The hood strut on my new '00 S4 doesn't work. I found a couple online, butdon't know if they're good. Can anyone recommend a source for parts like this?

Also, I'm missing the engine cover. There's one on ebay that looks fine. It has "Biturbo" in white, but it seems like the pics I've seen have these letters in red. Anyone know why the difference?

Another thing...the hood latch doesn't reaaly work and it's a PITA to get the hood up. Probably from past front end damage. Does anyone else have trouble with the hood latch?

While I'm at it.....
---brake pedal a little sticky, without any reaction for first inch or so of downward motion, but when they engage they have serious stopping power, requiring a very delicate touch. I'm thinking a linkage may need lubed to fix the stickyness. Is there a way to take up the slack?
---starting from a stop, not much power and pretty slow...until higher rpms when turbos kick in, then nice smooth power (TIP). Is this normal? I'd like tofeel a lot more power off the line.
---steering doesn't seem to hold center that well in a straight line, and requires fairly constant attention. It's not thatbad, just not what I expected. Any comments?

I appreciate anyone sharing their experiences....have a great weekend!

 

Mine has Biturbo in Red and the rings are in Silver so maybe the cover on ebay is just aftermarket and if that is the case why not buy one of the carbon covers instead.

 

I have my old plastic covers sitting in my basement, let me know if you want them.

Really, any hood prop should be fine, ECS sells good parts, somewhat cheap.

There is some adjustment in the hood latch, you might just have to fiddle with it.

Change you brake fluid, & while you are at it, put in some SS brake lines, it will help.

I have GOBS of power down low, I can cruise up a steep hill in 4th at 1500rpms. You might have a boost leak some where, or a failing sensor. Vag-com it for stored codes. Of course, it's hard for me to remember a stock car, but mine always pulled hard down low, & ran out of breath up high.

Your tie rods ends are shot, &/or your control arms are shot. You just got to replace them, then get the car aligned.

 

2k S4....thanks for the advice on the brakes and the front end.I may want the eng covers, can you pm me a price? I ordered a really cheap hood strut from german parts online.

I just got the car. It had a rebuilt title. Odometer says 33K. This is the first Audi I've driven, so I don't really know how to judge its driving/performance. Ilike what it does, but don't think it's performing up to its potential. Seller told me oxy sensor may be bad and causing performance drop...ck eng light is on. I really like it and want to right any wrongs it may have. I guess I'll get the Bentley's cd's. I know you recommend the vag-com but I'm technically challenged with the computer stuff.

 

Vag-Com is a necessity for the DIY! If you can't use, really you should not work on the car. Just about everything will resolve around it. I keep mine in the trunk, with a small laptop.

There re a dozen things that can cause low performance. My gut is telling me TBB, & Dv's are bad.