Sprint Blue DTM - Midas Owner Thread

The headlamps I’d been anxiously waiting to sort for ages. Really annoys me how faded they can look. Was also annoying me how everytime I got in the car I got a bulb out warning for the DRL’s.

The headlamp lenses came from AliExpress surprisingly. Was very dubious with quality when I ordered, but figured I try them. Got the lamps apart easily enough with use of a heat gun. Getting the old glue off was a pain really, but I wanted it out so I could use fresh sealant. I also wanted to paint the chrome part of the lamp which attaches to the lenses. The hockey sticks if you will. But I didn’t want to go black. So I’ve sprayed these the same grey as I’ve paint the Audi badges I have on the front and rear. I actually think these look great, and once back together i was happy with the result.
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Reassembly of the bumper now, time to see how much won’t fit etc.

I did order a new grille. Which was a bit of a gamble, but I’d always had it in my head that there’s too much black on the front of the car for the Blue colour. I ordered a grille from AliExpress, which has the silver affect just like the S4 etc. I believe this grille try’s to emulate the later RS6 grille setup. Although if I’m honest I didn’t expect to get the Quattro badging with it.
On trying it up to my bumper, it was immediately clear that the centre bar of the bumper would have to be either modified to fit, or cut completely out. I went for completely out. Rettached my grille badge from my existing grille, and also took the DTM badge that James had on the bootlid when I bought it. This now sits on the grille at the front.
I also got a number plate plinth with the grille which I didn’t expect. But with my shorted plate, it would look a bit meh. So I cut the plinth in half, plastic welded it back together, refinished it, plastic primed it, and sprayed it satin black. Looks great now, and is one of those simple things which makes a big difference.
I was also unsure of the Quattro badge. It came with the letters outlined in chrome. Bit bold for me. Was toying with the idea of not using it at all. But I decided to prime and paint it in the same gun metal grey I used on my Audi rings, and now also on my headlamp hockey sticks. I can always remove at a later date if I decide it’s still too bold.

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So since this point, I’ve been getting out and about really. Although I haven’t really taken any notable pics yet to show how the car looks. The ride height has settled down a little more, although I’m still thinking of taking out the 10mm spacers On the springs. I do prefer the look of the front end now. I realise others won’t, but it’s all individual isn’t it.

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Popped over to one of my customers, and he had his Charger out in the sunshine. I’m amazed how small my car looks next to it.

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And then a trip to Unphased in Bolton, with Sandip and Brad. First time I’ve been to a gathering in ages really. Feels good to be getting back to myself.

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So…..some major jobs ticked off. Also fitted an up rated Forge diverter valve whilst front end was off, no pics of this though.

Jobs to come now, are customise some rear lamps I’ve ordered. Mine are toast as the plastic thimbles that hold them to the wing are toast.
I’ve also got a complete replacement headliner and pillar trims. Was always wondering if to fit it as it’s perfect, or get it trimmed in alcantara.
And…..I want to upgrade the brakes. Rears I’m going to obtain some S4 rear calipers and go with vented rears. Fronts……I’ve just obtained some 18z front calipers, and I’ll utilise the setup that Bradders is running. So lots to do.
Also got to do the cam chain, I have all the parts to complete this, plus a vac pump, and also the coolant flange. Just need time and weather.

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nothing wrong with that grille by the way i do like them but they don't it the S-line bumppers otherwise i would've gotten one already... that all said nice work you've done already and the car looks way better for it.
 
northpole said:
nothing wrong with that grille by the way i do like them but they don't it the S-line bumppers otherwise i would've gotten one already... that all said nice work you've done already and the car looks way better for it.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, really do appreciate that.
 
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Gt another job done this week. I changed the bulbs in the rear lights last year, and as I’m sure is very common, the little thimbles that enter the rear quarter just snapped clean off. Annoying as the lamps pretty much loose like this.
I’ve been toying with the idea of fitting aftermarket semi-tinted LED’s but I just can’t find a set I like. They all just look far too modern and personally, I think they’ll just ruin the appearance.
So I bought some used Genuine lamps off eBay, and utilise some Lamin-X film I had left from when I tinted my B5 rears, so I can do a semi-tint myself. I’ve always thought the half red half tint looks good, going all the way back to the Hella semi-tint rears that were on a Mk2 Golf.

So I began by rubbing the lamp down with wet & dry (wet obviously) from 600 grit, through 800/1000/1500/2000/2500 and 3000 grit. And finally buffing with a DA and Chemical Guys headlamp repair compound. Finish is like glass, as below.

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I’ve then applied the Lamin-X with water spray, and used a squeegee to get rid of the air and placed where I want it. A heat gun helped here as well, but delicately. I think used too much of the heat gun, and then applied panel wipe…….which then reacted, and caused me some issues on my 1st lamp. See below.

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I had to kind of start again with this one. Masked off the Lamin-X, and wet sanded the lamp until it cut through the reaction. It’s not perfect, but it’s 95% better than it was.
Got busy with the second lamp, plus I also used a narrow width trim brush to get behind the edges where the lense meets the bulb housing. These lamps look rubbish when all mildew or just muck gets stuck behind the lense.

result is below, I do like them, but maybe not as much as I wanted.


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I’ll get them fitted tomorrow maybe or Friday. See how they look on the car. Distinct possibility I may look at getting a different shade of tint from Lamin-X, sell these ones, and try again. We shall see.
 
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Well, got them on. About as subtle as I wanted it to be in fairness. Not done the inners yet, get that done this week.
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Aye they don’t look too bad. Applied the Lamin-X to the corners of the inner lamps today.

started on the lower door trims today, rebonded and sealed the outer section to the inner section. I’ll get busy with the wet and dry this week, sanding and smoothing.

Got 2 more jobs I really need to do, the roof lining and the timing chain.
 
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Talking about the roofliner, I'm in 2 minds of pulling mine out and just resin it over... once dry, polish it and call it a day.. it'll never sag again that way plus it'll add a personal touch.... not sure if i want to do it though as it's not an easy job.
 
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Buying a used headliner makes a lot of sense, especially if it's good to go, like that one, but even if it isn't, it can be dropped off for re-lining and hopefully then it's only a while u wait job for installation. I've been looking for one myself but can't find any beige B7 Avant ones yet, or any that is (for some reason there is loads and loads of B8/9s around:blink:). A sagging roof is a sore sight, and pins, however tastefully placed and undignified bodge for these cars. BTW it's not the glue that fails it's the foam. Try to find someone who uses the proper material, which is lined over the foam for longer lasting. But trying to find anyone round here in the Midlands who can do headliners, is proving difficult, I'd of thought there was a demand for them, but there you go!

BTW that Dodge looks crazy and then Mr. President wonders why we don't buy more American cars here. I like em though and the retro ICE Mustangs, some of the few yank tanks I'd have.
 
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Managed to get some current pics, so this where we’re at now the new suspension has settled, new front end is on, Genuine mudflaps are on, and rear lamps changed.

Currently in the shed spraying door blades. Then I’ll go about taking the headliner out when it gets a bit sunnier next week.

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