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May 2012 Featured AZ'er: Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro

May 2012 Featured AZ'er: Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro

May 2, 2012 - Written by Richard Melick, Photos by Sindre Fiskerstrand
User Name: Dusty Mauve
Real Name: Sindre Fiskerstrand
Location: Ålesund, Norway
Year of Vehicle: 2000
Model of Vehicle: A4 Avant quattro
Engine of Vehicle: 1.8T
Color of Vehicle: Light Metallic Silver (LY7W)
 
For features in the past, we've talked to - and about - members who were longtime enthusiasts and car fanatics, many of them being involved in cars before the purchase of their Audi. For Sindre Fiskerstand (AKA: Dusty Mauve) his passion did not fully evolve until after the purchase of this, his first vehicle, a 2000 Audi A4 Avant 1.8T.

Hailing from Ålesund, Norway, Sindre has fallen passionately in love with his Audi. Much like your first girlfriend of boyfriend, you get awfully attached to your first car. Such is the case here with Sindre and his B5 A4.

Within one month of purchase he was modifying the suspension, immediately improving the stance of the car. He then went on to implement many aspects of the European S4 into his ride including the full Recaro S4 interior, front bumpers, and a few RS 4 bits. His proudest modification has been the KW inox-line V2 coilovers, matched with his 18 inch Rial Daytona Race "2-splits", both of which caused him to fall in love with the vehicle all over again. We know that feeling well.

Growing up, Sindre's brother was big into the Volkswagen scene, which helped to mold his passion of cars from a young age. Now able to own and build one of his dream cars, his imagination has been limitless along with his drive for perfection. An example of this is when he purchased the Rial wheels and they arrived oddly painted and a little worn. With patience and long hours, Sindre was able to disassemble the wheels, clean them up, and bring about a high polish to the outer ring and paint the face a gold metallic. 

The wheels and suspension, while being his favorite aspect, have also been a headache for Sindre. In Norway, the laws regarding modifying vehicles are very strict; specifically ride height, wheels, and tires. Your license plates are actually revoked for breaking these laws! The A4's setup was just a little bit too low and too wide for the Norwegian government, and Sindre lost his plates for a few months because of it. This did not stop his work though. While the car sat and waited for new plates, Sindre worked hard to bring the A4 up to the level we see today, completing most of the cosmetic work himself.

The direction he's been able to take the A4 has allowed Sindre the ability to express his sense of style in a ride that is both comfortable and expressive. While many take the 1.8T down the BAT (Big Ass Turbo) path, his style is more of an OEM+ mixed with low, slow and static. It's about the ride and style for Sindre, not necessarily the engine's power.

In the end, this super clean A4 may be more show than go, but it's also chock full of class and is a build that caught our eye right away. While Sindre's photography talents certainly helped (which landed his work on the cover of Audizine's 2012 Wall Calendar) it's his overall sense of style and the build both inside and out that sealed his spot as this month's Featured AZ'er.

We'll end this article with a great quote we got from Sindre during our interview process since it both sums it all up very well and is definitely relevant to us car enthusiasts. "I could spend all my money drinking it away, or spending it on random shit. Now I at least know where it went." Cheers to that, Sindre!
 
Current Modifications

 - Engine/Exhaust:
  • BSR Optiflow
 - Suspension:
  • KW inox-line V2 coilovers
  • Hotchkis swaybars, 35mm front and 22mm rear
 - Wheels & Brakes:
  • 18"x9.5" ET30 Rial Daytona Race "2-splits"
  • 215/35/18 Nankang NS2
  • Black Diamond discs all-round, drilled and slotted
  • Ferodo DS2500 pads all-round
 - Interior:
  • OEM S4 Recaro front seats, black leather
  • OEM S4 armrest, black leather
  • OEM A4 sport rear seats, black leather
  • OEM A4 door panels, black leather
  • OEM S4 steering wheel, black leather
  • Hertz HSK130 front speakers
  • Ground Zero 16FX slim rear speakers
  • Dynabel DY9410 subwoofer
  • Cadence F200-2 amplifier
  • Alpine CDA-117RI CD player
 - Exterior:
  • OEM Euro S4 front bumper
  • OEM Euro S4 rear bumper
  • OEM Euro S4 side skirts
  • OEM RS 4 grille
  • OEM RS 4 spoiler
  • OEM S4 sills
  • OEM modified inner wheel wells
  • Cleaned the bottom of the doors and arches
  • Rear window wiper delete, glass plug
  • De-badged
  • Front arches rolled
  • 5000k 35w Xenon regular beams
  • 5000k 55w Xenon long beams
- Future Modifications:
  • N/A
Q (Audizine): How long have you owned this vehicle?
A (Sindre): I've owned it for over 3 years now. Bought it March 28th of 2009.
 
Q: How has your ownership been with it overall?
A: Quite pleasant actually. Had a problem with the airflow-meter and ABS module, but that's all really. All in all it has been quite nice to me.
 
Q: Where did you find the car, and how was the buying experience?
A: I found it in Stavanger, through the local classifieds. It was my first car, so I was nervous as hell. Went fine I guess since I'm now the owner.

Q: Think you'll be getting another one anytime soon?
A: Maybe I'll have one or two more cars, but I will never sell this one! I've become too attached to this [A4], so I'm doubting it will ever be sold.
 
Q: Is this your first Audi? If not, what other models and years have you owned?
A: My first car. My first Audi and my only car.

Q: How long have you been into Audis and in the European tuning scene?
A: My older brother always had VAG cars, mostly Volkswagens. I guess I grew into the whole German car life through him.
 
Q: How long have you been into cars in general, as an enthusiast?
A: As an enthusiast I've been into cars for...5 years or something? The general interest in cars I've had since the mid 90's.

Q: Where do you think that passion and enthusiasm comes from, can it be traced back to anyone or anything?
A: The community, in both Norway and international, definitely keeps me going. The rest is just the hunt for making the car perfect for myself.
 
Q: What do you most love about the car?
A: How it sits with the stretched tires, wide rims, and it being an Avant.

Q: What's your biggest peeve in regards to the car, the one thing you dislike the most?
A: That it can't be street legal while being that low and wide. All thanks to Norway's strict regulations/rules regarding cars.

Q: When did the mod bug bite you in regards to this car?
A: About a month or so after I bought it.
 
Q: Can you explain your modding style? Do you prefer more go, more show, perhaps a combo of both?
A: I'd say I belong to the OEM+ style, with a wide and low stance. Low and slow, static. I don't like the aired out and rims tucked-look, but I definitely want to have it as low as possible...and still be able to drive it. Engine power? Sure, but it's not a necessity.
 
Q: Do you prefer to do the work yourself, or do you have a shop or specific person perform the work?
A: Depends on what it is. Things like drivetrain, gear and the hardest engine work I'd let others do for me. The rest is all me.
 
Q: What was your first modification to the car?
A: Adjustable coilovers.
 
Q: Which was your last, most recent mod?
A: Trimming the sideskirts and making them fit nicer.
 
Q: Which mod are you the most proud of or happy with?
A: Refurbishing the wheels, and making them fit on the car.

Q: How has your ownership been with it overall?
A: It's been good, overall. Had my license plates revoked some time ago though, because of the earlier mentioned laws on ride height, wheels and tires. I got them back since then.

Q: Describe your fondest memory of owning, modifying, or driving this vehicle.
A: When I just mounted new coilovers and mounted the wheels after refurbishing them. The drive after that was just magical!
 
Q: So what are your dream cars? What would be in your ideal garage?
A: I'm a hardcore Corrado fan, so either a VW Corrado VR6 campaign or VR6 storm would be nice. Also, an Audi S1 or a Sports Quattro would be on top of the list. For a daily drive I would choose either a RS 4 B5 or RS 6 C5. Exotics would be too flashy for me.
 
Q: What do your friends and family think about your passion for Audis?
A: They definitely think I spend too much money on it, but as my father says "at least you know where the money goes." I could spend all my money drinking it away, or spending it on random shit. Now I at least know where it went.
 
Q: How does your love for cars and Audis affect your life, does it play a pretty big part?
A: First of all, I spend a lot of time on it. Either browsing forums, attending car meets, or doing stuff on the car. Second, everyone who knows me sees me as a car-nut. I'm always talking about cars, to some frustration.
 
Q: What brought you to Audizine, and how long have you been with us?
A: I'm not sure really, I guess I followed a link from another forum. Most of the forums I'm registered at has been found that way. My join date says February 5th 2011, not that I have any specific memory of it.

Q: When you're not on Audizine, out playing with the Audi, working, or going to school, do have any free time to spend on other sports or hobbies?
A: My biggest passion, apart from cars, is photography. I'm currently doing a education within photography so it naturally has a big role in my life. Photography; My hobby, my education, and best of all I can combine it with my passion for cars!

Q: Have an interesting day job? Care to talk a little bit about it?
A: Full time student. Hopefully in a few years I could say I work within photojournalism!
 
Q: Any word of advice for your fellow enthusiasts, a bit of wisdom you'd like to impart on the masses?
A: Be humble and listen to others, but build the car for yourself. Share your knowledge with others and help out if you can. Don't give up.
 
Q: And lastly do you have anyone you'd like to thank, any shout-outs?
A: My parents and my friends. Also a special thanks to my friend Marius Giske for all the help through the years!
  1. Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro - photo by Sindre Fiskerstrand

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  2. Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro - photo by Sindre Fiskerstrand

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  3. Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro - photo by Sindre Fiskerstrand

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  16. Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro - photo by Sindre Fiskerstrand

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May 2012 Featured AZ'er: Dusty Mauve's 2000 A4 Avant 1.8T quattro
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