2013 A4 "not so" sport package

[RichieG]

I just picked up my 2013 a4 sport package in 6 speed. I feel so disconnected from the road in comparison to my 2010 a4 sport package. The suspension is softer and the tires are all season. The tires may even have a higher sidewall but I know they are 18in in diameter as well. The new electromechanical steering totally insulates me from the road and feels sloppy IMHO. Is there any one who shares the same dissatisfaction? I'm ready to take the early termination penalty and find a new car with real steering. Does anyone have any advice ????

[BMWBig6]

Wow, is the steering that different? I didn't realize they changed the sport suspension too.

[in2dwww]

I ordered a 2013 with sport package and test drove both the 2012 and the 2013 with spot package.

I mainly opted for the sport package because of the better seats. However, I also notice a difference and I think it's down to the POS Pirelli P6 tires they have on the 2013.

As a result, I requested the summer performance tires on mine, which should be delivered in mid-October or early November.

There are many opinions about the horrible P6 tires and electro-mechanical steering.

I had a 2010 Jetta TDI 6MT which had the servo steering and I actually loved it once I got used to the behavior. Basically, it goes where you point it, like a precision laser. This is fine at speeds under 40 mph, like in-town driving and such. But once on the highway, the Jetta would drift and could never stay in a straight line. I attributed this to the front wheel drive.

When I drove the 2013 A4 P+ Quattro sport package, I noticed that the car drove like it was on Novocain. It didn't even feel as firm as the Jetta. The 2012 felt sharp and advanced when compared to the Jetta. Since I have experience with electro-mechanical steering, I took the 2013 A4 on the highway and opened it up to 70Mph. It was straight as could be, and I think the 40/60 rear bias is what makes that possible. However, when pushing the A4 to the limit on on/off ramps, the car had "control" as to where I was pointing the wheel, but the ride felt sloppy.

The sloppy ride characteristic is what I read about with P6 tires. However, I think that the summer tire option means the car will have Pirelli P-Zero tires. The problem with P-zero is that they wear out quickly... I have another car with P-Zero and they only last 4k miles. Some A6 owners with P-Zero state that they are lucky to get 10k miles.

I imagine that the choice of P6 tires is what is turning you off of the sport package. I also think the car rides differently than the 2012. However, I put all the blame on those POS Pirelli P6 tires. If you can find a 2013 sport package without P6, take it for a spin and report back. I can't find any in the DC area.

[RichieG]

What's up IN2D? Thank you for your detailed reply. You're correct on those p6's btw. I can't help but wonder if they softened the sport suspension though. I too pushed the car on entrance and exit ramps as well as conducted lane changes at 80+ mph. The car didnt track. On ramps the tires screamed and while changing lanes I would feel the momentum of the car continue in the direction of the lane change. I felt this as both body roll and minor "fish -tail" type behavior from the rear end of the car. I contemplated buying 19inch wheels, summer rubber and new coil overs but I'd still be left with that "sloppy" steering. Since the dealership refused to compromise and requested 7-8k$ to terminate the lease; not to mention they went ahead and registered and titled the car even though I asked to get out 2 days after I signed.... I went to Jack Daniels Audi in NJ. I told them my story and they put me in a 2011 s4. They gave me a great deal and bought out my lease. I guess the moral of the story is always test drive your exact model.... Always always always. I'm glad you replied because I was starting to think I was the only one with these sentiments. Please let me know how you make out and if you hear chatter from others on the same topic.

[in2dwww]

I got the call that my 2013 A4 with sport package has landed at the dealership - it still needs to go through pre-delivery inspection and all sorts of other stuff so I can't drive it just yet. But I asked what "summer tires" it came with and they said it has Dunlops. I special ordered the car and specifically ordered the $0 optional summer tires just so that I don't have to deal with the POS Pirelli P6. When I give my A4 a test-drive, I'll let you know how it feels.

On another note, I have a feeling that if you are correct in the 2013 suspension change, it is to make the S4 feel more hard-core than the s-line A4. Then I noticed that you swapped your car for a 2011 S4. Congrats!

[RichieG]

Please let me know how you make out.

Does the s-line package have different suspension than the sport package? I thought the s-line was the sport package plus some extra body trim and pretty looking stuff. The sport package suspension on my 2010 a4 was stiff and combined with the Pirelli p7s that car rode like it was on rails! So that would lead us to believe they ( audi corporate jerks) softened the car as a marketing ploy. Not cool.

[in2dwww]

The s-line has 19" wheels, so it would ride stiffer than the sport package with 18" wheels. But the sport package or s-line package would still be lower and stiffer than the stock setup.

S-line is the sport package with extra "go faster" parts (ie: 19" wheels). Interestingly, s-line is the only way to get headlight washers

From the 2013 Audi Order Guide:

Sport package (n/a with PQX) $750:
Front sport seats
Four-way power lumbar for front seats
Sport suspension (-20mm ride height)
3-spoke steering wheel (with shift paddles on auto)

S line package (n/a with PPT, 5MG, 7TL, 5MT, H7U, 4ET) $2,950:
Sport suspension (-20mm ride height)
19" 5-segment-spoke wheels with 255/35 summer tires
Headlight washer system
S line front & rear bumper & door sills
Body-colored door sill blades (beneath doors)
S line embossed Alcantara / Leather sport seats
Brushed Aluminum decorative inlays
Black cloth headliner
3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel (with shift paddles on auto)
Four-way power lumbar support for front seats

[dstech]

S-line has unique bumpers thus the headlight washers. My guess is that Audi doesn't sell enough S-line A4's to justify a unique S-line bumper for our market, just a guess.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[RichieG]

Well in2dwww..... I spoke to a rep today from audi USA. An uninformed dude reading from a script of course. I cited the times I've called twice before and he said he was attempting to set up a test drive with me and one of the techs from the original dealership I leased the 2013from. This way I could point out what I was feeling to the tech and he could take it from there. I told " julian", my audi advocate, there must have been a break down on communication somewhere along the way because the product had changed significantly and I didn't get that information. He then told me.....ru ready,..... The sport suspension was softened significantly for the 2013 model in comparison to 2010. So why wasn't I informed of this?? We'll see what happens.

[abacabdan]

...he was attempting to set up a test drive with me and one of the techs from the original dealership I leased the 2013from. This way I could point out what I was feeling to the tech and he could take it from there.

Out of curiosity, why? You already traded your car, and you've had it confirmed that they softened the suspension.

[RichieG]

That's a good question aba. It does seem pointless. Am I supposed to be detailing how the car didn't deliver the sport feel that was promised? Could it be they want to compensate me for my trouble and dissatisfaction, provided I can articulate what has changed in the handling of the car?? I think I'm being toooooo optimistic. Id still be happy to take these geeks for a ride and possibly teach them something about high speed precision driving. You have a valid point,however. It occurred to me after I had written the last post that I should have asked the customer service advocate the point of such a test drive. I'll keep you all up to speed ( pardon the pun) .

[in2dwww]

"The mounts of the rear suspension control arms and the characteristics of the shock absorbers have been even more finely tuned. Most of the components of the five-link front suspension and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum."
https://www.audi-mediaservices.com/p...tlichkeit.html


"Largely made of aluminum, the chassis of the A4 has been further refined. The front suspension is a five-link construction; with a trapezoidal-link suspension at the rear."
https://www.audi-mediaservices.com/p...tlichkeit.html

I went for the sport package just because of the seats.

And the older press release also states:
"The upholstery range has also been revised, with Fine Nappa leather replacing Valcona leather." The newer press release doesn't mention anything about the leather and I have yet to see a 2013 with Nappa.

[in2dwww]

I drove the A4 sport package with summer tires and it rode just like I remember. I didn't notice anything softer with the suspension. I did notice tire noise, but I expected that. After a few hundred miles, I'm sure it will settle and soften up.

[r8ders]

Saw that there is a software update to the 2013 B8.5 A4 on another forum. Please click on the link below for details on it.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...oftware-update