x1conroe's 2017 A3 2.0T Quattro in Nano Grey Metallic Build - RS3 Front end

[R1ce]

Looks good, have been eyeing that same front bumper as well. Was there any fitment challenges? I thought the RS3 fenders were slightly wider.

[X1CONROE]

Looks great to me and seems like it's been a fun ride adding things on. I'm super jealous of not having the front plate. In OR they seem to target those without.

Thank you! I was planning on putting it on this weekend but it didn't work out. I'll definitely post when I have it on.

In California, the law states we need a front plate. Where I live, in the Bay Area, police/highway patrol don't care. A lot of Teslas and Audis on the road without plates.

[X1CONROE]

Looks good, have been eyeing that same front bumper as well. Was there any fitment challenges? I thought the RS3 fenders were slightly wider.

Thanks brutha. No issues with fitment except one side near the fender, just a little off and only recognizable when you look close. I'm sure it's from a little warping/weather. Otherwise fitment is 100%. Placement is all there. All of the screws and mounts that you expect are there. I installed it myself.

[XMetal]

Lamin-x headlight film in gunsmoke. Trying it out for a few days. I might remove it though. It looks awesome while parked and headlights off. Doesn't function as well at night (as suspected).

You should leave the Lamin-x on. Give it a few months in the sun and that tint will fade. The initial install will always look way darker than anticipated.

[BecksA3]

Was going to pull the plug on these lowering springs from 034Motorsport that will drop the ride 0.75" but I came across a member that was selling them for $200. Decided to go with that rather than brand new!

When you swapped the springs, do you have to get different shocks and struts too?

Just got b8 Billsteins in the rear not long ago.


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[X1CONROE]

You should leave the Lamin-x on. Give it a few months in the sun and that tint will fade. The initial install will always look way darker than anticipated.

Yeah I decided to keep it on! I'm loving the look of it.

[X1CONROE]

When you swapped the springs, do you have to get different shocks and struts too?

Just got b8 Billsteins in the rear not long ago.


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So I didn't swap springs. The 034 Motorsport Springs will fit the A3 but will drop it 1.75" which is too low. I'm waiting on the right time to get Eibach springs which will drop it 1.2".

How do you like the Billsteins? I come from JDM so those are well known for me.

[X1CONROE]

Hey guys! I've got a few updates!

I installed the Injen Short Ram Intake and the S-Line/S3/RS3 Rocker panel. It's starting to come together! I'm planning on doing the Haldex/DSG service soon, so I'll install the front lip then. Here are a couple pictures.



View from my office

[XMetal]

What's the wheel and tire specs? Your car looks like a 4x4 for some reason!

[Bonesteel]

What's the wheel and tire specs? Your car looks like a 4x4 for some reason!

He posted earlier in the thread: 19x8.5 +42 with 245/40 rubber, so the oversized tires at stock A3 height makes it look tall.

[X1CONROE]

What's the wheel and tire specs? Your car looks like a 4x4 for some reason!

Battle commander reporting for duty. I know, next up is lowering it...

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[XMetal]

He posted earlier in the thread: 19x8.5 +42 with 245/40 rubber, so the oversized tires at stock A3 height makes it look tall.

Ahhhh...that makes perfect sense. I thought it had oversized tires, but had thought it was standard S3 heights. I kept starring at it and compared to my standard magride height and it just looked odd.

20180617_163538_HDR_1200.jpg

[X1CONROE]

Doing DSG, Haldex and brake fluid tomorrow!

[DSG Filter Housing] 24mm Socket, Torque spec: 15ft lbs
[DSG Drain Plug] 14mm Hex, Torque Spec: 33ft lbs
[DSG Plastic drain thingy] 8mm Hex: hand tighten

[Haldex Fill Plug] 5MM Hex Torque Spec: 18ft lbs - seems high for a 5mm
[Haldex Drain Plug] 8MM Hex Torque Spec: 11ft lbs
[Haldex Pump Screws] T30 Star, Torque Specs: 26ft lbs
[Haldex Filter Screws] T10: hand tighten

[X1CONROE]

Front lip installed - its on all four jacks btw

[X1CONROE]

[X1CONROE]

Some more fotos

[JESUS is n me]

What front lip is that?


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[X1CONROE]

What front lip is that?


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I got it from WinnAuto

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[X1CONROE]

Hard to pick which one to post but you can see the rocker panel and the whole car "evened" out.



This one is a little aggressive with the front end.



Enjoy! Let me know what you guys think.

[Jesse S.]

Looks good. Throw some after market suspension on its looking a little 4x4 ish.

[X1CONROE]

I don't think I'll be lowering the car anytime soon. I have a divot where my garage is. I will certainly scrape every time. I'm happy with my car. It's kinda sad that even a moderator will call this a 4x4. It is a Quattro and it is meant to do what it is meant to do.

[sj9ninety]

If you're happy with it why does it matter? Its your car.


Personally, I think it looks way too high. It's to a point where its awkwardly high. But then again, it’s just my preference that I’m not a fan of wheel gap. Picture of my S3 attached for reference.

IMG_1242.jpgIMG_1234.jpg

[X1CONROE]

If you're happy with it why does it matter? Its your car.


Personally, I think it looks way too high. It's to a point where its awkwardly high. But then again, it’s just my preference that I’m not a fan of wheel gap. Picture of my S3 attached for reference.

IMG_1242.jpgIMG_1234.jpg

I totally get everyone's point yeah it looks weird, but for me it is PRACTICAL. I'm not going to scrape that shit every time I leave or come home. Thanks for all the love guys...

[1killera4]

My car isn't dropped. But then again a 60 year old dude in a dropped car is a bit ...well you know.

[BecksA3]

So I didn't swap springs. The 034 Motorsport Springs will fit the A3 but will drop it 1.75" which is too low. I'm waiting on the right time to get Eibach springs which will drop it 1.2".

How do you like the Billsteins? I come from JDM so those are well known for me.

Sorry I’m just getting a chance to go back through this thread.

The Billsteins are great. I’m thinking it’s about time to do the fronts.

I see you’re getting a little about the stance, and your reluctance to lower it. My driveway goes sharply uphill from the road, and will scrape if you come in too hot. Like my wife does.

I’m thinking about getting a set of S3 springs when I do the front. From what I’ve seen in other threads they give a little drop to improve the look of the stance without being too drastic of a drop or change in ride quality.


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[X1CONROE]

Hi Guys,

I have a few updates. The front lip cracked and a piece of it broke off so I took it off completely. Probably won't be installing another lip for a while until the right one comes along. I did paint correction and ceramic coated the car with Adam's Polishes, Graphene Ceramic coating. Here's how the car currently looks.




I just purchased an MBRP Catback P/N - S46013CF and Eibach lowering springs P/N - E10-15-021-10-22.

Yes, I've finally decided to lower the car. Especially now that I don't have a front lip. I need to get rid of some body roll, it's driving me crazy. I'll eventually get sway bars too.

The springs will go on next week. I am still looking around to buy the correct rear diffuser to allow for quad tips. If anyone has a recommendation on a rear diffuser that will work, let me know. It is a Non-SLine 17 A3. on I also have a curt tow hitch on the way. Tow hitch, Exhaust and diffuser will be done at the same time.

Goodies!!

[Elvir]

nice progress, Im digging the look.

[TheMysticWizard]

The springs will go on next week.

Who is doing your springs, or are you diy?

I just put the Eibach on mine, bit better than the EMD Springs.

I was scrolling through reddit earlier and saw your post, looked at the user name and thought to myself, I think that's the same guy from Audizine.

I see you're in the bay area as well. Maybe we can hook up some time.

[X1CONROE]

Who is doing your springs, or are you diy?

I just put the Eibach on mine, bit better than the EMD Springs.

I was scrolling through reddit earlier and saw your post, looked at the user name and thought to myself, I think that's the same guy from Audizine.

I see you're in the bay area as well. Maybe we can hook up some time.

I'm installing them with a friend's help. He has a quik jack and tons of tools. I'm glad you are enjoying them and looking forward to having them on. Yep, I'm in Santa Cruz. Looks like you are East Bay? That sounds excellent! I don't know anyone in the Audi scene. Do you do maintenance on your own car?

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[TheMysticWizard]

I'm installing them with a friend's help. He has a quik jack and tons of tools. I'm glad you are enjoying them and looking forward to having them on. Yep, I'm in Santa Cruz. Looks like you are East Bay? That sounds excellent! I don't know anyone in the Audi scene. Do you do maintenance on your own car?

Nice, it helps having the right tools and stuff.

I do everything I can do myself on my cars. They only see the dealer for warranty work. Only time they'd go to any other shop is for tires / alignment. I don't like paying people to screw things up, I'd rather do that myself.

After doing springs a total of 4 times on my A3 it has become a pretty simple job. Doing the sway-bar and subframe collars was pretty straight forward as well. Ain't gonna lie, doing the downpipe sucked, in the TDI's case, it would really be easier to drop the subframe out completely, at least then you'd have room to work and not have to fight the DPF to get it out.

Born and Raised in Union City, been in San Lorenzo 10+ years now.

[X1CONROE]

You didn't have to drop the subframe for the front sways? After looking at videos, that's what it seems like what I have to do. I assume we have the same chassis but with a different front end. What away bars are you using? I'm looking at the White line front and rear kit with end links.

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[TheMysticWizard]

You didn't have to drop the subframe for the front sways? After looking at videos, that's what it seems like what I have to do. I assume we have the same chassis but with a different front end. What away bars are you using? I'm looking at the White line front and rear kit with end links.

Yes, Dropped it for the swaybar. But for the downpipe, I'd probably pull the subframe entirely out if I had to do it again. (This is unique to the TDI engine, gas engine should be easy enough)

I too have the Whiteline up front.

I had an issue with the bushings on mine, got a new set of bushings that I need to put in at some point by writing to their customer service. Somehow mine crushed and I'm getting some clunking over bumps. I'm not that impressed by it, to be honest. The hardware that came with it was junk, broke one bolt installing it, decided to stop right there and go get some grade 8 hardware to replace theirs with from Home Depot. Finally, setting it on the firmer setting, my end links were contacting my axle's. Never figured that one out, just had to use the softer setting (still 50% firmer than stock, I believe)

The front end is pretty much the same. I had 50mm Struts, where I think the sport suspension and AWD's got 55mm. The rear is completely different tho, I have a torsion bar where everything else is independent suspension. Rear shocks were different as well.

[17nano3]

Dont do front swaybar upgrade, ONLY do the rear bar upgrade.. Doing ONLY the rear will remove alot of your understeering issue. If you replace both you will handle similar to stock, possibly less sway

[X1CONROE]

So I was supposed to install springs yesterday but didn't end up doing so because my friend recommended that I get an adjustable camber plate. I checked the pricing and they are about $500~ and at that point I should just coils.

Has anyone installed springs with the stock tophats with any issue?

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[X1CONROE]

Dont do front swaybar upgrade, ONLY do the rear bar upgrade.. Doing ONLY the rear will remove alot of your understeering issue. If you replace both you will handle similar to stock, possibly less sway

Why is this? Do you have any more info on this regarding our cars?

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[EthanS]

Why is this? Do you have any more info on this regarding our cars?

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An upgraded front sway bar used in conjunction with an upgraded rear will sharpen initial turn-in and reduce body roll, with the trade-off of reintroducing some of that understeer that the rear bar was supposed to eliminate.

This thread has some good points -

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...Anti-Sway-Bars

[Berk1224]

Well I finally received the side skirts. They still need to be unboxed and painted but I will post pictures of them along with the part numbers soon.

For now here's a couple cool shots I got @ Forest of Nisene Marks in Aptos, CA.

Where did you get your side skirts from? Can you share the part numbers and cost/cost of painting if you don't mind?

[X1CONROE]

Where did you get your side skirts from? Can you share the part numbers and cost/cost of painting if you don't mind?

Check the bottom of this post. Has all the part numbers for you as well as the website I purchased them from. Cost of painting and installation was $330.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...r-non-sline-A3

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[X1CONROE]

Camber plate and strut mounts came in from 034Motorsports. Can't wait to get this next phase of the build done.PXL_20210807_175911048.jpg

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[mrblackbond]

@X1conroe
Nice car. Love the color. Loving this build so far. I'm going to subscribe. I just bought me a 2017 A3 Quattro Premium Plus w/ S-Line package. A lot of your build is also going to be the path I'll be taking. I'm curious...about your RS3 bumper. You said you bought it from Winn Autosports...but I can't find the RS3 bumper when I go there. Did they discontinue or am I just not looking in the right place ? * facepalm * (Also, like you, I wish to upgrade my exhaust system to accomodate quad tips.