5 Best Mods for B8/B8.5 Audi A4 – A Beginner’s Guide

B8 Audi A4 on Avant Garde M590 Satin Silver Wheels 19×9.5 ET40 F/R with H&R Sport Springs

The B8 chassis Audi A4 is a pretty good looking German saloon, but the factory styling is a bit pedestrian, and well, the 2.0 TFSI could use a bit of extra oomph as well  – and it’s not like the motor has a lack of potential. There’s a lot of different mods for B8 or B8.5 Audi A4 out there, and if you’re new to the modding game, or new to Audis or Euros, you may not be sure where to start or what the best options might be.

In the latest installment in our tech series, we’ll be summarizing what the best mods for B8 Audi A4 are- in terms that a beginner can understand, without leaving out those of you who have an idea of what you want in mind.

B8.5 Audi A4 on BC Coilovers for B8/B8.5 Audi A4 with OEM Wheels

Even if you drop the car, the stock wheels still look, well, stock – the blacked out look on the A4 on BC Coilovers you see above is just such an example – this manages to make the stock wheels look decent by changing the color to black, but at the end of the day they’re still obviously the stock wheels – and these were some of the better looking wheels that came on B8 Audi A4’s.

Which brings us to our first mod.

#1. Wheels for B8 Audi A4

The photo above is a before/after of just how much of a change that JUST A SET OF WHEELS can make – a great looking set of wheels for B8 Audi A4 is the foundation for the rest of your build – it sets the tone and accents your style. We’ve been helping enthusiasts for a decade now and we’ve got the experience to set you up with a set of wheels that suits your style – and your budget, whatever that is. Forgestar Wheels are a popular option, The car above is on a set of Forgestar F14 Wheels for Audi on a stock ride height A4. Even before you drop it, a set of wheels makes a huge difference.

Here’s another angle on the Forgestar F14 Wheels for Audi so you can get a better idea of the contours.

If you’re into the multi-spoke look, a set of Forgestar CF10’s might work for you instead.

Forgestar CF10 Wheels SemiGloss Black 19×9 F/R 255/30-19 F/R Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 Tires on B8 Audi A4 lowered on ST Suspension XT Coilovers

The A4 above is rocking a set of multispoke Forgestar CF10 wheels and is lowered on ST Suspension XT coilovers, the combination of both wheels and a drop makes the effect even more dramatic.

Of course, Forgestar is by no means your only option – it’s just one of many great choices we have available.B8 Audi A4 on Avant Garde M590 Satin Silver 19×9.5 ET40 F/R w/H&R Sport Springs

Avant Garde Wheels are another popular option for B8 Audi A4 wheels – the Satin Silver concave Avant Garde M590 is an especially handsome set of wheels on the B8 chassis.

B8 Audi A4 with RS Grille on 19in Matte Black Avant Garde M310 Wheels 255/35-19 Hankook Ventus V12 Tires

If you’re into the blacked out look, a set of Matte Black wheels might be your thing, like the matte black Avant Garde M310 wheels for Audi on the black A4 above.

And AG is just one of many options. For instance…

If you’re into the 5-spoke look, VMR V705 wheels for Audi B8 A might be perfect for you.

Want something a little different? Why not a set of VMR V718 Wheels for Audi powdercoated in Sunken Treasure powdercoat?

As we said, there’s a wide variety of options to suit every budget and taste – from affordable cast wheels to beautiful bespoke Modular forged wheels, we’ve got an option that’s perfect for you and your B8 / B8.5 Audi A4. We offer stylish wheels from HRE Performance Wheels, Forgestar,Klutch, BC Racing, Avant Garde, WatCooled IND, Niche Wheels, MRR, TSW Wheels, VMR Wheels and more.

Of course, these are just suggestions – there are dozens of wheel styles available and far too many to cram into one post, so check out our selection of wheels for B8 Audi A4 here.

Questions about wheels? Call the Mod Experts at 714-582-3330 or chat live at ModBargains.com to find out about our current specials and what wheel fitments for B8 / B8.5 Audi A4 we currently have in stock.

Which brings us to the next mod you should take care of after getting your wheels right.

#2 Suspension Mods for B8 / B8.5 Audi A4

When it comes to the B8 Audi A4 Suspension, people often get confused or overwhelmed by all the brands out there and what particular setup will ride or handle the best or go the lowest – depending on what it is you want the car to do, the best suspension setup for you might be totally different than the next guy. To start with the simplest stuff, there are three basic types of suspension mods – Springs & Shocks, Coilovers and Air Ride. In the next few lines, we’ll give you a brief rundown of each class of suspension mod.

LOWERING SPRINGS

Starting with the most straightforward, the least expensive – and we only say least expensive speaking strictly in terms of the actual cost of the part, is a set of lowering springs. H&R Sport Springs for B8 Audi A4 are a popular choice, especially since H&R Springs is an OEM manufacturer of springs for Audi itself.

Eibach Springs for B8 Audi A4 are also another popular choice, as seen on the A4 above – a drop really completes the look you start with a set of nice wheels – like the VMR V710 Wheels for Audi in the photo.

We should mention though, that lowering springs – by definition, are shorter than the OEM springs, meaning the OEM shocks are operating outside of the range they were designed for, which will prematurely wear out the OEM shocks if they’re not worn out already (Note: the general rule is replace your shocks after 50,000 miles) so that’s something you’ll want to think about if you’re considering going with a set of lowering springs – it’s going to cost you twice as much later to take the suspension apart again to install a new set of shocks.

COILOVERS

For a lot of people, changing up the suspension with a set of coilovers seems really intimiding, and there’s really no rational reason to be afraid of going to a coilover setup. See, there’s this misconception out there that coilovers are only good if you’re going to the track, and that’s really not true at all – there are several coilover options specifically designed with street use in mind. Nobody I know with coilovers changes their settings every week based on street conditions or anything. Of course, if you do plan to track the car, there are coilovers appropriate for that too.

ST Suspensions XT Coilovers installed on B8 Audi A4

As we’ve said before and we will probably say many hundreds of times more – it takes the same amount of work to install a set of lowering springs as it is to install a set of coilovers. For instance, in our install facility, Mod Auto in La Habra, CA, springs and coilovers are exactly the same price for installation. So consider, if your shocks are going to be donezo in another 10,000 miles after you lower it – a set of coilovers suddenly starts to become a more and more cost-effective option for lowering your B8 Audi A4 suspension.

A set of coilovers gives you precise control over exactly how low your A4 drops, and more often than not, the coilover’s shock absorbers – since they’re paired to the springs – do a better job of damping than the OEM shocks do with a set of lowering springs installed, and if set up right, can be almost as comfortable as factory.

Coilovers are typically available with adjustable or fixed shock absorbers, but all coilovers will offer adjustable ride height – and these cars look their best with a drop. We also offer high quality shock absorbers from KW Suspension, RS-R Coilovers, Vogtland and Solo-Werks to suit your budget and desired level of options.

Which leaves us with Air Ride. If you want to be able to raise or lower your A4 on demand and have the budget planned for it, we also offer Airrex Air Suspension Systems for Audi as well as installation.

Before we move on, once you’ve lowered your Audi A4, the lack of camber adjustment in the factory control arms can make it difficult to align the car properly. SPC Performance in collaboration with AWE Tuning have developed an adjustable control arm kit that corrects the premature tire wear and imperfect handling created by out-of-spec camber as well as the problem of the control arms rubbing against the important and expensive wiring harnesses that run through both front fender wells. If you’ve lowered your B8/B8.5 Audi A4, a set of AWE Tuning/SPC Adjustable Front Control Arms for Audi B8/B8.5 is a preventive item you should really consider adding when you lower the car to prevent any issues later.

Have questions about your suspension or aren’t sure what options might work best for your A4 and your preferences? Ask the Mod Experts – give em a call at 714-582-3330 or chat live at ModBargains.com.

#3 Pipe up with an Exhaust System for Audi A4

The exhaust of your A4 defines the styling of the entire rear end – an aftermarket exhaust not only sounds better than stock but also can really spice up the rear end of your A4. We offer some of the finest exhaust systems on the market for Audi vehicles from AWE Tuning and other prestigious manufacturers of premium exhaust gas conveyance systems.

You have a decision to make now with your A4. Do you want to keep the car in its single exit configuration, or spice things up with dual exit exhaust or even quad tips? If you plan to keep it single exit, AWE Tuning offers a single exit Cat-Back Exhaust, a Neuspeed Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust are your single-exit options for B8 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI. But if you’re thinking of quads or dual exit, we’ve got some other alternatives.

Want quad tips? The AWE Tuning B8/B8.5 Audi A4 Quad-Tip Cat-Back Exhaust is very customizable and is available with various rear diffuser panels to suit your tip style.

If you’re looking for a more aggressive exhaust note, an Eisenmann Catback Exhaust for B8 Audi A4 with quad tips offers a bit more bark than AWE’s resonated systems.

Milltek Catback Exhaust for B8 A4 – Dual Exhaust Tips	Milltek Catback Exhaust for B8 A4 – Quad Exhaust Tips

If you want Duals, the Milltek Cat-Back Exhaust for B8 Audi A4 is available with dual OR quad tips.

For even more oomph and a bit more noise, try adding a downpipe! While a cat-back exhaust will never affect emissions or warranty, a downpipe certainly can cause problems with both warranty and emissions, but the tradeoff is a massive increase in power.

While this likely isn’t an option for you if you live somewhere with smog tests (Sorry Cali friends), a High Flow Downpipe for B8 Audi A4 2.0TFSI like this one from Billy Boat is a great idea – and it’s also a great idea if your B8 is a straight up racecar.

If you want to go full racecar, the SPM Catless Downpipe for Audi B8 A4 2.0 TFSI will deliver maximum power – and maximum noise. Of course, check your local laws and regulations to see what applies to you.

Not sure what options might be best for you? Ask the Mod Experts for their input based on what you’re looking for in your exhaust system – give them a call at 714-582-3330 if you have questions.

4. Making your Auto Union A4 PERFORM with Power Mods

When it comes to making more power with your Audi A4 2.0 TFSI engine, there’s a few ways to go about it- we’ll be mentioning a few methods.

A) An Upgraded Intake.

The OEM airbox isn’t exactly ideal for flow, nor is the filter element. The Injen Cold Air Intake for B8 Audi A4 relocates the intake inlet to a position where it can draw cooler fresh air and features a filter element with greater surface area and an intake tract optimized for flow for a gain of 12whp/16wtq with sharper throttle response. There are other options available, but an intake upgrade will give you a bit more power and also allow you to better hear your turbocharger.

B) A Blow-Off Valve

Speaking of hearing your turbo, most folks who are modding their turbo cars want to be able to hear the turbocharger doing its thing – and they want that “WHOOSH” or “PSSSSTTT” that comes with having a blow-0ff valve. While some products out there only make noise, a Blow off Valve for B8 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI will let others know you have a turbo every time you let off the throttle, and the high performance components reduce turbo lag and spool while also eliminating boost leaks present in the leaky plastic factory valve. That’s why the Forge Motorsport Blow-Off Valve for Audi 2.0 TFSI engines is such a killer idea.

C) A Large Front Mount Intercooler

The Front Mount Intercooler has a really important job on your 2.0 TFSI engine – it helps keep the incoming air cool, ensuring your A4 is making maximum power. We’ve discussed before exactly what it is that an intercooler does, but for the sake of brevity we’ll explain it again this way. An intercooler doesn’t make “extra” HP, it keeps the air charge from getting hot, allowing your car to make its full HP potential consistently, pull after pull. Consistency is the name of the game. Generally speaking, the bigger the FMIC is, the better, but that has a few caveats.

AWE Tuning’s Front Mount Intercooler for B8 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI offers significant reductions in intake air temps without incurring a massive pressure drop, and like all of AWE’s products, is straightforward to install and performs beautifully.

Another great option is the Performance Front Mount Intercooler for Audi 2.0 TFSI from Wagner Tuning.  Like the AWE intercooler, Wagner Tuning also backs up each of its intercoolers with cold hard data (How very German of them).

These are just a few of the ways you can get more power out of your Audi A4 and we hardly covered all the options. When it comes to getting more power out of your 2.0 TFSI, power is limited only by your imagination and the size of your wallet.

#5 Show Up with Exterior Mods

 Get Grille’d

The next best mod for any B8 Audi A4 is going to be upgrading the exterior. We can all agree that every car looks better without that disgusting front plate mounted, ruining both the car’s looks and costing you valuable MPG with its massive airbrake-inspired aerodynamics. The B8/B8.5 Audi A4 also doesn’t have the prettiest grille from the factory. An RS Style Honeycomb Front Grille for B8 Audi A4 solves both of these problems by deleting the center license plate mount (BYE, FELICIA) as well as improve the look of your A4. This alone does a ton for the front end of the car – but we should mention that we always plastidip or paint the crash bar black when we install the grille, because if you don’t, the body-colored crash bar will stand out like braces on yearbook photo day.

Heaven forbid you live somewhere that the constabulary gives a darn whether or not you have a front plate, a No Holes License Plate Holder for B8 Audi A4 relocates the license plate to a spot where it’s not making a hole in your paint or obstructing airflow to the radiator and intercooler like the OEM mount.

Add A Splitter/Front Lip

A DTM Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip for B8 Audi A4 S-Line is a great way to make things even more aggressive without going too crazy.

Alternately, this Carbon Fiber Front Lip for B8 Audi A4 by Stubek Aero is also a great choice for spicing up the front end with a bit more restrained styling than DTM Style.

A Rear Diffuser

This handsome AWE Tuning Carbon Fiber Quad Diffuser for B8 Audi A4 is ideal for anyone swapping over to a quad tip exhaust setup, and is specifically designed to accommodate the AWE Exhaust for A4, but it’s a bit conservative, and if you want to make a splash, you might want to be louder.

A DTM Style Carbon Fiber Diffuser for B8 Audi A4 is also an ideal way to give your A4 a much more aggressive aesthetic, and is also a great way to accommodate quad tips.

THE EXTRAS
Beyond the exterior mods, a few dress-up pieces will also lend to a nicer overall look.

A set of these DSG Paddles for B8/B8.5 Audi A4 makes it easier to use the tiptronic system and the shifter paddles are quite handsome, too, offering a “OEM+” look – as if it should’ve come that way in the first place.

Add a Boost Gauge and keep an eye on all of your engine’s vitals with a P3Cars Digital Vent Gauge for B8 Audi A4. These slick units add a boost gauge into the air vent socket but also retain most of the use of the vent for airflow, and it does it all in a super-clean “like factory” manner – and P3 cars matches their display colors to your interior lighting so nothing looks out of place. It’s a practical way to enhance your interior’s appearance and its function.

Then finish off your engine bay with a Carbon Fiber Engine Cover for Audi 2.0 TFSI Engines to give the engine bay the flair to match the exterior.

The little things can really add up to make your A4 look bloody incredible.

B8 Audi A4 on Avant Garde M590 Wheels

We hope our rundown of the 5 best mods for the B8 and B8.5 Audi A4 (2.0TFSI) has given you plenty to think about to get started modding your B8/B8.5 Audi A4, but we should mention once again that this is simply a general overview and there may be more options we weren’t able to cover here.

If you have questions about modifying any aspect of your B8 or B8.5 Audi A4, we invite you to ask our team of Modification Experts. Each member of our team owns and modifies their own personal cars and have years of firsthand experience building modified cars – give them a call at 714-582-3330, chat live at ModBargains.com or just stop by the ModAuto showroom (which is also our install facility) in La Habra, CA on Lambert Rd at Harbor Blvd Monday thru Saturday, 8am – 5pm PST.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next time!

Story & All Original Photos by Nick Gregson
Select Photos Courtesy Manufacturers