First congrats on your Audi purchase. Today I was looking at Mercedes and BMW autos. In the past I leased Mercedes E320 series before my BK in 1998. Because I leased, maintenance was not an issue. I would just turn the car back in every 3 years and get another one. This time I intend to buy a new car to replace my Ford Explorer ( a very good vehicle BTW ). Both Mercedes and BMW have this ridiculous sealed automatic transmission. This means "built in obsolescence. Would you explain the maintenance on your Audi CVT(transmission). Is there a dipstick and can you change the trany fluid out with ease? What type of fluid is in the trany? I plan to look at the Audi's next week. For the record, I was not impressed with the BMW 330. No wonder you chose another car. I am very auto knowledgeable. Therefore some of the detail about transmissions I stated here was not aimed at you. Some of the readers here do not know what a CVT(Transmission) is. Or indeed, even what a transmission is. Best regards, Jim
Jim, Have you looked at the Lexus? I know a few people that have one, and none of them have had any problems. One has both a Lexus and BMW(wifes car), and he won't drive the BMW unless he has to. Charlie
Hi Jim, hi Charlieslex - happy Sunday am... Jim - I will go outside and look at my manual on the CVT and maintenance and then post. I will say that the CVT transmission is one of the nicest technologies I HAVE EVER USED! CVT and its performance and importance to the car industry ranks up there with DSL for internet access! THE CVT TRANSMISSION - feels like a dog on the hunt - all the time. For those unfamiliar - it does not shift 1 2 3 like an automatic we all know and love. IT is not graduated 123 - it is CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE. I come to the top of a hill, and the car on its Michelin paws just slows and stops. If I jam down to get on a freeway, it is CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION - no shifting felt! AUDI is quickly expanding the CVT throughout their products - it is not available yet with Quattro. I have A4 3.0 CVT. The A4 3.0 is strongest on accelereration at 50-90 MPH. At 90 - the fastest I have tried - the car merely hunkers down due to the body design. more Jim - I am interested. aarrff - dogman
Thanks Charlie and Dogman !!! The Lexus vehicles are excellent but they are primarily built on the Camry platform. When I was married, we debated between leasing the Lexus 400 vs. the Acura RL for my wife. She took the RL because the factory incentives were so great. It was the right decision. So in my humble opinion... Unless you want the Lexus name - Buy a top of the line Camry - You'll save a lot of money. The Acura RL is $44K list and is now behind the times technologically. For example, it has a 4speed auto transmission. The $33K TL model has a 5 speed auto as does my $26K Ford Explorer. I want a nimble, fast handling car for around $35K give or take a couple of thousand. BMW 325i and the Audi's are of interest to me. That BMW 330 Dogman rejected is over priced compared to the old stand by 325i. Dogman - Take your time checking out your car. I don't mind waiting for your answer. Best regards, Jim
