Just purchased a 2000 A4 B5 (yey!) and while the forums do a great job of telling me what to do with maintenance and upgrades, what are some things to steer clear from?

For example:
"Whatever you do, do NOT try to fix the LCD yourself- have a company fix it for you" (or whatever it may be)

 

Congrats! But you've omitted the most important details: Quattro? Manual? 1.8T?

Do not wait until you have a problem to buy a vag com cable, you're going to need it and might as well get it sooner than later. Depending on your skillset and how much you plan to do, the same could be said for the Bentley manual.

 

What is the vag com cable?

 

This is an official VAG-COM cable, and the one I use:
Ross-Tech Store: VCDS License with KII-USB Interface
It was one of my first tool purchases for my Audi. Other than a ratchet, it's the single most useful tool for these cars IMO.

If you are decent at soldering you can attempt the LCD repair yourself. I've done it successfully.

 

DO NOT neglect the timing belt/water pump change interval. Also DO NOT take oil changes lightly. It should be routine as possible. Meaning changed at the recommended time for the life of the vehicle.

If these two things are ignored your engine will suffer greatly and or will require replacement.

Congrats on the purchase!

Let me know if you ever have any questions I'll be happy to help.

Jason

 

Thank you!

 

do not attempt to fix something you are not capable of doing. I realize there is a learning curve, but if you don't even know what a timing belt is or does and how it does it and why it does it, bring it in. Actually, that's a great rule-

If you don't know-
what it is
what it does
how it does it
why it does it
than bring it in to a professional

 

Learn from my mistake and do not diagnose yourself. Don't start throwing money at the problem unless you are more than 90% sure it is the issue. Take it to someone to diagnose and then do the repair yourself. If you don't know what you are doing don't completely worry. If you can't do it yourself you end up taking it to a professional anyways. But if you can do it yourself you end up saving a ton of dough.

I've saved well over $3,000 in repairs on my car and I knew nothing about cars before I owned this Audi. These guys are great on the forums and do no be afraid to ask for help!

Good luck and enjoy the cars we all love here too!

 

No matter what DO NOT treat your B5 like a Honda... this means:

No obnoxious wings

No BOVs

No "racing" stickers

No flamboyant body kits

Just keep it classy.

 

BOVs?