What would you do with a stock S4 and $3000 budget?
 

I am going to Iraq and will be setting aside money for S4 upgrades. $3000 is my limit. My car is an 02 Tip (yeah yeah shutup).

I'm thinking:

used APR or GIAC ECU ($300-350)
SS Autochrome catless turbo back exhaust ($350)
H&R lowering springs ($234)
Bilstein Sport shocks ($490)

That's only around $1500 shipped to my door. What else would you guys recommend?

I'll be getting new N75 diverter valves and probably an RS4 grille (hate the stock S4 grille). Is the APR bi-pipe worth the money?

Maybe I'll just get rims/tires with the leftover money.

I'm not opposed to used parts due to getting better deals. What's better, RS4 side mount IC's or an FMIC kit? Also what's cheaper?

Your car will never be as nice as the way it came. Leave it alone and bank the $3k.

Eh, if it's 100% stock then you should look into these:

intake pipping (APR bi-pipe and new diverter valves)
oil cooler (prolong the life of your turbos!)
check your CV joints and replace if necessary
check your control arms and bushings
buy VAG COM or a diagnostics reader (will save you time and frustration when a code pops up)
top end reseal kit

then i would move on to the mods, it's easier to cover all the weak points than buy stuff that will weaken them and not have the money to cover those essentials later on

JHM side mounts are my personal recommendation and MUCH larger than the RS4 intercoolers and equal in size to any front mount without prohibiting air to your radiator, condensor and power steering fluid cooler

i am a fan of MTM tuning over any other brand, less horsepower but generally more torque

bipipe...i say pass, get the 034 TBB, its cheaper than samco, and fits better. skip on the SSAC and get a nicer used borla or twin 2 for just a bit more, you will be much happier with the way it fits and sounds. also, do Piggies. Then use the rest for maintenance , your car will thank you! (O2 sensors, EGTs, CV boots, wheel bearings, etc.) if you want to cough up money for ICs, i say go RS4, unless you run at the track lots, no need for a FMIC.

I agree with blue S4, I wouldn't recommend going with lowering springs, everyone who I've talked to with them wished they waited and went with coilovers. You're car can be better than stock. It all depends what you want to do. Also I would recommend doing a custom tune, not a generic GIAC or APR. The oil cooler is a good idea, I recommend the VAST oil cooler, it lowered my temps significantly. If you want the same results as intercoolers with out the price, install a Water/Meth kit and then have it tuned, you will make similar power for half the price (unless you find a set of SMIC for sale on ebay or in a Forum "Classified" section, I sold my RS4's for only $500!) Other than that, unless this money is set aside for purely the reason of modifications, save it for maintenance.

what are you smoking?? i never smiled as much as the day i installed my APR chip and silicone throttle body boot..

Yes this money is being set aside for playing with the S4.

I have the timing belt kit in the garage and valve cover gaskets going on this month or next. Then I'll get new tires before I leave.

When I return, I'd like to make the car handle better, sound better, and go faster. There's some people around here who I want to show the tail lights to.

So.... $3,000 no regrets. What to get?

Lots of people say "in this economy, save the money". I have a very very very stable job. Not planning on losing it for a long time (like the next 18-28 years)

...... I like your style
Alright well if you want to show the tail lights here are my suggestions...
First of all, get piggies (check out vastperformance.com, and an exhaust that you like the sound of (try to find it used so its cheaper).
Second, get methonal injection $500 (it will help greatly on a tune and is a cheaper way of cooling boost temperatures)
Thirdly, Get a custom tune done after the water/meth kit is installed (important to do it in that order for a maximized output tune.
Fourthly, Get a set of H&R coilovers or Vogland GT coilovers $1200ish.
Fifth, Get a VAST oil cooler which will help your turbos last a bit longer.$550
Those are all things I think will make the biggest difference for you and should take up the majority of your set aside cash.

military ftw, i love getting a constant paycheck every two weeks. if you have an extra 1500 to spare after the rest of those mods i'd go for wheels and tires. i hate the stock avus's with a passion and what better to compliment those power mods with some looks too

youll be running 275 whp with a chip and gutted down pipes.. over 300 with methanol water injection.. thatll definately show some tail lights..