Plans for First Mods. Feedback Please.

[gli1.8turbo]

I just got my 2006 A3 2.0 FSI last week. It's got 30,000 miles and it's bone stock. Here is the first list of mods I plan to do very soon.

- Window Tint
- APR 3" Downpipe w/ (??????????) Cat Back. I need feedback on this one.
- APR Stage 2 Flash
- Forge Diverter Valve (Had this on my GLI. I assume it works just as well on an A3?)
- Dogbone Motor mounts (Again, had these on my GLI and they worked well to reduce wheel hop. Are they good for A3s as well?)
- Intake (I was thinking Carbonio but interested to hear everyone's recommendations here)
- Coil Overs (H&R or Koni)

I definitely need help figuring out which cat back to get. I have heard Miltek is good but I was considering APR as well.

As for the intake, Carbonio seems to be a popular choice around here so I assume it's for good reason.

Please let me know if you guys have any other suggestions for my first list of Mods planned.

[TBomb]

I just got my 2006 A3 2.0 FSI last week. It's got 30,000 miles and it's bone stock. Here is the first list of mods I plan to do very soon.

- Window Tint
- APR 3" Downpipe w/ (??????????) Cat Back. I need feedback on this one.
- APR Stage 2 Flash
- Forge Diverter Valve (Had this on my GLI. I assume it works just as well on an A3?)
- Dogbone Motor mounts (Again, had these on my GLI and they worked well to reduce wheel hop. Are they good for A3s as well?)
- Intake (I was thinking Carbonio but interested to hear everyone's recommendations here)
- Coil Overs (H&R or Koni)

I definitely need help figuring out which cat back to get. I have heard Miltek is good but I was considering APR as well.

As for the intake, Carbonio seems to be a popular choice around here so I assume it's for good reason.

Please let me know if you guys have any other suggestions for my first list of Mods planned.

Window Tint - It's a must here in TX. I have Wincos film, which does a great job of blocking heat.

Downpipe - Why the APR pipe? It is quite expensive. There are other alternatives out there, but if you're going to add a cat-back at the same time then I would go ahead and just get one brand's full TBE. Pick the brand that has the best sound for you. I already commented on APR and Milltek in your other thread Go on YouTube and search for videos of the different exhausts you are looking at...you'll find more for the GTI but it should sound pretty much the same as on our cars.

Forge DV - Opinions on whether or not there is any advantage are a mixed bag, but yes, it should work just fine on the A3.

Dogbone Mounts - I haven't replaced my entire mount, but I did put on one of the inserts, and it really seems to help with wheel hop :thumb up:

Intake - Marginal, if any gains in power with an intake. You will get more noise. Carbonio less so than any of the varieties of "filters on a stick". There are some more complicated variations such as the BSH True Seal or Forge TwinTake that are supposed to have more gains than others. The biggest benefit to a filter on a stick intake is that you can remove the stock engine cover, which makes it easier to work on things like checking your HPFP cam follower, which you should do The biggest benefit to running a Carbonio is that since it is pretty much the same thing as the stock intake, just with a bigger, carbon fiber fresh air scoop, you are less likely to get any flak about it from the dealer if you have to take the car in for any warranty issues. If you're out of warranty, I wouldn't bother.

Coilovers - There are a ton out there, it's just a matter of what you want as far as ride quality/characteristics, adjustment, and price.

[sleepy3]

Isnt most choices for intakes going to throw off thr maf? Such as the stick filters

[TBomb]

Isnt most choices for intakes going to throw off thr maf? Such as the stick filters

I haven't heard of this being an issue on K03 cars. If you are running a K04 with APR then it can be an issue.

[sleepy3]

Oh I must have misread something before thanks for clearing that up now to find the cheapest evoms intake

[rawaudi]

Tint yes. Must have.

Catback, as tbomb said there are various brands at various prices. If you think you want a TBE long term then I would just wait and get 1 system instead of retrofitting the dp to your oem catback. I will have my Billy Boat on here soon if you want to hear it locally.

Forge DV. nothing against it, but I am taking mine off next weekend. I would just recommend the revision D that doesn't require maintenance.

Intake is a mixed bag but most are sticks with filters on them. I have a carbonio and took it off for a neuspeed. Didn't notice any gains with either, but I enjoy the sound of the neuspeed and also that it doesn't require the engine cover.

Coilovers, I got my Konis new for about $900 shipped. Got them from a domestic parts company and they cut me a big discount in addition to the Koni sale. PM me if you want the name of the company and rep I worked with. Again, this is a mixed bag. Many options at various prices. The STs are probably the most affordable and quality product. I would have gone STs had I not got my Konis.

I highly recommend the facelift tails!

[gli1.8turbo]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. This is very helpful. I may just hold off on the Intake as I care more about performance than sound.

rawaudi - Thanks for the offer on the discounted Konis. I will PM you if I decide to go that route.

[cldub]

If you aren't too crazy about having adjustable dampening, spring rate, etc, and just want height adjustability, I would suggest the JOM coilovers from BFI. I got mine for $500 shipped and they do exactly what I want them to do. Plus you can get pretty low from them

[sleepy3]

If you aren't too crazy about having adjustable dampening, spring rate, etc, and just want height adjustability, I would suggest the JOM coilovers from BFI. I got mine for $500 shipped and they do exactly what I want them to do. Plus you can get pretty low from them

is the ride comfortable lets say compared to STs or V1s?

[cldub]

is the ride comfortable lets say compared to STs or V1s?

Can't comment on that, because I haven't felt STs or V1s. However I can say it is noticeably more comfortable than my old H&R Cup Kit