So I just bought a 2001 Audi a4 quattro 1.8t from a dealer about 2 weeks ago and turns out the turbo was bad and went out on me. Ive found a replacement k03 for $350 locally. The reason I want to stick with a k03 is because I don't want to have to get the ecu flashed and all the extra engine maintenance that comes along with a k04. Basically want to be able to do the work myself without having to pay someone else for alternate work.

Now, ive found this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STAGE...606#vi-content

Which comes with a whole kit and an apparantly "upgraded" k03 turbo which they also sell seperatly:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KO3-K...030#vi-content

So its either $350 to just slap on and replace stock with stock, or try the kit for another $650. My question is; would i need to pay someone to do alternate tuning/engine maintanence if i put on the kit, or is it just a bolt on kit that ill be fine just slapping on, no additional tuning?

 

eBay turbos are largely cheap knockoff junk - quite a few people have found this out the hard way. You could get a k04, put it in, and run it fine just as your car sits now (you just won't get the most out of it), but if you decide later to upgrade your ECU or other parts, you'd see higher gains.

Just food for thought but regardless, stick with genuine parts.