How is the 2.0T B7 Quattro off the line (stock)?

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I am looking at getting either a 2008/2007 A4 2.0T or a 08/07 Lexus IS250. I have a 2003 Passat GLX 4Mo currently. I want Navigation, Bluetooth, & Quattro (which VW doesnt offer until the 40K mark) and Automatic. If I am spending that much money on a car, I think I would like to try the Audi.

I am still doing an internal debate on if I should find a 2007 A6 but thats another question for another thread.

I mentioned to a buddy of mine who has a 1998 Dodge Stratus (plus 3 other newer vehicles) that I was looking at the 2.0T A4 Quattro. He commented that it was very slow off the line. He said he raced his buddies A4 (he said it was a 2005) & he blew it away.

I know this was on the street (not the highway) but it got me thinking. I am going for a test drive tomorrow but I was curious what you guys thought of the off the line speed with a stock A4.

My driving style is very tame & my friends make fun of me for driving my Passat so slow (60-70ish).

Thanks,
Rich

[evilgabbie]

i wouldn't say my quattro is the quickest but it's definitely not slow to me.. with the chip, it can beat out many cars.. NO 350Z or 335i though LOL

[bcramer]

Honestly, who cares what we think about off the line performance. It is you who is potentially buying the car and will have to drive it everyday. So, I think you will find out what you think about it on your test drive tomorrow.

For what it's worth, when I've done my test drives the car was plenty quick for me (granted I'm coming from a 92 Accord, but I have driven my fair share of performance cars). I'm now just waiting to find the one I want in my price range.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

The other A4 was probably an auto and did not launch it off the line. Anyway are you planing to do some mods ???

[a4dc89]

Its not really that slow at all, if you get the manual its not too hard to blow away most cars on the road if you know how to shift (very slow if you dont lol) I'd say that the audi is a really sick car but there are certainty better options depending on your preference.

For a really fast car stock dont get a 2.0t. You need at least a chip to make it something reasonably fast. Get a 335, G8, evo, sti or something like that if your into speed.

[RichTJ99]

Im planning on getting the Auto transmission. I keep reading threads about people saying the car is very sluggish off the line.

Im not at all into speed, I am 35 with a 1 year old baby & drive slow for the most part.

I was more curious how bad this will be going from a 2003 Passat GLX with 4Mo (auto) to a A4 Quattro Auto in terms of around town driving.

I am sure highway is just fine for my needs.

[TSlice]

I have a stock Quattro A4 and think it is plenty quick for daily driving. I've also driven a Dodge Stratus, and don't see how it's remotely possible that ANY Stratus has beaten ANY A4. Bottom line, take a test drive and see how the car feels for yourself, but if you're a self-proclaimed calm driver and care more about a car that's fun to drive than about 1/4 mile times, the A4 is an excellent choice. Also, I drive my car every day and only fill my gas tank once every 3 weeks, so I'm willing to trade a little performance for great fuel efficiency.

[3.2some]

I have a stock Quattro A4 and think it is plenty quick for daily driving. I've also driven a Dodge Stratus, and don't see how it's remotely possible that ANY Stratus has beaten ANY A4. Bottom line, take a test drive and see how the car feels for yourself, but if you're a self-proclaimed calm driver and care more about a car that's fun to drive than about 1/4 mile times, the A4 is an excellent choice. Also, I drive my car every day and only fill my gas tank once every 3 weeks, so I'm willing to trade a little performance for great fuel efficiency.

how many miles do you drive a day, like 10???

[Quattro]

jesus christ a fill every 3 weeks, that is freaking insane.....iunno how you get that good of gas mileage, you must drive very little..

i get like 400MAX, but when i drive fast..hmm

[muffinman]

Welcome aboard.

I'm sorry but your friend is full of shit. He must've been racing my grandma to beat a stock B7 A4 (good low end torque, AWD launch) off the line with his Stratus. Chipped, you will absolutely run circles around him. Get the Audi, drink your coffee, press the gas pedal half-way down and see if he can keep up.

If off-the-line power is something that's important to you, you can immediately cross off the IS250. I test drove and cross researched both before purchasing the Audi and it is slow as hell. To make it worse, it feels EVEN slower than it really is... very sluggish. If you're looking at the IS250 AWD model, prepared to be bored to death. I really, really wanted to like the Lexus, but the Audi feels much more lively, responsive and "torque-y".

Bottom line, test drive the A4. Considering your driving style, you will NOT be disappointed with the out-of-the-box performance. Chip it and you will be amazed.

Good luck with your decision

[INTEGRATION]

Honestly, who cares what we think about off the line performance. It is you who is potentially buying the car and will have to drive it everyday. So, I think you will find out what you think about it on your test drive tomorrow.

+1, can't give you any comments better than that

[A4 JooN 2.0T]

get the 2.0t =] underdogs ftw! but a few mods and it'll be quick not FAST but definitely not slow...GL

[Psylas]

Had a 04 wrx before the a4....a4 is no match stock for stock. Tbe and ecu on the wrx will get you mid 13's at 98-100mph in the 1/4. With just a tbe I was running low 14's.

My driving style is very tame & my friends make fun of me for driving my Passat so slow (60-70ish).

.

Should be fine with the a4. But yeah get a test drive and see what you think.

[80sGuy]

To OP:
Unless you're planning to compete "off the line" with everyone you see, then buy a lightweight fast car...say a Subaru WR-X, otherwise you can't go wrong with any Audi A4 - because the car's just too bad-ass lookin' not to have for any reason.

....My driving style is very tame & my friends make fun of me for driving my Passat so slow (60-70ish).
Thanks,
Rich

I'd say your friends' are full of sh!t!

[Noffy]

Its fine off the line, manual or auto. If it turns out you want more, chip/exhaust/intake and you will be more than happy. Most of all get the A4 to keep that new family of yours safe. Let the germans take care of your safety and your comfort, don't worry about the "off the line" performance it will be fine for what you need.

take care.

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I came back from my test drive & I am impressed. The very off the line performance (say the first 3 seconds) was a little slow (it did move though) when I stomped on the throttle after 3 seconds it was screaming (I think I scared the salesman). The Quattro is great too! I had it in S mode most of the time & then played with the paddles a bit (felt like a video game to me).

Im pretty happy with the build & speed of the car. I was in a 2008 non-Special edition (so I dont know if the 16 vs 17 inch rims will make a difference).

Anyway, I thought it was loads of fun & it felt faster than my V6 Passat. I like the idea of good gas mileage & being able to mess around as well. Overall I like it.

I am going to give a Lexus a test drive as well (I sort of feel I need to look at more than one car). However, I think I am sold.

The dealer was a complete mess of a story (thats another story).

Thanks folks! The A4 looks like its for me.

Thanks,
Rich

[RedS-line]

why do people like the is250? its slow as hell and unless you throw a blower on it ($$$) its not gonna get much quicker by modding it. Buy an A4, buy a chip, race your friend without telling him about the chip, and then smile as he eats ur dust.

[supamannn99]

the is250 has a pathetic engine. a V6 with less torque than an in-line 4 cylinder. you gotta be kidding me. the car is but-ugly too not to mention more expensive.

[4-tified]

Im planning on getting the Auto transmission. I keep reading threads about people saying the car is very sluggish off the line.

Im not at all into speed, I am 35 with a 1 year old baby & drive slow for the most part.

I was more curious how bad this will be going from a 2003 Passat GLX with 4Mo (auto) to a A4 Quattro Auto in terms of around town driving.

I am sure highway is just fine for my needs.

Comparatively the B7 2.0T quattro will be better off the line than the 03 Passat. The A4 will also give you better performance all around in terms of handling, braking, accel.
The 2.0T engine is a lot better at producing low rpm torque than the previous 1.8T, quite noticeably better.

I would recommend getting an ECU tune like; APR, GIAC, REVO, etc...
Any of those software programs will improve your 2.0T power output noticeably. Given how your drive you'll also notice an INCREASE in MPG.
With the software upgrade lower rpm power is improved as well as midrange power. So, the power is there when you may want it and you'll benefit with better MPG all around. The cost is nominal if you spread the cost over the years of ownership. Depending on which software you choose the cost can be around $500-$700 for good basic upgrade.
Get the highest octane program for the fuel you can actually purchase.
Don't bother with getting 2 or 3 different octane grade programs if you wont' be using them, it'll keep the cost down.

I would also suggest that you get the sport suspension on your A4.
If you are not getting the S-line package, then you can add the sport suspension for a nominal cost of about $250. If you get the S-line package, it will come with the sport suspension.
The sport suspension really makes an OEM A4 perform as it should.
Yes, it is a bit stiffer in ride quality, but honestly German cars still ride very well and very controlled even with sport suspensions. I've driven friends, parents, children, and babies in my A4 and no one has complained about the ride.

I prefer the manual trans as it does allow you better more direct control over gearing. The tiptronic auto is a decent techno piece and works smoothly, although it does have that automatic "soft" takeoff feel. But, that's normal with most automatics, especially when combined with smaller I4 engines. Even though the 2.0T FSI produces low rpm torque much better than traditional small displacement turbo's, like the 1.8T, there is still "lag". The very nature of how a turbo works makes this a reality. There needs to be exhaust pressure to spin the turbo, and to get exhaust pressure you need the engine to rev up, thus you need some rpm.
The 2.0T is still a small displacement engine so it still needs some rpm to motivate it's turbo. In a manual trans A4 that effect is less perceptible. However, in the automatic it's more noticeable as you have the small lag effect, which is then amplified by the very nature of torque converter automatic, which also requires some engine speed to transfer power through the slush-box (trans fluid).

Overall, I wouldn't worry about the A4's ability off the line. It's a willing partner made more so with a software upgrade.
If you really feel it's too slow, try the V6 A4.

[stifler474]

It's not slow, but its not the fastest car ever. IF you put it in sport mode it has lots of pick up and torque and you can really feel it. I can beat people in races with my 2.0Tq just because it handles so well. I keep up with my friends jeep SRT-8 even though i can never pass him and i can beat GTI's with my stock audi. It's not slow, its a nice ride with lots of power :) hope that helps make your decision.

When you go for your test drive, throw it in sport mode and stop, then floor it. (its nice feeling the true power of the 2.0T)

[KokujinTensai]

Honestly, who cares what we think about off the line performance. It is you who is potentially buying the car and will have to drive it everyday. So, I think you will find out what you think about it on your test drive tomorrow.

+1

If theyre a good salesperson then you'll fall in love with he A4. Bone stock the first time i'd driven one there was a huge difference in overall comfort and response than many other similar cars. Plus 3rd gear seems to go on forever

[4RingRook]

To the OP, buy the A4 and chip it. You'll be blowing by IS250s. What a joke that car is, (Looked at and test drove one before my a4) not to mention the sales person I worked on the deal with was very arrogant.