Newb questions (Sorry, I searched!!)

**Spottty** · 10-31-2008 05:47 PM

Hey guys, I have been lurking here for abit and have a couple of Q's.

Yes I searched but I didnt find much info.

I noticed that most people say the stock turbo's go at about 100K. If this is true would you rather buy a 130k car that has had the turbo's done for less $$$ knowing you are gonna eventually mod the thing OR buy something with 80K and hope the turbo's dont go right away so you can save for stage 3?
It seems that most avant's for sale either have low miles for $15K+ or high miles for under $10K

My other question is about stage 3.
Can you switch to the normal chip (with the stock boost) and still have it run decent after a tune or will it run like crap?
Just courious because I drive about 60 miles a day and don't need stage 3 the whole time (I say that now....

Sorry for the long first post!

**blmlozz** · 10-31-2008 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Spottty

Hey guys, I have been lurking here for abit and have a couple of Q's.

Yes I searched but I didnt find much info.

I noticed that most people say the stock turbo's go at about 100K. If this is true would you rather buy a 130k car that has had the turbo's done for less $$$ knowing you are gonna eventually mod the thing OR buy something with 80K and hope the turbo's dont go right away so you can save for stage 3?
It seems that most avant's for sale either have low miles for $15K+ or high miles for under $10K

My other question is about stage 3.
Can you switch to the normal chip (with the stock boost) and still have it run decent after a tune or will it run like crap?
Just courious because I drive about 60 miles a day and don't need stage 3 the whole time (I say that now....

Sorry for the long first post!

you probaly should have searched longer,take advantage of me being nice about it and search long and well.. the S4 forum isn't as big as some others here but it still has pretty much any question you could want answered from pulling the engine to going GT28rs turbos if you look hard enough. Most here are nice about it.. but there are always some

1) there's no set mileage for when the k03's go.. some have blown with 20K on the clock, and others still run well with 150K+, the best thing to look for is a clean car that has some kind of maintiance record for timming belt and the such, since it's only random matter of time before they(the turbos) go anyway.

It seems that most avant's for sale either have low miles for $15K+ or high miles for under $10K

what are you trying to ask here? Comparatively speaking, there are many more sedans than avants.. so you're going to pay a premium for them.

My other question is about stage 3.
Can you switch to the normal chip (with the stock boost) and still have it run decent after a tune or will it run like crap?
Just courious because I drive about 60 miles a day and don't need stage 3 the whole time (I say that now....

I can't say for sure, but the cookie-cutter tunes out there from what I know, don't have a 'de-tuned' mode like some stage I ecus offer when using the stock K03's.

**DraxeofDclan** · 10-31-2008 06:11 PM

I bought mine stock w/110K now @ stage 2 w/130K and my ko3s are still strong. Although upgrading cost more than the difference you stated. Second I dont see any need to switch to stock mode....It will take less pedal to obtain the same speed, therefore less gas. Eh! I guess its about the condition of the car and how you drive in the long run.....and I feel I drive my car hard. You also might want to look into changing you 6th gear ratio for better MPG. So much to say so little time. Thats learning an S4.

**LIFES4** · 10-31-2008 06:12 PM

buy the one with the better color!

**RogueStatus** · 10-31-2008 06:20 PM

i thought avants werent allowed in canada for some reason? (what ive heard)

through experience,i bought my car with around 38k (one owner and every maintenance record ever done through the dealership) and i immediately threw GIAC software in and popped the turbos at 52k miles (not saying it was because of GIAC). so its inevitable that the turbos will go, but its a guessing game at when they will pour that pretty thick white smoke out the exhaust haha.

if youre buying the car knowing youll be going stage 3 right away,then buy one already equipped with turbo failure. if you have the money,dont worry about the turbos,just worry about how well maintained its been and if it has been beat on or not. then check for the known issues (search).

as for the programming in stage 3, i dont think anyone offers that kind of switching from say a stock map to a custom one. just take your foot out of it when you dont need it and utilize the luxury of cruise control...

**Spottty** · 10-31-2008 06:47 PM

Thanks guys.

I dont think I would be going stage 3 right away, maybe after a year with a chip and exhaust.

Ohh and I think I can import one. I just talked to the government on the phone and the dude said it was ok. I hope he knows what the hell he is talking about. I want an Avant so damn bad!