Seb's A3 - Project?

[sebbie]

Figured I would start up a project thread for a couple of reasons. Mainly because I'm new to the detailing/modding scene and I'm hoping with a few tips along the way, I can end up with something I'm really happy with! But also, to keep track of everything I'm doing.

Below are the pictures 'as bought'

Audi A3 2.0 T FSI Quattro



I was particularly happy with the paintwork, no dents and only one minor scrape but it's not seen unless you go up and look for it. Paid £3200 for it (£4900 - £1700 p/x). Runs great, no problems and sounds great! Though I am coming from a 1.4 Ibiza so..

Anyway things I've got in mind.

Height

I'd like it lowered a tad as the height bugs me a little. H&R springs seem to be popular on here but I'm still undecided whether coilovers would be a better option and to be quite frank, I'm not completely sure of the pros/cons of either.

Chassis

I'm pretty happy with the look of it. I fancy a sportier looking honeycomb/mesh grill, I'll look around for maybe an S3/RS3 styled one. Also the rear bumper annoys me slightly, though of course I have no idea what would fit so need to check this out.

Paintwork

I will eventually look to having it wrapped/sprayed when I can afford it. Detailing isn't something I'm looking to rush into, but eventually I'd like a 'finished article' that is at least as relatively stone chip free! But I'll not get that at the moment anyway with the amount of motorway/A road driving I do.

Performance

Looking around at remap's. There's alot of different opinions around and with prices ranging from £199 to £499 between manufacturers for Stage 1 remaps, I'm struggling to make a decision.

Wheels

It's currently on 17" Fat 5's which whilst I feel carry a certain, almost classic, Audi feel about them, I just can't warm to them. I'll be keeping my eye out on eBay for some 18"s, but inevitably I'll end up shelling out far more than I need to on some new ones. Though for most of this project I realise I would be better off with the second hand goods, if I want to wallet. I'll be keeping my eye out on here for second handy's roaming around too. Also, I've got 1 Michelin tyre, 2 Continental's and a Goodyear which have got about 3-4mm tread left so will need replacing soon.

So, to begin. The coolant sump needs flushing as it's got bits of - what looks like - rust in it. Assume the previous owner wasn't so keen on the anti-freeze and was just using water!

Also, see below. Is it possible to get this engine cover off? Any chance of a nice shiny engine cover sitting under there one day?



Thanks, I'll keep this updated as and when. Might go untouched for a month or so while I save for parts etc, but I thought I'd make it now so any questions I have might be answered.

/seb

 

[smurfworth]

Take a gander at my progress thread, I had h&r springs and ap coilovers and pics of both are in there, same colour a3 too so might give you an idea. Also they aren't fat fives, they are the standard sport alloys, you'll see in my progress thread what fat fives really are

 

[sebbie]

Take a gander at my progress thread, I had h&r springs and ap coilovers and pics of both are in there, same colour a3 too so might give you an idea. Also they aren't fat fives, they are the standard sport alloys, you'll see in my progress thread what fat fives really are

Ah, already been there!

I see what you mean about the fat fives, my mistake! Car looks great pal. Regarding the coily's, what would you recommend? Your ride height looks about as low as I'd want to go, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. I've seen anything from £180 kits to £850 for Eibach stuff etc!

 

[smurfworth]

Ah, already been there!

I see what you mean about the fat fives, my mistake! Car looks great pal. Regarding the coily's, what would you recommend? Your ride height looks about as low as I'd want to go, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. I've seen anything from £180 kits to £850 for Eibach stuff etc!

Good man! Ha, if you like the height of my a3 then AP's for definate, they are a favourite on here and lots of people have them.

My AP's will probably be for sale very soon too!

 

[sebbie]

Good man! Ha, if you like the height of my a3 then AP's for definate, they are a favourite on here and lots of people have them.

My AP's will probably be for sale very soon too!

Great stuff, I'll be looking to buy in about a month or so (July's payday), so I'll drop you a message nearer then to see if you still have them.

 

[pburv]

Hi sebbie.Like your new car..Has got potential. If you haven,t figured out by now all you have to do with the engine cover is give it a good tug and it will come off.It is only held on by rubber lugs about 4-6 if my memory serves me right.Good luck with the modding..All the best paul

 

[Jason-3.2]

Would love red leather in my black car! Looks good for the money!

 

[sebbie]

Hi sebbie.Like your new car..Has got potential. If you haven,t figured out by now all you have to do with the engine cover is give it a good tug and it will come off.It is only held on by rubber lugs about 4-6 if my memory serves me right.Good luck with the modding..All the best paul

Nah there's got to be more to it than that lol! I've just been out for another look and it is clear that there is an air filter or something which is attached. Unless it's just a cover for the air filter? I guess I can just put it back on if necessary, I'll try it tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[S3Alex]

Nah there's got to be more to it than that lol! I've just been out for another look and it is clear that there is an air filter or something which is attached. Unless it's just a cover for the air filter? I guess I can just put it back on if necessary, I'll try it tomorrow.

Thanks!

The intake and filter are integrated into the engine cover.

It hides a lot of ugly stuff to be fair.....

If you ignore the CAI on mine(which you would need if you remove the cover altogether),it looks like this....

More like a rat's nest....





Even now with a few shiny bits,it's not exactly pretty.