I have lurked here for several months and enjoyed the discussions and learned a lot. I have to say that, at first, I thought most of you were crazy with all your mods. Now I am begining to come around a bit and am willing to consider a few myself. I have a 2000 A6 2.7t w/ sport and no mods. Car seems to drive great with 50K on the clock.

Is there any concensus on which mods should come first. I read mostly about taillights, coilovers (is that lowering?), suspension, wheels, K02, spoilers, chips, exhaust, and bumpers.

I know it is a matter of personal preference, but I am curious as to your thoughts on order of importance.

 

Since you're the one who drives the car, I think it all depends on what you yourself think it needs.

My feeling is that it's silly to modify the car just to modify something. If you want to "mod" your car, why is that? What do you want it to do that it doesn't do already? You yourself mentioned that it's based on personal preferences, what are yours?

My suggestion would be to enroll in an ACNA Driver's Education event in your area before doing anything to the car. Run through the exercies, take the car on the track and see how it performs. Learn it's personality, and see if it "suggests" modifications to you.

If there is a proper order to modifying you car, IMO, it's something that you would know best since you're the best judge of your driving style and needs.

Having said that, many have thought it made sense to upgrade braking components before adding horsepower. I can see how that makes some sense, but again, the driver will know his or her car best. If the only time you open up is on empty roads and you rarely need to slow the car repeatedly and agressively, this might not apply to you. So again, what do YOU think it needs, or what do you want more or less of?

Personaly, if I started over, I'd work on suspension, then brakes, then horsepower. That's just me.

 

that should dictate what you mod first.

coilover suspension systems are overkill for most people, however they do offer adjustability in ride height, and some in shock stiffness too.

a well matched spring/shock combo will give good performance and ride quality for much less money, like the Eibach pro-system.

A chip is a great power upgrade for the 2.7T, it will really wake up the turbos, however there is risk of shortening the life of the turbos, but being really strict with the maintenence is the key. The APR Y-pipe should accompany this mod, this stops potential leaks in the system.
Also upgrading the Diverter Valve is always a good idea when you run higher boost.

Exhaust may gain you a little power and will get you more sound for sure, with better looking pipes sticking out of the rear.
The cost/power ratio is not nearly as good as chipping the car, and this is really more of a sound/personal preference mod.

Wheels are usually a visual mod, again, personal preference.
But if you go really wide and fat rubber, it will improve grip.
(if you feel you're running out of it with your current setup)

I'd suggest going with a chip for starters.
Then upgrade the springs/shocks when the shocks wear out(which they may be on their way out already)
Maybe go with stiffer swaybars right away to reduce body roll. This will also compliment new springs/shocks when you put them on.

Upgrade the brake fluid and pads as well.
You want to be able to stop better if you have more power and better handling.

I was looking at a 2001 2.7T sport also, so I had my mods all planned out.
However it was sold and now I'm getting an A4 to go along with my A6 Avant.

 

I agree though that upgrading braking and suspension first is smart if you're going to add horsepower.

 

I would start with suspension because if you have over 50K yours is shot. CO are a waist of money unless you are into height adjustment. best bang for buck, HSPORT sways and spring shock combo all this half the price of CO.

Next go for a chip, make sure your engine is in good shape. Chips varied in type but all do the same (increae boost increase fuel)

Brakes are a waste of time on this car unless you track it and expect to fight fade problems. HP-2 are some of the best stoppers around, just get the appropiate brake pad and fluid.

Although not a mod, I would rec Bentley repair manual and a VAG com cable and software. These will save you endless time an money. If your like me and like to fix and mod yourself these are a must. I did timing belt,control arms,cam and cam adjuster seals/gaskets with these and though time consuming was not really that hard.

I have modded mine, with bilstein/eibach springs,HSport sways,snub mount,MTM chip,short shifter, upgrader rotors/pads, Bosch sport BPV, APR bipipe. Setting in the garage are KO4's, Milltek DP's, RS4 clutch, 5 bar FPR, RS4 mounts. I will be doing the work in the next month.

 

Join a local ACNA chapter and go to a Driver School. You'll see first hand how a better driver in a stock car can be faster around the track than a newbie with all the aftermarket performance goodies.

It is money/time well spent because what you learn on the track and in the classroom can save your *** out on the road. I learned that when I avoided a deer while doing 85mph at night. Better mod than any amount of HP, cornering G's or number of pistons in your calipers.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audiclubna.org/content/blogcategory/26/84/">ACNA Chapters</a></li></ul>

 

Do you plan to install the new parts yourself?