quattro Magazine Q3_2019: Member Profile

Editor’s note: This article originally ran in the q3_2019 issue of quattro magazine.

Member Profiles

Each month, our editors choose a selection of Audi Club members’ personal cars to share with quattroMagazine readers. If you would like to see your car featured, send your name, hometown, model, model year information, and a short paragraph about yourself to [email protected].

Matthew Elmaraghi

2002 Audi A4 1.8T quattro | Los Angeles, CA

After being an owner for a little over ten years now, I can confidently say no other car will give me the same satisfaction. To me nothing was (and still is) more timeless than the bodylines of the B6.  I took my time to find the perfect B6 and when I found that a clean Ultrasport (S-line model) was nowhere in sight, I decided to build one from the ground up. I knew exactly what the car at least had to have. That is the legacy of Audi; a turbo and quattro all-wheel drive system.

As soon as I got the car, I installed a plethora of OEM+ parts to bring the car up to Ultrasport standard. I’d say my tuning style has remained relatively true to its origination and the car’s style has evolved into “OEM+ with a twist.” As it stands eleven years later, it has every Ultrasport and S-line part offered on the B6 and B7 models, with the addition of other parts, including RS models from various other platforms.

Of all the features on the car, nothing puts a smile on my face like the sound of the turbo screaming along at wide-open throttle. The GTX spools up as quickly as the RS4 and S4 brake combination slow me down. Those, together with the Recaro Sportster seats, create a truly unparalleled driving experience.

As a native to the SoCal area, neither the car nor I are strangers to the enthusiast community. Trends like wraps or bolt-on wide body kits come and go. But I think this car has taken home a few awards over the years because of its ability to stay timeless.

Himanshu Kaushik

2016 Audi S6 | Waxahachie, TX

I am a native to India. Growing up, I was always fascinated with German cars but Audi always had that little extra appeal to me. Owning an Audi in India was always a dream. That dream came true when I moved to the USA. My first Audi was a 2012 A4. I loved every bit of it. The itch for more power and better luxury bit me so I moved up to a 2013 A6 3.0T. After getting another 3.0T A6 (2016) and owning it for 3 years, I finally came across a 2016 S6 that had everything I was looking for. The great people at Sewell Audi of McKinney made it happen. I am a proud owner of a 2016 S6 today and everyday it doesn’t cease to amaze me. I plan to keep this one for a while!

 

Lynn Kipfer

2017 Audi TTS & 2002 Audi TT ALMS Edition | Smithville, TX

I purchased the Misano Red Pearl 2002 TT ALMS new and have owned it ever since. I’ve raced the car on the track numerous times and it has won awards at car shows. The most recent was at the Autobahn ICONS 2018 Inaugural Central Texas Concours d’Elegance and Car Show in Austin, Texas, where it won first place in the Audi division. I’ve had the car on many road trips from coast to coast throughout the US, participating in TT East and TT West events. 

Being an avid Audi enthusiast, I continued to add Audi vehicles to my collection. I purchased a 2013 Audi Q5, which we enjoyed driving locally. We then purchased a new Glacier White Metallic 2017 Audi TTS with black optics package, which we’ve taken on ACNA road trips, including TT West, TT East, and local Lone Star Audi Club drives. 

Overall, I have been amazed at the great driving experiences I’ve had with these cars. Not only do these cars make great daily drives, but they are great for long road trips and running on the track. I’m already planning our next road trip!

Ritesh Mathur

2012 Audi S4 | Charlotte, NC

I am a longtime Audi enthusiast and have owned a total of five in all. The car is on Airlift 3H and 20 x 10 TSW wheels.  APR upgrades and an AWE exhaust round out the sound and power. This vehicle represents more than a hobby for me. In fact, I have met many people through the shared passion. In today’s world, we tend to follow people’s cars on social media and it never ceases to amaze me how we meet one another at shows by first recognizing their Audis.

George Polo

2013 Audi S5 & 2000 Audi S4 | Philadelphia, PA

I have owned my 2000 Audi S4 for nine years. Since then, it has been through many phases and engine set-ups. I daily drove the car with simple bolt-ons for about four years through college and then decided it was time to give it a refresh with some more power. The engine received upgraded rods and SRM K24 turbos, along with supporting mods such as fueling, gauges etc. I also gave it the 034Motorsports solid engine mounts, transmission mounts, rear differential mounts and the solid subframe bushings. The 034 rear swaybar was also added to allow the rear end to rotate through turns easier along with the RS 4 center differential. Stasis Tracksport coilovers were chosen to help keep it planted through corners. 

My current daily driver is a 2013 Audi S5. It has an upgraded 187 mm crank pulley along with an intake, custom engine tune and trans tune to help it put down a bit more power. That car also has the transmission inserts and rear differential inserts, along with the 034 rear sway bar. We did custom headlights for that car with color changing DRL strips. It also has a custom audio set up. Without my S4, it would never have led me to opening up my shop Driven Auto Styling here in Philadelphia. My social media is @gpoloo @drivens5 @drivenautostyling

Geoffrey Gaudoin

2007 Audi A4 Avant | Orlando, FL

I bought this car a couple months back. I had been in a bad accident about six months before that and almost died so I had bought a truck for safety. I quickly realized I had missed having a car and missed having a manual. I started looking and my father mentioned his coworker was thinking about selling his car. I didn’t think much of it, but once he sent me pictures, I knew this is exactly what I wanted. 

It was rare. I hadn’t seen an Audi in this spec before. I got excited and moved to buy the car right away. It was an Avant so I had plenty of storage space. The paint was in great condition and I loved the titanium wheels. Oh, and the 6-speed manual felt great. 

It’s been a joy for me owning this car. This is also the first car I’ve owned in a long time that’s not a normally aspirated V8. I’ve learned a ton about Audi in the process. Being an avid motorsport fan, I thought I knew a lot about them already. I already have lots of plans for this car; love showing it off. I even get people leaving notes on my car asking to buy it. Unfortunately for them, I’m keeping this car for a while. 

Tom Cadotte

2001 Audi TT Roadster | Akron, OH

I have owned this car since it was new. It is not driven in the winter, so no salt. It has about 75,000 miles. It is slightly modified, including 18-inch wheels, lowered suspension, Borla exhaust and cold air intake. It turned 18 years old in April. It looks and runs like new.

Tom Messana

2001.5 Audi S4 | Southold, NY

I bought my car in the summer of 2016 and took the next year to build it up from how I bought it as a stage 2 up to a stage 3 car. Major modifications are as follows: 

  • Frankenturbo F21s
  • 3″ SRM Downpipe, Custom Stainless Steel Mid Pipes, Borla Cat Backs
  • Neuspeed Rear Sway bar
  • Short shift kit w/ Euro Impulse Weighted Shifter
  • Custom Intake
  • BC Racing Coilovers 
  • Black Powder Coated Avus Wheels 
  • Pure Performance Stage 3f tune
  • AWE Side Mounted Intercoolers
  • 2.0T Coil Pack Conversion. 

The car has 135,000 miles on it and has been perfectly reliable since all the work was done around 115,000 miles.