Hi, I am a first time poster as while as a new owner of an 2001 A4 Quattro manual (Being 18... its A BIG upgrade from a 97 Chevy Lumina :-D) It will arrive on Friday next week and I want to get a lot of things squared away before it gets here as I have found out about a lot of hidden things that I am worried about. I have already ready the FAQ and such and was wondering your advice on numerous questions. The car has 87,650 miles by the way with one owner.

Worried:
1) Take it into the local Audi shop and get it serviced or have my trusted mechanic take a peek at it?
2) Should my first priority be getting my timing belt replaced? It should be cost around 350 for a kit plus around 7 hours of labor? I'd imagine the local Audi shop will be a lot more spendy. Is it worth trying to do it yourself to save the couple hundred in labor (granted I probably don't have the tools but I can follow the DIY guide) I like to do things by myself cause of the satisfaction but I figure this might be something a newbie like myself may not want to tamper with cause the risk of a new engine just doesn't sit too well.
3) Pick up some larger OEM oil filters and synthetic oil.
4) Any other maintenance issues that I should be aware of at this mileage? I am aware of the timing belt, tie rods and engine sludge. What else should I look into when the car arrives? The previous owner said it ran and sounded nice,

Anxious Part:
After the maintenance part is taken care of, do you recommend chipping this car at the mileage? I am aware I'd have to get a new DV (710N) but I was wondering if it would be worth it. Other than a GIAC chip, would an INMOTION chip be decent? I read the recent thread about it and I am interested about it. I am not looking for outrageous performance, but something better than stock would be sufficient. The price difference is a little over 250 dollars and I don't know if it would be worth going with the GIAC for a few more hp/torque. If I want to make it sit lower, I read that coilovers are the way to go as they are adjustable... which would be perfect for summer and the notorious winter times here (can't wait to try out awd in the winter) . I already plan on doing the airbox mod, painting the ugly gray side skirts, as well as the calipers. I already ordered a boost gauge also.

Any other comments or suggestions? I can include pictures and such later... it’s late.

Thanks Fellas!

*EDIT oopps I don't have a boost controller... I always get it mixed up, I ordered a BOOST GAUGE. Sorry for the mixup.
Can't wait for it to come... after a little polishing you can bet on a some pics.

 

WELCOME!!

And yes I would change the Timing Belt. And as for the boost controller, I am assuming it is electrical? You don't want to use those. You want a manual boost controller. And yeah I would go with the InMotion chip. I am going to be getting one here soon (waiting to see if I get a new A4 with a stick and sell my A4 with Tip.) WELCOME again!!!

Oh and post pics of your new whip when it gets here!

Josh

 

alrite i would go with a trusted mechnic casue if hes know his stuff then wat makes him different from an audi tech who knows the same things ur trust mechanic knows, and remember the are nicked named stealerships

and i wouldnt get a manual boost controll if ur just gonna go wit a basic chip and ur stickin to the stock turbo
just get a chip and dv and u should be set
coilovers are the best bet to stick with, i would get em

and a timing best should be done at 60k but audi says 100k but i dont trust em

 

do the t belt, mine busted at 41k
and welcome, post pics when you get it!!!

 

Well good luck on your ride and post some pics. I have an 01 1.8T Tip tho. i upgraded it from a 91 Olds Cutlass Convert and wow what a diff you will love it. yeah get the belt changed and if you are mechanicly able then try it yourself but if you arent then i wouldnt try it but thats from me how can do very little.

 

Once you take care of the timing belt and do basic maintenance you should be fine. With 87K miles, I'd also have the mechanic check the oil pressure. The 1.8T has sludging problems IF the previous owner hasn't taken care of regular oil changes.

I chipped my car at 85K miles. I now have 175K miles on the car.

 

You have the 170 hp engine. The older 1.8Ts had 150. Bentley
says the belt should be changed on the 2001 at 120K mi. I had
mine done at84K mi.
Check all fluids. Take the oil filler cap off, and feel inside for sludge.
Good luck.
I replaced a wheel beering at 87K
MAF at 87K
tie rod ends at 110K
brakes pads front and rear at 119K, The dealer gave me new pads at 50K

 

why are you buying a car before you have your trusted mechanic look at it?

paintballguy - How can you honestly recommend the inmotionchip to a newcomer? that is totally irresponsible. you dont even have the cobbles to try it yourself.

manual boost controllers work best with stock diverter valves (remember this the first time you wind it out after installing the mbc and you go into limp mode with an overboost code.) also,do it right with a creeper valve, like the setup from modshack.info.

 

sorry to say it paintball but he's right - your really talking about something you have no clue about. We've only seen one vid of a member who had an inmotion chip and that was damn near slower than stock. also remember that member had a few boost leaks so his #'s were not where they should have been. This would be the same as if I found a new site just like visionbulbs.com and started swearing by them %100 even though I've never used them. I'm on inmotions side I want them to succeed but this isn't church, I'm not just going to believe