AllroadCorbin's High Mileage B8.5- 100k and beyond

[AllroadCorbin]

Been trolling around audizine for a few years now but never thought my mods worthy of a build thread... hence my title lacks the word "build". Figured I'd organize and place all my experiences thus far with my 2013 Allroad into a single thread....hopefully somebody finds it helpful/ interesting. I'll start adding (in as chronological an order as possible) all the pics/ mods/ issues I've run into in the last 91,000 miles. I love this car!

I figure it would be interesting to post info on this B8.5 as I cross into the 100k mile territory. I drive 30-35k miles a year so this may eventually become the highest mileage B8.5 Allroad around. I also have some upcoming mods. Car has been tuned since 45,000 miles.

P.S thank you to everybody who has helped me over the last couple years as I began my expensive death spiral into the awesome world of TD1. I've learned a ton from those with experience on this forum. This is the first car I've ever really modded.

I'll add to this thread slowly as I compile everything/ find things I've forgotten.



2013 B8.5 Allroad Premium Plus. Midnight Blue. Chestnut Brown Interior

Current Mod List:

Interior-
1. 12 inch Rockford Fosgate P2 Sub with Rockford Amp, custom fit box

Exterior-
1. 35% tint all around
2. Audi logo decals for two front doors
3. S-Model red badge for rear Allroad emblem
5. S4 aluminum mirror housings


Performance-
APR Stage 2 (93/E85)
StopTech slotted rotors front and back
Akebono Ceramic pads
Bosch Side Fire Plugs
R8 Coil Packs
AFe dry panel filter (no longer installed)
034 Transmission Insert
Apikol Rear Diff mount (red)
Spulen Test Pipe
042 O2 spacer
ECS Tuning Kohlefaser Luft-Technik Intake
GFB DV+
034 Street Density Motor Mount Upgrade
ECS rear differential bushing inserts
ECS boost gauge
SoloWerks Coils
Magnaflow Exhaust System

Installing shortly
20x9 OEM RS5 rotors with Michelin PSS
TR8 FMIC

Wish List
Sway bar upgrade
KO4


Items for Sale
1. set of 4 Pirelli P7 245/45/18 tires. 5/32 tread. Make an offer...want them gone

[AllroadCorbin]

Day 1 of ownership in November of 2012



week two of ownership: car gets driven home to New Hampshire, overnight through a snowstorm from Richmond, VA where I went to school

[AllroadCorbin]

Last winter in Boston was brutal...


half the time I wouldn't even need plates around here...






the tiny red part that's supposed to go inside the "a" didnt fit at all so i just never used it

[JeriQo]

pics doesnt show

[Lambda13]

pics doesnt show

They work on Tapatalk. Probably a firewall.

PS Corbin you've got a message.

[Killerboots]

I really like the rings decal on the side - nice touch! The S4 mirrors are a great contrast to the body color too.

Looks like you received the sport badge for the C5 allroad. It's slightly larger. He makes the badge for 2013+ models but you have to request it.

[AllroadCorbin]

I really like the rings decal on the side - nice touch!

Looks like you received the sport badge for the C5 allroad. It's slightly larger. He makes the badge for 2013+ models but you have to request it.

Thats good to know. I didn't know that. I guess I could get this one off with a heat gun pretty easily (i hope)

[Killerboots]

Thats good to know. I didn't know that. I guess I could get this one off with a heat gun pretty easily (i hope)

You should be able to remove it. I've used dental floss in the past when doing the whole debadge thing followed by a little adhesive remover (1996 VW Golf circa 2000). I'm sure there are better techniques nowadays?

[AUDIMAN33]

More and more Allroads for a reason


"The Pedal Response Kanye West" using Tapatalk

[treginginco]

I took delivery of my 2013 AR P+ at the end of the August 2012. I'm at 69,2k miles and thought I was rackin' 'em up quickly. Great looking ride.

[integroid]

the tiny red part that's supposed to go inside the "a" didnt fit at all so i just never used it

Where did you order this from?

[AllroadCorbin]

http://cutby.caschy.com/wp/?product=...rear-version-2

This is where I ordered it from

[AllroadCorbin]

Intake should arrive Friday! Sound clips and install pics to come

[Lambda13]

Intake should arrive Friday! Sound clips and install pics to come

Let me know if you want a hand with the install.

[AllroadCorbin]

Let me know if you want a hand with the install.

Thanks. I think I should be ok since I didn't get the ECS one with the carbon cover. This one uses all the same factory mounting locations so I THINK its as simple as popping the new air box in and then attaching the supplied inlet hose. We could always do a Stage 2 B8 vs Stage 2 B8.5 line-up after haha

[Lambda13]

Thanks. I think I should be ok since I didn't get the ECS one with the carbon cover. This one uses all the same factory mounting locations so I THINK its as simple as popping the new air box in and then attaching the supplied inlet hose. We could always do a Stage 2 B8 vs Stage 2 B8.5 line-up after haha

Perhaps, depends on weather. lol

[AllroadCorbin]

Perhaps, depends on weather. lol

saturday's looking decent

[S4BlackCab]

Can you talk about maintenance, reliability, repairs, issues, etc. that you've encountered as you approach 100k?

Thanks

[AllroadCorbin]

Can you talk about maintenance, reliability, repairs, issues, etc. that you've encountered as you approach 100k?

Thanks

yes. Was hoping to make that a big part of this thread;

Here's what has been done/ happened so far. Some small details are missing but heres the bigger stuff

5k- Oil change at dealer (AudiCare)

15k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

25k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

35k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

45k- Dealer Service (AudiCare

47k- Rear differential replaced under warranty. Was making slight whining noise that annoyed me. I complained enough and AOA replaced it. Noise gone.

47.5k- APR Stage 1 tune performed
- At first the tune was terrible. Awful boost surged under load between 2500 and 4500 rpm. APR and tuner could not figure it out for a while. I had to bring the car back probably 7 times to shop to have different files loaded on to test to see if it fixed the issue. None of them did. Boost leak test performed, compression test....everything under the sun. No hardware issues ever found with car.


55k- Dealer service. Flashed to full stock before visiting. No TD1

60k- Left car in APR shop in Walpole, MA. Jamie from APR worked with shop owner for 12 hours doing different logs, trying different files, and testing all sorts of shit. Finally they created a file that seemed to work better

65k- Car begins excessive timing retard. up to -11 on all cylinders. Runs like shit. Runs beautifully on stock software when flashed back. I knew it was pulling timing because of the logs I did with my APR mobile dongle...very worth the $199. Perform oil change, swap plugs to NGK gapped to .028, and coil packs to see if it helps...doesnt. APR reccommends I do carbon cleaning (walnut blast, update PCV, and check intercooler for oil buildup in case PCV was bad

68k- Carbon cleaning performed. Not much carbon build-up at all, PCV updated, and IC checked for oil.... clean as a whistle. Car seemed to pull better but timing issue came right back after some driving.

69k- Test pipe and Stage 2. This seemed to get rid of timing issue for a few thousand miles..

72k- Timing pull is back just as bad. Replaced plugs with Iridium NGK and APR sends me multiple beta files with slightly reduced low end timing advance. Beta files solve timing pull issue... but its clearly just a bandaid on a problem.

75k- Dealer service (i think). Air bag recall performed. I notice at this point that there is increased clunkyness in my driveline despite the 034 tranny insert and apikol diff mount

85k- Oil Change. Starting to notice some hesitation in my acceleration and want to replace my fuel filter. AOA says lifetime part....I call bullshit. People on the forum have replaced theirs before with improved performance. Dealer refused to replace just the filter....only whole fuel pump for $800... no way.

90k- Attempted to replace fuel filter but got the B8 part instead of B8.5 by accident. Swapped NGK Iridium for Bosch Side Fire plugs to see if they help my sometimes rough idle...especially on first start up. The clunkyness of my engine and trans when starting the car has become much worse. letting off the gas and getting back on it creates an uncomfortable thunk.... I've ordered street density motor mounts from 034. Install to come soon.


The car has been great except the APR tune has not. Been issue after issue since day 1. Wish I had tried GIAC I think. The car has gone into limp mode twice. Once at 65k during 0 degree weather up a hill under high load (overboost code)...cleared it and the car was fine. The car did it again at 89k on the highway when I gunned it to get around somebody....the code was for Torque limit exceeded. Cleared it and has been fine ever since.

Audi also claims timing chains are lifetime part, as well as ZF8 tranny fluid. Might do a full timing chain replacement at around 120k because if that thing goes while driving....you might need a new motor. This came at the advice of Speedlife Motorsports in Walpole, MA...a very good VAG shop. I've been advised to leave tranny fluid alone...not only because each quart is bullshit expensive but that putting new fluid in can cause it to slip.

[AllroadCorbin]

If you're curious, this is what the worst of the valves looked like at 68k before the cleaning.... not bad at all. Pays to use Vpower haha

[asfastas63]

I had Speedlife take my APR Stage II and HFC off a few months ago so I could go through the oil consumption thing with a local Audi dealer. Couldn't have been happier with them, we actually talked VW's for a while and it was apparent they really know their stuff. I had been using Marc's Foreign Car but it looks like he went out of business. I'm going to be at 90k myself in a few weeks, already had the timing chain replaced with the oil consumption and just bought the manual transmission fluid to replace in the spring when I do pads and rotors (also waiting in the garage). I'll take a look at doing the fuel filter as well. Who did you have do your tint?

[AllroadCorbin]

I had Speedlife take my APR Stage II and HFC off a few months ago so I could go through the oil consumption thing with a local Audi dealer. Couldn't have been happier with them, we actually talked VW's for a while and it was apparent they really know their stuff. I had been using Marc's Foreign Car but it looks like he went out of business. I'm going to be at 90k myself in a few weeks, already had the timing chain replaced with the oil consumption and just bought the manual transmission fluid to replace in the spring when I do pads and rotors (also waiting in the garage). I'll take a look at doing the fuel filter as well. Who did you have do your tint?

The tint was done by somebody in Richmond, Virginia where I bought the car

[bluefox280]

The car has been great except the APR tune has not.

That's a drag to hear, as my APR software is great on my 2003 Jetta 1.8T.
Being that other A4 / A5 2.0T owners have used APR as well, have you and APR been trying to get to the bottom of the issues you're having?
I am planning to use APR on my 2013 Allroad in the next year or less.

- Erik

[AllroadCorbin]

That's a drag to hear, as my APR software is great on my 2003 Jetta 1.8T.
Being that other A4 / A5 2.0T owners have used APR as well, have you and APR been trying to get to the bottom of the issues you're having?
I am planning to use APR on my 2013 Allroad in the next year or less.

- Erik

They created a beta file that had less aggressive low end timing which got rid of my timing pull issue, but never explained to me why the off the shelf file was pulling timing so badly. I'm probably one of the few people with a mobile dongle who does logs of timing on a regular basis so it's totally possible others are experiencing it without even knowing. I emailed apr a few more times but haven't heard back. They were very responsive in the beginning but have become less so. Jamie from Apr busted his balls to try and make it right but it never quite got there. I guess I'm just curious what the GIAC file would feel like.

A lot of people are very happy with their APR tunes. Perhaps I'm the exception to the rule and for whatever reason my Allroad just never took perfectly too it. But I'd be surprised if I'm the only one who has this timing retard issue on the off the shelf file... Whether they know it or not. Who knows!

[AllroadCorbin]

New ECS intake kit installed Friday! I didn't get the one with the carbon cover because this was $274 instead of $449 I think. Both have basically the exact same performance characteristics. This unit seals against the hood and fitment was surprisingly good. The heat shield is really well made and the difference in temperature on the filter side of the shield was very different after some driving. The sound is absolutely awesome... just what I wanted. It's pretty quiet under gentle driving but once boost comes into play you can really hear the turbo come alive when the windows are down or up. You can also really hear the DV working when you let off the power

Did the install in my driveway in about an hour with my ipad displaying the PDF instructions for the install....please note if you buy this intake, ECS posted the wrong PDF to the thread for it (they put the carbon cover one instead of the non-carbon). I've posted the correct PDF below. I will post a short clip of the sound tomorrow....and yes I know my engine bay is filthy

http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3...nik_Intake.pdf

[lettuce]

You're from Boston too? These things are few and far between around here. I remember I went up to Maine over the summer and saw my first Allroad since buying my A4. He was on 95 and I was excited to finally see one so I gave him the thumbs up and was messing around with him for a little bit. It was totally stock and I realized later it had dealer plates. He looked a little perplexed but returned a smile at least. Then I started seeing them everywhere. I think I saw something like two dozen Allroads. Felt kinda silly getting so excited to see one since they're everywhere up there, he probably thought I was a bozo.

Took this pic of a couple up in Boothbay.



Oh, and nice ride by the way.

[AllroadCorbin]

You're from Boston too? These things are few and far between around here. I remember I went up to Maine over the summer and saw my first Allroad since buying my A4. He was on 95 and I was excited to finally see one so I gave him the thumbs up and was messing around with him for a little bit. It was totally stock and I realized later it had dealer plates. He looked a little perplexed but returned a smile at least. Then I started seeing them everywhere. I think I saw something like two dozen Allroads. Felt kinda silly getting so excited to see one since they're everywhere up there, he probably thought I was a bozo.

Yes I'm from boston too (Davis Sq). I'm part of a boston Audi group chat and I'm pretty sure I've heard about your car before!!.. Also this gets weirder, because my family has houses in Boothbay harbor, I'm there all the time

Took this pic of a couple up in Boothbay.

Oh, and nice ride by the way.

Yes I'm from boston too (Davis Sq). I'm part of a boston Audi group chat and I'm pretty sure I've heard about your car before!!.. Also this gets weirder, because my family has houses in Boothbay harbor, I'm there all the time

[hyperunion]

Exactly about giac.. Why I am going straight for their stg 2 when released... Zf recommends tranny fluid replacement for sure.. That and trans filter replacement,, its designed to be changed...

[AllroadCorbin]

Exactly about giac.. Why I am going straight for their stg 2 when released... Zf recommends tranny fluid replacement for sure.. That and trans filter replacement,, its designed to be changed...

Do you have a link to something where ZF said that? The dealer and all other things I've read said changing the fluid will cause it to slip because the metal particulates and other crap in the fluid actually help the transmission grab as it ages

[hyperunion]

Do you have a link to something where ZF said that? The dealer and all other things I've read said changing the fluid will cause it to slip because the metal particulates and other crap in the fluid actually help the transmission grab as it ages

Zf s site does say it.. And zf themselves... All dealerships are equipped to change out the fluid and filter... We are not dealing with antique truck automatic transmissions, your dealer does not know what he's saying...

It's designed to be changed, simple, why have a filter that gets replaced if it didn't...

[AllroadCorbin]

Zf s site does say it.. And zf themselves... All dealerships are equipped to change out the fluid and filter... We are not dealing with antique truck automatic transmissions, your dealer does not know what he's saying...

It's designed to be changed, simple, why have a filter that gets replaced if it didn't...

Hmm you seem to be right. I checked their site and it says that it could be lifetime but if you drive enthusiastically then no (I fall into that category). I'll have to do some research on the fluid type, cheap places to get it/ if my independent shop would be best for it

[blbroo]

yes. Was hoping to make that a big part of this thread;

Here's what has been done/ happened so far. Some small details are missing but heres the bigger stuff

5k- Oil change at dealer (AudiCare)

15k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

25k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

35k- Dealer Service (AudiCare)

45k- Dealer Service (AudiCare

47k- Rear differential replaced under warranty. Was making slight whining noise that annoyed me. I complained enough and AOA replaced it. Noise gone.

47.5k- APR Stage 1 tune performed
- At first the tune was terrible. Awful boost surged under load between 2500 and 4500 rpm. APR and tuner could not figure it out for a while. I had to bring the car back probably 7 times to shop to have different files loaded on to test to see if it fixed the issue. None of them did. Boost leak test performed, compression test....everything under the sun. No hardware issues ever found with car.


55k- Dealer service. Flashed to full stock before visiting. No TD1

60k- Left car in APR shop in Walpole, MA. Jamie from APR worked with shop owner for 12 hours doing different logs, trying different files, and testing all sorts of shit. Finally they created a file that seemed to work better

65k- Car begins excessive timing retard. up to -11 on all cylinders. Runs like shit. Runs beautifully on stock software when flashed back. I knew it was pulling timing because of the logs I did with my APR mobile dongle...very worth the $199. Perform oil change, swap plugs to NGK gapped to .028, and coil packs to see if it helps...doesnt. APR reccommends I do carbon cleaning (walnut blast, update PCV, and check intercooler for oil buildup in case PCV was bad

68k- Carbon cleaning performed. Not much carbon build-up at all, PCV updated, and IC checked for oil.... clean as a whistle. Car seemed to pull better but timing issue came right back after some driving.

69k- Test pipe and Stage 2. This seemed to get rid of timing issue for a few thousand miles..

72k- Timing pull is back just as bad. Replaced plugs with Iridium NGK and APR sends me multiple beta files with slightly reduced low end timing advance. Beta files solve timing pull issue... but its clearly just a bandaid on a problem.

75k- Dealer service (i think). Air bag recall performed. I notice at this point that there is increased clunkyness in my driveline despite the 034 tranny insert and apikol diff mount

85k- Oil Change. Starting to notice some hesitation in my acceleration and want to replace my fuel filter. AOA says lifetime part....I call bullshit. People on the forum have replaced theirs before with improved performance. Dealer refused to replace just the filter....only whole fuel pump for $800... no way.

90k- Attempted to replace fuel filter but got the B8 part instead of B8.5 by accident. Swapped NGK Iridium for Bosch Side Fire plugs to see if they help my sometimes rough idle...especially on first start up. The clunkyness of my engine and trans when starting the car has become much worse. letting off the gas and getting back on it creates an uncomfortable thunk.... I've ordered street density motor mounts from 034. Install to come soon.


The car has been great except the APR tune has not. Been issue after issue since day 1. Wish I had tried GIAC I think. The car has gone into limp mode twice. Once at 65k during 0 degree weather up a hill under high load (overboost code)...cleared it and the car was fine. The car did it again at 89k on the highway when I gunned it to get around somebody....the code was for Torque limit exceeded. Cleared it and has been fine ever since.

Audi also claims timing chains are lifetime part, as well as ZF8 tranny fluid. Might do a full timing chain replacement at around 120k because if that thing goes while driving....you might need a new motor. This came at the advice of Speedlife Motorsports in Walpole, MA...a very good VAG shop. I've been advised to leave tranny fluid alone...not only because each quart is bullshit expensive but that putting new fluid in can cause it to slip.

GIAC stage 2 is fairly cheap, during a sale. I think it can be under $500. Who knows, maybe they'd work a deal for you if you call and say you are interested in switching from APR. Would be cool to hear impressions of multiple tunes on the same car.

I never get hesitation, even running a 100+ octane tune on water / meth. But then, Shaunm82 started doing the same thing on his APR 100 tune with W/M this weekend, and he doesn't have hesitation either, after it adapted.

[AllroadCorbin]

Yea I'd be curious too. I have the mobile dongle and can switch maps with my phone with the par app which is amazing so I'd hate to lose that but whatever

[blbroo]

Yea I'd be curious too. I have the mobile dongle and can switch maps with my phone with the par app which is amazing so I'd hate to lose that but whatever

I think GIAC has an app too, but only Android right now. I have the GIAC flashloader cable. Plugs into the ODB2 and I can change programs on the fly, without using my phone.



GIAC has PC software for switching, but only works with older cars.

[AllroadCorbin]

Ordered a GFB DV+ after some encouragement from fellow enthusiasts and reading some great reviews. It should help improve boost response and boost holding between high load shifts. Arrives tomorrow! Install pics to come

[hyperunion]

I think GIAC has an app too, but only Android right now. I have the GIAC flashloader cable. Plugs into the ODB2 and I can change programs on the fly, without using my phone.



GIAC has PC software for switching, but only works with older cars.

They have an android app??? Awesome... .. I still have that cable from my old b6....

[blbroo]

They have an android app??? Awesome... .. I still have that cable from my old b6....

http://www.giacusa.com/news_and_medi...ews.php?id=140

[AllroadCorbin]

New 034 Street Density (50) motor mounts arrived... didnt realize they are such a large part. Dunno why but I thought these were small! These should be installed in the next week or two with some help from some friends!

[AllroadCorbin]

Last night a fellow Audi enthusiast and I drove up to my parents house in NH to use their well lit and warm garage to do some installs, ECS intake for him and a GFB DV+ for me! My initial impression is that the power band is slightly smoother and that boost recovery is slightly faster between shifts. I also have the ECS intake and noticed no change in sound (a good thing). He basically installed the DV+ for me since he had done it twice already...once on his and once on Andrewmoore's stage 2 B8. Really appreciated the help!

Nico seemed to also really like the sound of his new ECS intake. Fitment seemed to be totally fine like it was with mine. I could really hear his turbo spool up and a satisfying "whooosh" when he let off the gas during some pulls on our way home. For $274 this is a really satisfying intake that lacks K&N's awful squeal

[AllroadCorbin]

Currently doing research on adjustable coilovers and wheels for spring. Thinking an ST coilover and perhaps some 19x9.5 Niche Verona or AG M590. Any thoughts/ recommendations? Keep in mind the coilovers are really only needed for reducing wheel gap. I only go fast in straight lines and never track it. I want to retain an as close to stock ride feel as possible because I spend 30-35k a year on the interstates... so reliability and comfort are top priority...and the ability to raise it back up for winter