Glacial A4 Build

[ryan_m]

Hey guys.

So the name is due to a few things... 1) The B8 is Ice Silver... 2) This "build" will happen at a glacial pace. I'm hesitating to even start a build thread for the Audi, but I've got one for my Wrangler over on JeepForum.com so I figured it would be good to have. I never got the urge to mod my B6, but in I had ordered a new part for the B8 before I even drove it off the dealership lot, so I've got the feeling that there will be a few modifications in it's future.

The backstory: bought a B6, 2002 A4 Sport, 1.8t, 5MT, in 2009 as a present to myself. There was a thrill that came with being able to put the pedal on the floor at 80 mph (5th gear) and having it accelerate to 100... this is a trick my Jeep will never be capable of. So I held on to the Audi for 40k miles, doing basically all the major services, and intended on keeping it for quite a while. When I got a call in December from my local German mechanic (and a good friend) he said that she'd need both front bearings replaced, and I really was just exhausted of putting money into it. So I went to the dealership and shopped around.

I came across a well-optioned 2012 B8, and fell in love. Her stats: '12 A4, Premium+, 2.0t, Quattro, 8 speed auto, sport package/paddle shift/etc, heated everything, moonroof... only thing it's missing that I would have liked as far as options was a reverse camera. And, of course, a manual transmission. I didn't want an automatic, but with no 6MTs locally, I figured the paddles would be a decent medium ground. Yes, I miss clutch, however being able to punch it through the gears somewhat manually is really nice. Not as tacky as the center console shifter "manual" way.

So here's the stable... Jeep (doing what she does best), the B6, and the new B8 (photo shoot from the day I got it)

[AU06]

Nice looking forward to seeing what you do to your B8, I have a 2011 B8 with Prestige /Sport package. so i may do the same mods

[ryan_m]

My goal with her is to be an OEM+ style build.. classy, tasteful, but still something that might turn the head of a guy across the parking lot who's getting into his Subaru hatchback.

Mod #1, as mentioned above, was ordered before I took delivery of the car. Being in MA, a front license plate is required... but I can't STAND the look of it. I have this theory about how now industrial designer never sat in a design studio at Audi and said "now how do we make the license plate sexy?" As far as I know, it's a secondary $30 infraction. I keep the plate in the trunk just in case, and have thought about one of the folding options, but I needed to order a front filler plate to feel okay with the car. So my front plate when on for the state inspection, and was promptly replaced with the OEM filler plate, slate gray with the chrome trim, as shipped pretty quickly from ECS.

Before:




After:




1000x better in my opinion.

I also added a brushed aluminum "Truth In Engineering" license plate frame. Little stuff, but it makes an aesthetic difference.

[name.goes.here]

My goal with her is to be an OEM+ style build.. classy, tasteful, but still something that might turn the head of a guy across the parking lot who's getting into his Subaru hatchback.

Mod #1, as mentioned above, was ordered before I took delivery of the car. Being in MA, a front license plate is required... but I can't STAND the look of it. I have this theory about how now industrial designer never sat in a design studio at Audi and said "now how do we make the license plate sexy?" As far as I know, it's a secondary $30 infraction. I keep the plate in the trunk just in case, and have thought about one of the folding options, but I needed to order a front filler plate to feel okay with the car. So my front plate when on for the state inspection, and was promptly replaced with the OEM filler plate, slate gray with the chrome trim, as shipped pretty quickly from ECS.

Before:




After:




1000x better in my opinion.

I also added a brushed aluminum "Truth In Engineering" license plate frame. Little stuff, but it makes an aesthetic difference.

Congratulations on the new Audi

Like you, I live in MA too, and have to deal with the shitty front plate......

[Celiot29]

My goal with her is to be an OEM+ style build.. classy, tasteful, but still something that might turn the head of a guy across the parking lot who's getting into his Subaru hatchback.

Mod #1, as mentioned above, was ordered before I took delivery of the car. Being in MA, a front license plate is required... but I can't STAND the look of it. I have this theory about how now industrial designer never sat in a design studio at Audi and said "now how do we make the license plate sexy?" As far as I know, it's a secondary $30 infraction. I keep the plate in the trunk just in case, and have thought about one of the folding options, but I needed to order a front filler plate to feel okay with the car. So my front plate when on for the state inspection, and was promptly replaced with the OEM filler plate, slate gray with the chrome trim, as shipped pretty quickly from ECS.

Before:




After:




1000x better in my opinion.

I also added a brushed aluminum "Truth In Engineering" license plate frame. Little stuff, but it makes an aesthetic difference.

Glad to see a fellow masshole on here

[ryan_m]

Congratulations on the new Audi

Like you, I live in MA too, and have to deal with the shitty front plate......

Glad to see a fellow masshole on here

Hey guys! Nice to see local people. Yeah, the front plate thing sucks. Really detracts from the look. I've run the Jeep for 7 years without a front plate, so we'll see how long this lasts. I kept the OEM filler with the plate mount just in case.

[formula1guy]

Congrats on the B8 and welcome! I've been the same way with my modding, slow and oem plus look. In may, I'll be at 5 years of ownership so far have only done exhaust, rear valence, wheels and pad/rotor upgrade along with RS5 pedals. Going slowly gives you things to look forward to. I'm someone that if I get it all at once, I get bored. I'm guessing you're similar:) Anyways, enjoy the car and we look forward to seeing what you do with her.

[ryan_m]

Congrats on the B8 and welcome! I've been the same way with my modding, slow and oem plus look. In may, I'll be at 5 years of ownership so far have only done exhaust, rear valence, wheels and pad/rotor upgrade along with RS5 pedals. Going slowly gives you things to look forward to. I'm someone that if I get it all at once, I get bored. I'm guessing you're similar:) Anyways, enjoy the car and we look forward to seeing what you do with her.

Thank you my friend. The Jeep has taken me the better part of 8 years to build to it's current state, and she's capable and clean. I'd imagine the Audi will get "built" (loosely termed) in the same way.

[ryan_m]

A question...

I've been trying to figure out how I can go about adding a reverse camera to the B8, but for the life of me, no matter how much I search, I cannot figure out what kind of MMI I have. It's a '12, one website said a "Basic 3g" package. Others have said a 2G. It's a multi-color display, not the red-monochromatic one, no center toggle in the menu buttons. It does not have the navigation package. I'm trying to figure out if there is a video input on the back of it or not. I've yet to find a build sheet.

Thanks for any help :)

[name.goes.here]

A question...

I've been trying to figure out how I can go about adding a reverse camera to the B8, but for the life of me, no matter how much I search, I cannot figure out what kind of MMI I have. It's a '12, one website said a "Basic 3g" package. Others have said a 2G. It's a multi-color display, not the red-monochromatic one, no center toggle in the menu buttons. It does not have the navigation package. I'm trying to figure out if there is a video input on the back of it or not. I've yet to find a build sheet.

Thanks for any help :)

Some members added Nav. and camera via 3rd party known as X carlink, or something similar. There was a big thread last year with product and install tips which you should be able to find via search.

[AU06]

Just had to subscribe to this thread once I saw that we have almost the same package:


2011 A4 Quattro 2.0T with 32,000 miles (CPO)
Color: Phantom Black Pearl

Prestige Package
Titanium Sport Package
Sun shade
Front Filler Panel

I am loving this car!!!

I like your changes and the way that you are thinking so I may just have to do the same changes.

Looking forward to your build.

[Beef]

Dude, sick shot of the Jeep! Enjoy your new ride and welcome.

[ryan_m]

Some members added Nav. and camera via 3rd party known as X carlink, or something similar. There was a big thread last year with product and install tips which you should be able to find via search.

Ok, I'll keep an eye out for it. Does this mean I've likely got some entry level 3G model that would have a video input? Thanks!

[ryan_m]

Just had to subscribe to this thread once I saw that we have almost the same package.. I am loving this car!!! I like your changes and the way that you are thinking so I may just have to do the same changes. Looking forward to your build.

Thanks! Sounds like they're pretty similar. I do wish I had a 6MT, but at the end of the day the rest of the package was worthy of taking her home.

Dude, sick shot of the Jeep! Enjoy your new ride and welcome.

Thanks! That Jeep can literally go over anything. The rock wall it's climbing up in that pic doesn't really do it justice... it's about 4 1/2 feet of a vertical wall you've got to get up without scraping the shit out of the undercarriage. I'm 22" to my aluminum transfer case skid, with my lowest point being the bottom of my differentials, which are still 12" off the ground.

Here's my favorite Jeep picture, from a year ago on my back-up set of tires... my face says it all:

[AU06]

Here is what I am working with.

Wish mine was a 6MT but I can't complain because it has everything else

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[b6Hate4]

Good to see another Boston area guy

[b6onboost]

I too had a TJ, B6, and now a B8.5

[ryan_m]

Wish mine was a 6MT but I can't complain because it has everything else

Gorgeous! Love the wheels. I guess neither of us can complain

Good to see another Boston area guy

Hey! Is there any kind of Boston/North Shore/Eastern MA Audi group?

I too had a TJ, B6, and now a B8.5

It's a nice progression, yes? Before the TJ I had a Volvo 850, but the Jeep is with me for life. I assume I'll be buried in it. She's a little jealous of the time I'm spending with the B8, but can ya blame me?

[b6Hate4]

Gorgeous! Love the wheels. I guess neither of us can complain



Hey! Is there any kind of Boston/North Shore/Eastern MA

Pm me ill send over details

[ryan_m]

Pm me ill send over details

PM Sent

[b6onboost]

Oddly enough, I drove my mom's old Volvo 740 prior to my TJ, B6, and B8.

It's a nice progression, yes? Before the TJ I had a Volvo 850, but the Jeep is with me for life. I assume I'll be buried in it. She's a little jealous of the time I'm spending with the B8, but can ya blame me?

[ryan_m]

Took her out today for a few photos. Being my first silver car, I'm somewhat sad about the lack of contrast between the car and the snow... but c'est la vie! I definitely think for next year I'll be throwing a set of snow tires on these rims, and putting all seasons/summer tires on a set of peelers or something along those lines. I did secretly enjoy driving by a guy who was standing on the side of the road staring at his Suburban in a ditch. It really irks me how people believe they're invincible with their "4WD SUVs" in heavy snow traveling at normal highway speeds.

/end rant.

[b6Hate4]

Is the plate really just a fix it ticket?

FWIW I drove around for over a year in a heavily modded, loud, b6 with no front plate. No cops ever bothered me except one who was on my daily commute route sitting in the same lot every morning. I knew there was no lying to him that it had just fell off since he had seen me 100+ times. So I put it back on.

Now that I have a different empolyer, and thus a different work commute I may have to take it off after inspection

[Speycaster]

Great pics...love it!

[Jared234]

Is the plate really just a fix it ticket?

No, its a $25 fine. It is technically a secondary offense, like seatbelts, but in MA they will find a reason to pull you over if they see it. They don't like it because they can't bounce lidar off it. I do not run a front plate, and pay for it regularly.

Nice cars Ryan, I actually have a TJ and a B8 also.
Except I am a member of the other Wrangler forum.





I am looking for info on Boston Audi stuff and Off-Road trips in the area. Can't find much offroading around here

[ryan_m]

Is the plate really just a fix it ticket?

From everything I've read, yes. Some people have said it's a full pointed moving violation, but I don't think it is. We'll see what else Jared says (below)

Great pics...love it!

Thanks man!

No, its a $25 fine. It is technically a secondary offense, like seatbelts, but in MA they will find a reason to pull you over if they see it. They don't like it because they can't bounce lidar off it. I do not run a front plate, and pay for it regularly.

Nice cars Ryan, I actually have a TJ and a B8 also.
Except I am a member of the other Wrangler forum.

I am looking for info on Boston Audi stuff and Off-Road trips in the area. Can't find much offroading around here

Thanks Jared! Ah... the other Wrangler forum...... hahaha! I'm registered over there too, of course. Just not active unless I need a Q'Tec discount from their vendor page. As far as local Audi stuff, I've been informed by B6hate4 of a VW/Audi club on the South Shore. Jeep wise, you're actually speaking to the president of the North Shore Jeeps club. Head on over to www.NorthShoreJeeps.com and register. We're a free club with monthly runs from stock to difficult up in NH/Western MA.

As far as the plates... you simply get a $25 ticket every time? No points added to your insurance? BTW- gorgeous B8. Love the honeycomb grille, and those RS rims are gorgeous.

[Jared234]

Thanks for the Jeep info. Ill get signed up

Yes, $25 fine. Equipment violations are not moving violations and don't hurt your insurance or driving record.

[b6Hate4]

Thanks for the Jeep info. Ill get signed up

Yes, $25 fine. Equipment violations are not moving violations and don't hurt your insurance or driving record.

Tomorrow morning I'll be grabbing a screwdriver to rip that shit off.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Love the S5 wheels on your car

[ryan_m]

Tomorrow morning I'll be grabbing a screwdriver to rip that shit off.

Haha good deal man. Be sure to post up a pic. Soooo much cleaner without it.

[billyhelmsorig]

It seems like the few jeep owners on this forum have tj's. Am I the only one with an xj? Lol nice jeep and a4 though. It seems that we have the same taste in cars.

Was that picture of your jeep taken in rausch creek?



Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[ryan_m]

Was that picture of your jeep taken in rausch creek?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

I've always wanted an XJ project... Looks nice. That wheelie photo was taken at MaBell (not sure the notoriety of MaBell, but it's Western MA, same challenge level as Old Florida Road). I'd like to get out to Rausch someday, but honestly taking the rig out to MOAB is a lot higher on my list of things to do.

[ryan_m]

I took some time last week to hardwire my Escort Passport 8500 x50 radar detector. Picked up an add-a-fuse at AutoZone, and wired it in. I left a ton of slack in the cable coiled up by the fuse panel so that when I get around to picking up another mount, I can move the detector higher up the windshield and center it more. Just haven't found the right mount yet. It's really nice to have it hard wired and not have any cabling running all over the place. I hate messy cabling.

Mount / location (for now)



Fuse panel tap



Cabin view

[ryan_m]

I also took her down to Hartford for work last week, and stopped at an old abandoned gas station on I-84 to take some photos. Unfortunately the snow is pretty gross at this point so I made this one B&W. Not a bad shot, but I really do miss the ability to do a B&W color-splash photo since the silver doesn't pop in any way haha.

Next time, I've got to remember to take my hang-tag off the rear view mirror.

[billyhelmsorig]

I've always wanted an XJ project... Looks nice. That wheelie photo was taken at MaBell (not sure the notoriety of MaBell, but it's Western MA, same challenge level as Old Florida Road). I'd like to get out to Rausch someday, but honestly taking the rig out to MOAB is a lot higher on my list of things to do.

Going to Moab is my dream. Im selling my xj for now because I can't afford both currently. But one day ill have another one and ill go to Moab

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[ryan_m]

Just a few photos after washing her last weekend. Gonna tint it soon, grab a set of 18" snows for these rims, and over the winter pick out a summer set with new wheels for the warmer seasons.

Silver really is boring to photograph.

[Elliott]

Another Jeep/B6/B8 guy... brother!

[Jared234]

Btw apparently mass upped the front plate ticket to $40. Just picked up another one...almost time to move


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Project Quattro]

Btw apparently mass upped the front plate ticket to $40. Just picked up another one...almost time to move

In CT if there's no plate bracket you can usually get away with it. Just saying. Lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ryan_m]

Little bit of update for here.. The Audi has been in storage since November to avoid the horrific winter that Boston ended up with. I unfortunately don't have a garage, so I've been using a 12x30 storage unit that is owned by a friend to keep the car dry and warm. I've gone by once a month and run it for an hour and moved the tires a bit. Sure am missing it though, driving the Jeep more frequently isn't always exciting since the roof can't come off (nor would I want it to with this weather!) haha.

First and most importantly, I paid the car off in December. Hurt a little bit since I'd only bought it a year before, but having the title in hand is good and it'll be better in the long run. Feels good to truly own it. The Audi also got new vanity plates which I put on last week, and will snap some photos of when she comes out of hiding at the end of April. I ordered a WiFi OBD2 port for use with the Carista app to do some VAG-COM kinds of programming to customize it a bit, and though I've been shopping for 19s to replace the factory 5-spokes, I'll likely stick to the less expensive route of tinting the windows for now as I'm putting money away for a down payment on a condo.

Sure do miss driving it, though! And the only picture I have it one from moving some stuff around at the storage unit a few weeks ago. Poor thing got wet in the snow :(