My A3

[Shane.]

I did one of these in the project section before I really started using the forum but have decided would prefer a fresh topic in here to show from where it started to where it is now. Whole idea of the car is a sort of OEM+ theme with main focus being on the audio.

So car is A3 2.0tfsi quattro S line in Akoya silver and this is how it was when I first bought it:

First thing was to tidy few bits up, started with the faded callipers:
Before:

After:

And the wheels (before & after shot):

The car had always been planned with a full install in mind and I went down to see Lee Thomas at sonic frontiers to book car in for a Sonic Punch+ system and boot build.
Full boot shot:

All panels are removable for access to lights and spare wheel and come with show and stealth/protective panels
Show:

Hidden:

Show:

Hidden:

The rest is in factory locations for now as I'm others who have heard the system will vouch for it sounds absolutely fantastic and the craftsmanship of the build is top notch

And at it's first competition:

 

[Shane.]

Just before volksfest I decided it was time for few small details just to tidy up the exterior, so started with tinted windows done by Infinity FX:

And tidied up the mass of badges on the rear:

Also got set of show plates made up:

And at the show:

 

[Shane.]

I then took the car into south west in car tech for:
-Forge boost hose kit
-Forge diverter valve
-K&N panel filter
-Full remap

Also shortly after fitted dubmeister pressed plates but no pics of these for obvious security reasons.

 

[N8]

Any more mods Shane?

 

[Shane.]

MFSW, Cruise, Bright bulbs & possibly Single din conversion next week. Then saving for the new install plans (system upgrade, front end build and re do boot) and gotta get some lowering springs and spacers.

 

[pi quattro]

What head unit do you have. Any pics?

 

[FranA3]

quattro ??

 

[Shane.]

Pioneer p88RS II:

And yeah quattro, just disabled the haldex for the dyno, hoping to get it on awd rollers soon to get an accurate reading as haldex can play up on rollers and kept getting a flat point in the torque that isn't there when test driving.

 

[FranA3]

ahh i was wondering how lol i didnt know you could disable it so you can put it on a dyno

 

[N8]

19s or coils shane?

 

[Shane.]

ahh i was wondering how lol i didnt know you could disable it so you can put it on a dyno

Yeah you can pull a fuse (31 I think) which disables the haldex pump or something, only problem is the ABS doesn't like it

19s or coils shane?

Springs and 18s, I know its not ideal but it's cost

 

[FranA3]

lol i bet it doesnt

 

[N8]

Springs and 18s, I know its not ideal but it's cost

Your money bro, but you spend all that money on the inside, what about the out?

 

[Shane.]

The reason I have no money to spend on the outside is because of the audio haha >.< but atleast the audio can be transferred to the next car I guess.

 

[N8]

Thats what I mean!

 

[Shane.]

Haha, it's an addiction, you'll get hooked soon as get you into a proper SQ car haha

 

[N8]

ICE will hopefully be one of the last things I do, although I've said that 10 times already

 

[Shane.]

Right small update, few retrofits and upgrades done, big thanks to Mark (southwest in car tech) for sorting these out for me. So I have now:
-Upgraded all front end bulbs to Osram Nightbreaker plus
-MFSW fitted (Just waiting on wiring loom as sent wrong one twice >.<)
-Cruise control fitted
-Single din conversion (missing trim panel that clips onto ashtray though trying to source one)

And removed this ready for next couple of bits being done later this week (gotta love the audi grill even though you can't see it usually lol:

Plans are now:
-Dewiper rear
-19" RS4 style or Speedlines
-H&R Springs
-Spacers
-Doorbuilds
-A pillar builds
-Small audio upgrade
-Possibly new style mirrors (folding and indicators)
-General tidy up bits

Thanks
Shane

 

[HIGGINS]

you say your missing the trim panel? do you mean the tray underneath the climate? if so ill swap you your double din one for my single?

 

[Shane.]

Yeah the bit that clips onto the ashtray (on double din it's just a curved bit that goes about 90 degrees up where as on single din it's flat) can take pic to confirm tomorrow mate, but yeah that sounds good

Thanks
Shane

 

[HIGGINS]

yeh good pm me

 

[J.R.]

"Shane" How much was the whole system install from Sonic Frontiers ? I'm thinking of supplying the equipment and let them do the install ?

 

[Shane.]

Shiggins: Just uploading pic now mate, will PM you shortly

Digzz: Bootbuild was around £950 as panels are all magnetic for easy removal (spare wheel/light access)
The system itself is a matched system (basically each system is designed and tested to be what works best for that budget and requirement) the system was £2700 (That's with addition of bluetooth, ipod connection, upgraded sub & crossovers, basic system retails at £2200)

If your interested mate (or what any more details, examples or pictures) drop me a pm, can sort you bit of discount with SF too

Thanks
Shane

 

[N8]

Shane, I shud have a full set of 8.5 Speedlines soon

 

[Smoothie]

Shane, I shud have a full set of 8.5 Speedlines soon

8.5 all round? Diamond cut lips? Price?

 

[N8]

The usual £1000 refurbed, 8.5 ET48 all round, you can have diamond cut lips if you want. Then I shud have another staggered set as well.

 

[Shane.]

Well, a small up date with a few more to follow. After getting the bootbuild done last year I have been itching to get the front end tidied up , so after discussing my requirements with Lee, getting a date set and then finalising materials/designs (keeping within the OEM+ theme) the car was dropped off at Sonic Frontiers on Saturday ready to start on the doorbuilds, A pillar builds & possibly a few other tweaks (to be posted as and when)

Pics to follow

 

[N8]

You love your boom boom boom shane!

 

[Shane.]

Just a couple of pics at early stages of the builds, will try and get couple more for later of where they stand at the moment

Door cards as they were:

Removal of pocket and grill:

Completely separated:

Material stripped and first stage of collar in:

Showing the gap between door and collar that needed to be filled:

 

[Shane.]

Stage 2 of collars fitted:

Stage 2 of collars, gaps filled and smoothed:

 

[Shane.]

Stage 2 of collars fitted:

Stage 2 of collars, gaps filled and smoothed:

 

[Shane.]

Well picked the car up today and as usual work was spot on, tied in perfectly with my stealth/oem+ system design, unless you knew the car you'd be pressed to know this wasn't factory (yet this doesn't diminish how much work has gone into the build just to keep it looking oem) and it sounds phenomenal (few audio adjustments but they're to be kept to myself ) really happy with the results, big thanks to Lee. And the finished shots:

Doors:

A pillars:

 

[J.R.]

Lovely Mate ... This is one mod for me on my to do list ....Brilliant!!!!! How much did all this cost you ?

 

[Boydie]

Nice mods to the door card! I did this to mine back in the day:

This was pre-installation of focal grills

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/71860-mine-a3-ya.html

 

[J.R.]

Also mate.....What Tweeters and Speakers did you upgrade too ?

 

[Shane.]

Digz: Thanks mate, glad you like it. As for cost haven't got full total but initial system was £2.7k retail with the upgrades, boot was around £950 will update with latest costs when I have worked them out. Speakers were all part of a matched system designed by Lee at Sonic Frontiers

Boydie: I remember seeing your system on TA mate, I was gunna originally copy you with something similar on the grills admittedly lol.

 

[Ash B]

Looks good fella looking forward to hearing the system make sure your car clean aswell lol

 

[jackj]

Looking really good mate, good progress threat - nice read

 

[Shane.]

Thanks for the comments, glad you like it Ash yeah not a problem mate, you'll be begging me to buy those bits off you to pay for a system XD

 

[Ash B]

Thanks for the comments, glad you like it Ash yeah not a problem mate, you'll be begging me to buy those bits off you to pay for a system XD

The only one begging to buy those bits off me will be you fella