My A3 8L Progress

[Pubemammal]

Hi guys just thought I would share what I've been doing with my a3, I got it a month ago and body work was tatty and basically the last owner hadn't looked after it, he owned it for 9 months... Up until then it has got full Audi service history from new!

Anyway I have fixed the following issues: bonnet strut missing, stereo volume fault, floor mats missing, wipers would not turn off (relay), various scratches and scuffed wheel arches.

I have painted the grill surround black, polished and waxed the whole car, full valet, cleaned the whole engine bay, fitted s2k air filter, Debadged half the rear!

Plans next are Coilovers, remap, fix dash LCD, and finally new wheels.

Here's how Audrey is looking at the moment after polish etc.











Bodywork still looks a bit tatty but a hell of a lot better than before!

 

[vivalacoulter]

Looking clean!

 

[Pubemammal]

Cheers, not bad for £500 hey!

 

[kwistof]

Cheers, not bad for £500 hey!

Wow that has to be bargain of the year so far! Looks it good shape and would have never guessed you picked that up for £500!

Oh...and I'm glad you started a sort of build thread as I get to have a childish giggle at your username more often haha

 

[Pubemammal]

Decided to keep things in one tidy thread instead of littering the forum:

Painted rear bumper using a custom mixed aerosol can and clear lacquer, which came out far better than expected:

Ordered some pressed plates off eBay (Road legal!) £24

Also got some white LED number plate lights which freshens it up and makes a big difference compared to the previous 'candles'

The original plastic diverter valve was fluttering and loosing boost, so replaced with a metal one (forge 007p copy) £35

Wow, what a difference, smoother acceleration, throttle response has improved... and best of all, no fluttery noises on gear changes, just a small 'whoosh'

Arriving this week is my suspension kit. Lowering 40mm, bought off a guy in Newcastle who bought it new from ECP 3 months ago but opted for coilovers. Can't wait to get this on the car... still looking for someone local to help me out

Yesterday I waxed and polished her, which took around 3 hours... and now I am aching.

 

[Pubemammal]

So these arrived this morning



I then met a fellow forum member Mac who introduced me to his mate at at BK Vehicle Services to book my car in to fit the lowering kit - next Thursday.

Macs Beast

 

[kwistof]

That's all good you got the suspension booked in...

You got an idea on how low you want to go with her?

Think I need some pressed plates in my life

 

[Pubemammal]

That's all good you got the suspension booked in...

You got an idea on how low you want to go with her?

Think I need some pressed plates in my life

Yes finally thanks no idea on cost though, what's a normal price for fitting? Should be easy to remove old shocks as they've been off for new top mounts a few months ago. Going around 45mm with these springs but don't want to be going silly low as its my daily driver and still have the standard ARB.

Yeah they definitely freshen up the car - a lot!

 

[kwistof]

Yes finally thanks no idea on cost though, what's a normal price for fitting?

Ummmm you may want to find out - or at least get a ball park figure from the fitter mate lol

45mm sounds alright- not to sure how low you A3 boys can go though tbh

 

[Pubemammal]

I did ask but he said it all depends how long it takes him. I think around 45mm is the limit before arb starts scraping etc! Hopefully it'll be a decent price, Mac has been going there for 18 years and never been overcharged

 

[Pubemammal]

Replaced the vacuum hose today, split a bit of excess hose and doubled it up so the engine cover wont rub on it and split it!

All ready for the lowering on Thursday now, then hopefully get this dent removed before AITP:

Can anybody recommend a reputable PDR dent man around Essex who charges reasonable prices?

 

[Pubemammal]

Quick photoshop of what I'm aiming for regards to the lowering

 

[Pubemammal]

Took my car to local ASN member Munch to get the new shocks and springs fitted. Overall I am pleased with the result, hoping for a bit of settling as its still sitting a bit higher than I hoped for, however the ride is perfect, slightly firmer and hardly any body roll round the corners.

 

[Pubemammal]

After seeing Ben's engine bay I decided to copy him and paint my engine cover this afternoon! (sorry mate). Anyway, it turned out great, massive improvement to the engine bay.

Before:

After:

 

[Pubemammal]

Just got these to replace the orange ones!

 

[Pubemammal]

Ahem..

 

[Pubemammal]

Decided to do an oil change as its last oil service was 2011. Opted for shell helix filly synth 5w-40. All went well until I noticed a patch of oil on the ground later that night. Then when trying to investigate the leak I found a massive clump of silicone sealant in the old oil in the shape of a sump plug. Nice.

Didn't want to have to get the sump retapped or go down the hexicoil route so I used some thread lock and a copper plug washer and problem solved

 

[Pubemammal]

This arrived today to replace the dented/siliconed side repeater one that is currently on there.

A job for tomorrow!

 

[Pubemammal]

Managed to get the new wing on today. Also put clear side repeaters on .





Dentless!

 

[matt blowen]

Looking sweet m8, goin the gime lowerd soon to stop body roll more than anythink! Did you cange your oil filter aswell?

 

[Pubemammal]

Looking sweet m8, goin the gime lowerd soon to stop body roll more than anythink! Did you cange your oil filter aswell?

Thanks mate. Definitely worth lowering, really improves handling. Yes I did the filter aswel mate.

 

[Pubemammal]

New wing.

 

[Routledge]

What paint did you use on the engine cover?

 

[Pubemammal]

What paint did you use on the engine cover?

Halfrauds plastic bumper paint, only about £7, holding up well so far.

 

[Routledge]

Does it come in a rattle can?

Looks like a decent finish.

 

[Pubemammal]

Yes buddy comes in a spray can. Make sure engine cover is totally clean before you spray it. Give it lots of thin coats allowing ten mins between each one

 

[Routledge]

Cheers bud!

 

[Pubemammal]

Got some new front seats to go in as the current ones are knackered. £80 delivered for both and look to be in great condition just a bit dusty

 

[Pubemammal]

Finally got round to changing my front seats, the drivers seat was disgusting, worn and ripped, foam all over the place. The passenger seat was alright but mechanism was broken which is a pain for people getting in the back.

Old drivers seat!

Finished result

 

[Pubemammal]

Got some mint RS6 reps earlier on today with almost new tyres. Whipped them on earlier, was getting dark, pictures are terrible will put better ones up tomorrow. Been wanting a set of these for weeks. They're 18" 8J, tyres are 225/40/18.

 

[Pubemammal]

Good old wax, polish and some better pics

 

[Pubemammal]

Well I'm glad everyones loving my thread LOL.

 

[Pubemammal]

Just picked these up

 

[Pubemammal]

Fitted the coilovers today... in the rain. Everything went well. Just got to lower the front a tad then thats the suspension sorted!

Filthy!

 

[TOTE]

Fantastic car and looking really nice!

 

[Pubemammal]

Fantastic car and looking really nice!

Thankyou very much looking forward to dropping the front and giving it a good clean.

 

[matt blowen]

Looking sweet m8 hoping to get me some coilovers soon, are they 18" Alloys?

 

[Pubemammal]

Looking sweet m8 hoping to get me some coilovers soon, are they 18" Alloys?

Thanks Matt. Yeah they're 18" RS6 wheels. I will be putting my old shocks and springs up for sale if your interested, they're Apex 45mm springs and new shocks (approx 1000 miles).

 

[matt blowen]

How much m8?

 

[Pubemammal]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=181219328707