Hesitant to Buy a B7

[fallingreason]

I really miss having an Audi avant. I want to buy another, know the 1.8 won't cut it for me, but am weary of the 2.0t cam follower issue. Overall though it seems like a much more capable engine.

Anyone with any advice on looking for a b7? Should I just keep searching for a 3.2? Any model years better to buy than others for a b7?

Transmissions (auto) are generally fine?

I've also heard with the APR tunes (with HPFP) there are common Evap codes thrown. Anyone familiar with these?

Thanks AZ!

[Deckster]

Even with the cam follower issue, it's really easy to replace. I can't comment on auto since I drive a manual and I don't have an APR tune. I hear the JHM is one of the best ones on the market right now. But other people may have more information.


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[Dvent]

I just checked my cam follower while diagnosing a problem. Gotta say, if you have a problem with it, it's a really easy repair.

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[doughboy17]

Love my 3.2L, especially the exhaust note.

[SimbadCA]

Love my B7 2.0T; the 3.2 may be heavier, and will respond differently on the tight turn tracks. I've not had any cam follower issues, though it is on my list for November.
If I find myself buying another, it would be a TTS, but again with a 2.0T


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[Cobra351]

What cam follower issues are there, besides the fact of not even checking it every 30k? And besides, if you check it, may as well replace it regardless- as it's only ~$20.

[mcpcartier]

I currently have a large evap leak code...but has nothing to do with tune. Had the tune for 4 years before it showed up. Just haven't been motivated to smoke test and find the leak. I'll make myself find it before the end of the year.

Cam follower replacement is straight forward, but you need be very respectful of the aluminum housing and tightening/torquing down the hpfp bolts. I learned the hard way that it's wise to manually push that pump down (fight the spring pressure) rather than use the bolts to pull the pump against the housing. The aluminum threads will eventually give out....have heli-coils in there now and that is working. I realize the spring pressure for my APR pump is significantly higher than stock...but either way I wouldn't use the bolts to draw the pump down.

[SimbadCA]

I learned the hard way that it's wise to manually push that pump down (fight the spring pressure) rather than use the bolts to pull the pump against the housing. The aluminum threads will eventually give out...but either way I wouldn't use the bolts to draw the pump down.

Thanks for the advice on the hpfp bolts. You've saved me some grief.


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[james12lucy]

I'm running the JHM 93 octane stage 2 tune and I have no qualms with my car. It started throwing an unrelated EVAP code recently, but I'm thinking it's charcoal canister.

I've replaced the cam follower three times in the last year (I drive a lot for work) but have never needed to. I'd check the cam follower and cam while inspecting pre-purchase. It's a simple job. To save a hassle of ruining the aluminum when doing the cam follower, just install studs.

Lastly, I have no idea why the 1.8T wouldn't cut it for you. It's proven to be a very stout engine. The 2.0t is great, but the 1.8T is a rock solid foundation. And it doesn't suffer the same fueling issues or carbon build up.


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[thatdudenesto]

I'm Auto b7 and currently at 137k. As as of right now everything is great. Planning on going Jhm stage 2 next month.


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[aluthman]

I'm running the JHM 93 octane stage 2 tune and I have no qualms with my car. It started throwing an unrelated EVAP code recently, but I'm thinking it's charcoal canister.

I've replaced the cam follower three times in the last year (I drive a lot for work) but have never needed to. I'd check the cam follower and cam while inspecting pre-purchase. It's a simple job. To save a hassle of ruining the aluminum when doing the cam follower, just install studs.

Lastly, I have no idea why the 1.8T wouldn't cut it for you. It's proven to be a very stout engine. The 2.0t is great, but the 1.8T is a rock solid foundation. And it doesn't suffer the same fueling issues or carbon build up.


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The solution is simple: stroke the 1.8 into a 2.0, add big turbo and call it a day.

[james12lucy]

The solution is simple: stroke the 1.8 into a 2.0, add big turbo and call it a day.

Agreed. Wondering if they'll catch on in the CS3 series I'm planning to race in the B6... likely, they catch everything.


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[RakkCity]

And it doesn't suffer the same fueling issues or carbon build up.

Are you saying carbon build up is not an issue at all? Or isn't as bad of an issue.. Cuz on my GTI with the 1.8T there were definitely recommendations to do a carbon cleaning. It's still a DI motor. Port injected motors clean the carbon off automatically because the fuel takes care of it, but since there's no fuel in the intake tract of a direct injection motor, that's why carbon builds up on the intake mani and valves. At least that's my understanding of it.

Why doesn't the 1.8T suffer from carbon?


And to OP: if you can change your own brakes you can deal with the issues this motor has. Cam follower isn't a big deal at all after you've done it once. Carbon buildup isn't an easy fix, but you can always have it done by a shop if it's too daunting. I'd take a B7 with this motor over the B6 any day. The exterior is still nice but the B6 interior just looks so dated IMO.


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[RyGuy1050]

[QUOTE=RakkCity;11982898]Are you saying carbon build up is not an issue at all? Or isn't as bad of an issue.. Cuz on my GTI with the 1.8T there were definitely recommendations to do a carbon cleaning. It's still a DI motor. Port injected motors clean the carbon off automatically because the fuel takes care of it, but since there's no fuel in the intake tract of a direct injection motor, that's why carbon builds up on the intake mani and valves. At least that's my understanding of it.

Why doesn't the 1.8T suffer from carbon?


I think they are referring to the original 1.8t, not the remakes? They were not direct inject.

[Okedokey]

The solution is simple: stroke the 1.8 into a 2.0, add big turbo and call it a day.

Has anyone done this to a 2.0 to make it say 2.5 or is the block too thin to do this?

[deusilan]

Has anyone done this to a 2.0 to make it say 2.5 or is the block too thin to do this?

There is a reason you don't see 'stroker' posts on the B7 A4 forum, even to a 2.1.

[Okedokey]

There is a reason you don't see 'stroker' posts on the B7 A4 forum, even to a 2.1.

Ok, so the reason is as I thought?

[james12lucy]

There is a reason you don't see 'stroker' posts on the B7 A4 forum, even to a 2.1.

There are plenty of 2.1L B7s out there. It's just there isn't a huge market for it. Most would simply do a 2.7TT swap and be done with it.


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[fallingreason]

I'm running the JHM 93 octane stage 2 tune and I have no qualms with my car. It started throwing an unrelated EVAP code recently, but I'm thinking it's charcoal canister.

I've replaced the cam follower three times in the last year (I drive a lot for work) but have never needed to. I'd check the cam follower and cam while inspecting pre-purchase. It's a simple job. To save a hassle of ruining the aluminum when doing the cam follower, just install studs.

Lastly, I have no idea why the 1.8T wouldn't cut it for you. It's proven to be a very stout engine. The 2.0t is great, but the 1.8T is a rock solid foundation. And it doesn't suffer the same fueling issues or carbon build up.


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When I've driven both motors side by side, the 1.8 just seems much more laggy and weak until boost. The 2.0 was much smoother for a DD

[mdot1203]

There are plenty of 2.1L B7s out there. It's just there isn't a huge market for it. Most would simply do a 2.7TT swap and be done with it.

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This is me but I need to talk to my local shop about this. I've given myself a cap as to how much I wanna put into this car. I'm basically down to the 2.7TT or JHM BT.

OP: I picked my 2008 2.0T Avant up last November with 98K miles (so coming up on a year). I have a JHM stage 1 tune and carbino intake and haven't had any real issues.
The only OEM part I had to replace was the purge valve. $20 fix from amazon.

[B72011]

How do you do this? I mean you press that spring it rebounds right? ARE you saying turn the engine at the crank bolt so the lobe is not up?

[Denio24]

When I've driven both motors side by side, the 1.8 just seems much more laggy and weak until boost. The 2.0 was much smoother for a DD

True, but it all goes away when you start tuning.

[RakkCity]

How do you do this? I mean you press that spring it rebounds right? ARE you saying turn the engine at the crank bolt so the lobe is not up?

no, you're misunderstanding. read it again

[torrque]

I believe the JHM stage 2 93 octane with JHM pump upgrade and a good HFC is pretty good for this car. I still hate it with a passion for the work it needed to become decent, they are a POS, but can be made decent with some elbow grease and money.

I still think a 335xi is a better car to start with, better handling, better looking, hell even the badge is better. just better.

[torrque]

I'm running the JHM 93 octane stage 2 tune and I have no qualms with my car. It started throwing an unrelated EVAP code recently, but I'm thinking it's charcoal canister.

I've replaced the cam follower three times in the last year (I drive a lot for work) but have never needed to. I'd check the cam follower and cam while inspecting pre-purchase. It's a simple job. To save a hassle of ruining the aluminum when doing the cam follower, just install studs.

Lastly, I have no idea why the 1.8T wouldn't cut it for you. It's proven to be a very stout engine. The 2.0t is great, but the 1.8T is a rock solid foundation. And it doesn't suffer the same fueling issues or carbon build up.


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I agree about all you said; but I onwed that 1.8T engine which I tuned with Giac ... when you tune it, it becomes lag land. massive lag land. as far as you can see to horizon.

[fallingreason]

😂. Sooo true

I agree about all you said; but I onwed that 1.8T engine which I tuned with Giac ... when you tune it, it becomes lag land. massive lag land. as far as you can see to horizon.