In a beautiful blue color. I got a hell of a deal on it, and it needs a little work (new exhaust system, and new rear brakes), but besides that it is in great shape. Only 67K miles on it...Probably got more then a 100K left.

BTW- I also own a 2001 TT Roadster, but I decided I needed a car that I could carry SOMETHING besides myself in.

Now, a couple of questions:

1. Where should I look for the exhaust system? OEM or Aftermarket??

2. The front brakes are new (OEM), and the rears need new calipers/rotors/pads. Can someone point me in the right direction??

This is a great car. Quite different from the TTR, but fun none the less. The dual throttle body threw me off for the first little while I drove it. I though the car was having acceleration problems, then I remembered it was the 2nd throttle body opening.

Thanks for your help!
Jordan

Is the radio supposed to stay on after i turn on the ignition?? I have to turn it off every time...

J

'96 got the Delta head unit which goes off when the key is removed, but can also be turned on without the key in the car, like the Bose. Be happy... the Bose head unit teamed with the antenna mast, gets much better reception than the Delta with integrated masts.

There *should* be a buzzer when you open the door, with the radio still on.

It's a great car, and a rare one with the 5-speed. I've always wanted a '96 5-speed, but they are so hard to find! ;) Always see them when I don't need to buy...

Now, answers to your questions...

1 :: Not many aftermarket exhausts but TAP (not the best reputation) for one might have a cat-back system. What all do you need? What's wrong with it? Shouldn't be bad after 67k... mine are fine after 74.5k and 94.5k... no problems at all, and I've heard of others near or over 200k with original exhaust systems.

2 :: What's wrong with the calipers? Froze up did they? ;) Maybe the previous owner ran the pads down SO far to also take out the calipers? Or the parking brake adjusted improperly? Beats me, but if you need them you need them. I have bought brakes from several sources. I just bought rear rotors and pads (OEM size) from GP&R for $140 with shipping... that is for Zimmermann solid discs and either Pagid, Mintex, or PBR pads. Not sure what the calipers might run from them, but call them at 800-321-5432 (they're in CA) and they will be quite helpful. I don't even bother checking on prices from other people anymore.

I might also suggest you go with Ferodo, PBR, or Mintex pads on the front as well to reduce dust and improve braking, even though you have new OEM pads (unless they don't dust). I never felt safe with the stock brakes, so I upgraded to slotted Zimmermanns and Rofren pads on the front. The Rofrens went 11k without dust, but now dust quite a bit. Would recommend the slotted Zimmermanns after you wear out the stock rotors, though (will be 45-50k at least).

Do you know if the timing belt was replaced? If not, you're right at a safe time to replace it, along with the tensioner, water pump, thermostat, and serpentine belt. Ordering those parts from GP&R, and having the work done at my independent shop, it cost me about $500. But consider the alternative... $2,500-$4,000 in damage if the belt breaks or skips.

Muhammad-

Thanks for your answers...The exhaust needs to be replaced becuase it has rusted pretty badly. I am in Florida, but the cary spent 3 years in New York. The entire system is rusted, including one of the clamps, so the muffler is not secured.

The rear brakes are the same story. Looks like the car stood still for a long time, and rust ravaged the rotors. There are high spots on the rotors causing shuttering while braking. The calipers are rusted too, and i figured i should do it right if i am going to do it.

The car does ned the timing belt, serpentine belt, and water pump done, and i have plans to do that soon. It is quite easy on these cars (I think there is more extra room under the hood in this car then I have in my trunk of my TTR :))

Again, thanks for the feedback. I will definitely be hanging around here. I need some 17" wheels and tires (have a good line on some), and I am planning on lowering with new springs/shocks.

Jordan

Yes, the car must have been left outside for a while... since mine are in NY and have no problems with rust of anything, let alone the exhaust system to the point that a clamp has rusted out.

Let us know which route you go with the wheels and suspension... "some day" I might get around to those upgrades. ;)

For aftermarket exhaust, I would go with a custom job. Its not worth the price that tap sells their system for.

I had a exhaust shop quote out a catback system for $500. I think vortrag motorsports runs about the same.
They said they could put in two high flow cats as well for another $500 or so.
So for the same price as a tap1 system, you could probably find alot more elsewhere.

I would go for aftermarket, its going to be very expensive. If the cats are damaged, OEM replacements are 1k a pop.. and there are two on the car.

If you want to get rid of the throttle body feel, you can port it out yourself, or have someone else do it for around $200-300.

So my brothers...whaaaazupppp!!! Ok this is what I did. i took my car to the local shop (circuit city) and asked them to change it sothat the radio goes off as the key is removed. so...the radios stays on even when the car is turned off (in a certain key position) and when u remove it..it goes off. This was when I still had the Bose..thingy in there. Upgrade man upgrade. oo yeah....I think I know you....Jordan. Green TT Roadster???? Got a little scratch in parkinglot one day? this the same Jordan???

Sadly, my TT has been hit 3 times in a parking lot, so it is hard to say...You from Orlando?

Thanks for your response.

Forgive my ignorance, but what does porting out the throttle body do? Basically make it one?

Also I got a quote for $800 for a OEM exhaust replacemtn (front and rear sections) does this sound good??

Porting it out lets more air in and thus increases the amount of power you can get from where it starts to open to when its fully open.

8hp is often the hp boost figure, but I would probably say more around 5hp.

It lets significantly more air in while its opening (ie not fully opened) thus creating less of a doggy effect to the point it fully opens.

If you check the tech section under engine, it has an article about it.

$800 is a good figure, I would go for it.

Wunderbar! I have one two.. the 5 speed is rare. Mine has just under 80K and drives like a dream. I like the differential lock right in the center console... haven't had to use it though... the quattro just pulls you out of anything. A week ago, I came back to the car to find a business card under the wiper... guy was looking in the window and wanted to know if I ever wanted to sell it, to give him a call!

Enjoy..the 5 speed really makes all the difference in the way the A6 handles and accelerates.

AVUSgreg