S3 MY12 Panther Build thread: The End; it's been emotional!

[warren_S5]

Just as well I sent you a few bits

Hope it gets sorted

Your a star Rob, to be honest I was half expecting it to need two layers, but was being lazy. Thank god Paullie sent me some new screws as I think they will be needed today!

 

[warren_S5]

And finally we have the BEFORE (no tint film), one layer of tint film (last night), and AFTER (two layers of tint film):

1) BEFORE (no film)

2) First attempt: One layer of tint film

3) AFTER: Two layers of tint film, that will do

One caveat I'd put on how this looks, due to the way a camera captures and records light over time the effects of all 3 photos above are slightly brighter than they look to the eye as the shutter speeds are about a half a second which means you get some light burn. It looks slightly less in your face in the flesh.

That as they say (hopefully) is the end of that episode!

Next, engine cover!

 

[Jameze]

That looks spot on, definitely nailed it there. Considering this for mine now... if I dare to undo the screws one last time!

 

[PaulAr]

Next, engine cover!

Alcantara?

 

[warren_S5]

Alcantara?

in blue!

 

[PaulAr]

in blue!

Fo Sho bruv

 

[BBlackburn]

Alcantara?

I will never get tired of this lol!

 

[Rob W8]

Nice one. Warren, do you still need a Walk kit?

 

[Spin140]

You are an absolute Star Warren, definetly got OCD though

Was it a full set of springs fitted to remove the rake ?

 

[Silky-S3]

Next, engine cover!

Looking forward to this mate...

 

[t8ups]

Looks awesome now Warren with the 2 bits of tint film, before you added that its really hard to make out the the plate, i was on my way home the other day and saw a white 61 s3 with them lamp units and my god they was bright, you had to look carfully to make out the plate.

perfect now.

Trups

 

[warren_S5]

In a perfect world they would be better mounted at a slight inward angle towards number plate but this would require moving the connection prongs.

LEDs are lovely but incredibly directional, and want to light what they point at, not what's around them so much. I think a tinted colour diffuser is a must for these, but probably best done with tint spray unless they can be sourced from factory.

Ive taken these steps to save the £30 investment really, but what the heat will do to the inner located tint film remains to be seen!!

 

[Paullie]

Rear LED's look much better, Warren. Top job once again, Hunny. That's another thing to add to my 'to do' list or the next week or so. I doubt the astronauts orbiting Earth will be able to see your car at night now, lol. xx

 

[tcardio]

these number plate lights are fiddly. I have the ZIZA and they work well on the facelift for me. I have also used Tuner Domes without any problems. Others who have the 2009+ have had multiple problems even in the same year. I am thankful for my lack of problems but it is strange that some have problems and some don't even in the same year. I like the bulbs as I can rotate and thus are directional but unfortunately many have had trouble with the bulbs I use. Warren, as always, you and car are class acts!!

 

[N8]

Good work Warren

 

[warren_S5]

14) Philips Diamond Vision Fog Lights (5000k)

After much waiting and I've finally got hold of some Philips Diamond Vision 5000k bulbs. I'd been running the crystals for a month or so which were very good, but I won a set of Diamonds in an eBay auction that I wasn't expecting for a good price.

So what's the difference between all the fogs on the market for the S3????
Starting left to right we have:

Factory OEM Osrams (far left)
Osram Nightbreaker Plus (one in from left)
Philips Crystal Vision 4300k (one in from right)
Philips Diamond Vision 5000k (far right)

To be honest the Crystal and the Diamonds aren't too dissimilar, but the Osrams aren't close to the whiteness of the Philips bulbs.

Below is a picture of OEM colour:

And the Philips Crystal Visions

And here is a picture of the Philips Diamond Vision fitted today

The bulbs are fairly easy to fit. If you hunt about in the fog light grile under one of the two horizontal bars is a finger cut out to put your mitts into, then just pull towards you.

Once you've got the grille out the way you just need to remove the plastic backing plates (on the drivers side this covers the horn, on the left it's open for an air duct which goes back to the gearbox). Pull this out towards you and you will see two cross head screws holding each for light in place.

Undo the fog light screws and tip them forward and out of their aperture (there is a lug at the bottom of the beam unit which you need to clear).

Then you need to disconnect the loom. There is a lug at the base of the connector which you need to push in and then pull it down away from the bulb and it should slide off.

The bulb then twists out.

NEVER touch the bulb glass with your fingers, so use disposable gloves if you're a clumsy oaf like me.

There are 3 metal locator lugs around the bulb, two small and one large, and these need to be aligned properly before putting the replacement bulb back in.

Then it's the reverse of the above, but when you come to put the plastic shrouds and the mesh back in take extra care of the locator lugs as they are very soft and can crack. I tend to locate the outer ones first, then push the inner edges in once the outer ones are in place.

I'll get a better picture once I have a camera handy and it's dark, but there should be others about on the forum!

We are now all whited up!!

 

[warren_S5]

15) Getting rid of GALA

Whilst I don't mind the Bose system, I hate the hissing sound of the Bose Mic adjusted GALA that seems to make the head unit hiss like a b******d whenever the volume is low. Today I decided to turn it off.

So I grabbed the VCDS and should you too want to do it, this is how it's done:

1) Select Module 37-Navigation

2) Select Adaptation - 10

3) Select CHANNEL 08: 'Speed Dependent Volume Control (GALA)'

4) Change the Stored Value from 255 (Bose AudioPilot) to 000 GALA Off

5) Click the Done, Go Back button at the bottom of the Adaptation window

6) Go to the Nav unit and select Media and then SOUND from the bottom right control button
You will see DSP has appeared under BASS / TREBLE

7) Click into DSP and turn GALA off

RESULT: No more hiss = driver bliss!

 

[poli84]

15) Getting rid of GALA

Whilst I don't mind the Bose system, I hate the hissing sound of the Bose Mic adjusted GALA that seems to make the head unit hiss like a b******d whenever the volume is low. Today I decided to turn it off.

So I grabbed the VCDS and should you too want to do it, this is how it's done:

1) Select Module 37-Navigation

2) Select Adaptation - 10

3) Select CHANNEL 08: 'Speed Dependent Volume Control (GALA)'

4) Change the Stored Value from 255 (Bose AudioPilot) to 000 GALA Off

5) Click the Done, Go Back button at the bottom of the Adaptation window

6) Go to the Nav unit and select Media and then SOUND from the bottom right control button
You will see DSP has appeared under BASS / TREBLE

7) Click into DSP and turn GALA off

RESULT: No more hiss = driver bliss!

Best thing ever posted on any car forum!
You have no idea how much this hiss and the volume jumps ****** me (and the girl) off!!!

Thanks for this Warren!!

 

[TommyMac]

Great work Warren car looks fantastic.
any body near Nottingham able to do this mod for me, it winds me up volume going up and down all the time.

 

[warren_S5]

Best thing ever posted on any car forum!
You have no idea how much this hiss and the volume jumps ****** me (and the girl) off!!!

Thanks for this Warren!!

Great work Warren car looks fantastic.
any body near Nottingham able to do this mod for me, it winds me up volume going up and down all the time.

Nearly pushed me over the edge with it doing its own thing. It had to go!!!

 

[N8]

Bulb link man, I may as well do this, whilst the bumper is off

 

[Lund]

Fantastic standards as usual Warren, you should enjoy the car as it is now.

 

[Boydie]

Have you a link to the philips diamonds warren please? H11??

 

[ADi Nuff Valves]

Looks fantastic Warren.

Are those Philips diamonds ok for the 8P2 as well? I was just thinking how orange the OEM ones looked when I had the fogs on this morning. (Yes it was foggy!).

 

[Juicy Jen]

Funnily enough I noticed this with the music this morning and thought maybe it was me going mad, but as I stopped and started the volumes changed, also bass seems to have gone up again even though I adjusted it on Sunday! Need to get me a vag com unit, plus the beeping that Jonny put on my alarm is starting to do my nut lol

Those new fog bulbs look much better as well, good work Warren

 

[tcardio]

14) Philips Diamond Vision Fog Lights (5000k)

QUOTE]

While I'm sitting here with my jaw numb from my root canal today, I must ask why you cut the fins off the backing plate next to the fog lens. AND once again, great mod. I turned my GALA off too and what a difference. Great write up

 

[JohnFS3]

Hi Warren

Can you tell VCDS code to unlock all programs for SDS ?

I'm living in Sydney just picked up my S3 SB LE and the only SDS that work is the telephone
and they locked all other program so if I said radio or Navigation etc the RNSE doesnt seem to change program.

I wanted to be abale to said specify distination on the Sat Nav as I think is very conventient for me

My Mechanic will be able to help if I can provide him with the code

One question if I don't have the auto folding mirror can i still get a code so that the mirror will tilt while reversing


Please Advise

John

Best thing ever posted on any car forum!
You have no idea how much this hiss and the volume jumps ****** me (and the girl) off!!!

Thanks for this Warren!!

 

[warren_S5]

Have you a link to the philips diamonds warren please? H11??

Philips H11 Fog Lights - Diamond Vision eBay UK

Looks fantastic Warren.

Are those Philips diamonds ok for the 8P2 as well? I was just thinking how orange the OEM ones looked when I had the fogs on this morning. (Yes it was foggy!).

Do you know I'm not 100% certain as I never changed the ones in my 8P2. Might be worth whipping one out and seeing if they match the units in my pics. Would have thought so, but 8P1 might be H7.

14) Philips Diamond Vision Fog Lights (5000k)

While I'm sitting here with my jaw numb from my root canal today, I must ask why you cut the fins off the backing plate next to the fog lens.

Nothing cut off the backing plate. As it came from factory. I think the 8P3 and 8P2 shrouds are different as I used to be able to put ITG intake tract in my old 8P2. No chance here:

A picture from my 8P2 with ITG intake hose:

Hi Warren

Can you tell VCDS code to unlock all programs for SDS ?

I'm living in Sydney just picked up my S3 SB LE and the only SDS that work is the telephone
and they locked all other program so if I said radio or Navigation etc the RNSE doesnt seem to change program.

I wanted to be abale to said specify distination on the Sat Nav as I think is very conventient for me

My Mechanic will be able to help if I can provide him with the code

One question if I don't have the auto folding mirror can i still get a code so that the mirror will tilt while reversing


Please Advise

John

Hi John, from what I've read to date there is no SDS hack capability for the latest HD screen RNS-E units as I've enquired with Nige (NHN) about it.

I'm also after mirror tilt, but again no luck. I have both mirrors adjusting from right hand switch position (so they both point down when I tip the knob down), but I have to do it myself. I also wanted the mirrors to auto fold in with central locking but I can't find that either, and because we live in an area with very tight roads I want to override the fact you cannot fold the mirrors in at speed as someone hit my mirror the other day.

Sorry, not much help!

 

[Shadowman]

Your going to have to start your own 'How To' section soon Warren ....great write ups as usual.

Regarding the Gala, I quite like the fact it gets louder or softer depending on speed, just not the fact that the BOSE microphone used to make the wrong decision all the time, especially when turning it on first thing in the morning !!

Presumably, rather than turning the GALA off completely once the BOSE self selection has been disabled, you could still select an appropriate level like oin the good old days, or is it simply 'on' or 'off' ?

 

[warren_S5]

Your going to have to start your own 'How To' section soon Warren ....great write ups as usual.

Regarding the Gala, I quite like the fact it gets louder or softer depending on speed, just not the fact that the BOSE microphone used to make the wrong decision all the time, especially when turning it on first thing in the morning !!

Presumably, rather than turning the GALA off completely once the BOSE self selection has been disabled, you could still select an appropriate level like oin the good old days, or is it simply 'on' or 'off' ?

Cheers mate.

Once you go through the steps in the guide you can select off or any one of presets from 1-5 for GALA which are varying steps of intensity. I haven't tried them yet so can't comment on how they work, but I did try turning Bose Sound System off completely (within navigation - 37 / coding - 07, change fourth digit from a 9 to a 5 from memory). It sounded as flat as a witches tit so I quickly changed it back.

 

[Paullie]

Glad you got your Diamond Visions in the end, Warren. They are the whitest bulbs out there and on your car they look totally perfect! What a fab write up for anyone looking to buy and fit some new foggies, your attention to detail is amazing. I gotta do the DSP thing on mine this weekend, ..didn't think there was anything that could be done to fix the dreaded HISS!!! Thanks for sharing xx

 

[wez3570]

Hi John, from what I've read to date there is no SDS hack capability for the latest HD screen RNS-E units as I've enquired with Nige (NHN) about it.the other day

Don't forget HazzyDayz can do this mod now.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/satell...trofitted-mk2-rnse-non-factory-sds-model.html

 

[Jameze]

Fast becoming one of the most useful threads on this forum.

I'm getting an RNS-E unit fitted at the end of the month and I've already ordered the anti-glare screen protector you recommended and I'll most certainly be turning GALA off too now.

Thanks, Warren! Keep up the good work.

 

[Silky-S3]

Epic again mate, that hissing has been doing my head in ever since I've bought the car! Thanks so much for posting that up!!

PS- I have the same fog grill backing plates as you and I found it fairly easy to run a air feed tube?

 

[MartayMcFly]

Fast becoming one of the most useful threads on this forum.

I'm getting an RNS-E unit fitted at the end of the month and I've already ordered the anti-glare screen protector you recommended and I'll most certainly be turning GALA off too now.

Thanks, Warren! Keep up the good work.

Have you got a link for it? My screen is pretty scratched, so glare makes it completely unreadable some times.

 

[warren_S5]

16) Custom modified S3 engine cover

I keep banging on about the ****** engine cover, and so far there's been no sight of it!

Here are a few 'taster' shots of how things are going. The guy who committed to spray it for me hasn't been able to do it, so it's a complete home grown job, and it's meant cutting it, filling it and spraying it myself.

The heavy handed neanderthal who owned it before me overtightened one of the screws for the back plate so I've had to fill and glue it, but as it's cosmetic / non functional it's not an issue in terms of the way the car will run.

So here's the tasters!

OEM Engine cover for reference purposes

THE FIRST CUT IS ALWAYS THE MOST UNNERVING!!!

PEELED APART THE THE WORK COMMENCES

I'm waiting for the filler to harden on the black part of the engine cover, then it will be sprayed gloss black and lacquered up to match the black silicone hoses of the ITG filter.

I'll put some more photos up once it moves along a bit!

 

[MartayMcFly]

You've just reminded me I put my engine cover back on about 2 weeks ago and completely forgot to take pics! Will dig out my thread, or maybe just start a new one, and get them up. Not as proper a job as you're doing, but pretty happy with the results.

 

[Phil_T]

Warren, with the fog bulbs can you see the blue tint in the bulb when they arnt switched on? I like the whiteness they give off but dont want to be able to see a blue colour bulb when they arnt on

 

[warren_S5]

Warren, with the fog bulbs can you see the blue tint in the bulb when they arnt switched on? I like the whiteness they give off but dont want to be able to see a blue colour bulb when they arnt on

At certain angles you can, but as they're low you have to get down on your knees to notice it.

 

[Jameze]

Have you got a link for it? My screen is pretty scratched, so glare makes it completely unreadable some times.

Aye got it from here...

Nushield glare eliminator and screen protector for Audi CAR NAVIGATION

Props to Warren for the link earlier in his build thread.

I also searched Google for a discount and found 10% off - use "KPR%10" at checkout.

Just a heads up - for some reason it quite liked the idea of me living in Wales. I kept having to change my country from Wales to United Kingdom on each page so look out for that.

- James