New member intro - b6 s4

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Hey guys just wanted to introduce myself. Just got my S4 about three weeks ago and am loving it so far! Car is mostly stock apart from a Labree catless full exhaust, RS4 reps and some zimmermann rotors. Previous owner did lots of general maintenance and replaced some parts right before listing it for sale. Only real problem is with the power steering which i think is going out (steering gets really hard when parking, etc.).

So far my plans are just JHM Tune, intake spacers, pulley, coilovers and upgrading the brakes but we all know how that goes lol. I’ll probably have to do a clutch some point soon as it’s at 91k miles.

Anyways i’m looking forward to learning from all of you guys and hopefully contributing some.

Here are some pictures because we all like pictures.


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1523/24574896323_c49d69e5de_b.jpg
Ponce 2/20/16 by Julian Matias, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1706/25083439762_47cfc5c3fd_b.jpg
Ponce 2/20/16 by Julian Matias, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1622/25290511521_74a360ab60_b.jpg
B6 S4 Imola Yellow by Julian Matias, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1583/25290515671_f44763bb9b_b.jpg
B6 S4 Imola Yellow by Julian Matias, on Flickr

#2

Welcome. Imola looks so good in the B6. I think for me thats the only year imola looks really good.

Solid mods planed for the car. Those are ones that will really add some smiles to the miles. Nice to have another B6 S4 guy.

#3

Welcome! Another imola b6. So now I’m not the only one! Can’t wait for you to start modding and having a blast.

#4

Thanks! Yeah those mods seem to be the best bang for the buck really. After that it starts getting really expensive lol.

Thanks! Yeah not too many imola’s around. They’re even more rare were I live, not many S4’s were brought here.

#5

Maybe its just a B6 thing, I hate yellow cars except the b6 s4 imola :slight_smile:

#6

Same

#7

Yeah just the other day i was saying that. Not many cars look good in yellow, especially non exotics.

#8

Hey Julian, nice car man. That’s a rare one. Is “RS4 reps” RS4 replica rims?

Has it been swapped from the five speed automatic to the six speed manual? You mentioned having a clutch. If it’s a manual, then when the time comes to do the clutch, then consider a heavy duty JHM clutch. Then you can rev up and dump that thing once in a while, to showboat launch with an all wheel drive chirp/spin from a dead stop (turn off ESP). But yo don’t try this without performance parts! Hahaha.

Here’s a video showing a few guys revving and dumping the JHM performance clutch. There won’t be enough power for crazy all wheel drive burn outs like in the video, unless you have a built motor, but on a stock motor you can still chirp and get a little wheel slippage in there if you rev it up and dump it.

https://youtu.be/o8BZjr12ddY

Do NOT try this with a stock clutch.

#9

That’s a smart list of mods. When you say “upgrading the brakes”, do you mean a big brake kit with new/bigger calipers, or do you mean just swapping out to lightweight rotors?

From a performance/speed/power perspective, since you’ve already got a catless exhaust, then you might consider putting off the expense of a big brake kit plus coilovers, and instead, consider focusing that money on some JHM headers. Heat wrapped headers will (1) help reduce heat soak under the hood, and (2) you’ll feel that torque start pulling your car about 1000rpm sooner than usual. Just an idea. And from a cosmetic perspective, (3) headers sound better.

#10

If you need to replace the power steering pump, then it’s not that bad once you know how to put the car in “service mode”. Take off the tires, front fender liners, disconnect a couple of things under the front of the car, unbolt and remove the plastic bumper cover, and then shimmy the front end forward a bit without actually removing it. Takes less than an hour if you’ve done it before. The following video is for the C5 A6, but it’ll give you an idea of what you’re up against, since the process is similar for both cars.

https://youtu.be/kFmhJeDpLJU

“Audi A6 (C5) 1998-2004 - Front lock carrier service position placement - DIY Repair” by BentleyPublishers.

Your power steering pump is easily done in an afternoon. Requires big sockets, and don’t forget to replace the metal washers on your “banjo bolts” for the power steering fluid lines. I’ve done a pump and some lines on an Audi A6 and on an S6, and doing it on an A6/S6 was a lot easier with a universal joint socket adapter.

Possible dumb question, BUT, did you check your power steering fluid level?

I had a similar issue with my B6 A4 maybe about one year ago. Bit of occasional stiffness when turning while parking. I’ve used Lucas Oil brand stuff before, so after experiencing this problem four or five times, I picked up a bottle of Lucas Oil “Power Steering Fluid with Conditioners” and I tried adding about one third of a 16oz bottle. I figured why not roll the dice and see if it does anything. After two or three weeks the problem disappeared, and hasn’t returned since. Maybe it was the bottle, maybe it was coincidence. So if this issue just recently started happening, then a bottle of additive may solve the problem.

#11

Highly recommend getting yourself a copy of the BentleyPublishers Audi S4 Service Manual. Difference between printed copy and digital copy is that digital copy comes with factory issued TSB’s (“technical service bulletins”), which address things like part number revisions, recalls, and known issues with platform. Also, you get one year of free updates on any known TSB’s with the digital version (so you become aware of all known issues). If you buy the paper/book copy for thumbing through in the garage, then you can get 50% off the digital copy by registering the book copy.

Digital copy here:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/c/AB66

Bentley also sells replacement factory owner’s manuals if you wanna get one (the one that comes with the new car).

#12

Thanks. Yup RS4 replica rims (not really sure on the make though). Yeah the car is the 6speed that came stock. I’ll probably do a JHM 1r or 3r not really sure which. Already tried a launch lol. Definitely not doing that again without upgraded clutch and diff mounts etc. feels very abusive lol.

#13

For brakes im thinking some brake lines, high temp fluid and some better pads. Took the car on a track day and brakes lasted 3 laps before the pedal went to the floor so definitely want an upgrade for security lol. Having said that a friend is thinking of selling his set of TTRS brakes for cheap so i might grab those.

As far as headers that might be a possibility if i keep the car long enough to do the timing chains otherwise i can’t justify the expense (i don’t have the space, time, tools or the know how to do the install myself).

#14

Yeah power steering fluid was the first thing i checked. I’ve only had the car for a month but the previous owner said it started about two years ago but that it didn’t bother him enough to get it fixed. I’ll try adding a bit of that Lucas Oil fluid to see if it helps. I do get an ocasional whine from the pump if i rev it a bit when turning.

#15

I think a friend of mine has one i’ll check to make sure.

#16

Looks great on rs4s too

#17

Julian on the power steering try pulling the cap off and see if there are any bubbles in there. If you dont see any start the car and turn the rack from far left to far right and see if any bubbles come up. If they do just let them purge out with the cap off. You might need to try that a few times but that should help the wine.

Also the Vag com is a great tool if you dig deeper into the car

#18

Welcome, great looking car! The Imola is always a fun color, and those are some gret pics of it.

Sounds like you’re on the right track with the mods. I had H&R c.o. and I really enjoyed them, so don’t skip past the budget options unless you’re thinking serious track time. Otherwise, your first mods (imo) should be: Tune with intake spacers and piggie pipes (or catless dp’s) and a 2.5" catback if you really want to get the most from it. I was also a big fan of the the trio shifter and various upgraded mounts (snub mount is great, rear diff mount helps smooth out aggressive shifts, and trans mount keeps everything solid).

Regarding your power steering, before you go pulling everything apart, research about the relay you can pull to turn off adaptive power steering (i.e. more power assist at slower speeds). It’s a fairly common thing for guys to pull the relay to give a more linear steering feedback, but if you’re not used to it, it’ll feel like it has no power steering in the parking lot. It’s just a wild stab, but worth researching. Also make sure you never let the power steering reservoir dip too low on fluid, so might be worth checking that too.

Anyhow, congrats and welcome!

#19

Thanks! Plan on getting some BBS CH in the future though. Love me some CH’s lol

#20

I’ll try that later thanks. Do i just turn it from side to side or do i leave it turned for a second or two?

Friend has a vagcom but i need to buy the cable as his doesn’t work on mine.