Q5 Swap to S-Line Competition Grille or SQ5 Grille

[jeromium]

I'm finalizing a deal on a 2017 3.0T Q5 that I recently created a thread for (Cosmetic front-end damage: any guess on cost?). Dealer has repaired the worst part, but it looks like I'll still need to replace the grill and lower grill. I'm happy with the agreed price and it's too much hassle trying to get them to fix everything from out of state.

So I'd like to take the opportunity to upgrade to an S-Line Competition or SQ5 grille as I much prefer the horizontal slats compared to the Q5's vertical slats. Initially I was under the impression that the SQ5 grille wouldn't fit due to the difference in parking sensor placement (Q5 in the grille, SQ5 in the bumper) and that the Q5 S-Line Competition grille would be the one to use since it's made for a Q5, although difficult to find and expensive. Today I discovered that forum member K|G had holes drilled in an SQ5 grille in order for it to work on his 3.0T. See pic below and his build thread, which doesn't go into many details on the grille install that I could find, just that he had a shop drill holes for the sensors.

And now, in the process of creating this post and sourcing images, I've discovered that the S-Line Competition grille is actually identical to the SQ5 grille except for the badge. No parking sensors, and Q5s with this package also use the SQ5's bumper with parking sensors. So...while my original intent was to ask "where in the world can I find a competition grille?!", it's now more about seeing whether others have customized an SQ5 grille to fit a Q5, and if so, I'd love any tips or advice. K|G moved on from his Q5 about 4 years ago so I'm looking for any recent advice or experiences.

K|G's modified SQ5 grille


S-Line Competition grille


Another S-Line Competition grille

[jeromium]

Ugh. I did a lot of searching prior to this thread, and decided to search again after, now finding more info I hadn't seen before. So let this serve as an info thread about the Q5 S-Line Competition grille and bumper having the same sensor placement as the SQ5, I guess.

There's still some conflicting info about whether other parts are needed, though. Some have said they needed to also replace lower grilles, some said no.

Also would love any advice on sourcing the right drill bit or other tools for drilling.


DIY - SQ5 Grille Retrofit Sensors - Pics

SQ5 Grille Parking Sensor Issue for Q5

And K|G's own thread specifically about the grille: SQ5 Black Optic Grill for facelift Q5

[RoofRails]

The Q5/Sq5 modified grill in your first post looks amazing ! Is there any reason you have ruled out the honey comb RS style grills? I recently swapped my grill out to a OEM Black Optics S Line grill. It's just a black version of the chrome unit but being all black your eye is less drawn to the vertical slats.

Ugh. I did a lot of searching prior to this thread, and decided to search again after, now finding more info I hadn't seen before. So let this serve as an info thread about the Q5 S-Line Competition grille and bumper having the same sensor placement as the SQ5, I guess.

There's still some conflicting info about whether other parts are needed, though. Some have said they needed to also replace lower grilles, some said no.

Also would love any advice on sourcing the right drill bit or other tools for drilling.


DIY - SQ5 Grille Retrofit Sensors - Pics

SQ5 Grille Parking Sensor Issue for Q5

And K|G's own thread specifically about the grille: SQ5 Black Optic Grill for facelift Q5

tapatalk_1586916461268.jpeg20200525_203906.jpeg

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[jonnybravoQ5]

The Q5/Sq5 modified grill in your first post looks amazing ! Is there any reason you have ruled out the honey comb RS style grills? I recently swapped my grill out to a OEM Black Optics S Line grill. It's just a black version of the chrome unit but being all black your eye is less drawn to the vertical slats. tapatalk_1586916461268.jpeg20200525_203906.jpeg

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That box in your picture looks familiar

[RoofRails]

That box in your picture looks familiar

How about the cat... LOL !

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[jeromium]

The Q5/Sq5 modified grill in your first post looks amazing ! Is there any reason you have ruled out the honey comb RS style grills? I recently swapped my grill out to a OEM Black Optics S Line grill. It's just a black version of the chrome unit but being all black your eye is less drawn to the vertical slats.

Yes, the Black Optic grille is nice and the vertical slats are less noticeable, but that's what the car I'm buying already has. I just find the SQ5 one to be even better.

I have ruled out the RSQ5 grille because I don't like the way it looks without the horizontal block (where license plates sit). It just doesn't appeal to me.

[choppstixxx]

In regards to installing the main grill and lower grill, it requires you to remove the entire front bumper to do so.

On my A4 the process was the following (should be similar):
-Remove the bolts connecting the bumper undertray to the rest of the body
-Remove bolts behind the inner wheel well splash guards closest to the front
-Remove bolts connecting the top of the bumper to the engine bay

After that it was just pop off the sides first then lift off the bumper from the middle. There should be connectors for the garage door opener you'll have to disconnect and probably your parking sensors too.

As for the Competition Bumper, I'd save your money and either grab a used OEM SQ5 grill and modify it for the parking sensors or buy a Chinese made SQ5 copy which has the sensor holes already done (they are all over eBay).
Or as a lot of people do, get a Quattro or RS grill.

[jeromium]

...or buy a Chinese made SQ5 copy which has the sensor holes already done (they are all over eBay).

I have seen these grilles on eBay but they all seem to indicate they are made for non S-line models only. Which seems odd to me, as I would figure those are the ones people are least likely to modify.

For example this listing Black Front Upper Strip Grille SQ5 Style Grill For Audi Q5 Silver Ring 2013-2017 states in red text:

Note:
This item just fit Q5 standard model, not fit S-Line and sport model.

I'd be happy to pick one of these up if I heard testimony from some that have successfully installed it.

Thank you for the bumper removal tips. Last time I replaced the grille on a car I was able to do it without removing the bumper, which was great. But yeah there's no way I could see replacing this tall grille without removing the bumper. Maybe if the engine bay was cleared out.

[choppstixxx]

I have seen these grilles on eBay but they all seem to indicate they are made for non S-line models only. Which seems odd to me, as I would figure those are the ones people are least likely to modify.

For example this listing Black Front Upper Strip Grille SQ5 Style Grill For Audi Q5 Silver Ring 2013-2017 states in red text:

Note:
This item just fit Q5 standard model, not fit S-Line and sport model.

I'd be happy to pick one of these up if I heard testimony from some that have successfully installed it.

So the only difference between the "Standard" model Q5 and the Q5 S-Line/SQ5 is on the "Standard" model the lower grill is connected to the grill vs. ours (S-Line/SQ5) is separate. So what you have to do is Dremel or cut off the lower grill portion then it will fit just fine.

[MSq5]

So the only difference between the "Standard" model Q5 and the Q5 S-Line/SQ5 is on the "Standard" model the lower grill is connected to the grill vs. ours (S-Line/SQ5) is separate. So what you have to do is Dremel or cut off the lower grill portion then it will fit just fine.

For reference, I have a ‘17 S-Line Q5. It’s grill (non-competition), looks like this. Slats are vertical. My car at the dealership right before I took delivery:



I think the grill may be the same as other Q5s, but the S-Line does have the egg crate fog light covers and egg crate lower valance in the rear as with the SQ5.

[jeromium]

So the only difference between the "Standard" model Q5 and the Q5 S-Line/SQ5 is on the "Standard" model the lower grill is connected to the grill vs. ours (S-Line/SQ5) is separate. So what you have to do is Dremel or cut off the lower grill portion then it will fit just fine.

Ah, that makes sense. I think I ran across an image on Audiworld earlier that showed what needed to be cut. Can't find it again, but will look harder if I need it.

I also came across this link for a factory SQ5 grille that gives you the option of including "glue-on parking sensor brackets (for non-SQ5 models)". Brilliant! A bit spendy of course, but avoids having to repurpose the ones from the Q5 bumper (process outlined here), as these parts don't seem available on their own. Also makes me wonder if drilling holes is even necessary, and if the sensors would work sitting behind the grille.

[choppstixxx]

Ah, that makes sense. I think I ran across an image on Audiworld earlier that showed what needed to be cut. Can't find it again, but will look harder if I need it.
I also came across this link for a factory SQ5 grille that gives you the option of including "glue-on parking sensor brackets (for non-SQ5 models)". Brilliant! A bit spendy of course, but avoids having to repurpose the ones from the Q5 bumper (process outlined here), as these parts don't seem available on their own. Also makes me wonder if drilling holes is even necessary, and if the sensors would work sitting behind the grille.

$700! I def. would not try to see if they work behind the grill. Mine act funny and beep when nothing is near me even if there is water/dirt/snow on them. Just think if they were stashed behind a plastic grill. I would either drill holes in a factory SQ5 grill or buy one of the Chinese made grills with the holes done. I honestly will soon pull the trigger on one of these options for my vehicle and can document my findings.

[MSq5]

Ah, that makes sense. I think I ran across an image on Audiworld earlier that showed what needed to be cut. Can't find it again, but will look harder if I need it.

I also came across this link for a factory SQ5 grille that gives you the option of including "glue-on parking sensor brackets (for non-SQ5 models)". Brilliant! A bit spendy of course, but avoids having to repurpose the ones from the Q5 bumper (process outlined here), as these parts don't seem available on their own. Also makes me wonder if drilling holes is even necessary, and if the sensors would work sitting behind the grille.

$700 is steep, to be charitable.

Many SQ5 owners have “upgraded” to the “RSQ5“ type grills. They may still have their OEM SQ grill gathering dust in their garage. If a used SQ5 grill would get you where you want to go, maybe you could post a “Want to Buy” thread and pick up one cheap.

[jeromium]

Yes, a used SQ5 grille is certainly the preferred course as opposed to dumping over $700 on a new one. The process of repurposing the parking sensor clips from a Q5 grille doesn't seem too bad anyway. Keeping an eye on classifieds for sure, and once I actually get the car I'll decide what to do.

$700! I def. would not try to see if they work behind the grill. Mine act funny and beep when nothing is near me even if there is water/dirt/snow on them. Just think if they were stashed behind a plastic grill. I would either drill holes in a factory SQ5 grill or buy one of the Chinese made grills with the holes done. I honestly will soon pull the trigger on one of these options for my vehicle and can document my findings.

Fair points for sure. I'm curious about what they're selling on that europrice site, as it literally sounds like the sensors would just sit behind the bumper. But yeah doesn't sound very effective. I'll keep en eye out for your documentation if you beat me to it.

[choppstixxx]

Fair points for sure. I'm curious about what they're selling on that europrice site, as it literally sounds like the sensors would just sit behind the bumper. But yeah doesn't sound very effective. I'll keep en eye out for your documentation if you beat me to it.

I'm pretty sure what they are selling for a "stick on" option is essentially the sensor mount with double sided tape to place them under a grill slat. So that they are exposed to properly sense stuff but do not require drilling/altering your $700 grill.

[Jmals]

I did a thread showing my process of swapping here: DIY - SQ5 Grille Retrofit Sensors - Pics
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=805695


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[choppstixxx]

I did a thread showing my process of swapping here: DIY - SQ5 Grille Retrofit Sensors - Pics
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=805695


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Nice that is exactly what I would do as well, can you elaborate on the lower grill issue? You have a S-Line front bumper, so I would have assumed that the SQ5 grill would have installed pretty easily/the same as your factory one did.

[Placemotorsport]

If he had the same issue that most of us did you have to cut off the bottom black plastic part of the grill. For our cars the bottom piece is separate where as the aftermarket grill it is all one piece.

[choppstixxx]

If he had the same issue that most of us did you have to cut off the bottom black plastic part of the grill. For our cars the bottom piece is separate where as the aftermarket grill it is all one piece.

The thing is he used a OEM SQ5 grill that has the separate lower grill like the S-Line Q5. So I don't know what else would need to be modified but the parking sensors mount.

[Placemotorsport]

The thing is he used a OEM SQ5 grill that has the separate lower grill like the S-Line Q5. So I don't know what else would need to be modified but the parking sensors mount.

Oh I read that wrong then, I don't know

[Jmals]

Nice that is exactly what I would do as well, can you elaborate on the lower grill issue? You have a S-Line front bumper, so I would have assumed that the SQ5 grill would have installed pretty easily/the same as your factory one did.

The lower grill piece of my s-line bumper didn't sync to the main for whatever reason; maybe because it is 2013 and the first year of the face lift? I ended up having to also purchase the SQ5 lower.

[BeeEazy]

The Q5/Sq5 modified grill in your first post looks amazing ! Is there any reason you have ruled out the honey comb RS style grills? I recently swapped my grill out to a OEM Black Optics S Line grill. It's just a black version of the chrome unit but being all black your eye is less drawn to the vertical slats. tapatalk_1586916461268.jpeg20200525_203906.jpeg

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Where did you find this grill? i am looking all over for one but im only seeing the ebay options like everyone else. I also have the s line.

[RoofRails]

I found it used on the Audizine Q classifieds. They are definitely a rare find. You can buy one brand new on from Europrice but they are big money brand new.

Where did you find this grill? i am looking all over for one but im only seeing the ebay options like everyone else. I also have the s line.

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[BeeEazy]

For reference, I have a ‘17 S-Line Q5. It’s grill (non-competition), looks like this. Slats are vertical. My car at the dealership right before I took delivery:



I think the grill may be the same as other Q5s, but the S-Line does have the egg crate fog light covers and egg crate lower valance in the rear as with the SQ5.

Does anyone know how to get the filler plate off? i tried but i have a feeling i might crack it.

[choppstixxx]

Does anyone know how to get the filler plate off? i tried but i have a feeling i might crack it.

Here's a how to for removing it.