Taking mine in a different direction

[elRayRay]

Greetings AZ S/Q5ers! I'm starting a thread to see if I can get some advice or other input into what I want for my Q5.

I've had it for almost exactly a year now (bought it Feb. 27, 2021) and so far, I love it. I've been a long-time VAG fan, and it's been ~15 years since I got rid of my B3 Passat wagon. To be clear, this is the first car I've had in ~20 years that I've even felt like washing, let alone cost more than $1K. My Q5 is without a doubt the nicest thing I've ever owned in my 47 years...so I want to keep it for a while.

I bought an extended warranty with it that looks to cover the majority of the vehicle, including electronics and suspension, providing OEM-spec parts and fluids are used. For this reason, I'm not really planning on the significant mods to happen until after it's paid off.

I imagine I'll do intake and exhaust before that, however, which brings me to my first question: Does anyone have experience or other input on the JH Motorsport downpipe, X-pipe, and cat setup? We all know that the factory exhaust note isn't the nicest and I've seen and listened to the setups that have been posted, though none I've seen have been with this part. Overall, I'm not really trying to get more performance as the car (I have the 3.0T) is the fastest thing I've ever driven. Probably not that impressive for many of you, but remember, I've been driving "project cars" for most of my life. I imagine I'll do a TCU tune even before the engine.

I've stepped the wheel size down to 18" and put Falken AT tires on and it really "set the theme" for what I have in mind. So naturally, I'm also curious about suspension, which is where my plans diverge greatly from the general consensus here. I want to put the H&R Adventure Raising Springs on it to not only increase ground clearance, but also a more aggressive appearance. I use the car on forest roads paved and otherwise for recreation and my vision is a sort of Rally/Raid-type build that touches on what you might see in a Dakar stage. I'd like to pair the springs with quality dampers, but the Bilstein B8's appear to be incompatible with the raised suspension leaving me with B6's. Are there any other options I should research? Ultimately, I'd prefer a coilover setup, but I still want to lift the vehicle juuuust a little. I understand I will be significantly changing the overall suspension dynamics, so no need to be pedantic in shutting down what I have in mind. That being said, if you have direct experience with these springs or similar, I'll happily listen to your input.

I'm also interested in the "Offroad" trim package but I don't want to pay Audi prices for the wheel arch extensions and I don't trust the AliExpress knockoffs. Is there any way to find a salvaged set from Europe or somewhere they're more common? I'm not sure this package was available in the US.

Anyone out there have any input? Thanks.

[stapan]

Interesting idea.

You need some other gold-ish elements to tie the wheels to the car visually. Currently looks disjointed with the wheels being so different and the car being stock.

I would immediately add some big yellow offroad lights and change the fogs to yellow and it will look way better to start. Raised with these yellow lights would look pretty good as a foundation. Maybe add a cargo box on top that is black with small gold accents/stickers.

Fender arches are tricky as you already have wheels. Best would have been to match wheel offset to the final fender width so that it doesn't look like the wheel is too far inside our outside.

Never seen the offroad arch package here in the U.S. maybe can source from Canada junkyards? But see comment above about wheel offset.

[elRayRay]

Interesting idea.

You need some other gold-ish elements to tie the wheels to the car visually. Currently looks disjointed with the wheels being so different and the car being stock.

Clearly, the wheels are the first, and only, mod in the pipeline. In person, the gold wheels are really set off against the Teak Brown, the lighting in the picture I posted doesn't show as well. I'm planning on blacking out the chrome trim, also.

I would immediately add some big yellow offroad lights and change the fogs to yellow and it will look way better to start. Raised with these yellow lights would look pretty good as a foundation. Maybe add a cargo box on top that is black with small gold accents/stickers.

I may add a light bar, once the car gets closer to "final form" as I would look like a poser with one on there now. I've got yellow bulbs in the fogs already, but would like yellow protective film...maybe. I'm also thinking about a RTT and mounted full-size spare, but weight is a concern. Maybe just a basket and spare?

Fender arches are tricky as you already have wheels. Best would have been to match wheel offset to the final fender width so that it doesn't look like the wheel is too far inside our outside.

Never seen the offroad arch package here in the U.S. maybe can source from Canada junkyards? But see comment above about wheel offset.

I imagine I'll buy different wheels when the time is right. I'm planning custom offset 3-piece in a look that hearkens back to the 5-spoke Group B S1 wheels, in white. In the meantime, spacers for the 1552's are in the shopping cart. 10mm front and 15mm rear should put them just barely under the stock arches and I'm also putting Audi mud guards on it.

Thanks for your reply. :beer:

[Fast4esT]

wrap the chrome trim in gloss black and I think it will look sick!

[elRayRay]

wrap the chrome trim in gloss black and I think it will look sick!

Having never tried anything with vinyl wrap, how difficult is this? The roof rails seem like they would be kinda tricky with the complex curves and the window trim seems even more intricate. For the grilles, I imagine Plasti-Dip would be the easier route. I'm also considering a wrap on the bumpers, mirrors, and rear spoiler in either a DigiCam pattern or the Urban Red Camouflage (which happens to be Audi Motorsport colors).

[Maff_u]

Love it!! After seeing all of these off-roaded Porsche cayennes that have become popular in the last few years I looked a bit into doing the same when my wife hands the sq5 fully down to me. Unfortunately, not many people have gone for the off-road route. From what I saw, the h&r springs you mentioned are the only option out there and the upper control arm limits ever putting a much bigger tire on. You could go with a universal hitch mounted spare tire carrier or a rooftop basket and spare. A front skid plate or tubular bumper guard probably wouldn’t be too difficult to fab up for a competent shop.

Let’s see some pics when you get the spacers on. Digging the wheel choice - what are they?


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[elRayRay]

Love it!! After seeing all of these off-roaded Porsche cayennes that have become popular in the last few years I looked a bit into doing the same when my wife hands the sq5 fully down to me. Unfortunately, not many people have gone for the off-road route. From what I saw, the h&r springs you mentioned are the only option out there and the upper control arm limits ever putting a much bigger tire on. You could go with a universal hitch mounted spare tire carrier or a rooftop basket and spare. A front skid plate or tubular bumper guard probably wouldn’t be too difficult to fab up for a competent shop.

Let’s see some pics when you get the spacers on. Digging the wheel choice - what are they?

Thanks! The wheels are Fifteen52 Turbomac, 18 x 8.5 ET45. Tires are 255/55 Wildpeak A/T Trail. I chose them over the other options for both V speed rating and Severe Snow (3-peaks) certification. It's the only tire in this size available with both. I'm definitely maxing it out re: the steering knuckle. In a dream world, going with custom-fabbed arms for more travel and tire clearance with boxed flares blurs my vision sometimes. A hydro handbrake sure would be fun, too.

[MSq5]

I like! No reason not to make it trail worthy. With a little lift and the right tires (you've got that covered) you will have a lot of fun.

My other hobby has been off-roading, but in an old school modified CJ5 Jeep (36" mud tires, locker rear diff, flairs, winch, 6" lift, and super low geared transmission and other goodies).

I even have an Off Road Nissan Armada 4x4 with lower geared diffs, modest lift and AT M&S tires just to tow the Jeep to where the trails begin.

Consider installing a receiver tow hitch in the back. That would be for a hitch mounted winch you would store in the hatch until needed. One thing about off-roading you probably already know: those tires will just get you farther into the bad stuff before you eventually get stuck. We all eventually get stuck. Getting out becomes part of the fun.

[elRayRay]

I like! No reason not to make it trail worthy. With a little lift and the right tires (you've got that covered) you will have a lot of fun.

My other hobby has been off-roading, but in an old school modified CJ5 Jeep (36" mud tires, locker rear diff, flairs, winch, 6" lift, and super low geared transmission and other goodies).

I even have an Off Road Nissan Armada 4x4 with lower geared diffs, modest lift and AT M&S tires just to tow the Jeep to where the trails begin.

Thanks. I'm not delusional in that I think I can make a pavement-oriented luxury compact crossover "trail worthy," but instead just a bit more capable on ungraded roads. I'm not trying to make this thing a mudder/crawler (though I would like to build a purpose-built rock crawler someday). I like taking unpaved roads over mountain passes and also cruising fast on forest and rural roads.

Consider installing a receiver tow hitch in the back. That would be for a hitch mounted winch you would store in the hatch until needed. One thing about off-roading you probably already know: those tires will just get you farther into the bad stuff before you eventually get stuck. We all eventually get stuck. Getting out becomes part of the fun.

I definitely am wanting to install a hitch. Not necessarily for towing, but for a bike rack, a D-Ring shackle, hitch winch (as you suggested), or possibly a spare tire if it doesn't go on the roof.

I'd still really like to get input on shocks/struts. Is it possible to get a coilover setup that can be applied that has a "lift" range? I'm sure the B6's would be a marked improvement over OE, but the H&R springs would still "lift" the shock piston to the top end of its effective stroke, it seems.

[elRayRay]

Installed a second-hand RS-style grill I got from an AZ user (thanks @dannydc24!).

It's not the nicest install as I wanted to retain the parking sensors, and I will probably eventually cut the license plate holder provisions out, also. It's definitely much nicer than the stock grill in appearance...but my car is f**king filthy.

[AudiA4_20T]

looks awesome

[Maff_u]

[mention]elRayRay [/mention] any progress with the build? I’ll be due for tires in the next 3-4 months and pondering taking the sq5 on a similar route


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[elRayRay]

...any progress with the build? I’ll be due for tires in the next 3-4 months and pondering taking the sq5 on a similar route

I've got the spacers installed, and that's about all. I went with 12.5mm front and 20mm rear spacers (bought second-hand from another AZ member). I'll wait until it's time before any suspension upgrades. Due to income, this "build" will likely be over a number of years, not weeks.

Spacer fitment:

[Maff_u]

looking good!

[elRayRay]

Recently put new brakes on. Picture update!


Forest pic


Parking lot pic


Adam's Rotors & Akebono Euro Ceramics


Rear old v. new


Front old v. new


Fresh


After bedding in. Don't mind the fresh pad material in the slots.


Suspension is next...

[elRayRay]

Suspension is next...

Well, maybe not.

I pulled the trigger on the new RSNav unit in the 8.8" size with the 4 exterior cameras for 360° bird's eye view. I don't expect to have it for a couple months, so I'm hoping to also get a Valentine One and install everything at once. THEN suspension.

I'll be selling my current RSNav piggyback Android Auto/wireless CarPlay box if anyone with top-line MMI is interested.

[elRayRay]

Surprisingly quick from RSNav! I wasn't expecting it for another month at least but I received my new S4 RSNav unit yesterday. A new, very detailed install video was posted by another owner on YT. Not sure if they're a user here, Dan Polniak, but hat tip to you!
Install looks pretty involved, especially regarding the side cameras, so I think my install will be in stages since I don't have a garage and will be taking my car into my workplace garage bay to do any intensive work. I plan on doing the main control unit first, of course and running the camera cables behind the dash. Hopefully I can get the front camera installed in the first go also. Following up with the side cameras and finishing with the rear camera.

I'm considering plugging in my VCDS and connecting to the RSNav to have the mobile app on tap at any time. Any downsides to this? Seems like it would be nice to have data logging and other stuff quickly accessible. I believe I read that the VCDS has a setting to allow it to "turn off" if the ignition isn't on.

[elRayRay]

Well, it took a while, but I got it in. I just installed the main unit, for now. I also ran the cables for the cameras to the grill and each end of the dash. I also installed a bullet cam (for dash cam duties) to the rear-view mirror below the sensors.

Before:


After:


I also put on the recommended screen protector from Photodon. Whichever one is the higher glare reduction.

[mys4.org]

I think what is going to be really limiting to make this more "Offroad'ish" is the attack angles for the front and rear ends. Especially the front where you have so many thing that are right at the front base of the bumper. If something takes out the bumper, fingers cross the crash bar protects everything else. I'm sure you aren't going to go crazy or anything, but a redesign front bumper to help with the attack angle would be cool to see. Basically everything from the top of the fog light cover down needs to be metal and angled back as far as possible. It would be different for sure.

[elRayRay]

Yeah, I've thought about that and no, I'm definitely not going to go crazy or anything. I'm not looking to take this on slickrock trails in Utah or the Rubicon. I'm just looking to make it resemble what a Q5 built for a Dakar rally might look. I want to put the "Offroad" trim package on with the front and rear bumpers which look to improve the approach and departure angles. I know this will be pretty spendy, especially since the S-line bumpers will need to be swapped for base bumpers BEFORE adding the Offroad lower valances. For cost reasons, this will most likely be one of the last mods on the project. I've also considered finding a fabricator to make bumpers that further improve clearances, but I don't really think that will be necessary.
Here's a parking lot pic of my car after going mushroom hunting last weekend:

[5000S]

Very nice, I would add mudguards to preserve the paint, and keeping the mud off the sides.......