New owner questions

[Cobra351]

So I've just purchased a '06 A4 Quattro with 130k, coming from the previous gen(e46) BMW. So far, I'm loving it. Anyhow, the car needs a few things. Timing belt component kit, shocks\struts all around, and front upper control arms(don't know if the bottom ones are good or not). My questions are:

1) what site do you guys recommend to get OEM\OES parts for these cars, besides ECS tuning and FCP Euro?

2) is it okay to buy any of these front complete upper and lower control arm kits?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Audi-parts/A...54&m=20&page=1

3) what timing belt component kit(and from what site?) is the best? I know i'll definitely be getting a water pump with a metal impeller only. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Copen-cisco]

Europaparts since you are local to them.

They have a great TB kit. FCPeuro is a good option.

[vce1232000]

If your order from Europaparts you will likely get it next day or even same day

[seandon_792]

German auto parts offers decently priced OEM stuff.

[vce1232000]

German auto parts offers decently priced OEM stuff.

I use them for my MK1 GTI parts. They also ship . I usually get stuff from them next day Since they are located in up state NY

[Luis_Heineken]

rockauto.com

[OliNix]

Meyle HD kits are good for control arms, I wouldn't buy cheap ones (febi, blistein) you will just be doing them again in 10k miles!


Cheers,
Oli

[trj]

Just letting you know since you came from E46, DIY on B7 are much more involved than in E46. I own(ed) E46 and B7 together and E46 was much easier to work on. E90/E92 is same too.
But timing belt DIY is so much more easier than in other cars, I think I went with europaparts kit last year on my 05.5 B7.

[Cobra351]

Thanks for info gents.

Meyle HD kits are good for control arms, I wouldn't buy cheap ones (febi, blistein) you will just be doing them again in 10k miles!


Cheers,
Oli

I thought Bilstein and Febi were decent since they're German, but ah well. I bought the Meyle HD's, and they're going for a great price on FCP Euro in case anyone is wondering- $336 for the entire front; upper & lower, and tie rod ends.

Is this Bilstein shock absorber kit OEM\OEM ride quality?

Just letting you know since you came from E46, DIY on B7 are much more involved than in E46. I own(ed) E46 and B7 together and E46 was much easier to work on. E90/E92 is same too.
But timing belt DIY is so much more easier than in other cars, I think I went with europaparts kit last year on my 05.5 B7.

Thanks for the info. Luckily I have 2 friends, 1 of which is an Audi\VW master tech. I gathered as much about working on it, it's a completely different design. I'm looking forward to no cooling problems(plastic expansion tank cracking, sh!tty clutch fan, sub-frame crack worries) like with my experience on my e46. My only worry is that I've got the diesel-like tapping sound coming from the engine, when warm and under 2000 RPM. I'll be replacing the cam follower along with the hpfp o-ring and mounting bolts and PCV valve. I just hope that quiets it down, and that there's no issues with the timing chain\tensioner.

The car also once in awhile throws a P0442 code(evap emission system leak detected- small leak). I erase it and it'll go away for some time, then come back after a few days. I'll be replacing the gas cap first also. Any idea what it could be? Thanks again everyone.

[papadelogan]

Thanks for info gents.



I thought Bilstein and Febi were decent since they're German, but ah well. I bought the Meyle HD's, and they're going for a great price on FCP Euro in case anyone is wondering- $336 for the entire front; upper & lower, and tie rod ends.

Is this Bilstein shock absorber kit OEM\OEM ride quality?



Thanks for the info. Luckily I have 2 friends, 1 of which is an Audi\VW master tech. I gathered as much about working on it, it's a completely different design. I'm looking forward to no cooling problems(plastic expansion tank cracking, sh!tty clutch fan, sub-frame crack worries) like with my experience on my e46. My only worry is that I've got the diesel-like tapping sound coming from the engine, when warm and under 2000 RPM. I'll be replacing the cam follower along with the hpfp o-ring and mounting bolts and PCV valve. I just hope that quiets it down, and that there's no issues with the timing chain\tensioner.

The car also once in awhile throws a P0442 code(evap emission system leak detected- small leak). I erase it and it'll go away for some time, then come back after a few days. I'll be replacing the gas cap first also. Any idea what it could be? Thanks again everyone.

I had that code on my B7 sedan and for me it turned out to be the charcoal canister down under the rear of the car. I also had the symptom of not being able to put more than a few gallons in the tank without the nozzle clicking off. Thanks for the heads-up on the FCP kit. I used their products on the sedan but now the Yeti is looking to need that attention as well...

[RakkCity]

I had that code on my B7 sedan and for me it turned out to be the charcoal canister down under the rear of the car. I also had the symptom of not being able to put more than a few gallons in the tank without the nozzle clicking off. Thanks for the heads-up on the FCP kit. I used their products on the sedan but now the Yeti is looking to need that attention as well...

I don’t have a code but also have the problem of gas pumps clicking off. Real pain to fill her up because I have to hold the pump at halfway and even then depending on the pump design it’ll still click off. You’re saying the charcoal canister fixed this problem? How the heck does that affect the pump auto shut off?


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[vce1232000]

I don’t have a code but also have the problem of gas pumps clicking off. Real pain to fill her up because I have to hold the pump at halfway and even then depending on the pump design it’ll still click off. You’re saying the charcoal canister fixed this problem? How the heck does that affect the pump auto shut off?

The charcoal canister acts as a vent and has a adverse affect on the internal psi within the tank when up

[RakkCity]

Good to know, how much for a new canister and is it an easy swap?


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[vce1232000]

Good to know, how much for a new canister and is it an easy swap?

Couldnt tell yaa. I never had to it on the A4. I replace it on my MK1 GTI. I could tell you the price on that 1 if you like....lol

[RakkCity]

Couldnt tell yaa. I never had to it on the A4. I replace it on my MK1 GTI. I could tell you the price on that 1 if you like....lol

Ah oops, thought you were the one I’d replied to. Found a DIY here http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-Gas-Problem

Looks like the part is about $170 from ECS but theres a few car part outs going on right now


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[vce1232000]

Looks like the part is about $170 from ECS but theres a few car part outs going on right now

aluthman has a out going as we type. Pm him. Pretty sure he'll sell it reasonable $$$$

[papadelogan]

I found a used one from a wrecked car with 40k miles. Don't remember the cost, but the swap was easy.

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[Cobra351]

I had that code on my B7 sedan and for me it turned out to be the charcoal canister down under the rear of the car. I also had the symptom of not being able to put more than a few gallons in the tank without the nozzle clicking off. Thanks for the heads-up on the FCP kit. I used their products on the sedan but now the Yeti is looking to need that attention as well...

Thanks for the info, I just had the filling up gas issue just a few days before you mentioned it. I thought maybe it was the gas stations pump. Fuel clicked off, and I thought my tank was full, when in actuality it was only 3\4 full.

Have any of you had timing chain\tensioner problems? I'm hoping that the loud "diesel like" sound coming from the engine is only the cam follower, and not chain rattle. Only time you can hear it is when car is reaching operating temperature, and above 2000 RPMs.

[papadelogan]

I did not have timing chain/tensioner issues but then... my timing belt broke on me @ 140k miles so I replaced all that when I fixed that issue. People claim this "diesel like" sounding issue but I don't hear it, probably because I have a real diesel, a 1999 F250... so for me, my 2.0T is super quiet.

[danbfree]

I thought Bilstein and Febi were decent since they're German, but ah well. I bought the Meyle HD's, and they're going for a great price on FCP Euro in case anyone is wondering- $336 for the entire front; upper & lower, and tie rod ends.

Is this Bilstein shock absorber kit OEM\OEM ride quality?



Thanks for the info. Luckily I have 2 friends, 1 of which is an Audi\VW master tech. I gathered as much about working on it, it's a completely different design. I'm looking forward to no cooling problems(plastic expansion tank cracking, sh!tty clutch fan, sub-frame crack worries) like with my experience on my e46. My only worry is that I've got the diesel-like tapping sound coming from the engine, when warm and under 2000 RPM. I'll be replacing the cam follower along with the hpfp o-ring and mounting bolts and PCV valve. I just hope that quiets it down, and that there's no issues with the timing chain\tensioner.

The car also once in awhile throws a P0442 code(evap emission system leak detected- small leak). I erase it and it'll go away for some time, then come back after a few days. I'll be replacing the gas cap first also. Any idea what it could be? Thanks again everyone.

So yes, excellent deal on the Meyle kit, good find there... since no one answered it yet, that strut kit is an upgraded "Sport" line, B8 Bilstein series, not to be confused with Audi B8. The OEM ride quality would be the B4 series, which doesn't appear to be offered on FCP Euro, I got a pair for the front off of Rock Auto pretty cheap... Also, since no one brought this up, I used to have another car with Direct Injection, they are definitely noisier as far as what sounds like upper engine noise like you are describing, I'm guessing that could be what you are experiencing as I hear it on my B7 (with recent cam job) and on my '13 Focus that has DI as well.

[aluthman]

My FCP control arms lasted for about 40k miles with no issues. They were still fine when the car was totaled. If someone says they only lasted 10k or less miles, they were installed improperly or they had other serious alignment issues.

[OliNix]

People often get Febi Bilstein and Bilstein mixed up. They are completely different companies with different levels of quality.

I would buy Bilstein shocks all day long, they aren't cheap though:
http://www.bilstein.com/

However Febi Bilstein pattern parts I wouldn't touch with a barge pole! They are part of the bilstein group:
http://www.bilsteingroup.com/


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[pezgoon]

If they are part of the same group aren't they just a cheaper alternative?

The noise is more than likely the hpfp firing (injecting) unless ots really bad then idk lol but my mothers b7 is way louder than mine (with the diesel sound)

[OliNix]

It's a different group, conveniently named the same!


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[pezgoon]

ohhhhhhh

[Cobra351]

Ah oops, thought you were the one I’d replied to. Found a DIY here http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-Gas-Problem

Looks like the part is about $170 from ECS but theres a few car part outs going on right now


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

Thanks, will be doing that. It's fvcking annoying not being able to pump gas without interruption, and the CEL coming on every few days.

I did not have timing chain/tensioner issues but then... my timing belt broke on me @ 140k miles so I replaced all that when I fixed that issue. People claim this "diesel like" sounding issue but I don't hear it, probably because I have a real diesel, a 1999 F250... so for me, my 2.0T is super quiet.

Hah, I bet it is quiet compared to a F250. I've heard some people say the tapping noise is normal, others say it went away after changing the cam follower, and some of course saying it's the hpfp. In any case, I will post a before and after video of when I change the cam sensor this weekend.

So yes, excellent deal on the Meyle kit, good find there... since no one answered it yet, that strut kit is an upgraded "Sport" line, B8 Bilstein series, not to be confused with Audi B8. The OEM ride quality would be the B4 series, which doesn't appear to be offered on FCP Euro, I got a pair for the front off of Rock Auto pretty cheap... Also, since no one brought this up, I used to have another car with Direct Injection, they are definitely noisier as far as what sounds like upper engine noise like you are describing, I'm guessing that could be what you are experiencing as I hear it on my B7 (with recent cam job) and on my '13 Focus that has DI as well.

Thanks for the info. I ended up buying this Bilstein non-sport kit:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...n-b7bilsteinoe

My FCP control arms lasted for about 40k miles with no issues. They were still fine when the car was totaled. If someone says they only lasted 10k or less miles, they were installed improperly or they had other serious alignment issues.

Good to hear, also notice you're in CT. How are your roads? You know how NYC roads are, I'll try my best to dodge the craters, and that's why I got the Meyle's.

[danbfree]

Thanks for the info. I ended up buying this Bilstein non-sport kit:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...n-b7bilsteinoe

From the description it still looks like the B8 series, but that should be fine, I doubt that they are too "harsh"