Just picked up a 01' A4 1.8T Q outside of Portland, ME. Car is off a lease w/ only 31K. Everything is GREAt..love the car, but I'm not all that mechanical...yet. What can I expect to do as far as service in the upcoming 20K? The car is certified and is warranteed till 80K.

Also, obviously want to chip it one of these days, but worried about voiding the warrantee. Lets just assume the dealership isnt down with this...should I hold off? I know from my breif month or so of reasearch that there are options as far as chips and methods of detection (i.e. replacement chips and adjustable chips), but would like some opinions..especially having to do with warrantee issues.

Also, need help with tires/rims..thats really all I want to do for now. Thanks -G

 

Oh for crying out loud!! Every day!

STFA!

Never mind....
Click here

Also...
click here for vocab/terminology lists

The warranty is a huge can of worms; the issue has been discussed forever. Bottom line - YES, it will void the warranty IF the damage can be directly related to the chip. Most people chip the ecu and don't worry about the warranty issues.

Tires and rims.... what do you want to know? Please be specific so I can give you solid answers.

 

Well, no sh*t. Thanks for the help.

Specifically, Im looking for input on undetectable chip upgrades..meaning If i bring it in for warranteed service I would want them to assume the car is stock. Is this possible with chip replacement or adjustable chips...or am i screwed anyways (with any chip). I know I want one, but am worried about future mechnical issues and having the warrantee voided.

From what I have previously read, thats the chance you take. I really want to avoid legal armwrestling over warrantee issues if I have to go in for service (i.e. proving the chip wasnt responsible for such and such mechnical failure).

The car is brand new to me, so i'm still feeling out the ride to see if I anticipate anything big for service coming up. The indipendent inspection went great...i'm just a bit paranoid after reading countless threads about this porb and that prob..but obviouly wasnt enough to sway me into other cars.

On the tires...I'm looking for ides for sizes and styles as well as reputable manufr's to put some summer shoes on it. Not looking for anything too flashy. I figure for the winter I would thro some nice Haks on the stock alloys for now. Summers last about 5 minutes up here. Just wondering beacuse I know evrryone has preferences, but looking for some quality leads.

Forgive me, I've been out of the loop....just put the 90 Accord to bed with 250K on it. It had some occasional upgrades...I think I thre premium in it a couple of times by mistake.

 

OK... For stealth you have two choices only.
APR click here
GIAC click here
Both offer "switches" that allow for turning the ecu back to stock values.
The only way a dealer can determine it is chipped is by removing the ecu, taking it apart, and looking for the new chip. Of course the third and best alternative is to buy a new chipped ecu and keep your stock ecu for dealer visits; just swap 'em yourself.
For a good start, go to Tirerack and click through the options for wheels or tires.
My advice for sizing is to up size by plus1 only. (Either 235/45-17 or 235/40-18 on either 17 inch or 18 inch wheels) Costs and significant changes in geometry make the plus2 up sizing a more complex issue.
The top tire brands to consider for our cars are:
Bridgestone
Continental
Goodyear
Kumho (great budget tire)
Michelin
Pirelli (only a select few)
Sumitomo (another great budget tire)
Yokohama
The only other tire not sold by Tirerack that should be considered is the Toyo.
Start Here:
Tirerack click here

I'll be away for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, so I won't be on the board for a few days. Maybe some of the other guys here can help in the meantime. Good luck.

 

Thanks,

thats exactly what I was looking for....the speed shop around here didnt know sh*t..mostly ricers.

 

Keep in mind that if you do this youll need a vag-com or to do a TBA evertime