AJ's 2009 C6.5 A6 Avant - DAD WAGN thread

[LionKing]

IG : avant.aj_
(Disclaimer : HQ photos on IG)

So, im sure most of you have started to see my name float around this portion of Audizine in the past couple weeks.. I finally did it and found the needle in the haystacks. A 3.0T Avant, since we dont get anything else like this in the states, after a 2.5 month search.

Purchase : 1/07/2021

My decision to go this route was after I decided to put together a price list to build a B8 S4 avant. Piecing together a B8 S-line avant so I dont have the fender flares in the allroad, a B8 S4 for all the 3.0T goodies and a manual, and a b8.5 front end for an aggressive styling... All a little more involved in money and ability to piss off the wife.

I had seen one C6.5 in person (thanks @Quattrocentric ) and I oggled over it. I knew they existed, I didnt know how hard they were to find. But once I found it, I knew it was the one.

Details:
Black exterior
Black interior
Cold weather package
Nav
Sunroof
Full color DIS
Power rear hatch

Bonus perks:
78k original miles
One owner
Clean carfax with all dealer maintenance


Now lets get to the build!
Many, many, many plans are left to unicorns. Hopefully this list gets ticked off one by one and pictures get added. In no way shape or means do I want to create a show build as this will be a daily-able forever build.

Exterior:
Color matched side marker lenses
Black optics trim (wrap)
Led Tag bulbs
3M Gloss Blue Raspberry Wrap
Smoked tail lights
S5 Aluminum optics side blades
S6 style mirror caps
Protuning rear valance and spoiler
Maxton front lip

Suspension/Brakes:
Vogtland Coilovers
-Airlift 3P
H&R Rear Sway Bar
Front BBK : 6 Piston 375mm 4M Q7
Rear BBK : 356mm C7 S6

Interior:
Custom Honeycomb CF Trim
Alcantara Diamond Stitch Seating
Reupholsted headliner and pillars to grey alcantara
Smooth Leather B8.5 FBSW
Apple Car Play Headunit
Yellow perforated leather BFI shift knob with grey alcantara manual boot with yellow stitching
LED interior lighting
Starlight headliner (?)

Wheels:
-Vossen VFS-1 in Hyper Silver 20x9.5 et40 (summer)
OEM 20s with All-seasons (winter) "Gloss Silver Platinum"

Engine/Exhaust:
Custom CAI
JHM ECU/TCU tune
V10 Swap
Catless Downpipes
Borla ProXS Catback
4" Borla Exhaust tips

Starting the pics!

Purchase:


Black optics chrome delete wrap (bonus added supercharged badges!): Decided not to wrap the grille trim as I'll be swapping it


S6 style wrapped mirrors:


02/08/21

-Modified the OEM airbox for a louder supercharger noise. I know its not necessarily a "cold air intake" however purchasing one later down the road is still going to happen. This gives a little whine, looks alright, and gave me something to do during a slow day at work.



02/10/2021

Removed exhaust tips from mufflers and replaced with 3.5" Black double walled angle cut tips. And I replaced tag lights with LED. Also! Got my 2 year tags, waiting on vanities.


02/18/2021

Tinted tail lights and front side markers. Didn't have the time to remove the 3rd brake light and tint that as well.


03/05/2021

Blacked out the front grille and gave a much needed bath. Added some gloss black easter egg decals on 2 areas on the paint. Once wrapped, will give a cool embossed look.

Wrapped trim in gloss CF and shifter swap

03/10/2021

Wrapped the roof rails in gloss black, removed the satin silver from the mirrors and added a supercharged decal to the trunk underneath my hidden "Easter egg" gecko decal after removing the Quattro badge.

03/25/2021
Wrapped the interior trim gloss black. Didn't like the fake carbon trim look.


03/26/2021
Removed the interior trim to remove the cluster. Pulled the cluster apart and added the signature decal behind the glass. I love it!

04/25/2021

Lowered the vehicle on Vogtland 40mm lowering springs.
Installed H&R rear sway bar.
Installed Black Optics SQ5 20x8.5 wheels painted Volk Racing Satin Bronze wrapped in Sumitomo HTR Z5 summer tires.
Painted calipers Blue for a pop of color.

04/27/2021

Tinted vehicle. 35% full windshield, 20% front two windows, 5% rear passenger -> full rear.

Installed color matched fender decals for the extra flare.


05/06/2021

Finalized a real intake tubing kit. Modified on off a S4 that I got spare parts from for free. Works PERFECTLY, and I get those nice and good supercharger noises.

07/09/2021

Had a local shop make we a wicked exhaust system. Opened up from the downpipes back to 2.5", removed all resonators, installed a Borla ProXS dual inlet/outlet muffler, and installed a new set of black exhaust tips.

For now, check it out on Instagram @avant.aj_

08/20/2021

Added 25% Ceramic tint all the way around including full windshield. Courtesy of Precision Tint in Annapolis, MD. Wrapped the silver cross bars black for a better blend over the roof, and added the basket. Did a quick custom vinyl windshield banner to cut down on sunlight during commuting hours. You can HARDLY see it from outside, but it works well from the inside.


09/30/2021

Installed Protuning parts from Latvia and wrapped them gloss black to match. The spoiler replaces the factory spoiler, so after I took that off, I tinted the 3rd brake light as well to match the tail lights.
Spoiler
Valence

10/19/2021

Added S7 19x9et32 wheels, wrapped in 255/35/19 tires. Added some more fender clearance to hoon some in the snow without packing.


1/2/2022

Added Android Auto/Carplay head unit Purchased through AliExpress. Wrapped the dash bezel black for that nice piano black.
Psa. Picture is taken from an "Ignition-ON" standpoint. So, light check was active.

3/1/2022

Moved my resonators to a new place further upstream to help with drone. Added Borla 20248 resonated exhaust tips to give a pop of polished and up the tip size from 3.5" to 4.0"

3/9/2022

Purchased a flat bottom wheel from a buddy who has a B8.5 S4. Installed and while the wheel was off, removed the dash bezel again, wrapped the inside area around the screen in satin black.

3/15/2022

Installed the Vogtland Coilovers These replaced the Vogtland lowering springs I went with originally. Coated them in Boeshield T-9.

3/22/2022

Installed a JHM heat exchanger for a B8 S4 into the car. Alot of modifications had to be made for it to fit and the bumper cover to go back on.

5/1/2022

Installed 2011 front bumper and 3M 1080 Gloss Blue Raspberry wrap, along with 3M Gloss black for the window trim and front grille surround.
Powdercoated the 20x8.5 Et33 SQ5 Flowers in Gloss Platinum Silver.
Installed 4M Q7 front BBK provided by CG1.
Installed matte chrome mirror assemblies.
Installed S5 Aluminum optics side blades.
Installed new badging in contrasting colors. And an audizine sticker and license plate cover for that fresh touch.

6/25/2022

Painted rear calipers to match, installed color matched front chin spoiler from maxton.

8/5/2022

PCV, Water pump, T-stat, coolant crossover pipe, carbon cleaning, and drive belts completed.
Painted valve covers and supercharger satin black, installed new coil packs and conduit covers that were cerakoted yellow by VastAZ.

10/14/2022
Installed synthetic alcantara headliner completed by G.S. Upholstery in Glen Burnie, MD. While apart, installed and wire tucked Vantrue S1 Front and Rear 4K dash cam.

11/6/2022

Installed yellow BFI shift knob with manual alcantara boot. Wrapped wood grain to a gloss carbon fiber


1/28/2022

Installed Euro Aspherical w/anti-dazzle side mirrors

7/2023

Installed honeycomb carbon fiber interior trim by Destroyed Kustomz

Completed V10 engine/transmission swap.

10/2023

Installed S6 Airbag ECU and cleared dash of all fault lights

Completed straight pipe with Vibrant high flow resonators and Borla resonated exhaust tips

Tuned ECU/TCU with JHM software

[DC Dawg]

Nice pick up man. Where in Maryland are you ? (I’m in Chevy chase )

Your post reminded that I need to delete my chrome and get my brake upgrade out on.

Some advice:
I’m gonna suggest you reconsider the BC coilovers.

Obviously BCs are a great bang for the buck.

However all their dampers and spring rates are generic and not configured for a specific vehicle.

Just the lower shock bodies and the top mounts vary and are specific for a certain vehicle.

You are gonna spend the money on air and go cheap on the springs and shocks ? Doesn’t compute.

At least go with ST coilovers as they have Avant specific ones.

Look forward to running into you in the 301.


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[LionKing]

Nice pick up man. Where in Maryland are you ? (I’m in Chevy chase )

Your post reminded that I need to delete my chrome and get my brake upgrade out on.

Some advice:
I’m gonna suggest you reconsider the BC coilovers.

Obviously BCs are a great bang for the buck.

However all their dampers and spring rates are generic and not configured for a specific vehicle.

Just the lower shock bodies and the top mounts vary and are specific for a certain vehicle.

You are gonna spend the money on air and go cheap on the springs and shocks ? Doesn’t compute.

At least go with ST coilovers as they have Avant specific ones.

Look forward to running into you in the 301.


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I used to be in Silver Spring but moved to Bowie about a year ago.

Big brake kit! Duh how could I forget that.. What are solid bolt on options? Definitely want a bigger caliper for a more spacious wheel (especially one that is pretty open and you can see everything)

I havent had a problem with BCs yet. I was going to do it because as they are cheap, in my mind they still are pretty nice. Plus there is a direct air conversion kit from airride that will replace the springs anyways. At that point, the dampening and all that wont matter. I still want to be low, NOW, but I think spending extra money there would redirect money from another avenue.

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[DC Dawg]

The only direct fit big brakes are the Brembo and stop tech kits but they are really big money.
Ceika makes an affordable kit but I don’t know if anybody who has run them. I assume you could put some RS6 calipers on but would have to get them from across the pond

I have C6 S6 calipers which I have not test fit yet but have S6 spindles in case those need to go on.
They aren’t the sexiest brakes in the world but certainly an upgrade. Honestly I still haven’t decided if I am going to put them on - I might be a guinea pig for Ceika. They get good reviews from the bmw and jdm/ stance crowd.

Are you not planning to tune the car ?


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[LionKing]

The only direct fit big brakes are the Brembo and stop tech kits but they are really big money.
Ceika makes an affordable kit but I don’t know if anybody who has run them. I assume you could put some RS6 calipers on but would have to get them from across the pond

I have C6 S6 calipers which I have not test fit yet but have S6 spindles in case those need to go on.
They aren’t the sexiest brakes in the world but certainly an upgrade. Honestly I still haven’t decided if I am going to put them on - I might be a guinea pig for Ceika. They get good reviews from the bmw and jdm/ stance crowd.

Are you not planning to tune the car ?


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Definitely planning to tune. It should be in the original post.

Stage 1+ unitronic. Just want some extra oomph. Doesnt need to be the fastest wagon.
In undecided on a trans tune yet. I know the zf6 is testy but I think its only between JHM and Melen for options.

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[Audibot]

I used to be in Silver Spring but moved to Bowie about a year ago.

I used to be in Aspen Hill myself. Small world!

Nice pickup! I've been wanting one of those for a while as well but things keep getting in the way. Looking forward to seeing some progress!

[ceedubbya]

Love the chrome delete! What kind of wrap did you use for the windows and lower trim? I just got into the audi game with 2010 a6 avant 3.0t in midnight blue.
What kind of s6 mirrors did you get? Might I suggest you add window tint to your list, I think it really makes the avant look sleek and less "mom-y" haha

And I am curious about your exhaust ideas, do you have any youtube material or otherwise on how the x pipe + muffler delete would sound?

[LionKing]

Love the chrome delete! What kind of wrap did you use for the windows and lower trim? I just got into the audi game with 2010 a6 avant 3.0t in midnight blue.
What kind of s6 mirrors did you get? Might I suggest you add window tint to your list, I think it really makes the avant look sleek and less "mom-y" haha

And I am curious about your exhaust ideas, do you have any youtube material or otherwise on how the x pipe + muffler delete would sound?

For the chrome delere I used 3M 2080 Gloss black.

I totally agree with tint. Plans to do 35% front windows, 35%windshield whole, and 25% everything else. All in ceramic. Unfortunately I plan on doing this last for the modding for 2021. First steps are LED lighting, then coils, wheels, tail light tinting, THEN tint. I'd rather get everything the way I want first and keep that money freed up since ceramic is expensive!

I dont have a YouTube, but I can provide pics and video when I'm done and just update the build list. I'm actually gonna upload some stuff today.

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[ewmin3m]

Looking good;

I found a thread on here that q5 calipers are direct bolt ons all you need is the q5 lines as well. Much cheaper than going big brake kit. Link here:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...5+brake+rotors

Another cool mod is to get the rear amber tail lights going; takes about 30min all in:
https://www.audiforum.us/threads/200...signals.12559/

[LionKing]

Bump, added exhaust tips, intake modification, and LED tags.

Bonus, took my one year old to his first car wash the other day. Touchless of course, but he absolutely lost it!

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[LionKing]

Looking good;

I found a thread on here that q5 calipers are direct bolt ons all you need is the q5 lines as well. Much cheaper than going big brake kit. Link here:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...5+brake+rotors

Another cool mod is to get the rear amber tail lights going; takes about 30min all in:
https://www.audiforum.us/threads/200...signals.12559/

I agree with the Q5 calipers, I went over that with someone else the day before you posted this lol. I havent got back to the thread it a bit thought, but I saw it and appreciate it!

As for the taillight mod, since I have a facelift, mine are different.

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[LionKing]

Bonus panel... Wrapped the sport flags of the supercharger blue (exact color is Gloss Cosmic Blue by 3M)

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[thekorz]

I'm another local MD guy with a '09 A6 Avant 3.0T. I've had mine for just under 1 year. If you want to add more SC whine to your mod'ed airbox, check out JHM's silicone throttle body inlet hose. It's the only direct fit silicone inlet hose on the market for the C6.5 3.0T, otherwise you have to trim down a S4 hose. https://jhmotorsports.com/products/j...6-a6-3-0t.html

If you don't want to spend $90 on silicone, then some people are just running an OEM throttle body inlet hose from a C6 3.2 because it doesn't have a resonator built into it like the 3.0T does. I was going to go that route and search Crazy Ray's for a used one to save a couple bucks but in the end, I got the JHM on sale around Christmas and I'm happy with it.

[LionKing]

I'm another local MD guy with a '09 A6 Avant 3.0T. I've had mine for just under 1 year. If you want to add more SC whine to your mod'ed airbox, check out JHM's silicone throttle body inlet hose. It's the only direct fit silicone inlet hose on the market for the C6.5 3.0T, otherwise you have to trim down a S4 hose. https://jhmotorsports.com/products/j...6-a6-3-0t.html

If you don't want to spend $90 on silicone, then some people are just running an OEM throttle body inlet hose from a C6 3.2 because it doesn't have a resonator built into it like the 3.0T does. I was going to go that route and search Crazy Ray's for a used one to save a couple bucks but in the end, I got the JHM on sale around Christmas and I'm happy with it.

Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate the info!

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[ewmin3m]

Or you can add your own custom plug to the 3.2 Intake hose :D

I'll probably upgrade to the silicone once i get a tune; as bad ass as the hulk is this version would probably melt at summer heats :D

Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate the info!

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[ewmin3m]

I also forgot to mention; a local guy here in Vancouver; swapped to q5 brakes on his Daily S4 and said that they're actually lighter;if you ever do this upgrade it'd be interesting to measure the difference exactly.

Speaking of weight; how much do those vossen weigh ?
I was thinking of going for some classic rotiforms 19" but saw they weight 30+ pounds. Will be going for these guys: https://www.super-speed.ca/flowform-rf01
20pounds for 19" wheel and not that much more expensive:D

[LionKing]

I also forgot to mention; a local guy here in Vancouver; swapped to q5 brakes on his Daily S4 and said that they're actually lighter;if you ever do this upgrade it'd be interesting to measure the difference exactly.

Speaking of weight; how much do those vossen weigh ?
I was thinking of going for some classic rotiforms 19" but saw they weight 30+ pounds. Will be going for these guys: https://www.super-speed.ca/flowform-rf01
20pounds for 19" wheel and not that much more expensive:D

I had Q5 brembos on my A4 as well. I would say 1/3rd of the weight... caliper is around 15lbs, brembo is about 5. (Just random numbers)

Unsure of Vossen weight savings, not really the aspect id be going for myself. I just love the way the VSF1 look.

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[LionKing]

Update. Tinted tail lights and side markers. Unsure if I'm going to keep the orange markers that are now smoked.

Cant wait to order some coilovers and my tires for the 20s in the garage!

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[ewmin3m]

I have clear front bumper side markers on order :D can't wait to get them on the car. should clean up the front/side real nice

[LionKing]

I have clear front bumper side markers on order :D can't wait to get them on the car. should clean up the front/side real nice

Absolutely! I'm picking and choosing right now lol. I went smoked due to the dark car, i want them to blend more in pictures.

Plus I had extra tint left over from the tails, might as well use it if I can!

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[alanmc_21]

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...275377157.html

This one's for sale not far from me! I'm not going to look because I'd probably buy it........then I'd have 3 cars and just one me

[LionKing]

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...275377157.html

This one's for sale not far from me! I'm not going to look because I'd probably buy it........then I'd have 3 cars and just one me

I live near that one. I would have considered it if it had the 3.0

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[LionKing]

Decided even though I'm swapping the grille to a non damaged one, to black it out. Absolutely COMPLETED the front end. Also, swapped the shifter to a b8.5 A4 big shifter and carbon wrapped the trim (minus the center console, to which I'll be doing gloss black) I may end up doing all of the trim in gloss black as well.... Added pictures!

Also, it finally became the time. Ordered some Vogtland Lowering springs and a H&R rear sway bar! Looking at getting the 20s fitted!

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[G-Can]

do you have any photos of trim inside the car, I am literally thinking of doing the same, what material did you use?

[LionKing]

Coolness alert! Avant decal added! Thinking of getting a Quattro one to add instead of the actual badge.
Had the quality control come behind after he helped with install

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[LionKing]

do you have any photos of trim inside the car, I am literally thinking of doing the same, what material did you use?

Have to take some extra pictures once I get to the car. You can see the dash trim above in the picture of the shifter.. I used 3m 3D gloss carbon.

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[LionKing]

Changes coming soon! Just got the email that the lowering springs are on the way. I wish the rear sway bar was as well.. Switching up the exterior of the car a little bit because I have a vision of how this is going to be.

Pulled off the satin silver wrap on the mirrors, wrapped the roof rails gloss black. Needless to say, this thing is going to be the tits.

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[ceedubbya]

Reason for losing the silver mirrors? I was thinking of wrapping mine


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[LionKing]

Reason for losing the silver mirrors? I was thinking of wrapping mine


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Wheel color on the 20s will clash with the silver.. I may redo them...

I basically pieced the wrap together as I only got 12" by 12" squares and it didnt cover it in all one piece. I have a 5ft roll in the garage I was going to redo them with anyways. I couldnt look at it peeling in places anymore lol.

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[LionKing]

Sunday fill in!
Updated the first post to include pictures.
Wheels will be back from paint next week, lowering springs will be on next week.
Custom plates are ordered and should be here in the next couple weeks.
Polished the black to remove some scratches using a single step compound. Looks good, but I want to do more to get them all out.
Added load resistors to get rid of bulb warnings, have to fix the hyper flash furing the cars bulb check.
Also, finalized the decals on the rear hatch!
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[LionKing]

Also! I've decided what I want to do with my exhaust. Its going to be nice and custom.. Lol hopefully some solid downpipes come out soon.

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[jbain2]

Also! I've decided what I want to do with my exhaust. Its going to be nice and custom.. Lol hopefully some solid downpipes come out soon.

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I'll be following along on the exhaust. I picked my 11 avant a little over a year ago. Waiting for JHM to release their exhaust but I'm getting impatient. I'm in central VA. Not many of these cars running around.

[DC Dawg]

I'll be following along on the exhaust. I picked my 11 avant a little over a year ago. Waiting for JHM to release their exhaust but I'm getting impatient. I'm in central VA. Not many of these cars running around.

I’ll be found a similar route JETEX back box exhaust with quad tips and some sort of Custom center setup. Talking to my exhaust shop as soon as the JETEX is here.


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[LionKing]

Major update! New pics and new look!

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[DRKNESS65]

Nice, I am going to assume that you have “ new “ wheels ?

[LionKing]

Nice, I am going to assume that you have “ new “ wheels ?

Yup! Wheels off of a SQ5. 20x8.5 et33

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[LionKing]

Nice, I am going to assume that you have “ new “ wheels ?

Everything was updated in the first thread post. I continually edit that to add.

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[sivletho]

What’s the color on the wheels?


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[DRKNESS65]

That’s a good question as they look bronze on my tablet. Thanks OP for responding back about what had changed, and keep up the great work.

[tnice778]

I am in Baltimore with a 2006 A6 Avant. I love what you're doing to your wagon bro!!! Mine is falling apart..lol. Seat backs came off, buttons are worn. AND I AM HAVING THIS CRAZY ISSUE WITH THE FUEL DOOR NOT OPENING WHEN I NEED IT TO ... I Did the chrome delete and black grill. I love that. WE should link!!