Change grill w/out removing bumper (S3 8P) ?

Andy_Swe

Andy_Swe

Registered User
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
15
Reaction score
5
Points
1
Location
Sweden
Hi!

I have a S3 -08, solar orange, and i´ve just bought a black optics grill. I´ve had the front bumper removed once before and it´s quite some work to do.

My question is, is it possible to remove the grill without removing the whole front bumper? If I remember it right, the grill is attached with clips and I don´t remember any screws more than those 3 on top and for the licencse plate.

Kind Regards
Andreas
 
it can be done but from what i remember there are two clips that aren't accessible without taking the bumper off and so you have to trim these off, so when it came to mine i just bit the bullet and dropped the bumper! Was easy enough and everything fitted back together without any problems at all
 
yeah can be done, you need small hands and the abilty to bedn plastic without being too scared of snapping it!

To be honest, its a 20 min job to remove the bumper so it saves damaging the grille
 
best off removing the bumper mate, its pointless to risk damaging your car for the sake of half an hour.
 
Lee_R said:
yeah can be done, you need small hands and the abilty to bedn plastic without being too scared of snapping it!

To be honest, its a 20 min job to remove the bumper so it saves damaging the grille
Click to expand...

It took me 2h when I tried... Did you remove both wheels also? Because it´s damn tight to get in the wheel arch removing screws :/

True, don´t want to damage the grill, with that price, haha!
 
Andy_Swe said:
It took me 2h when I tried... Did you remove both wheels also? Because it´s damn tight to get in the wheel arch removing screws :/

True, don´t want to damage the grill, with that price, haha!
Click to expand...

No just jacked it up, turned the wheels in, removed 4 screws in wheel arch liner, pulled the liner back, got my arm in, undid the screws under the light and wing, did the same the other side. 4 screws under the leading edge of he bumper and 3 on the top of the grille and it all come off easy!
 
Remove bumper do it properly, dont try to cut corners as you'll regret trust me.
 
NHN said:
Remove bumper do it properly, dont try to cut corners as you'll regret trust me.
Click to expand...

As nige said.

That is why you find lots of grills on ebay which state 'slight crack in frame' . Because the lazy **** feckers tried to jimmy the grill out with the bumper still fitted.

You would b=never get my grill out without taking the bumper off. I used every available screw hole to fix mine in. iirc about 10 screws.
I reckon if there was a nuclear blast, the only thing left standing would be my front bumper with grill attached ROFL
 
scottie123 said:
You would b=never get my grill out without taking the bumper off. I used every available screw hole to fix mine in. iirc about 10 screws.
I reckon if there was a nuclear blast, the only thing left standing would be my front bumper with grill attached ROFL
Click to expand...

LMFAO thats uncanny as I did the same, mines got loads of screws in it to stop it rattling aswell, I even stuck some glue on end of them to stop them coming undone from road movement along with some epoxy over the screw heads to stop any rust getting to them, I reckon that will remain fixed long after humans have left this planet lmfao.
 
NHN said:
Remove bumper do it properly, dont try to cut corners as you'll regret trust me.
Click to expand...

I will do it the proper way. Just had to ask if it was possible!

Another question, the grey "lip" under the grill, is that possible to remove? I think it would look really nice in black together with the black grill, aswell as the rear diffusor.
 
NHN said:
LMFAO thats uncanny as I did the same, mines got loads of screws in it to stop it rattling aswell, I even stuck some glue on end of them to stop them coming undone from road movement along with some epoxy over the screw heads to stop any rust getting to them, I reckon that will remain fixed long after humans have left this planet lmfao.
Click to expand...

Proper Job lol!
 
Andy_Swe said:
I will do it the proper way. Just had to ask if it was possible!

Another question, the grey "lip" under the grill, is that possible to remove? I think it would look really nice in black together with the black grill, aswell as the rear diffusor.
Click to expand...


Yes this does come off, I know because I have done exactly as above!:thumbsup:
 
Andy_Swe said:
I think it would look really nice in black together with the black grill, aswell as the rear diffusor.
Click to expand...

Yeap as I did, looks very good but this is dependend on car colour aswell, but solar orange it would look awesome.
 
NHN said:
No its doesnt, its part of the bumper moulding.
Click to expand...


Lol NHN, not true, I have done this mod, when I get the time I will stick a pic on here when I find out how to do so.
 
I have now checked twice on my S3 bumper even if before I also checked & that lower center part of the S3 bumper is part of the moulding, short of cutting the fecker out it isnt removable.
 
Dean, all that proves is your facelift bumper has a lip, show us in 2 parts then it helps to prove a point for future mate.

BUTTTTTTTTTT, his is an 08 S3 that isnt facelift, proof is in his avatar pic & 1st post :p

Your turn lmfao
 
Not sure what you mean by two parts, but I was already experimenting with pre facelift S3 parts before I decided to do the facelift, the point being you have to dismantlle the bumper to it's component bits to get to the aformentioned part. I know you cannot order it from the dealer, one has to order the whole bumper just for this bit which is frankly ridiculous..
 
I also have the S3 front and as Nige said the lower part is part of it. No way does it come apart.

I tried taking the grill off without removing the front bumper. As my hands are small I almost did it, just struggled on a couple of fixings so just took the bumper off, easy job and doesnt take long at all! I didnt remove the alloys either.
 
I could be wrong Sarah, I had looked at facelifting to the pre facelift S3 couple of years ago, but as soon as I had a whiff of the facelift A3 let alone the S3 SB, I quickly canned the idea as I quite liked the facelift S3 a lot more hence just got round to doing it
 
audi upgrades
Take my word for Dean, only way those would ever be seperate parts were if you were to hit a wall with the car or get my Recip Saw & cut them apart lmfao, its an all in one mould, but your 09 on version does indeed have a seperate part listed for that lip.
 
I'm want to change my grille to optics but I just can't find anywhere selling them, my dealer was looking for about £240 last time I checked!
 
craig32 said:
I'm want to change my grille to optics but I just can't find anywhere selling them, my dealer was looking for about £240 last time I checked!
Click to expand...

Craig there was a used one on ebay yesterday. Just type in S3 Grille should come up. Only had a day or so left with 0 bids
 
It took me about 3½ hour to finish. But now it´s done and my back hurts, my hands and arms are scratched etc. But i´m really pleased with the result! Here´s a picture of it:

 
that looks mean. wouldn't do the rear diffuser but once you get that silvery bit at the bottom painted black you're definitely gonna turn heads
 
craig32 said:
I'm want to change my grille to optics but I just can't find anywhere selling them, my dealer was looking for about £240 last time I checked!
Click to expand...

You're telling me with that car setup you cant afford the grill from audi, stop being a tight **** & get it :) then no need to peruse ebay for hours on end only to receive one thats fecked, you know it makes sense.

Andy_Swe said:
It took me about 3½ hour to finish. But now it´s done and my back hurts, my hands and arms are scratched etc. But i´m really pleased with the result! Here´s a picture of it:
Click to expand...

Dont be a pussy, now you see the hardworks ending, it was well worth it, I want a solar orange car for sure, see what the next A3 brings me.
 
ive got an 04 a3 8p model and dont know anything about em does any1 know what bumber will fit on it and does it involve changing more than the bumper n bonnet, thanks
 
Do you plan on doing this yourself or need someone to convert it for you?
 
sub39h said:
that looks mean. wouldn't do the rear diffuser but once you get that silvery bit at the bottom painted black you're definitely gonna turn heads
Click to expand...

I will see about the rear diffuser...And thanks for your comment!
 
One day I will have an S3 and it will be Solar Orange!

......then again I always promised myself a noggy blue 8L S3 with blue alcantara, bottled it and bought my 8P TDI instead!
 
That looks fantastic. How much was the grill? What colour was it before?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TM
removing grill 8p sportback
Replies
3
Views
1K
TM
TM
R
Big grill and bumper change???
Replies
1
Views
1K
BBlackburn
BBlackburn
S
Removing S3 badge from grill
Replies
2
Views
1K
Storms3
S
W
Removing Grill
Replies
3
Views
860
Wilkinson
W
R
Tips on Removing 06 8P Front Grill Needed
Replies
4
Views
3K
c_w
C
Top
Back