Hi all,
So I originally bought my A3 from Audi in summer last year - and since have been pretty frustrated that I didn't buy the newer single grille look and some of the other S-Line styling features. I came across this forum when I was researching what upgrades I could make to the car. Thanks to Ads and a few other members I saw how it was possible to change the front end look of the car and bring it up to date a bit..
I love Mauritious Blue Pearl - especially in the sun, and am also quite keen to keep the blue / chrome look. I'm trying to keep the car looking as OEM as possible as I'm sure I'll end up trading it in for a better model in a few years time
It came with a good amount of extras - full leather, rain and light sensors, cruise control, iPod connection, storage pack and full climate. I'm not looking to make it the complete pimp-mobile as I have to be practical and drive it most days.
So here's the original photos from the website listing of how it looked when I bought it:
Here's the car at home with one very proud owner:
So now on to the mods. The first was not exactly an S-Line part, but easy and striking none the less; MY09 lights. They look so much better than the previous type, and glad to see they were just a straight swap. Since learning of the MY11 update - I'll be swapping for those again soon. Pictured is old vs new:
There we have it:
I was due for some new tyres - and thought what the hell - might as well get new alloys as I wasn't really a fan of the generic sport ones. My favourite alloys ever on an Audi are on the A5; so bought some of them. Old vs new:
Next up was the mod which makes the most difference to the car - the S-Line front. I thought about sourcing all the bits seperately but for £350 on eBay ended up buying a complete front bumper, grille, fogs and surrounds. May not have been the cheapest purchase, but saved a lot of bother that's for sure. I made sure I bought a bumper with washer jets as I may look in to Xenons in the future.
So I went to a few body shops and compared prices, and found a decent deal down in Southampton. I bought a new bonnet as this was the only other part required. As some of you may know I had an issue with them where they stated they needed to take the front cross beam off to fit the new bumper - but this got sorted in the end.
Out with the old and in with the new:
And fresh out the garage:
It felt like Christmas as a child that day
The difference it makes to the car is incredible, and without fail the best mod anyone can do to a split grille A3.
Went out today for a drive and stopped by Frensham Ponds for a little photoshoot..
..combines my two favourite hobbies - photography and Audi
And yes it was a stunning day today:
Further plans I hear you ask?
I bought a facelift rear bumper last week, but am just in the process of seeing if it will fit as the bit where the tailgate closes has an 8P7 part number on it despite definitely being the three door bumper..
I've also ordered a S-Line spoiler from Stoke Audi (not a fan of the Votex), as well as the S-Line diffuser and inserts. Both practically never come up on eBay these days.
I've made a couple of interior mods already but will cover them once the rear is complete.
Thanks to everyone who has given me help and advice already, and let me know what you think so far! Glad to be here..
Cheers,
Chris
So I originally bought my A3 from Audi in summer last year - and since have been pretty frustrated that I didn't buy the newer single grille look and some of the other S-Line styling features. I came across this forum when I was researching what upgrades I could make to the car. Thanks to Ads and a few other members I saw how it was possible to change the front end look of the car and bring it up to date a bit..
I love Mauritious Blue Pearl - especially in the sun, and am also quite keen to keep the blue / chrome look. I'm trying to keep the car looking as OEM as possible as I'm sure I'll end up trading it in for a better model in a few years time
It came with a good amount of extras - full leather, rain and light sensors, cruise control, iPod connection, storage pack and full climate. I'm not looking to make it the complete pimp-mobile as I have to be practical and drive it most days.
So here's the original photos from the website listing of how it looked when I bought it:
Here's the car at home with one very proud owner:
So now on to the mods. The first was not exactly an S-Line part, but easy and striking none the less; MY09 lights. They look so much better than the previous type, and glad to see they were just a straight swap. Since learning of the MY11 update - I'll be swapping for those again soon. Pictured is old vs new:
There we have it:
I was due for some new tyres - and thought what the hell - might as well get new alloys as I wasn't really a fan of the generic sport ones. My favourite alloys ever on an Audi are on the A5; so bought some of them. Old vs new:
Next up was the mod which makes the most difference to the car - the S-Line front. I thought about sourcing all the bits seperately but for £350 on eBay ended up buying a complete front bumper, grille, fogs and surrounds. May not have been the cheapest purchase, but saved a lot of bother that's for sure. I made sure I bought a bumper with washer jets as I may look in to Xenons in the future.
So I went to a few body shops and compared prices, and found a decent deal down in Southampton. I bought a new bonnet as this was the only other part required. As some of you may know I had an issue with them where they stated they needed to take the front cross beam off to fit the new bumper - but this got sorted in the end.
Out with the old and in with the new:
And fresh out the garage:
It felt like Christmas as a child that day
The difference it makes to the car is incredible, and without fail the best mod anyone can do to a split grille A3.
Went out today for a drive and stopped by Frensham Ponds for a little photoshoot..
..combines my two favourite hobbies - photography and Audi
And yes it was a stunning day today:
Further plans I hear you ask?
I bought a facelift rear bumper last week, but am just in the process of seeing if it will fit as the bit where the tailgate closes has an 8P7 part number on it despite definitely being the three door bumper..
I've also ordered a S-Line spoiler from Stoke Audi (not a fan of the Votex), as well as the S-Line diffuser and inserts. Both practically never come up on eBay these days.
I've made a couple of interior mods already but will cover them once the rear is complete.
Thanks to everyone who has given me help and advice already, and let me know what you think so far! Glad to be here..
Cheers,
Chris
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hahaha
