mode like BMW?
If it doesn't, then how does electric parking brake works with manual on stiff hill? You know, you use side brake to not roll backward when you start.

2. I heard that without "driver select" option, b8 handles worse than b7. Is this true? I believe I can improve handling by adding thicker sway bar and firmer suspension. How about steering feeling? Can I upgrade it to feel better without driver select option?

3. I have driven friend's a3 (2007), and I wasn't impressed at all. The interior was nice though. Does b8 a4 handles better than a3?
Please don't say "if you want handling, buy bmw" because I am not buying bmw.

4. What is your experience with Audi dealers? I know every dealers are different, but I just want to know overall experience. BMW was pretty good, but VW was not good at all with customers, and fixing cars under warranty.

5. I was very impressive with Subaru awd system on snow, but I have never owned Audi. How is quattro system on snow?

Thank you

 

since i have an auto i can't answer #1. on hills though, my car never reverses when i take the foot off the brake so i imagine it does have hill assist. hill assist became standard on the VW passat a few years ago so i'm sure it's standard on audis.

#2: i don't have it but i heard it's really good.

#3: the handling in my B7 is more than i'd ever need or expect. the B8 is a wider chassis than the B7 so i'd imagine the handling would be world class.

#4: my dealer has always been professional-unlike alot of other dealers. the level of service is a few steps beyond the norm. for example, my car gets washed every time i bring it in for the scheduled maintenance. they even get the brake dust off the wheels. they also clean the dashboard and gauge cover. my VW dealership experience is also good but the level of service that audi provides is way beyond.

#5: a subaru is just a subaru. the audi spoils you with comfort, AWD ability, safety, quality and reliability. i'm so happy with my audi that i would be hard pressed to even consider any other make. i live in canada and i used all season tires for 3 years and i've never lost grip/control even on ice and deep snow at 140 km/h. if you go to any AWD forum, quattro is consistently praised as the best. it's funny how audi was banned from off road racing because they dominated so much while the other manufacturers were trying to reverse engineer it the best they could. audi is king of the road...both on and off.

 

Thank you for the reply.
It's good to know that hill assist is standard on Audi. I was wondering how the electric parking brake works with manual transmission.
Hum...I still need more info about handling. I heard that without "driver select" b8 steering wheel is numb, and handling is not good.
Yeah, I only hear good things about quattro, which is good I loved my old subaru in winter and I guess I will love quattro system too.

 

Why don't you go to a dealer and drive one? It is really the only way to get a useful answer.

This reminds me of all the questions I get (in another sphere) asking whether one speaker or another will sound better.................

Kal

 

Haha, yes you are right.
Actually that is the best answer. I just don't want to deal with a salesman keeps calling me after I test drive one. But yeah, I will find it out myself.

 

Not sure about hill assist but i drive a manual audi a4 quattro 1.8t and when i'm on a hill and i take my foot of the break my car will roll backwards in a hurry.

 

Well, if you are serious about the possibility of buying, that should not be an issue since you will have to put up with that soon, anyway.

 

As for the electronic parking brake. I know for the automatic, once the car has enough power to not roll backward (and your foot isn't on the brake) the parking brake will automatically disengage, though I think you do need your seat belt on for it to work right. I think this should also be the case for the manual, though I am not 100% sure.

And as for the handling, I never had or been in a B7 but I love my B8's handling. Only suggestion would be to go for the sport package to get the sport seats. I slide a little in my seats (not much) when I am on curvy back roads.

 

Answer to #1. I don't know how the hill assistant mode with BMW works, but for a manual transmission B8 on a hill, you can engage the electro-mechanical parking brakes and when it senses enough forward momentum to drive the car forward, it will auto disengage. I love this feature, in theory, it avoids unnecessary clutch wear when climbing up hill from stop. Btw, props to buying manual.

#2, I have a 2011 Quattro Prem Plus Titanium Sport with 19 inch, so no drive select. And I would say the ride is definitely not as smooth as the base model (feel more bumps), but handling is excellent. Steering stiffness also auto increases as speed increases, which is nice.

#3 I think Audi interior and exterior styling far exceeds BMW IMO, I didn't even bother test driving a BMW when I got to the dealership because I was so bored with its look, and #2, no one approached me. That being said, I love corning with the quattro on the A4, just don't know how it compares.

#4 My Audi dealer wasn't great at answering questions. It the car didn't look so damn sweet, he might not have earned by business (but i was determined to buy lol). But, he did give me a hell of a deal: $37,800 (including upgraded Bang and Olufsen sound); ~$3.5k off sticker. If you think the stock system already sounds amazing, check these out, I was completely blown away - no pun intended.

#5 I live in TX, sry cant help there lol.

 

1. An Audi brand specialist knows the car better then any just "average Joe" car reviewer.

2. Go drive the car.....you're the one who is going to have to drive the car if you buy it..... Not other reviewers. If you like it buy it.

3. Are you actually comparing a 2007 A3 to a 2012 a4??? Get your butt off the couch and suck it up and listen to sales man for 10 min so you can get your head out of your a** drive the darn car to get a valid opinion about the car!