Mods on a lease

**tileg** · 05-29-2008 08:20 AM

i think this was already discussed but i'd like to bring it up again. what do you think? and what would you suggest?

**CanuckRS** · 05-29-2008 08:30 AM

You can mod it all you want, just know that if you give the car back to the dealer, you get nothing for it of course. Besides, even when you sell a modded car, you'll only get maybe 1/3 of the value of the mods at resale time.

**2BblkAudis** · 05-29-2008 08:31 AM

I've leased several cars now and would recommend that you keep the car stock and just maintain it. In my experience Audi followed the guideline linked below to the teeth. Make sure that if you do any mods that you reverse it 100% without a trace. I got charged for windshield replacement (a chip the size of a grain of rice, which was professionally filled), two tires below 5/32", "sand blasted" front bumper (I drove the car in the snow every winter to the sierras and had natural wear and tear rock chips, very fine), and minor scratches to the wheels (not curbage). Audi was much more anal regarding the lease inspection. As long as you don't have a trace of your mods you should be o.k.

http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/....0065.File.pdf

**tileg** · 05-29-2008 08:40 AM

that pdf is a great find thanks.

**likewater** · 05-29-2008 08:58 AM

I've never turned in a leased car so I always do whatever I want, treating it as if I had purchased it. In the case of the S4, the car is so fun there was no doubt I was going to buy it out which I did. So if you have the same plan, go mod crazy if you want. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. The car is great out of the box.

Just a few suggestions and obviously some of these fall into the same category.

For sound/performance - DP's/cat-back exhaust/CAI/drop in filter/software/wheels and suspension/shifter. As for performance gains surrounding the cat-back/DP's/CAI or drop in, and software, this is an area of great debate. Some feel a change and can verify it with dyno numbers, others claim no advantage at all. However, the changes seem pretty insignificant due to the engine being tuned well from the factory and these mods may not be worth the money. The decision is yours.
For looks - wheels and suspension/tint/pedal set/shifter

Last but not least, don't forget the supercharger that's coming out in 2 weeks..... jk

BTW, there is a great in depth write up of all of this here - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70975

**tileg** · 05-29-2008 09:06 AM

i agree its the best "out of the box" car i've ever had.

bc there is such debate on the gains of enginge performance mods i've been leaning toward visuals instead. i don't want to tinker with the suspension because i need this car to drive well in the snow, and the roads in philadelphia are $hitty to say the least.

i don't have the luxury of living in cali and driving on straight flat roads.

i guess its time to look at the wheel threads. thanks for your suggestions, very helpful stuff.

**Mello** · 05-29-2008 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by kinamro

I've leased several cars now and would recommend that you keep the car stock and just maintain it. In my experience Audi followed the guideline linked below to the teeth. Make sure that if you do any mods that you reverse it 100% without a trace. I got charged for windshield replacement (a chip the size of a grain of rice, which was professionally filled), two tires below 5/32", "sand blasted" front bumper (I drove the car in the snow every winter to the sierras and had natural wear and tear rock chips, very fine), and minor scratches to the wheels (not curbage). Audi was much more anal regarding the lease inspection. As long as you don't have a trace of your mods you should be o.k.

http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/....0065.File.pdf

Seriously, I leased my previous '04 A4 and got hammered when I turned it in, and I was way under miledge and the car was pristine IMO. Unless you keep the car exactly how it left the lot in perfect, unused condition, they will find something to whack you for

.

I will never lease again

**aaron1085** · 05-29-2008 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Mello

Seriously, I leased my previous '04 A4 and got hammered when I turned it in, and I was way under miledge and the car was pristine IMO. Unless you keep the car exactly how it left the lot in perfect, unused condition, they will find something to whack you for

.

I will never lease again

good to know!