Just bought a 1999 S4 Avant...service recommendation? NW
Just bought a 1999 S4 Avant...service recommendation? NW
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DjSki

Original Poster:

1,331 posts

226 months

Friday 28th May 2010
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Hi guys,

Just bought myself a 1999 S4 Avant, something a bit more practical, reasonably priced and interesting for carting round camping gear, the dog and my mountain bike. Trying to fit it all into a Z3M Coupe was no fun!

Early days yet but I love the sleeper style, although I'd like a bit more sound from the exhaust!

Can anyone recommend a good garage to look after this new toy near South Manchester? Cheers.

istoo

2,365 posts

233 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
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Milltek exhuast without question!
MRCtuning i am not sure where they are but they are pretty nifty with all things audi, and a lot of focus on B5 S4's, some with daft power.

I have an original S4 avant for the same purpose, a solid choice!

drybeer

962 posts

256 months

Saturday 29th May 2010
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Hi.

Highly recommend going to Unit 20 near Chester.

Not far from you.

Grizz (search on here) will be extremely helpful to you in the lines of normal servicing and care, and tuning options.

I had a '99 some years back.

Did re-map, adjustable coilovers (cannot emphasise how much you need these on the car - give it a slightly nose-down stance and get some negative camber to the fronts and you'll be amazed), fitted 18" BBS-CHs, bigger ARBs, but left my exhaust std as did not want more noise.

These are an amazing peice of it, and can make high value exotica look VERY ordinary when tuned!

Have fun!

DjSki

Original Poster:

1,331 posts

226 months

Sunday 30th May 2010
quotequote all
Hmmm...could be interested in a few mod's but this is a very well looked after standard car and I'd ruin its value.

It has had every service since new on time from Audi main dealers, ie 10 main dealer stamps in the book! Plus all the MOTs and invoices....seems too straight to mess with too much, ride height could do with coming down though........

drybeer

962 posts

256 months

Sunday 30th May 2010
quotequote all
If that's the case I would still recommend the correct mods done tastefully.

No need to change appearance or change permanantly.

The coil overs can be reversed, original alloy wheels can be put back on.

The remap can be reversed, but once you've experienced how it improves the car you won't want to change it back.

My own car sold for a very high price relatively speaking as most prospective owners do want to improve it in these ways.

DjSki

Original Poster:

1,331 posts

226 months

Sunday 30th May 2010
quotequote all
What do you recommend then lads?

I see the milltek cat back is around £550 fitted. Interested only in exhaust, simple remap and brakes, what do you think. Would I have to get bigger alloys to get better brakes?

drybeer

962 posts

256 months

Sunday 30th May 2010
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Would recommend spending on the 18" alloys so you can fit the EBC brake conversion.

Google EBC S4 B5 should find it. Alternatively B7 RS4 items very similar.

You REALLY need the suspension £1500 - £2000, brakes likely £1000 and more if you don't DIY fit, and remap £500 ish.

Personally I feel the Miltek is the last step, as it will add less performance than these other mods.

kmm

1,781 posts

211 months

Sunday 30th May 2010
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To uprate the brakes on mine, i bought some new grooved discs for the front. Upgraded all the flexi pipes to goodridge. Fitted black diamond pads front & rear and dot5 fluid. Brakes are good and don't fade after 5mins like the standard ones do. A lot cheaper than all new calipers and bigger alloys if you have a budget. A remap should be around £300-350. I have a full s/steel from cats back removing the centre and rear silencers. I have a straight through rear box only and the car is still quiet. It might be slightlty louder, but almost nothing in it. Suspension wise i have thought about fitting coilovers myself to improve the tightness and feel a bit more. I find it a bit vague at the front sometimes, although this has improved since replacing all my upper front suspension arms. I bought Lemforder ones for about £180 for the four and fitted them myself with a lot of hammering and swearing!!
I just got my original alloys re-furbed and i think the B5 S4 really suits them. I've had my car for over a year and love it. You'll have great fun in yours....enjoy.

DjSki

Original Poster:

1,331 posts

226 months

Tuesday 1st June 2010
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Whats the recommended suspension kit? I don't want to go too though low, lots of speed bumps around here!

drybeer

962 posts

256 months

Tuesday 1st June 2010
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Just noticed this:

[urlhttp://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=84694[/url]

These would be a good start - then you need Porsche / Brembo calipers to fit.

Suspension - I went for Eibach pro street stainless adjustable on my B5 - excellent plus uprated arbs.

I've got H&R coilovers which are only adjustable height on my RS6 Avant but in combination with hotchkis arbs - would recommend these too.

Allblackdup

3,312 posts

239 months

Tuesday 1st June 2010
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DjSki said:
Just bought myself a 1999 S4 Avant, something a bit more practical, reasonably priced and interesting for carting round camping gear, the dog and my mountain bike. Trying to fit it all into a Z3M Coupe was no fun!
Excellent choice of car and one i'm considering as well - slightly off topic but how do you find the car for getting the mountain bike in? Do you have to remove wheels and other bits to get it in?

I'm thinking of selling the Passat for an S4 so i also get the practical and interesting side of things and would be interested to know how it copes biggrin

drybeer

962 posts

256 months

Wednesday 2nd June 2010
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Roof rails as standard - the only way to go - keeps the muck off the inside by putting the bikes of the roof.