Just picked up my first Audi (Updates to come) - Hibiscus Content

[DeathKing]

After 2 VWs and 1 BMW it was time to join the Audi party.

The car:




- 2001 Quattro 1.8t Manual with 126,000

Only mods are the grille, taillights, muffler and wheels.

The bad is it needs some maintenance:

• Front rotors/pads
• All brake hoses
• SAI pump
• Rear Wheel Bearings
• Front CV boots
• Lower door moldings
• Pixelated cluster
• Motor Mounts
• ...and a few others

TCL Vendors rejoice I'll be having all of the above taken care of before any mods are done and will update in here for all of eternity.

[Tylerp]

Do some Free mods, Pull that nite shade stuff off the tails, Fix the exhaust, Its an Audi, not a honda. Debadge the rear and if thats a Kamei grille, please get a stocker, theyre nicer looking, and youll MAKE money by selling that to some 16 year old kid that thinks that grille is cool. Im not being a dick, i think of it as Constructive criticism. Its all cheap, easy stuff to do while waiting for parts, or when you get bored. Overall, nice find, its a good platform, and youll have tons of fun with it.

[DeathKing]

Yeah I probably should've mentioned that, no way in hell is any of that stuff staying. I have the stock grille waiting to go in and the spray tint will soon be off too. I am a OEM+ and function>form kind of guy, I have plans for a very clean looking B5.

I had a B5 Passat with a Malone Stage 2 tune, full Milltek turbo-back, full JHM shift kit, textured rub strips and RS6 reps just to give you an idea of the kinds of modifications I like.

[Tylerp]

GOOD! Ahaha, i learned the hard way, i went through all of the rough spots and spent too much money on dumb stuff just to take it off and throw it away.

[br0keit]

A few things that need to be done:
as you stated yourself the mods have to go.I'd even replace the exhaust (at least the muffler) fart cans don't work well with these cars. Get a tried and true twin tip and you'll be set.

As far as maintenance goes that you listed, except the obvious ones:

SAI pump - delete it and find someone with a vagcom to program it out...its a worthless POS anyways and breaks all the time
Front CV boots - replace the whole front axles (give Marty at raxles a call)
Pixelated cluster - good luck finding a cheap cluster as they seem to be the first to sell out in partouts, there is someone floating around the parts section with Chinese clusters. they're a little brighter than stock but cheap and fairly easy to replace if you're semi competent with a soldering iron.

This one probably goes without saying but just to be sure.......TIMING BELT! - if you're not 10000% positive that the timing belt was replaced in the last 75k replace it. Your car has a better chance in a demo derby than driving on an old TB. But you should already know this given you've owned a b5 passat

[DeathKing]

You are correct sir. Unfortunately money is a factor and since I plan on a real exhaust down the road this one will have to stay for now

As far as deleting the SAI system, I would if it weren't for passing emissions in NY since I don't have a go-to place for inspection that could just be asked to look past it.

I do plan on replacing both axles but will probably give FCP a call instead since as I said since money is a factor and I plan on doing 0 engine mods until whenever it is that I go stage 3 (a while). They seem like a good solution.

The cluster I plan on sending in to Module Masters, very happy that I found out about them!

The timing belt It was replaced within the last 75k I just don't know when exactly, I'll probably get it done at 140k or so.

[Kylelipscomb]

are you planning on wet sanding the paint off the tail lights?

[bryangb]

The tail lights and exhaust

[br0keit]

As far as deleting the SAI system, I would if it weren't for passing emissions in NY since I don't have a go-to place for inspection that could just be asked to look past it.

That's why you find someone with a vagcom...you can get it easily programmed out so it wont throw codes. It only runs for like 20s anyways so any smog test wont even know its gone.

[DeathKing]

are you planning on wet sanding the paint off the tail lights?

Yes

The tail lights and exhaust

and yes

That's why you find someone with a vagcom...you can get it easily programmed out so it wont throw codes. It only runs for like 20s anyways so any smog test wont even know its gone.

Hmmm I'll look into it

[Kylelipscomb]

sweet, let me know how that goes, mine are tinted and i really dont like them.

[audixride]

love the color! congrats on the whip!

[Devolucian]

Congrats man...seems like you got an idea of what needs to go...enjoy

Does anyone have a link to programming out the secondary air, i've been searching and can't find it, i will have access to vag-com 2maro and want to get this done...thanks

[br0keit]

I haven't been able to find a specific thread but I've heard many people do it. A few chip tunes even come with the SAI deleted (such as uni)so the possibility is definitely there.

[DeathKing]

Thanks for the congratulations guys. You all also convinced me... I'll be getting a SAI delete file from MaloneTuning sometime in the spring most likely

Phase one - "Smell good" complete. Used one of those ozone bombs on the interior to get rid of the nasty cigarette smell and its completely gone. Used simple green to clean the seats and the rest of the interior then 303 Aerospace protectant all round after, you can see the rear bench out on the table in the back.


Phase two - "Look good" almost complete. Took the taillights out rubbed the spray tint off, I forgot the product but I can post it if anyone is looking to do the same. It took lets say 20min per side but came off fairly easy. Re-installed the stock grille, new lower door moldings on all 4 doors and re-installed the cluster which was sent off to ModuleMasters for repair. What a difference! Still need to properly install the license plates (WTF Front Bracket), dent repair being done as we speak, and a proper detail.



Phase three - "Run good" still in progress Mechanically it is not yet complete but will run like it did off the showroom floor once it is finished.


I'll post better more detailed pictures soon once everything is sorted out, let me know what you guys think

[Kylelipscomb]

Took the taillights out rubbed the spray tint off, I forgot the product but I can post it if anyone is looking to do the same.

Me I am!

[DeathKing]

It was this stuff


It does take elbow grease but you can see it come completely off. Keep a full roll of paper towels on deck

It was a little hazy afterwards so I quickly went over it with plastic polish but to really get it perfect I'll redo it with a 3M headlight restoration kit then some wax. Good luck!

[Kylelipscomb]

Thank you!

[DeathKing]

Finally starting to make progress. I finally got my winter tires/wheels taken off and these mounted. Exhaust will be coming within the next week

[DeathKing]

I picked up an exhaust from Billy Boat on ebay for $550 shipped as a "used" item. Nope, so freaking nice!







I now have a bad left rear wheel bearing (only 3k miles on it ) and a seized front right caliper that are stopping me from enjoying the car but soon it should be riding nice and smooth.

I'm thinking about painting the left side caliper/hub now that they are so exposed and I have the opportunity.

[ray4624]

dont buy junk bearings and axles...there is a reason that oem lasted 100k and the chinese stuff is hit or miss..


those wheels actually look pretty solid on the hibiscus car.
any plans for going low?

[NeedingAnAudi]

I'm thinking about painting the left side caliper/hub now that they are so exposed and I have the opportunity.

If you paint one side, you will have to paint the other side. It will eat you alive if you don't, trust me.

[DeathKing]

dont buy junk bearings and axles...there is a reason that oem lasted 100k and the chinese stuff is hit or miss..


those wheels actually look pretty solid on the hibiscus car.
any plans for going low?

Good call, I've had luck with FCP parts but I might go with a Genuine VW/Audi this time. Thank you for the comment I couldn't be happier with those wheels. I plan on lowering around 1.5" all around and that will complete the look, I'm not really a slammed type of guy.

If you paint one side, you will have to paint the other side. It will eat you alive if you don't, trust me.

You're right I'm just in denial about it

[DeathKing]

I realized yesterday that in a few months I will be coming up on the 1 year anniversary with this car! A lot has gone wrong but its amazing to look back and see how far the car has come within this short time.

Here are some pictures of how it currently sits:





And I have a few more mods coming up (already have the parts)....

• Rockford Fosgate P152-S Component Speakers using the SAK-1104 4" to 5.25" adapter for the front

• ST Coilovers to lower around 1.5" inches (Thanks to HPA!)

• FCP Control Arm Kit Option #3 with metal tie rod assembly

• Last but not least I'll be painting the calipers silver and the hubs black to clean up the look

[donkeysaudi]

nice pick up. Out of all the cars that you've had so far, which one is the overall best?

[DeathKing]

nice pick up. Out of all the cars that you've had so far, which one is the overall best?

Thanks!

I'll give my final answer next week when the next set of mods are done. But as of now, the E36 by far. Those cars (once you catch up with maintenance) can really live up to their hype.

But it had new tie rods, Bilstein PSS coilovers, Yokohama s.Drive tires and a BSW speaker kit so its a bit of an unfair comparison which is what I meant by giving a final answer.

[Audiquattro337]

That's why you find someone with a vagcom...you can get it easily programmed out so it wont throw codes. It only runs for like 20s anyways so any smog test wont even know its gone.

Codes are not the only thing you have to worry about, if someone were to want to check to make sure all the monitors have been run, it would show it as incomplete... Also deleting your sai will elevate your Hc and Co emissions, which could cause you to fail a two speed idle test via 5 gas analyzer or "smog machine", not sure if that's something you have to deal with or just a safety inspection. Just leave it imo...

[Audiquattro337]

and i almost forgot



cars looking great!! you made me so much more glad i am picking up a Hibiscus 5spd Quattro a4 Avant in the next few days! Though I am not a huge fan of black rims I thought hibiscus + black would be very clean, thanks for confirming it for me haha!!

[DeathKing]

More updates! The car is now at 137,000 and aging like a fine wine

After ST coilovers and a control arm refresh thanks to FCP:


Then I finished painting the calipers:


But it was time to put the snow tires back on:

17x7.5 et 30 with 225/45-17 General Arctic Altimax tires

The SAI pump whine has finally gone away and I can feel the CEL coming on any day now. I plan on getting tuned by Motoza soon which should take care of that problem.

Look for an update when I plastidip my winter wheels white!

[CoopaCoopaCoopa]

Tremendously clean car sir.