Been working on this for a while now, it's certainly not exhaustive, but it's a start. There is a LOT of info on this site, and I thought it would be great to get all of this common info together in one spot. I read once in some thread that if we put together an FAQ, a mod would sticky it. Is this worthy?
Please PM/email for any info/changes you have, and I will update this post.
I am currently looking for wheel weight on the stock 18" wheels (can't believe I can't find that!), and on the new Black Optics 19" wheels.
Thanks for all the contributions below from all of the many authors!
Nick
B8 & B8.5 Specs, FAQ's and DIY's
Years Produced:
B8 2010-2012, B8.5 2013-2016
Engine: Supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection, 183 cu in, 2995cc
Power (SAE net): 333 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 325 lb-ft @ 2900 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Redline MT:
B8 - 7200 RPM B8.5 - 6500 RPM
Redline S-Tronic:
B8 - 6800 RPM B8.5 - 6500 RPM
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 2,811 mm (110.7 in)
Length: 4,717 mm (185.7 in)
Width: 1,826 mm (71.9 in)
Height: 1,406 mm (55.4 in)
Curb Weight: 1,650-1,735 kg (3,638-3,825 lb)
Fuel Capacity: 16.9 Gallons
Wheel Specs:
Wheels for the S4 came from the factory in two sizes, standard 18 or optional 19. There have been several different styles throughout the B8 and B8.5 lifespan.
OEM Wheel bolts: Ball seat 14x1.5x27mm
Size: 18 x 8
Bolt Pattern: 5x112mm
Offset: ET 47
Bore: 66.6mm
Tire Size: P245/40R18
Weight: Need source
Size: 19 x 8.5
Bolt Pattern: 5x112 mm
Offset: ET 43
Bore: 66.6 mm
Tire Size: P255/35R19
Peelers:
Weight: 28.5lbs
Rotors:
Weight: 27lbs
Clovers or Flowers or Petals: (need a poll on the official name lol)
Weight: Need source
Notable Changes for B8.5 (MY 2013-2016)
-S4 model now utilizes electric power steering for improved economy and weight savings
-Redline lowered from
-New design flat bottom steering wheel and new S-Tronic shift knob
-New Driver Assistance package includes Audi adaptive cruise control and dynamic steering
-Audi MMI Navigation plus now includes Audi connect and Bluetooth® streaming audio, including Google maps, and revised/simplified button layout
-New interior and exterior color combinations
-New headlights, foglights, front bumper including grill, new taillights, headlights and taillights not interchangeable from B8 to B8.5
Common Questions
Acronyms-Acronyms-Acronyms
Key Fob Battery replacement
Alignment Specs for the B8 S4
How to Clean Alcantara
Warm water and a microfiber, small amount of gentle soap (like Woolite) mixed in with the water if necessary. Use a fabric shaver if you get "pilling" of the material.
DIY's
VCDS - See the sticky:
Don't have VCDS? Check this thread to see if the Carista App can do what you need:
Carista app for iOS beta testing
Wheel Swap DIY - Torque wheels to 90 ft-lbs
B8 S4 Oil Change DIY
B8 S4 Complete DSG Maintenance Service and Sport Differential Service DIY
DSG Service DIY
Front Brake Pad DIY
Brake Pad Replacement DIY
Spark Plug Change DIY
Exhaust Install DIY
B8 S4 Interior LED Install
Carbon Cleaning
Carbon Buildup on the 3.0 TFSI
What to do or use to clean carbon build up
Belt Replacement
Belt Change Info
Water Pump, Thermostat & Supercharger Removal
DIY S4 Waterpump and Thermostat Install Supercharger Removed
3.0T Thermostat Parts Manual photos tips!
Remove Center Console DIY
B8 A4/S4 Interior Trim Removal Guide
Front Bumper Removal / RS4 Grill Install
Front Bumper Front Grille and Front Splitter DIY
Bumper removal and Grill Replacement
Removing Rear Bumper Valence DIY
Common Mods
Adding dipstick
Audi saw fit to outfit the S4 with an electronic "dipstick" in MMI. If you would like to add a dipstick, it is very easy to do, and all you need is to purchase a dipstick. The dipstick tube still physically exists, front driver's side corner of the engine with a black cap on it. You can buy a dipstick from a number of vendors or from Audi directly, take the plastic cap off the tube, and insert the dipstick.
Steering Wheel Swap
RS5 Steering Wheel Install
B8.5 Shifter Swap
B8.5 S-Tronic Shifter Swap
B8 S4 Headlight DIY J-Code tinted front reflectors
Intakes
B8 S4 Intake Options
AWE - filter+silicone hose
AWE Intake Review Pictures
Roc Euro/Stratmosphere - loudest whine, biggest hp increase
Roc Euro Intake Review VIDEOS
APR/Carbonio - most expensive, carbon fiber top and throttle body pipe in 2 stages
APR Presents B8 S4 S5 3.0 TFSI Carbonio Intake System!
Injen - similar to roc euro
Injen Intake review, dyno and pics
CTS Turbo - similar to roc euro
CTS Turbo B8 S4 3.0T intake
Eurocode - filter+ silicone hose
Eurocode Tuning TRUFit Air Intake System
USP - similar to injen
USP Intake Users
USP Motorsports Intake System w Heat Shield For The 3.0T
ECS - A relatively new offering
ECS Tuning B8 S4 ECS Kohlefaser Luft-Technik Intake System
Exhausts
There are a number of offerings out there. Two of the most popular on the site are the AWE and Milltek exhausts. There are also offerings from APR, Magnaflow, Armytrix, CTS, SPM, Neuspeed, Remus, Supersprint, Borla, and probably others I'm missing!
Most of the companies offer downpipes as a replacement for the stock resonated downpipes, and you can usually purchase them in resonated and non-resonated versions.
There are headers (Eurocode) and high flow (HF) cats available, but most folks choose to pass on them as the installation is difficult, but they are available for those seeking maximum power.
Video Comparison of 5 different setups: Stock, APR, Milltek non-res, StaSis, AWE Tuning
PNW B8 S4 Exhaust Fest 2010
Tunes
GIAC, APR, REVO, Unitronic, EPL, Solo Motorsports (and probably others!) offer Engine Tunes. GIAC, APR, REVO and Unitronic offer Engine and Transmission (S-Tronic/DSG) tunes.
There are so many opinions, reviews and threads on tunes that you are best suited to search for the information you are looking for.
Fair warning/Pay to Play: If you tune your car and take it into a dealership for service or warranty work, Audi can detect your tune and may flag your car as being "TD1". They may use this to deny warranty work if the failure was determined to be caused by your tune.
Brake Upgrades and BBK Info
Our stock brakes consist of a 345x30mm front vented rotor with a Single Piston sliding caliper, and a 330mm rear vented single piston caliper with integral electronic parking brake.
2 piece rotors are available in stock size from several vendors.
Brake pads are available in a wide variety of compounds for our stock brakes also, along with braided stainless lines.
BBK's are available from a number of sources for our cars. Brembo, Stoptech, Alcon, SPM, and OEM+ Q5, and Porsche 19Z BBKs are all available for our car. BBK's are available from 345mm (stock size) up to 380mm kits.
The largest kit that I've found that fits under most 18 wheels is a 355mm kit. The Stoptech and Alcon both make a 355mm kit. The exception is there are some 18 wheels with tons of clearance enough to fit the Brembo 380 (which has a rather large profile) and Stoptech 380. Its important to get the fitment template for the brakes you are considering and use it to check fitment to your wheels.
Brake cooling is one area the S4 suffers. There is simply not much room under the car to route cooling ducts to the brakes. Recently, user LIM1TED (a Porsche Tech) found that he was able to modify and install brake cooling ducts from a Porsche Macan, since the vehicles are somewhat similar. See his Pure Sexiness thread below for details.
Stoptech Trophy Sport 380mm BBK Realtime Install
Audi S4 + Porsche Macan BBK = Pure Sexiness
Q5 BBK upgrade for our S4s
RS5 BBK on B8.5 S4 installed
StopTech BBK ST-60 355mm Installed
StopTech ST-60 BBK - the results includes weights
DIY / Write up - StopTech ST-60 BBK
AP Racing RadiCal BBK Review
Brakes are the weakest link on the S4 - StopTech 380mm install on B8
Suspension DIY Info
Suspension Torque Values
Spring Installation DIY
Anti-Roll Bars (Sway bars)
Hotchkis Sway Bars
Hotchkis sway bar review and DIY
Eurocode Sway bars
USS Review
H&R Sway Bars
H Sport Sways First Impression
H Sport Sways 1 week impressions
Sway Bar Comparisons
Front Subframe Brace
EuroCode (part is called Alu-Kruez - Aluminum brace) and Stern (beefed up stock brace) both manufacture front subframe braces that improve steering feel and responsiveness. The Alu-Kruez is fairly popular with forum members and install instructions are available on EuroCode's website.
Adjustable control Arms
This DIY covers replacement of stock parts, but adjustable control arms would follow the same procedure.
Upper Front Control Arm Replacement
