8L S3 Black Grill De-chroming

[The Challinor]

Hi guys,

I know this probably has been posted everywhere over this forum but i cannot find a definite answer anywhere. I'm thinking of a black grill to replace the silver surround on the front bumper.

Can the chrome surround be removed or do you have to remove the whole grill? - how can this be done ?

Can you buy the black grill or do you just get your silver one sprayed? or buy 1 from Audi as a backup while being sprayed ?

Thanks Guys and Girls !

 

[Westy]

Remove surround with a flat blade screwdriver, start in the corners. Sand down silver as much as possible just to get a rough surface, then spray with as many coats of black paint as possible because it will stone chip badly after a while.

Alternatively you can do what I did and get a bodyshop to paint it the same colour as the car:

 

[JS1500]

I'm thinking of doing this.
Anyone got a pic of a dolphin grey with black grill surround?

 

[ben_turbo1]

I don't think it looks any better, it does look different which is why I think people do it. You've gotta ask though if the S3 had a black grill as standard would everyone want a nice chrome one?

 

[Westy]

I think the silver surround makes the car look a little dated now. The black surround makes the car look more aggressive in my opinion.

 

[ben_turbo1]

Thats a fair opinion and your right it can make it look a bit dated and they do look evil with the black grill, I was just putting the question out there. I have colour coded grills before on other Vag cars but wont be doing it to my S3. I think the chrome does look more classy.

 

[Westy]

I'm not that classy so the black grills ok for me

 

[The Challinor]

Remove surround with a flat blade screwdriver, start in the corners. Sand down silver as much as possible just to get a rough surface, then spray with as many coats of black paint as possible because it will stone chip badly after a while.

Alternatively you can do what I did and get a bodyshop to paint it the same colour as the car:

Yer that's nice man, that is something I'm after. Looks really smart, mines yellow with black rims so the black grill would look smart I think. Been looking to buy 1 but cannot seem to find 1 for sale, don't feel 2 confident doing it myself so if I do get it done - body shop is the way to go.

 

[JD09]

Personally think that looks superb . . . but only because the car's paint is black to match. I personally think black grill on a red/yellow/blue car etc, won't suit.

But only my opinion

 

[The Challinor]

Personally think that looks superb . . . but only because the car's paint is black to match. I personally think black grill on a red/yellow/blue car etc, won't suit.

But only my opinion

Has anyone got a yellow S3 with the black grill so I can get a idea of what it will look like before I do it ?

 

[JD09]

From Google;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-AUDI-A3-...ewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27aea41e09

 

[Lemon S3]

From Google;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-AUDI-A3-...ewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27aea41e09

Ewww thats a horrible colour.

I'm spraying my grill today, Ive had the chrome bits off for a while to give me an idea of what it will look like n Ive decided to do it.

 

[The Challinor]

Ewww thats a horrible colour.

I'm spraying my grill today, Ive had the chrome bits off for a while to give me an idea of what it will look like n Ive decided to do it.

Let me know how you got on pref with pics !

 

[The Challinor]

From Google;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-AUDI-A3-...ewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27aea41e09

After looking @ that car, totally puts me off. That is most likely down to the car though - not a great fan. Sorry if anyone on here owns it !

 

[JD09]

It is a perculiar colour isn't it? Almost like acid yellow on the Clio V6;

 

[Lemon S3]

Looks like a monster duck crapped on it.

 

[The Challinor]

Yer, just looks odd on the car - It's a diffrent shade to the Clio above, I seen the new Clio Renault sport in that colour and the megane, think that suits it well

 

[JD09]

Yer, just looks odd on the car - It's a diffrent shade to the Clio above, I seen the new Clio Renault sport in that colour and the megane, think that suits it well

In the colour of the Audi, yeah. The new Meg and Clios are Liquid Yellow.

/ex Clio shitbox owner.

 

[Westy]

Personally think that looks superb . . . but only because the car's paint is black to match. I personally think black grill on a red/yellow/blue car etc, won't suit.

But only my opinion

Thanks very much but how dare you call my car black! It's ming blue

The red S3s look very good with black grill surrounds. You need to see some pics of S3GAV's red S3 and you'll want to do your grill straight away.

 

[JD09]

Thanks very much but how dare you call my car black! It's ming blue

The red S3s look very good with black grill surrounds. You need to see some pics of S3GAV's red S3 and you'll want to do your grill straight away.

Oooh, ******, sorry!

 

[Maz]

I'm thinking of doing this.
Anyone got a pic of a dolphin grey with black grill surround?

Here you go mate.

 

[voorhees]

From Google;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-AUDI-A3-...ewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27aea41e09

I have seen this car in the flesh and it does look good,most of them pics in the advert are it coming out of the paintshop

 

[The Challinor]

Has anyone got pics of the black grill on a standard yellow coloured S3 ? lol

 

[vetch]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?73907-Imola-yellow-with-painted-grill-surround&p=753466&highlight=#post753466

 

[s3gav]

Here you go mate.

abit off topic but what size wheel spacers are on your car? it looks the nuts the wheels sit perfect in your arches

 

[Westy]

Not to mention the wheels are the best wheels you can get for the 8L

Edit: Just noticed that they are RSTTs not the Avus IIIs

 

[s3gav]

i completely agree mate

edit: i don't agree then lol
imo i wouldnt have any other wheel i think they suit the car perfect

 

[Westy]

Gav, get some photos up of your motor with the black grill to try and persuade JD09 that it looks sweet.

 

[Olly P]

Well since this has become a show off your de-chromed front grill thread, lol, heres mine!

 

[s3gav]

my computer has packed up im on my ps3 lol it won't let me put pics up can you get apic from the show your car sectio?

thanx

 

[Jgould]

Hi I know I might sound like a chav but I was not sure about the black surround so instead of painting it and then realising I didn't like it I got a roll of black electricle tape and started to apply it. 5 min later it was done and it looks realy good so I will soon be painting it just in the middle of re-painting the wheels in avus silver. Good luck with your grill it will look good eitherway

 

[ALPINE]

ok ok, i know its only a "look down your nose at the 1.8T" but why not spray the whole lot black?? i have had nothing but complements since i sprayed mine

it looks de-badged from a distance and makes the car look a whole load more aggresive.

 

[s3gav]

before

after
looks beter in black imo

 

[Zenin]

damn ure car looks awsome!, its the lowered look and the black grill. love the black and red

 

[Maz]

abit off topic but what size wheel spacers are on your car? it looks the nuts the wheels sit perfect in your arches

It's not my car dude , that one has 19" RSTTs and I agree looks one mean mofo with that stance.

 

[16Klappe]

Ka'pow -

 

[JS1500]

Here you go mate.

Cheers dude. Looks good, but i'm still not 100%. Think i'll try the tape trick first...

 

[s3gav]

damn ure car looks awsome!, its the lowered look and the black grill. love the black and red

thanks mate that grill completely changed my front end i love the way it looks right now

 

[s3gav]

It's not my car dude , that one has 19" RSTTs and I agree looks one mean mofo with that stance.

thought they looked bigger than mine might have to me some lol

 

[chris_marshall]

Where can you get the 19" RSTT's from. Also the wiper arms look different to me...