Interior Swap - A5 Sportback into A4 Avant

[bsully1850]

So I decided to go ahead and try to make this work. Please feel free to give any advice/thoughts/recommendations in this thread while I work through the swap. I paid for the interior today, so I should be able to start in about a week.

Here's the plan:

Take select pieces from the A5 interior to make an OEM but custom look interior in my Avant.

Here are the A5 pieces I purchased:



The parts I will use are:
Front sport seats
Rear seats (If I can fit them properly)
Front black armrest
Black door card inserts both front and rear
Some alum trim pieces to replace my scratched pieces (most likely temporary, as I would like them gloss black)

The parts I will not use:
The door cards
The black center console

My current interior is gray:





I also plan to swap the steering wheel and shifter with black pieces and black carpet if I can find it.

[bluetori]

Wow hope it works that is the same colours I have. GL

[Wah]

Props for going through with this. Looks like you got all the parts you need. Good luck!
Mind if I ask you how much all the parts cost? PM me if you don't want to share it here...

[gunsmoker]

You'd better not start - you may not like the result. You will still have lots of gray stuff left - dashboard, steering wheel, carpet, pillars.
My other car has a gray/black combination, but it's the inverse - black dashboard, doors, carpet and pillars with gray seats and door inserts. It's more natural for the bottom to be dark and the top to be light as opposed to the other way around.

[bsully1850]

Wow hope it works that is the same colours I have. GL

I do too, the front seats and door inserts shouldn't be too much of a problem but the rear may not work. If it doesn't I'll just recover my rear in black to match.

Props for going through with this. Looks like you got all the parts you need. Good luck!
Mind if I ask you how much all the parts cost? PM me if you don't want to share it here...

Thanks, I'm pretty excited, especially for the sport seats! I sent you a PM BTW.

[Okan509]

the sportback door cards loo identical to the A4, if you notice the A5 coupe has different one's than these shown. The trim is even a different shape.

the main thing I'd be worried about is the dash, it being gray and infront of you 100%, I feel like it's going to clash

[audirings4]

Props for giving this a go.
I did this years ago when I had my Formula.
Ended up buying all new interior panels, carpet, headliner. Then getting the seats and doors wrapped in Katzkin leather.

[name.goes.here]

Good luck!

[bsully1850]

You'd better not start - you may not like the result. You will still have lots of gray stuff left - dashboard, steering wheel, carpet, pillars.
My other car has a gray/black combination, but it's the inverse - black dashboard, doors, carpet and pillars with gray seats and door inserts. It's more natural for the bottom to be dark and the top to be light as opposed to the other way around.

I hear what you are saying, but the way I picture it, it will look nice. If for some reason it doesn't I could keep my eye out for the dash and pillars. (I'm already looing for carpet)

the sportback door cards look identical to the A4, if you notice the A5 coupe has different one's than these shown. The trim is even a different shape.

the main thing I'd be worried about is the dash, it being gray and infront of you 100%, I feel like it's going to clash

I don't see how could "clash", it's black and gray. It might not be as pleasing on the eye as black everything with lighter inserts and seats though. Either way, I think I can make it work for me, just might have to spend a little more money on some black plastic.

Props for giving this a go.
I did this years ago when I had my Formula.
Ended up buying all new interior panels, carpet, headliner. Then getting the seats and doors wrapped in Katzkin leather.

Thanks, let's hope it works out.

[staticuxo]

nice!

i did a similar swap on my S5.. steering wheel, shifter, arm rest, front seats, back seats, front door cards and rear interior panels. took us about half a day and was pretty straight forward.

only issue was i had to get the dealer to fix coding via the Audi network as there was some sort of immobilizer built in and it starting throwing ebrake and airbag codes.

[Lloydeezy E]

Good luck!

[Okan509]

lol defensive. k bro. gl

[bsully1850]

lol defensive. k bro. gl

I wasn't trying to be defensive at all, just stating my point and plans. For it to clash I would think it would need to be two colors that don't match or compliment. Maybe I'm reading what your saying the wrong way.

[A4 Centaur]

It is going to look great! You are to be commended for your idea and following through! I did something similar to my Bora Tdi with an R32 interior and OEM Recaro Seats and Steering wheel and shifter. I had Audi A4 seats bolt right up! HA! Screw the Debby Downers!

[bsully1850]

It is going to look great! You are to be commended for your idea and following through! I did something similar to my Bora Tdi with an R32 interior and OEM Recaro Seats and Steering wheel and shifter. I had Audi A4 seats bolt right up! HA! Screw the Debby Downers!

Thanks, but I think we need to wait a bit for my follow through!

I think I know what the guys are saying and yes they might be right, and that's why I posted here too. To get some other opinions and do this right. I really don't want it to look like it pieced together without any thought at all.

On a seperate note, I just bought some black visors, so I will most likely have to get the headliner wrapped. Probably in Alcantara. I think that might help tie the black and gray together better too.

[Gerhardts Auto]

Post pics once you are done!

[B G 8er]

Also, if you get stuck, do a search for SEM coatings. Pretty sure they make special paints that can be used to change the color of flexible interior leather, vinyls and plastics and carpets if that helps?

[bsully1850]

Post pics once you are done!

I plan on posting them along the way.

Also, if you get stuck, do a search for SEM coatings. Pretty sure they make special paints that can be used to change the color of flexible interior leather, vinyls and plastics and carpets if that helps?

Good idea, this might come in handy.

[CloseEncounters]

Wow!!! awesome project, please let us know how it turns out. If you were local I'd even come assist.

[bluetori]

Would you be wiling to sell the bottom rear seat from the gray I might want to get it. ?

[bsully1850]

Wow!!! awesome project, please let us know how it turns out. If you were local I'd even come assist.

Thanks! Too bad you are on the other side of the US, I'm sure I will need some help at some point.

Would you be wiling to sell the bottom rear seat from the gray I might want to get it. ?

Yes I will, I'll have to wait until I get everything here and sorted out before I start selling off items though. I know the front seats are going for sure but all other pieces are on "hold" at the moment.

[pneks2001]

I saw these on eBay and thought about doing the same thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how the project goes. If for some reason they don't work out I would be interested.

[bsully1850]

I saw these on eBay and thought about doing the same thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how the project goes. If for some reason they don't work out I would be interested.

Yes, they did come from ebay. I had been trying to get the guy to ship them for almost 6mos. I'll let you know if things don't work out.

[bsully1850]

So happy and sad...DHL tried to deliver the interior today. Who would have thought it would get to Cali from the UK so quickly! Oh we I rescheduled for Wednesday. Can't wait.

[jbradle7]

BOL! Subscribed to see the results.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Subscribed. Not sure how I missed this. Excited to see how it comes together. Good luck and kudos

[bsully1850]

Good news, the interior was delivered today! Everything seems to be in pretty good condition. There are some very minor scratches from shipping but from what I can tell they can be polished and or cleaned off.

The first thing I noticed is that these door panels have the smooth stainless style trim. (yay, bonus)



Second item, is that these seats are not electric. Are all Sport/Sline seat this way? (I haven't seen them in person before)



Third item, the rear seat looks like it is the exact same size. I haven't checked the mounts yet but this looks promising. I will need to get my side bolsters recovered in black to match though.





Last item, Bad news here, I didn't get the center console or the center armrest with the shipment. Hopefully it is on the way though.

[Okan509]

must be a uk thing, mine are electric

[phatAvant]

In Europe electric seats are optional spec whether you get an Sport, S-line or not.

Mine is S-line and have manual seats, prefer it as they go lower

[jbradle7]

Third item, the rear seat looks like it is the exact same size. I haven't checked the mounts yet but this looks promising. I will need to get my side bolsters recovered in black to match though.

FYI, the seat bottom is a PITA to remove. There are two bolts located under the side bolsters which require you to push down the back corner of the seat bottom in order to reach with a socket/wrench. Also the forward clips (one each side, maybe 4" inboard) don't release very easily... maybe there is a trick here, but just yanking up did not releases these and I ended up breaking mine. NBD, just wanted to give you fair warning, if you've not had the rear seats out before.

Also the side bolsters are vinyl I believe... depending on your budget or how picky you are, you may consider spraying these with black vinyl interior dye, instead of paying to have them recovered in black.

[bsully1850]

FYI, the seat bottom is a PITA to remove. There are two bolts located under the side bolsters which require you to push down the back corner of the seat bottom in order to reach with a socket/wrench. Also the forward clips (one each side, maybe 4" inboard) don't release very easily... maybe there is a trick here, but just yanking up did not releases these and I ended up breaking mine. NBD, just wanted to give you fair warning, if you've not had the rear seats out before.

Also the side bolsters are vinyl I believe... depending on your budget or how picky you are, you may consider spraying these with black vinyl interior dye, instead of paying to have them recovered in black.

Thank you very much for the info and tips! I haven't had the rear out before so I'm sure you just saved me some time and frusteration.

[bsully1850]

Okan/phatAvant, good info. I had no idea about this, hopefully this won't cause any issues. I don't really mind either way but good info.

[iconoclast]

Hopefully the indentations come out if not try to get a discount from the seller if the foam underneath is actually damaged.

[bsully1850]

I washed the bottom seat with warm soapy water and they seem to be coming out slowly. There are two that I think may not some out though, at least not like this. I'll probably take them to an interior shop to see if they make them a little better. At least they are the same condition as my current seats, maybe even alittle better.

[bsully1850]

Does anyone know any tricks for getting the two top rear seat sections out? I read somewhere that there is a clip on the right hand side but I can't find it.

[jbradle7]

Does anyone know any tricks for getting the two top rear seat sections out? I read somewhere that there is a clip on the right hand side but I can't find it.

I have not had the top sections out on mine, but it looks like these are hinged (assuming folding seats?) and in order to remove the bolts, you may need to remove the trunk interior bits as the bolts are partially covered.

[bsully1850]

Thanks jbradle but that didn't seem to work for me. Does anyone know how to do this?

[mck22]

Looks good so far!

[jbradle7]

FYI, the seat bottom is a PITA to remove. There are two bolts located under the side bolsters which require you to push down the back corner of the seat bottom in order to reach with a socket/wrench. Also the forward clips (one each side, maybe 4" inboard) don't release very easily... maybe there is a trick here, but just yanking up did not releases these and I ended up breaking mine. NBD, just wanted to give you fair warning, if you've not had the rear seats out before.

OK, I told you wrong earlier... those bolts I was thinking of hold the bolsters in, not the seat. So just the two clips up front hold in the seat bottom.

Sorry, my bad... my memory is not what it use to be.

[bsully1850]

OK, I told you wrong earlier... those bolts I was thinking of hold the bolsters in, not the seat. So just the two clips up front hold in the seat bottom.

Sorry, my bad... my memory is not what it use to be.

No problem, I figured that out pretty easy. I'm not sure what to do about the upper split seat though.