My little baby

[BoondockSaint]

As soon as I get a pic of my 2 cars I'll post em, but I just bought a 2001 S4 that I'm going to start investing in as soon as I finish my jeep. My jeep is my baby, it's a 1999 Cherokee Clasic with about $40,000 inviested. It's almost done, I got most of the things I need. It's got everything from a custom 6" teraflex suspennsion lift, 1600lb warn wench, dana 44's, arb lockers, full undercaridge rock protection, a $15,000 sound system with 3 LCD screens, GPS navigation, XM radio and 7 speaker system. I got 36 BFG All terrain tires and a custom mounted 345 V8 engine I pulled out of my 1974 International Scout. I've spent the last 4 years on this car and now it's finnaly almost done.
The questino I pose to you guys, since most of you know much more about racing cars thatn I do, is what kinds of things should I do to my S4 first? I know more about 4X4 than street cars, and most of my friends aren't much help. Any ideas?:confused

[henk4]

This may sound unkind but seeing what sort of priorities you gave when dealing with your Jeep my advice for the S4 would be to sell it somebody who can really appreciate what a car is meant for. (If you glance through some of my comment on the American preoccupation with utilitarian vehicles and SUV's you may understand what I am talking about).

[BoondockSaint]

Yeah, I've seen some of your comments. Hate to tell you dude, but there are others out there that have differnet tastes than you. I posted this to get some sort of feedback on my car, not to have someone I don't know tell me what my priorities are. I love my Jeep, but for differnet reasons than I love my S4. I love to go off road and enjoy nature, while you seem to enjoy to go by it at 15oMph. I got my S4 so that I can have more of a daily comuter. International scout V8 engines don't exactly have the best gas milage in the world. I've also read a fair amout of your posts concerning SUV's in general. Let's look at the bigger picture and realize that poeple like these cars for different reasons. Just like you like cars for your own reasons. I don't think these cars are any more unsafe than stupid people behind a car that can go 200mph. But if you do have anythingpositive to say about my S4, I would welcome the feedback. I DO enjoy my car a great deal and do appricate it for what it is, just as I appriciate a Hummer for what it is.

[henk4]

when you ask for opinions about something on internet you can be sure that you will get these from people you don't know. Otherwise don't ask. By the way what S4 are you talking about an Audi or a 928S4? I think in both cases you should do nothing to them, certainly not add 15000 dollars worth of noise equipment that will only add to the weight. Just enjoy them for what they and keep them pure. In other words do not fall into the customizing trap. First try to establish its true potential and then try to think about areas where you think you are better than the car. I honestly think that (which ever car it is) has much more potential than you will be ever able to exploit in a country where speed limits may force you to stay in 3rd gear.

[Egg Nog]

Originally posted by henk4
By the way what S4 are you talking about an Audi or a 928S4?

Seeing as he said its a 2001, I think its safe to say its an Audi

BoondockSaint, that was one of the most mature responses I've read on this board. You totally could have turned that into a flame war, and you didn't. Good job.

The thing that concerns me most about SUV safety hazards is not the safety of the driver, but the safety of other drivers. The bumper heights freak me out the most, because most of them are at decapitation level for my car! Oh well, I suppose there's no problem as long as you don't hit anyone

[henk4]

yeah, sorry I overlooked the YoB. For the rest my points still stand, and I subscribe to Egg Nog views on the subject (on the tone of the response). Nevertheless I would strongly advise to keep the S4 in its original state. At the end of the day classic cars (if the Audi is to become one) retain the highest value if they have not been tampered with, and passed through a stage of boy-racer use.

As far as the SUV discussion is concerned, I have already said enough about it, and now that the US is taking control of the Iraqi oil deposits, there will be no way of stopping them to continue to produce these gas guzzling monsters under the pretense that the "market" is asking for them.

[BoondockSaint]

It's and Audi. Listen, I'm not going to have a pointless long debate about SUV's, just that we come from different cultures. And that comment from henk about US just trying to cash in on Igaq oil, all I have to say on that is your entitled to your own opinion, even if it is wrong. I enjoy my SUV for the reasons that it was enteded for, 4 wheeling, and that's where I primarily use it.

[henk4]

OK fine then respond to what I said about the Audi

[BoondockSaint]

I just want some ideas on how I would want to go about tunning my car to get more hp. I'm tired of getting beaten off the block by my friends 2000 Mustang. I could honestly care less about the resale value, I got the car from my grandpa when he passed away along with a 1930's mecurry chop top, both cars I plan on keeping a while. Any ideas?

[henk4]

The easiest and cheapest way to improve bhp is to change the motormanagement chip. (are we talking about the 2,7 litre biturbo engine?) You might easily 15 to 20% more bhp and and the same amount of additional torque.
I did the same to my 110 BHP turbo diesel engine which is now producing about 135 hp and torque increased from 250 to 290 NM at 1750 revs. (You see everything is relative, the car nevertheless manages about 200 kph and cruises at 3000 revs at an easy 150 kph, at places where such speeds are legal, and these days that is only in Germany. It only takes between 5 and 6 litres every 100 kms' in normal use) Financial outlay 500 US$. No other measures required.
I am puzzled that you are worried about a Mustang, as soon as the road starts winding it will disappear in your rear mirror. Traffic light sprints are dummies, don't get involved in those.

(apologies for the metrics used, but this is the way most people calculate these days)

[BoondockSaint]

See, now that helped. As far as racing ic concerend, I've only really done 1 or 2 1/4 mile races with it. Not much track racing. But you're right, street light racing is a waste of time and energy, I don't f@#k with that stuff. When I go back out to Geaorgia I will most likely to some races with my family out there, seeing as how my brother in law builds and races cars out there.

[ozexige]

Get a photo up Boondock,
its gotta look fantastic with 36" BFG AT's.

Your have my admiration.

[Kudosdude]

Okay you are going to have to be a LOT more careful when modding your audi. It is a VERY complicated car, you are also going to have to work out what is more important to you. Looks or handling?

DO NOT
Increase the size of the rims; it will seriously screw with the handling and brakes.
"Lower it" - this has the same effect as the above.


DO
Go find a very good Audi specialist in your area and talk to them then post here what they tell you. (I'm always hearing good things about AbT)


You've picked a damn fine car - don't let looks dictate the handling because those in the know will think you are an idiot

Good luck - let us know how you get on

[Nash]

a $15,000 sound system with LCD screens?

Wow, that's pretty much a big waste of money.

[BoondockSaint]

To Each His Own