Hello everyone,

glad to be here. I just picked up a 2003 A4 3.0L V6 6 speed quattro. Loving it so far and I absolutelly love the OEM sport package witht the 17 inch wheels and all the extras..

Here's a quick pic



I did read about how the 3.0 doesn;t have a lot of mods other than the SC but that is OK with me... My 2000lb 1992 Civic with a 2005 TSX motor is all I need for speed.. hehe

Anyway, I have 2 questions for now.

First, the only way to read codes is the VAG COM? I checked on the price, $1000... ouch... Is there a cheaper alternative?

Second, I've had the car for a few weeks and last night, I was parked with the car running and heater on high.... and I saw a dash light come on... the one with the car and the key inside.. the immobilizer one... while the car was running... Car was idling 100% perfect ... So I turned car off and started it again and the code has not appeared yet... Is this typical for an A4? I read about my key having a bad code or possibly having a bad reader coil... It only appeared once but I don;t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.. so I guess I should start using the other key and see if the problem comes back...

Overall, I am very pleased with the handling , the interior and even the performance.. I know it is no M5, but the 6th gear is sweet.. I also have a 6th gear in my TSX Civic...

Thanks in advance for the all help and I hope that my Audi will make it for a long time because I love it already!

Nikos

 

where did you find a vag-com for $1k , cause I want to see that, or are you including the price of a new laptop? - lol - go to ross-tech.com and order a cable from them. $250 no idea about the immobilizer

 

Nice! I guess I was looking at the pro kit.. Good news.. Will have to get that as well as a shop manual.

Do anyone know a good place to order audi parts 20% off dealer pricing?

 

what kind of parts are you looking for - a funny thing is %20 off dealer pricing is still expensive.
https://www.audiforums.com/m_55694/tm.htm

 

Thanks again.. Just looking for common parts like fuel filter etc...

 

for those type of things go to
purems.com
and
ECStuning.com

 

Thank you for the quick replies. One more question.. I read on here that coil plugs fail often. Is this just on the 1.8T or can it also happen on the 3.0L?

I want to get my car ready for a 10K-15K mile trip to alaska this coming summer so I am starting to make a list of all parts I will service and for some parts that I will have with me.. I know it is a long shot but I am just trying to be ready and get familiar with the car.

Thanks again,

Nikos

 

How many miles? Car looks nice.

Coil packs can fail, but if its running well, I wouldnt be to worried it.

For the long trip, just change the oil, check all the fuid levels, inspect the brakes and tires, The v6 is pretty solid, most of the coil pack failures are on 1.8s once you start modding for more power.

 

Thanks, I love the OEM drop and wheels as well as the immaculate interior.. That immobilizer light coming on did wake me up a little bit.. but I have not seen it since.

The car had 80K miles when I bought it, one owner serviced at the local AUDI dealer.. I called them and they gave me a list of what was done to it.. They also told me timing belt is due at 105k miles.

I now understand why Audi owners are coming back. Last year I flew out to NY to join my brother in law that was testing the new Q7 for an article and I was not sold on that car because the power was just not there and the electronic throttle was slow on rensponse..

http://www.k20a.org/upload/DSC00984.JPG
http://www.k20a.org/upload/DSC00983.JPG
http://www.k20a.org/upload/DSC00981.JPG

lol, ok back on track.. thanks for the welcome

 

I would think about doing the timing belt now - or at least before you go on this 15k mile trip. that would be the worst possible thing to happen to you. zrwhat had her TB break at 40k and most people around here say not to go over 70-80k if it does break it will funk up the engine and end up costing you about $3-4k to get it fixed.