[Deleted]
#4
10-07-2003, 01:28 PM
Thinking about entering the Audi universe
The newer 1.8T's (2001+) have 170hp stock. But you wont get a 2001+ for 12-13K.
I have never driven a car that has handled better than my 1.8t. The quattro is amazing and makes a huge difference in the twisties. It's so fun to drive (especially after I got chipped) and the interior is just superb.
As far as maintenance goes, yeah it can be expensive, and there are common problems like control arms, oxygen sensors, MAF failures, coilpacks, TB tensioner... If your like me and love do your own work on the car then its not too bad at all. I've learned a lot over the past couple years.<edited><editID>brrman</editID><editDate>37901.4371990741</editDate></edited>
I have never driven a car that has handled better than my 1.8t. The quattro is amazing and makes a huge difference in the twisties. It's so fun to drive (especially after I got chipped) and the interior is just superb.
As far as maintenance goes, yeah it can be expensive, and there are common problems like control arms, oxygen sensors, MAF failures, coilpacks, TB tensioner... If your like me and love do your own work on the car then its not too bad at all. I've learned a lot over the past couple years.<edited><editID>brrman</editID><editDate>37901.4371990741</editDate></edited>
#9
10-07-2003, 08:14 PM
Thinking about entering the Audi universe
hey peeps - here's a few things you might want to know. I am going to ramble cuz I am bored at work:
The most common first mod is a chip (for the 1.8 at least). And I will tell you it makes all the difference. Changes the car comnpletely.
You don't want a blow off valve with a turbo car (well, not one like an Audi where it re-injects released boost back into the intake). The car's ecu has direct non-variable fuel mapping and it expects certain amounts of air after boost release (you let off the gas). If its released into the atmosphere with a BOV then the car runs rich - not getting the air it expects but still adds the same amount of fuel. BAD BAD BAD. Which is why Audi's have a BPV or Bypass Valve / Diverter Valve to send the air back to the intake.
You don't need/want a manual boost controller (especially if you have not chipped your ECU). It is not nearly as effective/efficient/safe as an aftermarket chip by itself. First you chip - then you can get a boost controller - but there is no real need.
And if you use a boost controller on an unchipped ECU the car will go into limp mode over 9 lbs of boost. We come back to fuel mapping. You can open wide the turbo with a boost controller but you won't be changing any of the software the car runs by - so you don't get any more fuel. You run lean. BAD BAD BAD.
Exhaust, clutch, intake, turbo upgrades (mated with software upgrade), FMIC, are all common mods. The upgraded injectors, fuel pump, and fuel pressure regulator upgrades are normally associcated with a turbo upgrade - otherwise they do little, if anything, for performance. Audi's are a little different than japanese cars when it comes to modding - the technology is different and things are not always accomplished the same way.
Also, you cannot put an external wastegate on our stock K03 turbos.
Dealers: gods... It all depends on the dealer. Some are mod friendly to a point, and some will warranty rape you for lowering your suspension or modding exhaust. Most do not approve of mods though. My advice - if you plan to SERIOUSLY mod the car forget any aftermarket warranty as well.
The A4 is not an unreliable car - you just have to maintain it. Audi's require a little more diligence in being consistent with maintenance. Many people dont realize this and parts fail because of it. I chipped at 80K miles and am now at 107K miles. My car runs as smooth as the day I bought it because I maintain it - even though I run it hard.<img border="0" src=smileys/smiley14.gif border="0">
The engine is not overly complicated. I did my own timing belt change last may (which is a fairly tedious procedure compared to other cars - you have to take the front end of the car off) and it turned out fine. This is my first Audi and I do ALL my own work on the car.
cheers
The most common first mod is a chip (for the 1.8 at least). And I will tell you it makes all the difference. Changes the car comnpletely.
You don't want a blow off valve with a turbo car (well, not one like an Audi where it re-injects released boost back into the intake). The car's ecu has direct non-variable fuel mapping and it expects certain amounts of air after boost release (you let off the gas). If its released into the atmosphere with a BOV then the car runs rich - not getting the air it expects but still adds the same amount of fuel. BAD BAD BAD. Which is why Audi's have a BPV or Bypass Valve / Diverter Valve to send the air back to the intake.
You don't need/want a manual boost controller (especially if you have not chipped your ECU). It is not nearly as effective/efficient/safe as an aftermarket chip by itself. First you chip - then you can get a boost controller - but there is no real need.
And if you use a boost controller on an unchipped ECU the car will go into limp mode over 9 lbs of boost. We come back to fuel mapping. You can open wide the turbo with a boost controller but you won't be changing any of the software the car runs by - so you don't get any more fuel. You run lean. BAD BAD BAD.
Exhaust, clutch, intake, turbo upgrades (mated with software upgrade), FMIC, are all common mods. The upgraded injectors, fuel pump, and fuel pressure regulator upgrades are normally associcated with a turbo upgrade - otherwise they do little, if anything, for performance. Audi's are a little different than japanese cars when it comes to modding - the technology is different and things are not always accomplished the same way.
Also, you cannot put an external wastegate on our stock K03 turbos.
Dealers: gods... It all depends on the dealer. Some are mod friendly to a point, and some will warranty rape you for lowering your suspension or modding exhaust. Most do not approve of mods though. My advice - if you plan to SERIOUSLY mod the car forget any aftermarket warranty as well.
The A4 is not an unreliable car - you just have to maintain it. Audi's require a little more diligence in being consistent with maintenance. Many people dont realize this and parts fail because of it. I chipped at 80K miles and am now at 107K miles. My car runs as smooth as the day I bought it because I maintain it - even though I run it hard.<img border="0" src=smileys/smiley14.gif border="0">
The engine is not overly complicated. I did my own timing belt change last may (which is a fairly tedious procedure compared to other cars - you have to take the front end of the car off) and it turned out fine. This is my first Audi and I do ALL my own work on the car.
cheers