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October '09 Featured AZ'er: washyourrhands' 2002 S4 Sedan

October '09 Featured AZ'er: washyourrhands' 2002 S4 Sedan

October 18, 2009 - Written by Audizine Staff, photos by Anthony Cortes & Chad Mueller
User Name: washyourrhands
Real Name: Mike Vetrone
Location: Northern California, USA
Year of Vehicle: 2002
Model of Vehicle: S4 sedan
Engine of Vehicle: 2.7T
Color of Vehicle: Imola Yellow/Black
 
For those following our progression of Featured AZ'ers, it would appear that we here at Audizine have developed a wicked case of "Yellow Fever". The latest B5 S4 we're featuring here is yet another one in the shade of Imola Yellow. In our defense though, the previous second-gen S4 to be featured was of the Avant persuasion. So please, don't consider us totally biased. We can diversify! We also have to say that these yellow Audis really stand apart from the crowd. It's like a child yelling in your earballs: "look at me, I'm faster than you". Luckily for Mike (AKA 'washyourhands' on The Zine), he's pumped up his car to match all that outwardly visible hype.

An extremely active and avid member of Audizine, Mike represents the "second coming" of the B5 S4; the younger generation of enthusiasts that continue to breath life into this very popular highly tunable Audi. Remembering the time when the B5 was the latest and greatest A4/S4 platform, it truly is a fascinating thing to see how the community has evolved over the years with the modding of the cars right alongside it. This growth can be seen in the wide array of tuning options that enthusiasts can choose from these days, many of which weren't available when this S4 was new to dealer showrooms. Mike's yellow sedan gets more out of its V6 thanks to items like upgraded turbos, fueling, downpipes, 034 intercooler, and AWE exhaust. Managing the power comes from other now-familiar S4-household-names like VAST (who provided the Stage 3 clutch) and Stoptech (via their 332mm big brake kit).

Not one to only focus on the inner beauty, Mike's added several visible touches as well. There are items that also enhance the sportiness of the S4, such as a lowered stance from a Bilstein PSS9 coilover system, a semi-colormatched carbon fiber hood, and a set of yellow and black Corbeau FX1 racing seats. Then there are the mods for design's sake, such as the vinyled roof to tie in the black and yellow theme on the outside and the painted yellow interior trim to bring that very same idea to the cockpit. Seems like we're not the only ones suffering from the fever, a fever which has been striking both old and young automotive enthusiasts for well over a decade now. Just like us, Mike's got it good!

Current Modifications

 - Engine/Exhaust:
  • PJ K04 turbos
  • ASP Fueling 60# injectors
  • SSAC downpipes
  • AWE Twin 1
  • 034/Wagner sidemount intercooler
  • VAST Stage 3 clutch, LWFW
  • 034 mounts
  • Darintake
  • 710N diverter valves
  • Samco hoses
 - Suspension/Transmission: 
  • Bilstein PSS9 coilovers
 - Wheels/Brakes:
  • 18" Flik Justice
  • 332mm Stoptech BBK
- Interior:
  • Corbeau FX1 racing seats
  • Custom painted trim
  • AWE vent boost gauge
 - Exterior: 
  • Carbon fiber hood
  • Front lip
  • Black vinyled roof
  • RS 4 grille
Future Modifications
 
Meth Injection. Planning a GT25 2.8 build.
  
Q (Audizine): How long have you owned the S?
A (Mike): 2 years.
 
Q: And how has your time been with the car so far?
A: It has been a very interesting experience.  I have gone from loving the car more than anything in the world to putting it up on craigslist to sell.  I have now come to my senses that I will never actually sell the car after all the work I have put into it. Not to mention money.  It is a great car to drive tho and when its running, it runs great.

Q: Do you think you'll be getting another one any time soon?
A: I will be getting a daily Chevy Tahoe because I am in need of a big car now, but i would love to hop into a new S4.
 
Q: Is this your first Audi? If not, what other models and years have you owned?
A: No, I used to drive a 99.5 A4 2.8 Tip.
 
Q: How long have you been into Audis and in the European tuning scene?
A: Since I bought my first A4 when I was 15.

Q: So what about cars in general? How long have you been an enthusiast?
A: As funny as it is, I got into cars thanks to the movie "The Fast and the Furious". My friends and I would always talk about what cars we were going to buy and what we were going to do to them...NOS of course (laughs). Then an older friend of mine always would talk about Audis and how great quattro is. I never turned back.
 
Q: Where do you think that passion and desire for speed comes from?
A: Thanks to a buddy of mine from high school who took me to the track.

Q: What do you love most about the S4 that you have now?
A: Pinning it.

Q: What's your biggest peeve in regards to the car, the one thing you just can't stand?
A: Endless misfires.

Q: How would you best explain your modding style? Do you prefer more go, more show, or perhaps a bit of both?
A: Definitely a combo of both. Whenever I show my car I always want to go for more show, then I will go to the track and want more go.
 
Q: When it comes to wrenching on the car, do you prefer to do the work yourself or do you have a go-to shop handle that for you?
A:  I do like to work on the car myself when I have the time and enough beer. I have a few shops that I now trust after having a very bad experience with one.
 
Q: Which mod are you the most happy with?
A: Lately, my Corbeau seats. The difference in just everyday driving to mountain cruises, they make driving feel effortless.

Q: What's your fondest memory of owning, modifying, or driving your S so far.
A: The first time I pinned it after going Stage 3, or going to Laguna Seca with it the first time.
 
Q: Which cars would be in your ultimate two-car garage?
A: Definitely a Porsche GT3, and for my second car I would need something to drive people around in and be more practical, so I think a MTM tuned RS 6 would do the job nicely.
 
Q: What do your friends and family think of your passion for Audis?
A: Some of my friends love it, others make fun of me highly for always working on a car that will break again a day later.
 
Q: How does your love for cars, and Audis specifically, affect your life? Does it play a significant part at all?
A: It is a huge part of my life now. I am constantly on AZ and looking at new things I can do to improve my car and driving skills.
 
Q: What brought you to Audizine, and about how long have you been with the community?
A: A buddy of mine, skunkoncrunk, told me about it and switched me over from audiforums.com.

Q: When you're not on Audizine, or out playing with your Audi, what do like to you do for fun?
A: I own a clothing company, Crawl Apparel and am in a metal band called North of the Woods.
 
Q: Do you have any words of advice to share with your fellow enthusiasts?
A: Don't buy a B5 S4!

Q: And lastly, do you have anyone you'd like to thank? Any shout-outs to make?
A: I want to thank Anthony for creating such a great community and taking hours out of my day every day. And thank you to Corbeau Seats, RennWerks Performance, JHMotorsports, and all my buddies in Team Axion.
  1. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Chad Mueller

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  2. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Chad Mueller

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  3. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  4. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  5. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  6. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  7. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  8. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  9. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  10. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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  11. washyourrhands' 2002 S4 sedan - by Anthony B Cortes

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October '09 Featured AZ'er: washyourrhands' 2002 S4 Sedan
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