2011 to 2013 upgrade

[caphie]

Today I traded my 2011 S4 equipped with the DSG tranny for a 2013 with the 6MT. The move is bittersweet.

I loved the DSG. It was so "quick." The car was effortlessly quick with the DSG. However, the engine was so smooth and quiet (with stock exhaust) that I NEVER made use of the "flappy paddle" shifters. It was just too hard to know when to shift without constantly watching the tachometer.

Despite how pathetic the "Soundaktor" seems to me, in principal, being able to "hear" the revs makes all the difference when doing manual shifting. The 2013 6MT is just so much more "personal." I am so glad to be back with a manual gearbox.

My 2011 had two upgrades that I can't believe how much I already miss: The Alu Kreuz and the APR Stage II pulley/ECU upgrade. These two upgrades turn the car into a performance beast. Without them, the car is great. Fast. Refined. However, I assure you it will not be long before these two upgrades are added to the new car.

I went from a black car to the Moonlight Blue car. A very subtle difference, really (my kids couldn't even tell it was a different car from inside the house). My main reason for upgrading was the transmission. As my 2011 neared the end of warranty I was scared to death of a major expense involved with repairing the DSG in the future.

A bit of advice about the TD1 fear: talk to your dealer. My dealer made it clear to me that they would do their best to convince AOA that any failure was not due to the aftermarket tune. Why? Because they want your service business. If they claim the failure is due to the tune, then you will likely take your business elsewhere. They want that business. Now, not every dealer may be "tune friendly," but it doesn't hurt to ask your dealer about it up front!

My new car seems like a dog compared to the old car. I can't wait very long to add my old upgrades. I will be putting my Alu Kruez in the classifieds very soon. Too bad the B8 uses a different one than the B8.5.

Happy motoring, friends!

[Buckeye_S4]

I'df be interested in your Alu Kruez if I hadn't just spent my recent wife budget. It will be awhile before I can justify another car toy.

I approve of your color choice and your transmission. Good move.

[bombdiggity]

I would also be interested in your old aleu kreuz. I will PayPal you with quickness.


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[Shaman]

I've seen the hype on the Alu Kruez, what makes it such a worthwhile mod in the real world? It seems like only track-focused people would care.

[Moose201]

Congrats on the 2013. As for the Soundaktor, to each his own. I hated it but an aftermarket exhaust gave me the natural sound that I wanted to complement the manual trans. I just completed a 3,000 mile road trip with much of it on back roads and was continuously entertained by the engine/6MT combo.

[caphie]

Congrats on the 2013. As for the Soundaktor, to each his own. I hated it but an aftermarket exhaust gave me the natural sound that I wanted to complement the manual trans. I just completed a 3,000 mile road trip with much of it on back roads and was continuously entertained by the engine/6MT combo.

Which exhaust do you have? Don't get me wrong. The Soundaktor is an embarrassment to me, but it is a step ahead of the stock exhaust without it (I say only after comparing to the 2011 without it). Eventually, I'd like a "real" exhaust note.

[caphie]

I've seen the hype on the Alu Kruez, what makes it such a worthwhile mod in the real world? It seems like only track-focused people would care.

Honestly, when I installed the Alu Kruez on my 2011 I did not really notice enough different to justify the cost. However, when I removed it after a year of using it (in anticipation of trading the car), I noticed its absence pretty fast. The best way I can describe it is, if you already have a sport differential, note the difference between "Dynamic" and "Comfort" mode. Now, note the same level of change between a car with Alu Kruez and without. On the highway without it, I felt like the steering was more sloppy, even in dynamic mode, than it was when it was present. Is the difference staggering? No. But, in the quest to achieve total driving bliss with the S4, I now think it is a vital component. I will re-order a new one.

[Moose201]

Which exhaust do you have? Don't get me wrong. The Soundaktor is an embarrassment to me, but it is a step ahead of the stock exhaust without it (I say only after comparing to the 2011 without it). Eventually, I'd like a "real" exhaust note.

I was well on the way to getting AWE but I couldn't pass up the deal that a vendor offered on StaSIS exhausts for under $900. Each tailpipe has a removable silencer so you can "tune" the sound to your taste.

[LakeShow]

This thread is worthless without pics :)

[AZS4]

I couldn't have been happier with my step from the 2012 to the 2013. It's not just the soundaktor. The exhaust note is different, and the new mark3 version of the DSG makes shifts sound different. I know this doesn't apply to the manual. There are so many things about the b8.5 that just add to the everyday appeal.

[Shaman]

Honestly, when I installed the Alu Kruez on my 2011 I did not really notice enough different to justify the cost. However, when I removed it after a year of using it (in anticipation of trading the car), I noticed its absence pretty fast. The best way I can describe it is, if you already have a sport differential, note the difference between "Dynamic" and "Comfort" mode. Now, note the same level of change between a car with Alu Kruez and without. On the highway without it, I felt like the steering was more sloppy, even in dynamic mode, than it was when it was present. Is the difference staggering? No. But, in the quest to achieve total driving bliss with the S4, I now think it is a vital component. I will re-order a new one.

Thanks, appreciate the reasoning and the info. Sounds like a future purchase to me.

[mjt2470]

A bit of advice about the TD1 fear: talk to your dealer. My dealer made it clear to me that they would do their best to convince AOA that any failure was not due to the aftermarket tune. Why? Because they want your service business. If they claim the failure is due to the tune, then you will likely take your business elsewhere. They want that business. Now, not every dealer may be "tune friendly," but it doesn't hurt to ask your dealer about it up front!

I bet you have a great relationship with your dealer. That said, do you really trust them? I mean, it sounds to me like they'll try hard but if Audi tells them to go pound sand, you'll be in TD1 status.

[MrFunk]

Get the new one stage II and it will feel "effortlessly fast" as well and much more fun while you're harnessing that "fast" yourself :)
Nice move! I'd have done the same...

Enjoy the new ride!

[Jango3434]

This thread is worthless without pics :)

+1 Pics or it didn't happen