Racing raven vs mrcarcar rs5 grill?

[Rocket Tech]

Seems the mrcarcar grill is the popular choice for most folks here. Has anyone tried the racing_raven version? Anyone know what the differences are between the two?

[Rocket Tech]

FYI for anyone in the same boat as myself.

I've read the two large threads concerning these grills.

I couldn't confirm if the 3 locations holding the plate frame were removable on the racing_raven piece. It also didn't come with the chrome audi rings and I didn't want to have to guess or chance getting the wrong rings. I don't plan to remove my original rings from my stock grill.

The ECS tuning piece comes by default with the plate installed which means if you don't plan to run it, it comes with 2 free holes in the grill. This is based on the online installation instructions.

I decided to go with the mrcarcar unit in the end as this gave me the option to go without holes, have the cleanest grill area, and everyone who's ordered from this person has had a positive experience. Note that the mrcarcar piece has the plate installed by default as well and if you want one without holes it'll be a few extra days to have a new one made for you. Communication so far has been great.

[laurenfrotch]

I went with Mr carcar. It gave me the cleanest look.

[Rocket Tech]

Ordered on 2/1 and it arrived today, 2/9. Communication was good and prompt.

Based on photos and sticker on box this matches the JC sportline(?) grill.

One of the tabs of the audi rings was bent/broken but they repaired it by plastic welding the tab into place. If I want to change the rings later I'll have to cut the tab remnants but this isn't an issue or concern for me. Gloss black trim and mesh were largely in good condition but a few light scratches here and there. I'm not sure it would have made a difference since this is only plastic and it's going to get scratched worse anyway. The license plate came separate as I requested but the front of it got scratched during shipping - not an issue for me since I don't plan to keep or use this anyway. Would need to be vinyl or plastidipped covered if someone wanted to use it. The contents were otherwise very well packaged and the box arrived in great condition.

I haven't seen a real rs5 grill in person for comparison but I am familiar with plastic injection molding and this is "ok" work, I can see why the oem piece costs more than twice as much. Visible surfaces are quite nice and I don't think anyone will detect the flaws I've seen without putting their noses inches away, even then it may not be noticeable to most.

Good purchase, I would recommend mrcarcar or the ECS piece if you plan to use the plate bracket. Btw the mrcarcar bracket would have been in perfect condition if it came pre-mounted but I didn't want to use the plate. The shipping time also includes the +1 day for a custom order since the mrcarcar grills come with brackets preinstalled unless specifically requested.

[Defkon]

Wow you got yours fast. I ordered a silver one from MrCarCar on Thursday last week. I just got a message that it shipped and not to expect it until first week in March. I guess that's because I live further, oh well.

[Rocket Tech]

Updating this thread in case anyone else is looking for info on swapping their grill on a facelift car. The ECS tuning instructions say to leave the reinforcement bar behind the audi circles in place and to just install the grill in place of the older. The mrcarcar circles don't line up well with the factory reinforcement bar and pushes the grill out. I opted to cut the bar out instead of forcing the pieces together. This was pretty unexpected and a much bigger operation than I was intending. Ultimately this is a much cleaner look than having the factory reinforcement bar in place behind the mesh grill, definitely the way to go.

I came across another install thread but forgot to bookmark it - there are two small tabs along the sides that are molded as part of the bumper cover, these interfere with the mesh grill and push it out ever so slightly at the middle. It's a pretty subtle shift but if you know what to look for it could get annoying. I neglected to trim these off before installing my grill and it's all back together again - so I'll see how long I can stand leaving it in place till it bothers me enough to redo.

The mrcarcar grill comes with two brackets for the front parking sensors. I used an xacto to cut away the epoxy, not a big deal - but you'll want to get some paint to cover the areas you cut away.

Overall - apart from the reinforcement cutting - install wasn't very difficult. The reinforcement removal is a pretty messy job, I used a dremel to cut away all the plastic.

Edit 2 - thinking about it some more - it's possible the interference with the reinforcement bar may have been from that broken tab. So i'm not sure my experience is representative of a grill from mrcarcar or ECS tuning that didn't have a broken tab. YMMV

[Lexura]

Any pics of these?

[Rocket Tech]

Sorry I'm a noob when it comes to posting pics





Finished the install late last night so will post updated pics later today.

[Rocket Tech]

The mrcarcar grill pushes the audi rings forward a bit as compared to some of the others I've seen where the rings are tilted back, closer to the profile of the grill itself. The reinforcement bar I cut away sits so close to the mesh that it would be impossible not to see even if it were painted - don't think I would've been happy seeing it all the time. I painted the plastics and crash bar using a flat black engine paint. I thought about building a mesh protector for the radiator but I'm going to try this out for a bit. The factory grill covers so much of the radiator I imagine just running it with the bracing cut away is going to help keep temps lower.

[Defkon]

Looks good. I just got my silver one the other day and the emblem on mine sticks out quite a bit. I think it may be even more noticeable since its silver. Haven't had the chance to install yet, hopefully soon. Here's a pic of the emblem stick out compared to OEM.

[HearMeSpool]

A quick review on MRCARCAR's mesh grille that 'jjh2oman' put a good word in for me to get. I offered them $160 via eBay and they countered me around the $200 range... I told him $160 was the price I've seen them go for and he agreed. I ordered on the 10th and it arrived today (the 17th). Beautiful grille, no flaws or signs of rushed production as others have stated. I took off my bumper minutes after receiving it... Funny that nearly all the screws and bolts came off by hand, only needed tools to remove grille from bumper. Install was quick and seamless. Comparing it with an RS5 grille, for the price, MRCARCAR is spot on with the price and quality. I've seen more expensive replica grilles for the B8 A5 and they don't come dlose to the look and feel of this one.

[NaiveTurtle]

Does anyone have the link to the mrcarcar one. I looked on his ebay store and there are a couple of options. So a direct link to what you guys bought would be extremely helpful. I have an 08 S5 so i need pre-FL please and thanks.

[Jeff V.]

Hmm. I just did a search on MrCarCar's eBay page and it looks like he's not listing the silver framed ones right now. I only ordered mine a couple weeks ago. Maybe I got one of the last ones? I bet he's just sold a ton of them

[NaiveTurtle]

Hmm. I just did a search on MrCarCar's eBay page and it looks like he's not listing the silver framed ones right now. I only ordered mine a couple weeks ago. Maybe I got one of the last ones? I bet he's just sold a ton of them

I really don't want a silver frame. Looking for a black frame.

[diirk]

The mrcarcar grill pushes the audi rings forward a bit as compared to some of the others I've seen where the rings are tilted back, closer to the profile of the grill itself. The reinforcement bar I cut away sits so close to the mesh that it would be impossible not to see even if it were painted - don't think I would've been happy seeing it all the time. I painted the plastics and crash bar using a flat black engine paint. I thought about building a mesh protector for the radiator but I'm going to try this out for a bit. The factory grill covers so much of the radiator I imagine just running it with the bracing cut away is going to help keep temps lower.

Off topic a bit, but what is the light that is circled in the above pic? Beautiful car. I really love that color.
Thanks

[Rocket Tech]

Off topic a bit, but what is the light that is circled in the above pic? Beautiful car. I really love that color.
Thanks

Thanks! It's the laser for the auto cruise control.

[diirk]

Thanks! It's the laser for the auto cruise control.

I had no idea. Thanks for the info.

[Jeff V.]

I really don't want a silver frame. Looking for a black frame.

That works out good then. Here's the link to an all black one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Grille...item5d52a13a32

[NaiveTurtle]

That works out good then. Here's the link to an all black one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Grille...item5d52a13a32

What did you do for your rings? It looks like this one doesn't have the front Audi rings.

[doug97gxe]

you had a black optic grill and got a RS5 grill? the black optic grill looks better

[Rocket Tech]

I like the black optic but prefer the rs style. I'm keeping the black optic if I decide I ever want to go back but the RS gives it the right look to me.

[mozman68]

I finally put my MrCarCar grill on this weekend to replace the ECS one....just wanted the "cleaner" look. Painted the rings I had to match the body. Snapped into the grill with no issues. Would be nice if he offered other badges to come with the grill instead of an RS5 one...I can't believe anyone would badge it as such on a non-RS5 vehicle.




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[Jeff V.]

What did you do for your rings? It looks like this one doesn't have the front Audi rings.

Mine came with the rings already installed. All I did was remove the RS5 badge and front license plate mount (3 easy to remove plastic clips) and install it on the car. I think that he has to cover or blur the rings because Audi will go after him for using their logo without permission. I've noticed the people who sell those little logo projector lights sometimes blur them for the same reason.

I finally put my MrCarCar grill on this weekend to replace the ECS one....just wanted the "cleaner" look. Painted the rings I had to match the body.

Damn your car looks good. Nice job.

Would be nice if he offered other badges to come with the grill instead of an RS5 one...I can't believe anyone would badge it as such on a non-RS5 vehicle.

I think these are being sold with the idea that they're 'reproduction RS5" parts. Not "upgrades for A5/S5 cars". Regardless, it'd be nice to get a different badge. I'm going to see if I can't find a way to get a backing plate 3D printed so I can mount an S5 badge on mine. I've got no idea when (or if) that'll happen though.

[mozman68]

Damn your car looks good. Nice job.



I think these are being sold with the idea that they're 'reproduction RS5" parts. Not "upgrades for A5/S5 cars". Regardless, it'd be nice to get a different badge. I'm going to see if I can't find a way to get a backing plate 3D printed so I can mount an S5 badge on mine. I've got no idea when (or if) that'll happen though.

Thanks!

No way it is a "reproduction" part as it would never fit on an RS5....different front end.

[footbllpro30]

Check out this thread for comparisons of the grills: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...2#post10667562

[mozman68]

What have folks on here done to paint the now exposed aluminum bumper? Any specific prep? Paint used?

Mine started chipping only days after being done and I want to make sure I do it right next time since it will mean removing the bumper again. Thanks!


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[diirk]

What have folks on here done to paint the now exposed aluminum bumper? Any specific prep? Paint used?

Mine started chipping only days after being done and I want to make sure I do it right next time since it will mean removing the bumper again. Thanks!


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I started with a couple coats of self-etching primer and followed with high temp gloss black.

[mozman68]

I started with a couple coats of self-etching primer and followed with high temp gloss black.

Thanks!


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[bknewtype]

Thanks!


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i prefer dip. paint will always chip no matter what. plastidip suprisingly holds up a lot better. also you can use electrical tape or vinyl wrap. but paint will always chip.

[mozman68]

i prefer dip. paint will always chip no matter what. plastidip suprisingly holds up a lot better. also you can use electrical tape or vinyl wrap. but paint will always chip.

Word...tell you what, I'll buy you lunch this week for that great advice.


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[bknewtype]

Word...tell you what, I'll buy you lunch this week for that great advice.


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hahhh! word. leggo!

[Omegahare]

It took me a while to notice why I wasn't all that crazy about the MrCarCar RS5 grilles but it's because the honeycombs are larger in size. If you count top to bottom there are 14 honeycombs on the MrCarCar and 17 on OEM. So the OEM just looks more refined to me. It sounds subtle, I know, and it kind of is but it sticks out like a sore thumb to me now. Kinda like the ambers on my dang headlights. It's a shame cuz I want to mod the grille at some point.

[Jhearty99]

It took me a while to notice why I wasn't all that crazy about the MrCarCar RS5 grilles but it's because the honeycombs are larger in size. If you count top to bottom there are 14 honeycombs on the MrCarCar and 17 on OEM. So the OEM just looks more refined to me. It sounds subtle, I know, and it kind of is but it sticks out like a sore thumb to me now. Kinda like the ambers on my dang headlights. It's a shame cuz I want to mod the grille at some point.

The racing_raven grille from eBay is the one you would want then. Has 17 honeycombs top to bottom.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDI-2012-20...-/371308566392

[Amm4]

has anyone installed the racing_raven one? or have pics of it? I've been searching everywhere and can't seem to find actual pictures of one besides the ebay pics...

From the looks of it I like the racing_raven grille more because it has the same combs as OEM RS5 and the rings don't stick out, if fitment and quality is similar to mrcarcar, then I'm getting it for sure

[Jeff V.]

What have folks on here done to paint the now exposed aluminum bumper? Any specific prep? Paint used?

I wiped down my crash bar with acetone and some clean paper shop towels (the blue ones). Then did 3 coats of black Plasti-Dip. Seems to be holding up well so far, but it's only been about a week. We'll see what happens when the hot, humid MO summer hits.

[Jhearty99]

I was thinking of going the plasti dip route, but might just vinyl it. Just need to choose between a gloss black vinyl or matte/satin black vinyl.

[Btatko]

Did you have any troubles installing the grill since you have the ACC? I have heard about disconnecting the radar and it needing reprogrammed?