New B5 S4 owner checking in..

**Euromike** · 07-04-2016 08:12 AM

Well after wanting one for about 10 years now, i finally found myself a B5 S4 in a 6 speed, the color i wanted, stock (ish), and for a reasonable price! I come from the land of B5 A4's, i owned 2 2.8 Quattro's back in high school, and sold them both 4 years ago (both for more than i paid for this s4, lol!) when i needed a down payment for a house. Growing up sucks. Ever since then, i tried to talk myself into a newer, more reliable A4 (b6/b7) for my re entrance into Audi ownership, but the B5 S4 just kept calling my name.. So this popped up on craigslist the other day, and after a few trips to Cleveland, i brought it home!

Paint is about 8.5/10, a few chips, but no rust, and thats mostly what i was looking for. Had to be laser red, because my old car was and i loved it. Interior is black leather with the silver alcantera, the alcantera sucks but i havent tried cleaning and fabric shaving it yet. It threw 2 codes, 1 for Cyl4 misfire and 1 for 02 sensor bank 2 sensor 2 no activity. I put new BK7RE's all around and replaced the cyl 4 coilpack, and the misfire code went away, but i still need an 02 sensor. which one is B2 S2?

Coolant was yellow and weak looking, so i flushed it out a few times and swapped in some fresh G12. I also found out that my heater core is leaking, awesome!, looks like theres a dash pull in my future. Bypassed for now.. Timing belt kit and valve cover gaskets were done 5k miles ago (i have receipts to prove) but the valve cover gasket on the right side is leaking again. It seeps onto the turbos and burns off when the car gets warm.. Why would these be leaking again, bad install / gasket, possible bad PCV / head pressure making them fail? getting tired of smelling burning oil so much while driving this car.

Also see oil slowly dripping where clutch and engine meet. maybe rear main seal? Only other issue i can think of is the shocks are pretty shot, super bouncy, absorb nothing. Need some coilovers!! What brand do you guys recommend?

This car is stock other than straight pipe from cats back. I am undecided on this exhaust. It sounds like shit at low rpm, but sounds pretty mean at WOT, and surprisingly no drone on the highway. Yes, this also has stock turbos and clutch to my knowledge at 166K miles, but they sound and pull well. I am going to try my best to resist the urge of going stage 2 to save my old and tired turbos, but i know this wont last long. It is sure as shit faster than my A4's were, but my girlfriends stock MK6 GTI would definitely smoke it stock for stock. This needs to change soon, for my masculinity, lol! . It also doesnt help that she plans to go stage 1 at H20i this year, and then her car will wipe the floor with mine.. She has already been told to enjoy it while it lasts.

Anyways, Hi to everyone, ill be around asking questions and throwing money at my old S4 like everyone else. Loving it so far though. Always wanted one of these things. Plans are to drive it until the turbos or clutch go, then go for a modest, reliable Stage 3- build. But i hope its a few more years before i am forced to deal with that. Maybe these parts will get a little cheaper by then!

**Bordom** · 07-04-2016 09:18 AM

Welcome, and nice looking Laser!

B2 S2 is passenger side after cats.

Valve cover gaskets are also notorious for the 2.8 and these cars.

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**MattaudiS4** · 07-04-2016 01:35 PM

Good looking car and welcome man!:) Enjoy the B5 S4 life!

**vavJETTAw36** · 07-04-2016 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Bordom

Welcome, and nice looking Laser!

B2 S2 is passenger side after cats.

Valve cover gaskets are also notorious for the 2.8 and these cars.

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B1 is cylinder 1 or passenger side. B2 is driverside.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**reverse.rake** · 07-04-2016 07:04 PM

welcome to the world of b5 s4, i hope you like to do your own wrenching! ps, check the cam seals mine were leaking once upon a time onto the manifolds and smelled like burning oil (surprise)

**Euromike** · 07-04-2016 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by reverse.rake

welcome to the world of b5 s4, i hope you like to do your own wrenching! ps, check the cam seals mine were leaking once upon a time onto the manifolds and smelled like burning oil (surprise)

Thanks! Cam seal plugs seem to be brand new and not leaking. I think most of my burning oil smell is from valve cover gaskets. I can reach down and feel the oil dripping off the right side valve cover onto the turbo. And the gaskets were just replaced! must have got pinched or something.

Maybe the oxy sensor has something to do with my exhaust. Stage 2 codes these sensors out, right?

**88ninety9** · 07-04-2016 08:47 PM

Depends on the tune. As reverse rake said, doing your own work with a b5 is essential! Welcome to the community!

**Euromike** · 07-04-2016 09:11 PM

Yeah, i plan on doing all my own work. I cant say i have a ton of practice working on cars other than brakes, bearings, the occasional CV boot.. but im sure i will be forced to learn with this car. I have the garage space, and its not my daily, so bring on the motor pulls! just hopefully not yet.. I have been looking around, and thankfully there are loads of DIY's and youtube videos to help for damn near any task with these cars.. thank you internet.

First task is going to be a nice set of coilovers, the shocks on this car are horrible.. bounces worse than my mom's sebring. The heater core can wait, honestly i dont plan on it leaving the garage november thru april anyways.

**reverse.rake** · 07-04-2016 09:36 PM

for the suspension if i can make a suggestion, i would go with some vogtland coilovers or ST coilovers, i wouldn't go any cheaper than those, just ask me why lol. I have a APR tune that codes out the secondary o2s so i can run catless, they basically do nothing if im not mistaken except give a annoying CEL when you run test pipes. When you find the time to read/search the forums here you will learn a lot of useful information on just about everything to do with repairing these cars, they can be a bit demanding and temperamental at times but when done correctly they are awesome to own... sometimes

**Euromike** · 07-04-2016 11:08 PM

Thanks guys!

i have been reading up on coils. Its between ST ($850) and SoloWerks ($500)

actually havent read one bad review on the solowerks, but still researching.

**Bordom** · 07-05-2016 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Euromike

Thanks guys!

i have been reading up on coils. Its between ST ($850) and SoloWerks ($500)

actually havent read one bad review on the solowerks, but still researching.

I run the Solowerks. Better quality than ST, and OEM+ comfort when broken in completely. Until they are broken in, they are quite harsh

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**Euromike** · 07-05-2016 09:39 AM

Good to hear. Going to H20i this year, cant make waterfest. I remember they were at waterfest last year, i even got a free shirt lol. i wonder if they have sale pricing there. i can bounce around for another 3 months on shot shocks if it saves me some cash!

**jpurre** · 07-05-2016 11:31 AM

Welcome, nice looking laser. The BKR7E's are one step too cold for a stock tune, but that might not hurt anything (stock is a "6" series for NGK). Get the O2's sorted, slap on some coil overs and enjoy.

**Euromike** · 07-05-2016 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by jpurre

Welcome, nice looking laser. The BKR7E's are one step too cold for a stock tune, but that might not hurt anything (stock is a "6" series for NGK). Get the O2's sorted, slap on some coil overs and enjoy.

Well damn, i guess ill just have to go stage 2 instead of buying new spark plugs.

**christianb5s4** · 07-05-2016 03:15 PM

If you have the patience, wait for a better set of coilovers to come up for sale on the forums or get the Vogtland GT3 coilovers. They are widely regarded as the best "budget" coilovers you can get, I personally waited still a new set of H&R premiums came up for sale here and got those for a great price.

**Euromike** · 07-05-2016 08:09 PM

Alright, stage 2 questions.

Doing a quick search, i see stage 2 described as tune / "catback" .. So downpipes aren't required? My car is straight piped from the cats back, is this sufficient?

Also, what stage 2 tunes do you guys recommend? Im usually an APR fanboy, but i have a hard time justifying $599 for a temporary tune until the turbos go..

Also, direct port or require ecu modifications?

**Bordom** · 07-05-2016 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Euromike

Alright, stage 2 questions.

Doing a quick search, i see stage 2 described as tune / "catback" .. So downpipes aren't required? My car is straight piped from the cats back, is this sufficient?

Also, what stage 2 tunes do you guys recommend? Im usually an APR fanboy, but i have a hard time justifying $599 for a temporary tune until the turbos go..

Also, direct port or require ecu modifications?

It used to be that: stage 1 + full exhaust (and some other mods) qualified you as stage 2.

Don't bother with the stage 2 tune, grab a stage 1 off a seller here and then run that until your turbos pop

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**j-dells** · 07-06-2016 07:21 AM

Be careful with the turbos at 166k just last week my origional ko3s blew at 159k! But going ko4 epl stage three! She will be done this week!

**Euromike** · 07-06-2016 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by j-dells

Be careful with the turbos at 166k just last week my origional ko3s blew at 159k! But going ko4 epl stage three! She will be done this week!

Dont get me wrong, i hope they last another 5 years, but im almost excited for them to go. This isnt my DD, and there are so many oil leaks and little things that bother me, i cant wait to get this engine on the stand and address it all. And of corse, some new turbos and a clutch!

But seriously though, i do hope they last. Haha! But bring on the stage 1. Hoping to find someone selling one. The classifieds are pretty sad right now, not too many parts lately.

**Euromike** · 07-13-2016 11:52 AM

Alright, i have another question for you guys

This car came with 1 key and remote, and the remote didnt work, circuit board was all marred up from someone sticking a screwdriver in too far trying to get the fob apart..

Anyways, i had a spare remote left over from my '99 A4. I swapped the physical key into this remote, and then read the DIY's and realised i still need 2 keys to program..

Ordered another key blank and remote off ebay. Took it to a locksmith and got the blank cut for $16 bucks.
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Flip-Rem...JXDK-V&vxp=mtr)

Tried the DIY for programming, nothing.
(http://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc13.shtml)

Neither remote will program. No light flashes, no horn beeps. Whats going on? Turning the key by hand in the door works the central locking pump as it should, all doors unlock.. Is my pump still bad, is my remote wrong, or am i just stupid?

**Timtheguru** · 07-13-2016 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Euromike

Alright, i have another question for you guys

This car came with 1 key and remote, and the remote didnt work, circuit board was all marred up from someone sticking a screwdriver in too far trying to get the fob apart..

Anyways, i had a spare remote left over from my '99 A4. I swapped the physical key into this remote, and then read the DIY's and realised i still need 2 keys to program..

Ordered another key blank and remote off ebay. Took it to a locksmith and got the blank cut for $16 bucks.
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Flip-Rem...JXDK-V&vxp=mtr)

Tried the DIY for programming, nothing.
(http://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc13.shtml)

Neither remote will program. No light flashes, no horn beeps. Whats going on? Turning the key by hand in the door works the central locking pump as it should, all doors unlock.. Is my pump still bad, is my remote wrong, or am i just stupid?

Try to do it again.. it can take a couple tries. If your pump were bad then the button on the driver door wouldn't work. I have read somewhere that the lock system stores a certain number of key fobs (5??), and once it is full it won't allow additional remotes to be programmed. There is a way with vagcom to clear it I guess.. just not sure how.

Also, the FCC ID on the keyfob should match the original B5S4 key, if it doesn't you may have mixed results.

**Euromike** · 07-13-2016 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Timtheguru

Try to do it again.. it can take a couple tries. If your pump were bad then the button on the driver door wouldn't work. I have read somewhere that the lock system stores a certain number of key fobs (5??), and once it is full it won't allow additional remotes to be programmed. There is a way with vagcom to clear it I guess.. just not sure how.

Also, the FCC ID on the keyfob should match the original B5S4 key, if it doesn't you may have mixed results.

im not sure what the original FCC ID was, the P/O superglued the key togeather and i literally had to take a grinder to it to get the physical key out to swap to a 'working' remote.

I have tried a few times now, no luck. Scratching my head.

**Timtheguru** · 07-13-2016 12:56 PM

Next step is to check the stored key list: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/car...-matching.html

**zatch_303** · 07-13-2016 01:51 PM

congrats on the new car! rare color combo and it looks to be in great cosmetic shape! hope you enjoy!

**Euromike** · 07-13-2016 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Timtheguru

Next step is to check the stored key list: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/car...-matching.html

Will try this in the morning, thank you so much for linking this!

Originally Posted by zatch_303

congrats on the new car! rare color combo and it looks to be in great cosmetic shape! hope you enjoy!

Thanks man! I was definitely after laser red car, didnt really care about the interior color, though. Is it rare? Would have preferred black leather! white alcantara is proving pretty hard to clean!

**zatch_303** · 07-14-2016 01:26 PM

Yeah I know that sport package cars are more rare than non-sport package for basically every color. I also know that laser red is more rare than Silver, Black, Santorin, Nogaro, and Imola :) I can agree on the white alcantara as I too have that in my pearl sedan. I invested in a little steam cleaner from amazon for like $100. Super happy with how well it took a coffee stain out of the seats. I like the look of the alcantara more, and on a hot day I am glad that my back/bum cheeks don't melt like they would with black leather.

**Bordom** · 07-14-2016 02:02 PM

Except that with Alcantara, it gets much hotter

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**avant1987** · 07-14-2016 02:09 PM

Welcome to the b5 club! My buddy has a stage 2 b5s4 with 225K on it and it still has the stock turbos, have fun with it!

**Euromike** · 07-14-2016 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by avant1987

Welcome to the b5 club! My buddy has a stage 2 b5s4 with 225K on it and it still has the stock turbos, have fun with it!

This is very good to hear. Now if i can just find a stage 2 ECU for sale! Im ready!

Originally Posted by zatch_303

Yeah I know that sport package cars are more rare than non-sport package for basically every color. I also know that laser red is more rare than Silver, Black, Santorin, Nogaro, and Imola :) I can agree on the white alcantara as I too have that in my pearl sedan. I invested in a little steam cleaner from amazon for like $100. Super happy with how well it took a coffee stain out of the seats. I like the look of the alcantara more, and on a hot day I am glad that my back/bum cheeks don't melt like they would with black leather.

Wow, laser more rare than imola and nogaro? Wouldn't have guessed that!!

Anyways, new day, new issue with the S4!
My Cylinder 4 misfire has returned. The car doesn't have any noticeable misfires, maybe a little miss at cold start, but according to the ECU its misfiring! I have swapped plugs and coil packs from other cylinders and it is still cyl 4 throwing the code. Should i be worried?? What else could it be?

Also, a shiny new OEM S4 Badge showed up in the mail today to replace my corroded trunk badge! only like 15 bucks on eBay. Getting it straight will be fun.

EDIT:: quick search says try swapping ICM's on the misfire. Agreed?

**reverse.rake** · 07-14-2016 09:57 PM

yes try swapping the ICMs and see if the misfire switches cylinder bank, so if you are misfiring on 4,5,6 it should switch to 1,2,3 if the icm is really the problem. pfr6q NGK gapped at .028 should work best for you.

**Euromike** · 07-14-2016 10:10 PM

Another irritating thing i learned today. I bought a full fledged, registered, 200 dollar VCDS cable for our GTI. I needed it to do the DSG transmission fluid flush (you need to monitor the temperature and drain it at a specific temp)

It won't work on the S4.. looked it up, Micro Can not compatible. Awesome.

Okay, i had a eBay cable left from the A4's. plugged that in, pissed with drivers for a better part of an hour, then read that it won't work with VCDS, only VCDS Lite.

Download VCDS lite, can't access central locks in vcds lite. Sweet!

So i guess I'm going to have to buy the better cable, or find the hacked version of VCDS even though i technically have a license.

**reverse.rake** · 07-14-2016 10:21 PM

i use the ebay cable with registered VCDS no problems, i think it depends on the model of cable. i have the blue one that says 409.1 vag kkl btw.

**Euromike** · 07-14-2016 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by reverse.rake

yes try swapping the ICMs and see if the misfire switches cylinder bank, so if you are misfiring on 4,5,6 it should switch to 1,2,3 if the icm is really the problem. pfr6q NGK gapped at .028 should work best for you.

Will do. I actually used BKr7E's, i was told they are too cold for stock but i plan on going stage 2 as soon as i find a box, so not worth swapping them out.

**Euromike** · 07-14-2016 11:57 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Audi-B5...RWgsCE&vxp=mtr

Sketchy stage 2 boxes are sketchy..

anyone have experience with these ebay boxes?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-s4-b5-M...xXVOxy&vxp=mtr

Theres an MTM box, but a little pricy..

**Bordom** · 07-15-2016 01:17 AM

There's an MTM stage 2 local to me for $250

Link http://www.kijiji.ca/v-engines-and-e...nt=app_android

I'll pick it up for ya, but it's a bit of a drive. Lemme know and I'll contact the seller for you

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**MyXbfS4** · 07-15-2016 02:43 AM

Thats a mighty nice looking Laser. Its obviously the best color and the fastest...if you dont include mine which can sometimes act like its silver...so slow

jk

**goalieman24** · 07-15-2016 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Euromike

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Audi-B5...RWgsCE&vxp=mtr

Sketchy stage 2 boxes are sketchy..

anyone have experience with these ebay boxes?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-s4-b5-M...xXVOxy&vxp=mtr

Theres an MTM box, but a little pricy..

There are certain things worth shopping for on eBay... but IMO, tunes are a little risky.
I've seen that seller from the first link before. It's a little strange that he has nearly every ECU model, and each description says that it came out of "his" car. Likely just a guy who got a tune from somewhere and just keeps flashing it to make a quick buck.
I'd stay away. Much better options pop up on here.

**TheDarkness** · 07-15-2016 02:27 PM

nice pickup on a clean lookin' Laser. Have fun with it, don't take any lip from her

**Euromike** · 07-15-2016 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bordom

There's an MTM stage 2 local to me for $250

Link http://www.kijiji.ca/v-engines-and-e...nt=app_android

I'll pick it up for ya, but it's a bit of a drive. Lemme know and I'll contact the seller for you

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Correct me if im wrong, but that box wont work with my car (my car is a 2001.5 i believe, new style badges, cluster, ect.) Dont i need an 'M' box?

Originally Posted by MybfS4

Thats a mighty nice looking Laser. Its obviously the best color and the fastest...if you dont include mine which can sometimes act like its silver...so slow

jk

Thanks! It does feel slow compared to my girls stock MK6 GTI, but fast compared to my old 2.8 B5 A4's! Love that 3500-5000 rpm sound! (especially with the straight pipe from cats back!) It try not to rev it much higher than 6k!

Originally Posted by goalieman24

There are certain things worth shopping for on eBay... but IMO, tunes are a little risky.
I've seen that seller from the first link before. It's a little strange that he has nearly every ECU model, and each description says that it came out of "his" car. Likely just a guy who got a tune from somewhere and just keeps flashing it to make a quick buck.
I'd stay away. Much better options pop up on here.

Agreed, i dont feel too good about it. Will be waiting and keeping an eye out on here. Should probably spend my money on chasing that misfire and oil leaks anyways.. and to replace that exhaust. The more i drive it, the more i realize its a little much. sounds super shitty at low rpm.

Originally Posted by TheDarkness

nice pickup on a clean lookin' Laser. Have fun with it, don't take any lip from her

Lol! Thanks. I will try to keep her in line.