B6 S4 Cab - man maths, not brave
Discussion
I've a soft spot for projects/second cars like these, I've eyed up an S4 cab in the past (and again now!) as well as things like the S5 coupe for an affordable way to have a big engine in something fairly smart looking - trouble is, I always worry the affordable bit ends at the purchase price 
Well done on getting the dash sorted too, bet it was satisfying doing it yourself. It seems there are more and more jobs a lot of garages don't want to touch because of the time vs reward, so I've been meaning to get a bit more hands on myself.
Well done on getting the dash sorted too, bet it was satisfying doing it yourself. It seems there are more and more jobs a lot of garages don't want to touch because of the time vs reward, so I've been meaning to get a bit more hands on myself.
I’ve had my B7 S4 cab for 5 years - bought a very low mileage example and it is pampered. Absolutely love the thing and it has never missed a beat (approaching 50k miles now).
Last autumn I drove it down to Marseille then over to Bordeaux then back to the UK via Lille for the Rugby World Cup. Cost me a fortune in fuel but was the perfect car for a generally sunny drive!
Last autumn I drove it down to Marseille then over to Bordeaux then back to the UK via Lille for the Rugby World Cup. Cost me a fortune in fuel but was the perfect car for a generally sunny drive!
S600BSB said:
I’ve had my B7 S4 cab for 5 years - bought a very low mileage example and it is pampered. Absolutely love the thing and it has never missed a beat (approaching 50k miles now).
Last autumn I drove it down to Marseille then over to Bordeaux then back to the UK via Lille for the Rugby World Cup. Cost me a fortune in fuel but was the perfect car for a generally sunny drive!
Great there is another fan of these undervalued V8s, I hear you on the fuel cost but it's definitely worth it 😀 I think if u buy right, maybe have a little luck then they're very solid and more reliable than many other more complex cars. 5 yrs ownership, worth a write up at some point? S600BSBLast autumn I drove it down to Marseille then over to Bordeaux then back to the UK via Lille for the Rugby World Cup. Cost me a fortune in fuel but was the perfect car for a generally sunny drive!
I need you help PH, I am literally exhausted......
Had one of these 10 years ago and took it to small little exhaust place in east london and with new back boxes it sounded sweet. I was very proud of the union jack stamp on the silencers as they made the german car perfect. It's not a screamer of the car, I like the low V8 detroit type rumble and this was spot on, loud enough to know you're in a V8 and to get some appreciation leaving a car show, but not too raucous.
Onto present car which remains in tip top condition and I've just been under it on the ramp and it doesnt look, nor feel 19 years old at all. So it's a keeper and I need to recreate the V8 rumble. It's getting expensive and frustrating.
1. Found custom exhaust specialist in Scotland, spoke to them and they were adamant that a central resonator delete and x pipe was all I needed. I was dubious but the price was cheap and their reputation seemed good so had it done. result barely any changes unless you're thrashing it.
2. Found another specialist, came up with good price and I thought sod it, I'll go straight-pipe for rear section, possible watching too much youtube after a few beers swayed the juvenile in me. This was 90 miles away, the challenge of living in the Highlands. Quality good, was happy initially but after a year it got a bit tiring. Any rev's over 2500 when cold and it barked, it screamed and was good for a hack about some of the great roads here but mrs wouldnt go in it and after a while I realised I'm edging 50 so sought getting it a bit quieter and some form of silencer would eliminate the high pitch and leave a deep rumble. The logic seemed sound.
3. Went 90 miles back to same garage a yr later who put on some glass pack silencers, again for a good price. I've heard of glass pack through the non-stop discovery channel output but was totally deflated. Car almost sounded stock. Spoke to him and he was adamant these silencers they use a lot and there was nothing he can do.
4. Car is barely driven in winter so stayed a tad depressed for the past couple of months and can't face another long travel and hassle for more woe. A few google clicks later and a local guy (25 miles only) who mainly does performance upgrades, tuning, chips etc was starting to move into custom exhausts.
A long chat later and he did me a very good price for a whole new exhaust cat back, in 2.5 inch steel rather than the 2 currently on it. As local and good price I thought this must be my saviour. Photo attached of high quality work, new on right. However, sound is better and deeper but still not enough V8 for me. He certainly seems someone proud of his work and wanting to grow his business and learn.
We think that the x-pipe maybe the culprit as it evens out the exhaust flow and allows both banks to be optimised by the ecu, which maybe good for a high revving engine but not good for me who wants a v8 at 2-4000 rpm. So he's offered to remake the centre section as 2 separate pipes, so 2 wholly separate exhausts. Logic being each bank is a little independent on flow so the rumble should hopefully (!!) return. Albeit with a 6 week wait for ramp space.
PH I would appreciate any expert guidance?
Maybe I should have bought a milltek but many comment about quality and I like the idea of custom work.....
Had one of these 10 years ago and took it to small little exhaust place in east london and with new back boxes it sounded sweet. I was very proud of the union jack stamp on the silencers as they made the german car perfect. It's not a screamer of the car, I like the low V8 detroit type rumble and this was spot on, loud enough to know you're in a V8 and to get some appreciation leaving a car show, but not too raucous.
Onto present car which remains in tip top condition and I've just been under it on the ramp and it doesnt look, nor feel 19 years old at all. So it's a keeper and I need to recreate the V8 rumble. It's getting expensive and frustrating.
1. Found custom exhaust specialist in Scotland, spoke to them and they were adamant that a central resonator delete and x pipe was all I needed. I was dubious but the price was cheap and their reputation seemed good so had it done. result barely any changes unless you're thrashing it.
2. Found another specialist, came up with good price and I thought sod it, I'll go straight-pipe for rear section, possible watching too much youtube after a few beers swayed the juvenile in me. This was 90 miles away, the challenge of living in the Highlands. Quality good, was happy initially but after a year it got a bit tiring. Any rev's over 2500 when cold and it barked, it screamed and was good for a hack about some of the great roads here but mrs wouldnt go in it and after a while I realised I'm edging 50 so sought getting it a bit quieter and some form of silencer would eliminate the high pitch and leave a deep rumble. The logic seemed sound.
3. Went 90 miles back to same garage a yr later who put on some glass pack silencers, again for a good price. I've heard of glass pack through the non-stop discovery channel output but was totally deflated. Car almost sounded stock. Spoke to him and he was adamant these silencers they use a lot and there was nothing he can do.
4. Car is barely driven in winter so stayed a tad depressed for the past couple of months and can't face another long travel and hassle for more woe. A few google clicks later and a local guy (25 miles only) who mainly does performance upgrades, tuning, chips etc was starting to move into custom exhausts.
A long chat later and he did me a very good price for a whole new exhaust cat back, in 2.5 inch steel rather than the 2 currently on it. As local and good price I thought this must be my saviour. Photo attached of high quality work, new on right. However, sound is better and deeper but still not enough V8 for me. He certainly seems someone proud of his work and wanting to grow his business and learn.
We think that the x-pipe maybe the culprit as it evens out the exhaust flow and allows both banks to be optimised by the ecu, which maybe good for a high revving engine but not good for me who wants a v8 at 2-4000 rpm. So he's offered to remake the centre section as 2 separate pipes, so 2 wholly separate exhausts. Logic being each bank is a little independent on flow so the rumble should hopefully (!!) return. Albeit with a 6 week wait for ramp space.
PH I would appreciate any expert guidance?
Maybe I should have bought a milltek but many comment about quality and I like the idea of custom work.....
v8notbrave said:
I need you help PH, I am literally exhausted......
Had one of these 10 years ago and took it to small little exhaust place in east london and with new back boxes it sounded sweet. I was very proud of the union jack stamp on the silencers as they made the german car perfect. It's not a screamer of the car, I like the low V8 detroit type rumble and this was spot on, loud enough to know you're in a V8 and to get some appreciation leaving a car show, but not too raucous.
Onto present car which remains in tip top condition and I've just been under it on the ramp and it doesnt look, nor feel 19 years old at all. So it's a keeper and I need to recreate the V8 rumble. It's getting expensive and frustrating.
1. Found custom exhaust specialist in Scotland, spoke to them and they were adamant that a central resonator delete and x pipe was all I needed. I was dubious but the price was cheap and their reputation seemed good so had it done. result barely any changes unless you're thrashing it.
2. Found another specialist, came up with good price and I thought sod it, I'll go straight-pipe for rear section, possible watching too much youtube after a few beers swayed the juvenile in me. This was 90 miles away, the challenge of living in the Highlands. Quality good, was happy initially but after a year it got a bit tiring. Any rev's over 2500 when cold and it barked, it screamed and was good for a hack about some of the great roads here but mrs wouldnt go in it and after a while I realised I'm edging 50 so sought getting it a bit quieter and some form of silencer would eliminate the high pitch and leave a deep rumble. The logic seemed sound.
3. Went 90 miles back to same garage a yr later who put on some glass pack silencers, again for a good price. I've heard of glass pack through the non-stop discovery channel output but was totally deflated. Car almost sounded stock. Spoke to him and he was adamant these silencers they use a lot and there was nothing he can do.
4. Car is barely driven in winter so stayed a tad depressed for the past couple of months and can't face another long travel and hassle for more woe. A few google clicks later and a local guy (25 miles only) who mainly does performance upgrades, tuning, chips etc was starting to move into custom exhausts.
A long chat later and he did me a very good price for a whole new exhaust cat back, in 2.5 inch steel rather than the 2 currently on it. As local and good price I thought this must be my saviour. Photo attached of high quality work, new on right. However, sound is better and deeper but still not enough V8 for me. He certainly seems someone proud of his work and wanting to grow his business and learn.
We think that the x-pipe maybe the culprit as it evens out the exhaust flow and allows both banks to be optimised by the ecu, which maybe good for a high revving engine but not good for me who wants a v8 at 2-4000 rpm. So he's offered to remake the centre section as 2 separate pipes, so 2 wholly separate exhausts. Logic being each bank is a little independent on flow so the rumble should hopefully (!!) return. Albeit with a 6 week wait for ramp space.
PH I would appreciate any expert guidance?
Maybe I should have bought a milltek but many comment about quality and I like the idea of custom work.....
Hopefully, someone will be along whose done what you're asking about, I can only comment on the bit about V8s and your X pipe dilemma. Had one of these 10 years ago and took it to small little exhaust place in east london and with new back boxes it sounded sweet. I was very proud of the union jack stamp on the silencers as they made the german car perfect. It's not a screamer of the car, I like the low V8 detroit type rumble and this was spot on, loud enough to know you're in a V8 and to get some appreciation leaving a car show, but not too raucous.
Onto present car which remains in tip top condition and I've just been under it on the ramp and it doesnt look, nor feel 19 years old at all. So it's a keeper and I need to recreate the V8 rumble. It's getting expensive and frustrating.
1. Found custom exhaust specialist in Scotland, spoke to them and they were adamant that a central resonator delete and x pipe was all I needed. I was dubious but the price was cheap and their reputation seemed good so had it done. result barely any changes unless you're thrashing it.
2. Found another specialist, came up with good price and I thought sod it, I'll go straight-pipe for rear section, possible watching too much youtube after a few beers swayed the juvenile in me. This was 90 miles away, the challenge of living in the Highlands. Quality good, was happy initially but after a year it got a bit tiring. Any rev's over 2500 when cold and it barked, it screamed and was good for a hack about some of the great roads here but mrs wouldnt go in it and after a while I realised I'm edging 50 so sought getting it a bit quieter and some form of silencer would eliminate the high pitch and leave a deep rumble. The logic seemed sound.
3. Went 90 miles back to same garage a yr later who put on some glass pack silencers, again for a good price. I've heard of glass pack through the non-stop discovery channel output but was totally deflated. Car almost sounded stock. Spoke to him and he was adamant these silencers they use a lot and there was nothing he can do.
4. Car is barely driven in winter so stayed a tad depressed for the past couple of months and can't face another long travel and hassle for more woe. A few google clicks later and a local guy (25 miles only) who mainly does performance upgrades, tuning, chips etc was starting to move into custom exhausts.
A long chat later and he did me a very good price for a whole new exhaust cat back, in 2.5 inch steel rather than the 2 currently on it. As local and good price I thought this must be my saviour. Photo attached of high quality work, new on right. However, sound is better and deeper but still not enough V8 for me. He certainly seems someone proud of his work and wanting to grow his business and learn.
We think that the x-pipe maybe the culprit as it evens out the exhaust flow and allows both banks to be optimised by the ecu, which maybe good for a high revving engine but not good for me who wants a v8 at 2-4000 rpm. So he's offered to remake the centre section as 2 separate pipes, so 2 wholly separate exhausts. Logic being each bank is a little independent on flow so the rumble should hopefully (!!) return. Albeit with a 6 week wait for ramp space.
PH I would appreciate any expert guidance?
Maybe I should have bought a milltek but many comment about quality and I like the idea of custom work.....
You're dead on with your comments about the X-pipe evening out the pulses which will give more of a howl at higher RPM but lose some of the low down off beat thump thump thump you get from separate exhausts. Can't comment on the Audi specifically but that's certainly the case with other V8s.
Thank you C5 Steve, finally have the sound I want. Quite a learning curve and amazing 3 exhaust specialists didn’t appreciate how a V8 works, maybe they’re so rare now as most custom exhausts will be 4 pot turbos etc. Fortunately the last place was growing his business and it became a bit of an R&D car and took a lot longer than expected. Mainly as he was adamant 2.5” tube was needed and this then must be snuggled where stock 2” was previously.
He agreed to do a new centre section which took a while but looks the dogs danglies. I went to collect it and ended up spending 3 hrs trying to help out and was impressed with the trial and effort approach, they cannot be symmetrical mirrors of each other as the diff isn’t an even shape for example so it’s 2 totally unique exhausts for each bank of the V8.
I’d become disillusioned with the straight-pipe then disillusioned with the stock mute sound. Now after barely any winter miles it’s a joy to be back. You know it’s a V8 but it’s not asbo.
How can I upload a video? I’m a bit of a luddite but think it’s worth sharing. Thoughts of whether I should upgrade to an M4 convertible or similar are quickly dispelled by the creamy muscle of the V8 and a perfect manual box.
The x-pipe on more googling ancient forums actually needed a remap as I guess the change in the exhaust flow / back-pressure. It’s hard to tell if I’d lost a few bhp but now with new 2.5” separate exhaust it certainly feels super strong and almost all of the 340bhp must be present.
A painful but interesting learning lesson, probably cost £1600 in total, not much more than an off the shelf one but at least I have something that will outlast the car (and with the original resonator very rusty some of this must be considered preventative maintenance using man maths)
He agreed to do a new centre section which took a while but looks the dogs danglies. I went to collect it and ended up spending 3 hrs trying to help out and was impressed with the trial and effort approach, they cannot be symmetrical mirrors of each other as the diff isn’t an even shape for example so it’s 2 totally unique exhausts for each bank of the V8.
I’d become disillusioned with the straight-pipe then disillusioned with the stock mute sound. Now after barely any winter miles it’s a joy to be back. You know it’s a V8 but it’s not asbo.
How can I upload a video? I’m a bit of a luddite but think it’s worth sharing. Thoughts of whether I should upgrade to an M4 convertible or similar are quickly dispelled by the creamy muscle of the V8 and a perfect manual box.
The x-pipe on more googling ancient forums actually needed a remap as I guess the change in the exhaust flow / back-pressure. It’s hard to tell if I’d lost a few bhp but now with new 2.5” separate exhaust it certainly feels super strong and almost all of the 340bhp must be present.
A painful but interesting learning lesson, probably cost £1600 in total, not much more than an off the shelf one but at least I have something that will outlast the car (and with the original resonator very rusty some of this must be considered preventative maintenance using man maths)
Mildly smug, I’ve paid big premiums previously but was astounded to insure each horsepower for 43p for the year, yes somehow getting older, living in a boring area, garage, 3k miles/yr, huge excess etc it cost £147.21 for insurance! A very no frills policy, fine for me and crazy for a fastish V8 with 340bhp (assuming it’s not lost too many). Their valuation is very low but we'll cross that theoretical bridge should we ever come to it!
Was considering a winter SORN as barely any winter use but with tax at £415 for the year (it’s an 05) why bother
Also finally passed the MOT. I thought I heard a wee rasp from the exhaust which I tried to tell myself it wasn’t a leak and yes it squeaked through the MOT with minor leak of gasses. The time-consuming exhaust finish meant the exhaust paste from the 2” cat into the 2.5” new exhaust wasn’t perfect. Now remedied, no cost. Drove to garage through rain so was satisfying to see four pools under the car on the ramp, a bit sad possibly but with many Facebook posts on wet carpets through bunged drains leading the electric issues this was reassuring (there must be some logic somewhere for putting key electronics under carpets...)
I’d never felt comfortable with the temp gauge (having owned another previously) it seemed to take a long time to get up to temp and would lose up to 20 degrees with heat on and roof down, it was notably worse after minimal winter use and I’d guessed at the thermostat
Garage could only get the thermostat supplied with water pump, a good local garage took 3.5hrs labour to strip the front etc no need to risk some chinesium pattern part. Have a huge folder of invoices, of note the chains were done main dealer in 2014 for £6.2k (what would that cost now?) but no mention of a water pump, so a good bit of preventative maintenance and it was showing signs of starting to leak. If water pumps are done when you do cambelts on most cars why would a main dealer take the engine out replace many many parts but not do water pump?
Also, a full service of all fluids, filters etc(9 litres of premium oil). Total cost £1k not bad as my only real expense in 2 years and 6k.
I now marvel at the rock steady temp gauge when driving and all is tickety boo, even in the hot weather recently or in traffic.
Now need to find time to make a small vid of the exhaust, soon….
Was considering a winter SORN as barely any winter use but with tax at £415 for the year (it’s an 05) why bother
Also finally passed the MOT. I thought I heard a wee rasp from the exhaust which I tried to tell myself it wasn’t a leak and yes it squeaked through the MOT with minor leak of gasses. The time-consuming exhaust finish meant the exhaust paste from the 2” cat into the 2.5” new exhaust wasn’t perfect. Now remedied, no cost. Drove to garage through rain so was satisfying to see four pools under the car on the ramp, a bit sad possibly but with many Facebook posts on wet carpets through bunged drains leading the electric issues this was reassuring (there must be some logic somewhere for putting key electronics under carpets...)
I’d never felt comfortable with the temp gauge (having owned another previously) it seemed to take a long time to get up to temp and would lose up to 20 degrees with heat on and roof down, it was notably worse after minimal winter use and I’d guessed at the thermostat
Garage could only get the thermostat supplied with water pump, a good local garage took 3.5hrs labour to strip the front etc no need to risk some chinesium pattern part. Have a huge folder of invoices, of note the chains were done main dealer in 2014 for £6.2k (what would that cost now?) but no mention of a water pump, so a good bit of preventative maintenance and it was showing signs of starting to leak. If water pumps are done when you do cambelts on most cars why would a main dealer take the engine out replace many many parts but not do water pump?
Also, a full service of all fluids, filters etc(9 litres of premium oil). Total cost £1k not bad as my only real expense in 2 years and 6k.
I now marvel at the rock steady temp gauge when driving and all is tickety boo, even in the hot weather recently or in traffic.
Now need to find time to make a small vid of the exhaust, soon….
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