I'm approaching that critical juncture where I'm either gonna mod the **** out of the car or leave it stock (63k miles). Help me reach a decision--here are the various parts of my thinking:

(1) We all know that modding the B5 S4 is problematic because its wicked expensive AND the mods can lead to further problems/mods. For instance, if I chip the car, then I need to upgrade DV's and TBB. And, if I chip the car, the K03's may last, but they may take a dump sooner rather than later. If they dump, time for K04's and all the supporting software/hardware.

(2) The car takes so well to mods. Before buying this nearly stock S4, I drove a Stage 2+ S4 for sale and it was exceptionally fast. I felt like I was gliding on ice as the speed just increased without resistance (as a sidenote, good thing I didn't buy that thing. I knew NOTHING about S4's at that point, and so I didn't know why I kept looking over my shoulders for the ambulance... [:-]).

(3) If I keep the car stock till the turbos poop out, that could be today or it could be at 150k miles. Do I really want to have a stock S4 for that long?? Let's say I do begin to mod--that's gonna cut into the reserves I have built up for maintenance issues. Also, and this is sad to me but it's fully realistic--I drive 8 miles each way to work everyday in light stop-and-go traffic. Am I going to get to take advantage of any serious mods?

(4) Finally, what if I *gasp* do mainly cosmetic mods? I.e. lip spoiler, RS4 f.bumper, some wheels (HRE's), possibly painted CF/Vented hood.

Anyways, that's enough stream of consciousness. Let me know what y'all think.

 

If i were in ur situation i would first answer the question: How long am i going to be driving this car before i want a new one? If you plan to buy a new car sometime in the next few years then maybe saving all that mod money to but into a future new car may be the thing to do. Instead of dumping more money into modding the s4 and then dumping even more money into maintaning a less reliable car.

 

agreed with up above.. But also another question is how tight is money.. do you have room to do mods.... I wouldnt necessarily agree that doing mods will increase more problems... If you do it well you can enhance the strength.. and tbb, dv's those are stuff that should be done anyway...

But my final point.. Where do you live? Are you able to get a ride in a stage 3 with someone near you? If so do it, and that will make your decision clear.

 

i agree. don't mod unless it's going to be worth it. for me, once i started i couldn't stop. there's just one thing after the other. if i were you, i would buy a second car for just something to get around. because there are some jobs on the s4 that can take time or if you make a mistake then you might be without a car for a while. thats whatsgoing on with my s4 right now. but it's a great project car!

 

How long am I going to be driving this car: I would say 3-5 years. The car's got everything I could want, but I'm sure you know that itch to get a new car despite what you've already got.

How tight is money: I could get 6-7k together without too much difficulty. More importantly, would I want to??? Say the turbos went out, that's at least 5k (parts/labor) for K04 upgrade right? The question then becomes, do you invest 5k in a car that is only worth 20k with significant mods (basing that on classifieds and opinions I've seen on the boards). I got the car for 17k, so I will have a 22k in a car worth only 20k. Economically, don't see it making sense. Agreed?

Get a ride in a Stage 3: I might have that opportunity tonight.

 

do it.. you will love it.

 

good post...I've encountered those same questions and struggled with them for some time. I've seen what stage 2+ and so on can do...and boy that would be nice...but I decided to use my 2001.5 B5 as equity towards a bigger purchase in a home. If I could wrustle up 6 or 7k like you...I wouldn't hesitate, and I'd do everything in my power to make it the meanest S4 on the road. Even if you only drive 8 miles to work...that's a fun 8 miles...just use that money for under the hood...screw the body kits and ****...people will poop when you take off down the road when they thought you were just a "what was it...S4?..."

 

Everyone has made some excellent points, im sure this thread will prove useful to many readers of these forums. Four D's since you plan to keep this car for awhile, i say go for it, cuz once your stage 3 you'll never want to drive anything else

 

a stage 3 s4 is the greatest thing IMO. you will never have the feeling in anything else. it's a sedan, no big wing, and all of a sudden, you kill the **** out of a ricer and blow his mind. it's the best feeling....

 

I'll agree with everyone else in that once you start you won't ever want to go back. I'm not a full stage 3 yet, but with a few mods (Chip, Exhaust, Intake, Suspension, etc) the car feels a million times better. If you're keeping it a couple years you should get the investment back in the enjoyment of driving the car. Plus if you can afford to drop the 6-7 grand all at once you can do most of a stage 3 in one shot.