March 2011 Featured AZ'er: AvanTTix's 2003 A4 Avant

Seven years is a long time for a car these days, especially in the hands of an enthusiast. In 2003, Stéphane could have no idea his Avant would take him on the adventure that it has. A story of success, heartbreak, and redemption, this wagon is above and beyond the definition of "more than meets the eye". A plethora of OEM parts and just enough aftermarket options combine to make you both question and appreciate it all at once. So without further adieu, Audizine proudly presents the first ever feature article on an active Audizine Moderator - Stéphane Vannier, AKA AvanTTix, and his 2003 A4 1.8T Avant.

When we say more than meets the eye, we really do mean it, and in more ways than one! First off, this car has a lot more done to it than most would even realize. Hiding under the hood is a K04 turbo kit with dual side mount intercoolers, a Milltek high flow cat, and a Milltek Sport performance cat-back exhaust down the middle. The ride height is lowered by way of a KW V2 coil-over kit, and the A4s standard brakes have been upgraded to those off an S4.

Also, this car transforms from a summertime stunner to a purpose driven winter transporter. In the warm dry spring and summer months of Northern California, the wheel wells are fitted proper with 20" Forged Sportec Mono 10s. The front end is equipped with the highly sought after Sportec front bumper lip which has been custom molded. Sportec can also be found on the side skirts, sitting nicely with the S4 door blades and rear bumper to really keep the OEM style he preserves so well.

In the cold and wet months of winter, the big twenty inch rollers are swapped out with a much more practical set of 18 inch OZ Superlegerras. The rare and rather pricey Sportec front bumper makes way for a more common and much easier to replace or repair OEM S4 front bumper.

Now the real piece de resistance is the interior. Once inside, you are surrounded by a full S4 headliner swap. Recaro Seats with Nogaro Alcantara inserts hold you tight as you stare deeply into the color instrument cluster blended with the beautiful MK2 TT multi-function steering wheel. A must have was the RNS-E navigation with Bluetooth and rear view camera. Overwhelmed yet? We warned you, one can obsess a lot in seven years!

However, in those years not all has been good and trouble free. Some of you may know that this Avant suffered an accident a few years back which should have ended its life right there. But with all of the work Stéphane had put into it, he was not about to let that happen. After fighting and pleading with his insurance for over a month he was able to convince them not to declare the vehicle a total loss. Once released it would take another six months to get the wagon back up to running order. Today Stéphane once again proudly drives his 2003 A4, as well as a 2002 MK1 TT he picked up last year after the Avant was "done". It's a true story of automotive passion and love that can inspire us all!