Hey guys and gals. Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Matt, I live in upstate NY. I'm looking to trade in my current car for a '03 A4 Avante Quattro 3.0l in ming blue pearl. It's got the premium and sport packages. I've got a few questions that hopefully you guys can help me out with. First, although the carfax checks out, is there anything in particular I should look for when I go see the vehicle? Any TSB's or recalls I should know about? Secondly, if I do(hopefully I will) buy it, are there any immediate actions I should do...Flush transx, switch to different plug, vacuum cleanup?

Lastly, I am interested in pepping it up just a bit...a small bit. Is the sport package nimble enough...I know the car is pretty heavy. I'm not interested in straight line performance at all. I would only consider upgraded sway bars and a better rim/tire combo. I'd also maybe like a mild exhaust upgrade and an intake...Nothing further. What is out there for the 3.0 Avante? Any reputable shops that you guys would recommend?

 

If the car got more than 65-70k miles, check if Timing Belt was changed- thats another $800. Check for any leaks under the car and etc... I would also check if u got any leaks under your rear differentials...
You can really do a lot to 3.0, so if u want just small engine upgrades you will be fine.
To get better handling= SUSPENSION- Coilovers or Springs/Shocks combo... Sway bars will only improve it. And of course lighter wheels/ better tires.

 

A real nice combo with sport shocks is to upgrade to RS4 sway bars. That will still mantain your factory ride hight and make a nice improvement in handling. If you did want to upgrade the suspension adding a good quality set of springs would be fine. The avant will handle excellent! Good luck.

 

If you want small mods like exhaust, intake and suspension mods the 3.0 is right up your alley! Custom exhaust or Magnaflows will do the trick. You can get Tein, H&R, Vogtland or Stasis coilover's. The H&R sway kit is awesome. The cats for the 3.0 seem to be faulty but besides that they're very solid engines.

 

I would go with a 1.8T if I were you. The price of gas is only going to go UP and the 3.0 is not the best on gas. the 1.8 gives you better fuel economy and for a relatively low cost can be made to be just slightly less powerful than a 3.0. I'm not trying to make this a 3.0 vs 1.8T debate, it's just that I tried a 3.0 out one day and I was NOT impressed. My 1.8T FELT faster (Only mod is a chip bringing it up to 200+ HP and 210+ torque), quieter and just felt better.

 

A 3.0 would be better for you because you have to pull a trailer. The 1.8t doesn't have much low end power. Stock for stock the 3.0 is a better pick. Gas mileage isn't that bad out of a 3l either.

 

woops your not pulling a trailer, that must have been another post! haha! But still the 3.0 sounds like a better choice for what you want.

 

i agree^^^. thanks a lot guys. i really appreciate the responses. as for the 1.8t, i'm coming from a turbo car. it's a heck of a lot of fun. 380hp 430tq srt-4. i don't want another turbo car...for a long time. gas mileage is important, but not THAT important to me to give up on a prerequisite. plus, i don't think i can get the avante quattro in the 1.8l...not sure..like i said i'm pretty new to audis. anyway, i've kinda got my heart set on this car. i'm going to check it out tomorrow. if the timing belt hasn't been changed i'm going to tell them to do that before i buy it. if anybody around here is from downstate ny or north jersey i'd love some help checking this thing out. thanks

matt

 

Yes u can get 1.8T avant quattro

 

And ANY Audi is an upgrade from a Neon. You'll love your car, especially in snowy NY