I dont know... chip and exhaust doesnt hurt it for reliability I doubt... however your driving style will probably change -- you'll be more agressive, which will affect reliability. The chip actually improves fuel economy by like 1 - 3 mpg I think... so the 4 cyl would be significantly better on gas... although they are both bad on gas to begin with. Costs me 10 canadian cents a km, roughly... in gas. If I put 500 km on my car, and go fill it up... it'll cost me around 50 bucks... gas is around 85 cents a litre up here... or 97 cents a litre, 'cause I run 94 octane.

 

the 1.8T is also much less reliable than the 30v V6 though.

 

closer to 400 crank, but even when i was chipped the 1.8t was overall a better car, both in acceleration and handling, and both cars had the sport package at that time

 

^ ^ thats true... its easy to decide when you have both cars in the driveway eh? It's like my B5 B6 comparison... I have one of each in the driveway, and they are pretty much clones with respect to options/mods.

IMO, the 150hp stock 1.8T is more fun than a 12V... when we had the 96, I went and drove a 98 1.8T, and wanted it over the v6, in stock form. I guess the power just came on more suddenly, made it more fun... plus the weight savings. I dont know, you obviously have SOME interest in modding... so go 1.8T, chip it, or if you have aruond 2K extra, k04 it.

 

when you say much less how much is much less? cuz i dont like fixing things, and if its in the shop or something i wouldnt have another car to drive etc.

 

looking for a clean 1.8t then, with the k04, chip and TT DV I suppose i will also need injectors, exhaust, and intercooler upgrades to get the best performance. Anyone know if there is an upgraded sidemount IC available for the a4? I'm not into FMIC's for this type of car. Also, I would definately want 2.5" exhaust piping all the way through, who makes the most quiet system? (may go custom pipe here) Does anyone have a picture of the stock intercooler? The turbo supra sidemount intercooler may work, and it is very efficient and very cheap. There is a APR chip on ebay that I have been eyeing, now if my research is correct they will upgrade that chip for the k04 turbo free right? (it has the receipts)

 

Watch out if you buy off ebay... because they are VERY specific to your ECU... get the model #, and check it against what you need for the car's ecu.

and 1.8T's arent unreliable cars... just take care of them, frequent oil changes are obviously important. I've put about 10K on mine, from 80 - 90 000 km... and havent had to fix a thing yet.

 

it comes with a '99 ecu with the chip already installed.

 

well you dont want to mix and match ecu's in the car either... 99 or 99.5? thats a big bloody difference.

 

good to know, thanks!