S3 Facelift retro fits- Bumper, Headlights, Grilles, Virtual cockpit

[markn1689]

I've search and have not found much info about the bumper conversion from pre to post facelift. I assume it shares the exact same fenders as the pre facelift. Also- are the headlights plug and play (assuming the bumper conversion works)? Would be expensive and the bumper will need to be painted but still curious if its possible.



But it seems that the Virtual Cockpit retrofit is feasible. A company in London have been sending out units with the proper coding- and its been working on a3's so far. It would require some 'minor' cutting of the dash frame but its been done. Gotta send the guy an email and see how its done. If the mod costs 2-3k might be worth it.

[A20V200]

Technically, it's not a "retro fit", but a "future fit" of sorts. Everything up front is just cosmetic and all the mounting points are the same for a front end swap. Now that the new FL is out, it really makes the 8V S3 front end look dated. That is why I had to swap to the RS3...the regular S3 was not aggressive enough and looked subdued IMHO.

The virtual cockpit is cool, I've seen a post about that on FB and that swap would be closer to $1k for the unit itself. The install...? I would venture to say maybe $400 +/- for labor to take the dash out etc.

[larbel]

It's been done to death everywhere else in the world... I myself have the FL taillights, MMI2 with center control coming in shortly for my S3 with B9 S4 steering wheel, and while the VC retrofit method requires trimming the dash housing right now, there's a new method around the corner utilizing the FL OEM VC frame, and it will be much cleaner, I'm holding out till then. As for the FL S3 bumper/headlights, it's been done to death too, and even the RS3 bumpers are now available, but it would not fit S3/A3.

[rex_racer]

It's been done to death everywhere else in the world... I myself have the FL taillights, MMI2 with center control coming in shortly for my S3 with B9 S4 steering wheel, and while the VC retrofit method requires trimming the dash housing right now, there's a new method around the corner utilizing the FL OEM VC frame, and it will be much cleaner, I'm holding out till then. As for the FL S3 bumper/headlights, it's been done to death too, and even the RS3 bumpers are now available, but it would not fit S3/A3.

Haven't seen anyone doing these swaps in the states. Why is it that the RS3 bumper will not fit the S3/A3?

[larbel]

The RS3's fenders are wider than S3, you can't fit the bumper without modifying the sides. This is the same with the PFL RS3 to S3 bumper fitting too...

[rex_racer]

The RS3's fenders are wider than S3, you can't fit the bumper without modifying the sides. This is the same with the PFL RS3 to S3 bumper fitting too...

If its just the fenders, that's not a big deal. Already going so far as replacing the bumper, grill and lights, the fenders isn't much else. The rest of the body lines on the RS3 clearly are the same as the S3, so the RS3 fenders should just bolt on.

With the PFL RS3 to S3, the molding on the bumper isn't even the same as the S3 anyhow, so its mismatched to begin with.

[Kookie]

Any solid info on the VC upgrade? Definitely something I'd like to have if it's not too overboard.

[atenzany62]

China sells RS3 bumpers to direct fit the regular S3 fenders. Few people have done it already.

[larbel]

Depends on how properly you want to do it, if you don't mind the cheesy way, you can always cut the dash housing to fit, and all it takes is the VC, custom a support frame, adding a video cable and the CP removal and you're done. And you'd still need the FL steering wheel at least to control the VC properly, and the navi map will only fill half of the screen with MMI1, you'll need MMI2 to utilize the entire screen. Or if you want to do it the proper way, you'll need a new dashboard, steering cover with proper trip meter reset button, center control panel, USB hub for CarPlay etc.

@atenzany62 - It is not a direct fit, we just tested it last week, you can trim it and try to make it fit, but it will never look OEM flush unless like what rex-racer said, replace the fenders as well. Or if you meant the '15-16 RS3? Then those China bumpers are modified recast to fit, or custom molded from ground up copying the design.

[JonnyBravo!]

Now that the new FL is out, it really makes the 8V S3 front end look dated. That is why I had to swap to the RS3...the regular S3 was not aggressive enough and looked subdued IMHO. .

That's a never ending dilemma, though. Every new generation is going to make the previous seem a little dated. Unless you buy a new car every few years, you're going to lose that battle. Both pre and current facelift are beautiful, IMO.

[Red car]

coming from the BMW scene I had a 2008 335xi coupe. I had it modified A-Z to look like a 2011 version from the rear bumpers, side skirts & hood bumpers and new headlights not to mention under carriage parts.

I was painstaking. in the end its better to buy another car with the features you want.

[ximo03]

Virtual cockpit is possible to be retrofitted on pre facelift 8v, but you have to do some minor cutting inside the dashboard because the shape is different. Also you have to change the center console and the actual MMI in order to make everything work properly, also you will need the new steering wheel. Many people in China already done this(I live in China, but I go to school in new york). There were some problems with the software tho, nevigation and reverse camera won't show properly on the cockpit. The entire mod costs about 1.5-2k usd in China