So I went to the dealer today for an oil change....I can just see all the flaming this statement will inspire...BUT I do go to the dealership and pay a ridiculous amount for all my oil changes, despite knowing how easy they are to do, b/c I like to have that minimal contact with the dealer so they can check up on the car and provide input every now and then.

The good news....I took a look at the new 2009 2.0T A4 Avant and the new 2009 TT and OH MY GOD!!! I plan on getting a 2005/7 Boxster S in a couple of years but those cars just....oooooh...(I busted...lol)...

The bad news: it turns out I have a headlight washer pump leak, and need to replace all brake rotors and pads and my L and R upper control arms as well as tie rods.

I knew about the control arms and knew I had a washer fluid leak...just didn't know the gravity of things. I checked for a headlight washer pump on ECS and found a cheap one. Should I be okay in just installing the new pump or could the leak have to do with some other part ie. a connector hose or ring? The invoice said it was the pump and I know that the washers have never worked since I bought the car.

Control Arms and Tie Rods: I'm looking at a complete kit from ECS (ES#3005) that includes tie rods and sway bar links. How many of these kits will I need to do the whole car? 1 or 2?

Brakes: I am using this opportunity to upgrade to a BBK setup. For the rear, I'm definitely gonna go with the A8/TT carrier kit (on sale at ECS for $291 ES#89), but for the front I'm choosing between that and the stage 2 v.1 Porsche caliper kit (ES#101 $1289). There is a massive price difference and money will be tight because of all the work done, but I will be putting in a G2 sc and if more braking power is needed than the TT carrier kit, I only want to do the work once. Which kit do you suggest for the front? How much of a difference between the two do you anticipate?

I did as much research as I could on here before, posting, and have already read Upstate's thorough review of the TT kit. Just want to know if I should strongly consider the Porsche kit. Also, curious about the advantages of the TT carriers, and whether I can use the same pads for the front for the rear too(?)

I know its a lot to read, sorry all....Thanks in advance.

 

there are 2 upper control arms on each side and one tie rod on each side. sounds like you're going to have to touch the evil pinch bolt for the job. i wish you the best of luck with that.

as for brake upgrade, there's absolutely no point in upgrading the rears unless you're going to be building the engine like a ****. you also don't need porsche brakes for the front unless you just want to pay the extra dough for the looks and excess braking power. the A8/TT upgrade is for the front and that's all you need. even with the G2 in, the A8/TT is enough.

for the washer pump. do you ever use it? i have a set of pumps but i just need one of them because one of mine leaks. if don't ever use it, just undo the tubing and plug things up. there's no need to spend money on things you won't use lol.

 

Are the control arms only in the front?? nothing in the rear? Will I need extra tie rods for the rear?

The rears are worn so they need replacing and I'm under the impression that the ECS upgrade set is cheaper than replacing OEM buying parts through a dealership or so. I would only be using the kit there because I've gotta replace them anyways, and the sale price is so cheap. Sounds like I'll be able to save A LOT buy not going with the Porsche breaks anyways...

all in all....thanx for the quick reply...

 

be prepared to get raped by the shipping charges of ecs plus since the canadian dollar is a bit low, it will cost more, get them at h2sport in Georgetown since your in brampton, thats where i get some of my stuff, they will provide you with the same needs your dealer charges you, and are cheaper than the dealer. coolant resovior for me, dealers $58, ECS with shipping and the exchange rate to canadian $70, h2sport $31 just an example. http://www.h2sport.com/products.php?catalog=audi

 

I go to H2S for parts as well, but I didn't know they carry any BBKs. Or were you talking about the washer pump?? or control arm kit??

The dollar does suck now and I need to buy a lot of parts from ECS in the next little while.

 

ugh Boxter's are shitty... I drove one and even got to beat on it a bit I HATED IT. I mean its handles fine but the power just isnt there!!! Plus it doesn't feel like it can handle as well as it probably does I just couldn't stand how it felt. I seriously though my 1990 Mazda RX-7 would have kicked its *** even in the twisties. Get the TT instead!

 

I kinda assumed the TT would cost more b/c audi's tend to be relatively expensive and boxsters are quite cheap, but I just checked and was completely wrong- The TT is significantly cheaper. It's something to consider.

I still think the Boxster S's are amazing cars and haven't heard much of anything but praise for them. Besides, I just can't stomach buying another Audi, NEXT. I love the cars, I've loved my audi's and I truly think it may be my personal favourite brand in terms of company, but I want to experience another brand and Porsche is the next brand that I admire most. (Well actually Ferrari>Porsche>Audi...but student financial circumstances have held me back from the first 2). I have been driving audi's for like 5-6 years now and will definitely buy one again....just not next! I will be keeping this one in any event.

 

Hiwords, am I correctly interpreting that you mean that it's not compatible with the rear??

Can anyone clarify this? Although I'm almost certain it's a stupid question...

 

get your control arm kit from h2sport.and price out a washerpump, i am betting you its cheaper all said and done at h2sport, than the ecs hassel.

 

I checked out H2s's catalog again. I see what you mean about the prices. I'll buy the rear set from there and call about a control arm kit- they didn't have one in the online catalog. Too bad the only brake upgrade kit they have is the Porsche one.