2009 Audi A4 Avant: Open Thread

Gjupp,

It does this on all new Audi with Daytime Running Lamps. The headlight doesn't go out, just the daytime running lamp. While driving the A5, you don't even notice it.

I have this avant (without the sport package). I really enjoy this car. Sometimes I wish it had a little bit more umph when in regular drive mode but I guess this is for better fuel efficiency and I could put it in sports mode if needed. This car was great in the snow ... amazing. Every time I get in the car to drive, it is like a mini-vacation ... I actually enjoy driving to work!!

@gjupp
Chrysler products with DRL do that, too. I always assumed it was because on the minivans they just used to brake-light feed for the DRL since the minivans then had seperate red rear turn signals, and the DRL was the front turn signal. But even the ones that use reduced-intensity low-beam DRL do it too, now. Guess Audi and Chrysler think you can't see the turn signal otherwise.

@Donna,

Why no Car of the Week header on the pic?

newenglandA4, if you have the 2.0T, there are some great, reliable, ECU programs that you can have downloaded onto your A4. I have one through a company called APR that boosts horsepower to slightly less than 250 and torque to slightly less than 300 ft/lb on 93 octane, which is the regular premium here in MI. It also improved my MPG by a mile or two per gallon. It is relatively mild in comparison to some other "chips" and on my B7 A4 changes the car completely. If you do need to take your car in to the dealer for service you can turn the back to the stock program and lock it, so its hard for a dealer to tell that youve modified anything that would void your warranty. I looked on APR's website (goapr.com) and they don't have a program for the engine in your '09 yet, but I'm sure they are developing one right now.

What is rear visibility like? Can you back out without using the aids? How does it compare to some of the SUVs you have in your fleet?

I would love to see a comparison of the Avant to the BMW 328xi wagon. I am considering both right now and would love to see what Edmunds (or others) have to say about the pros/cons to both.

A lot of cars with DRLs automatically turn one side off when the turn signal is activated. I believe your long-term CTS is guilty of this as well.

Between the Avant, Land Rover LR2, & Mercedes GLK, which one for a family with 2 children ages 5 and 2?

My car is the twin to Inside Line ride. Now with about 1300 miles on it (and slightly warming temps) it looks like the gas mileage will start inching up from the mid to low twenties (pretty much what I expected). My previous APR'd '06 A4 got great mileage and really could haul butt. A future APR reflash should help transform the Avant too. The stock engine might not be a power house but the low end torque is pretty impressive.

This new "wagon" with the sports suspension has great handling and feels very sporting. But then there's the auto tranny... it's good for an auto but I really wish that a manual was an option as it is with the BMW three series wagon. Heck, I bet Audi would sell maybe seven or eight manually-equipped Avants :).

For some reason I never got around to driving the BMW wagon. The only other vehicle that I seriously considered was the Subie STi.

Anyhow at this point I usually keep the transmission in sport mode and use the flippers. We all have to make compromises from time to time.

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Sammin,

I'd bet that the Avant has less interior room than the other vehicles on your list. With a growing family that will likely be a biggie for you. The Avant's graceful sloping rear hatch eats into the storage space big time, making the car more of a four door hatchback than wagon.

I too would be interested in a comparison between the A4 Avant and the 3 Series Wagon. I'm shopping for a wagon but being stationed in Germany, it's difficult to find US spec cars to test drive. (Although I've test driven both the A4 Avant 3.0 TDI and the 335d wagon and LOVED them both!)

Hello, i am very interested in purchasing the A4 avant to replace my Audi q7. The only way i will consider getting the car is if i can get a APR chip installed. Have you guys ever considered doing this? As far as i know most Audi dealers have an APR rep inhouse who does this. Its supposed to take the car to 260hp and 300lb feet of torque. Also, the mpg improves by 3-6 when your not flogging the car and the turbo isnt going crazy. Did you guys here anything about this before purchasing the car from audi?

I wrote a review/comparo about the new A4 not long ago (well, sorta):

http://lexusnet.com/blog/?p=31

@dg0472: Because I forgot. Thanks for reminding me. It's there now. -- Donna

@commonsense01. I don't know of any dealers that do APR in house. I had mine done at an independent shop. The APR program pushes max boost past 17psi which does wear engine components faster. So if your turbo or other related components(ex: diverter valve) go bad when you have 20k miles on your car, guess who's going to give you hell about a warranty claim? Although Audi can't legally void your car warranty for having an ECU mod, they might not cover you if you have any engine issues under warranty. And Audi already sucks at honoring warranty repairs, even if your car is bone stock. However, the power and gas mileage increases were enough for me to do the upgrade and I've had no issues.

AudiSport

Thank you so much for actually answering. I am aware of possibility of component damage but previous to my M3 sedan i had a 335i with a vishnu chip and everything held up perfect for about 40 thousand miles, then my lease was over. I dont push the car that hard for anything to get really damaged but its still on my mind. As far as i know the rep from apr told me that i can always remove it and that with a 100 dollar option switch, the delear will never know its there, not even with a diagnostic tool. So i think ill remove before any major service is neccessary. If you go to the APR website, they actually list w delearships newar the NY area who do the ecu mods. Both of them are actual AUDI delearships, RIVERSIDE AUDI AND Anchor Audi, i called both and they gave the phone to the apr rep. Do you have the apr mod on the 09 model, because someof the places told me its not out yet and some tol me that they can write me a program. thanks for your help.

Commonsense

As far as I know, the program for the '09 2.0T is not yet available. My A4 is an '07. That's a big bonus for you that Audi dealers near you install APR. None of the dealers near me in Metro Detroit offer it. Not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that the former Audi/VW North American Headquarters were 5 minutes down the road from my dealer?? Anyways, the 2.0T with the APR ECU mod changes the car completely. It really puts you back in your seat at very low RPM. Since the new 2.0T in the '09 A4 puts out much more torque than the engine in mine, I can only guess what APR will do to it. 260hp, 325 ft/lb? Awesome power out of a little four banger that can get 30mpg highway! Keep checking APR to see if they will be releasing the chip for your potential Avant. It seems that everything they do is very high quality.

Can you compare this car with CTS and Genesis? I want to see which one stands out from Edmunds' view.

Audisport

Thank you for the info. Thats exactly what my next question is goin to be, Can the power be felt low inthe rev range. Thats one thing i love and still cant get used to my m3 because of that. The torque from the 335i with the chip was so huge that at 2 thousand rpm, very few cars could keep up. Is the power linear? any drops in power at certain rpm range? how is real world fuel econmy is it true that if you take it easy and dont get the turbo spooling to much, that the mpg improve by 2-5?

Can you guys let me drive it for a week?

I picked up my '09 Avant - Prestige (advanced key ftw) in early Feb. and I love this car. This is my first car purchase in 10 years, and I have been thrilled with the performance and looks of this car. We have a 4 month old and were considering this or the Venza. The Venza would have probably been the more practical choice from a cargo space point of view, but a test drive of the 2 was the night / day difference I expected.

CommonSense01,

Coming from a Vishnu'd 335i to a reflashed 2.0t is going to be a big step down. Even a stock 335i is a beast so be advised to lower your expectations.

My previous APR'd '06 A4 was a real fair weather critter. When the air was cool and dense, the engine would grow muscle and move out. Torque was very good. But the new two liter engine "should" prove even better due to the greatly enhanced torque.

About a month ago APR seemed to indicate that the reflash was just about ready but I haven't heard a peep from them since. You might give 'em a call...

byronwalter

Thank you very much for your input, im real curious to the real life attributes of the 2.0 t, it would definetly be a set back if i felt the difference in perforamce based on temperature differences. Im not exactly going down from a 335i to a 2.0t. I still have the new m3 sedan and a q7 for everyday use. im getting rid of my q7 in a couple of months and need something with some room where i can throw down the rear seats and throw in my equipment. I do however value performance highly, so if i can have a car thats just as luxurious on the inside as a q7 but out accelerates, outhandles, all while using less fuel, im all for it. And yes the 335i with the vishnu ECU piggyback is a real monster, unbelievable low end grunt, like an old school v8. now whats really weird is how the m3 with 18 inch wheels absorbs and rides smoother than a 335i with 18 inch wheels? HOW??

I've had a Prestige Avant A4 since mid-December (no Sport Package) and here are my oberservations. This is a car that asks you to make some compromises, but if those compromises fall in your favor, you will be very happy. I avg about 20-21 mpg in pure city/commuter driving. This is better than I received on previous TL and 330i, but Avant is not quite as powerful. Handling dynamics are nice and refined. Not pure sports car like, but very fun to drive. Interior handles my wife and two sons, but we have a minivan for very long trips. This is not a real station wagon or small SUV, but you can fold down rear seats and get more utility than a typical sedan. With seats up, the back easily holds my Labrador which is all I ask. I agree with the comment that slope rear hatch door eats into luggage capacity. But, it definitely makes the car look better. I very much enjoy the interior layout and the B & O system is excellent as is the iPod interface. Navigation system is fair. Not much snow in NC, but we did have some and 18" all weather tires and Quattro handled it just fine.

So for me, the Avant works with with a lot of competing priorities - good MPG, flexible space, ability to seat 4 comfortably, nice handling dynamics, decent acceleration and great sound system.