Quattro: Pros and Cons

[saintv90]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this subject...I apologize if this was posted already.

My question is what are the pros and cons to quattro? Besides the obvious AWD aspect...what about gas Mileage? Performance? Maintenance? I assume resale is higher on a quattro car. What about Quattro with 6spd...or quattro with Automatic? How does that affect performance and mileage?

I'm currently in the market for a B7 A4 S-line and am debating between Quattro or no quattro, stick or auto. Let me hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[Firefighter637]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this subject...I apologize if this was posted already.

My question is what are the pros and cons to quattro? Besides the obvious AWD aspect...what about gas Mileage? Performance? Maintenance? I assume resale is higher on a quattro car. What about Quattro with 6spd...or quattro with Automatic? How does that affect performance and mileage?

I'm currently in the market for a B7 A4 S-line and am debating between Quattro or no quattro, stick or auto. Let me hear your thoughts. Thanks!

I think quattro is the way to go. Mileage isn't as good as a fwd, performance of an awd is better as far as the driving aspect and cornering, maintenance is the same b/c audi has a good history of quattro and know what they are doing. Auto is going to have a better resale value but 6spd is so much more fun to drive. In my opinion I would get a 6spd quattro!

[JGreen76]

I would go with the 6sp Quattro. I have a Fwd CVT...nuf said.

[AudiWxGuy]

I've got a 6SP Quattro and love it! Fuel economy is good. On the highway I can get around 30-36 MPG depending on where I'm going/coming from. I avg about 26-28 MPG when combined with my limited city driving.

[saintv90]

I think quattro is the way to go. Mileage isn't as good as a fwd, performance of an awd is better as far as the driving aspect and cornering, maintenance is the same b/c audi has a good history of quattro and know what they are doing. Auto is going to have a better resale value but 6spd is so much more fun to drive. In my opinion I would get a 6spd quattro!

Great info. I'm more concerned with mileage as this would be my daily driver. Which is another reason why I am leaning towards auto. But if FWD and Quattro are not far off with Mileage I'd rather get the Quattro. It would come in handy during our lovely Wisconsin winters.

[AudiWxGuy]

Audi makes the best AWD cars in the world!

[a4dc89]

The best fuel economy is going to be with the CVT Frontrak. The most fun will be the 6mt with quattro. I get similar to what audiwxguy gets.

If fuel economy and luxury are your main concerns and performance is not then go with the CVT Frontrak. With this combo you will get outstanding highway fuel economy. But if you have snow in the winter then quattro is really a must. FWD sucks in anything else but a warm dry climate.

[AudiWxGuy]

FWD works just fine in the snow. You'll be able to get around. I'm sure you know this. I had a FWD Auto Jetta and it was good in anything under 6" of snow. With snow covered roads it was fine. However, Quattro in the snow would be far superior.

[Vorsprung]

6spd Quattro FTW!

[Vito Roma]

tip quattro...esp if it snows where you live...HANDs DOWN

[A4RingPimp]

tip quattro...esp if it snows where you live...HANDs DOWN

x2

The ONLY con about the quattro is they cost a tad more than FWD. For most the cost is negligible.

[supamannn99]

pros: best traction in all weather situations especially snow, very good control for cornering, little to no wheel spin for launches or starting runs, a more secure feeling(subjective)

cons: possible decrease in fuel efficiency compared to 2wd cars, higher powertrain horsepower loss which means your car might be slower than others in the quarter mile race, more body weight because of extra shit your car needs to provide traction to two extra wheels, costs a tad bit more

that's all i can think of right now

RWD cars are sometimes more fun to corner though because its alot easier to make the back end slide out, etc

[Louis J.]

Quattro is a no brainer for WI. Ask your local dealer how many FWD cars they sell compared to AWDs...that should give you a good indication of what to buy and what the resale of the car you choose will be like in WI.

The difference in gas consumption is minimal unless you put on big miles/yr. You'll probably notice a much bigger variance in gas consumption on either car driving aggressively vs. driving conservatively.

[minameismud]

i just got an auto quattro from audi north shore (up on brown deer rd) a couple months back. question: with our winters, why would you ever consider anything other than awd?! as for auto/stick, this has been beaten to death, but with the traffic around downtown, i'm happy with my auto choice. slide over into tip mode and it's almost as fun as a third pedal ** don't flame me don't flame me **

and fyi: they've got two 2.0T auto quattro avants in quartz grey...along with a black s4 avant if you want to go v8...

[DoThisMyWay]

The only issue I have with Quattro or AWD in general is tires. You not 'supposed' to just replace 1 or 2 tires, you have to replace them all.

[Louis J.]

The only issue I have with Quattro or AWD in general is tires. You not 'supposed' to just replace 1 or 2 tires, you have to replace them all.

Says who? I think someone fed you some incorrect info my friend.

[gyroscope]

6spd Quattro FTW!

..

[DoThisMyWay]

Says who? I think someone fed you some incorrect info my friend.

I take it you're not familiar with AWD. Try taking your car to any tire shop with 50% tread and tell them you need to replace just the front tires. Driving on tires with inconsistent rolling diameters will supposedly stress the differentials.

[Louis J.]

I take it you're not familiar with AWD. Try taking your car to any tire shop with 50% tread and tell them you need to replace just the front tires. Driving on tires with inconsistent rolling diameters will supposedly stress the differentials.

I'm very familiar with AWDs (I'm on my sixth) but I don't take advice from tire shops that have an agenda (selling tires).

You're right that it's important to have matching OD sizing on AWD cars, otherwise you can fry the differentials. That said, you're more than safe with a <5% variance, which means you can run a new tire in the front and one that is worn to the cords in the rear so long as the original OD size of both tires is equal and you won't have any problems.

You're right about OD sizing...you're just off on the degree within which it becomes an issue.

[DoThisMyWay]

It's only an issue when you're not planning on having to replace all 4 tires.

[saintv90]

i just got an auto quattro from audi north shore (up on brown deer rd) a couple months back. question: with our winters, why would you ever consider anything other than awd?! as for auto/stick, this has been beaten to death, but with the traffic around downtown, i'm happy with my auto choice. slide over into tip mode and it's almost as fun as a third pedal ** don't flame me don't flame me **

and fyi: they've got two 2.0T auto quattro avants in quartz grey...along with a black s4 avant if you want to go v8...

I'll answer your first question. I was born in WI...I can drive pretty much anything in the snow, plus I have a AWD Jeep(wifes)...so the AWD factor is really more nice than needed. I agree...with our downtown traffic I will probably be sticking with an Auto.

I have looked at Audi North Shore...I would love to buy a car local...but I'm stuck on the S-line cars and want a 4cyl, and those seem to be damn hard to find.

From everyone's advice I'll probably be going with an Auto \Quattro. But keep the advice coming!! Thanks!!

[Louis J.]

It's only an issue when you're not planning on having to replace all 4 tires.

If you ruin a tire and need to replace it, you're fine even if the other three are down to the cords (not that anyone in their right mind would do that) so long as the OD of the new tire is within 5% of the original OD of the other tires. It becomes an issue only when one or two tires are replaced with tires that are 5% larger or smaller than the other ones.

Hijack over on my end.

[vtracer20]

i got a 6spd quattro, even though audi does have a great awd, my brother who has a b6 a6 got stuck when he was trying to drive on ice....all 4's just spun

[saintv90]

i got a 6spd quattro, even though audi does have a great awd, my brother who has a b6 a6 got stuck when he was trying to drive on ice....all 4's just spun

Not much you can do on Ice. I don't know any car outside of James Bond's spiked tires...that could handle solid ice. It's awd...not a miracle worker.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

i Would Go With The 6sp Quattro. I Have A Fwd Cvt...nuf Said.

X2

[Technik]

Personally, I don't see the point to an Audi that doesn't have Quattro. That is Audi's finest accomplishment and part of the character of their cars.

[skiaudi]

x2. if i were going to get a car without awd, i would get a bimmer. i would not buy a fwd audi.

[Erocko]

get a quattro 6spd., especially if you plan on doing any modding. There aren't many parts for the FWD and the CVT supposedly doesn't hold the power.

My car is chipped and that's about as far as I feel comfortable with the tranny. I am going to continue with further suspension mods, like front and rear sways, but that's about it. I live in Hawaii, so I can get away without AWD, but my next Audi will surely be Quattro with the 6spd.

[s vier]

Saintv90,

Come see me at International Autos and I'll show you the difference between fwd and Quattro. No pressure to buy. call me at 414-543-3000 x 186

-Brady

FWIW I'm pretty active with the B5 S4 guys on here and around here and AW.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

Quattro all the way

[johntesi]

I live in Texas, so quattro really only gets to prove its mettle about 3 times a year for me. But when it does, I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a northern state without it.
Not to mention, if you're going to buy FWD and Auto, why not get a GLI (or GTI) DSG?! Better tranny, better handling, way better seats. I have the Audi because quattro is legendary and torque steer is infamous.

[Pete4 1.8t]

Since you live in Wisconsin and I'm assuming this will be your primary car I would get quattro. I have a Frontrak B6 and it is a perfect car for NC it is a nice car to drive everyday and I don't race or do anything stupid so I have little need for quattro. That's not to say if I was getting another A4 I wouldn't get quattro though. The CVT is a nice transmission if you aren't planning to mod and has good fuel efficiency, I was driving one recently and it was peppy and felt good. If you are getting quattro I would definitely get a 6-speed. Overall I think you will be pleased with either, nearly all european A4's are frontrak and they don't seem to have a problem with it.

[saintv90]

Saintv90,

Come see me at International Autos and I'll show you the difference between fwd and Quattro. No pressure to buy. call me at 414-543-3000 x 186

-Brady

FWIW I'm pretty active with the B5 S4 guys on here and around here and AW.

You'll be getting a call today...

Since you live in Wisconsin and I'm assuming this will be your primary car I would get quattro. I have a Frontrak B6 and it is a perfect car for NC it is a nice car to drive everyday and I don't race or do anything stupid so I have little need for quattro. That's not to say if I was getting another A4 I wouldn't get quattro though. The CVT is a nice transmission if you aren't planning to mod and has good fuel efficiency, I was driving one recently and it was peppy and felt good. If you are getting quattro I would definitely get a 6-speed. Overall I think you will be pleased with either, nearly all european A4's are frontrak and they don't seem to have a problem with it.

This will be my primary car and I have very little drive to modify this car. The most I would do is chip and coilovers and thats a big maybe. I like the idea of having Quattro...and i'm sure it would come in handy here. From what i'm hearing the CVT tranny isn't that bad. I was under the impression it was garbage and a 6spd was the only way to go. I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone. I'm really going to start to hunt for a S-line auto with Quattro. Maybe Brady can help me with that!

[INTEGRATION]

Audis really made their name known in the last few decades because of their Quattro AWD system. If you buy an Audi without Quattro it's basically the same as getting a Toyota Camry not because of its overall economical value. Or even buying a front-engined Ferrari...

[GEkido]

Not much you can do on Ice. I don't know any car outside of James Bond's spiked tires...that could handle solid ice. It's awd...not a miracle worker.

That's a good idea, spiked tire package for the winter. Throw in the octocamo invisible cloak and im sold!

[Subaru71]

6MT Quattro!

When I bought mine, there were no fully loaded 6MT Quattros in the state, so my options were Auto/CVT Quattro or a 6MT FWD or Special order. I'm glad whoever convinced me to order did because it was worth the wait. :D

[saintv90]

Or even buying a front-engined Ferrari...

Hey...one of my favorite ferraris is the 575m!!

[INTEGRATION]

Hey...one of my favorite ferraris is the 575m!!

lol, I was waiting to see how long it would take until someone responded to that.

[johntesi]

599 GTB Fiorano, anyone? The new California doesn't look half-bad either. For a convertible and all.

Quattro 6MT is really the only way to do it. You won't regret it. Whenever I drive an automatic transmission car I feel bored and disconnected from the car!

[jgmpn6]

here are my thoughts on the situation...

The car your looking at is an a4. An a4 is not a super car by any means, certainly it can be made fast, but there will always be a faster car out there, so is it worth it? Also remember its a sedan not a sports car. Sure the 6 speed would be more fun as would the quattro, but honestly go for the best gas mileage, because if you want to have a super fast car get an rs4, an r8, or heck a crotch rocket