Conversion from pre-facelift double grill bumper to facelift S-line bumper

[mattandrew]

Ok here goes, after months of deciding I took the plunge and went for the conversion. Originally I had the split grill on my A3 - at the time of buying it was at the top end of my budget so was the best I could get. Leather interior was on the priority. My first purchase was the ABT front conversion panel, then I fitted an ABT lower spolier - I loved the look of this but still wanted the single grill so took the plunge.

At purchase

With ABT lower spoiler and ABT front panel

For the conversion I had to purchase

• Front bumper
• Side reinforcement bar (runs behind bumper side to side)
• Bonnet
• Fog surrounds x 2
• Fog lights x 2
• Fog light plugs x 2
• Repair wire for Fog connectors

The bonnet on the pre-facelift is a slight different shape to the facelift bumper

I didn't use the red bumper in the pic - this is for sale

The old bumper was removed along with other panels to gain access to bolts etc. Across the middle behind the bumper is the aluminum side reinforcement which needs to be replaced.

The new bonnet was then fitted. The bonnet is the same on all single grill 8P's.

All the rubber/plastic plugs etc were transferred to the new bonnet as was the sound proofing.

I managed to source an S-line bumper, only a month or so old from a fellow member (Nathan aka N8KOW) the beauty of this was the bumper was the same colour as mine (well i was hoping the shade was correct as when the bonnet went for painting I found there are 9 shades of akoya silver.)

The bumper went on like a dream, lined up to all the mounts like a glove. Before the bumper went on I fitted a new black optics grill (still have old one if I choose to change), new fogs - as the old ones are a different shape and fog surrounds.

All the under tray, panels etc, were then refitted. I still need to fit the new plugs for the fog lights as the new fogs are a different shape and also the plug is different to the foglights fitted to the facelift 8P. Some of the early single grill bumpers use the same fogs as the split grill bumper.

The car then went to the body shop to have the bonnet sprayed.
A few other mods can be seen in the pics - Votex side skirts, these need respraying as the colour match is slightly out as the body shop sprayed them without the car been present to get a perfect match. Also the tints have been done 35% all round.

The result

Edit - You don't need the carrier its the side reinforcement you need (the aluminum bar that runs behind the bumper, side to side)

 

[redbutcher]

Brilliant job Matt .

Is that your garage in the fitting pictures? Wish my garage was that big - excellent work area for doing jobs that take a bit of time.

:icon_thumright:

 

[mattandrew]

Brilliant job Matt .

Is that your garage in the fitting pictures? Wish my garage was that big - excellent work area for doing jobs that take a bit of time.

:icon_thumright:

Yeah I live next door to work so its ideal, bit to close at times as its a family business

 

[Lex]

that looks amazing matey,

how much did it cost if you dont mind me asking?

i would be very interested in doing this.

looks stuning and i get what you mean about the tints, i think the 35% is just right.

well done fella


lex

 

[SteveTDCi]

That looks a good conversion, tints look great too.

 

[N8]

You forgot to mention about the S3 conversion you did on the same day

 

[mattandrew]

You forgot to mention about the S3 conversion you did on the same day

Good point thr! On the same day i converted nathans sportback to the S3 front end. That also went like clock work.

 

[Von Maximo]

Excellent write up! This will be a great source of reference for many people.

Thanks for sharing this with us Matt

 

[N8]

Good point thr! On the same day i converted nathans sportback to the S3 front end. That also went like clock work.

Don't worry about it, I'll include it in my write up that I'll do most probably on saturday after I've washed the car!

 

[khalil]

looks so flipping good got to say!!, me want to get that done to, so hope you can help, mine is the double grill at the moment,
(1)so i need a new s line bumper are you selling the red one??
(2) the bonnet as you say its different so i would need that too but is the normal single grill bonnet same as the sline one??
(3) the fogs lights are they the same as i have on my double grill or would i need the fogs of a single grill ones or is the sline grill totally different??
(4) and finally where did you get the parts from meaning stuff like the fog surround connectors

many thanks

 

[PNH80]

I'm still not sold on the black optiks grille with akoya silver but the conversion looks fantastic mate. BIG difference.

 

[mattandrew]

that looks amazing matey,

how much did it cost if you dont mind me asking?

i would be very interested in doing this.

looks stuning and i get what you mean about the tints, i think the 35% is just right.

well done fella


lex

Ive not added up the total cost, but its not half as expensive as people think

looks so flipping good got to say!!, me want to get that done to, so hope you can help, mine is the double grill at the moment,
(1)so i need a new s line bumper are you selling the red one??
(2) the bonnet as you say its different so i would need that too but is the normal single grill bonnet same as the sline one??
(3) the fogs lights are they the same as i have on my double grill or would i need the fogs of a single grill ones or is the sline grill totally different??
(4) and finally where did you get the parts from meaning stuff like the fog surround connectors

many thanks

1. Any single frame grilled bumper will do the job, the S-line looks the best. Yes I am selling the red one, its got a few marks but nothing which a respray wount sort. PM if interested.
2. All bonnets on the single frame grill are the same regardless of the bumper.
3. The fog lights are different on the later single grill sline bumpers, some of the earlyier single frame bumper use the same fogs. You will also need to change the fogs plugs(there not expensive)
4. All parts were purchased through my work so get trade discount, PM if you need any parts.

Hope this helps
Matt

 

[khalil]

Ive not added up the total cost, but its not half as expensive as people think



1. Any single frame grilled bumper will do the job, the S-line looks the best. Yes I am selling the red one, its got a few marks but nothing which a respray wount sort. PM if interested.
2. All bonnets on the single frame grill are the same regardless of the bumper.
3. The fog lights are different on the later single grill sline bumpers, some of the earlyier single frame bumper use the same fogs. You will also need to change the fogs plugs(there not expensive)
4. All parts were purchased through my work so get trade discount, PM if you need any parts.

Hope this helps
Matt

i will PM you as i am really looking into doing that it all just depends what its going to cost me, what about the side skirts where you get them from and how much if you dont mind me asking i been looking every where for them

 

[Big A]

The new front end looks so much better, what a difference. Its like a new car :thumbsup: Would definately do this mod myself if I get an older double grille A3, but hopefully with an S3 bumper

 

[N8]

Well pm 'mattandrew' Big A, he did my conversion!

 

[magnus911]

Looks fantastic, although I really like the look with the ABT Spoiler / front panel too!

Don't suppose they're up for sale?!

 

[Boydie]

Mate - can you put up a list of parts, number and price please or send me a pm with this info - looking to do the conversion this summer!

thanks

 

[khalil]

ye me too please

 

[mattandrew]

Looks fantastic, although I really like the look with the ABT Spoiler / front panel too!

Don't suppose they're up for sale?!

Yes the whole bumper is up for sale, PM me with offers. As the lower spoiler is blended into the bumper it will all go together.

Im away for the weekend so ill reply sunday night

Mate - can you put up a list of parts, number and price please or send me a pm with this info - looking to do the conversion this summer!

thanks

Ill do it after the weekend

 

[Relaxitscool]

Matt, that looks seriously good, nice job! I wish you'd pack it in though, my list if things to do on my car keeps getting longer everytime I see your car! Enough already!

Rob

 

[Big A]

Well pm 'mattandrew' Big A, he did my conversion!

Will do mate. At the moment still thinking about getting an A3 or BMW 1 / 3 Series. My boss is considering getting a new A3 in June so might see what his is like first before I decide if its Audi or BMW.

 

[redbutcher]

1 series I wouldn't even look at if you want to transport people using the back seats. The legroom is awful and the boot is tiny.

I borrowed a 120D M-Sport for an evening before going for the A3 - lovely engine in the BM, but the space in the back was non existent. The wife had a drive and loved it - but she loves driving the A3 as well now we've got it.

 

[Big A]

Really like the look of the A3, but am unsure if it will be too much like a VW. I've only ever had VW's and after 5 of them fancy moving to something a little more upmarket.

The 1 Series gets great reviews, but like you say they all mention the poor rear legroom. TBH I very rarely have people in the back of my car and when I do its not for a long period of time. Also like the 3 Series Touring, but that is coming in above my budget.

 

[sat1983]

The engines are better (120d and 123d are cracking) in the BM but I wouldn't call a 1 series more upmarket than an A3. They don't sell nowhere near as well as the A3, it says it all.
The interior really lets the beemer down.

 

[Big A]

Was meaning that both the Audi and BMW are more upmarket than VW mate. I'm really disappointed how poor VW's have become. Having owned an old Polo Derby Classic, Polo coupe, Polo 16v, Mk4 Golf and currently a Bora, i feel that the older Polo's I had were a much better quality and more reliable than my Golf and Bora. As much as I like the look of the Mk5 Golf it no longer has the quality feel to it of VW's of old. Thats my only concern with the A3 if it is too much like the Mk5, thats why I am considering the 1 Series too.

 

[sat1983]

The interior of the A3 is nothing like a golf- believe me the A3 is miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles better!!

 

[redbutcher]

The interior of the A3 is nothing like a golf- believe me the A3 is miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles better!!

I had a MKV Golf for 3 years before getting the A3 - there is no comparison - I thought the Golf was good until I got the Audi.

 

[audisturg]

i was also looking at doing this aswell soon as my front bumper is scratched badly and needs a refurb, i did not realise a new bonnet was needed though do you have a price which it would cost for the conversion? pm me if you wish, somehow i think its going to be pricey. but yours has turned out stunning anyway and looks really good.

 

[RobinA3]

Looks really good.

I am glad someone has finally done the conversion and proved that the older style bonnet doesn't fit the single grill bumper!

Well done, looks spot on!

 

[khalil]

Yes the whole bumper is up for sale, PM me with offers. As the lower spoiler is blended into the bumper it will all go together.

Im away for the weekend so ill reply sunday night




Ill do it after the weekend

hi mate thanks for the reply i am still looking into it and trying to find the best and cheapist way round it, i think i will getting the sline bumper of you, can you help me with the following part numbers pls

fogs surrounds part no ????????????
fogs part no ????????????
carrier PART No 8PO 807 113E (is this right?)
Sline optics grill part no ????????????
bonnet part no ????????????
Fog plugs and wires part no ????????????

many thanks mate

 

[mattandrew]

Has this thread given anyone a help on the way to get the conversion done??

If any one is interested in the conversion drop me a PM

 

[mattandrew]

RETAIL prices inc VAT from Audi are as follows

Sline/S3 fog each £57.35 (2)
Fog plugs each £5.72 (2)
Fog repair wires each about £5.00 (2)

Side impact reinforcement/carrier £56.28

S3 optics grill £234.30
S3 silver grill £134.80
S3 bumper £230.96
S3 fog surround each £20.54 (2)
S3 fog back each £12.69 (2)

Sline optics grill £109.93
Sline silver grill £77.90
Sline number plate surround £40.24
Sline bumper £231.99
Sline fog surround each £20.54 (2)

Sline/S3 bonnet £178.63
Sline badge £9.66


Number in brackets is how many are required

With the 2nd facelift now due out it will be interesting to see what parts are the same.

 

[MarcQuinlivan]

I've just compared the MY07 and MY09 ETKA listings for the bumper, bonnet and foglights.

It would appear that the only parts that look to be the same are as follows:

• the MY07 S-Line\S3 foglights are the same as the MY09 fog lights for all models
• the grille surround has the same part number for MY07 and MY09, while the grille itself has changed for all MY09 models
• the Audi, S-Line and S3 badges for the grille are the same
• only some of the bolts, nuts and torx screws are the same. many have changed for some reason.

There are also several parts where the part number has been incremented by a letter so it is not clear if these are just superseded parts or all new ones.

I guess we'll have to wait for someone to take the plunge before getting a definitive list.

 

[samuelt]

just out of intrest if i bought a 2006 A3 SE or sport what parts do you need to add on the optic grill and S-line bumper?

thank you

 

[NHN]

if u have single grill then I think its just the bumper & the grill as bonnet is newer shape & bump bar is newer aswell, MATTY can you confirm?

 

[mattandrew]

just out of intrest if i bought a 2006 A3 SE or sport what parts do you need to add on the optic grill and S-line bumper?

thank you

You will need optics, sline bumper, fogs, fog wires and fog plugs.
The newer sline bumper use different fogs

 

[mechanic69]

RETAIL prices inc VAT from Audi are as follows

Sline/S3 fog each £57.35 (2)
Fog plugs each £5.72 (2)
Fog repair wires each about £5.00 (2)

Side impact reinforcement/carrier £56.28

Sline optics grill £109.93
Sline silver grill £77.90
Sline number plate surround £40.24
Sline bumper £231.99
Sline fog surround each £20.54 (2)

Sline/S3 bonnet £178.63
Sline badge £9.66


Number in brackets is how many are required

Matt,

You've done a great job on the A3. It's set me off, I want to have a go. Are these parts from an 06 A3 S-line? I don't have access to ETKA any chance of posting the part numbers?

What kind of trade discount would you get?

Regards

Jason

 

[khalil]

Matt,

You've done a great job on the A3. It's set me off, I want to have a go. Are these parts from an 06 A3 S-line? I don't have access to ETKA any chance of posting the part numbers?

What kind of trade discount would you get?

Regards

Jason

ye i done this conversion to my car all thanks to MATT, oh that reminds me got to post some photos, trust me the car looks awesome after the conversion,get it done!!!

 

[Khufu]

I see there is a guy on ebay selling the s3 fog surrounds, £60 for the pair - Matt has them listed as £20.54 each new. He's kinda asking a bit much!!!

 

[Khufu]

Have you thought about this mod to the fog light grills?

Guy over on Fourtitude did it, I think it looks better.

http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=3631873