[Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights

[Greg Amy]

'Member that discussion a few days ago about maintenance/repairs? With the days getting shorter and colder, I'm noticing two new issues on the S4.

The first one is easy: I'm noticing my low beams are pretty dim. It's most noticeable on the way home each afternoon (it's dark at 4:30 now in Connecticut) especially when someone pulls behind me at a light: I'm noticing the shadow of my car from their headlights more than I'm noticing my lights. I read some time back that the HID low beams tend to lose brightness after some time, is that correct? And given these are the originals I'm sure they're due for replacement.

Those things are pricey, but lots of aftermarket options. Suggestions? I'm not looking for anything fancy, just some good replacements.

The second issue isn't so easy, and I already know the answer. But I'm hoping someone has found an easy way around this...the coolant temperature is not coming up and stabilizing at the normal mid-point. It will be very slow to come up - almost won't come up at all while idling - and it takes a good hard run to get it to the center. And, once at center it rarely stays there, slinking down when not under load.

So here's the "save my weekend" question: any way to change the thermostat without pulling the front end of the car and the t-belt?

I replaced the t-belt at 75k miles and I'm at 136k now. I remember it wasn't that hard of a job, just a lot of things to remove/replace, a few dollars in parts, and some tool rentals. But, I'm starting renovation of my garage within the next week or two (I'm insulating and putting in a lift, woo-hoo!) and it's getting REALLY cold...so yeah, I could do the t-belt, but I was really hoping to put it off for another year.

Thoughts appreciated.

Greg