benJee_S3's Progress Thread - A4 3.0TDI Black Edition B8.5 Avant

[BenJee_S3]

Hi all! Been a member of AS.net since my S3 days 10 years ago. After 10 years of company cars, I've come back to vehicle ownership so picked up a B8.5 Avant 3.0TDI back in January.

I've already made quite a lot of progress on the car, so thought I'd document it for anyone interested in some of the mods I've done. Hoping to keep it relatively subtle, but bring the car up-to-date whilst making mods where I can that would probably go unnoticed to the untrained eye.

I'll try and edit this post with the list of modifications as they are done:

Mods:

Exterior
Debadged '3.0 tdi & A4 from tailgate
Black rear Audi rings
OEM gloss black rear diffuser
OEM Audi accessory black tail pipes
Genuine RS4 roof spoiler in gloss black
Metal pressed number plates

Genuine gloss black front grille
Black Audi rings
Black S-line badges on side and front grille
New genuine front fogs with LED bulbs
Gloss black mirror caps
Gloss black side blades
Dynamic side repeaters (smoked)
Audi R8 oil cap and coolant cap
Genuine aluminium fuel cap

Interior
Genuine carbon fibre centre console trim
Genuine carbon fibre airbag Quattro trim
Genuine carbon fibre door card trims all round
Android Auto retrofit
Genuine Audi S4 gear shifter
LED bulb kit for complete interior


OEM Replacements fitted
6x Genuine injectors (and all seals/clamps/bolts)
6x Glow Plugs
Brake discs and pads all round
Genuine alternator
Alternator belt and all pulleys/tensioners
Genuine battery
Coolant bottle
Flywheel
Engine service
Interior mats all round
MMI rotary knob repair kit
S-Line sill trim strip (OS/R)
Main Undertrays
Wiper Blades all round
4x Genuine Centre Caps
Full set of wheel nut caps
OEM Audi roof rack
OEM Audi cycle carriers
Tailgate trim panel
Boot side trims
Washer nozzles front and rear
Genuine key


Plans To-do
Gloss black roof
Paint correction
Gloss black window trims
Clean up and paint brake calipers
Timing Chain kit
Oil filter housing
Oil cooler replacement
Remap
Take away to do the NC500!




Pics from the add when I bought it in Jan.

 

[BenJee_S3]

First thing I did was replace the MMI knobs, wheels caps and wheel nut caps which were all letting the car down

Then also added a few cosmetic touches. Audi R8 oil & coolant caps and genuine Audi aluminium fuel cap:

 

[BenJee_S3]

Then came the carbon...

Replaced the piano black trims on the dash, all 4 door cards and the centre console trim for the genuine carbon fibre pieces which were an option from factory:

 

[BenJee_S3]

I then cleaned up the rear by debadging the 'TDI Quattro's and 'A4' badges. Followed by some metal pressed number plates with the correct spacing as well as a gloss black rear lower bumper section:

Which I then had to follow up by replacing my satin black front grille to a Genuine gloss black alternative, with black Audi rings and black S-Line badge instead of the chrome Quattro badge. Changed the fogs for brand new units too as these were looking tired and replaced the H8 halogen fog bulbs for LED:

 

[BenJee_S3]

Finished off the rear debadge and added black Audi rings (the first set I bought were from a later model and too big)

But for me, the chrome tailpipes now stood out like a sore thumb, so went for some black tips

 

[BenJee_S3]

Then decided to bring the MMI up to date by installing an Android Auto box, which I've been really impressed with! All hidden away, connects to my phone wirelessly and still retains the steering wheel controls and reverse camera etc. Amazing value mod!

 

[BenJee_S3]

Spent last Sunday evening removing the original tailgate spoiler. Used my heat gun and some trim removal tools to remove 12 years worth of adhesive and sealant! Which resulted in me getting impatient and just ripping it off, snapping it in half ‍

It was then a race against the dying light to get rid of the remaining adhesive, clean it up then apply the new sealant to the RS4 spoiler. As you can see, it was dark by the time I had finished! But will get some better picks soon, as have also since added some tempered black surround pieces that join the bottom of the spoiler down the rear screen either side.

 

[Stickystuff]

Nice looking car and some subtle mods. Where did you get the Carbon trims from? Although I don't have a quattro so wonder if there are some available without the quattro badge...

 

[BenJee_S3]

Nice looking car and some subtle mods. Where did you get the Carbon trims from? Although I don't have a Quattro so wonder if there are some available without the quattro badge...

Thank you! Got them direct from Audi. They're only available with Quattro on unfortunately! (well, Genuine that is. You may find an option without Quattro online) Part number for the dash trim is 8K2853189L 7V7

The rest are:

Centre Console: 8K0863305M 7V7
Front Doorcards: 8K0867409E 7V7, 8K0867410E 7V7
Rear Doorcards: 8K0867419E 7V7, 8K0867420E 7V7
Dash Trim: 8K2853189L 7V7

I'm also selling this complete set in Piano Black which i'm happy to get rid of for sensible money rather than dealing with eBay/marketplace etc!

 

[BenJee_S3]

Some better pics of the black mirror caps, spoiler and canards:

 

[BenJee_S3]

Gave it a wash, took the roof rack off and cleaned up the engine bay a tad too:

Also got the alternator and complete auxiliary system replaced:

 

[BenJee_S3]

Got my gloss black side blades back yesterday too, looking forward to see how these look fitted!

 

[bobby singh]

Looking good - I would recommend injector seal change on these.
I have them in stock if you need them

 

[BenJee_S3]

Looking good - I would recommend injector seal change on these.
I have them in stock if you need them

Hi Bobby, many thanks! I changed all the injector washers, including copper washers, rubber seal rings/leak off rings, clamps and bolts and rocker cover plug seals when I changed all 6 injectors. 1 injector went on me so just changed the whole lot to be safe!

 

[BenJee_S3]

Got the roof sprayed in gloss black to match the other gloss trims. There was some stone chips where the windscreen meets the roof that started to get rusty so got it dealt with, finished in black then flatted and polished up. Really happy with the finish!

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[Stickystuff]

Looks good, How much di the roof spray set you back if you don't mind me asking?

I have a red A4 and also have stone chips at the front where it meets the windscreen. I was contemplating spraying with a rattle can to protect from Rust and then getting some gloss black wrap. But not sure if it will be more cost effective or not

 

[BenJee_S3]

Looks good, How much di the roof spray set you back if you don't mind me asking?

I have a red A4 and also have stone chips at the front where it meets the windscreen. I was contemplating spraying with a rattle can to protect from Rust and then getting some gloss black wrap. But not sure if it will be more cost effective or not

Thanks mate! No cost to me, as the bodyshop owed me a favour, but it would definitely be more cost effective to get it wrapped I'd say. It took him a day to sand down, prime and top coat. Another to lacquer and set, another to flat and polish properly so 2-3 days work.

Mine had the same, a few stonechips that then were exposed to the elements and started to go rusty. One slip with a pressure washer away from being forced into a respray! But at least with a wrap, it's reversible down the line!

 

[BenJee_S3]

Car currently in for Timing chain, Flywheel, Gearbox service, oil Filter housing, oil cooler, Turbo Rebuild and general tidy up!

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[BenJee_S3]

Car still in the garage, timing chain now all fitted, just waiting for injector seats to be ground and polished as there was some damage in one of the ports.

Hoping to have back for the weekend in with the gearbox serviced as well!

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[BenJee_S3]

Car still in the garage, timing chain now all fitted, just waiting for injector seats to be ground and polished as there was some damage in one of the ports.

Hoping to have back for the weekend in with the gearbox serviced as well!

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[BenJee_S3]

State of the old inlet ports thank god I changed for a new one on the off-chance...

Got the car back now, feels much stronger, pulls smoother and no rattle from the flywheel now!

Hopefully give it a detail with some pics this week.

Also got the later A6 fan jet washer nozzles to retrofit, a genuine S4 gear shifter to fit and cleaning up the calipers with a lick of paint too, so hopefully an update to come.

Also noticed one of the rear tyres now identifying as semi-slick so gonna have to fork out another £180 odd for a matching Pirelli P Zero Audi Approved

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[BenJee_S3]

Small update, swapped the washer jets out for the fan jet nozzles from a later A6 and replaced the rear tailgate panel as it was scuffed and scratched

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[BenJee_S3]

Mini detail over the weekend. Hopefully some small updates to come this week too

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[Stickystuff]

Looks great, I do love them in grey

 

[BenJee_S3]

Boring update, there was a slight dusty smell coming from the vents when the fan started running... So I cleared out the absolute forest that was under the scuttle, put a new genuine Audi pollen filter in and ran a disinfectant air con bomb for 10 mins with the doors and windows closed and fan on full blast. New air freshener too. Hopefully coupled with an interior valet soon, will be the last of the musky smell.

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[Stickystuff]

well now that you've done that I need to check mine make sure I don't have a forest growing either
I've had an AC bomb for a couple of months and still not done it. I need to replace my rear wheel bearings this weekend so might combine them together

 

[BenJee_S3]

well now that you've done that I need to check mine make sure I don't have a forest growing either
I've had an AC bomb for a couple of months and still not done it. I need to replace my rear wheel bearings this weekend so might combine them together

Yeah well worth checking! Only takes 2 secs to unscrew the single flat head clip and pull the scuttle back. Couldn't believe the state of it!

Side note, I'm going to take my pollen filter out again this weekend and see if I can use my phone camera and torch to check the state of the A/C evaporator. Supposedly these get mucked up and can go mouldy and add to the smell. A long tipped end of a hoover then a brush and eventually a spray with some cleaner (Liqui-Moly so a proper AC cleaner with a super long nozzle) will hopefully get it like new!

AC bomb worth doing too, just gives it a fresher smell through the vents at the least!

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[BenJee_S3]

Gave mine and the missus car a clean in and out so took the opportunity for some photos!

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