Did the A4 B5 come with a stock skid plate?
If so, does anyone know the part number? or where I can buy another one?
I have seen this one VW TDI parts, skid plates, timing belt kits, short shift kits which looks quite good but is a little expensive for what it is.

Any other options?

 

Is a skid plate and a belly pan the same thing?
From further research, I have found that the A4 B5 came stock with a plastic type belly pan. Not sure if they came stock with a secondary belly pan for further down the car towards the rear or not. There are a few for sale on ebay, but where I am in Australia, I have a problem with postage of this thing to where I am. I'll find out how much they are from the dealership.

Do most people have them? or do some people run without them? I know that they would help keep debris out of the engine bay and would help with airflow but how necessary are they?

 

The a4 B5 has a plastic belly pan. I have one on my 97 a4 1.8T

 

My 1998 A4 didn't have a belly pan when I bought the car. It still doesn't and it has been more than 4 years. So you probably don't need one.

The belly pan will offer mild protection against debris, but only a metal skid plate will offer proper protection from things on the road that can damage your oil pan and other components.

 

That is along the lines of what I'm thinking. The stock belly pan is more for sound deadening and airflow than protection I think.

 

Mine looked like complete garbage. I don't know what the last owner did but it's torn and hangs down on the sides near the wheels. The is only one screw out of probably 10 and the 2 brackets in the back holding it in place. I zipped tied it up so it looks better now but it's something I will have to mess around with some more. Probably just need to find the stock screws.