Audi A4 B8: Aftermarket Modifications

This article applies to the Audi A4 B8 (2008-2015).

Audi makes some pretty great cars straight from the factory, but that doesn't mean that we can't improve on what they roll out, nor does it mean that we can't customize our rides to make them stand out from the crowd. Like any luxury performance car, the A4 enjoys a healthy aftermarket that is ripe with all sorts of parts and goodies you can bolt onto your car. But while some are well worth the money and can provide obvious benefits, others simply aren't and don't. So where do you start? Here are some of the more popular aftermarket modifications that are worth their weight in gold (or dollars).

Aftermarket Modifications

One of the biggest concerns most people have is how their aftermarket modifications will affect the warranty status of their vehicle. While it's true that some upgrades can void the warranty, most bolt-on parts will not so long as they aren't directly to blame for any potential problems that might spring up. Still, it's worth doing a little research on the parts you want to buy to see if their installation might void your warranty.

ECU Upgrades

DIY Cost – $150-$700

Professional Cost – $200-$1,000

Skill Level – Easy; Basically a plug and play if you buy a completed unit.

One of the easiest and most popular ways to enjoy a boost in performance is through an upgraded engine control unit (ECU). The ECU controls a series of actuators on the engine by reading values from sensors, interpreting that data, and then making adjustments to optimize engine performance. Aftermarket ECU's are designed to go a little further, allowing adjustments to be made or simply coming pre-programmed to optimize performance. This leads to a noticeable boost in power without compromising reliability in most cases. Some of the more popular ECU's for the A4 are made by APR and Stasis, and you can take your car to a shop for custom programming for a relatively low cost.

Aftermarket Exhaust

DIY Cost – $800-$1,200

Professional Cost – $1,000-$1,500

Skill Level – Moderate; Mostly a bolt-on job, but can be difficult to access.

Any gearhead worth their salt knows that installing a free flowing exhaust will result in a power gain from almost any car, as well as a nice little bit of extra noise. But perhaps the next best thing about an aftermarket exhaust system is that most are fairly simple bolt-ons, a big step up from the old days of cutting and welding tubes to fit each individual car. The most common names in the aftermarket exhaust market include Magnaflow and Borla, but there are quite a few great manufacturers of bolt-on exhaust systems for Audi's, including AWE and CTS.

Suspension Upgrades

DIY Cost – $150-$900

Professional Cost – $250-$1,000+

Skill Level – Moderate; Some parts can be difficult to remove and/or access.

The A4 handles pretty darn good straight from the factory, but it has the potential for more with the right parts. Aftermarket coilovers can make a big difference in cornering and lower the car down a bit. Bigger sway bars have been known to keep the car flatter in corners as well and are a worthwhile upgrade.

If you want to go all out, kits are available that feature all of the above, plus beefier suspension bushings and thicker control arms. It's hard not to recommend any of them, especially if you're upgrading the car's power as well, since a beefier suspension will keep you on the road and out of trouble during "spirited" driving sessions.

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