Hey guys,
I just bought my 1997 A4 about a week ago now. I have been searching through the forum just learning about this car and so far it is simply amazing. I was an owner of a 1996 Z28 camaro and I have to say the A4 is one slick car! I have the 1.8T and after looking at serveral post I already have a list of things to do. The car has 111K on it so I figured at Timing belt, and water pump. I already changed the left side CV and the previous owner had all new rotors and pads done to it although the breaks are clunking at low speeds sat around 20-35 so gotta check that out. Also I didn't know if while I was in with the timing belt if I should look at putting a new turbo on there. I am a college student so I like fast but also need something to last. SO I;m not looking to boost the crap out of it but ya know a little mor ekick would be nice. I have already looked at getting a chip and thats in the works after the engine is taken care of. Also my A4 is a 5 speed, but from looking at others its a little differant. It is cloth, with no sun roof, but the seats are like a racing style not the regular just cloth like I have seen normally. Of course for all I know it maybe normal!!! Anyways I know I'm a newbie but thought I would get my feet wet and see what you guys thought. I will have some pics here hopefully tonight so any advise would be great on the car!!

Keaton

 

First off, congrats on getting a nice car and also good move on doing your maintenance before your mods. When you do the timing belt, just order the full kit from PureMS.com or ecstuning.com - it'll include everything you need. As for your brakes, are you sure it's the brakes? These cars are known for control arms having to be replaced, so you may be hearing that instead. If the car has been cared for, you should not need a new turbo, and with the basic mods I think that you'll strike a nice balance between reliable and quick. With the chip, intake, diverter valve (a must when you chip the car), and a test pipe, you'll see and hear some pretty good gains from the car. Definitely post up pics. Also, go to your profile page here and create a signature including year, model, engine, and transmission of your car. In the future that will help a lot when you have questions to ask regarding problems or modifications to your car. Just put in there 97 A4 1.8TQM (if, for example, you have a quattro and manual transmission). Some of the other popular upgrades include wheels (obviously), HID headlights (a drop-in replacement), projector headlights, short-shift kits, snub mounts (for the front of the engine, for drivetrain stabilization), and a front-mount intercooler (look in the DIY forum for the $150 FMIC modification). Enjoy and welcome - take full advantage of this site - there's a lot of information and fun here

 

welcome to the forums.

you'll want to read this to determine if you want to chip, upgrade your turbo, and if so what options you have in order to reach the hp you want. https://www.audiforums.com/m_700266/tm.htm

gl

and [sm=ttiwwp.gif]

 

Thanks for the warm welcome guys...ya I dunno if its the control arms or not. When I break it stops clicking and when I get up to speed it stops. I'll check the though. Ya I put in new headlights although not the HID they aare the sylvania silverstars for the mean time. I also have an airbag light on and the car has never been wrecked...I reset the battery and no change any idea on that. Also did a search on the forum and a few results but I've tried and no luck. I'll have some pics on saturday I wanna wash it and its to cold right now!!

 

Do a search on the forum for "airbag light" - you'll find much info about it - a lot of the time it's triggered by moving the seat too far and straining the connector. You'll need to reset the light with VagCom - resetting the battery won't do it. Go to AutoZone and have them scan the car for codes. If it's the front seat airbag, it's the connector under the seat. Search the posts - I put up a picture of what you need to do. The yellow connector toward the center of the car under the seat is what you need to zip tie - make it nice and tight and you'll be able to turn off the light and have it stay off.

 

Well I looked into this connector and I maybe retarted but I can't find it. When I pull the seat back and lift it up the only thing I see is a big red connector going into the bottom of the seat nothing else. How exactly do you find this thing? I can't seem to find it lol.