RAudiB7A4's Progression Thread

[RAudiB7A4]

Edit: Updated 10/23/13 with a new post at the bottom of this page.

WARNING: This thread is very pic heavy. If you don't like pictures don't continue!

Hey there ladies and gents. I'm not really the most frequent poster here, but I figured with my latest mod, I'd like to show how far I've come in less than one year of ownership of the vehicle. Some of my mods you might agree with, some you might not, but I've tried to keep it tasteful thus far.

The car is a base model (no sunroof, cloth seats, halogen head lights) non s-line A4. But I got the important things; like Quattro, 6 speed manual, and of course the 2.0T FSI motor.

MODS LIST thus far:
APR Stage II Chip (Stock, 91, 93, and 100 oct. Modes)
APR Carbonio CAI
034 Motorsports Turbo Inlet Hose
APR Test Pipe
APR Down Pipe
Apikol Snub Mount
OEM "D" DV
NGK BKR7EIX Iridium's
RS4 Rear Sway Bar
Red Top Coils
Paint Matched Side Markers
New South Performance Boost Gauge
Imola Motorsports Steering Column Mounted Pod
Vogtland Sport Suspension (Cup Kit)
19x8.5" et35 front, 19x9.5" et40 rear, Avant Garde M310's machined face w/gunmetal accent wheels
235/35/19 front, 265/30/19 rear Hankook Ventus V12 K110 tires
DTM front bumper W/Custom HID fogs
Carbon Fiber Splitter
RS4 Grill

I might be forgetting a thing or two on that list, hard to remember everything!

Future mods will include (in this order):
Bi-xenon headlights
Aftermarket exhaust of some sort (haven't decided)
Quad tip rear valiance (possibly DTM rear bumper)
Relak Carbon Fiber side skirts (to match CF splitter)
R8 oil/coolant caps & painted coolant/WW reservoirs
Engine Compartment Cover Kit
Engine Compartment Cover - Left Side
Coilovers (undecided but probably PSS9's)
BBK (preferably brembo)
Custom suede and leather interior

Now, enough chit chat. On with some pictures!

The day I bought it:



Cupra lip, drop, and tint:




Wheels!





I was impressed with how much a filler plate cleaned up the front end:




And finally, DTM front bumper, RS4 Grill W/Custom fogs (all per Phil's DIY):

[DRAKLORE]

Looks great good job :-)

[Coderedpl]

Looks good! The rear needs some more aggressiveness it seems

[blunts for days]

looks awesome! great job

[RAudiB7A4]

Thanks guys!

Looks good! The rear needs some more aggressiveness it seems

Agreed. Exhaust and quad tip valiance is on the agenda for next year. Possibly DTM rear bumper.

[Coderedpl]

Thanks guys!


Agreed. Exhaust and quad tip valiance is on the agenda for next year. Possibly DTM rear bumper.

That would be real good. I like the DTM rear, it would complete the look

[kristokes]

Exhaust and quad tip valiance is on the agenda for next year. Possibly DTM rear bumper.

Do you mean this? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ust-System-6MT

[VMRWheels]

Looks great!

[RAudiB7A4]

That would be real good. I like the DTM rear, it would complete the look

Yep, and I might be able to get my hands on one for dirt cheap! ;)

Do you mean this? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ust-System-6MT

You would plug you're own shit wouldn't ya? Haha. I would too. That's a nice exhaust. If you still have it next spring I might take it off your hands. I'm BROKE. Lol. I wasn't even planning on picking up this DTM front end, but a buddy was parting out and made me a deal I couldn't refuse.

Looks great!

Wow, it must look pretty decent getting compliments from a VMR guy considering my car is wearing a direct competitor's shoes! Haha. Thank you very much.

[wildcat333]

I really like the red trim accents you added to the front filler plate. How did you do that?

[TFSI]

Nice looking car! what's the rear tire size?

[BoSNiaN]

Looks good...how did you get cloth seats though?! Is the car an 05.5? Definitely was never an option in Canadian cars AFAIK...

Sometimes I wish I had em...more comfy than leather and they don't burn up in the summer

[RAudiB7A4]

I really like the red trim accents you added to the front filler plate. How did you do that?

The little chrome strips come out of the filler plate. You just paint them once they are off.

Nice looking car! what's the rear tire size?

Thanks! Tires are 265/30/ZR19's in the rear. 9.5" wide wheel.

Looks good...how did you get cloth seats though?! Is the car an 05.5? Definitely was never an option in Canadian cars AFAIK...

Sometimes I wish I had em...more comfy than leather and they don't burn up in the summer

I bought the car October 29th of last year CPO'd with the cloth seats. It's a 2007. It was a lease car. Original lease owner must have just wanted a bottom of the barrel base model. Also came with 16" wheels, which many also didn't know was an option.

The dealer had a black 07' non s-line with about the same miles sitting on the lot as well. It had leather interior, winter package, 17" wheels, but they wanted another $4K more than this car. I didn't even test drive it because I knew I would want it, and I decided that I wanted to spend that $4K on mods instead. Damn you AZ! Haha.

[jibatnes]

Wow.. Nice car you got there :) Love the DTM front.. Have you concidered the Euro clear lenses for your headlights? Think that will make a world of difference as well :)
I see that you are running 9,5 rear wheels.. Can i ask witch offest youre running?

[RAudiB7A4]

Wow.. Nice car you got there :) Love the DTM front.. Have you concidered the Euro clear lenses for your headlights? Think that will make a world of difference as well :)
I see that you are running 9,5 rear wheels.. Can i ask witch offest youre running?

Thanks! Bi-Xenons are next on my to do list. So clear corner and possibly STI lenses are definently in my consideration. That'll be my goal for this winter. A spendy one at that. I'll be building piece by piece.

Offset on the 9.5" rears is an ET40.

[Schmaud]

Nice bumper. Wonder where you got that from ;-)

So glad you like the bumper Tony. I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into do that conversion and I am glad that someone can enjoy it as much as I did.

[RAudiB7A4]

Nice bumper. Wonder where you got that from ;-)

So glad you like the bumper Tony. I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into do that conversion and I am glad that someone can enjoy it as much as I did.

Haha, yeah thanks again Chase! I'm loving it. Getting lots of attention, in a good way. I had a guy and his wife/gf/mistress in a Lexus ISF stopped in front of my car in a parking lot yesterday taking a picture with his phone! Lol. His car is worth what, 2-3 times as much as mine? Haha, pretty good feeling.

[RAudiB7A4]

Just completed my latest mod; fogs with city lights!

Thanks AZ for the easy DIY. Took about 20 minutes taking my sweet time to be careful. It was much easier pulling the wiring harness out the side by the fuse box for more room. Not sure how anyone would have enough room with out doing it that way. Now I can rock my HID fogs with out looking so out of place with my halogen head lights! Might have to do the LED city light mod next while I save up for Bi-Xenons.

[RAudiB7A4]

Whoa, so I totally forgot I had made this thread. Which is probably why I haven't updated it in almost two years. I got married shortly before creating this thread so my mods slowed down considerably. I've added a few things to the list, not a lot, but the mods I have added have changed the look of the car pretty drastically. Such as coilovers, euro spec Bi-Xenons, and a few carbon fiber bits.

Disclaimer: This is a butt load of pics, and is probably a bit overboard, but whatever, I can whore up my own thread as much as I want! At least I didn't start a new one right?

So here's an update to the mods list and mods wanted list:

MODS LIST thus far:
APR Stage II Chip (Stock, 91, 93(DD tune), and 100 Octane Modes)
APR Carbonio CAI
034 Motorsports Turbo Inlet Hose
APR Test Pipe
APR Down Pipe
Apikol Snub Mount
OEM "D" DV
NGK BKR7E Copper Plugs
RS4 Rear Sway Bar
Red Top Coils
Paint Matched Side Markers
Painted brake calipers
New South Performance Boost Gauge
Podi Steering Column Mounted Pod
ST Coilovers with Hyperco 7" 750lb 2.5" ID rear springs
19x8.5" et35 front, 19x9.5" et40 rear, Avant Garde M310's machined face w/gunmetal accent wheels
225/35-19 front, 235/35-19 rear Falken FK452 tires
DTM front bumper W/RS4 fog grills and 5000K HID fog lights
DTM Carbon Fiber Splitter
RS4 Grill
Eurogear Carbon Fiber S4 door blades
Carbon Fiber rear valance
Magnaflow 16601 exhaust
Euro Spec clear cornered (W/Phil's clear caps & S6 chrome bulbs) Bi-Xenons coded to ROW
Evolution Thor Skid Plate
Rally Armor UR Mudflaps (Winter mode)
205/60-16 General Altimax Arctics (Winter mode)

I might be forgetting a thing or two on that list, hard to remember everything!

Future mods will include:
OEM 19x9 et29 B7 RS4 wheels
R8 oil/coolant caps & painted coolant/WW reservoirs
Engine Compartment Cover Kit
Engine Compartment Cover - Left Side


I'll try to add these new pictures in the order the parts were added.

Bi-Xenons were purchased from another member here on AZ. He had already painted the chrome Bi-Xenon/DRL/City Light housings black. This is how they arrived from him:

So I clear cornered them with Phil's clear corner caps and some chrome bulbs from an S6.

And proceeded to install the with the Kufatec harness


Halogen left/Bi-Xenon right



Then I installed a carbon fiber rear valance





At this point the theme of the car really seemed to be coming together quite well. But there was something nagging me constantly every time I looked at the car. That wheel gap!

Front

Rear


So I saved my pennies and bought me a set of these this last winter:





And some Hyperco rear springs to get some extra low in the rear.



Back on the ground:





You know you have the proper lows and correct spacer when your fenders clean the snow off of your tires!


Summers back on:

[RAudiB7A4]

Time to tie in the carbon fiber DTM front splitter and carbon fiber rear valance with some carbon fiber S4 door blades and a photoshoot:

IMG_0922-001 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_0883-001 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_0907-001 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_0944 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Freak May 2nd snow storm. FUCK. 13" of snow on summer tires= NOT FUN. Thank god for Quattro!

IMG_9838 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_9839 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_9842 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_9843 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

At this point the factory exhaust tips are starting to look pretty out of place. Cut em off and toss on some DC sports tips:

First iPhone 5 pics by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

First iPhone 5 pics by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

There was still something nagging me. I just wasn't happy with the PO's decision to paint all of the Bi-Xenon/DRL/City Light housings black.



It seems I'm never happy. So I found another AZ member parting out some Xenons and picked up some factory Chrome housings and swapped them in this last weekend:

E-code conversion by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

E-code conversion by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

E-code conversion by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

E-code conversion by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

E-code conversion by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

So here is the finished product. I'll be putting these wheels up for sale shortly (as well as the blacked out xenon shrouds) as I really want to pick up a set of OEM 19x9" et29 RS4 wheels for the perfect OEM+ look and aggressive stance.


Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon front garage iPhone 5 shots by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon front garage iPhone 5 shots by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Bi-Xenon shots 2 by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

[kaz02a4]

You were absolutely right about that filler plate. That is one clean ride. Looking forward to see the OEM+ style.

[RAudiB7A4]

Thanks! I've wanted a set of OEM RS4's ever since I saw Staticuxo running them on his B7 S4. Perfection on a B7 IMO.

[RAudiB7A4]

Update: Installed a Magnaflow 16601 exhaust system almost two weeks ago. It has broken in nicely, and is not much louder now than it used to be with an APR TP/DP combo custom mated to my stock exhaust just ahead of the factory resonator. I've had the APR TP/DP combo for over two years already so I decided that the extra $200 for a Stasis (even on sale) was unjustifiable when I already had a 2.5" DP and could get the Magnaflow for only $664 from performancepeddler.com.

To prospective buyers of the Magnaflow: This exhaust is designed to mate up to the stock exhaust from the down pipe down, so it does not include the down pipe. So you will need to source one from either Technonics or RAI. I happened to source my APR DP from ecstuning.com on a scratch and dent sale for $100 so I jumped on it. No dents, just a few scratches that I could care less about because no-one will ever see it underneath a car that is only 23.5" FTG.

Because I already had an APR test pipe and down pipe mated to the stock exhaust, All I had to do is cut off the reducer on the MagaFlow down pipe and mated it up to the APR dp with a 2.5" slip on. So it's straight 2.5" from the test pipe all the way to where it splits to dual 2.25".

Conclusion: The Magnaflow exhaust is very deep in the lower RPM's where 90% of your driving occurs and doesn't over power the engine/ turbo sound in the higher RPM's. It's not overly loud either; loud enough to be noticed, but quiet enough to be tolerable by passengers. I have no drone while cruising either. It's a very mature sounding exhaust, not ricey at all. No fart can sound. The dual resonators give it that mature deep sound at all RPM's. I would absolutely purchase this exhaust again. I held out because I just couldn't justify the price for little to no gains performance wise, but my stock exhaust was pretty much shot.

And guess what? Everyone that does it says this and I'm going to say it too: I should have done an exhaust so much sooner! It's totally worth it, both from a performance and aesthetic stand point. The butt dyno likes it as well. It pulls smoother, less torque spike. I think the turbo spools slightly quicker and then it's just smoother all the way to red line.

Pics

Exhaust by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Exhaust by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Exhaust by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

I also picked up some RallyArmor mudflaps for the winter months after I raise the coils as well as an Evolution Thor skid plate that I will be installing in the next couple weeks. Pics will follow.

[B7AUDITURBO]

Sound clip ?

[RAudiB7A4]

Not yet. Need to get my hands on a go-pro and I'll post one up.

[Aznkae]

Not yet. Need to get my hands on a go-pro and I'll post one up.

did you have any issues getting the magnaflow exhaust to line up correctly in the rear valence cutouts? I have the same exhaust and it seems they tilt slightly inwards, i figured due to the fact that is doesn't have the spacing piece where the pipes splits like on the OEM or APR exhaust.. but your looks perfect, as with the rest of your ride!

[funky_snowman]

Not a huge fan of the non-color-matched side bits, or the excessively low ride-height, but i like everything else. i wish i had cloth seats =(

[RAudiB7A4]

did you have any issues getting the magnaflow exhaust to line up correctly in the rear valence cutouts? I have the same exhaust and it seems they tilt slightly inwards, i figured due to the fact that is doesn't have the spacing piece where the pipes splits like on the OEM or APR exhaust.. but your looks perfect, as with the rest of your ride!

I didn't have any fitment issues with this exhaust. I just bolted everything up, then get out from under the car to see which way the exhaust needed to adjusted, hop back under there and loosen the clamps up, move the pipes a bit, and then tighten them back up and get out and look at it again. Repeat until it look satisfactory. The slip joints and clamps allow for some adjustment. My exhaust tips are pointed straight back. I can see how you might think they are angled inward with the valance being curved though.

Not a huge fan of the non-color-matched side bits, or the excessively low ride-height, but i like everything else. i wish i had cloth seats =(

Yeah the carbon fiber door blades are either hit or miss it seems. I think they look much better in person, as carbon fiber usually does. As for the ride height... There are a lot of folks out there running lower than me! I personally love the fitment.

I'll be raising the coils all the way back up in a couple weeks here for the winter months, and if I ever get these wheels sold I'll need to keep the ride height up in the spring when I get my hands on a set of OEM 19x9" et29 RS4 wheels. I won't be able to be this slammed with the more aggressive offset of the OEM RS4's.

[glissoar]

I like your ride height, makes for good fitment. It all depends on what type of look your are going for with your car, if your more for the stance then its great, if you want handling then it may not be the best ride height. Im not a fan of carbon fiber but looking at where your car started to where it is now I think you have made some awesome progress! You took the base of all base A4's and gave it some great OEM + style and I give your props for that!

[Hökan]

Are u runnning carbonfiber lover doorsills aswell? or are they painted? looks good :-)

[RAudiB7A4]

I like your ride height, makes for good fitment. It all depends on what type of look your are going for with your car, if your more for the stance then its great, if you want handling then it may not be the best ride height. Im not a fan of carbon fiber but looking at where your car started to where it is now I think you have made some awesome progress! You took the base of all base A4's and gave it some great OEM + style and I give your props for that!

Thanks! This car is my daily driver. So I'm sure I might be sacrificing a little handling for this fitment, but I'm good with it. It's no slouch in the corners, everything is tight, the RS4 rear sway bar help a bit also. It's comfortable for my style of driving, and I don't really push the limits on the streets to much, so I've never run into a corner it couldn't handle. Just a comfortable and sporty daily driver that looks the part.

Are u runnning carbonfiber lover doorsills aswell? or are they painted? looks good :-)

I'm running eurogearusa.com's Carbon Fiber Door Blades. I kept them in raw carbon fiber to match my CF DTM lip, and CF rear valance.

[RAudiB7A4]

I raised my ST coils on Sunday in preparation for another Minnesota winter. Now I'm currently sitting at 24 5/8" FTG in the front and 24 7/8" FTG in the rear. Then I removed my Carbon Fiber door blades and put the factory flat non s-line blades back on.

I also installed the Evolution Thor Skid Plate. This thing is such a beast. This car is gonna be a tank this winter. Even my dad said "If you mess up that skid plate your gonna have a lot bigger problems than just your skid plate!"

I'll still be installing my Rally Armor mud flaps sometime in November before the roads get completely covered in salt. I'd also like to pick up a set of General Altimax Arctic snow tires to really put this car into epic winter mode.

Time for another photo dump!

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2282[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2283[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2286[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2287[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2288[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2289[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2291[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2292[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2294[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2296[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2297[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2299[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

IMG_2300[1] by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Oh yeah and I finally got a video of the exhaust.

[RAudiB7A4]

Got my General Altimax Arctic winter tires installed. The car stops on a dime on ice and snow. These things are amazing. Bring on the snow! I can't wait for some more sever driving conditions to really test them out.

[RAudiB7A4]

Been forever since I've updated this thread again. Figured I'd do a summer 2014 re-cap. I haven't done a whole lot to the B7 this year by comparison to the last few years. Probably because of the life mods I've made such as switching to going to school full time vs's part time, buying a house, and having a kid in April.

The only real mods I've done to the B7 have been 034 Motorsport Street Density Motor Mounts (which I guess could be considered maintenance at 100K miles), another set of Hankook Ventus V12's to replace the Falken FK452's I had last year and hated (junk tires IMO), and of course the JHM FMIC.

Plans for 2015 include powder coating the Avant Garde M310's (if they don't sell that is) to change up the look a little bit. I'm thinking either a titanium package or hyper silver color for a more OEM+ look. Opinions?

I'd also like to do a JHM clutch and Stage 2 Tune for the spring of 2015 as well to replace my current factory clutch with 103K miles and to replace my APR Stage 2 software.

Latest photo's, AKA Whore time.
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by Tony Mollert, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Untitled by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

[mpv314]

Great thread and tasteful modifications. I love your car and actually have similar plans that almost "mimic" some of your work.

[Jake@JHM]

Your car looks so good!

[RAudiB7A4]

Great thread and tasteful modifications. I love your car and actually have similar plans that almost "mimic" some of your work.

Thanks!

Your car looks so good!

Thanks Jake! Hoping to order your stage 2 tune in the spring after I get a Vag-com so I won't need APR Mobile anymore. I've got about 104k miles right now so I'm sure a JHM Clutch and short shifter isn't far behind as well!

[Jake@JHM]

Thanks!



Thanks Jake! Hoping to order your stage 2 tune in the spring after I get a Vag-com so I won't need APR Mobile anymore. I've got about 104k miles right now so I'm sure a JHM Clutch and short shifter isn't far behind as well!

Nice! You are going to love the tuning, the shifter, and the clutch! Those three will COMPLETELY transform the car!

[RAudiB7A4]

Nice! You are going to love the tuning, the shifter, and the clutch! Those three will COMPLETELY transform the car!

Looking forward to it!

[RAudiB7A4]

My 2007 A4 2.0T FSI has 107k miles on it, so I decided that it was time for my first carbon clean. I also replaced the N80 valve while in there as well as the Valve Cover Gasket that was leaking oil.

I honestly did not expect it to make as much of a difference as it did. My butt dyno is telling me that I definitely gained back some power. It's probably just placebo, as I'm sure I only gained back about 3-5 hp max. The car idles much smoother and has gained back some low end power and I believe the turbo might spool a little bit sooner.

Part of the reason I am pretty confident that I gained back some power is that now if I am under full throttle in 1st or 2nd gear the traction control squiggle light comes on as if I were spinning the tires, but with quattro I'm confident it is not my tires spinning... It's probably my clutch. So I think that may another item that will need to be addressed sometime in the future. I'm still on the original clutch and the car has been APR stage 2 since about 38k miles. So the clutch has held up pretty well considering it has had to handle quite a bit more hp and tq than it was designed for.

Before
Carbon build up @ 107k by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Carbon build up @ 107k by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Carbon build up @ 107k by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Carbon build up @ 107k by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

After
After carbon clean by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
After carbon clean by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
After carbon clean by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
After carbon clean by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr

Also replaced the valve cover gasket as I had oil leaking from it.
New valve cover gasket by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr
Time for a new valve cover gasket by RAudiB7A4, on Flickr