Hi all,

I pick up my 'new to me' 2004 A4 Quattro 1.8T in a couple days, and I'm already thinking about some performance gains. First, a bit about the car: It's bone stock, 140K km on it, the previous owners were an older couple that took meticulous care of it. It's actually a pretty good find.

My question is, for my first mods to the car, what type of gains should I expect to see from adding high flow/cold air intake, and a cat back exhaust? Will adding these parts throw any error codes? Should these even be my first mods, or is there a better place to start on the 1.8Ts? I'm not planning to make a show car, or a race car either, my goal is a fun to drive DD.

Is adding a diverter valve a worth while mod? And is it a difficult install?

Any and all help is always appreciated.

 

IMO, first mods should first aim at stopping the car. Before making the car faster, make sure you can stop it

So better brake pads, rotors and tires....

Then you can start making the car go faster.

 

Well that is an open ended question so here is the open ended answer. Do all current available mod.

Seriously, chip tune, exhaust, for now will give you the best bang for your buck. Then go from there.

There are plenty of A4 advise givers here on the site. Good Luck and congrats.

 

Cool, thanks for the replies. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about safety mods... stopping and handling will happen in time too. I'm definitely going to keep stock size brake rotors, as I'm planning on using the stock 16" wheels for winter use. Any tips on where to look for quality replacement rotors and pads? Neuspeed seems to have good products, but I'm always looking for options.

Thanks again.

 

Best bang for your buck mod is a chip. If you are keeping your car as a dd, then that's all you need performance wise. An exhaust is ok too if you like. Don't get an intake for it cause there is no real gain other than nicer sound.

After that then it's brakes, suspension and nice summer wheels.

 

don't put in a cold air intake...trust me...i've thought about it and asked some audi guru's and they don't recommend it either

first off...it takes away from the look of the engine bay and adds ZERO performance gains...i've even looked at the carabino or something air intake...it looks good with carbon fiber and OEM feel etc but ZERO gain

EASIEST mod you can do for about 500 dollars to bump up the 170HP to about 200HP is flash

you can get GIAC or APR

I prefer APR but mind you I have NOT done any performance mods to my car...just info I learned

I prefer APR over GIAC because GIAC is more aggressive and harder on your engine/turbo where as APR is a little less aggressive that GIAC and gives you the ability to turn on/off many features using just the cruise control...if you want to control on/off with GIAC you gotta get more stuff...handheld switcher etc...which = more $$

but start with a flash...and if you wanna upgrade brakes...go for the b5 S4 brake upgrade for the fronts...best bang for the buck


PS - I HAVE THE SAME CAR

mods I have done:

upgraded from b6 keyfob to b7 keyfob...looks WAY BETTER
got another set of 17" rims OEM 5 spoke sports...almost brand new...it is now my summer set and use the ones it came with as my winter set
battery bay cover in the engine bay...trust me...even though its a rip off for 90 dollars...it makes the engine bay look soooo much better

mods i have planned:

bilstein sport shocks and h&r sport springs (will be done next spring)
2point5 ashtray dock w/denison gateway...if you have an iphone/ipod...this is it...look no further
HID conversion...i am with halogens right now...



also you and I have the same car bud...if you come across something really nice...lemme know too

 

Your first mod should be a chip hands down. I would jump right into the stage 1+, as you will get very noticible gains. There are a ton of threads on the chipping I think I did one on comparing each chip to the other, it should be somewhere on here, has anyone seen it lately??? I gotta dig it up when I have more time, but dont waste your money on the CAI, as it does nothing until you start doubeling your HP. The stock Air Box is very good and does its job quite well, as for the DV if you are chipping, get a new one as thisone is going to bust, I also wrote a thread on my recomendations for a DV.

Good Luck and if you have any more questions, we are here.

 

Try J H Motorsport

 

Where did you get it from ? Thanks.

 

I third the chip. I got mine done a few hours ago and i still cant belive the power im putting down. Its insane!!!!!