New UpBadging FTL?

[sakimano]

We've seen our share of upbadging around here...and the pics are always good for a laugh (S/RS badges slapped on A cars)

Being an A4 owner as well as an S4 owner, I get a bit more exposure than most to the A4 forum pertaining to my car (B8). There's something that I seem to be at odds with the A4 guys about, so I thought I'd ask the S4/RS4 forum.

The obvious sign of an S/RS car is the badge...but there are two other things that are also as good as a badge in my opinion...the aluminium (look) mirror caps, and in the case of the RS4, the fat oval exhaust tips.

Do you guys think putting these things on an A(3,4,5,6,7,8 etc.) is good, bad, upbadging, awful, or none of the above? I'll add a poll...if I'm offside, I'll never complain about it again on Audizine's A(3,4,5,6,8) forums .

[05.5SilverS4]

Id say the badge is but the others are just options that can make the look of a car better and not make it seem like something it really isnt.

[sakimano]

Id say the badge is but the others are just options that can make the look of a car better and not make it seem like something it really isnt.

does it actually make the car look better? that's my thing...I don't think it does. I think A owners think it looks better because it's on the S/RS cars.

[beemercer]

The aluminum mirror caps I'm alright with, but I think the oval exhaust tips is very poser unless they actually have an RS rear bumper, they just don't look right at all.

[05.5SilverS4]

does it actually make the car look better? that's my thing...I don't think it does. I think A owners think it looks better because it's on the S/RS cars.

I would say this would vary depending on what car its being put on. Granted some will do it just because it symbolizes an s/rs but its not to say that thats always the case.

[Leeber]

i personally wouldn't de-badge my "S", but anyone who is any sort of an audi fan can tell if it is an S/RS apposed to an "A". the B7 S4 has quad exhaust too, thats a dead give away from behind. but i dont think most people know an S4 from an A4 it they are both de-badged.

the RS4 on the other hand has a lot of things, for starters its way wider than my S4 and looks way more aggressive in my opinion, if you de-badged an RS4 it would still not be mistaken for an A4.

S-line A4 looks almost the same as an S4, but that also gives the S4 a nice sleeper quality.

Ps. if you do de-badge, at least leave the rings, the car looks funny without them.

[Leeber]

and as far as upbadging goes, i think its lame, im down for down-badging though. its would be funny, you would have one fast A4 if you debadged an RS4 and the guy in youre rear view mirror would be like "holy crap im getting an A4 for my next car that thing flys"

[th535is]

I'm not very opposed to body work changes if one feels that they look better but changing the badges to S or RS is just a bit much.

[justinperkins]

not down with the mirrors for sure as that's just the first step in trying to do the whole S body kit ... which doesn't belong on an A chassis

as has already been said, the oval tips would just be weird in a circular cutout, and therefore, total poser status

[ngng]

upbadging ftl. everything is for yourself

[brownishwater]

To be fair, some of the stuff on the S/RS just looks better than what comes on the A's (i.e. door blades, mirror caps, etc). If you're looking for a commuter car and gas mileage is a priority, putting $600 S4 door blades on an A is easier than spending a few extra grand for an S4.

I think it depends on the motivation behind the "upbadging". For example, if you debadge your A and install quad/oval tips and brushed mirror caps with the goal of trying to fool people into thinking you own an S/RS, then you're a douche bag.

If you actually put an S/RS badge on an A, you should save everyone the trouble and just kill yourself.

But if you understand you drive an A and are running S4 blades and/or brushed mirror caps simply because you like the way it looks, then that's ok IMO, even though generally I think the painted mirror caps look better than the brushed finish.

[McGyver]

if you de-badged an RS4 it would still not be mistaken for an A4.

Ps. if you do de-badge, at least leave the rings, the car looks funny without them.

Agree for audi enthusiasts. But, 99.9% of non-audi owners believe that it's an a4 or a nice-lookin' jetta, lol. Love the "clean" look.

[BigChiefS4]

I'd be happy if you just spelled aluminum right.

[04-S4]

I would say taking styling cues from an S/RS (i.e. mirrors, oval tips etc.) is fine as long as it’s wearing it’s A emblem proudly. In other words, don’t badge it as an S/RS.

Taking that further, Unbadging an A and fitting all the other accoutrements is effectively "posing" as an unbadged S/RS and is, therefore, posing.

I have to confess. Having only owned my S4 for less than three months I obviously do not know the culture here yet, however, before my Cobra was killed, it would make my head explode to see a 2001 GT with Cobra badges on the sides.

I can see putting the wheels on maybe.

But having the snake badges with the wrong bumper, taillights, fog lights, hood, trunk lid, suspension or hand built and signed aluminum 32 valve V8 was pure poser.

I don’t care if it’s had a ton of work done and could eat my lunch. It’s lame.

Maybe the limited production #’s of the Cobra compounded my feelings but I say, “Trade-up. Don’t badge-up.” (I don’t actually say that… I just typed it here)

Anyway, not hating. Just saying.

[s6sputnik]

I'd be happy if you just spelled aluminum right.

He is from Canada, give him a break fwiw that is how the rest of the world spells it too!

[justinperkins]

can we dish it out but not take it in?

what about S4s with RS4 bumpers or the guys going for the widebody look? Is that OK because there is a function?

I'd be happy if you just spelled aluminum right.

Both with the extra "i" and without is considered correct spelling. Check your facts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alumini...t-day_spelling

[Papachristou]

The aluminum mirror caps I'm alright with, but I think the oval exhaust tips is very poser unless they actually have an RS rear bumper, they just don't look right at all.

i think both are cosmetic mods. and i also think the aluminum mirror caps only look good when you have the matching trim but i could see it fitting in on certain a4s. Additionally oval tips wouldnt even work on 99% of a4s but if you have an aftermarket rear bumper, it would be purely for looks...

hmmm what else. i would never debadge my s4 but i have debadged my a4. however putting s4 badges on an a4 is GHETTO and a giagantic FAIL!

lastly, when i install my BAT next month, i think im putting the a4 and 1.8t emblems back on

[ngng]

I would say taking styling cues from an S/RS (i.e. mirrors, oval tips etc.) is fine as long as it’s wearing it’s A emblem proudly. In other words, don’t badge it as an S/RS.

Taking that further, Unbadging an A and fitting all the other accoutrements is effectively "posing" as an unbadged S/RS and is, therefore, posing.

I have to confess. Having only owned my S4 for less than three months I obviously do not know the culture here yet, however, before my Cobra was killed, it would make my head explode to see a 2001 GT with Cobra badges on the sides.

I can see putting the wheels on maybe.

But having the snake badges with the wrong bumper, taillights, fog lights, hood, trunk lid, suspension or hand built and signed aluminum 32 valve V8 was pure poser.

I don’t care if it’s had a ton of work done and could eat my lunch. It’s lame.

Maybe the limited production #’s of the Cobra compounded my feelings but I say, “Trade-up. Don’t badge-up.” (I don’t actually say that… I just typed it here)

Anyway, not hating. Just saying.

i think the badges ruin the trunks symmetry. i'd debadge my A4 just like I debadge my S4. my f250 is debadged, is that posing?

badges don't make the car. just as oval tips don't make the car.

[ngng]

can we dish it out but not take it in?

what about S4s with RS4 bumpers or the guys going for the widebody look? Is that OK because there is a function?



Both with the extra "i" and without is considered correct spelling. Check your facts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alumini...t-day_spelling

personally, I have no issues with "rs4" bumpers like the deval; what i do not like is the fitment quality. that's why i'm so against deval.

as for widebody, it's just that...a wide body. it just happens that it was exclusive to the rs4.

[sakimano]

Of course upbadging is worthy of a face-slap...but I was more focusing on other changes to the car that offer little to no aesthetic improvement especially considering the $500-700 cost, but just make the car look like the bigger brother car. That's what I think about the aluminium mirror caps...they don't really improve aesthetics...they just fool people briefly. Ironically, the people they might fool (who know the caps are an S/RS signature) will also know it's not an S/RS after 10 seconds of inspection, so it's pointless. The poll seems to be saying that most folks think it is an aesthetic improvement though. That's why I created it.

As for widebody...that's DEFINITELY an improvement for looks...and it looks incredible! The guys who have done the crazy B7 widebody conversion (NGNG, enigma, billi) are all to be commended for the work, and are also good guys who would never slap RS4 badges on the car. That's kind of the point...having the strength, patience and fortitude to do that job even though 9/10 people are telling you you're crazy...that means you're probably your own guy and aren't insecure enough to upbadge. They're not up for debate.

[vinny.dtw]

By your standard Saki, my car would be a S4 wannabe big time since I have recaro's, aluminum caps, and even the grille...hmm. Honestly I didn't even think of it that way. I think all enthusiast that know's audi's knows my car isn't an S4...

[40valve]

Putting S badge on A car is posing, and vice versa. Anything else is just part exchange.
I don't understand the door blade argument either as they come on non-S cars as well.

One question, how come people that put RS4 steering wheel or pedals in their S4 are praised? If we were going to use cost of the mod as an argument this one really falls in the ridiculous category. I am not against it at all but just using that as an argument against what was said above about A owners spending few hundreds on S parts.

[AudiOso]

I think the mirror caps and exhaust tips are fine if the rear valance is right. Aren't they removable on the B7 cars? On a B6 MAJOR FAIL!!!

[Hyde]

By your standard Saki, my car would be a S4 wannabe big time since I have recaro's, aluminum caps, and even the grille...hmm. Honestly I didn't even think of it that way. I think all enthusiast that know's audi's knows my car isn't an S4...

I've always loved your car, and never thought of it as "trying to be an S" or anything like that. If you were trying to pose, you'd hide that big FMIC.

I guess your post could bring up the comparison of OEM+ vs UpBadging. There is a difference, and your car is a prime example of the former.

Putting S badge on A car is posing, and vice versa. Anything else is just part exchange.
I don't understand the door blade argument either as they come on non-S cars as well.

One question, how come people that put RS4 steering wheel or pedals in their S4 are praised? If we were going to use cost of the mod as an argument this one really falls in the ridiculous category. I am not against it at all but just using that as an argument against what was said above about A owners spending few hundreds on S parts.

The door blades on the S cars are a good inch bigger than the S-line/USP cars. I know, I know ... it's silly.

But good point on the steering wheel argument.

[b6onboost]

^ Well Said.

There is a difference between OEM+ modding and improper badging.

[Eddie Man]

I'm for anything that may make your ride look better.
Purely asthetics in my book.
An "A" tryin to look or be like an "S".
and frankly
An "S" tryin to look or be like an "RS"
What ever looks good in my book is just fine.
Ppl going w/Gallardo rims or R8 rims are doin that for pure asthetics.
Now come-on, there's no doubting that their NOT posing for a super car.

Most of these changes usually lean in the direction of being more sporty or changing to have more aggressive looks.
Nothin wrong w/that.

Now upbadging is just plain wrong.

[A6.S-line]

I'm for anything that may make your ride look better.
Purely asthetics in my book.
An "A" tryin to look or be like an "S".
and frankly
An "S" tryin to look or be like an "RS"
What ever looks good in my book is just fine.
Ppl going w/Gallardo rims or R8 rims are doin that for pure asthetics.
Now come-on, there's no doubting that their NOT posing for a super car.

Most of these changes usually lean in the direction of being more sporty or changing to have more aggressive looks.
Nothin wrong w/that.

Now upbadging is just plain wrong.

+1. The "logic" some people are using would also make S cars using RS wheels = posing

Modding is modding, badging is badging - how hard is it to make this simple distinction?

[Prtaick]

I'm for anything that may make your ride look better.
Purely asthetics in my book.
An "A" tryin to look or be like an "S".
and frankly
An "S" tryin to look or be like an "RS"
What ever looks good in my book is just fine.
Ppl going w/Gallardo rims or R8 rims are doin that for pure asthetics.
Now come-on, there's no doubting that their NOT posing for a super car.

Most of these changes usually lean in the direction of being more sporty or changing to have more aggressive looks.
Nothin wrong w/that.

Now upbadging is just plain wrong.

^ x2

I think its what you have in mind when you do the up-grade. If your putting s/rs badges on to make some chick think you spent more on your car than you really have, well than your a tool bag in my book. But I don't think that what any of the guys on here are doing is anything like that. Its not like were building lambo kit cars on fiero chassis. Just my 2 cent.

Is it ghey to put the SC badge on my car? ,JW

[loucura]

s/rs badges are a nono...but nothing wrong with mirror cap.

check out my wife's A4...so sexy

[loucura]

^^^^ LOL...nothing wrong with RS4 reps either...

[04-S4]

i think the badges ruin the trunks symmetry. i'd debadge my A4 just like I debadge my S4. my f250 is debadged, is that posing?

badges don't make the car. just as oval tips don't make the car.

All due respect, I never said debadging was posing.

I said debadging in addition to fitting S/RS specific parts to an A was effectively posing as a model up and therefore posing.

Big difference from trunk symmetry .

[ngng]

I think the mirror caps and exhaust tips are fine if the rear valance is right. Aren't they removable on the B7 cars? On a B6 MAJOR FAIL!!!

i think it was textreux who has quad tips on his b6...loooks GOOD

[ngng]

All due respect, I never said debadging was posing.

I said debadging in addition to fitting S/RS specific parts to an A was effectively posing as a model up and therefore posing.

Big difference from trunk symmetry .

i debadged + fit RS parts to my car, so does that make it posing?

[ngng]

^^^^ LOL...nothing wrong with RS4 reps either...

now that audi has included those wheels OEM on every fucking car, they are no longer RS4 reps :P

[whartung]

Putting S badge on A car is posing, and vice versa. Anything else is just part exchange.
I don't understand the door blade argument either as they come on non-S cars as well.

One question, how come people that put RS4 steering wheel or pedals in their S4 are praised? If we were going to use cost of the mod as an argument this one really falls in the ridiculous category. I am not against it at all but just using that as an argument against what was said above about A owners spending few hundreds on S parts.

Because, like RS4 rims, the RS4 pedals were stock on late model S4's so can't be considered posing.

The RS4 steering wheel on the other hand is trickier... If someone were to put an RS6, TTS, or TTRS rim on their S4, no one would accuse him of posing. I think the RS4 wheel falls into that category as well. It isn't posing. Its purely aesthetic/practical. ESPECIALLY if the owner has the good sense to change the badging on the steering wheel itself to match his car.

[Ill 3.0]

Hmm interesting. So far almost 30% think both are posing with n=46. I'm with Vinny, I have an A4 and various B6 S4 and B7 RS4 parts on my car. Recaros, door blades, pedals, brake handle, probably others. Personally I wouldn't care if they came from any manufacturer. I buy them because they look/feel better and have OEM fit and finish with as good or better quality. Like Vinny, the thought of trying to make my car look like an S4 has never crossed my mind. Hence OEM+. If my car looked like an S4, it would just be OEM. To each their own.

[boravr6]

THIS is wrong!!!!

[caitovS4]

Whoa there..What's this about oval tips??

Granted it's an "S" and not an "A" but obviously I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
Maybe if it were just tips, but combined with new mufflers and a good fit...



Now if you want to talk about aesthetics, what about the RS4 grille?
Again, I see nothing wrong...



I've got no problem with anyone mixing parts...except for badges....
Recently snapped a lousy iPhone pic of an A4 in China with RS4 and ABT badges. This guy at least can probably get away with it as I've yet to see a real S4 or RS4 over there.

[loucura]

THIS is wrong!!!!

yea..this is bad!

[04-S4]

i debadged + fit RS parts to my car, so does that make it posing?

At the risk of becoming your 10th Noob Destroyed...

Yes.

If it's "posing" as a debadged RS then yes, it's posing.

No offense, it’s just my opinion.

It’s not upbadging.

Upbadging is not posing… It’s douchebaggery. Plain and simple.

My first car was my dad’s ’70 Monte Carlo. And even at age sixteen, I rolled my eyes at guys who stuck SS badges on the sides of their cars.

For the record, I voted "neither" in the poll.

Since this thread is actually about adding oem bits and not debadging specifically.