5 years of Audi Ownership. Real real real real long!!!! You are warned.
05-05-2005, 01:47 PM
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Craggy Old Man
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5 years of Audi Ownership. Real real real real long!!!! You are warned.
Life • Pre-Audi and Current
Started a quest back in 2000. My lease was coming up on my 1997 Acura CL 3.0. The Acura was perfect. Ran good, no problems at all. I was in the market for a 4 door car with decent room for me. I was kinda looking for something a little sporty. Car also had to be an Automatic, since my wife might have to drive it once in a while and she hates manual. The cars that were in my ballpark were the
Lincoln LS V8
Saab 9-5 Aero
Volvo S80 T6
Acura TL
Acura 3.5RL
BMW 528
Also looked at the S4(much later in the process). When I put the drivers seat in position for me, I then got into the back seat and never made it in, so that was the end of the S4. I liked it but needed more room.
I test drove them all once and most of them twice. After a few weeks I still did not have any favorite. Maybe I was leaning toward the Saab and the Volvo.
Then someone mentioned that I should take a look at the Audi A6. They said it has the automatic and the 2.7T model was reasonably sporty. So I wandered down to the Audi Dealer and ran into April. The interior was the best of the bunch, and I liked the all inclusive warranty.
The things I was leaning for as options were the Xenons and heated seats.
I must have looked at the A6 a few times after that, but it was a little over what I was willing to pay. Went to Newport Audi and saw a black one that had heated seats and that was about the only option. It had some miles on it, around 400 miles. Went back to April and had her search for heated seat option and in So Cal, that option was nowhere to be found : (.
April did take me for a ride through the circles of the Auto Mall and that was where I felt and experienced the Audi and its Quattro. I had to peel my face off of the side window from the G's smashing it into the glass : ))
Eventually I narrowed the choice to one, the A6 2.7T Tip, I took my Acura CL to Audi to get a trade in price. Boy, appraisal person stuck it to me and the trade in value was kinda low. It killed the deal since again I was at my limit for spending.
Acura also called and said if I wanted the RL, I could get it for some obscene amount under invoice, it was like $3500 under or something like that. The RL was a very nice car and for someone whose best car till then was the 3.0CL, this was a huge step up. But,,, it just didn't move me. I debated this one for a day or two and being an analyst I tend to beat up things by going over and over and over them. And again, at the limit of price, this was a tough decision.
Someone told me to see what Beverly Hills would do. Turns out I went there on a Saturday, they were going to give me a good deal and I was selling the Acura privately now. We went through the list of cars, there was a color, Cashmere, I was looking for, they did not have one. But on the list there was a Ming Blue, with Xenons, curtain air bags, convienent package and I think that was it. I paid something like $40,100 for it. It came out to 1200 over invoice. The car would be ready Sunday they said. I was so excited I couldn't sleep, plus I was nervous, cause- What the hell did I just do!!! : ))
My father drove me to pick up the car. He never likes anything. When he saw the car he said its OK, which is high praise from him. Found out later he talked to his wife about it and said it rode fantastic and was a good car. I was shocked : ) Sad to say that, on June 26th 2000, he passed away.
Drove the car home and I was amazed that people were actually looking at the car on the freeway.
This was in April of 2000. Kinda funny I bought it in April, April : ))
The Brand Spanking New A6 in front of our house. Kirsten in the background. Remember this picture and then compare to the one with Randy. She has grown!!!! : ))
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/front_of_home_a6.jpg">
After buying the car, I went back to April and gave her a bottle of wine and said thank you for all her time and help. I felt bad since I was concerned about the little stuff and what I could and could not do it made the whole thing kinda stressful. April had said, if you think your getting a good deal and the other party thinks it is getting a good deal then everyone is happy. I have used that approach in most of my dealing since then and it works for me. I don't need the absolute best deal possible if it means added agony and stress, a good deal is all I want. Sometimes the best deals falls into your lap too: )) I thank April for showing me the way on that. And I still ask her for advice every once in a while concerning the car.
Well, before I finally bought the car, I had this mental picture of what the car could be. I knew I wanted it a little lower and that I would maybe go with bigger wheels, but it all had to be in balance with the car.
I was in heaven. I had never had a car like this.
Tint went on shortly after. That was for looks and tint actually helps the interior stay cool and keeps the sun off the stuff. Plus flashing/blinding lights sometimes trigger my migraines (which is one reason why I have had tint since I was 16).
Tint from XLNT Tint. Everything else stock, still has the nice 4x4 suspension LOL
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story_13.jpg">
My 2000 A6 car had some teething problems, the window motor back side just went beserk, rolled up/down the window at will. Turns out BH Audi must have taken that apart sometime before and never replaced the door hardware (screws and such). Maybe there was a problem with the motor before also ???? Another dealer fixed it. Ran into a very good service advisor and he treated me very well. Found out his wife likes Merlot, so every time I went in, he got a bottle of the vino.
Now I started to think about what I had invisioned for the car. You have to remember, not too many A6's were modded back then. Lowering it from its current 4x4 look was important, but it couldn't be too low for my tastes. I purchased the Audi Eibach Springs from the dealer. I went to Wheel Warehouse to have the springs installed. They installed and aligned the car and did a good job. The springs were the right ticket, they changed the look of the car dramatically. The ride height was perfect. And the ride was still very comfortable.
Audi Eibach Springs added in 2000.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/eibach_side2.jpg">
Next I knew I wanted to go with some bigger/wider wheels/tires. I searched and searched, then Ronal wheels had a sale on some LZ's and I thought these wheels look perfect on the big bodied A6. They look sporty, yet they do not demand attention. The wheels had to blend in with the car. Gary was very helpful during this time and I owed him a lot for his time and patience. We still speak every now and then and get together for the Audi Pahrump Event each year. Gary is a good person. We decided on the 18” LZ's with 235/40-18 S-02's. The shoulder height was perfect again. It wasn't too wide or too thin just matched the car perfectly. Again, 18's were a new big thing to try back then, now a days its commonplace.
Ronal LZ's 18"
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story2.jpg">
Cosmetically I was about through. The car was transformed into a completely different look but keeping all the same basics lines. It was picked as a winner in the European Car Magazine • Pirelli Tires Garage, and I received a free set of P-Zero Rosso's 235/40-18's!!! Also the Ming Blue A6 you see on the Ronal web site, is mine : )).
Wish it wasn't cut and paste : ((
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story3a.jpg">
I did add the Stongard protection and it has done a good job. The install was not very good and Stongard said they would re-do it, but that was almost 3 years ago now and they still haven't lived up to their word. Maybe some day!!??!!
At 4500 miles the TBB tore. In fact I believe that it had started to tear much earlier. The car was OK fast but didn't feel like the other 2.7Ts I had ridden in. I could finally hear a whoosh sound of air and took it in to the dealer. They found that indeed the TBB was gone. Also the turbos must have over sped because they were louder now. But since it was running good and no loss of power, the dealer and I decided not to change them out for now. Plus the little more whistle noise was kinda cool!! After the TBB change the car was fast!! It had never been that fast, which leads me to think that it had been torn for awhile. Later on I went to AMS(Advanced Motorsport Solutions) and met Marc, the owner, and purchased the AMS Kevlar Taped TBB along with their special clamps. It worked flawlessly and Giacuser who inherited the boot, is using it to this very day!! : ). Oops, an update, Giacuser tore that one too!!!
I went to Pomona Raceway for the Street Legal Drags. It was hot out there 94 degrees and I was running 92 octane ½ tank. I went with Pete(nasaracer), Walt(blownS4), Tipster, and some others. I took a friend also.
I had never been drag racing and was a complete rookie. I listened to Pete and boy was that helpful. I finally got to the staging area, drove around the water box, and lined it up. I watched the pre-stage, then staged lights blink on, then yellow, yellow, yellow(stomp on the gas), green light!! I think I had a .671 reaction time. I was racing against a stock S4 Tip. It seemed like it took forever!! I finally made it to the timeslip tent and my time was 15.1@94mph. Not bad in the heat and 1200' alt!! The S4 Tip killed me, it ran 14.8@94mph. The next run I took my friend with me and ran 15.5@91mph. Was a lot of fun.
At Pomona, Tipsters S4 in other lane
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story4.jpg">
Well, I shouldn't have gone to the drags, cause I must have caught the bug : )
Now I was thinking, the appearance is where I want it, lets work on the performance side. I had heard of a chip that would make the transmission shift quicker. I went to see Jeff Moss who owned Velocity Motorsports. He had me try the Giac Tranny chip. It was very nice. The car should have come from the factory like this. It made the tranny much more responsive and was ultra smooth. I was running the BD box at that time. And the BD box I had, was very clunky on the 2-1 shift and it had the dreaded winding when you were on the gas, lifted, then hit the gas again, it would clunk pretty bad. I eventually learned to try to avoid those instances. I will say the Tip chip did have 1 flaw, it would gear hunt in Tip mode at 4k rpms in 4th gear. It would shift back and forth between 4th and 5th gear. To me, this was a minor nuisance and was vastly outweighed by all the pluses the Tip Chip provided.
I also tried the Giac ECU chip. It was a monster. Car was kinda fast. I decided I needed to get some times, so off to Carlsbad Drags I went. Pete(nasaracer) and I went, Pete had trouble with bad gas and his car(S4) which had run 14.2 at Pomona(chipped Tip), couldn't run any better than 14.7 at Carlsbad. I ran 14.555, 14.6xx, 14.7xxx. I was still learning how to get the car to launch good. But still a half second off the stock time was nice. I think my mph was ~96mph. And this was with those 30lb wheels on the car.
Pete and I went out again to Carlsbad and the weather was perfect. My first run I clocked a 14.33. I was thrilled. Pretty good time for a big ol sled. I was almost going to stop after that, thinking it wont get any lower. My 2nd run, I clocked a 14.29!! 14.2's ya baby!! Pete ran a best ever for any S4 Tip(up to a year later) of 13.8 !!!! Absolutely perfect run for him. And I was in the lane next to him and saw the whole thing from 2-4 cars back the whole way : ))) I was again thinking that's it. It doesn't get better than this. Well I got talked into trying 1 more. I lined up, watched the revs and bam, the car takes out like a freight train. I get my slip and see • 14.064 !!!! Holy Schmoley : ). I was happy and at the same time, mad I had just missed the 13 barrier!!!
I try another run and clocked • 14.05 and finally a 14.024 !! Talk about consistent!.
I did not go back to the drags for quite some time, since I did nothing to improve the performance on the car. But the idea of running 13's always stayed with me.
At Carlsbad with Pete(nasaracer in his S4)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story5.jpg">
After a few months, I went to the Audi Event at Pahrump for the first time. Remember, stock everything except Eibach Springs, ECU and Tranny chip. Yes the same ol stock shocks from the non-sport package. I had Mary Medo as my instructor and she was fantastic. She had me take it nice and slow and learn the lines the first day. The 2nd day, really improved from all that time learning the line and I was going around the track pretty decent. The S-02's were real nice on the track. It was too bad that it also sounded the death song for the S-02's : (( Got 22k miles outta them and the 2 day track event.
Up next • Pirelli P Zero Rosso's 235/40-18(the tires I won from European Car Mag). This is the best street tire I have had for ride comfort, noise. Handling was decent also, they did trammel some though, on the grooved lanes out here. While at Pahrump I noticed that my suspension setup was nice but it didn't react too quick on the side to side weight transfers. Oh well cant have everything.!!
Pahrump with Audi Club
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/pahrump_1st_time.jpg">
Car was a champ engine wise. I did have some other problems along the way, the instrument cluster went out, the radio started changing stations, and the fuel sender died. Also the sunroof motor crapped out. All fixed by my dealer, another bottle of wine to the service writer and something for the Audi tech too : )).
A few months passed and off I go to the Alfa Drivers School at the Streets of Willow. April was there and I met Brian4.2 with his awesome 4.2. I was running the same setup as Pahrump except on Pirelli Rossos. Boy it was hot out there. The Alfa car club is one of the best to attend these types of events, they were very nice. After the check out ride, I was on my own. I did ok, I had trouble with 2 of the turns, but I was holding my own. Brian4.2 was faster around the track than I and about anyone else for that matter!!. We did give a S2000 the fits after he couldn't lose us at all!! Brian4.2 is good on the track and was kicking serious butt out there. I had the privilege to have John Morton drive my car. Look on the internet to see who John Morton is. In his day he was damn good and won many big time races. Well he drove my car and scared the **** outta me!! I didn't think the car could do the things he was doing. It really opened up my eyes to the limits of this beast. John did say my car was faster than the 4.2 he just drove : ) but the 4.2 was better in the turns, damn those big tires of Brian's car!!! After a few laps we go into the pit lane and there are clouds of smoke just billowing from the front brakes!! I was cringing to think what happened to them. (I drove around for 10 minutes trying to cool them down some.) The Rosso's did fine at the track. The 02's had more grip at the edge, but the Rosso was nice because as it started to slid just a hair it was very controlled and you could still stay on the gas. I did have too much air in them and wore the center of the tire some. Opps!! Both the audis did fine on this very short twisty track. We were even upgraded to the fast group on Sunday!!! Which caught both Brian and I by surprise, since we were BS'ing and someone tells us, hey you guys are out on the track right now with the fast group!!! Opps off to the cars we ran, I got my video camera ready and I tried to film Brian for a lap or 2. : ))
Brian4.2's very nice A6 4.2 at Streets of Willow
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/a6_together.jpg">
I went back to the drags later with the car, I had just replaced the Giac S chip with the Giac X-chip. I also installed the Miltek Exhaust. The car felt faster with the X-chip and I wanted to see if that was true. But, I had to run the stock tranny chip, since I was trying to get the updated tranny box, the DJ box, to solve the clunking. With the stock tranny chip in there I was still hoping to overcome that with the power of the x-chip. Turns out I ran 14.04, or .02 slower than before with just the S chip. The reason was I was not running the Giac tranny chip!! I would have dropped to the 13's. The car was really slow shifting. We had found that the difference in the Giac tranny chip, and stock is about .25-.35 in the ¼. But still the car was moving. The exhaust helped out some because the top speed was 2 mph faster than before, but it hurt just a hair at the launch.
Also the miltek exhaust is very nice. Well made. Was designed to fit under valance. That is a sore point with me since I want it to go through the valance, because under looks too aftermarket. Through the valance had a factory look to it. Someday I will fix this. The performance was better even with stock chips. The turbos spooled quicker it seemed and the mid to high end was improved. It was like being ½ chipped!! : ))
Miltek Exhaust and debadged
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story6.jpg">
The car was running very nice still, although it had some problems with the instrument cluster(again) and fuel senders(again) and the radio pooped out (again). All fixed by the dealer, another bottle of wine and tequila!!
Well, since the car had added power, I decided to add some braking power too! Stoptechs were the answer and I purchased them from Stratmosphere. What a difference, especially on the track after 5-10 minutes of running!! No fade at all. Able to go longer in the straights before having to brake, since the stoptechs would stop you on a dime!
Also picked up a set of SSR competitions and added some Kuhmo V700's. What a combination!! Light and stick like glue!!
Stoptechs 332mm brakes
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/my_pictures0017.jpg">
I went to Pahrump again the next year with the X-chip, exhaust, and PSK Sway bar, the Stoptech Brakes, and SSR competitions with Kuhmo V700s tires 235/40-17's. Rick(drkangel) attended this event also. The car was much quicker than before. I was hitting 105/108mph on the back straight. Plus with the brakes and comp tires, it really stuck like glue in the turns. And to be boastful, Ricks and my cars were doing pretty good out there. Car was a champ.
After this event the car was running good. NO complaints and I started to really enjoy it, not worrying about going faster and quicker or any mod stress at all!! Just taking my time and actually enjoy what the car was all about. Comfort with some added performance.
Pahrump with Audi Club Again
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/ming.1.jpg">
The turbos were getting a little louder but no lose in power at all. After some time I went to Fontana (California Motor Speedway) with Rick, Brian4.2, Giacuser and Wagonmaster. I was running the Giac X-chip, Giac tranny chip, Miltek exhaust, and gutted precats. Again it was kinda hot out there(104 degrees). The first run I clocked a 13.9@99mph. Not bad with the heat, and headwind and the 1100' alt. To make it even with the Carlsbad times this converts to 13.7 using NHRA alt tables. The heat and headwind also didn't help out. Not too shabby. It was a lot of fun meeting some of the Audi crowd from So Cal. 13's at last!! : ))
drkangel(Rick) in his green monster at California Speedway Drags
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_037.jpg">
Wagonmasters S6 beauty at California Speedway Drags
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_039.jpg">
Car was fine after all this, but I was wondering if the turbos were finally starting to call it quits. Turned out, yes they were a little louder and sometimes had an off key sound to them, but after the fact, they were proved to be fine. Well after some time I decided to change to the O.CT K04 setup. Bob@Stratmosphere was very helpful. Plus we were trying to get the Tip software set up since this was the first A6 done.
APR Bipipe, Samco Hoses and other stuff
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/engine_closeup.jpg">
After install, we went back to Fontana and tried her out. First two runs, I ran 14.3 and 14.4 • in LIMP mode!! The ECU rev limit was set at 7300rpm and the tranny rev limit was at stock levels, so it said nope, sorry, time to shut down : ). I then plugged the old K03 software in and ran a third time. Car was running outta breath up high but it did • 13.6@103mph. This was very nice. I then said, I want to get a feeling what the K04 software will do, so for the 4th run, we plugged the k04 software back in, and decided that I would baby first gear till it shifted and then go all out. Well, the 60' time was real real bad : ), 2.8 versus a 2.1 norm, and a 330' time of 7.9 seconds versus my norm of 5.8. When the car hit 30-35mph in 2nd gear, I stomped on it. The 1/8 was still slow, I forget the time but I was doing 81mph versus my norm of 82mph.(with the easy start too). I ran the ¼ in 15.3@104mph!!!! The car was just flying at the end, a lot more air at the top end. Now to fix the problem with the 1-2 shift.
As it turns out we haven't been back to the drags, but have worked the 1-2 problem. Best guesses at the times at Carlsbad would be are- 13.2-13.3 Not too bad for a big ol 4 door.
In 2003, I attended another Audi Event at Pahrump. Drkangel and DWP came along, and it was a great time. I was again an instructor for the event and had DWP and a WRX driver as my students. DWP did fantastic on Sunday. He was new to the 2.7T model coming from the 2,8 and had to learn how the turbo reacted in certain circumstances. He was very smooth on Sunday and it made me feel good that maybe I had something to do with that. NAAAAA ,,, : ))) he really did it on his own. I was just along for moral/immoral ?? support : ).
Drkangels(Ricks) A6 was a beast. His car was real fast out there. He did very well both days. My car ran very good. In fact the last part of day 1 and during day 2, I , at times had a small line of people who wanted to take a ride in the big ol sled. I would do 2 laps with 1 person, pull into the hot pits lane, 1 passenger would exit and another climb in, and after another 2 laps, the process would repeat! : ) Had S4, A4, even the track prepped BMW people took a ride. The car did very very well. On the back straight with 2 people I was hitting 110-115mph, when I took it in real deep.
Also I am still enjoying the car for what it is and am not stressing over any mod or performance issues. I drive it and appreciate it.
I then added H-Sport front and rear sways (well worth the mod!!), and have a spare tranny sitting around just in case. I then installed the Miltek Downpipes and , again, it turns it all into a new experience : ) .
Went to the Laguna Seca ALMS and Speed Challenge in 2003 with Kirsten. Met with the Champion people and the RS6, talking with Randy and Mike. They treated Kirsten like a champ, in fact it started a relationship that still goes on to this day. Kirsten and Randy IM each other and when we can we go watch him race.
Also attended the Audi National Event at Sears Point Nov 2003. The main reason we went was that Randy called and said he would be there and we should show up. It turned out he would not get there till late the first day, so I told Kirsten Randy was not going to attend the event. Late the first day Kirsten was in the pit area and a voice yells out, Hey Kirsten!!!!! She turned around and saw Randy there, was kinda nice to watch all this happening. Had a very nice time and so did Kirsten(Bling). She had a blast, but says my car is not fast enough, it needs to go faster : ) .
She rode with my intstructor in his car and mine and with Randy Pobst!!! The car was flying and handling the turns well. But the next to last session on the last day, I had a deep gouge in the Kumho V700 and that spelled the end of the comp tire. : ( Had to put on the street wheels Ronal LZ's with Kumho Escta 712's. Was kinda slippery out there after the comp tires but loads of fun!!
At Sears Point Audi Nationals 2003
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/img_5214.1.jpg">
Things quieted down for a little bit. Then it was time for the Hotchkis Drivers event at Buttonwillow. Kirsten and I went along with Giacuser and DWP. The first session was just a course in survival, it was brutal out there. It did get better later in the day and it turned out I ran 5 sessions on that 1 day. Car did well. Ran Toyo RA1's for the first time, and they were brand new. Was kina slippery at first but after the 3rd session greip was much better. Ran them full tread. Was keeping up with C32's and E46 M3's out there. Giacuser and DWP were running well at this event also, so the Audi's put on a good showing. Some real serious fast cars were there!!! Especially this 60's camaro, wow, track only car was fast fast fast.
Giacusers very fast 2.7T at Buttonwillow, Hotchkis Event 2004
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story9.jpg">
Kirsten and I went back to Laguna Seca for the ALMS in 2004 and saw Randy again. Met with Meng- Kimchee, 2.7Twin, April and some others. Was a great time.
Kirsten with her hero Randy Pobst at Laguna Seca 2004
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story11.jpg">
And after that we had Randy and the TPC racing team over for BBQ dinner in October when they raced at California Speedway in the Rolex series. Was a great time even though they drive Porches' : )).
TPC Race Group Rolex Series at our house. Mike Levitas, Randy Pobst and the whole crew!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story12.jpg">
Have run into some other posters, TRed 2.7T, Ed Allroad and yapped it up about the cars : ))).
Rick(drkangel),Larry(Giacuser),Dave(DWP),Ed(Ed Allroad)in California eatin' Steak!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_003.jpg">
In 2005 returned to Pahrump with the Audi Club and Kirsten went with me. She rode with me some of the time. Got to ride in a RS6 and the New S4, actually drove the S4 for a few laps. DWP was there, and we have a good time. For this event I was running a different O.CT chip (a little more power, less rpm's) and it was real nice. The setup was stock sport shocks, Eibach springs, H-sport sways, Toyo RA1-s, SSR's. Good handling good comfort. Running 2:01's 2:02's with a few in the 1:57-1:59 range, very very very few. Top speed crept up to 115's mostly 110's with 118+mph on real aggressive runs.
I had called Bob at Stratmosphere and asked them to sponsor the Friday Night get together and they said yes!! Startmosphere paid for the food and all the drinks. Toasted a few corona's their way that night : ). Great people at Stratmosphere. To top it all off, Kirsten won the 50/50 raffle on Saturday Night and pocketed the money, although I bought the tickets, she kept the money!! LOL
About the end of the mod journey for me and the car, just time to relax and enjoy. Others have ventured further now in the mod process and their cars have far surpassed the Craggy ol , Old-N-Slow A6 Tip, but it was kinda unexplored territory back then.
Audi Eibach Springs were new, then Miltek Exhaust was new, then Miltek Downpipes, H-Sport Sways, cars going to K04's.
Drkangel helped out a lot during all this, cause it was either my car or his car that got the mod and the other followed LOL.
Also ,,,,,, ChrisJB,
Chris JB very nice, rare A6!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/cboyntonsportsprings.jpg">
April, PeteRD, Muhammad, 2.7tdallas, Ariel ??? AW handle???(his car was way way beyond what others have modded not engine wise but everything else, heck I was vfma314 at first then switched to Ming 2.7T lost my early CPID number : (( , all did the trial and error method, since it was all new 'stuff”.
Back then things were simple, tint, springs and radio codes : )), and whether to go larger than the 16” wheel!! Man a 17” wheel, pushing the limit!!. Was it PST or PSK,,, , headlight washer covers flying off !
Stoptechs, Tip tranny codes, H Sports, exhausts, downpipes, K04's, 19”-20” wheels were not even twinkles in our eyes : )
And that's about it. Other than some fine tuning here and there, I think mine, and my cars journey is about complete!! I plan to track it with other Audi fanatics at Willow Springs or Pahrump, maybe even Laguna Seca or Buttonwillow, mainly to just see people who I have conversed with in the past and to talk about the cars.
It seems as if it was just yesterday I was picking up the car, but 5 years have passed. I just drive and enjoy something that started as a dream and has become a reality.
Kinda funny to say, but by owning the car I have meet new friends along the way and hope that continues. And best of all it has created a stronger bond between father and daughter.
Started a quest back in 2000. My lease was coming up on my 1997 Acura CL 3.0. The Acura was perfect. Ran good, no problems at all. I was in the market for a 4 door car with decent room for me. I was kinda looking for something a little sporty. Car also had to be an Automatic, since my wife might have to drive it once in a while and she hates manual. The cars that were in my ballpark were the
Lincoln LS V8
Saab 9-5 Aero
Volvo S80 T6
Acura TL
Acura 3.5RL
BMW 528
Also looked at the S4(much later in the process). When I put the drivers seat in position for me, I then got into the back seat and never made it in, so that was the end of the S4. I liked it but needed more room.
I test drove them all once and most of them twice. After a few weeks I still did not have any favorite. Maybe I was leaning toward the Saab and the Volvo.
Then someone mentioned that I should take a look at the Audi A6. They said it has the automatic and the 2.7T model was reasonably sporty. So I wandered down to the Audi Dealer and ran into April. The interior was the best of the bunch, and I liked the all inclusive warranty.
The things I was leaning for as options were the Xenons and heated seats.
I must have looked at the A6 a few times after that, but it was a little over what I was willing to pay. Went to Newport Audi and saw a black one that had heated seats and that was about the only option. It had some miles on it, around 400 miles. Went back to April and had her search for heated seat option and in So Cal, that option was nowhere to be found : (.
April did take me for a ride through the circles of the Auto Mall and that was where I felt and experienced the Audi and its Quattro. I had to peel my face off of the side window from the G's smashing it into the glass : ))
Eventually I narrowed the choice to one, the A6 2.7T Tip, I took my Acura CL to Audi to get a trade in price. Boy, appraisal person stuck it to me and the trade in value was kinda low. It killed the deal since again I was at my limit for spending.
Acura also called and said if I wanted the RL, I could get it for some obscene amount under invoice, it was like $3500 under or something like that. The RL was a very nice car and for someone whose best car till then was the 3.0CL, this was a huge step up. But,,, it just didn't move me. I debated this one for a day or two and being an analyst I tend to beat up things by going over and over and over them. And again, at the limit of price, this was a tough decision.
Someone told me to see what Beverly Hills would do. Turns out I went there on a Saturday, they were going to give me a good deal and I was selling the Acura privately now. We went through the list of cars, there was a color, Cashmere, I was looking for, they did not have one. But on the list there was a Ming Blue, with Xenons, curtain air bags, convienent package and I think that was it. I paid something like $40,100 for it. It came out to 1200 over invoice. The car would be ready Sunday they said. I was so excited I couldn't sleep, plus I was nervous, cause- What the hell did I just do!!! : ))
My father drove me to pick up the car. He never likes anything. When he saw the car he said its OK, which is high praise from him. Found out later he talked to his wife about it and said it rode fantastic and was a good car. I was shocked : ) Sad to say that, on June 26th 2000, he passed away.
Drove the car home and I was amazed that people were actually looking at the car on the freeway.
This was in April of 2000. Kinda funny I bought it in April, April : ))
The Brand Spanking New A6 in front of our house. Kirsten in the background. Remember this picture and then compare to the one with Randy. She has grown!!!! : ))
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/front_of_home_a6.jpg">
After buying the car, I went back to April and gave her a bottle of wine and said thank you for all her time and help. I felt bad since I was concerned about the little stuff and what I could and could not do it made the whole thing kinda stressful. April had said, if you think your getting a good deal and the other party thinks it is getting a good deal then everyone is happy. I have used that approach in most of my dealing since then and it works for me. I don't need the absolute best deal possible if it means added agony and stress, a good deal is all I want. Sometimes the best deals falls into your lap too: )) I thank April for showing me the way on that. And I still ask her for advice every once in a while concerning the car.
Well, before I finally bought the car, I had this mental picture of what the car could be. I knew I wanted it a little lower and that I would maybe go with bigger wheels, but it all had to be in balance with the car.
I was in heaven. I had never had a car like this.
Tint went on shortly after. That was for looks and tint actually helps the interior stay cool and keeps the sun off the stuff. Plus flashing/blinding lights sometimes trigger my migraines (which is one reason why I have had tint since I was 16).
Tint from XLNT Tint. Everything else stock, still has the nice 4x4 suspension LOL
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story_13.jpg">
My 2000 A6 car had some teething problems, the window motor back side just went beserk, rolled up/down the window at will. Turns out BH Audi must have taken that apart sometime before and never replaced the door hardware (screws and such). Maybe there was a problem with the motor before also ???? Another dealer fixed it. Ran into a very good service advisor and he treated me very well. Found out his wife likes Merlot, so every time I went in, he got a bottle of the vino.
Now I started to think about what I had invisioned for the car. You have to remember, not too many A6's were modded back then. Lowering it from its current 4x4 look was important, but it couldn't be too low for my tastes. I purchased the Audi Eibach Springs from the dealer. I went to Wheel Warehouse to have the springs installed. They installed and aligned the car and did a good job. The springs were the right ticket, they changed the look of the car dramatically. The ride height was perfect. And the ride was still very comfortable.
Audi Eibach Springs added in 2000.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/eibach_side2.jpg">
Next I knew I wanted to go with some bigger/wider wheels/tires. I searched and searched, then Ronal wheels had a sale on some LZ's and I thought these wheels look perfect on the big bodied A6. They look sporty, yet they do not demand attention. The wheels had to blend in with the car. Gary was very helpful during this time and I owed him a lot for his time and patience. We still speak every now and then and get together for the Audi Pahrump Event each year. Gary is a good person. We decided on the 18” LZ's with 235/40-18 S-02's. The shoulder height was perfect again. It wasn't too wide or too thin just matched the car perfectly. Again, 18's were a new big thing to try back then, now a days its commonplace.
Ronal LZ's 18"
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story2.jpg">
Cosmetically I was about through. The car was transformed into a completely different look but keeping all the same basics lines. It was picked as a winner in the European Car Magazine • Pirelli Tires Garage, and I received a free set of P-Zero Rosso's 235/40-18's!!! Also the Ming Blue A6 you see on the Ronal web site, is mine : )).
Wish it wasn't cut and paste : ((
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story3a.jpg">
I did add the Stongard protection and it has done a good job. The install was not very good and Stongard said they would re-do it, but that was almost 3 years ago now and they still haven't lived up to their word. Maybe some day!!??!!
At 4500 miles the TBB tore. In fact I believe that it had started to tear much earlier. The car was OK fast but didn't feel like the other 2.7Ts I had ridden in. I could finally hear a whoosh sound of air and took it in to the dealer. They found that indeed the TBB was gone. Also the turbos must have over sped because they were louder now. But since it was running good and no loss of power, the dealer and I decided not to change them out for now. Plus the little more whistle noise was kinda cool!! After the TBB change the car was fast!! It had never been that fast, which leads me to think that it had been torn for awhile. Later on I went to AMS(Advanced Motorsport Solutions) and met Marc, the owner, and purchased the AMS Kevlar Taped TBB along with their special clamps. It worked flawlessly and Giacuser who inherited the boot, is using it to this very day!! : ). Oops, an update, Giacuser tore that one too!!!
I went to Pomona Raceway for the Street Legal Drags. It was hot out there 94 degrees and I was running 92 octane ½ tank. I went with Pete(nasaracer), Walt(blownS4), Tipster, and some others. I took a friend also.
I had never been drag racing and was a complete rookie. I listened to Pete and boy was that helpful. I finally got to the staging area, drove around the water box, and lined it up. I watched the pre-stage, then staged lights blink on, then yellow, yellow, yellow(stomp on the gas), green light!! I think I had a .671 reaction time. I was racing against a stock S4 Tip. It seemed like it took forever!! I finally made it to the timeslip tent and my time was 15.1@94mph. Not bad in the heat and 1200' alt!! The S4 Tip killed me, it ran 14.8@94mph. The next run I took my friend with me and ran 15.5@91mph. Was a lot of fun.
At Pomona, Tipsters S4 in other lane
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story4.jpg">
Well, I shouldn't have gone to the drags, cause I must have caught the bug : )
Now I was thinking, the appearance is where I want it, lets work on the performance side. I had heard of a chip that would make the transmission shift quicker. I went to see Jeff Moss who owned Velocity Motorsports. He had me try the Giac Tranny chip. It was very nice. The car should have come from the factory like this. It made the tranny much more responsive and was ultra smooth. I was running the BD box at that time. And the BD box I had, was very clunky on the 2-1 shift and it had the dreaded winding when you were on the gas, lifted, then hit the gas again, it would clunk pretty bad. I eventually learned to try to avoid those instances. I will say the Tip chip did have 1 flaw, it would gear hunt in Tip mode at 4k rpms in 4th gear. It would shift back and forth between 4th and 5th gear. To me, this was a minor nuisance and was vastly outweighed by all the pluses the Tip Chip provided.
I also tried the Giac ECU chip. It was a monster. Car was kinda fast. I decided I needed to get some times, so off to Carlsbad Drags I went. Pete(nasaracer) and I went, Pete had trouble with bad gas and his car(S4) which had run 14.2 at Pomona(chipped Tip), couldn't run any better than 14.7 at Carlsbad. I ran 14.555, 14.6xx, 14.7xxx. I was still learning how to get the car to launch good. But still a half second off the stock time was nice. I think my mph was ~96mph. And this was with those 30lb wheels on the car.
Pete and I went out again to Carlsbad and the weather was perfect. My first run I clocked a 14.33. I was thrilled. Pretty good time for a big ol sled. I was almost going to stop after that, thinking it wont get any lower. My 2nd run, I clocked a 14.29!! 14.2's ya baby!! Pete ran a best ever for any S4 Tip(up to a year later) of 13.8 !!!! Absolutely perfect run for him. And I was in the lane next to him and saw the whole thing from 2-4 cars back the whole way : ))) I was again thinking that's it. It doesn't get better than this. Well I got talked into trying 1 more. I lined up, watched the revs and bam, the car takes out like a freight train. I get my slip and see • 14.064 !!!! Holy Schmoley : ). I was happy and at the same time, mad I had just missed the 13 barrier!!!
I try another run and clocked • 14.05 and finally a 14.024 !! Talk about consistent!.
I did not go back to the drags for quite some time, since I did nothing to improve the performance on the car. But the idea of running 13's always stayed with me.
At Carlsbad with Pete(nasaracer in his S4)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story5.jpg">
After a few months, I went to the Audi Event at Pahrump for the first time. Remember, stock everything except Eibach Springs, ECU and Tranny chip. Yes the same ol stock shocks from the non-sport package. I had Mary Medo as my instructor and she was fantastic. She had me take it nice and slow and learn the lines the first day. The 2nd day, really improved from all that time learning the line and I was going around the track pretty decent. The S-02's were real nice on the track. It was too bad that it also sounded the death song for the S-02's : (( Got 22k miles outta them and the 2 day track event.
Up next • Pirelli P Zero Rosso's 235/40-18(the tires I won from European Car Mag). This is the best street tire I have had for ride comfort, noise. Handling was decent also, they did trammel some though, on the grooved lanes out here. While at Pahrump I noticed that my suspension setup was nice but it didn't react too quick on the side to side weight transfers. Oh well cant have everything.!!
Pahrump with Audi Club
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/pahrump_1st_time.jpg">
Car was a champ engine wise. I did have some other problems along the way, the instrument cluster went out, the radio started changing stations, and the fuel sender died. Also the sunroof motor crapped out. All fixed by my dealer, another bottle of wine to the service writer and something for the Audi tech too : )).
A few months passed and off I go to the Alfa Drivers School at the Streets of Willow. April was there and I met Brian4.2 with his awesome 4.2. I was running the same setup as Pahrump except on Pirelli Rossos. Boy it was hot out there. The Alfa car club is one of the best to attend these types of events, they were very nice. After the check out ride, I was on my own. I did ok, I had trouble with 2 of the turns, but I was holding my own. Brian4.2 was faster around the track than I and about anyone else for that matter!!. We did give a S2000 the fits after he couldn't lose us at all!! Brian4.2 is good on the track and was kicking serious butt out there. I had the privilege to have John Morton drive my car. Look on the internet to see who John Morton is. In his day he was damn good and won many big time races. Well he drove my car and scared the **** outta me!! I didn't think the car could do the things he was doing. It really opened up my eyes to the limits of this beast. John did say my car was faster than the 4.2 he just drove : ) but the 4.2 was better in the turns, damn those big tires of Brian's car!!! After a few laps we go into the pit lane and there are clouds of smoke just billowing from the front brakes!! I was cringing to think what happened to them. (I drove around for 10 minutes trying to cool them down some.) The Rosso's did fine at the track. The 02's had more grip at the edge, but the Rosso was nice because as it started to slid just a hair it was very controlled and you could still stay on the gas. I did have too much air in them and wore the center of the tire some. Opps!! Both the audis did fine on this very short twisty track. We were even upgraded to the fast group on Sunday!!! Which caught both Brian and I by surprise, since we were BS'ing and someone tells us, hey you guys are out on the track right now with the fast group!!! Opps off to the cars we ran, I got my video camera ready and I tried to film Brian for a lap or 2. : ))
Brian4.2's very nice A6 4.2 at Streets of Willow
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/a6_together.jpg">
I went back to the drags later with the car, I had just replaced the Giac S chip with the Giac X-chip. I also installed the Miltek Exhaust. The car felt faster with the X-chip and I wanted to see if that was true. But, I had to run the stock tranny chip, since I was trying to get the updated tranny box, the DJ box, to solve the clunking. With the stock tranny chip in there I was still hoping to overcome that with the power of the x-chip. Turns out I ran 14.04, or .02 slower than before with just the S chip. The reason was I was not running the Giac tranny chip!! I would have dropped to the 13's. The car was really slow shifting. We had found that the difference in the Giac tranny chip, and stock is about .25-.35 in the ¼. But still the car was moving. The exhaust helped out some because the top speed was 2 mph faster than before, but it hurt just a hair at the launch.
Also the miltek exhaust is very nice. Well made. Was designed to fit under valance. That is a sore point with me since I want it to go through the valance, because under looks too aftermarket. Through the valance had a factory look to it. Someday I will fix this. The performance was better even with stock chips. The turbos spooled quicker it seemed and the mid to high end was improved. It was like being ½ chipped!! : ))
Miltek Exhaust and debadged
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story6.jpg">
The car was running very nice still, although it had some problems with the instrument cluster(again) and fuel senders(again) and the radio pooped out (again). All fixed by the dealer, another bottle of wine and tequila!!
Well, since the car had added power, I decided to add some braking power too! Stoptechs were the answer and I purchased them from Stratmosphere. What a difference, especially on the track after 5-10 minutes of running!! No fade at all. Able to go longer in the straights before having to brake, since the stoptechs would stop you on a dime!
Also picked up a set of SSR competitions and added some Kuhmo V700's. What a combination!! Light and stick like glue!!
Stoptechs 332mm brakes
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/my_pictures0017.jpg">
I went to Pahrump again the next year with the X-chip, exhaust, and PSK Sway bar, the Stoptech Brakes, and SSR competitions with Kuhmo V700s tires 235/40-17's. Rick(drkangel) attended this event also. The car was much quicker than before. I was hitting 105/108mph on the back straight. Plus with the brakes and comp tires, it really stuck like glue in the turns. And to be boastful, Ricks and my cars were doing pretty good out there. Car was a champ.
After this event the car was running good. NO complaints and I started to really enjoy it, not worrying about going faster and quicker or any mod stress at all!! Just taking my time and actually enjoy what the car was all about. Comfort with some added performance.
Pahrump with Audi Club Again
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/ming.1.jpg">
The turbos were getting a little louder but no lose in power at all. After some time I went to Fontana (California Motor Speedway) with Rick, Brian4.2, Giacuser and Wagonmaster. I was running the Giac X-chip, Giac tranny chip, Miltek exhaust, and gutted precats. Again it was kinda hot out there(104 degrees). The first run I clocked a 13.9@99mph. Not bad with the heat, and headwind and the 1100' alt. To make it even with the Carlsbad times this converts to 13.7 using NHRA alt tables. The heat and headwind also didn't help out. Not too shabby. It was a lot of fun meeting some of the Audi crowd from So Cal. 13's at last!! : ))
drkangel(Rick) in his green monster at California Speedway Drags
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_037.jpg">
Wagonmasters S6 beauty at California Speedway Drags
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_039.jpg">
Car was fine after all this, but I was wondering if the turbos were finally starting to call it quits. Turned out, yes they were a little louder and sometimes had an off key sound to them, but after the fact, they were proved to be fine. Well after some time I decided to change to the O.CT K04 setup. Bob@Stratmosphere was very helpful. Plus we were trying to get the Tip software set up since this was the first A6 done.
APR Bipipe, Samco Hoses and other stuff
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/engine_closeup.jpg">
After install, we went back to Fontana and tried her out. First two runs, I ran 14.3 and 14.4 • in LIMP mode!! The ECU rev limit was set at 7300rpm and the tranny rev limit was at stock levels, so it said nope, sorry, time to shut down : ). I then plugged the old K03 software in and ran a third time. Car was running outta breath up high but it did • 13.6@103mph. This was very nice. I then said, I want to get a feeling what the K04 software will do, so for the 4th run, we plugged the k04 software back in, and decided that I would baby first gear till it shifted and then go all out. Well, the 60' time was real real bad : ), 2.8 versus a 2.1 norm, and a 330' time of 7.9 seconds versus my norm of 5.8. When the car hit 30-35mph in 2nd gear, I stomped on it. The 1/8 was still slow, I forget the time but I was doing 81mph versus my norm of 82mph.(with the easy start too). I ran the ¼ in 15.3@104mph!!!! The car was just flying at the end, a lot more air at the top end. Now to fix the problem with the 1-2 shift.
As it turns out we haven't been back to the drags, but have worked the 1-2 problem. Best guesses at the times at Carlsbad would be are- 13.2-13.3 Not too bad for a big ol 4 door.
In 2003, I attended another Audi Event at Pahrump. Drkangel and DWP came along, and it was a great time. I was again an instructor for the event and had DWP and a WRX driver as my students. DWP did fantastic on Sunday. He was new to the 2.7T model coming from the 2,8 and had to learn how the turbo reacted in certain circumstances. He was very smooth on Sunday and it made me feel good that maybe I had something to do with that. NAAAAA ,,, : ))) he really did it on his own. I was just along for moral/immoral ?? support : ).
Drkangels(Ricks) A6 was a beast. His car was real fast out there. He did very well both days. My car ran very good. In fact the last part of day 1 and during day 2, I , at times had a small line of people who wanted to take a ride in the big ol sled. I would do 2 laps with 1 person, pull into the hot pits lane, 1 passenger would exit and another climb in, and after another 2 laps, the process would repeat! : ) Had S4, A4, even the track prepped BMW people took a ride. The car did very very well. On the back straight with 2 people I was hitting 110-115mph, when I took it in real deep.
Also I am still enjoying the car for what it is and am not stressing over any mod or performance issues. I drive it and appreciate it.
I then added H-Sport front and rear sways (well worth the mod!!), and have a spare tranny sitting around just in case. I then installed the Miltek Downpipes and , again, it turns it all into a new experience : ) .
Went to the Laguna Seca ALMS and Speed Challenge in 2003 with Kirsten. Met with the Champion people and the RS6, talking with Randy and Mike. They treated Kirsten like a champ, in fact it started a relationship that still goes on to this day. Kirsten and Randy IM each other and when we can we go watch him race.
Also attended the Audi National Event at Sears Point Nov 2003. The main reason we went was that Randy called and said he would be there and we should show up. It turned out he would not get there till late the first day, so I told Kirsten Randy was not going to attend the event. Late the first day Kirsten was in the pit area and a voice yells out, Hey Kirsten!!!!! She turned around and saw Randy there, was kinda nice to watch all this happening. Had a very nice time and so did Kirsten(Bling). She had a blast, but says my car is not fast enough, it needs to go faster : ) .
She rode with my intstructor in his car and mine and with Randy Pobst!!! The car was flying and handling the turns well. But the next to last session on the last day, I had a deep gouge in the Kumho V700 and that spelled the end of the comp tire. : ( Had to put on the street wheels Ronal LZ's with Kumho Escta 712's. Was kinda slippery out there after the comp tires but loads of fun!!
At Sears Point Audi Nationals 2003
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/img_5214.1.jpg">
Things quieted down for a little bit. Then it was time for the Hotchkis Drivers event at Buttonwillow. Kirsten and I went along with Giacuser and DWP. The first session was just a course in survival, it was brutal out there. It did get better later in the day and it turned out I ran 5 sessions on that 1 day. Car did well. Ran Toyo RA1's for the first time, and they were brand new. Was kina slippery at first but after the 3rd session greip was much better. Ran them full tread. Was keeping up with C32's and E46 M3's out there. Giacuser and DWP were running well at this event also, so the Audi's put on a good showing. Some real serious fast cars were there!!! Especially this 60's camaro, wow, track only car was fast fast fast.
Giacusers very fast 2.7T at Buttonwillow, Hotchkis Event 2004
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story9.jpg">
Kirsten and I went back to Laguna Seca for the ALMS in 2004 and saw Randy again. Met with Meng- Kimchee, 2.7Twin, April and some others. Was a great time.
Kirsten with her hero Randy Pobst at Laguna Seca 2004
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story11.jpg">
And after that we had Randy and the TPC racing team over for BBQ dinner in October when they raced at California Speedway in the Rolex series. Was a great time even though they drive Porches' : )).
TPC Race Group Rolex Series at our house. Mike Levitas, Randy Pobst and the whole crew!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/story12.jpg">
Have run into some other posters, TRed 2.7T, Ed Allroad and yapped it up about the cars : ))).
Rick(drkangel),Larry(Giacuser),Dave(DWP),Ed(Ed Allroad)in California eatin' Steak!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/canon_all_pics_003.jpg">
In 2005 returned to Pahrump with the Audi Club and Kirsten went with me. She rode with me some of the time. Got to ride in a RS6 and the New S4, actually drove the S4 for a few laps. DWP was there, and we have a good time. For this event I was running a different O.CT chip (a little more power, less rpm's) and it was real nice. The setup was stock sport shocks, Eibach springs, H-sport sways, Toyo RA1-s, SSR's. Good handling good comfort. Running 2:01's 2:02's with a few in the 1:57-1:59 range, very very very few. Top speed crept up to 115's mostly 110's with 118+mph on real aggressive runs.
I had called Bob at Stratmosphere and asked them to sponsor the Friday Night get together and they said yes!! Startmosphere paid for the food and all the drinks. Toasted a few corona's their way that night : ). Great people at Stratmosphere. To top it all off, Kirsten won the 50/50 raffle on Saturday Night and pocketed the money, although I bought the tickets, she kept the money!! LOL
About the end of the mod journey for me and the car, just time to relax and enjoy. Others have ventured further now in the mod process and their cars have far surpassed the Craggy ol , Old-N-Slow A6 Tip, but it was kinda unexplored territory back then.
Audi Eibach Springs were new, then Miltek Exhaust was new, then Miltek Downpipes, H-Sport Sways, cars going to K04's.
Drkangel helped out a lot during all this, cause it was either my car or his car that got the mod and the other followed LOL.
Also ,,,,,, ChrisJB,
Chris JB very nice, rare A6!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4525/cboyntonsportsprings.jpg">
April, PeteRD, Muhammad, 2.7tdallas, Ariel ??? AW handle???(his car was way way beyond what others have modded not engine wise but everything else, heck I was vfma314 at first then switched to Ming 2.7T lost my early CPID number : (( , all did the trial and error method, since it was all new 'stuff”.
Back then things were simple, tint, springs and radio codes : )), and whether to go larger than the 16” wheel!! Man a 17” wheel, pushing the limit!!. Was it PST or PSK,,, , headlight washer covers flying off !
Stoptechs, Tip tranny codes, H Sports, exhausts, downpipes, K04's, 19”-20” wheels were not even twinkles in our eyes : )
And that's about it. Other than some fine tuning here and there, I think mine, and my cars journey is about complete!! I plan to track it with other Audi fanatics at Willow Springs or Pahrump, maybe even Laguna Seca or Buttonwillow, mainly to just see people who I have conversed with in the past and to talk about the cars.
It seems as if it was just yesterday I was picking up the car, but 5 years have passed. I just drive and enjoy something that started as a dream and has become a reality.
Kinda funny to say, but by owning the car I have meet new friends along the way and hope that continues. And best of all it has created a stronger bond between father and daughter.
