I just took my 99.5 QMS in to Scottsdale Audi for my first oil change and I have to say that they were AWESOME!....Great Service. They washed my car, gave me pepsi, gave me a loaner, reconfigured my alarm to my needs, etc... Great job....

Anyway after visiting their performance shop I have many many questions to ask all of you.

1. I have narrowed my chip search to Garrett or APR. Any comments on this? I know that there has been much discussion and you all may be tired of answering chip questions, so if you are just skip to question 2.

2. Wastegate Rods- Do these things break more often after a car is chipped? What is the running repair bill on something like this once I lose my warranty? Maybe I'll just get a K04 if replacing a wastegate rod is in the thousands.

3. Clear Corners- I have noticed that the A4s that are older than 99 have textured headlights and clear corners. The 99.5 look more like clear glass except for that ugly yellow reflector. Does anyone know where I can get clear corners for my 99.5 so that it won't be textured? I have seen some clear corners I think by lltek and they seem textured. I don't know if I explained that too well. Also, when you order clear corners, what exactly are you getting? Not the whole light assembly right?

4. Suspension- Does anyone happen to know what brand the stock "sport" suspension is on the a4 99.5 1.8t qms?? My dealer said he thinks they are bilstein but he isn't sure.....Would it be okay to simply buy Neuspeed springs to work with my stock sport suspension or shall I buy the bilstein aftermarket shocks with the springs?


Thanks for taking the time to read these questions. I appreciate any answers you all might have.

Mike

Mike,

I'll try to tackle some answers for your questions, though I am sure there are more qualified folks here than me...

1. I don't think there is any good answer to this question. It is a very personal thing. Check out as much information as you can and go with the one you are most comfortable with. Things to consider may include how you feel about the customer service you are getting, proximity to company, how much power you are looking for, etc.

2. I don't think there have been any documented cases of a wastegate rod breaking on a chipped car (except maybe Andy Hedin's?). I think it was a problem mainly associated with the 97 and early 98 models. I think the turbo runs around $1500 or so to replace.

3. If I'm not mistaken, I think the 99.5 headlight are a single piece - i.e., the corner is not separate from the headlight. I have heard rumor that you can remove the yellow reflector from the corner once you take the assembly off the car... If I'm wrong about them being one piece, the corner is just the lense/reflector assembly - you use the stock bulb assembly which inserts into the back of the corner.

4. I'm not sure what who the stock suspension supplier is, but I'm pretty sure that it would be a good idea to replace both the spring and the shock as they tend to be sold as (supposedly) "matched pairs."

I hope all this helps you out. Good luck and enjoy!

MikeS 98.5 1.8T qms neu

The '99.5 headlamp assembly is one piece -- the headlight and corner signals are a single unit -- unlike pre '99.5 models which had a seperate headlamp/corner signal setup. I haven't heard of anyone successfully removing the orange "wafer" from the '99.5 signal, so getting a clear setup means replacing the entire unit with a Euro-spec assembly. Not sure on cost or compatibilty...

It's almost unanimously recommended that when you upgrade springs you also upgrade shocks. Matching spring and damper (shock) rates is important for many reasons (outline in detail in prior posts) and the OE Sport shocks are not rated to match shorter/stiffer springs. Scottsdale Audi trys to keep one "tuner" model in stock and does everything from chips to suspension. They currently have a K04 Avant with Neuspeed Race springs, 18" Team Dynamics, sway bars, etc. I was shocked to find they retain stock Sport shocks with the Race springs. In fact, they offer a Stage 1 and Stage 2 suspension package to customers and neither offers shock upgrade with springs. I asked them about it during a service visit last week and they said "it's not necessary". I think many -- including myself -- would have to strongly disagree.

As far as stock suspension supplier, I think the springs are Boge and the shocks are Bilstein (at least on pre '99.5 models).

Let me know if you'd be interested in joining an Audi Owners group in the Valley. Terry Dawson (Terry D on a4.org) is trying to get something organized and Scottsdale Audi has offered some support. Just <a href="mailto:gofetch@earthlink.net">email me</a> or <a href="mailto:tazzzz@compuserve.com">Terry</a>...

<a href="http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=909"><img SRC="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/LV4.jpg" BORDER=1 height=78 width=200></a>
Rob O

Yes, Scottsdale Audi's service team is great, and I think the main difference is attitude -- they really try to do right by us !!!

You're welcome to try my Wett chipped car if you like - They had the best service, etc. when I got mine over a year ago. It's different now, of course -- it is hard to see the difference between the many brands.

DEFINITELY change shocks -- most of the springs lower the car too, and as mentioned by others, springs and shocks should be matched. I have heard several people say that just going to different "sport" springs killed the shocks over a much shorter period of time than normal.

In any case, be sure to get the car aligned at the dealership -- they're the only ones who can do it right, and it is needed when the car is lowered.

I guess I will get the Bilstien shocks with the Neuspeed springs. Looks like I'll have to hold off on this until I at least make my first payment on my car. hehe.....I know that Scottsdale Audi seems to charge an arm and a leg for installation, anyone know off the top of their head what they charge for an alignment?