Just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7
Just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice
Hello everyone, I thought since I'll be inviting myself to your wonderful Audi lovefest, I'd start right off and ask all the questions I've been looking for answers to for the last couple of weeks since I got my car. Any help is appreciated.
Ok... I just got a nice, clean A4 (1996, 2.8L, non-Quattro.) This car has been well used and fairly well taken care of. There are several wear items I will be replacing and I’d like some input from you guys… Keep in mind I do love a spirited drive and I love extremely well performing cars, but for this car, my goal is to retain at least 90% of the Audi's smooth comfortable ride while increasing it's confident and stable grip of the road.
1. Pads - I saw a couple of people in these forums suggesting Mintex brake pads. I’m not familiar with Mintex, but I did find Mintex “Red Box” on importrp.com for supercheap…
How well do they ‘bite?’
It doesn't specify on importrp.com, but do the "red box" pads have the brake wear sensor in them for SURE?
Does my car have the "round connector" or the "square rounded connector?"
2. Timing Belt – I am going to do the timing belt myself, but I need some advice
Who do I call etc, to buy the special tools?
3. Mounts
How many mounts are holding up my 2.8L/manual trans?
Where do I go to get a –complete- set of stock mounts at a reasonable price? So far I have only found 2 types of engine/trans mounts, I need to find out how I should go about getting a whole set... please advise
Are any of them particularly difficult/impossible to replace by myself in my driveway?
4. Shocks / Springs
Here is my big issue…
I’m pretty sure the rear shocks are blown out, the rear end behaves very badly in turns, so I want to get new shocks for all 4 corners. But I don’t want to sacrifice the ride quality, my favorite part of this car is how smooth and quiet it is.
What shocks do you recommend for excellent ride quality? Will pairing Bilsteins with the stock springs be plush?? idk, help!
The other thing I noticed is that the car appears to have just the tiniest bit of rearward rake. This may be due to the shape of the rear wheel arches, I’m not sure.
Is this normal?
What can I do to remedy this and give it the slightest bit of forward rake?
5. Control Arms
I read that the bushings and rod ends must be replaced along with the control arms as a unit.
Is this true?
What are some cost effective, DIYable solutions to worn bushings and rod ends? Again, no polyurethane please.
6. Key
I like the newer ‘switchblade’ keys, and the key that came with the car is beat up…
Is it possible to get a key made using a newer design of key? Stupid/superficial I know, but hey... at least I’m not putting on LED windshield squirters.
7. Climate Control Display
The LCD display screen for the climate control appears to have a short or a loose wire. The screen is illuminated only 80% of the time and sometimes flickers (it’s annoying.) It seems to respond when I thump the side of the center stack with the side of my hand.
How do I take off the center stack cover/trim to look for faulty connections?
8. Recirculating Air
WHY can I only shut out the outside air when the AC compressor is turned on? That seems wacky to me. Sometimes it isn’t hot outside (AC isn’t on) and there is some terrible smell I want to block out (Ex: a bus belching black smoke, cow pastures, garlic farms, etc.)
Is there any kind of work-around for this? I’d love to be able to control the recirculating air without hitting the AC button first.
Does anybody else think the climate control is funky? I mean, it decides to crank up the air sometimes when I mess with the directional controls (windshield, dash, feet.)
9. Cell Phone Antenna
This car came with a totally sweet 90’s cell phone in the center console, which got removed immediately.
Is there any possible way of making it useful? Is it compatible with my new Motorolla phone?
Are there any plugs for the holes in the glass if I were to decide to remove it?
10. Center Console
The lid for the center console armrest/compartment thingie will come right off, the hinge is not securely fastened to the armrest. While it is closed it doesn’t go anywhere, but if you open it you can take the thing right off…
Is this normal?
Is this part expensive?
11. Premium Gas
I have been putting in 91 octane. But do I really need to?
12. Radio Heat Unit
The shape of the stock radio is waay bigger than the aftermarket one I have. I have an alpine unit with and input port for my iPod. Currently I’m using a tape adapter but I get a background buzz with this setup and I’d like to change it if possible.
Is there such a thing as an adapter that has a lid or something to HIDE the head unit? This particular Alpine head unit is garishly bright and I’d hate to have this thing glaring in my peripheral vision at night. I’d also hate to have to rig up something ugly MacGyver style.
There will definately be more questions later... and as I become familiar with some technical parts of Audi's I'll also be contributing answers. Thank you for reading, and I'm glad to be here. Lovin' the Audi.
Lucas
Ok... I just got a nice, clean A4 (1996, 2.8L, non-Quattro.) This car has been well used and fairly well taken care of. There are several wear items I will be replacing and I’d like some input from you guys… Keep in mind I do love a spirited drive and I love extremely well performing cars, but for this car, my goal is to retain at least 90% of the Audi's smooth comfortable ride while increasing it's confident and stable grip of the road.
1. Pads - I saw a couple of people in these forums suggesting Mintex brake pads. I’m not familiar with Mintex, but I did find Mintex “Red Box” on importrp.com for supercheap…
How well do they ‘bite?’
It doesn't specify on importrp.com, but do the "red box" pads have the brake wear sensor in them for SURE?
Does my car have the "round connector" or the "square rounded connector?"
2. Timing Belt – I am going to do the timing belt myself, but I need some advice
Who do I call etc, to buy the special tools?
3. Mounts
How many mounts are holding up my 2.8L/manual trans?
Where do I go to get a –complete- set of stock mounts at a reasonable price? So far I have only found 2 types of engine/trans mounts, I need to find out how I should go about getting a whole set... please advise
Are any of them particularly difficult/impossible to replace by myself in my driveway?
4. Shocks / Springs
Here is my big issue…
I’m pretty sure the rear shocks are blown out, the rear end behaves very badly in turns, so I want to get new shocks for all 4 corners. But I don’t want to sacrifice the ride quality, my favorite part of this car is how smooth and quiet it is.
What shocks do you recommend for excellent ride quality? Will pairing Bilsteins with the stock springs be plush?? idk, help!
The other thing I noticed is that the car appears to have just the tiniest bit of rearward rake. This may be due to the shape of the rear wheel arches, I’m not sure.
Is this normal?
What can I do to remedy this and give it the slightest bit of forward rake?
5. Control Arms
I read that the bushings and rod ends must be replaced along with the control arms as a unit.
Is this true?
What are some cost effective, DIYable solutions to worn bushings and rod ends? Again, no polyurethane please.
6. Key
I like the newer ‘switchblade’ keys, and the key that came with the car is beat up…
Is it possible to get a key made using a newer design of key? Stupid/superficial I know, but hey... at least I’m not putting on LED windshield squirters.
7. Climate Control Display
The LCD display screen for the climate control appears to have a short or a loose wire. The screen is illuminated only 80% of the time and sometimes flickers (it’s annoying.) It seems to respond when I thump the side of the center stack with the side of my hand.
How do I take off the center stack cover/trim to look for faulty connections?
8. Recirculating Air
WHY can I only shut out the outside air when the AC compressor is turned on? That seems wacky to me. Sometimes it isn’t hot outside (AC isn’t on) and there is some terrible smell I want to block out (Ex: a bus belching black smoke, cow pastures, garlic farms, etc.)
Is there any kind of work-around for this? I’d love to be able to control the recirculating air without hitting the AC button first.
Does anybody else think the climate control is funky? I mean, it decides to crank up the air sometimes when I mess with the directional controls (windshield, dash, feet.)
9. Cell Phone Antenna
This car came with a totally sweet 90’s cell phone in the center console, which got removed immediately.
Is there any possible way of making it useful? Is it compatible with my new Motorolla phone?
Are there any plugs for the holes in the glass if I were to decide to remove it?
10. Center Console
The lid for the center console armrest/compartment thingie will come right off, the hinge is not securely fastened to the armrest. While it is closed it doesn’t go anywhere, but if you open it you can take the thing right off…
Is this normal?
Is this part expensive?
11. Premium Gas
I have been putting in 91 octane. But do I really need to?
12. Radio Heat Unit
The shape of the stock radio is waay bigger than the aftermarket one I have. I have an alpine unit with and input port for my iPod. Currently I’m using a tape adapter but I get a background buzz with this setup and I’d like to change it if possible.
Is there such a thing as an adapter that has a lid or something to HIDE the head unit? This particular Alpine head unit is garishly bright and I’d hate to have this thing glaring in my peripheral vision at night. I’d also hate to have to rig up something ugly MacGyver style.
There will definately be more questions later... and as I become familiar with some technical parts of Audi's I'll also be contributing answers. Thank you for reading, and I'm glad to be here. Lovin' the Audi.
Lucas
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,620
From: Istanbul, Turkey
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
most of the parts that you need, can find in ecstuning.com and most of the people buy their timing belt kit from here. Miltex is a good pads and I bought it too but have not installed yet. You can buy cheap brembo on ebay and other onlie stores.
just check ecstuning.com you will find almost everthing you need.
just check ecstuning.com you will find almost everthing you need.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 31
From:
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
the antenna that is on your back window was for the cell phone. besides that your actual antenna is above the headliner in your car. but if you are looking for anything else look at ecstuning.com
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
Has anyone here taken off the antenna? How did you do it?
The antenna looks cool and all, but I have a feeling the whole car would look better without it...
The antenna looks cool and all, but I have a feeling the whole car would look better without it...
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 144
From:
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
I recommend you go to a Barnes and Noble book store or somewhere similar to read up on the fact that traction has little to do with stiff shocks (Any performance suspension book will do). At the very least, they are highly over-rated. That might set your mind at ease if you decide to purchase stock shocks(I would). I'm hating the sport package shocks at the moment and want to change to softer shocks. The polyurethane and polygraphite are worthless too as you know, except as possible sway bar bushings or all out racing.
Anyway good luck, ill read some more of your post later, im in a hurry atm.
Anyway good luck, ill read some more of your post later, im in a hurry atm.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
This question may prove just how newbtastic I am but...
To get shocks as soft as the stock ones, do I have to go through Audi? Or are there good aftermarket OEM replacement shocks?
To get shocks as soft as the stock ones, do I have to go through Audi? Or are there good aftermarket OEM replacement shocks?
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 658
From:
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
any custon audio store shoul have the molding for the radio....$15
i have the mintex pad om my car...they are low dust..i love it!!
www.ecartoys.com
they are very cheap
i have the mintex pad om my car...they are low dust..i love it!!
www.ecartoys.com
they are very cheap
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7
RE: HI!!!!! I just got an 1996 A4, looking for some info/advice -no LED squirter questions :D
do you think I would be able to find a moulding for the radio that has a cover to hide the head unit? My concern is how BRIGHT my Alpine head unit is... I don't mind the brightness in my beater, but I want to maintain a certain level of class here... having a head unit as bright as the surface of the sun just wouldn't look right in the Audi........