'98 Audi A4, 4000 miles in a week.

[Roadwork]

I can't see a specific Introductions area, so think of this as mine.

I've already posted about my "new" car this is my daily driver, or "old" car.





It is, of course, an Audi A4 1.8T Sport, I bought as a part-ex from one of my customers. It had 51k on it when I first took it home, it's now on just under 90 and has been absolutely superb.

I took a leap of faith when I first bought it, jumping in and doing a tour of Europe after I'd only had it for a week or so. You can read about it here if anybody is interested.

Its future now hangs in the balance, though. I could end up keeping just the Rover, or selling both and going back into a company car. I guess it depends on how useable the 825 proves and whether I can get back into justifying paying company car tax on a machine that ain't mine.

Anyway. That's me and my cars. I can't believe I've lurked for so long.

[ManOpener]

The big AMG flat-faced wheels really suit it.

[Roadwork]

ManOpener said:

The big AMG flat-faced wheels really suit it.

Cheers. They came from a C230k Sport with the AMG Styling pack that was tragically destined for scrappage. Bit of a ballache to get them drilled for Audi fitment, but I think they look great. Stacks of grip, too.

[tjg123]

lower it 50mm, it'll make those wheels pop!

[Roadwork]

tjg123 said:

lower it 50mm, it'll make those wheels pop!

That's been on the to-do list for a while now... it's just hard to justify it when it already drives well. Would indeed look da bomb, tho...

[strangehighways]

My last car was a 2.6 A4 Auto that I bought for £500 with full mot. I have to say that although no drivers car, it did 20000 miles in a year with no problems whatsoever. A lovely cruiser. They seem like such well built cars.

[sparks_E39]

Lovely cars. Like the wheels. Reminds me of an ageing VW Golf I saw in Poole with Porsche wheels!

[Roadwork]

That's the thing. It does everything so well, it's kind of boring, My Rover is far worse in every way, but more interesting somehow. The wheels are intended to just show people that it's cared for and not the usual 13yr old banger.

Sparks:- What E39 do you have? My Dad has an '03 540iA S, I'm hoping he'll downsize and pass it on. Unlikely because he absolutely loves it.

[sparks_E39]

It's a 528 Auto on a V, I love it but I'm selling it, unfortunately the cd player has just expired on me though I'd love a 540, but I may be waiting a while before I can afford one!

[Roadwork]

sparks_E39 said:

It's a 528 Auto on a V, I love it but I'm selling it, unfortunately the cd player has just expired on me though I'd love a 540, but I may be waiting a while before I can afford one!

Well, if it's any consolation your 528 (fantastic car, btw) has better steering than the 540 (rack 'n pinion instead of recirculating ball). Shame you have to sell it. E39 is the best all round car BMW ever built. (I speak as an ex BMW Salesman... for my sins)

[anomaly]

Love the blog of your Europe trip. Reminds me of a similar two weeks in my Fiat Barchetta a few years back. A great way to bond with a car.

[Luke.]

Find it odd having Merc wheels on an Audi. But then I'm funny like that.

[Roadwork]

anomaly said:

Love the blog of your Europe trip. Reminds me of a similar two weeks in my Fiat Barchetta a few years back. A great way to bond with a car.

Cheers pal, Barchetta would be a lovely way to do it. I did a repeat trip a year later with my Girlfriend... in a '95 306 1.4! Can you imagine a more inappropriate car for the Stelvio Pass?!

That'll go on my blog in the fullness of time.

[Jw Vw]

That A4 is a beauty, lovely colour and the AMG alloys really set it off nicely. Nice Nurburgring sticker on the back aswell

[tjg123]

Roadwork said:

tjg123 said:

lower it 50mm, it'll make those wheels pop!

That's been on the to-do list for a while now... it's just hard to justify it when it already drives well. Would indeed look da bomb, tho...

i've been thinking of getting some for my a4 avant. i agree with pervious posters about it not being any sort of a drivers car, but it is nice to cruise round in. did you use spacers/stud adapters to make them fit?

[Roadwork]

Jw Vw said:

That A4 is a beauty, lovely colour and the AMG alloys really set it off nicely. Nice Nurburgring sticker on the back aswell

Santorin Blue Pearl. Looks lovely when the light hits it, which is rare even here on the Essex Riviera. M25ring sticker is now gone! Did it at the same time as debadging.

[Roadwork]

tjg123 said:

did you use spacers/stud adapters to make them fit?

Needed a set of spigots to enlarge the hub diameter, and the wheels had to be drilled to accept the beefier Audi bolts. Total cost of the conversion: £28. (free wheels!)

[robsco]

Lovely colour, lovely wheels and it looks very tidy!

[Roadwork]

robsco said:

Lovely colour, lovely wheels and it looks very tidy!

Thanks mate, I like to keep it looking smart, It parks every day among the demonstrators at the dealership I work in. Makes me glad I came out of the company car scheme!

[Gachet]

tjg123 said:

lower it 50mm, it'll make those wheels pop!

I think the tyres might literally pop as it looks like the back wheels are too wide (or the offset is too low) for the arches. Personally I don't think the wheels look very good and running a wider rear setup on a FWD car is a bit pointless. Something like an old set of OZ Supertourismos or a similar multispoke wheel would look much nicer.