Old member (finally using his profile), new (to me) ar

[Grizz]

Hi everyone,

I joined AZ back in '09 when working on an A4 Avant purchase. That purchase fell through but here I am again, finally with an Avant of my own. Born and raised in the Milwaukee, Wi. area. Current vehicles are the wife's '01 Golf and my lightly modded '03 9-5. With a background in fab work and auto repair, modifying vehicles, my experiences with the Golf and 9-5... I'm figuring I'll be able to handle the ar.

After 17 years between Audi's (a 5000 running 20psi but that was so long ago I don't even remember the mods), I'll be picking up an 2001 ar next week. 2.7T, Tip, 150k miles. Took 'er for a test drive this past week. Buying it from inlaws and they have many receipts, a lot of major work was done this year. My current concerns about her (I'll be working on figuring out her name after some quality time together):

-2 new tires (other 2 tires are new)
-alignment
-needs the misfiring cured (1 of the coil packs is going)
-intermittent o2 code

Solution for the ignition will be ordered next week-
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-All_R...ion/ES2784958/

The rest of the issues, and all that will come after, will get figured out. So hopefully I'll see you guys, but not tooooo much [>_<] I appreciate all the help in advance.

Watch out for all the idiots on the road tonight and Saturday, but enjoy the fun driving weather [:D]

-Thanks
-Griz

[a4kamila6]

Welcome back and good luck


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[V1nny]

No need to spend 479.95 on this kit. Soldering wires is waaay better, and $4 plastic Tuareg adapter is also better than this billet nonsense. Also get red R8 coils.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Touareg_2--V8/ES283074/
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-R8--V8_4.2L/Engine/Ignition/ES281014/
http://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Connector-Repair-Harness-Wiring/dp/B00Y6L4WWQ

is less than half of what you planning to spend, and will give you a better result

[estomax]

is the touareg adapter to fill the space for APB or BEL engines? With my BEL engine i bought some billet adapters and they dont fit, they are only meant to bolt to APB engines, BEL has no hole in the valve cover for them, so i am just running the ~1/4 inch gap, hasnt been a problem but dirt can get in the coil shaft.

[a4kamila6]

the touareg adapters are for coil conversion. apb engines had the shorter boot bolt down coils. bel on other hand had longer boot push down coils. I know apb valve covers have the holes for the bolts, dont think bel do. the adapters are for apb valve covers. Two plastic prongs go into the bolt holes and the adapter falls into where the coil is mounted. then you just push in coil. i have the 034 adapters and i understand why people solder the wires themselves and go with the touraeg adapters. its cheaper, and just as effective. maybe doesnt look as good, but truthfully if you took the time and bought all the cable sheathing and correct shit, it could look better than the 450 ecs kit.


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[V1nny]

every electrical plug is a potential failure point. Installing plug-in adapters introduces 8 new connectors of aftermarket quality. I installed 034 kit two years ago and regret buying it, already re soldered ground connectors on every cylinder. Should have done everything properly myself instead. Finally bought 2.0t VAG connectors, will solder them next week.

[Grizz]

No need to spend 479.95 on this kit. Soldering wires is waaay better, and $4 plastic Tuareg adapter is also better than this billet nonsense. Also get red R8 coils.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Touareg_2--V8/ES283074/
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-R8--V8_4.2L/Engine/Ignition/ES281014/
http://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Connector-Repair-Harness-Wiring/dp/B00Y6L4WWQ

is less than half of what you planning to spend, and will give you a better result

Greatly appreciate the advice! But the billet adapters are so purty. Now that I know they're not necessary, I'll mill my own. Is there a tutorial for the swap?

New car, new tools to buy. Are any special tools needed to swap the new ignition parts in? Should I be picking up VAG-com?

I have no intention of going nuts with the car but would like to improve performance and handling (H&R bars are a must from what I've read so far). Otherwise when things break, they'll get upgraded.

I've been reading as much as I can find about the ar and will continue to do so, there's so much to learn. I always appreciated being able to help others on the Saab forums and look forward to being able to do the same here [:)]

Again, thank you.

[Grizz]

Before I forget to ask, is there anything urgent to check out after getting the ar home? Coming from Saab..... I've read many horror stories that could have been prevented. I know that the car has been well taken care of, but I won't leave things to chance.

-Thanks

[S6XTC]

VCDS (vagcom) is a MUST!! the lite version (registered) is great... If any issue arises a scan on vcds is your first port of call my friend.... Only other tools I needed upon getting my first Audi was a good torx set... oh and a metric socket set ;)

[R490]

Check the oil and coolant level!

[4rings2turbos]

Welcome! I have total confidence you'll be able to care for it, and anything you're stuck on this board will have covered. Lots of allroad experience on here.

It's basic stuff and I'm sure you have your own protocols and methods but whenever I buy a car, regardless of what the seller says, I always buy: oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, fuel filter and spark plugs. This way you know you're totally set on all frequent maintenance points. Many of these items are woefully neglected all too often.

Then first things to check will be condition of the coolant and brake fluid. Coolant should be bright red (G12 or like neon purple (G12+ & G12++) if not then you might consider it time for a flush and fill, do the heater core while you're at it. If brake fluid is dark you'll Def want to do that, while you're at it stainless braided lines front and rear are a really nice and great bang for buck mod even with factory brakes (the 2 piston HP2s aren't too bad to begin with).

Misc. items to check are: oil cap, great idea to update to a vented version which can help keep crankcase pressure down and avoid leaks. Water drain under battery, it's common for this drain to plug and water will enter the passenger footwell and take out some expensive equipment hiding under the carpet. If the suspension compressor is loud (should be nearly silent) you can buy a piston ring rebuild kit for cheap to restore it's effectiveness. Inspect the clutch fan for hairline cracks. It can give out and take out the radiator, in some cases it's taken out the timing belt and killed valves! (you can run without this fan, have done so two summers in hot Chicago in traffic and temps stays right where it should. Remove just the fan or the clutch as well if you choose to, perhaps over the winter or while you wait for the new fan to arrive). Check the rear diff for leaks, pretty common and really easy to add some fluid. If the headlight lenses are foggy the wetsand them to 2000 grit, wipe with rubbing alcohol then mix a small amount of clear gloss. Helmsman Spar urethan with equal parts mineral spirits in a plastic container- fold a lint-free shop rag into a small square (the paper shop rags work great) then in a horizontal motion coat the lens in overlapping strokes from top to bottom. Let it dry and repeat a couple times with the mixture. Your lenses will look BRAND new. Don't forget to mask off the car when sanding.

[V1nny]

best price on vented oil cap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131647794401
also when checking on rear diff, replace of fill old rear diff mount with window weld (carve some old rubber first), they are all have cracks in rubber at this age.

[a4kamila6]

I dont know if you have the plastic or metal thermo housing but if you are doing the timing procedure anytime soon and happen to have the plastic housing, ill sell you my other metal housing for dirt cheap compared to retail.


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[4rings2turbos]

01 has alu tstat housing.

[Grizz]

Happy Thanksgiving [>_<] Hope everyone is surviving the day intact [:D] Forgive me if I ramble, I gave Thanks with some drinks.

Yep, still here. Been researching the hell outta everything I can about the car. Made some big decisions too. Also would like to pitch something to you guys.

First, thank you so much for the responses. You guys are awesome. Seriously, thank you. Thanks for the advice and encouragement. It's been funny, researching the ar. I've got that feeling back that I missed so damn much. That feeling when I got my Saab, my 300zx, the GTA factory Notchback, my Mr2, my Camaros. And then there's the car that started it all. A 1985-ish (can't remember the dang year) Audi 5000. It was only front-wheel drive. It was almost the same dang beige color as the new to me ar is, lol. But the leather was comfy, seats were wonderfully heated. It was the most luxurious interior I'd ever experienced as my own in my 18 years of age. It had buttons to play with and a cool dash and a moonroof (that was a constant source of issues). It went like hell. 2bar. And that turbo sound was music to me. To this day, as a 35 year old family man with the house and the wife and son. The shitzu (nope, didn't spell that wrong. He's an ass and he's my wife's), and the 2 Maine Coons (20lb brother and sister Viking kittens), and our 2 rescued Chinchillas. As a 35 year old man, I still hammer the gas to hear the turbo sound in my Saab when going under an overpass. My wife rolls her eyes. My son and friends still laugh.

Researching this car I have that feeling again about a car I'm going to enjoy [:)] This car can be my happy place for a while. I had only planned on this as a winter-beater and buy an already-been-modded turbo Miata project for Spring. I don't wanna bother with the Miata anymore. Seats are too crappy for my messed up back anyways, lol.

So then, that leads to my pitch. Researching everything out there for mods, it's been insane. I'd looked into modded S4 Avants in the past but the market wasn't anywhere as big back then. My budget is $10k, not above, period; and it includes the price of the car, $2200. I have to stick with the tip trans; my back can't handle a stick, as much as I utterly despise admitting. I am keeping the stock air suspension. I have surgeries coming up. Not looking forward to it but I know it's necessary to try. Surgery and recovery are gonna be hell.

Bearing all that in mind, would you guys help me pick out the mods?

[4rings2turbos]

Are you on Instagram? I've done a 'build' timeline of my mods and it might be a good place to get a couple ideas. @fourings (one 'r')

$7,800 is a lot, but then again it isn't. You can forget about stage 3 aspirations but don't worry because stage II+ will be lots of fun. Especially on meth.

Modding is awesome but definitely start by going over the car and addressing and overdue maintenance as well as all the preventative. If you're thorough that should take a couple grand doing the work yourself.

No on to mods. The following is only my opinion, but I feel a lot of people here would agree with me that these are all high bang for your buck mods:

Piggies (gutted downpipes) (free!)
Muffler delete (trust me, best sounding daily exhaust for the 2.7T) (free!)
Stage 2+ tune
Hotchkis sway bars
605/628 servotronic mod (free!)
Motor/trans/diff mounts
SS brake lines front and rear
Front BBK (I personally have TT RS calipers and RS 5 wave rotors)

That alone will give you a VERY capable and well-rounded allroad, add meth for even more fun.

Not sure what you think for in the looks dept. I highly recommend a 2nd gen RNS-E nav headunit though. Realtime traffic updates and automatic route updates, plays music from two SD cards up to 32GB each and the sounds quality is a big jump from Symphony I and II, also add OEM bluetooth. Those two things bring the tech bang up to date.

As for the factory suspension? I love it and never plan to change it. Even down to the factory Conti bags.

[Grizz]

Are you on Instagram? I've done a 'build' timeline of my mods and it might be a good place to get a couple ideas. @fourings (one 'r')

$7,800 is a lot, but then again it isn't. You can forget about stage 3 aspirations but don't worry because stage II+ will be lots of fun. Especially on meth.

Modding is awesome but definitely start by going over the car and addressing and overdue maintenance as well as all the preventative. If you're thorough that should take a couple grand doing the work yourself.

No on to mods. The following is only my opinion, but I feel a lot of people here would agree with me that these are all high bang for your buck mods:

Piggies (gutted downpipes) (free!)
Muffler delete (trust me, best sounding daily exhaust for the 2.7T) (free!)
Stage 2+ tune
Hotchkis sway bars
605/628 servotronic mod (free!)
Motor/trans/diff mounts
SS brake lines front and rear
Front BBK (I personally have TT RS calipers and RS 5 wave rotors)

That alone will give you a VERY capable and well-rounded allroad, add meth for even more fun.

Not sure what you think for in the looks dept. I highly recommend a 2nd gen RNS-E nav headunit though. Realtime traffic updates and automatic route updates, plays music from two SD cards up to 32GB each and the sounds quality is a big jump from Symphony I and II, also add OEM bluetooth. Those two things bring the tech bang up to date.

As for the factory suspension? I love it and never plan to change it. Even down to the factory Conti bags.

Appreciate the input, thanks [:)]

I'm not on Instagram but will check it out. Hell, I'm rarely on FB anymore and it's been wonderful taking a break from it. So you're basically running straight pipes and cats? Happy to hear that you're happy with the suspension.

I'll be able to save money doing everything myself. Slowly, but by myself and with buddies, of course (thank you shop beer fridge). Only twice in my years of car ownership have I sent a vehicle out for repairs. Once was an accident that I just didn't want to deal with and the other was before a road trip and didn't have time to get the parts to do it myself.

I weld also. Have a Miller MIG setup in the shop and will be buying a TIG and plasma cutter setup from Eastwood for Christmas. I spent over 7 years tigging at my old job and really miss it. A buddy of mine is an engineer for a company that builds tubing benders, he'll be bringing one over in a month or so. We're also looking into picking up an old Bridgeport or a small CNC mill. Sooo... I'll save a bunch on a custom exhaust setup. Also been wondering if it's worth it to build a set of manifolds... I have a heated 2 bay shop next to the garage/house to keep toasty in. Nothing fancy but it's ours. Errr, the banks.

The car has been dealer maintained and I'll have to verify, but I'm pretty sure all services are up-to-date. Can't remember off the top of my head but the t-belt/waterpump/t-stat/etc. was all done last month or the month before. I'll make sure everything is current and able to handle upgrades before moving forward. I was hoping to be able to run stage 3 with an upgraded trans... nevermind... it'd run over $5k for an upgraded tip box according to http://www.517trans.com/catalog/11a.php. Would definitely be cheaper to swap in a 01E. That will depend on the surgery and recovery [:/] being successful. I miss driving stick so much, I've always preferred to be as involved as possible while driving. We've been waiting for the owners to replace her and now they have so we'll be bringing it home Friday or Saturday. Finally [:d]

Just trying to figure out a game plan and TIA for all of the help. I'll definitely be starting a build thread.

[Grizz]

Curious what people think...

For a personalized plate (assuming these are available)...

- "BAD WGN"

or

- "WNTRBTR"

or?

Finally bringing the ar home in an hour. Had to wait for the previous owners to replace it. I want to look for an ar with the O1E, but I promised to buy it and I can't re-neg. So it goes. Oh well.

[carmudgeon]

"WAGONHO" ?

[Grizz]

"WAGONHO" ?

BAHAHAHAHA! [>_<] Awesome.

Maybe if I lived in Oregon and not Wisconsin, lol.

[a4kamila6]

Just put the word Onion on your plate. The whole world will be in awe.


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[a4kamila6]

And dude, the tiptronic is not that bad. Higher failure rates but if you change fluid every 40-50k, should be okay. People have bad luck with them and when they fail they are expensive to replace so i see why the audi community hates tiptronics. Have one myself though, changed fluid at 80k, at 100k right now, fingers crossed.


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[Grizz]

Just put the word Onion on your plate. The whole world will be in awe.

Wha? I don't get it...


And dude, the tiptronic is not that bad. Higher failure rates but if you change fluid every 40-50k, should be okay. People have bad luck with them and when they fail they are expensive to replace so i see why the audi community hates tiptronics. Have one myself though, changed fluid at 80k, at 100k right now, fingers crossed.

I'm used to my Saab 9-5. Trust me, I'm used to maintenance, lol. My regimen for the basics- trans. fluid drain and fill every 20k, always synthetic motor oil (Mobil1) with Napa Gold filter (Wix) every 5k. We'll see what happens, fingers crossed as well. All maintenance is up-to-date on the ar. Purchased from in-laws for $2200 and they put a lot of money into it the last 2 years... so hopefully it'll behave for a while. The car is actually in better shape than I thought. When I test drove it I made sure everything functioned, checked the engine bay and underbody. Didn't really pay much attention to the interior or body panels. It's a project to have fun with and didn't realize it's as clean as it is. Seats are better than I thought and button rub on only 4 buttons. Some pixels missing.

Just got back from bringing it home and it's sitting in the driveway on level 4 to check for airbag leaks. They said it's all good but I still have to check. Will be sticking with my budget. Found out today at the doc that because my last spinal injections actually worked (17th set in 6 years), they'll be doing some other stuffs and I'll be able to postpone surgery for a while. So now I'm really wishing it had a manual trans [headbang]

[a4kamila6]

Wha? I don't get it...



I'm used to my Saab 9-5. Trust me, I'm used to maintenance, lol. My regimen for the basics- trans. fluid drain and fill every 20k, always synthetic motor oil (Mobil1) with Napa Gold filter (Wix) every 5k. We'll see what happens, fingers crossed as well. All maintenance is up-to-date on the ar. Purchased from in-laws for $2200 and they put a lot of money into it the last 2 years... so hopefully it'll behave for a while. The car is actually in better shape than I thought. When I test drove it I made sure everything functioned, checked the engine bay and underbody. Didn't really pay much attention to the interior or body panels. It's a project to have fun with and didn't realize it's as clean as it is. Seats are better than I thought and button rub on only 4 buttons. Some pixels missing.

Just got back from bringing it home and it's sitting in the driveway on level 4 to check for airbag leaks. They said it's all good but I still have to check. Will be sticking with my budget. Found out today at the doc that because my last spinal injections actually worked (17th set in 6 years), they'll be doing some other stuffs and I'll be able to postpone surgery for a while. So now I'm really wishing it had a manual trans [headbang]

Lol i dont know, the onion thing was a stupid joke. Good to hear your back is okay. Worst case scenario, down the line you can swap a manual transmission in. You got a good price on the car too, sweet.


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[Grizz]

Lol i dont know, the onion thing was a stupid joke. Good to hear your back is okay. Worst case scenario, down the line you can swap a manual transmission in. You got a good price on the car too, sweet.

Not a prob. Wasn't sure if it was related to the meme stuff my wife is always going on about. It would have been nice to show her up for once.

I gotta quit talking about my back stuff, sorry for that guys. It's difficult as it's dictated my life since '08. To have hope for the first time since then is an unbelievable feeling. K, done.

Tranny swap is really on my mind and Frankenturbos are calling my name... (I need an engine hoist)

I'm starting to feel bad about the price. I based it off some ar's I saw for sale in the $3k range, then deducted new tires, alignment and ignition fix. It felt perfectly fair until I looked the car over a bit more. But the repairs need to be done, so it is what it is.

[Grizz]

One thing I noticed on the 2 mile drive to bring it home, my Saab 9-5 seat is a lot more supportive than the Audi allroad seat. Perhaps it's because my 9-5 has gotten used to my 210 pound ass over my 5 (wow, holy crap. 5) years and 50k miles of owning "Freja"; and the ar has been used to a 110 pound woman for the last 8 years? [>_<]

As a extremely happy Saab owner (yes, I said happy), I know Saab tended towards the "luxury sports sedan", and it seems the C5 chassis also did but even more so towards the luxury/comfort. The buttons and gauges are fairly different yet they both show that same attention to importance and placement. It will take some time until I quit trying to ram the key into the center console. I love my Saab and I always will. Hell, my 14 year-old son thinks it's cool and he wants it for his first car. Saab's safety rating with the 9-5 is utterly amazing. I know of several 9-5's that rolled on the freeway and were driven home. No bullshit. So of course I want my son in that car, lmao. It's not flashy like most teens would like. Hell, it has the stock stereo and it doesn't even have tint. I'm proud my son wants that car. But the Audi? Since around '99 I've wanted an Audi wagon. I'm happy as hell. It really means a lot to me. I've always been mocked for loving wagons and it's never bothered me. This car I'll have fun with. I'll build it and enjoy it and mod it tastefully and be an adult about it, lol. Then when my son is the age I am now, he'll want this car. Like I said, it may be silly, but it really does mean a lot to me.