New guy checkin in

[tdimpreza]

(I would first like to apologize for the Double Post here and in Northeast - I wont do it again )

Well i currently own a 2.5 Subaru Impreza FWD ( started out as a 1.8 FWD) and its being built for my autoX habit; I have been looking for a new car for a daily/Street Machine.

Ive looked over other "tuner" cars that offer power and handling such as the Mr2, a 240sx project, IS300 project, and a few others but recently ive been looking at two cars...A 1999 Porsche Boxter and a 2000 S4. However the Boxter is just too slow and not worth it IMO if i was goin for a porsche i much rather it be a 911.(yes im 19 and yes i enjoy the tuners but im not about flashy kits or lights or street racing Im more performance driven, Subtle exterior mods like Rs4 widefenders, and a car that can outhandle most above its class )

So Im here doing Research into the S4. Can you all throw some opinons, problems, general look out for this things up here? really though id like to hear more about your likes and dislikes of your Audi's-some places where you guys order parts ?

So far i see that the models had slight changed in 99.5 , I need to look out for the F-hose ? , and the TBB should be upgraded ASAP.

My plans for the car as far as mods go:
-Chip
-Full Titanium exhaust( if i can find one so that i can reduce the weight ALITTLE )
-FMIC
-Intake
-Big Brakes
-Sway bars
-New Turbos and piping

End plans are for a 350-380 whp or at least in that range

Thanks for your help ahead of time and i look forward to this purchase

[hadokenny]

S4s are a little heavy...but still handles pretty well nonetheless. The mods you have mentioned will run you approximately 8-9k without labor. If you want around 380whp you might want to upgrade the fuel and intake system too... that will run you another 1-2k. So you are looking to spend at least 10k if you want reliabe 380 whp...I used to have a turboed 240sx, and coming from modding japanese cars, german cars expensive as *** to mod. Just a word of advice. You better have deep pockets if you want you S4 the way u mentioned.

[tdimpreza]

yeah I've noticed the Drastic Price increase for mods goin from Japanese cars to German. However the engineering and the Creature Comforts of the European Cars arent matched in the JDM. My impreza is at the $7k mark as mods go and im still under 200hp but handling is great. so 10k is a big number but not scary. The only dislike i see about the S4 is the weight i would like to shed the pounds whereever possible. Labor will be provided by friends and myself as we are used to pulling motors and trannys for weekend projects.

Do you guys see anything wrong with the 1999.5/2000 model ? That is the year that the dash was changed correct? would that be a good year or should i wait and hold out for a different year ?

[s4Rye]

Forget shedding the pounds. You really can't shed a whole lot to make a huge difference...by then, you've really taken the luxury piece out of the entire car.

FMIC - Not completely necessary to go with a FMIC, upgrading the stock intercoolers to AWE or RS4 ICs can be done too...but there's still a whole debate over this area.

Sway Bars - with a good suspension setup (ie - STaSIS Tracksports), you may be able to stick with the stock rear sway. If not, then just get a 19mm rear sway. There's no need to up the front sway as that will just cause more understeer....which the S4 already has much of.

Exhaust - they're all the same as far as performance goes...all negligible since they're so close. Pick the one that sounds best for you.

Downpipe - You will need this if you're gonna upgrade turbos. LaBree or Autospeed are the more popular ones.

There are some areas in which you can save money in, there are many used items for sale nowadays as ppl are beginning to move to other vehicles, but that's not to say you should get everything used.

As hadokenny said, have much cash-on-hand, maintenance/repairs aren't cheap.

[tdimpreza]

the dash change i see isnt drastic and even unnoticed by some but its a relocation of the HVAC controls and such in the radio area. At this point im goin with a 2000, The Impreza will be my track car and the S4 daily. I could get into CF hoods and Trunk and titanium parts to reduce weight but its more than what i want to get into with this car so ill just up the power to increase the power to Weight ratio.

[Ben@SpeedBarn]

The change in 99.5 was for the a4 as there were no s4s in america at that time. The only change in the interior of the s4 was between 2001 and 2001.5 The s4 logo moved from the speedo to the tach. That was about it.

[tdimpreza]

Ahhh I see. Most of my research brings results of both A4/S4 so i guess thats why i thought it was the same.

You guys are being such a help.

Where do you guys prefer to order your performance parts from? some of the Vendors to stay with and some to stay away from ?

[quicksilver_S]

I've had very good experience with ECStuning and AWE-tuning.

[twinsnailsS4]

Welcome! Nice to see some Subaru guys coming over this way rather than the converse. Here are a few links to guide you along:

http://www.audisport-iberica.com/ftp...t-buyguide.pdf

http://www.s4biturbo.com/ [A number of good articles]

http://www.s4biturbo.com/timeslips.cgi [Time slips with mods each car had, which will give you an idea of what to expect]

[tdimpreza]

Ive only had a brief chance to look at those and it looks VERY useful Thanks a ton

Heres my Subaru on the right (Green) simple lip kits to add subtle aggression but its geared more towards autoX and track time (well in the making)

[XpondS4]

tdimpreza - looks like u got the same ideas as me...i got big plans too....probably have to re-mortgage though to finance...lol

Like the Subs - what u runnin at? got a freind with a prodrive edition WRX that is kicking out about 340horses to the wheels

With the audi....add the exhilaration of a subaru with some luxury comforts and your getting the idea...the reason i`m gettin one is cause its a nice family sedan and a MONSTER all in one