Four Rings Round Up is AGSV section where we feature various AGSV members and the Audis they drive.
This is a brief candid conversation piece where we provide everyone a glimpse into Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley’s community, focusing on its unique and diverse group of Audi owners.
We hope everyone will enjoy this ongoing monthly feature segment and continue to share the same love for the Audi brand and lifestyle.
Four Rings Round Up
Fast and Functional January
Monty and Peggy Taylor
[ 2014 Audi Allroad ]
[ 2019 Audi RS3 ]
By: AGSV Staff
Every Audi enthusiast has a reason for choosing their cars. For Monty and Peggy, the formula was simple and honest:
“We bought the RS3 to go fast. We bought the Allroad for the practicality.”
That balance, speed and sensibility, perfectly captures their journey within Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley, a community they joined in 2023 after nearly 15 years of searching for the right group of like-minded enthusiasts in the Bay Area.
Finding What Was Missing
After years of living in the East Bay without finding a group that truly clicked, everything changed when Monty moved to the South Bay and discovered AGSV.
“One word to describe AGSV: community,” Monty says. “I’ve lived in the Bay Area for almost 15 years and could never find a group of enthusiasts that shared my passion for cars. Once I found AGSV, I finally found the community I was looking for.”
That sense of belonging shows not just at meets and drives, but in the cars themselves — each one built with intention, detail, and personality.
2019 Audi RS3
The Taylor’s 2019 Audi RS3 was the definition of purpose-built performance. Lightweight, aggressive, and carefully dialed in, it was designed to be driven hard — on back roads and at the track.
The RS3, with the turbocharged five-cylinder, was enhanced with 034Motorsport Dynamic+ Stage 1 engine and DSG tuning, a 4” carbon fiber intake, Res-X racing midpipes, stainless braided brake lines, floating two-piece rotors, Neuspeed iSweep 2500 pads, and billet catch cans — a setup that elevated an already legendary platform.
It was on KW V3 coilovers with independently adjustable rebound and compression, paired with upgraded sway bars and end links, delivered razor-sharp handling and confidence at speed.
Inside, the RS3 became a true driver’s car: a Narita Dogfight suede steering wheel with Battlecraft quick release, Sabelt Titan racing seats, Schroth six-point harnesses, a Studio RSR roll bar, carbon fiber chassis bracing, and an AiM Solo 2 lap timer — all business, no distractions.
Carbon fiber defined the exterior, Karbel hood and vented fenders, Carbon Imports diffuser and canards, OEM carbon mirror caps, finished with Aerofabb competition aero. Sitting on 034Motorsport ZTF-R01 forged wheels (18x9.3 ET42), the RS3 ran Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on the street and Bridgestone RE-71RS for track duty.
Tragically, the RS3 was totaled in an accident a few months ago. While the loss of the car was tough, Monty walked away safely, a reminder that cars can be replaced, but people cannot. Within AGSV, the RS3 lives on in photos, memories, and stories shared at every meet.
2014 Audi Allroad
The RS3 was about adrenaline, Monty’s 2014 Audi Allroad is about craftsmanship, versatility, and long-term vision — and it’s the car that remains today.
Performance upgrades include S6 front calipers custom paint-matched in Glacier White, ECS Tuning oversized slotted rotors, Hawk Performance pads, and KW V2 Comfort coilovers — a setup that blends daily comfort with serious capability.
The Allroad’s interior is a standout. A full B8.5 S4 Nappa leather interior with white stitching, rare OEM Euro low-profile headrests, Beaufort aluminum trim (a $3,000 factory option), piano black cluster surround, and a custom handmade AGSV rug by @samurugs make the cabin feel uniquely personal.
Modern functionality comes via OEM-style Apple CarPlay and an integrated backup camera system.
Gloss black grille and diffuser accents, paint-matched overfenders, full front PPF, Thule Wingbar Edge roof bars, and an OEM 250L roof box in gloss black — finished with an AGSV banner — reinforce the Allroad’s role as the ultimate enthusiast daily.
Currently rolling on OEM 20” RS5 Rotor wheels, it’s proof that practicality doesn’t mean compromise.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Monty has plans for a manual S4 drivetrain swap for the Allroad — a project that perfectly fits his hands-on approach. And of course, there’s talk of a Q7 TDI for his wife, Peggy, because even family duty deserves quattro.
More Than Cars
Monty and Peggy’s story isn’t just about two Audis. One lost, one still moving forward. It’s about finally finding a place where passion is shared, builds are appreciated, and setbacks are met with support.
For Monty, Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley isn’t just a car club. It’s the community he spent years searching for.
Dual-Audi December
Ryan Pham
By: AGSV Staff
Some car enthusiasts discover their passion behind the wheel. Ryan Pham discovered his behind a workbench. During his time at 034Motorsport, hearing exhaust notes daily, dyno pulls, and the fluttering from turbos, Ryan learned what made Audis special. The engineering of these cars amazed him, and the more he worked with the cars, the more he realized he wanted one of his own.
That decision eventually brought him to his first Audi, which was a Nogaro Blue B5 S4. With the car, found his entry into Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley, joining in 2021. What started as curiosity quickly became a connection. He found a community that matched his energy, his passion, and his willingness to keep learning. Every meet, every cruise, every early-morning start added to that feeling.
Today, Ryan’s Audi journey continues through two very different builds - 2019 Audi S3 in Brilliant Black, and his 2018 Audi Q5. The S3 is the precision machine that reflects everything he learned in the performance world. It’s always evolving, and Ryan’s list of future upgrades shows just how committed he is to pushing it further, such as an upgraded intercooler, an Arashi GTX3076R turbo, open-source tuning, flex-fuel conversion, a StudioRSR cage, a Zestek steering wheel, and, of course, more seat time.
On the other side is the Q5, originally a practical daily that somehow turned into an accidental adventure project. Stock for now, but already destined for transformation. Ryan plans to lift it and fit it with smaller wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. It’s the car he jokes he decided to “full send off-road,” but there’s truth in the fun. It’s the one that’s meant to be dirty.
Ask Ryan what AGSV means to him, and he without hesitation - Adventurous. Not just because of the drives or the destinations, but because every event brings something new, like new people, new knowledge, and new experiences. Nothing ever disappoints, and every moment adds another memory to his journey.
Two cars, two personalities. Ryan’s story is a reminder of what makes the Audi community special. AGSV is not just about the builds, but the roads, friends, and adventures that come with them. And for Ryan, those roads always lead back to AGSV.
[ 2019 Audi S3 ]
[ 2018 Audi Q5 ]
Daytona Drive October
[ Ashley Cardenas 2021 SQ8 ]
By AGSV Staff
Photos: Aaron Chen
This month, we’re excited to spotlight longtime AGSV member Ashley Cardenas. She has been a part of the club since the beginning days of Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley.
Ashley drives a sleek 2021 Audi SQ8 in Daytona Grey Metallic. This car represents her love for Audi’s blend of sportiness, luxury, and comfort.
“I’ve always loved the design and styling of Audis”, she says.
Ashley started out with the group from the AGSV beginning days and served as Admin for 2 years. She had a 2014 Audi Allroad that was set up with Vorsteiner Wheels on Air Lift suspension. After she sold her Allroad, she went to go venture the AMG platform. After the AMG, she was back in not only any Audi, but an SQ8.
“After leaving the brand for a while, coming back just felt like home.”
Her SQ8 is tastefully modded with lowering links, Vossen HF-3 wheels, and calipers powder-coated in Porsche Speed Yellow, with plans to add a rear diffuser and front splitter in the future.
When asked to sum up AGSV in one word, Ashley chose “friendship” — a nod to the lasting connections she’s made through the group.
“Cars come and go, but the friendships stick around."
Sepang September
[ Roger Valle 2016 RS7 ]
By AGSV Staff
Photos: Aaron Chen/ Ernesto Sto Domingo
For many Audi owners, selecting a particular model, trim, color, etc. is no easy task, as the brand offers a wide range of specs that makes one want to check off all the boxes. We met up with Roger Valle on a typical sunny Sunday Bay Area afternoon to share his thoughts on Audi specifically his meticulously kept 2016 Sepang Blue RS7.
Roger has been a AGSV member since 2017, that would make him part of the early years of AGSV. When asked what made him drawn to the Audi brand, his reply was simple. “I bought an Audi mainly for the way it drives. I wanted something that felt solid, responsive, and fun without sacrificing comfort. The Quattro and smooth handling just gave me way more confidence on the road compared to other cars I tested. Honestly, it made driving exciting again, not just something I do to get from point A to point B”
The RS7 has an extensive list of mods that will make any Audi enthusiasts heart race, some highlights are:
- DS1 Custom ECU tune
- CustomTCU tune
- ECS turbo inlets
- SRM Ethanol sensor
- Autotech HPFP pistons
- SRM LPFP lines
- CWA 150 upgraded coolant pump
- Area51 Titanium exhaust & mid pipes
Asked if he had future mods planned for the RS7, he said IF he doesn’t sell it, top on the list are:
- Engine rebuild
- A2A intercooler
- Custom single turbo exhaust manifold with 8x EGT and 2x lambda
- Garrett G40-1150 T4 twin entry ball bearing PSR turbo
As we wrapped up our session, we were curious, If he had to describe AGSV in one word what would that word be and why?
Roger didn’t take long to reply, “Inspiring. Being around people who share the same passion for cars pushes me to learn more, appreciate the brand even deeper, and enjoy the whole experience beyond just driving.”
Roger has been an integral part of Audi Gruppe Silicon Valley from its early years. Many have known him to be genuinely sociable, lending a helping hand not only to members of the Gruppe but as well as events for the Gruppe. He has a profound passion for Audi and it shows. AGSV is fortunate to have members such as Roger in this community along with many others.
With a nice symphonic start up from his Area 51 exhaust, Roger departed ways with us until the next AGSV meet.
