J88HNB
Registered User
Good morning & hello audi-sport.net
First post and I will begin with apologising for the sheer length of this post
I've done some researching but wanted to confirm with the experts before I buy a few things and part with my cash.
Car in question is a Denim Blue 2.5 V6 A4 Quattro 52 Plate - 2003 model
Few things about me I guess to properly introduce myself.
I'm a bit of a car nut to say the least, coming from an EP3 Civic Type R, DC 2 Integra Type R, Evo 4, Evo 7 (570bhp), E6 TME (530bhp), more recently a MK5 Golf R32, MK6 Golf R(20) & a 380bhp Evo X SST.
Well as winter is upon us I thought it prudent to get something hopefully nice and reliable for the forthcoming 'drab wintery months'. With this in mind I recently purchased a MINT (2 owner) Denim Blue 2.5 V6 A4 Quattro 52 Plate - 2003 model just a few days ago. 76k Full Audi SH etc etc. 100% standard. Drives beautiful, averages 35mpg around the town and sits as 47-50+MPG on MWays - I'm very happy with it as I had read horror stories of it being underpowered & terrible on fuel. Mine seems to be a good one (fingers crossed)
I am surprised at just how much I LOVE the car considering it doesn't have my usual requirements of toys, (steering wheel controls, front/back parking sensors, Sat Nav, auto headlights/wipers & DSG....
As said, even without the above I actually love the way it drives - beautiful, very refined and I'm shocked that it averages between 40-50+mpg depending on 'town' or 'motorway' driving...
Ok - on to the questions - I have researched and found some good info from this and a few other sites but I want to ask the people in the know before I part with my £'s. No one better to advise than someone who has been there and done it....
CONCERT 2 STEREO/POOR SNOWY RECEPTION/CHANEL AVAILABILITY
1st - My understanding is that I have the Single DIN Concert CD stereo (2)?. It's the main and only real issue that it doesn't like to tune in and play the normal channels - Classic FM plays very well but the others 'not so much'. Why is this?
The weirdest issue though is that as soon as I press the 'rear window' demiset - the whole stereo goes very snowy and sounds awful to the point I need to switch the de-mist off.....??
I've found this & was going to order it - Audi iPod/iPhone USB SD MP3 AUX New All In One Interface �::�AUDI�::�XCarLink
There are others available, some at less than half the cost but I like the idea of being able to play my radio channels via the iphone 5s APP that's detailed in this advert via Bluetooth.
My question is, at £160 for the Bluetooth version - would it be more prudent to just retrofit a 'new' aftermarket system that does everything as standard or by a 'cheaper' ebay kit like this - AUDI A2, A3, A4, A6, A8, TT iPod iPhone Interface Adaptor CTAADIPOD003.2 | eBay
How would that work though as this Concert 2 stereo is rather large in dimensions i.e. (wide) and not the usual standard OEM size as in most cars?
Alternatively I would love to retrofit the Audi double din sat nav system (rsn or something??), I see there's a very helpful member by the name of 'NHN' that appears to the be stereo guru, how on earth would this work as I have single DIN and heater controls etc underneath? Would the cost of retrofitting the Audi double din nav cost more/less than a decent aftermarket sat nav system (ball park) and would a 'newer' system outclass the OEM NAV Double Din stereo anyways? I'm dubious about moving the air conditioning control panel - sounds very extreme, is the end result very OEM looking?
I want to make sure that the picture quality is fantastic as I plan to fit the reverse camera etc etc.
Any recommendations on camera equipment to install that's straight forward.
HID/BI XENONS
I have adjustable levelling headlights but they are POOR in quality.
I'm not used to this quality of lighting that the car has as standard, after reading and reading about HID/Xenon upgrades and the dreaded Canbus dash warning issues, I've fried my brain.
My previous cars all had Bi Xenons etc from the factory, so trying to get my head around CanBus kits and then other side light bulbs, dipped/main beam etc has me pickled.
Can someone please recommend a tried/tested full kit that will retrofit, cause no error warnings etc and fit my needs? Also side lights, main/dipped etc etc - the full works LOL.
This any good? - Xenon HID Headlight Upgrade Kits from HIDS 4U - H7, H4, H1
Do I still need to upgrade additional bulbs even with this kit?
MOVING ON AGAIN - REMAP
It wouldn't be me if I wasn't to carry out a remap on the car at the very least...
Extreme Motorsport Whitburn used to look after/remap my Evo's - I know he 'was' an Evolution Chips dealer but he has recently moved premies and now has no RR. The figures quoted on Evolutions site are reasonable as in regards to power/torque increases for the £'s. I'm not chasing figures as that's not what this car is about, I would just like to release a few more safe ponies. Won't complain either as I'm sure the MPG would only increase too
Does anyone has this remap on their 2.5V6 TDI B6 - is it any good, noticeable at all or just very linear and boring?
Are there 'better' alternatives around Edin/Glas/Fife etc etc that are recommended/preferred and why?
Anything around the 200/210 seems to be the norm as I keep reading about the pump issues that can occur - I must stay away from these issues haha.
Would it be worthwhile to de-cat the exhaust & fit an inducion kit/air filter prior to the remap or is the difference negligible and unnecessary?
WOOD TRIM/INTERIOR
I don't personally find the Quattro 'wood trim' to my taste - PLEASE can someone put me out of my misery and advise the easiest way to have this changed to a soft aluminium or alternative? How on earth is the ash tray sorted/changed though?
Is there a good item/cradle/dock for my iPhone 5s to go as well?
Next :
I would like to be able to adjust my clutch as it's not very heel/toe useable, is this as simple as adjusting the bolt/rod behind the clutch pedal. There's nothing wrong with it in terms of slippage, I just enjoy a biting point immediately as you lift the clutch off the floor and not a couple inches, if that makes sense?
Finally......
I would love some RS4 alloys, genuine or replica I don't mind.
Unlike previous cars, I actually care about ride comfort in this one so I'm concerned about lowering - my days of crash/nag wallop over drain/pot holes are gone as I have an infant who will be in the back.
Paul aka pjmspeedy has kindly quoted me for the retrofit Isofix bar - great site with such helpful members this!
Ok say I fit 18x8 alloys on say a 225 or 235 tyre, would simply fitting lowerig springs ruin the handling/comort. If so is there a comfort option in regards to Bilstein or Coilovers available? I would love to keep away from coilovers as I have had them on every previous car for the past 10 years and would love some 'comfort' for a change. I would want a slight drop so I'm not running around looking like an offroader with new alloys.
How about the 19" versions? Say 19x9 ET35? again simply lowering springs up to the job to simply lower 15/20/30mm?
I plan to fit the RS4 rear ARB too & possibly a front strut brace to help with the body roll too.
Thanks in advance to anyone that takes the time to read my msg, I appreciate it's lengthy but I thought best to get it all posted and anyone who can help I appreciate it.
If at all possible, anything retrofitted needs to look OEM, nice and stock with no obvious cables/wires etc as that's just not me.
THANKS AGAIN AND APOLOGIES FOR SUCH A LONG (1ST) post
Although most of my questions around retrofitting are jobs that most people could themselves I imagine, personally I will have my local VW/Audi specialist friend's garage do the hardwork - I'm a banker and honestly wouldn't know where to start!
Regards
John
First post and I will begin with apologising for the sheer length of this post
I've done some researching but wanted to confirm with the experts before I buy a few things and part with my cash.
Car in question is a Denim Blue 2.5 V6 A4 Quattro 52 Plate - 2003 model
Few things about me I guess to properly introduce myself.
I'm a bit of a car nut to say the least, coming from an EP3 Civic Type R, DC 2 Integra Type R, Evo 4, Evo 7 (570bhp), E6 TME (530bhp), more recently a MK5 Golf R32, MK6 Golf R(20) & a 380bhp Evo X SST.
Well as winter is upon us I thought it prudent to get something hopefully nice and reliable for the forthcoming 'drab wintery months'. With this in mind I recently purchased a MINT (2 owner) Denim Blue 2.5 V6 A4 Quattro 52 Plate - 2003 model just a few days ago. 76k Full Audi SH etc etc. 100% standard. Drives beautiful, averages 35mpg around the town and sits as 47-50+MPG on MWays - I'm very happy with it as I had read horror stories of it being underpowered & terrible on fuel. Mine seems to be a good one (fingers crossed)
I am surprised at just how much I LOVE the car considering it doesn't have my usual requirements of toys, (steering wheel controls, front/back parking sensors, Sat Nav, auto headlights/wipers & DSG....
As said, even without the above I actually love the way it drives - beautiful, very refined and I'm shocked that it averages between 40-50+mpg depending on 'town' or 'motorway' driving...
Ok - on to the questions - I have researched and found some good info from this and a few other sites but I want to ask the people in the know before I part with my £'s. No one better to advise than someone who has been there and done it....
CONCERT 2 STEREO/POOR SNOWY RECEPTION/CHANEL AVAILABILITY
1st - My understanding is that I have the Single DIN Concert CD stereo (2)?. It's the main and only real issue that it doesn't like to tune in and play the normal channels - Classic FM plays very well but the others 'not so much'. Why is this?
The weirdest issue though is that as soon as I press the 'rear window' demiset - the whole stereo goes very snowy and sounds awful to the point I need to switch the de-mist off.....??
I've found this & was going to order it - Audi iPod/iPhone USB SD MP3 AUX New All In One Interface �::�AUDI�::�XCarLink
There are others available, some at less than half the cost but I like the idea of being able to play my radio channels via the iphone 5s APP that's detailed in this advert via Bluetooth.
My question is, at £160 for the Bluetooth version - would it be more prudent to just retrofit a 'new' aftermarket system that does everything as standard or by a 'cheaper' ebay kit like this - AUDI A2, A3, A4, A6, A8, TT iPod iPhone Interface Adaptor CTAADIPOD003.2 | eBay
How would that work though as this Concert 2 stereo is rather large in dimensions i.e. (wide) and not the usual standard OEM size as in most cars?
Alternatively I would love to retrofit the Audi double din sat nav system (rsn or something??), I see there's a very helpful member by the name of 'NHN' that appears to the be stereo guru, how on earth would this work as I have single DIN and heater controls etc underneath? Would the cost of retrofitting the Audi double din nav cost more/less than a decent aftermarket sat nav system (ball park) and would a 'newer' system outclass the OEM NAV Double Din stereo anyways? I'm dubious about moving the air conditioning control panel - sounds very extreme, is the end result very OEM looking?
I want to make sure that the picture quality is fantastic as I plan to fit the reverse camera etc etc.
Any recommendations on camera equipment to install that's straight forward.
HID/BI XENONS
I have adjustable levelling headlights but they are POOR in quality.
I'm not used to this quality of lighting that the car has as standard, after reading and reading about HID/Xenon upgrades and the dreaded Canbus dash warning issues, I've fried my brain.
My previous cars all had Bi Xenons etc from the factory, so trying to get my head around CanBus kits and then other side light bulbs, dipped/main beam etc has me pickled.
Can someone please recommend a tried/tested full kit that will retrofit, cause no error warnings etc and fit my needs? Also side lights, main/dipped etc etc - the full works LOL.
This any good? - Xenon HID Headlight Upgrade Kits from HIDS 4U - H7, H4, H1
Do I still need to upgrade additional bulbs even with this kit?
MOVING ON AGAIN - REMAP
It wouldn't be me if I wasn't to carry out a remap on the car at the very least...
Extreme Motorsport Whitburn used to look after/remap my Evo's - I know he 'was' an Evolution Chips dealer but he has recently moved premies and now has no RR. The figures quoted on Evolutions site are reasonable as in regards to power/torque increases for the £'s. I'm not chasing figures as that's not what this car is about, I would just like to release a few more safe ponies. Won't complain either as I'm sure the MPG would only increase too
Does anyone has this remap on their 2.5V6 TDI B6 - is it any good, noticeable at all or just very linear and boring?
Are there 'better' alternatives around Edin/Glas/Fife etc etc that are recommended/preferred and why?
Anything around the 200/210 seems to be the norm as I keep reading about the pump issues that can occur - I must stay away from these issues haha.
Would it be worthwhile to de-cat the exhaust & fit an inducion kit/air filter prior to the remap or is the difference negligible and unnecessary?
WOOD TRIM/INTERIOR
I don't personally find the Quattro 'wood trim' to my taste - PLEASE can someone put me out of my misery and advise the easiest way to have this changed to a soft aluminium or alternative? How on earth is the ash tray sorted/changed though?
Is there a good item/cradle/dock for my iPhone 5s to go as well?
Next :
I would like to be able to adjust my clutch as it's not very heel/toe useable, is this as simple as adjusting the bolt/rod behind the clutch pedal. There's nothing wrong with it in terms of slippage, I just enjoy a biting point immediately as you lift the clutch off the floor and not a couple inches, if that makes sense?
Finally......
I would love some RS4 alloys, genuine or replica I don't mind.
Unlike previous cars, I actually care about ride comfort in this one so I'm concerned about lowering - my days of crash/nag wallop over drain/pot holes are gone as I have an infant who will be in the back.
Paul aka pjmspeedy has kindly quoted me for the retrofit Isofix bar - great site with such helpful members this!
Ok say I fit 18x8 alloys on say a 225 or 235 tyre, would simply fitting lowerig springs ruin the handling/comort. If so is there a comfort option in regards to Bilstein or Coilovers available? I would love to keep away from coilovers as I have had them on every previous car for the past 10 years and would love some 'comfort' for a change. I would want a slight drop so I'm not running around looking like an offroader with new alloys.
How about the 19" versions? Say 19x9 ET35? again simply lowering springs up to the job to simply lower 15/20/30mm?
I plan to fit the RS4 rear ARB too & possibly a front strut brace to help with the body roll too.
Thanks in advance to anyone that takes the time to read my msg, I appreciate it's lengthy but I thought best to get it all posted and anyone who can help I appreciate it.
If at all possible, anything retrofitted needs to look OEM, nice and stock with no obvious cables/wires etc as that's just not me.
THANKS AGAIN AND APOLOGIES FOR SUCH A LONG (1ST) post
Although most of my questions around retrofitting are jobs that most people could themselves I imagine, personally I will have my local VW/Audi specialist friend's garage do the hardwork - I'm a banker and honestly wouldn't know where to start!
Regards
John