Looking for some small mods to my A3......

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TheMacMagician

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Had my A3 since xmas now and its time to start some mods I think. Its my first car so not really sure where to start. Being rather on the skint end of life i'm gonna look at some relatively inexpensive mods first and see how I go. I'd like to do some that I can do myself as I'm quite handy on the DiY front and electrics so hopefully I can sort a few. My car is a 2007 A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI S Line in Akoya Silver with the 5 Spoke SLine 18" Wheels and full leather. Will get some pics uploaded to the A3 Pics Thread when fully cleaned.

Things i'm lookin at are below, just small for starters. If anyone has opinions or suggestions I'd fully appreciate it.

Rubber Front Mats
Often out walkin collecting dirty feet)

Rubber Boot Liner
To help stop the dirty pram wheels and soon a dog from ruining the inside)

EM Tunings LED Interior Lights Upgrade
Front Footwell, Map, Boot and not sure which others...for DiY

SLine Multi Function Steering Wheel
Will look at buying one in the hope this enable me to answer calls in the car via BlueTooth as I have the old Audi phone prep. Anyone know?

Four New Tyres
Currently mismatched, so would love them all same. Think they are 225/40/18, decent all-season tyre suggestions welcome

S3 Rear Diffuser (if its possible)
Looks a little dull with the standard and then downturned pipes

S3 Pedals
Would love to replace the dull black rubber ones.... Hopefully DiY

S3 Air Vents
Seen this around and fancy having a go myself. Like the look of the silver rather than black plastic.

AUX Input
Doesn't have one so hopefully S8Craig is going to fix me up with this soon.

Any other suggestions would be very welcome, i'm eager to get started as its just incredible what can be done, even on a small scale. Just with a limited set of funds for now. ha.
 
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I don't know how much the rubber boot liner is, but I have one that I was donated, and its great! Its an Audi one, and it fits really well.

Tyres - mines the same year and came with Pirelli P-zero's as standard, which you can get for £270 a pair. The later ones are on continetal, which are even more money and very soft compound. Some people have used Falken tyres as they're much cheaper, and pertty good, but won't give as good grip.

MFSW - there's loads of threads on this, if you search. Most of the airbags are different, so make sure you get the right one for the steering wheel shape Then you'll need someone with Vag.com to code it. Theres members on here that have it and are willing to help for better monies than garages!

Theres an aux kit you can get for £80 ish. (this won't be very helpful, but...) I can't remember the company, but I found a kit from a thread that I found on here from the search facility. It might even be in the FAQ section.

Also look at the FAQ section for the S3 rear defuser, I'm sure theres a link to a how to thread on there.

Have you thought about cruise control. I think that can be done for about £150. Search for a that too, there will be plenty more info available!
 
TheMacMagician said:
Had my A3 since xmas now and its time to start some mods I think. Its my first car so not really sure where to start. Being rather on the skint end of life i'm gonna look at some relatively inexpensive mods first and see how I go. I'd like to do some that I can do myself as I'm quite handy on the DiY front and electrics so hopefully I can sort a few. My car is a 2007 A3 2.0 TDI S Line in Akoya Silver with the 5 Spoke SLine 18" Wheels and full leather. Will get some pics uploaded to the A3 Pics Thread when fully cleaned.

Things i'm lookin at are below, just small for starters. If anyone has opinions or suggestions I'd fully appreciate it.

Rubber Front Mats
Often out walkin collecting dirty feet)

I have the rubber OEM mats in the rear of my SB, if you get genuine they will fit the lugs in the carpet and hold them in place properly.

Rubber Boot Liner
To help stop the dirty pram wheels and soon a dog from ruining the inside)

OEM one of these in the boot, does exactly what it's supposed to do, my boot carpet is like new.

EM Tunings LED Interior Lights Upgrade
Front Footwell, Map, Boot and not sure which others...for DiY

Had some of these from EM Tuning, i think i was unlucky as they kept failing, gone back to normal number plate lights and a white side light bulbs, non LED.

SLine Multi Function Steering Wheel
Will look at buying one in the hope this enable me to answer calls in the car via BlueTooth as I have the old Audi phone prep. Anyone know?

Looked at this myself, the wheel is around £200 for a decent one, there is a swedish selling on eBay which sells MFSW at cheaper prices than the dealers but i don't know if you need to pay import tax.

Four New Tyres
Currently mismatched, so would love them all same. Think they are 225/40/18, decent all-season tyre suggestions welcome

I know what you're saying when you say you'd like them all to match, i've just put four brand new Uniroyal Rainsport 2s on my SB, grip is excellent in the wet and dry, should of been £157.50 per corner, £100 each from my mate at QF, camskill sell them for £91.

S3 Rear Diffuser (if its possible)
Looks a little dull with the standard and then downturned pipes

Anything is possible, i think you'd need to change the rear bumper, been done plenty of times on here so shouldn't be hard to find info.

S3 Pedals
Would love to replace the dull black rubber ones.... Hopefully DiY

Nice chrome pedals.

AUX Input
Doesn't have one so hopefully S8Craig is going to fix me up with this soon.

Dension 100 adaptor, uses your ipod and shows the track names in the DIS.

Any other suggestions would be very welcome, i'm eager to get started as its just incredible what can be done, even on a small scale. Just with a limited set of funds for now. ha.
Click to expand...

A decent set of headlamp bulbs, metal pressed plates, retro fit coming home/leaving home lights, enable alarm beep, perhaps change the front grill for a black optics type or equivalent?
 
Elgy said:
I don't know how much the rubber boot liner is, but I have one that I was donated, and its great! Its an Audi one, and it fits really well.

Tyres - mines the same year and came with Pirelli P-zero's as standard, which you can get for £270 a pair. The later ones are on continetal, which are even more money and very soft compound. Some people have used Falken tyres as they're much cheaper, and pertty good, but won't give as good grip.

MFSW - there's loads of threads on this, if you search. Most of the airbags are different, so make sure you get the right one for the steering wheel shape Then you'll need someone with Vag.com to code it. Theres members on here that have it and are willing to help for better monies than garages!

Theres an aux kit you can get for £80 ish. (this won't be very helpful, but...) I can't remember the company, but I found a kit from a thread that I found on here from the search facility. It might even be in the FAQ section.

Also look at the FAQ section for the S3 rear defuser, I'm sure theres a link to a how to thread on there.

Have you thought about cruise control. I think that can be done for about £150. Search for a that too, there will be plenty more info available!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the swift reply pal. Taken all that in. I'n defo getting the rubber mats and liner as the wife just slams the damn pram in with muddy wheels and the like, rather annoyin. I wasn't too fussed about the MFSW but from the research i've done on here it seems that I can't answer calls without it. Will try find a used one.

Thought about cruise control yeah, but thought it would be expensive. Does that need a MFSW??
 
AidenUK said:
A decent set of headlamp bulbs, metal pressed plates, retro fit coming home/leaving home lights, enable alarm beep, perhaps change the front grill for a black optics type or equivalent?
Click to expand...

Cheers for all your info too man. Amazing how helpful people are on here. Top stuff. Those wheels sound good and i've heard of Camskill before too. Its a mod i'll do a little further down the line when I've got more cash but defo want it done. Cheers for the suggestions too. Pressed plates would be nice.

I'll do some searching for headlamp bulbs, looked at that only a little so need to familiarise myself more with that stuff...
 
Sounds good some of the things you would like to do but just to clear some things up:

1. The s3 rear diffuser will fit on your rear s-line bumper.
2. Instead of buying a new grille get it painted or wrapped, few people have done this roughly £80 for painted.
3 s3 pedals I have too look very nice few people have mentioned skoda pedals fit which are similar so a quick search on that might save you a few £££.
4. LED lights are a great mod, and as said LED side lights and upgraded headlight bulbs e.g osram nighbreakers or Philips diamond vision are a good buy.
5. Steering wheel as said just be careful with the airbag if your looking to get one fitted and supplied pm username NHN on here he has installed my flat bottom wheel and a lot of other peoples too he is the man.
5. Mods I would say transform the car for not so much money:

S3 air vents.
Facelift centre console buttons.
Brushed aluminium trims If you don't have them already.
S3 gear knob and gator.
I chose to take out my ashtray and fit the storage rubber mat If you don't smoke of course.
 
TheMacMagician said:
I'll do some searching for headlamp bulbs, looked at that only a little so need to familiarise myself more with that stuff...
Click to expand...

Depends what you want regarding the colour of the bulbs, if you want a blue white light then Philips Diamond Vision are a good choice, although they're aren't legal in this country, that said mine has passed it's MOT with them in and don't get any problem with the law, they are the closet colour to xenon gas headlamps.

I have a photo of the colour of mine if you want to see.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
BBlackburn said:
Sounds good some of the things you would like to do but just to clear some things up:

1. The s3 rear diffuser will fit on your rear s-line bumper.
2. Instead of buying a new grille get it painted or wrapped, few people have done this roughly £80 for painted.
3 s3 pedals I have too look very nice few people have mentioned skoda pedals fit which are similar so a quick search on that might save you a few £££.
4. LED lights are a great mod, and as said LED side lights and upgraded headlight bulbs e.g osram nighbreakers or Philips diamond vision are a good buy.
5. Steering wheel as said just be careful with the airbag if your looking to get one fitted and supplied pm username NHN on here he has installed my flat bottom wheel and a lot of other peoples too he is the man.
5. Mods I would say transform the car for not so much money:

S3 air vents.
Facelift centre console buttons.
Brushed aluminium trims If you don't have them already.
S3 gear knob and gator.
I chose to take out my ashtray and fit the storage rubber mat If you don't smoke of course.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the post pointers pal, nice one. Plus, on your suggestions, i have looked at upgrading the air vents. Watching some on Ebay at the moment and would defo like to do that. Forgot that off my list. Will have a nosey round see if I can find a DiY guide for them. I absolutely LOVE the red stroke round the inside of the S3 Gear Knob, just not keen on adding anything S3 branded inside the car with it not being S3. Maybe thats just me I guess.

What are the Aluminium trims??

I've read about replacing the ashtray too. Will do that one too. Could you point me in the right direction for the part / guide?
 
AidenUK said:
Depends what you want regarding the colour of the bulbs, if you want a blue white light then Philips Diamond Vision are a good choice, although they're aren't legal in this country, that said mine has passed it's MOT with them in and don't get any problem with the law, they are the closet colour to xenon gas headlamps.

I have a photo of the colour of mine if you want to see.
Click to expand...

Yeah, would be interested in seeing that pal for sure. Mines a Sportback by the way, forgot that on the description at the start. Will edit.
 
TheMacMagician said:
Appreciate the post pointers pal, nice one. Plus, on your suggestions, i have looked at upgrading the air vents. Watching some on Ebay at the moment and would defo like to do that. Forgot that off my list. Will have a nosey round see if I can find a DiY guide for them. I absolutely LOVE the red stroke round the inside of the S3 Gear Knob, just not keen on adding anything S3 branded inside the car with it not being S3. Maybe thats just me I guess.

What are the Aluminium trims??

I've read about replacing the ashtray too. Will do that one too. Could you point me in the right direction for the part / guide?
Click to expand...

Air vents just wiggle out if you get something to prise them at the sides they just slide out and new ones click back in. You don't have to get an s3 one prob gator is better or maybe look at the tt gear knobs.
The trim is the part around the gear knob which is usually gloss black or aluminium and the parts on the door, doors just click out and so does gear surround.
Ashtray replacement I just went into Audi and asked for "the storage compartment where the ashtray is" they found it for me on computer and was only £11 so very cheap.
 
TheMacMagician said:
Yeah, would be interested in seeing that pal for sure. Mines a Sportback by the way, forgot that on the description at the start. Will edit.
Click to expand...

You need LED tail lights in your life then mate!

50f97216.jpg


Diamond Visions, i have them in Dipped beam, main beam and fogs.

cbe501fa-1.jpg


S3 all black grill and pressed plates.

9dae76fe.jpg


Do you have factory rear tinted glass? I do, had to get a light smoke on the front to compliment the rears.

028e9acc.jpg


That lot any good to you?

:icon_thumright:
 
BBlackburn said:
Air vents just wiggle out if you get something to prise them at the sides they just slide out and new ones click back in. You don't have to get an s3 one prob gator is better or maybe look at the tt gear knobs.
The trim is the part around the gear knob which is usually gloss black or aluminium and the parts on the door, doors just click out and so does gear surround.
Ashtray replacement I just went into Audi and asked for "the storage compartment where the ashtray is" they found it for me on computer and was only £11 so very cheap.
Click to expand...

Can you send me a photo of this storage compartment you mean mate? I have an ash try and i don't smoke.

Thanks
 
BBlackburn said:
Air vents just wiggle out if you get something to prise them at the sides they just slide out and new ones click back in. You don't have to get an s3 one prob gator is better or maybe look at the tt gear knobs.
The trim is the part around the gear knob which is usually gloss black or aluminium and the parts on the door, doors just click out and so does gear surround.
Ashtray replacement I just went into Audi and asked for "the storage compartment where the ashtray is" they found it for me on computer and was only £11 so very cheap.
Click to expand...

Wow, so the vents are as simple as that. Great stuff. Will keep my eyes open for some. In fact. When i'm ready, I may just put an ad up in the correct section and ask about all the things I wish for then just upgrade what ever is for sale.

I'll speak with Stockport Audi then and see about the tray when I get the mats and boot liner...

As daft as it sounds I can't remember what colour the gear knob surround is.

I'm tempted to change the grill on the car too after someone mentioned it and I saw the black grill on the German fellas A3 post..... Looks good.
 
AidenUK said:
You need LED tail lights in your life then mate!

50f97216.jpg


Diamond Visions, i have them in Dipped beam, main beam and fogs.

cbe501fa-1.jpg


S3 all black grill and pressed plates.

9dae76fe.jpg


Do you have factory rear tinted glass? I do, had to get a light smoke on the front to compliment the rears.

028e9acc.jpg


That lot any good to you?

:icon_thumright:
Click to expand...


Cheers for the pics pal. Hard to work out the bulbs and how they look as it blows out in the pics a little. Your car is exactly the same as mine though, same alloys too.... There are two things I like about your car too. The grill looks better than mine and also the Reg Plate, Where did you get that?? Is it Metal pressed? I'd like to get rid of the blue GB part. Does the rear number plate have to be Yellow? Never looked or thought about it before?!
 
TheMacMagician said:
Cheers for the pics pal. Hard to work out the bulbs and how they look as it blows out in the pics a little. Your car is exactly the same as mine though, same alloys too.... There are two things I like about your car too. The grill looks better than mine and also the Reg Plate, Where did you get that?? Is it Metal pressed? I'd like to get rid of the blue GB part. Does the rear number plate have to be Yellow? Never looked or thought about it before?!
Click to expand...

I will try get you a few more snaps of the lights at night but i used my iphone camera and it's not all that cracking as you can see haha!

The grill is an S3 all black grille bought from FK Automotive, some people complain about them as it's not genuine Audi equipment, however the fitment is very good and looks the part, the only downside is you have to modify the grill to fit the s-line badge, i have since removed mine as it was slightly wonky!

The number plates came from a company called 'dubmeister' they are pressed metal and cost around £30 delivered if i remember, by law you have to have a yellow plate on the rear of the car mate.
 
AidenUK said:
I will try get you a few more snaps of the lights at night but i used my iphone camera and it's not all that cracking as you can see haha!

The grill is an S3 all black grille bought from FK Automotive, some people complain about them as it's not genuine Audi equipment, however the fitment is very good and looks the part, the only downside is you have to modify the grill to fit the s-line badge, i have since removed mine as it was slightly wonky!

The number plates came from a company called 'dubmeister' they are pressed metal and cost around £30 delivered if i remember, by law you have to have a yellow plate on the rear of the car mate.
Click to expand...

You know, stupidly I didn't notuice your little descriptions to each pic. Ha. Grille is interestin. Not sure on the mod to fit the badge but i'll defo look into a black grill.

Added them pressed plates to my to dos then. DubMeister it is....... Only passed my test a few months back so did start to wonder about the yellow rear plate. Ha. Learn somethin new every day.....

Really like the LED tail lights too. Easy to DiY???
 
BBlackburn said:
Sounds good some of the things you would like to do but just to clear some things up:

1. The s3 rear diffuser will fit on your rear s-line bumper.
Click to expand...

I didnt think it would it? Any one know a part number and photos of it done?
 
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TheMacMagician said:
You know, stupidly I didn't notuice your little descriptions to each pic. Ha. Grille is interestin. Not sure on the mod to fit the badge but i'll defo look into a black grill.

Added them pressed plates to my to dos then. DubMeister it is....... Only passed my test a few months back so did start to wonder about the yellow rear plate. Ha. Learn somethin new every day.....

Really like the LED tail lights too. Easy to DiY???
Click to expand...

To be honest mate i can't be ***** re fitting the badge at the moment as i don't miss it being there, i know it's an S-Line so that's all that matters.

I didn't fit the LED lights mate a bloke on here did it for me, he supplied the rear lights, the new looms which are needed and also coded and fitted them to the car for £230 - BARGAIN!

Your A3 your first car then? How old are you? 25 me, had a polo when i first passed, saying that it was a decent car!
 
fe343b48.jpg


There's a pic of the storage section fitted its just a rubber mat type thing that slots in and is flush up to the gear knob surround.
 
AidenUK said:
So you remove the ash tray and fit the storage bit then?
Click to expand...

Yeah just remove the ashtray, you have to also remove the two triangle trims either side so the lip sits inside properly.
I got mine on the bay I was lucky I only paid £55 but I have seen them go for a lot more.
 
AidenUK said:
To be honest mate i can't be ***** re fitting the badge at the moment as i don't miss it being there, i know it's an S-Line so that's all that matters.

I didn't fit the LED lights mate a bloke on here did it for me, he supplied the rear lights, the new looms which are needed and also coded and fitted them to the car for £230 - BARGAIN!

Your A3 your first car then? How old are you? 25 me, had a polo when i first passed, saying that it was a decent car!
Click to expand...

Would love the rear lights upgraded. Just cost. Thats a good price though. I'm going to do Trups Em Lighting Upgrade first, have a go myself and see how I get on. Give me something to do. Then prob the Vents, maybe followed by a diffuser to give the rear a dusting of sport.

Yeah, its my first car. Didn't do too bad considerin only been pass just under 4 months..... car is shared between me and my wife, only on her insurance, otherwise prob no one would have touched me insurance wise unless I was willing to trade in a kidney against it. 30 Yrs young me, late bloomer on the car scene. Better late than never though. I like a DiY project or two also, so could be dangerous mod wise..... Need to try and stick to things the wife wont really notice. Ha. Secretly considering a remap, wondering whether she'd notice it. Haha....
 
TheMacMagician said:
Would love the rear lights upgraded. Just cost. Thats a good price though. I'm going to do Trups Em Lighting Upgrade first, have a go myself and see how I get on. Give me something to do. Then prob the Vents, maybe followed by a diffuser to give the rear a dusting of sport.

Yeah, its my first car. Didn't do too bad considerin only been pass just under 4 months..... car is shared between me and my wife, only on her insurance, otherwise prob no one would have touched me insurance wise unless I was willing to trade in a kidney against it. 30 Yrs young me, late bloomer on the car scene. Better late than never though. I like a DiY project or two also, so could be dangerous mod wise..... Need to try and stick to things the wife wont really notice. Ha. Secretly considering a remap, wondering whether she'd notice it. Haha....
Click to expand...

Get ready for the modding bug to bite you hard you wont be able to stop when you see people's cars on here.
 
I know its a minor thing mate, but if you've got a dog you might want to look at getting some sort of bumper protector.. So long as it doesn't look too ****e;)
 
With regards to tyres, you should think twice about using all-season tyres. If it's to have the benefit of winter tyres during 2 months, and the negative aspects of all-season tyres for the other months of the year (increased rate of wear, reduced fuel economy etc...) it's not going to be the most economical option for you.

The first stage of working out if you really need them depends on your annual milage and where you live.

Here's an article about all-season tyres, if you're interested in finding out a little more.
 
I have a reversing boot mat (carpet one side, rubber the other) that I am looking to sell. I used it for my dog but the car is going soon so it is no longer needed. It is the larger one that folds in half and covers the whole of the boot area (including back of the rear seats if you fold them down).

Let me know if you are interested, it would need to be collected from Essex.
 
Thought I would add some nice pics of the small mods I'm adding to my car for anyone thinking of just adding a few extra details to theirs. I quite admire the finer design details so here's the first.

PRESSED PLATES: have arrived from Diesel Tuning UK and they look splendid. The "fully road legal" clean style pressed plates are WAY more professional looking than the standard plastic ones IMO. No GB or EU badge to keep things minimal. More pics when they are on.....

TMM_DTUK_Pressed_Plate_Arrived800px.jpg
 
N8 said:
You quite good with the old SLR there lad?
Click to expand...

Cheers. Love my photography N8. Not a professional, but a graphic designer, so maybe have the patience an eye for it. I'd actually be up for doing a bit of car photography. Maybe one for the future. Keep meaning to do mine, but its not quite as photo session worthy as some on here. Ha.
 
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