Lots Of Looking & Not a Lot of Talking

[gcann]

So I have been creeping on audi zine for a while and now I am finally considering buying a a4 and joining the craze. I used to be a Volkswagen guy and had a 94 jetta as you can see here.




So i am thinking about getting a 2.8 because i am not to worried about doing a lot of go fast mods. Also i hear that the reliability is a little better. I just want to build a really low car that looks nice that i can drive every day. I came across this car yesterday and i was wondering what is done to it. So far all i can come up with is lowered, wheels, tinted tails and markers and clear corners and euro tub. Am i far off?




Thanks guys.

[prey]

Who said 1.8T is not reliable, just get a 1.8T. And the car in the picture is a 97 1.8T that has a nice drop and wheels.

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

And A Fart Can

[Jibberific]

only get the 2.8 if you like chrome window trim, fake woodgrain, and driving slowly.
the 1.8t is just as reliable and there are many more options for modding. plus no chrome

[B518T]

that's the dark purplish color right?....I am just about posative that that is a euro model....

it's a 97 A4 1.8

smoked tail lights $50 (at a shop)
euro trunk (~$300)
coilovers ($800-1200 for a nice set)
wheels/tires (less than 2k)
S4 grill ($50 used)
Valeo like headlights (expensive)
exhaust($400 or so for a custom setup)
shaved lower door moulding (hope you can do body work)

the 1.8T is a good engine and an amazing base to build monstruous power....

gl!

[biketsai]

that is a very clean ride.

[D.C. Designs]

both very clean rides :)

[burner799]

I said the 1.8t is not reliable. every day. don't get a 2.8 though. either sack the fuck up with a 1.8tqms or don't get one.

[gcann]

that's the dark purplish color right?....I am just about posative that that is a euro model....

it's a 97 A4 1.8

smoked tail lights $50 (at a shop)
euro trunk (~$300)
coilovers ($800-1200 for a nice set)
wheels/tires (less than 2k)
S4 grill ($50 used)
Valeo like headlights (expensive)
exhaust($400 or so for a custom setup)
shaved lower door moulding (hope you can do body work)

the 1.8T is a good engine and an amazing base to build monstruous power....

gl!

Thats not bad at all for how clean that car looks.
Alright well the only 2 reasons for buy a 2.8 was exhaust sound once i bought a muffler for it and also for reality. But you guys have convinced me into a 1.8..

When it comes to coil overs what do you guys recommend. I know there is a million posts about it but i figure id ask since we are on the topic of it. I hope to be running as low as that car..
Also are those 18s just with a crazy offset and dish?

[savetheclutch]

get all the info on that car here
low and slow

[B518T]

^that link doesn't have those wheels...

besides that, as far as coilovers go...H&r makes a set of ultra low coilovers...they handle really well and you can dump the car super low....

for wheels the offet you are lookin for is somewhere between 30-40
the bolt pattern is 5x112
I run a ret of 18x8.5 which fill the fenders really nice...but i am planning on picking up a set of 17x9" when my $ allows....

as far as wheels and tires go it depends on alot of things....I am looking for an ideal DD/track day setup....but you will have to compensate depending on looks...you should decide if you pan on going for show or go or both....alot of guys are running staggered for looks, but that actually increases understeer (which B5's are notorious 4)

besides that...stance makes a difference as well....I went for an aggressive look...so the front of my car is a bit lower than the rear...although the rake is not my favorite look...it still looks great....

other things that you will need to think about is wether you want to tuck or poke....if you poke you will not be able to go as low (and you may run into some rubbing issues...as far as tuck goes, you wont be able to run as wide of a wheel and you will definitely have to roll fenders....

the setup you posted looks like a staggered semi tuck with mad stretch in the back...as far as I am concerned it looks awesome (but more of a show look)...the back is definitely tucking a bit but the front just isnt quite there....but at the same time he definitely had to roll his front fenders for clearence....

I would say that the first thing you should do is find the exact look that you want and go from there....

I would say dont even think about wheels til you get your coilovers on....I am not a huge fan of the wheels on the car you posted but I love the deep dish look....IMO the best looking A4's are the ones that stay true to their german roots...stick with euro wheels and keep it looking euro...some body kits and stick on sh!t look rice....

well, besides that....I would say start collecting pics of all the B5's that catch your eye and go from there....

p.s.-great choice on the 1.8....it will treat you well if you treat it well....

[JaVa]

2.8 is a great car, and yes its more reliable than a 1.8 :P

[gcann]

haha thanks guys.

I am going to go for the low show look 100%.. The wheels in that picture must be 18x10s because they have some pretty deep dish. I would really like to run something euro for the wheels but i have even thought about 2000ish a8L 18s. I am not sure what the name is of them but the mono block looking ones. Thanks for all the pointers and tips..


Now the fun part comes... Finding a car.. Hurray for Manhiem!!

[savetheclutch]

^that link doesn't have those wheels...
....

just scroll down and you will see them

[audiFUEGO]

that car also has the lower and middle door moldings shaved. Also no fart can, it has dual tips

[Euro-Tuner]

I just want to build a really low car that...i can drive every day. I

goodluck with that, really low = not that much fun for everyday driving, I'd recommend bags if you want to go super low and drive it every day.

[keeganhartman]

He's coming from the vw world, really low and dd go hand in hand for many.

[black99.5a4]

the purple car is a 96 or 97 1.8 non turbo. he lives in norway i believe. he's on vortex

if you get an older 2.8 (pre 98.5) then i've heard of guys having a lot more problems then if you got a newer 30v 2.8. i really wouldnt go older then 99.5 so you have the 1 piece headlights, but most importantly, i like the interior 10 times better.

i have a 1.8t and wouldnt get a 2.8 for the world, that's just my opinion.

[gcann]

goodluck with that, really low = not that much fun for everyday driving, I'd recommend bags if you want to go super low and drive it every day.

I think I can handle it...

I love bags but the amount of work involved is just not worth it for me. I don't have access to a shop that i can fab up the brackets and what not.

[oneohone]

I wonder how much bags go for??

[00SantorinS4]

2.8 is sex.
Reliable, Sounds nasty with an exhaust and just overall fun if you dont want to deal with a turbo and all that BS.
Trust me, I've had an 00 S4/02 1.8t A4/96 12v and now this and aside from the S4 this is def my second pick. My S was a great all around car and I now kick myself in the ass for getting rid of it. Never gave me any issues but I had everything taken care of that needed to be. I'll tell you what I bought my 99.5 off my audi technician and he took care of the timing belt/wp/rollers/thermo and snub all for me and sold it to me for 8,000. The car had 60k miles when I bought it. Now 68 and I'm more than happy with the purchase.