Got my new car e36 is on it's way in a month

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

There had to be one

Nice write up. The point about getting used to something smooths over a lot of things. Living where you live, you made a great choice. Driving in Colorado in the winter, at altitude in an S4 is my idea of about perfect. I think from the sounds of it, you should do a sensible suspension mod to put a bit more edge in the car...and get the ECU. Take your time picking those snows!! If I was in an S4, I think I would also use the stock rims for the winters and get a nice set of BBS for the rest of the year.

[m3f_KUpolo]

Nice write up. The point about getting used to something smooths over a lot of things. Living where you live, you made a great choice. Driving in Colorado in the winter, at altitude in an S4 is my idea of about perfect. I think from the sounds of it, you should do a sensible suspension mod to put a bit more edge in the car...and get the ECU. Take your time picking those snows!! If I was in an S4, I think I would also use the stock rims for the winters and get a nice set of BBS for the rest of the year.





The car came with a set of Michelin Arctic Alpins mounted on some 1000 Milgias so I think I'm set up for the time being. Still reading about the ECU swap. I want to make sure I will not void the warranty. Suspension mods are definitely on the list.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

well it sounds like u got the car u needed for the colorado weather.. as i suspected.. u also found the S4 to be more of a sports sedan.. but thats what it really is.. i have to say if i were in any more snow, i would probably sell the M and get something more worthy of the nasty weather..



but definitly stick around here on the boards.. u never know.. maybe ull get another M... and maybe in the near future :thumbsup:

[m3f_chemicals_b2f60131b9]

S4 = cool, but they are not really a great handling car like the m3 is, but it will be fun to fiddle with the boost & engnie mapping.

[m3f_KUpolo]

S4 = cool, but they are not really a great handling car like the m3 is, but it will be fun to fiddle with the boost & engnie mapping.





You're right, I would call it a good handling car, but not great.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

The car came with a set of Michelin Arctic Alpins mounted on some 1000 Milgias so I think I'm set up for the time being. Still reading about the ECU swap. I want to make sure I will not void the warranty. Suspension mods are definitely on the list.

Were they Pilot Alpins or regular Arctic Alpins? I would like to try the Pilots. I have driven quite a bit on the Arctic Alpins on a couple of cars , and they are smooth and good on ice. Probably not the tire to maximize the Audi advantage though.

[m3f_hemlock_1eebd28e89]

first things first, upgrade the clutch to a 6 puck for some serious launching :thumbsup:



Serious launching in an Audi Quattro is BAD. The AWD mechanicals are not made for that. You WANT the clutch to slip. If it doesn't then the tranny will be paste.



KUpolo-

Several things (used to be a turbo guy and I've been part of the Audi/VW family before).

1. APR makes the best chips. You'll notice a difference in midrange, and you can buy a new ECU and just swap them if you are that worried about it.

2. Careful who you tell about track days. They void warranties too.

3. Get a boost gauge. Boost spike and boost creep are bad news when the lean out the engine.

4. Added boost is bad without added fuel. And free flowing intake/exhaust mod's can affect this as much as a chip/controller. Just match software to ALL replaced hardware.

5. Make sure you ALWAYS warm up and cool down your car. Shutting her down hot will not allow the oil to drain out of the turbo, which in the long run will destroy them. And if they bind up and spin backwards when they go, then the motor goes too. If you're lazy about the cool down then get a turbo timer.

6. Aggressive launching and Quattro do not go hand in hand.

7. If your car was assembled in Mexico (check VIN) keep an eye on every electro mechanical component and get used to some squeeks.

8. Enjoy your new daily driver. Should be nice for Colorado.

[m3f_KUpolo]

Serious launching in an Audi Quattro is BAD. The AWD mechanicals are not made for that. You WANT the clutch to slip. If it doesn't then the tranny will be paste.



KUpolo-

Several things (used to be a turbo guy and I've been part of the Audi/VW family before).

1. APR makes the best chips. You'll notice a difference in midrange, and you can buy a new ECU and just swap them if you are that worried about it.

2. Careful who you tell about track days. They void warranties too.

3. Get a boost gauge. Boost spike and boost creep are bad news when the lean out the engine.

4. Added boost is bad without added fuel. And free flowing intake/exhaust mod's can affect this as much as a chip/controller. Just match software to ALL replaced hardware.

5. Make sure you ALWAYS warm up and cool down your car. Shutting her down hot will not allow the oil to drain out of the turbo, which in the long run will destroy them. And if they bind up and spin backwards when they go, then the motor goes too. If you're lazy about the cool down then get a turbo timer.

6. Aggressive launching and Quattro do not go hand in hand.

7. If your car was assembled in Mexico (check VIN) keep an eye on every electro mechanical component and get used to some squeeks.

8. Enjoy your new daily driver. Should be nice for Colorado.





Excellent info! I did not know some of that. Thanks and if I have other questions I'll be sure to let you know. :thumbsup:

[m3f_KUpolo]

Serious launching in an Audi Quattro is BAD. The AWD mechanicals are not made for that. You WANT the clutch to slip. If it doesn't then the tranny will be paste.



KUpolo-

Several things (used to be a turbo guy and I've been part of the Audi/VW family before).

1. APR makes the best chips. You'll notice a difference in midrange, and you can buy a new ECU and just swap them if you are that worried about it.

2. Careful who you tell about track days. They void warranties too.

3. Get a boost gauge. Boost spike and boost creep are bad news when the lean out the engine.

4. Added boost is bad without added fuel. And free flowing intake/exhaust mod's can affect this as much as a chip/controller. Just match software to ALL replaced hardware.

5. Make sure you ALWAYS warm up and cool down your car. Shutting her down hot will not allow the oil to drain out of the turbo, which in the long run will destroy them. And if they bind up and spin backwards when they go, then the motor goes too. If you're lazy about the cool down then get a turbo timer.

6. Aggressive launching and Quattro do not go hand in hand.

7. If your car was assembled in Mexico (check VIN) keep an eye on every electro mechanical component and get used to some squeeks.

8. Enjoy your new daily driver. Should be nice for Colorado.





Well I just checked and apparently no B5's were built outside of Germany. My VIN indicates that it was built in Ingolstadt, Germany.



Can you explain to me how a turbo timer works and where I can find one.

[m3f_Drifter_23d8df4bc6]

turbo timer just lets the car run for a duration of time after you have turned it off.



So an example - I just rallied the S4, turbos red hot I just pulled into my driveway. But oh no. I have to take a nice poop. Well I can't sit in the car and do so at the same time. But with a turbo timer I can just tell it to run after off and then you turn the car off *as in remove the key* locks the doors and walk away. Then after the time you set it, the turbo timer will turn off the car in that time. And its alll nice and locked up ready for the next run.

[m3f_hemlock_1eebd28e89]

turbo timer just lets the car run for a duration of time after you have turned it off.



So an example - I just rallied the S4, turbos red hot I just pulled into my driveway. But oh no. I have to take a nice poop. Well I can't sit in the car and do so at the same time. But with a turbo timer I can just tell it to run after off and then you turn the car off *as in remove the key* locks the doors and walk away. Then after the time you set it, the turbo timer will turn off the car in that time. And its alll nice and locked up ready for the next run.



Yeah, that's pretty much it, although I could have done without the poop example. You'll also tie the system in to your parking brake so no one can jump in and steal your car while it's still running. Release of the PB will shut-off the timer (and obviously the engine too).



You can get them anywhere you buy other turbo parts, gauges, accessories and upgrades. Best advice would be to find someone on the Audi forum who has documented an install and buy the same model. They all do the same thing.