Need Your Expertise Deciding...

[eddie1]

Hi,

I'm looking to change my car, and am looking for a 2nd hand A4 but I need your help deciding which engine etc to go with, since this will be my first Audi.

I've been finding it hard to decide between the 2.5TDIs or the 1.8T...the petrol is probably more refined, but the torque & power of the TDI is luring me. I don't want the 1.9TDIs, I currently own a Passat 1.9TDI (130) and I find it lacking in power.....

So, I would like someone to advise me on either the 1.8T or the 2.5TDIs...also I've seen some of the 2.5 which are 163BHP and some which are 180BHP Quattro, which out of the two is best? Also, are the Bose audio systems worth the extra cash? I intend on fitting aftermarket Alpine woofers, tweeters etc?

thanks in advance for your help!

PS Since I've never had an Audi, if you think that I'm being stupid and the 2.0FSI or 3.0 are better engines, please point this out! As an aside, what's the difference between the S4 and the RS4?

[docurley]

Well to help you with your options we need to know what you are looking for in a second car.

1. Do you plan on engine Mods?
2. Economy
3. Well I let you fill in the rest.

Bose is not all it's cracked up to be in my opinion but you could always upgrade to the SAT/NAV units.

Engines will depend on your needs so we will get back to that when you answer a few questions above.

S4 & RS4

Well there are two types or should I say 3 types of S4 and two types of RS4.

B5 shape has both RS4 and S4

The S4 looks a lot like the A4 in size but with different bumpers and side skirts but 60.

The RS4 on the other hand only came in an Avant wide arches and again different bumpers from the rest of the range. The engine was again a Cosworth tuned 2.7T with two K04 turbo’s producing around 375bhp.

B6 Shape only got the S4 with a V8 4.2 L, 40-valve V8 based on the unit from the A8and producing 340 bhp.

B7 Shape came with the B6 engine but on the S4 power stayed the same, the RS4 on the other hand got wide arches and different bumpers plus a whopping 414 bhp.

[eddie1]

Thanks for your reply.

Engine mods wise, yes I do plan plenty of them .. same with economy, it doesn't matter whether I get 50mpg ot 5mpg, as long as it looks and sounds good, I'm no stranger to spending money on cars modifying them.

I've seen some companies offering diesel chipping and I was shocked to see than on average petrol engines gained about 20bhp from ECU Remapping, whereas the diesels were gaining 30/40 and sometimes more...

[docurley]

Ok so you’re looking to mod then stay away from Diesels as a chip is about it but the Petrol Turbo cars have loads of options and the 1.8T and 2.7T engine is well catered for.

The 1.8T can be tuned to about 320-330bhp without any internal work and quite cheap too with bolt on kits.

The 2.7T also can be tuned to 500bhp but it will cost you and I mean a lot plus if anything goes wrong expect a big bill but if this is not an issue then a S4/RS4 B5 is the way to go.

If money is no option then you could look at the B7 S4 & RS4 and look at the Supercharger options.

[eddie1]

I like the sound of the 1.8T engine. I'm staying away from the RS4s etc due to insurance and other reasons.

Are the non-Quattro Audi's front wheel drive? If so then I have to go for Quattro...also some I've seen have an armrest for the driver and some do not, what is the reason for this, the 2 I saw were the same spec, yet one had the armrest and one didn't.

BTW please can you point me to some trusted Audi tuners in England (UK). Only one I've seen is here

[docurley]

Well the armrest where optional extras and like mine it did not get one but you can pick one up from eBay from £70-100 so not a big issue.

Non-Quattro are FWD and good cars but if looking to more power than 240bhp I would go Quattro for sure and if you ask me I would only recommend Quattro.

AMD, Revo, Dialynx, Jabba Sport, p-torque.co.uk, VW Enterprise, are just a few that come to mind.

[eddie1]

Ok, so once I've got my A4 1.8T 163 Quattro, I re-map it so it's producing ~200BHP. How can I get it above this mark. Ideally for a car of that size/weight I'd like anywhere between 300 and 350BHP just to make sure I could accelerate good from the lights and subdew any shoe shine boys who got clever with their Subaru Imprezas, hehe

Any ways of fiddling with the boost on the turbo or something?

[docurley]

To get over 300bhp you would be looking at a GT2871r Eliminator kit or a self built GT28RS or Full GT2871 kit but to get 350bhp and not worry about the boost you will need to put in a set of rod's and may be pistons to be safe.

If you have the funds look for a face lift car these came with K03s turbo giving 180bhp stock and will remap to around 210-220bhp.

[eddie1]

Ok, that's excellent, thanks for your help!

On the arm rest issue, you said they can be bought for about £100, any idea who'll fit them, or will I do it myself? (Is it easy enough to do by yourself?)

[docurley]

This should help tell you how.

The armrest comes with an aluminum-cast mounting foot which goes inside the console, and uses existing studs, you supply new nuts (use self-locking ones). To install it, you must remove the center console from the shifter back, and cut a hole in it for the armrest to go through. My car had a die mark (faint) where the hole would be made at the factory if so ordered. After this, the armrest and the foot get bolted together, with the center console with new hole between the two parts. Now re-install center console, and then fasten the foot to the floor with the self-locking nuts. In other words, you fasten the armrest to the console, not to the floor first. This may sound confusing, but once you have the two parts at hand, the logic will be simple.