New S4 Avant owner: starting the long climb
 

Just got my new (to me) 2001 Santorin S4 Avant, purchased in Vermont with abt. 40k miles.

Paint is perfect. Nice silver (white) interior looks nice with the Santorin blue.

Issues:
1) Thinking of modest performance mods, specifically exhaust + chip + intercooler upgrade. More interested in driveability and fun than absolute power or crushing other brands. Suggestions for brands/types?

2) not going to track the car, so I'm not thinking brakes or much suspension modding. Lots of really horrible roads, so I'm not big on reducing suspension travel, but a little more control might be nice. Any suggestions?

3) Getting a thrumming from what sounds like the left front... possible wheel bearing noise (gets much louder in right-hand turns). Still under warranty. I'll be visiting the dealer's service stars next week. Are wheel bearings problematic with these cars?

4) Also had to put a new battery in it. Just discovered that mine doesn't have a sliding mount, so it requires a long group 48 battery (Sears didn't fit). I'm hoping that the dealer will give me a new one for free next week ;)

No stranger to the brand. Previous Audi's:
* 1973? Audi 100LS (orange!)
* 1980 Audi 5000 Diesel (good for smokescreens)
* 1992 Audi S4 (UrS4, sorely missed, my best ever)
* 1999 Audi A4 tqm chipped
* 2001 Audi TT (was aTTaguy on TT forum)

Looking forward to catching up with the community.

Frank

Lots of exhausts, lots of chips and suspension set ups.............
 

chips - GIAC, APR, MTM, AMS.

Exhausts - AWE, APR, Borla, SuperSprint, ASP, UUC VM, MTM, Miltek.

Suspensions - Stasis, H&R, KW.

Just start your search with those. Lots of reading. Congrats on the car and enjoy.

you're forgetting TAP chip hehe

You are forgetting to paint your hood. Paint your hood not your wheels. :- )

i just bought one of these a few minutes ago...i'll post my impressions after i get it installed
 

but it looks like something you might be intersted in for the control issue-apparently it really reduces body roll. <img src="https://www.greedspeed.com/prod_images/large/25.02.19.4.jpg">

Thanks, sounds like same players different products...
 

My '92 UrS4 had an MTM chip (no TAP, thank you)

My '99 A4 used an APR

Suspension mods to both were just shocks (no lowering) and A/R bars.

I'll do some reading and look forward to getting a plan. Nice to have lots of other folks who have BTDT. The pioneers are the one with all the arrows sticking out of their backs

I hope that comes with brackets...

How much and is it CPO?
 

You can email me if you don't want to list price (robo AT planet42 DOT net). Might be listing mine soon.

As to your questions, I've been very satisfied with my setup: AMS M-box and Borla G2 exhaust. This setup dyno'd at 315hp and 380 lb ft on a fairly hot day.

Welcome to the ultra-exclusive Avant club. :)

yes it does,,,pretty good deal on greedspeed
 

but they charge $20 for S&amp;H which i think is alittle outrageous<ul><li><a href="https://www.greedspeed.com/products/prod_details.aspx?prod_id=1216&amp;app=8&amp;app_d esc=2000-2002%20Audi%20S4%202.7t&amp;cat=">https://www.greedspeed.com/products/prod_details.aspx?prod_id=1216&amp;app=8&amp;app_d esc=2000-2002%20Au

Nice, I'll look forward to hearing about it
 

Also liked your signature model... I seem to count six rings there, not four...

Re: How much and is it CPO?
 

Mine was NOT certified, since I didn't get it from a dealer. Nevertheless, I was able to get a full list of services performed from my local friendly audi dealer (for a car being sold in VT--ain't computers grand?). My only concern was it recently had both the clutch and front brakes replaced. OTOH, they're both new for me.

It actually had just under 40 thousand miles and I paid about 27,500. Seen better, seen worse, but this car seems in very nice shape. Drives well, and the paint is exceptionally nice, no chips, no overspray, no evidence of repairs.

Re: How much and is it CPO?
 

Mine was NOT certified, since I didn't get it from a dealer. Nevertheless, I was able to get a full list of services performed from my local friendly audi dealer (for a car being sold in VT--ain't computers grand?). My only concern was it recently had both the clutch and front brakes replaced. OTOH, they're both new for me.

It actually had just under 40 thousand miles and I paid about 27,500. Seen better, seen worse, but this car seems in very nice shape. Drives well, and the paint is exceptionally nice, no chips, no overspray, no evidence of repairs.

like Rob O said...welcome to the "Exclusive Avant" club ;-)
 

paid $30k for mine end of last summer...31k miles, every option...CPO =)

my hood looks good YO "BLING BLING" puahaha
 

we gotta meet up sometime

LOL - "The pioneers are the one with all the arrows sticking out of their backs" - so true

That'll do ... thanks. :)
 

And FWIW, replaced clutch and brakes on this car before 40k miles is not a red flag ... both tend to wear by then. Both were replaced on mine from normal wear and tear by about that time too. Nothing to be concerned with.

Sounds nice... mods yet?
 

Almost all I saw were black or silver &amp; my wife wanted Imola. We settled on the Santorin.

Is that Alcantra on your sig (baby) seat? How do you like it?

love it.....
 

Alcantara rules! Keeps you snug and comfy in the seats. I held out till I found exactly what I wanted...Nogaro Avant 6 spd with Sport Alcantara =) Imola eh? Those are tough to find...I actually almost got an Imola (but the dealer wouldn't go $500 lower)...so I walked. Mods are comming slowly...(GIAC chip, UUC VM3, and Stasis Street Sport Coilovers are in)...short shifter, sway bar, and DTS next. Wheels in the spring...then Downpipes, Intercoolers, blah blah blah ;) Congrats again on the Santorin Avant!

huh?
 

Clutch at 40k? A clutch in a car that's driven properly should go 100k no problem. 40k is far too early for a clutch job, it indicates an inept or abusive driver, or a defective clutch - design or manufacture.

You have Nav...so do I. Do you have the entire disc set?
 

I need the West coast.

hmmnnn....don't know...will have to check....actually
 

I hope I do...since I'll be moving to SoCal sometime this summer. I don't use the Nav much so I'm not sure offhand. Will keep you posted if I do ;) &lt;goes and starts looking for the Nav discs&gt;

Moved from a 2000 sedan to a similar Avant in October - enjoy.

Do a search ...
 

It is not uncommon for the S4 to require clutch replacement prior to 40k. But, with only 72 posts here, I appreciate the implication that I'm an inept driver or that you know the S4 that well.

Wagons Ho!!
 

Welcome to the club, wagons rule!

I think there are something like 10-12 of them. Thanks!