Kell Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Is it worth looking at the 170PS version of the 2.0TDi without quattro? We're thinking of updating our B6 2.5 TDi Avant for a 2.0Tdi and wondered whether the extra torque with the 170PS version meant that it would be inadvisable to go for that car without quattro. Ours is the non-quattro version and when pressing on will quite often run wide on greasy/damp roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Been quite a bit of discussion about the 170PS on here before - expect plenty of wheelspin or ESP intrusion and torque steer unless you have quattro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Is it worth looking at the 170PS version of the 2.0TDi without quattro? We're thinking of updating our B6 2.5 TDi Avant for a 2.0Tdi and wondered whether the extra torque with the 170PS version meant that it would be inadvisable to go for that car without quattro. Ours is the non-quattro version and when pressing on will quite often run wide on greasy/damp roads. [/ QUOTE ] all big tyred cars tramline. quattro doesn't really stop that. if you're happy with fwd on the 2.5tdi, you'll be fine with 170 too. quattro is nice but fuel consumption goes down by about 5mpg. car will be heavier too (by the approx weight of another passenger) so acceleration will be a little bit slower. if you're going to remap etc though, quattro would be more adviseable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliAUDI Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 My last demo was a S/B 170 Sport FWD, manual, which did spin alot under a heavy right foot. I now drive an Stronic A3 170, obviously FWD again...not so much spin somehow. IMHO the Quattro actually spoils this car. Too safe, and too slow when compared to the front wheel drive variant... I love my 170 FWD and would not change it for the world! Also, ask "ED" on TSN what he thinks to his (170 S-LINE STRONIC).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 When my 130bhp Quattro was at Audi a few weeks back, they loaned me a 170bhp FWD A4 Avant. I forgot all about the lack of Quattro and found that I ended up setting off with the wheels spinning and the traction control kicking in; having driven a Quattro you get used to setting off out of junctions, not having to worry about getting traction off the line - they just take off with no fuss, no drama. Now, the thought of going back to FWD does not appeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Same answer as the previous ten threads - quattro essential. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 I've a mate who's got an A4 S-Line 170 non Quattro as a company car. He didn't spec quattro primarily due to cost/tax reasons, suffice to say after 4 months he loves the car but is really p*ssed off that he didn't spec. quattro - even slight excess of right foot on take-off = spin, spin, spin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Does the 170BHP A4 have an exhaust pipes at either side as opposed to twin on the passenger side ? If so the 2.0tdi I had as a loaner a month back was also very happy to spin it's wheels (in the dry) when pulling out of junctions ....but I also drive a quattro normally so guess an element of that was my driving style not adapting quick enough... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maersk Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Yes and Probably Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Same answer as the previous ten threads - quattro essential. Ian [/ QUOTE ] Sorry Ian but quattro is not essential! It's nice though. And you have to remember 90% of the cars on the road don't have it and they cope don't they! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivor_1 Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 kell arrange a good test drive in the 170,and see what you think, if provoked yes it will spin , but in normal every day driving the fwd is fine when do you really need to launch the car from standing starts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted April 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Thank you for all the responses so far. I would imagine that the 2.0 engine is a little lighter than the 2.5 unit in mine. Does that mean that a non-quattro 170 would be more or less likely to understeer than mine? On the one hand, less weight over the front is a good thing. On the other, less weight, means less pressing the tyres into the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maersk Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Less, as the weight in A4,6,8 is all well infront of the front axle line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] And you have to remember 90% of the cars on the road don't have it and they cope don't they! [/ QUOTE ] Since 2000 I've had an S3 (Haldex quattro), an S4 (quattro), an A4 1.9TDi 130 (chipped to 170) FWD, another S4 (quattro) and an RS4 (quattro 40:60). All the quattros have been much nicer to drive, you hit the loud pedal and just go. The TDi 130 FWD wasn't too bad when I had it in standard form as a 130 with only a small amount of intrusion from the ESP on damp or greasy roads, but once I had it chipped to 170 it was an absolute dog to get away from stationary. If you gently let in the throttle you stumbled away in off boost lethargy until the boost arrived when you shot off like a scalded rabbit, if you gave it some throttle before letting the clutch in then you had lots of boost and the ESP cut in and you stumbled away from the line, if you turned ESP off and did the same then you just spun the life of your tyres away. IMHO 170 bhp from a turbo-charged diesel engine with oodles of torque is too much to be a "good drive". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiAudiSline Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 From my experience (A4sline 170 and leon FR170) Two wheel drive 170 is fine, and great fun, it will be a revelation after the previous gen 2.5. Some prefer Quattro but the handling is already right up there and I'm not bothered about standing starts in the wet. Audi wouldnt build them if they were duffers but I admit you probably wouldnt want a lot more power through the fronts, and it will be heavy on tyres if you drive it hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] A4 S line PD 170 two wheel drive 170 is fine.... [/ QUOTE ] Just seems like a total oxymoron to me. However, if we were all the same though, the planet would be a very boring place. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Those who state the 2WD is fine: have you driven a Quattro for any length of time? And when I made my post I wasn't just referring to standing starts in the wet; pulling out of junctions in any conditions can light up the tyres on a 170 if you're not careful, but Quattro doesn't require much thought. Also Q much better on slippery country lanes where I live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Those who state the 2WD is fine: have you driven a Quattro for any length of time? [/ QUOTE ] Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Always confuses me why people have a problem with the FWD at traffic lights. If you're gentle on the throttle until 10mph you're fine. Each to their own though, was just giving impartial advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson_R32 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Those who state the 2WD is fine: have you driven a Quattro for any length of time? [/ QUOTE ] ...and can I ask if you've driven a 170 A4 for any length of time? I drove one only today and it doesn't *need* Quattro. I'm not undervaluing the benefits of Quattro but I don't feel the small amount of Torque steer you get really justifies it. But if you've got the money to spend on Quattro why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza1116 Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 I have the same model - judicious use of the right foot works wonders - only experienced 'problems' when trying to get out of the way of boy racers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Always confuses me why people have a problem with the FWD at traffic lights. If you're gentle on the throttle until 10mph you're fine. Each to their own though, was just giving impartial advice. [/ QUOTE ] Same here. Never had any problems. You just learn how to apply the power and you can get away bloody quickly too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Those who state the 2WD is fine: have you driven a Quattro for any length of time? [/ QUOTE ] ...and can I ask if you've driven a 170 A4 for any length of time? I drove one only today and it doesn't *need* Quattro. I'm not undervaluing the benefits of Quattro but I don't feel the small amount of Torque steer you get really justifies it. But if you've got the money to spend on Quattro why not? [/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't say it was 'essential' either, when driving smoothly it doesn't have a prob putting the power down. I'd also question if its worth the extra money and extra weight the quattro adds to an already heavier car that its petrol equivilent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Those who state the 2WD is fine: have you driven a Quattro for any length of time? [/ QUOTE ] ...and can I ask if you've driven a 170 A4 for any length of time? I drove one only today and it doesn't *need* Quattro. I'm not undervaluing the benefits of Quattro but I don't feel the small amount of Torque steer you get really justifies it. But if you've got the money to spend on Quattro why not? [/ QUOTE ] Yes I have. I think you're missing the point. What I was trying to say is that, yes, you can drive a 170 without spinning the wheels every time you set off - it's not that hard. But with Quattro it doesn't require any care; you set off with no fuss, no spin. All I am saying is that Quattro is better, it puts the power down better than 2wd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Excellent - I love a good debate where everyone gets too passionate about their particular preference etc! We used to have a FWD 3.0 cab and a quattro S4 cab..... some quattro chaps would expect the S4 cab to whip the 3.0 cabs arse on a traffic light dash then right? V8 engine with 4wd vs V6 with fwd. Well that's bollocks. The difference is 2 car lengths to 60 if you rag them both. I think it depends how willing you are to "really rag" a car and how well you know the max traction you have at any speed. In the wet, the S4 would whip its arse more. But interestingly had really cheapo Kumho tyres on the FWD cab, and if anything they gave more grip in the dry than performance tyres. I'm going to swap to Kumhos again when the crappy contis are dead on my sooty cab - although its quattro I can feel them giving way when I take a corner quickly. Best handling a4 cab out of the lot so far was the fwd cab with the tyres completely gone at the front - oversteer joy. flew round corners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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