(LONG) Would you put 6-8k into a car that's worth about 10-11k (02a4 fwd)?

[HeHateMe]

Here's my problem. I own my car.I have an 02 1.8t fwd with 73k on the clock. It runs like new. No rattles , no major problems, I love the car. This is what I have on the car.
Milltek full exhaust
GIAC software
Siemens injectors
Eibach springs (if I keep it, suspension will be addressed asap)
19' ASA AR-1 wheels (want to powdercoat these all black)
Southbend OFE stg 4 clutch
Stratmosphere short shifter
s4 headlights
Paid 600. to paint the lowers
some other minor interior things

I'm about 7k of mods into the car already as I had Mike from Emotion Autowerks do all of my work. Best guy in Vegas imo. To get the car the way I want it, I'll have to put at least another 7k-8k into it. By that time I will have at least 14k put into a 8-9k car LOL.

Things I'm looking to put on the car (when finances allow) are

k04- since anything bigger will drive like shit on FWD . EDIT:MAY drive like shit.
The ubiquitous USP front, Kerscher sides, s4 rear
Eibach Dampers or some used coilovers
A nav/dvd player
b7 brakes
maybe some Recaro seats
of course the 1200 dollar timing belt "mod"
AND THE PEELING INTERIOR IS DRIVING ME F-ING CRAZY!

You guys know how much that stuff costs. My other option is to buy an 06 b7 and start all over or get an early e46 m3 and maybe put 3-4k into it for cosmetic mods and be done with it. What do you guys think? I'm not rich. I make decent money but yeah, money is definitely a factor here. Do you think it's silly to put that much money into a car that's worth less than the mods I put on it? That's the main problem I'm having here. I still love the car and it probably would be best to keep it since I've owned it for 3 years and having no payment is great. But I'm out of warranty and I'm seriously having doubts about putting that much money into the car. What do you guys think?

Any opinions are welcome. Sorry for the long post.

[evilgabbie]

too much money IMO.. i would just start over again

[jessefrank]

If you still owe on the car...I'd drop the 6-8k on paying it off!!!!!
If not save the 6-8k for repairs or towards a new ride.

Do you plan on keeping the car for at least 5 years or more? Do you have the habit of wanting a new car every couple years no matter what you have?

For me I know I can't keep a car stock. There's a certain level of performance I want and uniqueness I strive to achieve. I constantly have to tell myself that it is nice the way it is, I've reached a higher lever than stock....or I'm going to go broke. I too have a 02 A4 w/ about 61k on it. I would like to do soooooo much more, but even after doing alot of mods I KNOW I'll still get bored and want something different/new.

[skiaudi]

definitely get out of this car while you can. b7 is very nice, but to be honest an e46 m3 would be awesome.

[traf818]

GTRS is just fine on my FWD.

[HeHateMe]

If you still owe on the car...I'd drop the 6-8k on paying it off!!!!!
If not save the 6-8k for repairs or towards a new ride.

Do you plan on keeping the car for at least 5 years or more? Do you have the habit of wanting a new car every couple years no matter what you have?

For me I know I can't keep a car stock. There's a certain level of performance I want and uniqueness I strive to achieve. I constantly have to tell myself that it is nice the way it is, I've reached a higher lever than stock....or I'm going to go broke. I too have a 02 A4 w/ about 61k on it. I would like to do soooooo much more, but even after doing alot of mods I KNOW I'll still get bored and want something different/new.

I own the car. I've had it 3 years as I said in my post. I had a b5 for 5 years before my b6 and I had a 91 Celica for 7 years so no, I don't switch cars all the time like so guys on here lol.

I too, can't keep anything stock. If I kept cars stock I would not have a problem. What are you going to do?

[HeHateMe]

GTRS is just fine on my FWD.

To be honest, I'm scared of something happening to my car if I go anything bigger than a k04. The last thing I need is more cash out of my pocket than I'm already planning. For my needs, a k04 will be fine. I've thought about it for awhile and I don't need a BT. I hardly ever get a chance to get on it as it is. But since I already have injectors and GIAC software , it would be dumb not to take advantage of that. I'm already half way there, so to speak.

definitely get out of this car while you can. b7 is very nice, but to be honest an e46 m3 would be awesome.

Ok why should I get out while I can? Yes an m3 would be nice but it too would be older( an 03-04 and they run 28-30k plus, so keep that in mind). I like the b7 but the inside is just like my car , without the peeling and I'd be dropping a ton of money to mod that car too, PLUS my payment.

[7speed]

If I were you, I would pay it off 1st. This coming from a person who owes 12K on his car with a terrible modding habit

[HeHateMe]

If I were you, I would pay it off 1st. This coming from a person who owes 12K on his car with a terrible modding habit

I own my car

[a4wd]

This is hilarious, no one is reading the OP!!! LOL!!! I am in the same boat as you, my car has 73K on it and prety similar mods.. I am pretty happy with my car and I thought about K04, but in all honesty I dont think its worth it over my k03. I do however want to do more supporting mods like TIP, Throttle body hose, FMIC, tranny and motor mounts etc. I am pretty happy with how my car is right now. I dont ever expect my car to be fast or anything like that. I realized this after driving my brothers chipped MKV GTI and it just puts my car to shame. With my revo stage 2 it is just enough mid range to get around and it looks damn sexy riding around town. Ive come to a realization that the A4 is great at what i does...being an entry level luxury sedan that weighs almost 2 tons LOL

[7speed]

I own my car

Oh well in that case, go for it ! Hell I owe 12k on my car and Im rockin a BT and lovin it.

[A4ringedONE8T]

GTRS is just fine on my FWD.

x2, 3071R is even better

[AudiXS4X01]

lol he mustve said that he owned the car 3-4 times and people keep insisting that he pay the car of first"!!!!!!!"

[HeHateMe]

This is hilarious, no one is reading the OP!!! LOL!!! I am in the same boat as you, my car has 73K on it and prety similar mods.. I am pretty happy with my car and I thought about K04, but in all honesty I dont think its worth it over my k03. I do however want to do more supporting mods like TIP, Throttle body hose, FMIC, tranny and motor mounts etc. I am pretty happy with how my car is right now. I dont ever expect my car to be fast or anything like that. I realized this after driving my brothers chipped MKV GTI and it just puts my car to shame. With my revo stage 2 it is just enough mid range to get around and it looks damn sexy riding around town. Ive come to a realization that the A4 is great at what i does...being an entry level luxury sedan that weighs almost 2 tons LOL

Yeah I thought I said I owned the car The mods you mentioned would run about 2k right? Depending on what FMIC you get. Things add up real fast when you mod this car. Or any car I suppose, but the b6 has so much stuff that needs upgrading.

I'm not trying to make my car a track car or anything, lol, but all I would have to do is put the k04 in and get a GIAC software upgrade which is either free or pretty cheap. I think it would be about 1k for that upgrade, so why the hell not?

I do have some issues like the peeling, which is really pissing me off and making my interior look totally ghetto. And I'd like to get more comfortable seating especially after sitting in an e46 m3

[HeHateMe]

lol he mustve said that he owned the car 3-4 times and people keep insisting that he pay the car of first"!!!!!!!"

LOL, I went back and put it in bold so people could see it better. I know it's a pretty long post so....

I appreciate people's opinions nonetheless. Even if they don't read the whole post

[a4wd]

well do you have FMIC? because even the 1+ suffers major heatsoak without any intercooling. So K04s can be found for roughly $850 around here, and you would also need to acquire a FMIC ~$700 used up to $1300 new to maximize the performance from the upgrade. Also the turbo inlet pipe is pretty crucial as well I believe. As far as I know there isnt that much of a difference between 1+ and k04. I would just get a K04 when my K03 dies so I have a legitimate excuse LOL

[HeHateMe]

well do you have FMIC? because even the 1+ suffers major heatsoak without any intercooling. So K04s can be found for roughly $850 around here, and you would also need to acquire a FMIC ~$700 used up to $1300 new to maximize the performance from the upgrade. Also the turbo inlet pipe is pretty crucial as well I believe. As far as I know there isnt that much of a difference between 1+ and k04. I would just get a K04 when my K03 dies so I have a legitimate excuse LOL

I don't have one but I'm looking at the Apikol SMIC. Maybe a used FMIC like you said, then yup , a TIP as well. The k04 numbers aren't that much better than Bi programs but the power comes on quicker and is more usable I believe. The curve definitely looks better from the dynos I've seen.


http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1105629.phtml

[mxrz]

I'd keep it, I love the B6. I will never sell mine.

[a4wd]

There hasnt been too much info on that SMIC, but its not a DSMIC setup, which means it wouldn't do that great of a job in terms of intercooling. I mean it does look like you live in Vegas and something like the ER sport FMIC may work out better than just a SMIC upgrade...If you research it more, the drop in intake temps are much more significant for a FMIC. This is something I want to do real badly, but I am in the same boat where i need to do the timing belt *MOD* But IMO the K04 is also one of those things where people are disappointed and wished they spent the money on BT or BAT. But I also understand with those applications there is more upkeep.

I personally have been drooling over STI's. Ive heard they are fairly easy to work on and have good reliability even for a high horsepower turbocharged car....i actually wanted a WRX before I got my A4, and I still have this love for them even today...I would just slap wheels and suspension...take off that damn wing and call it a friggin day!! 300hp 300tq and AWD sounds beautiful to me =) (*puts flame suit on*)

[HeHateMe]

There hasnt been too much info on that SMIC, but its not a DSMIC setup, which means it wouldn't do that great of a job in terms of intercooling. I mean it does look like you live in Vegas and something like the ER sport FMIC may work out better than just a SMIC upgrade...If you research it more, the drop in intake temps are much more significant for a FMIC. This is something I want to do real badly, but I am in the same boat where i need to do the timing belt *MOD* But IMO the K04 is also one of those things where people are disappointed and wished they spent the money on BT or BAT. But I also understand with those applications there is more upkeep.

I personally have been drooling over STI's. Ive heard they are fairly easy to work on and have good reliability even for a high horsepower turbocharged car....i actually wanted a WRX before I got my A4, and I still have this love for them even today...I would just slap wheels and suspension...take off that damn wing and call it a friggin day!! 300hp 300tq and AWD sounds beautiful to me =) (*puts flame suit on*)

haha , it's 110 today in Vegas. My roommate is out of town so I'm driving his s2000. I love that car and it's fun but driving it makes me more glad I have my a4. That s2000 just wears me out quickly. Noisy as hell, you feel every little bump in the road, ingress/egress is annoying as isht. As far as driving in the heat, yeah I have to rev my car up to 3k in first gear just to get going from a stop in the summer heat. Not fun.

I hear you about the Subie, although I don't like the new styling that much. I like the new Evo much better. But if I was going to spend 30-35k , I'd just get an 04-05 e46 , throw some wheels and coilovers on it and maybe a CSL trunk and that's about it. 333hp stock would be pretty nice instead of doing all kinds of mods to have a semi-quick ride.

I'd keep it, I love the B6. I will never sell mine.

Would you put the amount of money I would want to put into mine? I probably won't be able to leave it the way it is.

What's your year/mileage?

[Undisputed]

I'd keep it but I wouldn't put that much into it. Why not get something else so that you have some options. Get B5 S4 or an E36 M3. At least you'd have 2 cars to drive and you'd have something else to do. Even if they needed some work, it sounds like you like to do alot of it yourself anyway.
Go get a new surround sound system or something, but I wouldn't put much more into the car. Unless you could selll it and throw in the cash and get a B6 S4.

[a4wd]

my friend got a 05 STI with 25k on the odo...no performance mods for $22k. He sold his hyundai and is paying roughly $350 a month for payments. Not too shabby considering he got 4k for his hyundai LOL!!! I mean to put it in perspective, im only 24 years old, and I dont want to spend so much money on upkeep. Now working 55-60 hours a week prohibits me from doing work on my car these days, and it would be nice to have a 13 sec car STOCK that doesnt require thousands of $$ just to make it run right. Luxury is great but once again, I have that many years to enjoy luxury vehicle...i just want speed and handling for now.....

[HeHateMe]

my friend got a 05 STI with 25k on the odo...no performance mods for $22k. He sold his hyundai and is paying roughly $350 a month for payments. Not too shabby considering he got 4k for his hyundai LOL!!! I mean to put it in perspective, im only 24 years old, and I dont want to spend so much money on upkeep. Now working 55-60 hours a week prohibits me from doing work on my car these days, and it would be nice to have a 13 sec car STOCK that doesnt require thousands of $$ just to make it run right. Luxury is great but once again, I have that many years to enjoy luxury vehicle...i just want speed and handling for now.....

I do like the previous gen STI's. I'dhave one in white like this one, wingless.

[HeHateMe]

I'd keep it but I wouldn't put that much into it. Why not get something else so that you have some options. Get B5 S4 or an E36 M3. At least you'd have 2 cars to drive and you'd have something else to do. Even if they needed some work, it sounds like you like to do alot of it yourself anyway.
Go get a new surround sound system or something, but I wouldn't put much more into the car. Unless you could selll it and throw in the cash and get a B6 S4.

Nah , don't need two cars. B6 s4's are pretty bad on gas and I'm not that interested in them. I would love an a5 but they cost too much. If I got something newer, I'd rather get into a coupe, hence the interest in the m3 or even a 335i coupe but I don't want to go that high in price either. I'll probably wind up keeping my car, and dumping a shitload of cash into it

[IceMole]

How old are you? When I was shopping for my b7 I looked at e46 m3 and the insurance was 2.5x the A4

[skiaudi]

Ok why should I get out while I can? Yes an m3 would be nice but it too would be older( an 03-04 and they run 28-30k plus, so keep that in mind). I like the b7 but the inside is just like my car , without the peeling and I'd be dropping a ton of money to mod that car too, PLUS my payment.

I think you should get out of it because a b7 is a more reliable, newer car with more advance technology, slightly better gas mileage, and an engine that will offer you more tuning potential in the long run than the 1.8t. For example, you will already be north of 250 chp with only a chip on the 2.0t. i was torn between getting a later model b6 ultrasport or spending a little more for a certified pre-owned b7 and i ended up with a no-brainer decision after driving both cars back-to-back. also, the maintenance costs on your b6 will grow exponentially especially if you go with k04s or BT, while the maintenance costs on an 05.5 or 06 are nothing until the factory warranty is over, or even longer if it's CPO. I don't know how often you change cars, but a b7 could be yours for a long long, time if you take care of it and it's an awesome car to mod (something i will have to wait for until i've saved up some cash). Just my $.02

[wifeysaudi]

M3

[mister_tu]

Ever thinking of just keeping it and driving as is? The car looks clean to me.

Also...writing that car payment check each month really sucks. It will suck more when you look back and see that you had a nice car.

If you plan on keeping the car long-term than you should just dump the money into it. $7k is a lot less than spending $20k + interest. Drive the A4, save the money, and buy a house. =)

[mxrz]

What's your year/mileage?

2003 with 105,000km (65.2K miles).

Would you put the amount of money I would want to put into mine?

Yes, without a doubt, and I am planning to spend that, and more on mine. I will buy a new daily driver Audi in a couple of years, but I'm definitely not getting rid of the B6, I love it too much... The interior, the exterior, the possibilities with the 1.8T motor, there is just so much I want to do, but for now all these things are still at the bottom of my financial priorities list. So I'm taking it slow. I don't mind my car is becoming outdated, I don't envy people with brand new rides... Not a single car on my dream list was made in this decade. But I dunno, that's just me

[absolutegtr]

Pay the car off first.....

[absolutegtr]

just joking, lol

turbo e36 m3

or

e46 m3

[PRY4SNO]

I own my car

Exactly.

You're not running a business where the car and its associated costs can be justified as a write-off against taxes and revenue, so why not keep all those hard earned dollars where they belong... IE. in your pocket.

An older M3 will also be out of warranty and be just as bitchy (maybe worse, maybe better... but sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don't), so it's a catch-22.

If I was in your shoes, I'd figure that you already have a good platform with which to step it up to the level you want (really, a B7 will need just as much work... though this time you'd hold out for quattro ), and one you'll be happy with enough to keep for a while.

Spend the coin, mod it to where you're mostly satisfied on it (scrimp a bit and hold out for the best deals on better parts that you can later put into a newer A4 or S4) and you won't be disappointed.

JMO, and GL!

[tdn]

I'd keep it. I'm in the same boat, sort of. I have a 2001 a4 1.8t 66k, which I also own and I'm constantly putting money into it.. although very slowly because I'm also a college student with a part time job, a lot of my extra money is tied up in stocks and I am still technically enlisted in the Army. My goal is to keep this car for a long time and throw a lot of money at it aswell, I paid $10k for the car, when it's all said and done I will have spent roughly 15k 'upgrading' it + fixing any of the problems it gives me. Right now I'm working on suspension, next is the power and lastly cosmetics. I'm pretty committed to doing this.

I'm hoping that when it's all said and done, I will have finished my last deployment, graduated from college and into a nice cushy job where I can buy a newer car and keep my b5 as a track car, so all my money won't be in vain.. but who knows, I'll probably end up getting bored after I throw all this money into the car and end up sell it immediately after.

I'm ranting, what I'm trying to say is, keep it if you're enjoying it and can afford to throw money at it every now and then. I think one reason I'm enjoying this 'hobby' so much is because I've done 90% of the work on this car myself so far and I'm learning a lot in the process.

[gdawg'05a4]

I would keep it. I was in the same boat about a month ago (high mileage, wanted a warranty, didn't want to spend money on unforseen repairs) and I decided to keep my car. While they gave me a great trade value for my car with the amount of miles on it, I stopped and thought about it. I spent so much money, time and effort into the car already, I just couldn't give it to someone to auction off.

The no monthly payments bit is nice. I would just bank the extra money saved (what you would be paying in payments) into a savings account and use that for repairs, mods, etc. You already know what has been done to your car, gotten it the way you want it, etc. Better than starting over again and having monthly payments.

My '05 just crossed 95,000 miles today and still loving it!

[HeHateMe]

Ever thinking of just keeping it and driving as is? The car looks clean to me.

Also...writing that car payment check each month really sucks. It will suck more when you look back and see that you had a nice car.

If you plan on keeping the car long-term than you should just dump the money into it. $7k is a lot less than spending $20k + interest.

mister_tu, Tactic12, a4 militant, mxrz, and a4wd among others, thanks for your advice/opinions. I will probably keep my car. I started thinking about what mister_tu said above about writing checks every month and what mxrz and a4 militant said about continuing to mod their cars and it does make sense to keep it and mod it some more.

I suppose I saw what my car could be worth on the market and wanted to get at least something for it before the value fell under 10k (if it isn't there already). It blows my mind that you can get such a nice car for that kind of money ( especially if the previous owner took care of it like most, if not all of us do here).

I need to run out and get something new for the car so I can feel psyched about it again for awhile, lol.

I do have a question for you guys though , especially guys with 02 cars, where can I get some reasonably priced interior pieces like door window switches, climate control module and a new headlight control switch. As I said before, the peeling is really pissing me off!

[EYE4SPEED]

I bet you could part that stuff out pretty easy and make a good down payment on the new whip...