bought my new s4, need advice

[sash]

Hi guys,
i've been checking these forums for a while know as i have recently purchased an s4 with 25000 miles on the clock. It sounds too good to be true

I picked it up for very cheap and am slightly suspicious as it has had two owners since new, meaning it was kept for less than 15000 miles by each owner.

The alloys are scratched quite badly but the dealer said he would recondition them. I read that scratched alloys are a sign of bad driving.

Also the rubber trim on the windows doesn't line up for the front and back passenger doors, its probably off by a few millimetres but its noticable if you look closely. The door panels seem fine.

HPI check was clear, no acccidents etc so the next thing i want done is an inspection of the engine by an audi specialist just to make sure the engine is not on its last legs (it doesnt fell like it is though)

Thing is i want an honest opinion and was wandering if any of you guys could suggest a good specialist that knows about their s4.

Also thinking about a small performance increase but am worried about invalidating my 3 warranty.

I keep hearing the name AMD?

PS Do i have to leave the engine running for afew minutes b4 turning it off to cool the turbos or is that all taken care of.

 

[Administrators]

scratched alloys? not necessasarily a bad driver as in a hard driver, more usually car park/fuel station damage.

A good specialist??? Keep reciting those three letters A... M... D... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


PS Please let her cool down properly, just as you said or a little easy driving at least /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sash]

thanks for the replies guys.

car is an x reg registered nov 2000

glad i checked about the cool down time.

will anything expensive need replacing at this kind of mileage?

I try and get some pics of the window rubber not lining up on the doors and ill post them 2morrow if poss

my airbag light is always on but i hear that this is a common problem with audis and that there is a simple fix that the dealer can do quite quickly, is that true?

 

[sash]

Oh yeah and ill give AMD a call as well

 

[sash]

Thanks Wando!

I see you work at AMD.
My car will be in on the 23rd October for the checkup/remap, cant wait!

Myself and 3 of my friends like to go karting as often as possible. (same guys who convinced me to do the remap)

Would it be possible to bring them down too?

 

[Patrick]

S4sh I have an AMD mapped S4. You'll be very impressed with the result.

Their good lads - If I lived closer I'd have them do all the work on my car but an 8hour drive is just too much.

I'll be hard pushed to go to a dealer for work. There are so many shoddy dealerships about charging ridiculous labour rates

 

[Patrick]

Like I've said elsewhere AMD recommended Hyperboost DVs. So I bought a pair at £140.

I've been disappointed with their performance. I feel quite noticeably boost lag between shifts and I am going to change back to my Bosch units to compare.

I wouldn't rush into a buying a pair. It's not so bad if your only buying one.

As for the exhaust. Check out my post on my conversation/experience with Millteck search under “Millteck exhaust” – Not sure if this is the correct spelling but’s the exact tittle of the post!

 

[sash]

I've read a bit about millteck exhausts. Some people say its not worth the money for the performance gain. I tend to agree, especially when you have to fork out close to 2000 for may be an extra 30hp.

I just dont want the standard exhaust I have to hold back performance, espcially after the remap.

Personally, I would rather get porsche brake system for that kind of money.

 

[sash]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I cant wait for mine!
If you dont mind me asking, how much extra is your insurance with the remap?

 

[ibbo]

hmmm, interesting question. Think I may have 'overlooked' that bit?!?!?! Question for the Forum tho, how detectable are these upgrades? I was told unless they run a diagnostic check they cant see it?!

 

[sash]

In a serious accident insurance company will probably check everything with a fine toothed comb before paying any money, similar to warrranty companies.
This is probably the only way you could get found out, having a bad accident or making a big claim on your warranty
Just stay off the roads and you'll be fine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Everytime I think about the car going for its remap I start getting cheek ache from excessive grinning. I cant wait!

 

[ibbo]

The car was a private purchase so no warranty there & I think the Audi one will have conked out by now.

Let me know what your insurers say. I guess personal circumstances come in here - where do you live / how old are you etc........

 

[Spence]

Don't hide the remap from your insurers it is not worth it. For the sake of a few quid (usually based upon % bhp increase) you will not have your life destroyed if you have a bad accident. There are lot's of chip friendly insurers who should be able to sort you out with a decent quote.

 

[ibbo]

How about a hike of £250.00!!!!

Just been quoted!

 

[ibbo]

Which insurers are chip friendly?

You are right tho, must have the right cover as the risk is too great.

 

[Spence]

Here are a few 'chip friendly' insurers (I think the phone numbers are still valid), keep us posted how you get on:

Direct Line 0845 246 8888
Greenlight Insurance 01277 263030
High Performance 0800 068 2937
Adrian Flux 08700 777 888

 

[sash]

Elephant, who im with, wanted an extra £520. Thats ****** madness.
Mind you there was no extra charge for uprated suspension, brakes or short shifter.
Still its a hefty increase just for the remap, thats almost 70% of what im curently paying.

Thanks for that list Spence, better start dialling...

 

[ibbo]

Thank you all, im dialing now!! Will let you know the outcome.

 

[Dippy]

[ QUOTE ]
s4sh said:
Elephant, who im with, wanted an extra £520. Thats ****** madness.
Mind you there was no extra charge for uprated suspension, brakes or short shifter.
Still its a hefty increase just for the remap, thats almost 70% of what im curently paying.

Thanks for that list Spence, better start dialling...

[/ QUOTE ]

Note that Elephant do NOT insure the mods themselves. I.e. if your car is stolen/written off, they will only pay for the equivalent UNMODDED car.

Regarding cool-down, I have made extensive comments about this on RS246. It is important, but warm-up is more important.

 

[sash]

Well, i got the remap and shortshifter done yesterday and can quite happily say its the best money i ever spent, what a difference, 323bhp!

Managed to get pulled over on the way to work today. Police accused me of cutting them up on a roundabout and not wearing my seatbelt.
I got real angry at the fact he told me i wasnt wearing my belt when i know i ****** was, especially after seeing that program tuesday night i triple check my belts on.
Anyway after asking the officer who accused me of not wearing my belt to read the license plate of a parked up vehicle just in front of mine, they told me to calm down and not get ***** otherwise id be in court.

Well it just turned out to be a verbal but after that i was thinking of my next mod, painting my seat belt illuminous green cos the police in walton on thames have serious eye sight problems.

 

[JayA4Turbo]

[ QUOTE ]
s4sh said:

Well it just turned out to be a verbal but after that i was thinking of my next mod, painting my seat belt illuminous green cos the police in walton on thames have serious eye sight problems.


[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_roll.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mramage]

[ QUOTE ]
s4sh said:
Managed to get pulled over on the way to work today. Police accused me of cutting them up on a roundabout and not wearing my seatbelt.
I got real angry at the fact he told me i wasnt wearing my belt when i know i ****** was, especially after seeing that program tuesday night i triple check my belts on.
Anyway after asking the officer who accused me of not wearing my belt to read the license plate of a parked up vehicle just in front of mine, they told me to calm down and not get ***** otherwise id be in court.


[/ QUOTE ]

That actually happened to a mate of mine and he got done for it. To say he was angry is an understatement. What he did do, however, was get some cop to come round to his house about it. Can't remember the details, some clause he could exercise and cause them a bit of grief. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/fuck_you.gif

Scary indeed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Patrick]

"329bhp/418lb" IS this just from the remap alone?

These are way higher than anything I've seen for a standard remap!

Mine from AMD was 325bhp and 340ftlbs (I think), then in the summer I had the car serviced and checked at Star performace which returned 305bhp and 380 ftlbs. That said I wouldnt get too hung up on the rolling road stats. The proof is in the increase your undoubtably feeling - Congrats and I'm sure I don't need to tell you too ENJOY!!

 

[sash]

Patrick, they arent my figures, mine are 323bhp and 408lb.

I can feel the difference and its a real big one so im v happy.

May be the hot air of summer was causing you lower power output when star performance checked it, i had mine done in the other day when it was cold outside.

I wonder if the room temperature of the rr room could affect the power readings?

 

[ibbo]

Morning all, just checked my stats from AMD & I had got the 323bhp!!! I am having the shortshift fitted as we speak, whats the verdict s4sh??

 

[sash]

Morning ibboS4. The shortshifter feels much better and sportier than standard, its a definate improvement.
I love the click click click feeling when you are going thru the gears its much better than standard.

I have to be honest and say that i have no experience with other brand short shifter so am not sure if there are better ones out there but the one AMD fitted is much better than the standard s4 stick IMO.

The power in 2nd and 3rd gear in this car is just amazing, wife said she could feel her stomach move when i hammered it in 2nd, what a feeling!

I havent stopped /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif since i got the car back from AMD.

im sure i can put an end to that though by looking at the bill again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ibbo]

My wife doesnt know about the mods!!! She hates going quick so I have to wait to be on my own for the fun! Thats why I moved from my M3 to this - all the fun plus practicality!!

My car is now having the 4 wheel alignment then I can collect it, cant wait!!

Cant wait to short shift!

 

[sash]

after my wife told me about her stomach she then screamed at me to slow the f**k down.

ibboS4, how does the ride of your remapped s4 compare to the m3?

 

[ibbo]

The M3 was much more positive in terms of feedback, the handling was sublime & the grip was great, each bend the M3 buried itself in to. The S4 after the remap was amazing - the torque & acceleration were mind blowing. The only thing letting the S4 down is the handling. The M3 gripped & gave huge amounts of driving pleasure on bends, country roads & roundabouts where the S4 doesnt feel as confident. I think if the handing could be improved the S4 would be the ultimate drivers car - acceleration, performance & handling.

Any comments / thoughts or advice??

 

[sash]

Thought so. Im sure that with a few tweaks in the suspension department the s4 handling could be improved a great deal.
I was actually thinking of uprating the suspension to an RS4 one.
Im not overly impressed with the handling of the s4, the steering doesnt give you much feedback and the wheel can feel a little too light at times, over assisted power steering may be.
I think that slightly stiffer suspension with less body roll is the solution for the s4 handling problem.

Did the ride in the M3 feel firmer than in the s4?

 

[ibbo]

The M3 was definately firmer with virtually no body roll. I would have kept it but needed the space.

You are right with the steering - it is numb.

Where are you going to get the RS4 suspension upgrade??

 

[sash]

AMD told me to look on RS246.com as people sometimes sell theirs on that forum, they said they would fit it. Still looking...
May settle for some Koni or H&R springs and an Anti roll kit if i dont find anything on that forum
I'll get some rs4 replica 18's for it as well. The springs should drop it about 20mm, with the 18s it should look the part as well as handling a lot better.

 

[ibbo]

H&R & Konis are my choice I think, costs are around £800 fitted - might have to wait a month or so for that one!!

 

[sash]

Cool, let us know how it is once you've had it done.
I think i'll have to wait a few months for the suspension. Im gonna get a tracker put on next and also some light smoke tints, then the suspension and brakes.

 

[ibbo]

Hi s4sh, just picked up the S4 with shortshift, awesome!!!1

I spoke with the guys at AMD who gave me a quote of £950 fitted & the Brembo Gran Turismo brakes are £3000!!!!!

Twice the price of Porsche!!??

 

[sash]

thought you might like the shortshift, who wouldnt

wonder if they AMD do a deal for the suspension and a set of rs4 replicas?

3000 seems an awful lot to spend on brakes for the s4, are they much better than the porsche?

 

[ibbo]

Hi s4sh, I wont be buying the Brembo brakes as I cant see them being better than the Porsche especially at that price!!!

My next move will be suspension then Porsche brakes.

I wont change the wheels as I like to keep the exterior 'original & 'Q' like'!

 

[sash]

Good luck with the suspension and keep us informed about your mods ibbos4. It would be nice to know how you get on with the new suspension as i want this done soonish too.

i've convinced myself that i need the rs4's alloys, mine are too scratched up and i would have to recondition all 4 wheels as well as replacing the pirelli 6000 which have bits of rubber missing from the tyre, looks really bad.