Soon-to-be owner of 08 A4 Avant!

[minameismud]

Trading from:
1x 2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 4x4
1x 2007 Toyota Camry LE I4

Trading to:
1x 2008 Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0T Auto, Quartz Grey

The dealer is letting us (my wife and I) trade both vehicles for the new a4. Reason: Wisconsin winters suck (FWD is for the brave and stupid only), and truck gas ain't cheap ($70/week). I've been checking Audi North Shore's website for used, but finally decided to check the new section this morning for avants. There is currently 1 avant within 50 miles of my zip code according to cars.com, and this is it. It rolled off the transport truck yesterday - they hadn't even had time to wash it. Sales dude says it's the first a4 avant they've gotten this year! Drove it, got the wife to drive it, wife acceptance factor (WAF (R)) granted, and we put a deposit down on it. We'll be completing the deal next weekend.

Questions:
1. Sales dude says 87 octane is fine in these engines, but Audi's site recommends 91 or higher. Is the sales dude just trying to get my business or is it really "ok" at 87? ie. no pinging, etc.
2. Sales dude says it's got the S-Line package. um...paddle shifters, leather, brushed aluminum inlays, check. door sills, 3-spoke wheel, door markers, 18's, not so much. He also said that it doesn't have the sport suspension. It sits pretty high, so I believe him on that last note. Ideas?
3. The iPod link. Ugh. 5 playlists plus an "all" list? No thanks. iPhone here, and I enjoy being able to actually use it. I've got an iPod2Car in my truck, and I get full use of an iPod or iPhone while still having basic control with the deck. I've read around here and other forums and everyone seems to agree the DICE is the way to go. I especially liked the mod that converted the ashtray to an iPod dock. So, if I unplug the stock iPod interface wire, will the DICE fit into that same plug? Then it's just a matter of running the wires where I need them.
4. We're going to get the rubberized floor mat for the back, but is there anything purposely made to cover the top of the rear bumper to protect the paint from large dog paws and claws climbing on it to get in the back?

And, because I'm tired of reading *other* posts about future mods, here's my own list:
- Podi boost guage pod for the steering column - the analog gauge to match the dash gauges
- cheaper black rims and winter tires with real treads for next winter
- DICE
- hardwire for Escort Passport detector

Ok, so that's a pansy list. No chipping, no suspension, etc. What can I say? It's brand new. Don't wanna be doing too much before I fully appreciate it for what it is.

Anywho, can't wait for next weekend! Then I'll be hopefully without any cop-induced .

[jcll2002]

s-line comes with the sports suspension. Maybe there is some confusion somewhere?

[Anthony]

If you hang out around here too much, you will do more mods. Don't worry, it's natural, and it happens to the best of us.

Oh and congrats.

[greene08]

He was probably slightly confused, or he didn't explain the "S-line" properly. All 2008 A4s come standard with the S-line exterior body treatments (front bumper, side flairs, rear valance, rear trunk lid sin the 18" wheels). You do not get any of the S-line interior treatments though.

All A4s come standard with interior aluminum trim (it is dimpled, not brushed if you take a close look). This also means you probably don't have a sport suspension unless that option was specifically ordered as an extra on the car ($250 option). The paddle shifters come standard for 2008 with the automatic tranny.

Either way they are great cars and you will be very happy. Make sure you post some pictures when you get it!

[TSlice]

And 87 octane is a no-go. I tried 87 Shell once in my car and got a CEL that was tripped by the knock sensor, and have filled up with 93 octane Shell ever since.

[minameismud]

greene08: actually, that's exactly what he said. I heard him say "S-Line" and didn't hear the part about 08 having the exterior s-line standard. So, confusion is on me. Naturally :)

TSlice: Thanks for the info. The problem is compounded because here in the Milwaukee area we get reformulated gas, which is even worse. When my dad puts the premium from here into his boat (200HP Mercury outboard) it pings like mad. He's gotta go to where they have real gas and use both octane booster and fuel injector cleaner for a couple months. So, I'm not saving as much over my 14mpg truck that takes regular.

Thanks all!

[mosquito]

Congrats on your new ride and welcome to the club!!!
Tell the salesman to throw the sport suspension into the deal, he will not risk the sale for $250 bucks!!!
To do the Passport hardwire mod you just need this http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Direct-.../dp/B0003NN83K, I bought mine from amazon and took me less than 30 minutes to install it.

[yload]

I just got my avant they are great cars, got some mods of course. How can you be on this forum without :)... I am thinking about doing clearbra on the rear bumper for the dog, but have not officially decided yet. I don't know if clearbra will just tear after a while or really take the beating.