JeST's 2007 B7 S4 Build Journal

[JeST]

Would like to start off with how I came about picking up an S4.

Few months back my wife and I started discussing have little ones in the near future. As the thought of having kids set in I just couldn't see my then car being practical at all. The criteria for the new car was power, awd, looks, and daily driveability. After some thought I sat out in search for a used RS4. Unfortunately having read too many horror stories of the carbon build up issue that plagues the valvetrain I turned my sights to an S4. I do kick myself every time I see an RS4 in person but the whole reason behind selling my M3 was for something I wouldn't have to worry about.

After a few months of searching I found my B7 at an Acura dealership in New Jersey. Ideally I was searching for an Ibis white S4 but with the DTM package, alcantara interior and a 6 speed trans it met the rest of my criteria and I couldn't pass it up. Called the dealer and made an offer and drove the car home the following weekend.

Here are a few quick pics I took today:
















oem carbon fiber goodness... yummy







A few pics/vids of my previous cars:

2003 Lexus IS300












2003 BMW M3

[JeST]

Mod List

Cosmetics:
- 30% Madico Charcoal Tint all around (including windshield)
- Podi Skid plate
- Filler plate
- Brilliant Red bumper reflectors

SUSPENSION / BUSHINGS / MISC:
- STaSIS Ohlins SL Sport Coilovers
- Ben Liaw's Short Shit Kit

BRAKES:
- 6 Piston Gran Turismo Brembo's


PERFORMANCE:

INTERIOR:
- Rennline Pedals with Throttle Extension
- Oem all weather mats
- Hardwired V1

WHEELS:
- Velocity Motoring 709's w/ 245/35/19 Bridgestone RE-11's
- OEM RS4 wheels (19x9 +29) w/ Michelin PS2's

MISC:
- Front end and rear bumper clear bra
- Thule base rack and bike rack

[gohan]

welcome to AZ, i have a feeling your car is going to be sick like your previous cars. I'm thinking about going back to an Audi myself. The M3 is def getting old(er)

[JeST]

welcome to AZ, i have a feeling your car is going to be sick like your previous cars. I'm thinking about going back to an Audi myself. The M3 is def getting old(er)

Thanks Gohan. See you at Rogue's M bbq?

[JeST]

Went mountain biking at Bear Mountain today and just so happened had the camera in the back seat. Snapped a few pics. Enjoy





windshield tint ftw!




I'm a fan of thatass














And something to help with my 4x4 situation ...

[AMS autowerks]

2003 BMW M3

dude WOW that e46 was BADASS!!!!!white on cinnamon!!!!! recaro SPG ccw classic!!!
seeing this and your audi u deff have good taste in modding cars!!!!!

BTW was nice meeting and hanging out with you today!!!

[JeST]

dude WOW that e46 was BADASS!!!!!white on cinnamon!!!!! recaro SPG ccw classic!!!
seeing this and your audi u deff have good taste in modding cars!!!!!

BTW was nice meeting and hanging out with you today!!!

Thanks big D. It was great to finally meet you after all the great things I hear from so many different forums. Eri er.. Neutron did a great job on the coilover install. I'm glad I listened to you guys on the ride height . Will definitely be back in the shop again.

[JeST]

Updated pics taken today from Cap Tree (Jones Beach). Coilovers and wheels were installed Fri/Sat.

[JeST]

Purchased the STāSIS Engineering Ohlins SL Sport Suspension from Alex @ Europrice. Shopped around different vendors and Alex was by far the most competitively priced. His customer support was on point as well with answering my pm's (always within an hour). Would definitely look to purchase further gear from him in the future.

I had the suspension installed on Saturday by AMS motorsports (http://www.amsautowerks.com/). Great bunch of guys with years of knowledge. I usually like to DIY but with no lift and new to the brand I rather just pay the $ (labor rate was too good to DIY, lol). Eric (aka Neutron) did a great job on the install. Dialed the ride height in perfectly (25 1/8" all around).

Now for the suspension review. I don't have any experience with the different setups available for the B7 but this suspension is leaps and bounds better then stock. Steering input is much more responsive and the ride, to my surprise, is softer then stock. I'm hoping to attend a few HPDE's a year and I'm considering getting stiffer springs already. It feels good out of the box for daily driving but a little too soft for anything track oriented. Overall I'm really happy I forked over the extra $$ vs's other coilovers available. Past experience of jumping from coilover to coilover hurt the wallet more so then getting the right one from the get go. Overall quality of the suspension was impressive.

[RS4bro]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club. Love that color and thanks for the write-up!

[JeST]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club. Love that color and thanks for the write-up!

Glad to be a part of the club heh

[JeST]

I've been bugging Ben since I purchased the S4 for his SSK, but since he doesn't really cater to the Audi scene his inventory is pretty low. Dropped by his shop today and to my surprise he had one ready for me

I was impressed with the quality at first sight. He asked if I wanted something a little shorter then stock or do I want approx 40% shorter, I opted for 40% .

Now for the driving impressions... This short shift kit has really transformed the shift to nothing short of phenomenal. Up until today the best transmission short shift combo I have ever driven was my cousin's nsx with ssk (forgot the brand name). Ben's ssk has really transformed the shifts to a much shorter throw but without ANY negatives. It's not notchy, does not get stuck at each gear gate, and has somewhat of a confirmation feel once its fully in gear. I absolutely love this modification.

Just a few pics taken with my phone











Bye bye oem

[A6Avant]

That is what I call a family car!

[JeST]

That is what I call a family car!

Thanks, I'm having fun with it

[JeST]

Needed new brakes so pulled the trigger on some 6pot Brembo's. Have to admit I'm a little disappointed Audi integrated the brake pad sensor INTO the pads. Was hoping to reuse the pad sensor in the brembo's pad slot but it is what it is.

Initial feel of stopping power was phenomenal! I love it. I had stoptech's all around on my M3 but the inital bite from the brembo's has that beat. First time really working on the Audi and I'm feelin pretty confident now.Looking forward to working on her some more.

Pics (better pics soon hopefully):

[JeST]

Pics by Adrian (S4 Big Head).

[guglielmo]

Just a heads up. You can switch out the vmr center caps for audi center caps. part number 4B0 601 170

[JeST]

Thanks, I actually already have them but I've been lazy, lol.

[VJ's A6]

Car looks nice.. Where are you in Westchester?

[JeST]

Lower Westchester

[99ebpsi24]

Very nice! Judging from your past cars this one has a lot of love coming here in the near future!

[cmb5286]

gorgeous car
nice work
:thumbs up:

[JeST]

Very nice! Judging from your past cars this one has a lot of love coming here in the near future!

Thanks, much appreciated

gorgeous car
nice work
:thumbs up:

Thanks, for me the fun is in the modding not just the driving

[JeST]

Been debating which pedal set to get since I picked up the car. The choice was narrowed down to either the RS4 pedal set or Rennline's pedal set. Had the Rennline's on my M3 and they were great (heel toe was effortless). After a few months of going back and forth I decided to go with my original choice and picked up the Rennline's again for the S4 (love their throttle extension). The fit and finish is superb.

Didn't get a chance to take pics after the install but here's a picture of the pedals in the silver finish (I went with black)




The wife drives my car from time to time and I'm debating whether I want to elevate the gas pedal a little. Fear of her gassing while in a panic stop is deterring me.

[b6bydesign04]

Car looks great! Beautiful previous cars as well. I used to own a heavily modified IS300 as well before my previous B6 S4. Were you ever over on is300.net (now my.is)?

[JeST]

Yup, I was under the screen name boosted_4door. What was yours?

[b6bydesign04]

Yup, I was under the screen name boosted_4door. What was yours?

Ah nice, mine was Lexpression. Again, beautiful car history! Love the DTM S4.

[italian a4 1032]

welcome and nice start
your old cars were sick

[$teady$upreme]

Any updates?

[lookaught]

NICE car!

[rs_t]

With black window trim and grille, this would probably be the perfect B7. Without question the best VMR wheel for the B7. Such a nice OEM feel to them, and the brakes looks so good behind. The not to low stance is perfect!

[naldyb6]

Keep up the good work

[$teady$upreme]

any updates?

[aaron1085]

looking good, looking good! Have you taken the Stasis suspension to the track yet? I just bought the same coilovers for my 2007 A4 and have yet it install them. I plan to do 3-4 track days this year. Cannot wait to install my Alcon 4 piston BBK as well. Also, where did you pick up the pedals? Off the company website?

[Congreve502]

Nice car

[quattroism25]

If I remember correctly this car was returned to stock and sold. To another forum member.

[$teady$upreme]

After more digging, he is not back to the Bimmer world. Have a 1988 E30 with bunch of goodies and he is planning for a swap.

Oh there is a set of 19" BBS RS-GT for sale locally, let me know if you are interested. I can forward you the link.

[Q-Ball]

What brakes are you running at the rear?