September 2012 Featured AZ'er: Operator's 2007 A4 2.0T quattro

User Name: Operator

Real Name: David Knighton
Location: Wellington, Colorado USA
Year of Vehicle: 2007
Model of Vehicle: A4 quattro
Engine of Vehicle: 2.0T

 

For some, buying an Audi means a step into a whole new realm of automotive ownership. For others, it allows the driver to really focus on the car's quality both inside and out. For David Knighton (AKA: Operator), purchasing an Audi opened his eyes to both the true potential of modifying and to the power of the Audi enthusiast community.

Three years ago, David became the proud owner of a 2007 Audi A4 in Brilliant Red, knowing full well that his new home was going to be best traversed by a car with all-wheel drive. While still living in Texas, David used the opportunity to pick up a quattro powered Audi for a great deal. Before even heading up to his new home in the Rocky Mountains, the mod bug had already bit.

David is not new to building and modding cars, but his introduction to the Audi brand really helped him refine his touch and find his true sense of style. With his previous ride being heavily tinkered with, after trading it in for the Audi, a fresh canvas was presented to him. Not waiting to even take possession of the ride, David started to outline his goals for the A4.

Growing up, David's interest was sparked while with his father looking at Saab Turbos. Remembering how those rides were so balanced with styling and performance, even in the 80's, David's previously fresh canvas has become a work of art. Starting with an intake from AEM and an ECU tune, everything kept building on; from the RAI Motorsport's K0R-GT Turbo to his work towards water/ethanol injection. Not every part that he initially installed has been kept, often upgraded later on with parts which were better suited for the direction of the ride. Two ECU tunes, two test pipes, and a slew of intercooler piping and front mounts have made their way on and off this beautiful ride.

With a great balance of go and show mods, David's car stands out in a crowded parking lot. On the outside, the car has a balanced style with DTM bumpers, Infinite Auto Designs carbon fiber hood, Rieger side skirts, and a slew of intermixed smaller parts that bring the full look together. Not only does the ride go quick, but looks the part while sitting still.

Although David has done most of the modifications himself, he's had to work with many of his local shops in an effort to complete some of the work he was unable to do. Like any good wrencher though, he took advantage of that time to learn from the shops so that if it needed to be done again, or repaired down the road, he would be better prepared to tackle the job himself. Seeing as how he's worked on F-16 fighter jets, learning complicated repair procedures is nothing new to him.

Standing firm to his belief of modding the car specifically how he likes and no one else, David is not afraid to make a statement wherever he goes. While his wife might think it's just a crazy hobby, the smile on his kid's faces when they go out in the A4 makes it all worth it in the end. Being able to drive confidently through the winding and often treacherous mountain roads of Colorado and Wyoming has really shown David the true bliss of owning an Audi.