54 reg bumper to 2005 reg bumper upgrade

[maffew]

Hi all,

I have a 54 reg A3 with the split grill bumper.
I am wanting to change to the next generation bumper, ie: AUDI A3 FRONT BUMPER NEW PAINTED ANY COLOUR INSURANCE APPROVED 2005-2008 | eBay

Would this be a straight swap? Getting conflicting information from people - some say just the lights need changing, some say just the bonnet, and some say lights and the bar behind the bumper.

Anyone done this? Not fussed about S-Line etc just the full grill standard.

Cheers!
Matt

 

[c_w]

The headlights are the same, the bonnet is different though as it comes down a bit more on the 2005-on.

 

[maffew]

Cheers, so I'd be looking at buying the bumper with grill. And also a bonnet from a 2005 or so?
Lights are good to stay? Am told I may need some fog light surrounds but would Imagine these will be nice and cheap.
Don't need to change the crash bar?
Thanks!

 

[leeds2592]

As c_w has advised, wings and headlights are fine, but you will need to change the bonnet.

Don't need to change crash bar, you'd only have to do this if you were going for an S3 bumper.

 

[maffew]

As c_w has advised, wings and headlights are fine, but you will need to change the bonnet.

Don't need to change crash bar, you'd only have to do this if you were going for an S3 bumper.

Excellent, thank you. Well I've just ordered a bonnet from carparts4less and with a voucher I found it came to £119.40 - not too bad! Used ones on eBay are more. Need this and the bumper painting though.

And just to check, will my current fog lights be okay? Literally just bumper, grill and bonnet I'm changing? Cheers! Matt

 

[maffew]

Got the bumper, grill and bonnet. Just really wanting to know if the fog lights & fog light grill surrounds will fit into the new bumper? So I don't have to buy any. Then it's just a case of waiting for it all to arrive

 

[dk1234]

Excellent, thank you. Well I've just ordered a bonnet from carparts4less and with a voucher I found it came to £119.40 - not too bad! Used ones on eBay are more. Need this and the bumper painting though.

And just to check, will my current fog lights be okay? Literally just bumper, grill and bonnet I'm changing? Cheers! Matt

did you get the right bonnet? because I think if you put your reg in they will bring up your current bonnet.

 

[maffew]

Yeah I got one for a 2006. Found out that the bumper I got I need the fogs and fog surrounds so got them too. Stands me at £300 bang on at the mo. Just the spraying to do now and I can fit myself

 

[SAiLO]

Fog lights and surrounds are the same for non-SLine 8P1 and 8P2 bumpers.

 

[T8DPR]

if your existing foglights/surrounds are the same shape in your original bumper as they are in the example you've shown... straight fit

 

[maffew]

if your existing foglights/surrounds are the same shape in your original bumper as they are in the example you've shown... straight fit

Yeah they're different after looking properly. Ones on the new bumper are round whereas mine are round with a 'flat bit' at the top, surrounds are different too.
Hoping it will be the same electrical connector though otherwise will need joining

 

[T8DPR]

ooooo have you got an s-line bumper?? you may need new fog light plugs, I hear they're cheap tho

 

[maffew]

ooooo have you got an s-line bumper?? you may need new fog light plugs, I hear they're cheap tho

Nah I ended up getting just a sportback one, still got to change the fog lamps and fog surrounds though as it's a 2008 bumper and from looking around I think this is when the fogs and fog surrounds changed.

Bonnet arriving today from Euro Car parts so just need to get them both sprayed now! Bumper is used though but bonnet was a bargain at £120

 

[Ads]

Nah I ended up getting just a sportback one, still got to change the fog lamps and fog surrounds though as it's a 2008 bumper and from looking around I think this is when the fogs and fog surrounds changed.

Bonnet arriving today from Euro Car parts so just need to get them both sprayed now! Bumper is used though but bonnet was a bargain at £120

2008 non s-line / s3 front bumpers do not have totally round fogs/surrounds... 2009 onwards do.

You need to be totally sure of the bumper you have bought otherwise you're going to find yourself in a big mess. Post a photo of the bumper you have bought.

If you've bought a standard/sport bumper that takes round fog lights and fog surrounds... which is 2009 onwards/sometimes 58 plate onwards.... then you've got a lot more stuff to buy.... Wings, headlights, etc. The bonnet you've bought is also not right so you will need an even newer one.

If you have bought a 2009 bumper you either need to... 1) buy a 2008 (08 plate or earlier to be sure) single grill standard/sport bumper (as pictured in the link in your first post) and then your current fogs, surrounds (with flat edge) and the bonnet you've bought will fit....

Or 2) if you are going to persist with the 2009 bumper it sounds like you've bought, if what you say about the fogs being round is correct, then you are going to need another bonnet (2009 onwards) plus newer wings etc as listed above, and a lot of time and money to have it all fitted.

But post a pic of the bumper and you'll have your answers straight away.

 

[maffew]

2008 non s-line / s3 front bumpers do not have totally round fogs/surrounds... 2009 onwards do.

You need to be totally sure of the bumper you have bought otherwise you're going to find yourself in a big mess. Post a photo of the bumper you have bought.

If you've bought a standard/sport bumper that takes round fog lights and fog surrounds... which is 2009 onwards/sometimes 58 plate onwards.... then you've got a lot more stuff to buy.... Wings, headlights, etc. The bonnet you've bought is also not right so you will need an even newer one.

If you have bought a 2009 bumper you either need to... 1) buy a 2008 (08 plate or earlier to be sure) single grill standard/sport bumper (as pictured in the link in your first post) and then your current fogs, surrounds (with flat edge) and the bonnet you've bought will fit....

Or 2) if you are going to persist with the 2009 bumper it sounds like you've bought, if what you say about the fogs being round is correct, then you are going to need another bonnet (2009 onwards) plus newer wings etc as listed above, and a lot of time and money to have it all fitted.

But post a pic of the bumper and you'll have your answers straight away.

Bumper I've bought:
Genuine Audi A3 8P Facelift Front Bumper Grey 2009- [24] | eBay

From various people's advice I am told the only thing needs changing is bonnet, fog lights, fog surrounds. When I looked on Euro Car Parts, same part number for 2009 or 2006 bonnet - am also told that any post 2006 bonnet will fit with any big grill style bumper?

 

[Ads]

Bumper I've bought:
Genuine Audi A3 8P Facelift Front Bumper Grey 2009- [24] | eBay

From various people's advice I am told the only thing needs changing is bonnet, fog lights, fog surrounds. When I looked on Euro Car Parts, same part number for 2009 or 2006 bonnet - am also told that any post 2006 bonnet will fit with any big grill style bumper?

As I thought, you've bought a 2009 bumper, it even says it in the title of the eBay listing.
Major job to fit this because as said you'll need new wings etc etc.
Basically, sell the bumper and buy a 2005-2008 one for an easy life.

 

[maffew]

I have clearly been misadvised.
Can the 2009 - grill be put into a 2006 bumper? I know probably not..

 

[Ads]

I have clearly been misadvised.
Can the 2009 - grill be put into a 2006 bumper? I know probably not..

Can't remember 100% but I'm almost totally sure it can't.

 

[maffew]

Can't remember 100% but I'm almost totally sure it can't.

Just my luck this. Bought the bumper, fogs, fog surrounds and grill. All of which aren't actually any good. Unless by a miracle the grill will be good to go into the 2006 bumper. Looks like a different fixing though.

 

[maffew]

So will need this bumper: AUDI A3 2003 2008 Front Bumper Primed 3/5 Door Models Not S Line Models App Tuv | eBay

And this grill: AUDI A3 2004 -2008 FRONT BUMPER RADIATOR GRILLE TOP A4C1712510 | eBay

? I think this is right? Fogs and fog surrounds from existing bumper will go into this.

 

[Ads]

Just my luck this. Bought the bumper, fogs, fog surrounds and grill. All of which aren't actually any good. Unless by a miracle the grill will be good to go into the 2006 bumper. Looks like a different fixing though.

Yeah bad luck mate.

List the part numbers of the bits you've already bought and we can tell you exactly what you have in terms of model,year and what it will fit/won't fit.
All of it might not be useless to you.

Also, is it only the standard big grill conversion you're interested in doing? Or would you consider s-line?

 

[Ads]

So will need this bumper: AUDI A3 2003 2008 Front Bumper Primed 3/5 Door Models Not S Line Models App Tuv | eBay

And this grill: AUDI A3 2004 -2008 FRONT BUMPER RADIATOR GRILLE TOP A4C1712510 | eBay

? I think this is right? Fogs and fog surrounds from existing bumper will go into this.

On paper they are correct, but they are not genuine/OEM parts so cannot guarantee a perfect fit.
I'd go for genuine used parts if I were you, nothing worse than putting it all together and finding that it's slightly out.

 

[maffew]

Yeah, just as an idea so I know it's the right "parts" but will likely get OEM for peace of mind.

Wasn't going to do S-Line as was told the bar behind the bumper would need changing if I did S-Line bumper instead of standard, is this right? I've arranged to send fog surrounds back for a start as they're def the wrong ones and only fit into the newer bumper.

 

[Ads]

Yeah, just as an idea so I know it's the right "parts" but will likely get OEM for peace of mind.

Wasn't going to do S-Line as was told the bar behind the bumper would need changing if I did S-Line bumper instead of standard, is this right? I've arranged to send fog surrounds back for a start as they're def the wrong ones and only fit into the newer bumper.

You only need to change the bar behind the bumper if you are doing an S3 conversion, and even then you can get away with just trimming your existing bar. For an s-line bumper you don't need to change it at all.

 

[maffew]

Sounds promising. Might look into S-Line then since I'm back to square one haha. S-Line would be better

 

[maffew]

But as a side note (sorry haha) the fogs and fog surrounds will be different on the S-Line than standard won't they

 

[Ads]

But as a side note (sorry haha) the fogs and fog surrounds will be different on the S-Line than standard won't they

Yep, they are different to the standard/sport bumpers.<br><br>Check my thread (link in my signature) for the part numbers and rough prices for the s-line fogs and surrounds.... plus the connectors you'll also need.

 

[dk1234]

Sorry to hear you're starting again. I might do this in the future too, so I'll make sure I'll keep a tab on your progress. Sport single grill seems the easier option to go with, but s-line will be a little better. Does any of this affect insurance?

 

[Ads]

Does any of this affect insurance?

Potentially EVERYTHING affects your insurance, even minor modifications such as tints, so you can imagine that a lot of insurance companies will look to make a quick buck out of you modifying almost the entire front end of your car to make it look newer than it is.
Always best to check with your insurer first if you're worried about this sort of thing.