The Official B7 A4 New Member's Guide v2.0 (Read First!)

[timmyjon]

Hey guys, I'm a noob to posting, but i have been looking over many posts and want to say thanks for all the information and I look forward to being able to contribute with my experiences! as searching for specific items i have found that the search brings back a lot of information, and suggestions on using it be more precise? thanks

[daenio]

Excellent. Especially pipes. Thanks.

[fcatano1]

Very good information. Has been very helpful.

[Cintronusmc]

The only live ECU links that work were APR and Revo. The other links are dead. Don't know if the thread is still live anyway. Btw I'm brand new to Audizine so just trying to weed through the useless stuff myself.

[Cintronusmc]

Great write up!! I'm a noob to Audizine but pretty knowledgable when it comes to mechanics and this write up covers the loose ends.

[WESTSIDE]

This write up helps a ton

[TBurd01]

Well I suppose this is a good place for a first post/intro. I've read enough useful information here, may as well join in and hopefully contribute.

I own (paid off a few months ago, 23 year old Audi owner, yay ) a 2005.5 brilliant red, Premium package Sedan 2.0T Quattro 6 speed tiptronic, ~84.5k miles on it. Picked it up used in November 2010 with 58k. The color probably isn't my first choice, but I kind of have a soft spot for it too. Looks great with the black interior (which sucks on sunny days haha). Yeah I know everyone hates on AT too, but it's alot more practical for a daily driver (and I did not have a transmission choice either). I didn't have many buying options (unless I just wanted a Mazda or something instead). When I bought it, I had just got back from 2 years living in Japan (military) and had a month to find a car and set off to CA. I'm very happy with and very fortunate for what I got. So far it has been across America twice (Pittsburgh to San Diego for military, then San Diego to Pittsburgh when I got out last year) and has ate up all the road thrown at it.

For the most part, I've just been keeping up with running and maintenance costs while paying it off, but I am (very) slowly starting to mod it now that I have no payments. It has never been my intention to go crazy, nor is it now. Keep everything sensible because it is still a daily driver and 'only' a 2.0T. Besides the 20% R/35% F tint I got done right after I bought it and the nice Pioneer touchscreen stereo I had put in (sounds great with factory Bose), pretty much the biggest 'mod' I have are steel brake lines and Akebono ceramic pads, absolutely love them.

Few little small things I've done are popped in ECS smoke reflectors in the front, painted the inside of the side markers color matched red. I have LED DRL lights too, which unfortunately give me a bulb out error even though they were advertised as not (and I know all about installing resistors, unfortunately I fail completely at anything involving wires). My LED city lights are just a plain led bulb and give me no codes. I have some new ones coming which hopefully won't give me a code, if they do oh well I'll deal with it I guess. I have an aFe Pro Dry S Air Filter and 034 Turbo Inlet Hose. Both are great quality and seemed to make a very small performance difference.

I finally planning on debadging the trunk this week (that has just been 'slight' laziness and not caring much on my part, it took me 1.5 years to finally order a front plate hider for the grille ) I've got 15mm spacers I'm going to install in the rear (I have B6 Sport wheels, 38mm offset I believe), they will look pretty nice. I have some yellow Lamin-X covers to put on my fog lights (wanted new bulbs, but take off the whole bumper? I built jet engines in the military put I am completely car dumb) and I'm going to try this fog lights with city lights mod. That will actually make them useful in fog as opposed to having my low beams bounced back at me. I have a 'D' version diverter valve (pretty sure I have a bad DV that has been bad for a while) that I hope to install, but I ordered a snub mount from ECS and was going to install that at the same time I do my DV, but the snub mount wasn't in the box. Have to call them tomorrow.

I need tires soon, and I'm very much contemplating ordering wheels and tires from Tirerack and just putting them on myself. I was just going to swap tires as needed, but that would mean having a shop have to do it, then again when I buy wheels (after I'm lowered). I'm wanting to stick with 17s, so I may as well just get wheels now and sell my stockers. I'll get some hate for this, but really like MSW (designed and produced by OZ) Type 19 wheels in gunmetal. Not the lightest wheel, but still a nice chunk lighter than the stockers. They are half an inch thicker which is nice and 35mm offset, should look nice and fine with my rear spacers. As for tires (more hate), I'm looking at the same ones I have now, General G-Max AS. They've been on the car since I got it and I have been pleased with them in all driving conditions. GT is a pretty reputable brand who is owned by Continental, I have no doubts about sticking with them. Certainly not the greatest rubber out there, but more than good enough for my daily driving.

My next big thing after these wheels and tires is finally lowering it. I'm pretty much replacing all suspension components (I'm at 84.5k and counting). Even more hate on me, I'm going with springs and shocks/struts. Vogtland Jr. Kit to be exact. I'll need adjustable upper arms as to not burn through my front tires, I'm looking at Sterns, but research is still continuing. Will be replacing the lower front arms and tie rods and all hardware with OE+ I get some creaking from what sounds like the dashboard, but I'm petty sure it's my original suspension components groaning. Getting an S4 rear sway bar (to me, the extra $80 isn't worth 2mm thickness of a RS4 bar) too. Should look and handle pretty nice when it's finally done (hopefully before this year ends).

I don't plan on much after new suspension. I do want to get a 034 HFC, maybe a downpipe, and go to APR Stage II, but really that's it. It's a daily driver and will remain that way, don't want to and can't afford to put multiple thousands into it just for a few more HP or whatever gain. I intend on having it for a while still, so all my mods will add function while making my car somewhat more sporty and fun. I don't have pictures, but I can get some if anyone even cares.

[glissoar]

Well I suppose this is a good place for a first post/intro. I've read enough useful information here, may as well join in and hopefully contribute.

I own (paid off a few months ago, 23 year old Audi owner, yay ) a 2005.5 brilliant red, Premium package Sedan 2.0T Quattro 6 speed tiptronic, ~84.5k miles on it. Picked it up used in November 2010 with 58k. The color probably isn't my first choice, but I kind of have a soft spot for it too. Looks great with the black interior (which sucks on sunny days haha). Yeah I know everyone hates on AT too, but it's alot more practical for a daily driver (and I did not have a transmission choice either). I didn't have many buying options (unless I just wanted a Mazda or something instead). When I bought it, I had just got back from 2 years living in Japan (military) and had a month to find a car and set off to CA. I'm very happy with and very fortunate for what I got. So far it has been across America twice (Pittsburgh to San Diego for military, then San Diego to Pittsburgh when I got out last year) and has ate up all the road thrown at it.

For the most part, I've just been keeping up with running and maintenance costs while paying it off, but I am (very) slowly starting to mod it now that I have no payments. It has never been my intention to go crazy, nor is it now. Keep everything sensible because it is still a daily driver and 'only' a 2.0T. Besides the 20% R/35% F tint I got done right after I bought it and the nice Pioneer touchscreen stereo I had put in (sounds great with factory Bose), pretty much the biggest 'mod' I have are steel brake lines and Akebono ceramic pads, absolutely love them.

Few little small things I've done are popped in ECS smoke reflectors in the front, painted the inside of the side markers color matched red. I have LED DRL lights too, which unfortunately give me a bulb out error even though they were advertised as not (and I know all about installing resistors, unfortunately I fail completely at anything involving wires). My LED city lights are just a plain led bulb and give me no codes. I have some new ones coming which hopefully won't give me a code, if they do oh well I'll deal with it I guess. I have an aFe Pro Dry S Air Filter and 034 Turbo Inlet Hose. Both are great quality and seemed to make a very small performance difference.

I finally planning on debadging the trunk this week (that has just been 'slight' laziness and not caring much on my part, it took me 1.5 years to finally order a front plate hider for the grille ) I've got 15mm spacers I'm going to install in the rear (I have B6 Sport wheels, 38mm offset I believe), they will look pretty nice. I have some yellow Lamin-X covers to put on my fog lights (wanted new bulbs, but take off the whole bumper? I built jet engines in the military put I am completely car dumb) and I'm going to try this fog lights with city lights mod. That will actually make them useful in fog as opposed to having my low beams bounced back at me. I have a 'D' version diverter valve (pretty sure I have a bad DV that has been bad for a while) that I hope to install, but I ordered a snub mount from ECS and was going to install that at the same time I do my DV, but the snub mount wasn't in the box. Have to call them tomorrow.

I need tires soon, and I'm very much contemplating ordering wheels and tires from Tirerack and just putting them on myself. I was just going to swap tires as needed, but that would mean having a shop have to do it, then again when I buy wheels (after I'm lowered). I'm wanting to stick with 17s, so I may as well just get wheels now and sell my stockers. I'll get some hate for this, but really like MSW (designed and produced by OZ) Type 19 wheels in gunmetal. Not the lightest wheel, but still a nice chunk lighter than the stockers. They are half an inch thicker which is nice and 35mm offset, should look nice and fine with my rear spacers. As for tires (more hate), I'm looking at the same ones I have now, General G-Max AS. They've been on the car since I got it and I have been pleased with them in all driving conditions. GT is a pretty reputable brand who is owned by Continental, I have no doubts about sticking with them. Certainly not the greatest rubber out there, but more than good enough for my daily driving.

My next big thing after these wheels and tires is finally lowering it. I'm pretty much replacing all suspension components (I'm at 84.5k and counting). Even more hate on me, I'm going with springs and shocks/struts. Vogtland Jr. Kit to be exact. I'll need adjustable upper arms as to not burn through my front tires, I'm looking at Sterns, but research is still continuing. Will be replacing the lower front arms and tie rods and all hardware with OE+ I get some creaking from what sounds like the dashboard, but I'm petty sure it's my original suspension components groaning. Getting an S4 rear sway bar (to me, the extra $80 isn't worth 2mm thickness of a RS4 bar) too. Should look and handle pretty nice when it's finally done (hopefully before this year ends).

I don't plan on much after new suspension. I do want to get a 034 HFC, maybe a downpipe, and go to APR Stage II, but really that's it. It's a daily driver and will remain that way, don't want to and can't afford to put multiple thousands into it just for a few more HP or whatever gain. I intend on having it for a while still, so all my mods will add function while making my car somewhat more sporty and fun. I don't have pictures, but I can get some if anyone even cares.

Holy word vomit

[TPW]

Hello all!
I bought a used '07 A4 Avant 2.0T in late July. I traded in a fully loaded '07 4DR GTI for it plus a few grand. I've owned the 11th GTI to come into the country in the 80s, an 86 VW Quantum Syncro and a 85 Audi 4000 among about 25 other cars.

I love my new Avant and this site has already helped me make decisions on it's upgrade path. Thanks to all of you and I'm happy to be part of this community.

I make my living doing software, providing hardware systems and general consulting for the engine dyno market. Most of my customers are high end dynos with up to several hundred sensors, emissions system interfaces, CAN direct acquisition/control interfaces... basically development folks. I've been doing this for 35 years or so and that's all I know. I've also written the software for a shock dyno and torsion bar dyno for Maxwell Industries and have numerous Android apps for the sprint and midget racing folks.

I hope I can contribute responsibly to this community.

Thank you for reading this.

Ted

[CassiesandraLee]

Thanks for all this great information! Definitely bookmarking this for future reference.

[drumnjuny]

GIRL.

[CassiesandraLee]

Yeah?

[Jake@JHM]

Welcome!

[drumnjuny]

haha i was just kidding, i think we have one active female member in the b7 section. so you are more than welcome, literally

[CassiesandraLee]

Oh I didn't take it as anything but haha. Well thanks, to both of you :)

[seal66]

Oh I didn't take it as anything but haha. Well thanks, to both of you :)

Welcome to the B7 world. If you have any questions make sure you ask. But, as always everyone is gonna tell you to use the search option first lol.

[jsandor91]

does this qualify as rule 22 ?

[geebus]

does this qualify as rule 22 ?

lulz

[Firefox250]

I would say rule #22 does apply but she might run away. It will be interesting to see what she replies with.

Anyways welcome to Audizine Ms. Lee!

[mec]

Oh I didn't take it as anything but haha. Well thanks, to both of you :)

Marry me?

Woman+Drives Audi= Future wife



P.S. We aren't usually this creepy.

[CassiesandraLee]

Welcome to the B7 world. If you have any questions make sure you ask. But, as always everyone is gonna tell you to use the search option first lol.

Yeah I know the drill, but thanks for the head's up!

I would say rule #22 does apply but she might run away. It will be interesting to see what she replies with.


Anyways welcome to Audizine Ms. Lee!

Calm down, vultures! If this is your roundabout way of asking if I'm single, the answer is yes. And Lee is actually my middle name, so you can call me Cassie :)

Marry me?

Woman+Drives Audi= Future wife



P.S. We aren't usually this creepy.

I had a gut feeling the initial shock would go this way, but I'm a big girl, I can handle it haha. This is kind of a boys' club after all.

[mec]

Yeah I know the drill, but thanks for the head's up!



Calm down, vultures! If this is your roundabout way of asking if I'm single, the answer is yes. And Lee is actually my middle name, so you can call me Cassie :)



I had a gut feeling the initial shock would go this way, but I'm a big girl, I can handle it haha. This is kind of a boys' club after all.

You sounds army-ish...navyish....one of those two...

[seal66]

Marry me?

Woman+Drives Audi= Future wife



P.S. We aren't usually this creepy.

Except for you buddy lol

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[seal66]

Yeah I know the drill, but thanks for the head's up!

That's good to know. Alright picture up now lol

Calm down, vultures! If this is your roundabout way of asking if I'm single, the answer is yes. And Lee is actually my middle name, so you can call me Cassie :)



I had a gut feeling the initial shock would go this way, but I'm a big girl, I can handle it haha. This is kind of a boys' club after all.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[CassiesandraLee]

You sounds army-ish...navyish....one of those two...

No...not sure why. I've never done anything remotely military-related.

[mec]

No...not sure why. I've never done anything remotely military-related.

Impeccable grammar, good at dealing with the dick-headed men around her, but here is the real clincher.....you said the word "drill"...Pretty impressive detective skills, I know, so I have been told. People around these parts tend to come to me for all their mysteries, and witch-hunt needs. If you ever find yourself stuck in the plot of some Scooby-Doo type mystery, feel free to shoot me a PM!

[CassiesandraLee]

Impeccable grammar, good at dealing with the dick-headed men around her, but here is the real clincher.....you said the word "drill"...Pretty impressive detective skills, I know, so I have been told. People around these parts tend to come to me for all their mysteries, and witch-hunt needs. If you ever find yourself stuck in the plot of some Scooby-Doo type mystery, feel free to shoot me a PM!

HA! Well Sherlock, (or would it be Fred? I'm mixing metaphors) in the rare case that happens, I'll hit you up.

[mec]

HA! Well Sherlock, (or would it be Fred? I'm mixing metaphors) in the rare case that happens, I'll hit you up.

I'm more of a Shaggy, grab a few joints and a big sandwich and let the mystery solve itself!

[CassiesandraLee]

I'm more of a Shaggy, grab a few joints and a big sandwich and let the mystery solve itself!

Duly noted :)

[CassiesandraLee]

That's good to know. Alright picture up now lol
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I didn't read that before entirely (sneaky), but you can go to my profile for a picture. I'm too busy to care right now!

[seal66]

I didn't read that before entirely (sneaky), but you can go to my profile for a picture. I'm too busy to care right now!

ya ya I got ya. Took a gander already.

[mec]

ya ya I got ya. Took a gander already.

Stalker!!!

[05b7x614]

Can anyone guide me to how to reset the service on my car?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KC-Iceman]

Can anyone guide me to how to reset the service on my car?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With the car turned OFF, press and hold the SERVICE (Wrench) button, turn the ignition to the ON position (do not start engine),
While still holding the SERVICE button, press the RESET (0, 0) button.

[MENgineer]

hello everyone, I looked through the entire newbie page, and even though there are a lot of fantastic posts with great information, i did not find anything regarding aftermarket adjustable control arms. you all sound like a bunch of do t your-selfers like me.

Are there any options for adjustable control arms for the A4's? I see a bunch of aftermarket suspension items but nothing adjustable.

Help please?

also does anyone have a recommendation on a tool that will help remove the vacuum pump torx? damn they are i there tight!

[Jake@JHM]

hello everyone, I looked through the entire newbie page, and even though there are a lot of fantastic posts with great information, i did not find anything regarding aftermarket adjustable control arms. you all sound like a bunch of do t your-selfers like me.

Are there any options for adjustable control arms for the A4's? I see a bunch of aftermarket suspension items but nothing adjustable.

Help please?

also does anyone have a recommendation on a tool that will help remove the vacuum pump torx? damn they are i there tight!

Here you go man:

Front:
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...rs4-p-640.html

Rear:
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...s4-p-1342.html

Let me know if you have any questions!

Jake

[DonnieDark0]

Dude thanks for the read. I'm kinda in the same boat. I like your choice of mods and intro stuff. Some of us don't have thousands to just piss away so I feel you on that. I'm gonna slowly but surely start doing stuff just like you said. Start your own intro thread and repost in there. So you can keep track and keep us updated!!! And post some pics man. Goodluck with everything. I might ask some questions. :)

Well I suppose this is a good place for a first post/intro. I've read enough useful information here, may as well join in and hopefully contribute.

I own (paid off a few months ago, 23 year old Audi owner, yay ) a 2005.5 brilliant red, Premium package Sedan 2.0T Quattro 6 speed tiptronic, ~84.5k miles on it. Picked it up used in November 2010 with 58k. The color probably isn't my first choice, but I kind of have a soft spot for it too. Looks great with the black interior (which sucks on sunny days haha). Yeah I know everyone hates on AT too, but it's alot more practical for a daily driver (and I did not have a transmission choice either). I didn't have many buying options (unless I just wanted a Mazda or something instead). When I bought it, I had just got back from 2 years living in Japan (military) and had a month to find a car and set off to CA. I'm very happy with and very fortunate for what I got. So far it has been across America twice (Pittsburgh to San Diego for military, then San Diego to Pittsburgh when I got out last year) and has ate up all the road thrown at it.

For the most part, I've just been keeping up with running and maintenance costs while paying it off, but I am (very) slowly starting to mod it now that I have no payments. It has never been my intention to go crazy, nor is it now. Keep everything sensible because it is still a daily driver and 'only' a 2.0T. Besides the 20% R/35% F tint I got done right after I bought it and the nice Pioneer touchscreen stereo I had put in (sounds great with factory Bose), pretty much the biggest 'mod' I have are steel brake lines and Akebono ceramic pads, absolutely love them.

Few little small things I've done are popped in ECS smoke reflectors in the front, painted the inside of the side markers color matched red. I have LED DRL lights too, which unfortunately give me a bulb out error even though they were advertised as not (and I know all about installing resistors, unfortunately I fail completely at anything involving wires). My LED city lights are just a plain led bulb and give me no codes. I have some new ones coming which hopefully won't give me a code, if they do oh well I'll deal with it I guess. I have an aFe Pro Dry S Air Filter and 034 Turbo Inlet Hose. Both are great quality and seemed to make a very small performance difference.

I finally planning on debadging the trunk this week (that has just been 'slight' laziness and not caring much on my part, it took me 1.5 years to finally order a front plate hider for the grille ) I've got 15mm spacers I'm going to install in the rear (I have B6 Sport wheels, 38mm offset I believe), they will look pretty nice. I have some yellow Lamin-X covers to put on my fog lights (wanted new bulbs, but take off the whole bumper? I built jet engines in the military put I am completely car dumb) and I'm going to try this fog lights with city lights mod. That will actually make them useful in fog as opposed to having my low beams bounced back at me. I have a 'D' version diverter valve (pretty sure I have a bad DV that has been bad for a while) that I hope to install, but I ordered a snub mount from ECS and was going to install that at the same time I do my DV, but the snub mount wasn't in the box. Have to call them tomorrow.

I need tires soon, and I'm very much contemplating ordering wheels and tires from Tirerack and just putting them on myself. I was just going to swap tires as needed, but that would mean having a shop have to do it, then again when I buy wheels (after I'm lowered). I'm wanting to stick with 17s, so I may as well just get wheels now and sell my stockers. I'll get some hate for this, but really like MSW (designed and produced by OZ) Type 19 wheels in gunmetal. Not the lightest wheel, but still a nice chunk lighter than the stockers. They are half an inch thicker which is nice and 35mm offset, should look nice and fine with my rear spacers. As for tires (more hate), I'm looking at the same ones I have now, General G-Max AS. They've been on the car since I got it and I have been pleased with them in all driving conditions. GT is a pretty reputable brand who is owned by Continental, I have no doubts about sticking with them. Certainly not the greatest rubber out there, but more than good enough for my daily driving.

My next big thing after these wheels and tires is finally lowering it. I'm pretty much replacing all suspension components (I'm at 84.5k and counting). Even more hate on me, I'm going with springs and shocks/struts. Vogtland Jr. Kit to be exact. I'll need adjustable upper arms as to not burn through my front tires, I'm looking at Sterns, but research is still continuing. Will be replacing the lower front arms and tie rods and all hardware with OE+ I get some creaking from what sounds like the dashboard, but I'm petty sure it's my original suspension components groaning. Getting an S4 rear sway bar (to me, the extra $80 isn't worth 2mm thickness of a RS4 bar) too. Should look and handle pretty nice when it's finally done (hopefully before this year ends).

I don't plan on much after new suspension. I do want to get a 034 HFC, maybe a downpipe, and go to APR Stage II, but really that's it. It's a daily driver and will remain that way, don't want to and can't afford to put multiple thousands into it just for a few more HP or whatever gain. I intend on having it for a while still, so all my mods will add function while making my car somewhat more sporty and fun. I don't have pictures, but I can get some if anyone even cares.

[Yogie]

Hello! Owner of two B7's. One is a 2007 CVT S-line(paid off) and going to sell soon! The other is my new pride and joy(stock) 2008 A4 Avant S-line/Titanium Pkg 6speed Quattro! Just picked it up about 3 months ago and excited to start modding it once I figure out what I want.

Thanks for all the good info here! Just reset my service button on the cvt, woot woot! Been driving me crazy since I do most everything myself.

[Jake@JHM]

Hello! Owner of two B7's. One is a 2007 CVT S-line(paid off) and going to sell soon! The other is my new pride and joy(stock) 2008 A4 Avant S-line/Titanium Pkg 6speed Quattro! Just picked it up about 3 months ago and excited to start modding it once I figure out what I want.

Thanks for all the good info here! Just reset my service button on the cvt, woot woot! Been driving me crazy since I do most everything myself.

Welcome! Sounds like you have an awesome ride! Let me know when you are ready for some performance stuff, as we can definitely help you out .

Jake

[Adamovich]

Vag-Com Codes

Enable side marker lights indicator lamp on instrumet panel



Select -> 17-Instruments -> Codding ->
Recode xx23xxx to xx21xxx (+02 = Side Marker Lights Indicator Lamp inactive)