So... I just bought a b5 S4

[WhiteRob]

Since you seem pretty knowledgeable about these, what do you think would bring better luck getting a higher price with this?...

Lower it, throw a chip in it, and get a real exhaust (so figure dump a little over $1k into it for good used stuff)

or

Return it back to stock?

I kind of think being it is an automatic that it will definitely open up the market to more buyers if it was back to stock, and possibly even remove the tint to make it look much cleaner, possibly buy the alcalantra seats from (his name escapes me) on here.

[SLK]

Unless you have to dump a bunch of money into it to get it back to stock, I would return it to stock. Most of the time a stock car will be sold at book value and sold easier. Modified vehicles are difficult, sometimes the mods hurt the price, sometimes they increase the price, but they most certainly make it harder to sell.

[Tom.W]

What is the maintenance like on these for DIY'er? Most of my reading leads to me to believe it's a pain in the ass, anyone care to chime in?

[sirpuddingfoot]

Well, if you're into masochism, it's probably a good fit.

If the second photo here doesn't scare you, you might be cut out for B5 S4 ownership.
http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...43&postcount=7

The worst job I have ever had to do on one is a driver's side EGT sensor. I managed to bleed from about 2/3 the way up the inside of my bicep.

Here's a list of issues my friend has had (that I can specifically recall) in 100k miles of ownership (now at ~160k):
2 timing belt jobs
Driveshaft center carrier bearing (before the replacement bearing was available)
4+ wheel bearings
2x brakes and rotors
2-3 hard to trace boost leaks
Ignition control module
ABS module
EGT sensors
O2 sensors
at least one diverter valve
coil packs
Broken headlight motors
Frozen wiper linkage (also killed motor)
MFD only kind of works...
Trunk release doesn't work currently
Broken hood release
Failing auto-tinting side mirrors
I'm probably forgetting more than a few things...

The one thing he hasn't done: control arms (knock on wood).

and to quote him: "At some point you just have to learn to live with always having something broken. Once you fix one thing, another thing breaks."

[WhiteRob]

Ha. Love that pic. Let's completely tear our car down in a parking lot. That's hard core.

Question. Will a J box ecu fit in an L box car? I read it works the opposite way around, but not sure abou this way

[sirpuddingfoot]

Fit? yes. Work? unclear and signs point to no. But AA boxes might work as well.
http://forums.audiworld.com/showpost...70&postcount=9
http://www.s4forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2080

I'd talk to a tuner, or someone who has the ear of a tuner.

[WhiteRob]

That is kind of what I was thinking. The charts I looked at show l working with j but not vice versa

[WhiteRob]

Ok, so I found my answer (I hope), it will work,except I need to get my cluster recoded which appears to be easy with vagcom. (think I have done that in an old mk4.. I remembe doing something like that anyways) So I have a GIAC tuned ECU on its way, putting in H&R sport springs tonight, and hopefully Sunday be able to go down and pick up the seats, dorrcards and exhaust as well as ABS sensors and wheels sensors from BMWRacer.

Starting to get excited for this thing now. Should be fun

[JTapper]

Tip chip.

Do it.

[WhiteRob]

Yes sir. I was dead set on selling this thing, but that was as I was sitting at my desk. On my drive home the other day I was just giving about 3/4 throttle to get up to speed quick, and realized why I bought it in the first place... It is a blast to drive. Yes I wish it was a 6 speed, but even with the tip it is still fun. And after fixing it up, I am sure it will only get better. I may start a build thread for it though I don't really plan on going really crazy until after the next kid pops out. Then I think it will be frankenturbo time

[WhiteRob]

Put some new springs in it this weekend. Def not as easy as VW's IMO (well if I had ratchet wrenches it wouldn't be so bad) Debating on making a new build thread or not as I have a few goodies on the way. So much for keeping it stock and selling it. haha

Before:



After:

[WhiteRob]

Does anybody have the cam lock bar for doing the timing belt on one of these that they would borrow me? Want to get it done before something catastrophic happens

[JFettig]

I have a cam lock bar and lock pin. PS pump needs to be lifted out to use mine, I didn't need the bend when I did my 2.8 but the 2.7 got in the way, its easy to unbolt it and push it out of the way. You're welcome to use it if you come pick it up and bring it back.

[WhiteRob]

AWESOME, thank you very much. I haven't even ordered my timing belt kit yet.> Thinking of getting this kit here http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GH21113-2B

[JFettig]

Just let me know when you're ready for it.

One thing with these V6 engines, always get a QUALITY OEM thermostat to install. You'll be hating life if your thermostat fails.
Generally, coolant is cheaper by the gallon at the dealer
I use only INA/Littens tensioners

That's about all I have to add to that if you want to mix and match stuff to get cheaper/better stuff.