2.0 CR TDI Readers Ride / Build Thread

[TDI_TIM]

Hi Guys,

Thought id create a readers ride / build thread here as I have plans for my A3 2.0CR TDI 140 Black Edition. Plans are as follows;
Exterior:
170 Rear Valance
Twin exhaust tips (full Cobra / Milteck system to come)
LCR Front Splitter
Roof and Spoiler in gloss black
Red Calipers (before going for S3 345mm calipers & discs)

Interior:
S3 Pedals
Metal foot rest
Ambient LED upgrade

Performance:
DPF Delete
EGR Removal
Remap
Panel Filter / Open Cone
Upgraded silicone hoses

Handling / Brakes / Suspension:
ARB's (Still open to suggestions)
H&R Lowering Springs
S3 345mm Calipers, discs and pads

For all of you who may be wondering what I had / did before you can find it here;
Tim's Yellow Leon Cupra R (now 280bhp 313lb Torque) - SEAT Cupra.net - SEAT Forum - Leon Cupra R 280bhp and 313ftlb torque! I miss it badly :'(

Here are some pictures of my car (some from the dealers website, others from when I got it home)

 

[TDI_TIM]

So this weekend this arrived in the post;



Pedals, foot rest and my 170 Rear Valance. The valance and twin tip exhaust will be fitted this week but on Saturday I fitted the pedals and the foot rest using the guides on here;


Miles better! Bought both of ebay;
Pedals:
Audi A3 S3 RS3 8P NEW pedals original genuine Audi pedals RHD, best price | eBay

Foot rest:
AUDI A3 S3 BRUSHED STAINLESS STEEL FOOTREST NEW | eBay

Then I decided to go to work on the calipers. Sanding them down, masking them up, spraying them red (3 coats) and then applied 3 coats of lacquer and it gives an amazing finish. Also because of the lacquer these will last a long time, easy to clean and wont flake off.


A little bit of over spray on the disc, but after driving and braking this comes off and is no longer there. Now this is all dry I will be painting the hubs and discs in silver to get rid of the rusted look and make it look much fresher.

This is it for now, but the rear valance and twin tip is just around the corner as are the other mods!

Comments welcome

 

[AudiMafia]

nice looking car and specially with the new mods

 

[T33_BKD]

Pedals, foot rest and my 170 Rear Valance. The valance and twin tip exhaust will be fitted this week but on Saturday I fitted the pedals and the foot rest using the guides on here;
View attachment 20706 View attachment 20705 View attachment 20708 View attachment 20707

Miles better! Bought both of ebay;
Pedals:
Audi A3 S3 RS3 8P NEW pedals original genuine Audi pedals RHD, best price | eBay

Foot rest:
AUDI A3 S3 BRUSHED STAINLESS STEEL FOOTREST NEW | eBay

Cars looking great! those pedals really sets the interior off. i have the exact same ones lying around, haven't got round to fitting it yet. for the footrest/deadpedal did you drill the holes in?

 

[TDI_TIM]

nice looking car and specially with the new mods

Thanks, just a few tasteful mods for now then onto performance and handling next.

 

[TDI_TIM]

Hi, Yeah I removed the dead pedal plastic bit which is a bit of a nightmare, you have to unscrew a screw then lift the whoe thing UP not to out otherwise you will break the clips. I then lined up the dead pedal, drilled the 3 holes and put through the screws and nuts and tightened it all up. It does vibrate ever so slightly, so I'm thinking of putting a little bit of glue or something under it to stop it rattling. Very minor but I can hear it!

Here are some pics of the removal and fitting of it, you can see the clips and the bracket.



Hope that helps

 

[A3Kent]

When are you getting the twin exhaust on mate? Looking forward to seeing the twin s-line diffuser I supplied, fitted

 

[T33_BKD]

thanks for that! I had a go at installing them last night, and you could really tell the difference...it feels as if this has increased my bhp lol. no rattling noises yet though
pics not that great, but will have a crack at doing the accelerator pedal today View attachment 20746

 

[TDI_TIM]

When are you getting the twin exhaust on mate? Looking forward to seeing the twin s-line diffuser I supplied, fitted

haha thanks again for supplying it - Only just got around to fitting it / getting it fitted as I had a broken foot and wasn't allowed to drive! Cast came off last week so been driving non stop (btw I bought the car when my foot was broken haha) I will be getting it fitted this week sometime, going to take it to an exhaust specialist tomorrow to get them to look at it and decide whats the best thing to do, chop and change the existing single tail pipe or but on a back box.

 

[TDI_TIM]

thanks for that! I had a go at installing them last night, and you could really tell the difference...it feels as if this has increased my bhp lol. no rattling noises yet though
pics not that great, but will have a crack at doing the accelerator pedal today View attachment 20746

The look and feel so nice. The foot rest just rattles slightly I will sort it out, maybe needs tightening up a bit. The accelerator pedal is pretty easy to do mate just follow the guide online and it took me like 5 mins if that to remove and replace.

 

[TDI_TIM]

OK so quick update - last weekend I spent some time doing my rear calipers to match my front calipers. Now lets be honest here, the standard calipers and brakes are tiny and pathetic but I still think its a nice aesthetic mod until I upgrade to S3 / R32 brakes (Front and Rear) also - by painting these red, I can then upgrade my brakes and the GF will be none the wiser



I will be getting the twin tailpipes and rear valance sorted soon, just finding time around work etc.. to get it done. Its actually a really simple job as the rear silencer is about half way under the car and then the rest of the exhaust is a single pipe running to a tailpipe. Easy enough to cut of and weld on a twin tailpipe!

And in case anyone is wondering it didn't take long at all (similar to my first post) used a wire brush to get the cr*p off and then wiped it down, masked it off, sprayed about 3 coats (after 1 light coat, so 4 in total) and then 3 layers of clear lacquer to add the shine and to protect the paint.

 

[TDI_TIM]

Quick update just bought some refurbished S3 calipers, carriers, braided hoses and EBC USR1285 discs (silver not black) and pads ready to be fitted - just got to wait a week for delivery and then they will go on. Tailpipe and rear valance will all go on at the same time - next lowering springs / coilovers

 

[TDI_TIM]

So been a few weeks since I last updated my progress thread - but I have now fitted the S3 calipers with USR grooved discs and braided hoses - the car stops on the dot. These brakes are ridiculously good and I am very happy for the upgrade. I bought the refurbed calipers, discs, pads and braided hoses from a company on eBay called "gbautomotive2010" and I could not recommend them any higher. Dave there looked after me perfectly, sourcing all the parts I needed plus speaking to USR directly in order to get me silver (not gold or black) discs.

I have also fitted the 170 S-line rear valance (replacing my stock 140 one - which is now for sale for £100 ono so message me if interested) and whilst fitting this I have a chrome twin tailpipe fitted too.

Lastly I have had a DPF Removal, EGR Blank and a custom remap on the car whilst the other work was being done and my oh my it pulls amazingly well and is super smooth through all the gears. Not sure on the output as I will need to get it on an RR to be certain but my mate who did it said that other cars with the came map have seen around +100 lb torque and around 40+ bhp. I wasn't looking for anything too aggressive as I just wanted a bit more power to play with and this map is perfect. I will get it RR to be certain and will post the read outs when I have them. But in the meantime feast your eyes on these;

 

[MAD_Adamski]

looks good tim i have a 170 too, i just had a darkside dpf delete full milltek egr delete and remap and it also pulls very well! did you get a downpipe or just the dpf gutted? i have seen gains of upto 10mpg on my journey's since the work,,, altho my clutch is now slipping at times

 

[TDI_TIM]

looks good tim i have a 170 too, i just had a darkside dpf delete full milltek egr delete and remap and it also pulls very well! did you get a downpipe or just the dpf gutted? i have seen gains of upto 10mpg on my journey's since the work,,, altho my clutch is now slipping at times

Mines actually a 140 I just had the DPF gutted and re-welded. Im not looking for speed as such just wanted some more power. I have another car for driving hard and fast in! At present my clutch seems fine, but then again its only done 30,000 miles so.... might be why!

 

[MAD_Adamski]

Ahhh yet yours won't slip at that point then.... ;-)

 

[MattKeating]

Looking good mate.
Quick question - do the older (2006) TDI's have an egr and dpf?

I've actually gone and bought the pedals and dead pedal after seeing your pics

 

[TDI_TIM]

Looking good mate.
Quick question - do the older (2006) TDI's have an egr and dpf?

I've actually gone and bought the pedals and dead pedal after seeing your pics

Matt (im sure to be corrected now) but I think they all have an EGR but only the newer models have a DPF fitted. I think they came in around 2007 / 2008? Jack it up and you will see it. Follow the exhaust from the engine and before the cat you will see something that looks like a cat this is the DPF - if its not there then you don't have one!

Yeah the pedals and dead pedal are fantastic, not too pricey either and look the business. Quick and easy to fit I followed the guides on the site.

 

[MattKeating]

Matt (im sure to be corrected now) but I think they all have an EGR but only the newer models have a DPF fitted. I think they came in around 2007 / 2008? Jack it up and you will see it. Follow the exhaust from the engine and before the cat you will see something that looks like a cat this is the DPF - if its not there then you don't have one!

Yeah the pedals and dead pedal are fantastic, not too pricey either and look the business. Quick and easy to fit I followed the guides on the site.

Yep - its Matt (Is there any way to change my profile name? - remove my surname)
Ah thanks, will take a look this weekend.
Need to get some pics up soon, recently bought my A3 (first Audi I've owned).

 

[TDI_TIM]

Yep - its Matt (Is there any way to change my profile name? - remove my surname)
Ah thanks, will take a look this weekend.
Need to get some pics up soon, recently bought my A3 (first Audi I've owned).

You can edit your name in the settings part im sure, just like you can edit your signature or add a picture. Well im pretty sure anyway.

Get a thread up with some pics be good to see your motor mate!

 

[TDI_TIM]

So over the weekend the plan was to buy and fit some lowering springs and spacers, foglights and heko wind deflectors. Unfortunatly due to my boiler playing up I had to postpone the springs and spacers and just fit the already purchased (December) bulbs and deflectors.

Got the bulbs from T8ups and they are a fantastic colour. Very easy to fit guys, literally just grab the grilles and pull hard, bit of left and right manoeuvring but they will come out. Then just a couple of cross head screws holding the fog in place. Undo these, disconnect the connector, replace bulb put back. Easy. Wind deflectors are a 2 min job (have the window down makes it easier, so many people try to fit with the window up!)

A few pics of the progress and finished result excuse the dirty car though... poor weather and all!

 

[Jay.Ing]

I would like to see how you get on with the LCR splitter as i wanted to do this but was informed that it wouldnt fit on the newer shape bumper becase it is curved on the bottom.

 

[TDI_TIM]

I would like to see how you get on with the LCR splitter as i wanted to do this but was informed that it wouldnt fit on the newer shape bumper becase it is curved on the bottom.

Yeah I have looked into it too - I think for the sake of £30 to see if it will fit isn't bad price. If it fits then I will then take it off, sand it smooth and spray it gloss black (including laquer) and then refit!

 

[TDI_TIM]

Quick update:

I have just bought;
* Whiteline rear anti roll bar
* Hubcentric Spacers - 10mm front and 15mm rear
* AP Coilovers
* Pressed Plates

I will be fitting them soon and will post some pics as usual

Few more plans;
* RS3 rear spoiler
* Roof and spoiler wrapped in gloss black
* Interior ambient lighting upgrades / mods
* Potentially a custom turbo back exhaust

 

[ROB A3 Quattro]

looks good tim i have a 170 too, i just had a darkside dpf delete full milltek egr delete and remap and it also pulls very well! did you get a downpipe or just the dpf gutted? i have seen gains of upto 10mpg on my journey's since the work,,, altho my clutch is now slipping at times

What's the price for that with Darkside how's it sound with the miltek? Looking to do this on my 170 cr

 

[Ironborn]

Coming along nicely this, how do you plan on fitting an RS3 rear spoiler? Genuine or eBay special? Also the front calipers are not S3.

 

[TDI_TIM]

Coming along nicely this, how do you plan on fitting an RS3 rear spoiler? Genuine or eBay special? Also the front calipers are not S3.

Cheers, a few more plans and that's about it for now. I'm thinking maybe an RS3 eBay special spoiler - but not adverse to going genuine, depends what is available come the time to buy it.

VW/AUDI/ 345mm calipers and carriers MK5 R32 TT S3 RED | eBay

Those are the S3 Calipers I bought - why do you say they are not S3 calipers? They are the same as these (below) just resprayed red with a metal blanking plate rather than S3 metal plate;

AUDI S3 2008 GENUINE 8P 2.0 CALIPERS CARRIERS DISC 345MM PADS BRAKE SET UP NEW | eBay

 

[TDI_TIM]

Quick Update:

So this all arrived in the post;
Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar
AP Coilovers (2nd hand, covered less than 10k miles and were in great condition)
10mm front spacers and bolts
15mm rear spacers and bolts

Then the time came to fitting it - pretty easy job to be honest, had access to my friends garage so ramp, air gun, tools and of course him (mechanic) so we got under way with the rears first and then the fronts. Pretty easy job to do, no real challenges, set the height and its good for now but I think I may need to lower the rears a bit more and remove the rear arch screw. Other than that the handling has really improved. All of these mods together has transformed the way the car corners, it was def worth it to minimise all the under steer and pretty much remove the body roll too.

Few pictures for you guys as I know you like them haha!

 

[ROB A3 Quattro]

Looking sweet think the rears look fine is it quattro as well?

 

[TDI_TIM]

Looking sweet think the rears look fine is it quattro as well?

Cheers mate - no its the FWD 140 engine... in hindsight I wish I had gone for the 170 BE Quattro - but they were very rare around here (Southampton) for a 3dr one. I looked for a while before purchasing this one, but I did really want a BE 3dr and ideally in white - so settled for the 140 - would of been nice to have had Quattro, but still haldex isn't it, so only XX% to the rears when its needed.

 

[MattKeating]

Does the rear anti roll bar make much of a difference? Mine is looking rather rusty, think I'm going to replace it in over the next year, will go whiteline too.
Where did you get your spacers from?

 

[Sidhu88]

Fancy selling your old shocks?

 

[wxc]

I see you cannot use the original anti-theft wheel lock nut??

I wonder if the Audi wheel nut caps fit over the new set of extended wheel bolts? that will make it look tidier, or at least blend in nicely with the colour of your alloys

 

[Ironborn]

Quick Update:

So this all arrived in the post;
Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar
AP Coilovers (2nd hand, covered less than 10k miles and were in great condition)
10mm front spacers and bolts
15mm rear spacers and bolts

Then the time came to fitting it - pretty easy job to be honest, had access to my friends garage so ramp, air gun, tools and of course him (mechanic) so we got under way with the rears first and then the fronts. Pretty easy job to do, no real challenges, set the height and its good for now but I think I may need to lower the rears a bit more and remove the rear arch screw. Other than that the handling has really improved. All of these mods together has transformed the way the car corners, it was def worth it to minimise all the under steer and pretty much remove the body roll too.

Few pictures for you guys as I know you like them haha!

Cheers, a few more plans and that's about it for now. I'm thinking maybe an RS3 eBay special spoiler - but not adverse to going genuine, depends what is available come the time to buy it.

VW/AUDI/ 345mm calipers and carriers MK5 R32 TT S3 RED | eBay

Those are the S3 Calipers I bought - why do you say they are not S3 calipers? They are the same as these (below) just resprayed red with a metal blanking plate rather than S3 metal plate;

AUDI S3 2008 GENUINE 8P 2.0 CALIPERS CARRIERS DISC 345MM PADS BRAKE SET UP NEW | eBay

Although small there is a difference, the S3 calipers look a bit bigger and meaner. How much was the anti roll bar if you don't me asking. Is it any lighter as well?

Yours:
View attachment 34628

S3:

 

[TDI_TIM]

Does the rear anti roll bar make much of a difference? Mine is looking rather rusty, think I'm going to replace it in over the next year, will go whiteline too.
Where did you get your spacers from?

I got the spacers from ebay - a company/user called jjt-auto;

2 X 15MM HUBCENTRIC ALLOY WHEEL SPACERS FIT AUDI A3 8P | eBay

I got both the 15mm and 10mm with extended bolts for £99.99 including postage which is exceptionally good. Michael was really helpful and fast to answer my questions. I would recommend them anyway, next day (free) delivery too.

The whiteline one is a lot thicker to really help with the body roll and handling. Really tightens up the rear end! I havnt pushed it yet as I need the wheel alignment done but with the coilies and spacers on plus the ARB it feels a lot sharper, more planted with less under steer and body roll.

 

[TDI_TIM]

I see you cannot use the original anti-theft wheel lock nut??

I wonder if the Audi wheel nut caps fit over the new set of extended wheel bolts? that will make it look tidier, or at least blend in nicely with the colour of your alloys

Yeah unfortunately you can't as the bolts have to be extended in order to fit to the hub with the spacers. The caps will fit over nicely but need another 3.... so will have to try and source them / look online for some!

 

[TDI_TIM]

Although small there is a difference, the S3 calipers look a bit bigger and meaner. How much was the anti roll bar if you don't me asking. Is it any lighter as well?

Yours:
View attachment 34628

S3:
View attachment 34629

I see what you mean but other than the carrier bit (closest to the middle of the wheel) being a slightly different shape and having 2 buts that point out, the caliper looks identical. The size of the caliper is the same too as are the discs. Whether they are S3 or the V6 345mm calipers - either way they are really good, fully refurbed before I bought them and combined with the discs and pads they are very very good (not as good as my 4 pot Brembos on my Cupra R though!)

I was going to buy the ARB from Awesome GTI as they have knocked the prices down to £157 (I think) plus £10 postage = £167 but I emailed Damian at DPM and he beat the genuine quote so it was £165 inc delivery. Turned up the next day, couldn't fault that at all! Would of bought the coilovers from him too but I found a great 2nd hand set for half the price.

The ARB is a lot thicker and it is heavier than standard and it is also fully adjustable soft/medium/hard. I have set it to the hard setting as advised by a number of forums members as I wasn't fitting a front ARB.