Advice Please...

[TorchR_Z06]

Good afternoon everyone. I recently purchased a 2002 B6 A4 1.8T CVT <--- I know... Anywho, the car has 117K miles on it, and I was wondering what specific areas I should look at/ replace as a preventative measure. I do have a receipt for the timing belt replacement that was done 7K miles ago, but other than that, the maintenance history is unknown to me. Any advice would be great Thanks!!

TL;DR

2002 B6 A4 1.8T CVT, 117K miles, timing belt was replaced 7K miles ago. What else should I look at? Thanks!

[MurkyRivers_A4]

A spare tranny...

[customa4]

This^^

[MurkyRivers_A4]

but, in reality, check all your vacuum lines and check valves, check your entire PCV system as the OEM is prone to cracking, check your DV, and of course your regular maintenance. The SJP can be a nightmare and its always good to have a spare.

Boost leak testing is always a good thing to do as well as having a boost gauge.

VAGCOM is also good but depends on how long you plan on keeping your car to determine if its a worth while investment.

[Audibot]

After 100k, you definitely need to check all your control arms, bushings, and mounts. The rubber typically has become brittle by then and tears. So getting a whole replacement kit is recommended. You could probably go with stiffer engine and trans mounts too (something like 034 or ECS or something)

[TorchR_Z06]

I've already looked at rebuilding the tranny, or swapping it entirely. Going to check all of the vacuum lines, check valves, and all boost related stuff this evening when it's not a million degrees outside. VAGCOM is definitely up there on my as I plan on making it a little (lot) faster. Already ordered control arms because the squeaking is driving me insane. B5 S4 brakes are going on this weekend. Also ordered new engine and trans mounts as well. What am I missing?

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[Audibot]

Any reason for the B5 S4 brakes over B6/B7 S4?

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Perhaps cheaper?

If you are honestly looking to make a lot more power, the first focus should be to get rid of thr CVT other wise you will be stranded.

[TorchR_Z06]

Any reason for the B5 S4 brakes over B6/B7 S4?

Cost vs. Performance

[TorchR_Z06]

Perhaps cheaper?

If you are honestly looking to make a lot more power, the first focus should be to get rid of thr CVT other wise you will be stranded.

Looking into a 6 speed swap. Maybe I'll just see how far I can push the CVT...

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[MurkyRivers_A4]

Looking into a 6 speed swap. Maybe I'll just see how far I can push the CVT...

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Your choice. Youre asking for advice and its given to you. What you do with it after that point is up to you.

[TorchR_Z06]

Your choice. Youre asking for advice and its given to you. What you do with it after that point is up to you.

Sorry if I came off as rude. That wasn't my intention. I know the CVT is a much less desirable option compared to the MTs. Not my first choice, but I stole the car at 2Gs.

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[MurkyRivers_A4]

You didnt. Youve just been asvised what is best. Yes the CVT is an awful awful little thing when you over work it. Im sure it will last at stock power when driven by an 80 year old lady once a week to get cat food for the 64 cats she has, not including the 16 dead ones under the furniture. Start to get on it with more power and your just toying with fate cause it will surely happen.

Nothing wrong with getting a great deal but use the rest of the money you saved to get all things needed for a 5 speed swap, unless of course you have intentions of an AWD swap as I dont believe there is a FWD 6 speed manual option.

[TorchR_Z06]

You didnt. Youve just been asvised what is best. Yes the CVT is an awful awful little thing when you over work it. Im sure it will last at stock power when driven by an 80 year old lady once a week to get cat food for the 64 cats she has, not including the 16 dead ones under the furniture. Start to get on it with more power and your just toying with fate cause it will surely happen.

Nothing wrong with getting a great deal but use the rest of the money you saved to get all things needed for a 5 speed swap, unless of course you have intentions of an AWD swap as I dont believe there is a FWD 6 speed manual option.

Considering the complete AND swap. It'll depend on the cost obviously.

Also, my passenger seat is stuck. Anyone have any ideas?

I appreciate the feedback everyone.

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[texasboy21]

Clean up the CVT car and sell it. Use the 2k + profits to buy an AWD manual.

The instant torque spike of chipped K03s adds a lot of stress on the glass transmission.

[diagnosticator]

The primary killer of the CVT is lack of timely fluid and filter changes. The specified change interval is every 40K miles. Get this done ASAP.

[TorchR_Z06]

The primary killer of the CVT is lack of timely fluid and filter changes. The specified change interval is every 40K miles. Get this done ASAP.

That's a good heads up! Not knowing the maintenance history, I planned on putting new fluids in EVERYTHING.

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[rocket1420]

I've already looked at rebuilding the tranny, or swapping it entirely. Going to check all of the vacuum lines, check valves, and all boost related stuff this evening when it's not a million degrees outside. VAGCOM is definitely up there on my as I plan on making it a little (lot) faster. Already ordered control arms because the squeaking is driving me insane. B5 S4 brakes are going on this weekend. Also ordered new engine and trans mounts as well. What am I missing?

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Snub mount. PCV valve. Coolant flange. Cam adjuster seal. Valve cover gasket. Cabin air filter. Tires?

[imnuts]

My advice would be to take care of the basic maintenance items, clean it up real good, and then sell it and get as much as you can for it and find something else. Or, start getting all the parts you need for a quattro and/or manual swap. The CVTs, at least from users that have posted here, tend to crap out in the 100-120k mile range for reference.

[customa4]

This^^ CVT is made of GLASS. My CVT died at 104k miles and had stock tune its entire life. Never ran anything over stock boost levels.