Splash Guards on RS6?

[pwdrskr]

Fully understand if someone sees this as sacrilege...has anyone put splash guards (aka mud flaps) on their RS6? I put them on the A6 Allroad and it looked good and worked great. However, the black wheel arches help "hide" them. They blended in. Not sure how this will look on a Glacier White RS6 though. If you did put them on, please post the link to where you bought them.

[OneFastBMW]

With the RS6 using different body panels, I am not sure the A6 Avant flaps would fit.

I believe the only body panels the RS6 Avant and A6 Avant share are the front door skins, roof, and rear hatch. All other panels are different.

[RTW S4]

I wish they made flaps for the RS6, I would have had them the first day. The rear quarters are rock magnets.

[WTF its Arturo]

I purchased Automotive Passion CF arch guards, but haven't gotten them in yet.

https://automotivepassion.net/produc...t-arch-guards/

[pwdrskr]

I purchased Automotive Passion CF arch guards, but haven't gotten them in yet.

https://automotivepassion.net/produc...t-arch-guards/

thank you! Just ordered a set for the RS6. They’d have another sale. I like how unobtrusive these are. They’d look better on a car with carbon fiber exterior bits, like out RS5 for example, but the slim profile will look great! Too bad they don’t offer them for an RS5.

[RTW S4]

Nice, wouldnt mind a set that would match better with the aluminum optics.

[utahq3]

when do you expext to have them? what was lead time

[pwdrskr]

when do you expext to have them? what was lead time

Are you asking me? Not sure as they are coming from Great Britain. Shipping was limited to only one option: "Priority Postage". No idea what that means, so I assume it'll be a few weeks...

[WTF its Arturo]

when do you expext to have them? what was lead time

I submitted an order of the arch guards along with the CF diffuser. They're still working out kinks with their diffuser, so the arch guards will ship out whenever the diffuser does. Hoping towards the end of this month or early August.

[pwdrskr]

OK, I received the arch guards yesterday and excitedly went to put them on. The excitement only lasted until I tried to install the rear guards. The excitement quickly shifted to irritation and disappointment. TL:DR - There is something wrong, most likely the mounting hardware provided isn't correct kit, causing the rear guards to be unable to be installed.

Got some time? Read on for more details:

The problem as I see it is the screw spacers are not long enough, which in turn causes the rear guards not to sit properly. The inside of the guard is pulled too far back by the screw so the guard angles forward rather than parallel to the tire tread. Then, possibly also due to the too short screw spacer, the guard doesn’t properly follow the arc of the wheel well.

I tried to take photos showing how the spacers do not align with the edge of the fender, but it was too difficult to both hold the guards and the phone.

I measured the distance from the edge of the fender to the surface of the wheel well liner and compared that with the length of the screw spacers. The results confirm that the spacers are too short:

Depth from edge of fender to surface of the wheel well liner: ~3.5 cm
Screw Spacer length: 3 cm
Difference: ~0.5 cm

The 0.5cm difference is enough to prevent the rear guards from sitting properly.
329B11E3-F4E3-46CD-924E-29830F68CB2A_1_201_a.jpg24E7505C-88E2-4B91-95D1-1FAD3FB6D130_1_201_a.jpg


This photo shows how poorly the rear guards sit. This is before the screws have been tightened. If the screws were tightened, the inside edge of the guards would be pulled past the edge of the wheel arch, forcing the outer portion of the guard to angle forward. The result would be a guard the isn’t parallel to the tire tread.
5521F27F-1EAB-4567-BFBA-B8C8E7559EDB.jpg

The screws are also seemingly too short as well. I poked them into the screw hole just far enough to stay in place and look at how far, if at all, they extend past the fender edge. Well, they don’t extend past the edge at all. The top of the screw head is barely visible. keep in mind, this is with the screw barely inserted into the hole they go into. Any threading and they will quickly become even worse (obviously)
FAFE6A43-89D5-4C07-912D-E7F9EF2A124C.jpg44EE6507-F1EC-4097-B510-7EA9E28F0926.jpg

As it stands now, the rear guards aren’t usable at all as they can’t be installed with the hardware provided. I’ve emailed the supplier so hopefully I'll get a quick response.

[WTF its Arturo]

Ah man...that's a bummer. Hopefully they'll be able to resolve it. Was looking forward to getting them installed once they come in. Keep us posted.

How do the front arch guards look?

OK, I received the arch guards yesterday and excitedly went to put them on. The excitement only lasted until I tried to install the rear guards. The excitement quickly shifted to irritation and disappointment. TL:DR - There is something wrong, most likely the mounting hardware provided isn't correct kit, causing the rear guards to be unable to be installed.

Got some time? Read on for more details:

The problem as I see it is the screw spacers are not long enough, which in turn causes the rear guards not to sit properly. The inside of the guard is pulled too far back by the screw so the guard angles forward rather than parallel to the tire tread. Then, possibly also due to the too short screw spacer, the guard doesn’t properly follow the arc of the wheel well.

I tried to take photos showing how the spacers do not align with the edge of the fender, but it was too difficult to both hold the guards and the phone.

I measured the distance from the edge of the fender to the surface of the wheel well liner and compared that with the length of the screw spacers. The results confirm that the spacers are too short:

Depth from edge of fender to surface of the wheel well liner: ~3.5 cm
Screw Spacer length: 3 cm
Difference: ~0.5 cm

The 0.5cm difference is enough to prevent the rear guards from sitting properly.
329B11E3-F4E3-46CD-924E-29830F68CB2A_1_201_a.jpg24E7505C-88E2-4B91-95D1-1FAD3FB6D130_1_201_a.jpg


This photo shows how poorly the rear guards sit. This is before the screws have been tightened. If the screws were tightened, the inside edge of the guards would be pulled past the edge of the wheel arch, forcing the outer portion of the guard to angle forward. The result would be a guard the isn’t parallel to the tire tread.
5521F27F-1EAB-4567-BFBA-B8C8E7559EDB.jpg

The screws are also seemingly too short as well. I poked them into the screw hole just far enough to stay in place and look at how far, if at all, they extend past the fender edge. Well, they don’t extend past the edge at all. The top of the screw head is barely visible. keep in mind, this is with the screw barely inserted into the hole they go into. Any threading and they will quickly become even worse (obviously)
FAFE6A43-89D5-4C07-912D-E7F9EF2A124C.jpg44EE6507-F1EC-4097-B510-7EA9E28F0926.jpg

As it stands now, the rear guards aren’t usable at all as they can’t be installed with the hardware provided. I’ve emailed the supplier so hopefully I'll get a quick response.

[pwdrskr]

Ah man...that's a bummer. Hopefully they'll be able to resolve it. Was looking forward to getting them installed once they come in. Keep us posted.

How do the front arch guards look?

Fronts look ~90-95% OK. Front view:
CD46A08C-EB88-420D-BFF3-5096FD8D2EFB_1_201_a.jpg

View from behind

37722677-AF02-45AD-9F1A-0C9D6E52A123_1_201_a.jpg

Good so far, right? Well, look closer. The reason I don't give them 100% is for two reasons stemming from how they attach to the car:

1. First, the front guard is inserted under the existing trim along the wheel arch. They supply replacement plugs that are longer to accommodate the guards. However, the guards are only under part of the trim. This creates a small gap between to original trim and the wheel arch above the top of the guard:
2. Second, the bottom of the guard sits on top of the lower existing trim attached to the wheel arch. This causes the bottom of the guard to bend away from the wheel arch and don't sit flush. Its not a huge gap, but it's there

75C0D149-78C2-4CB5-AAC6-5BDEC77E8A5D_1_201_a.jpg F1D1675B-652A-4274-BBD5-4D94BF548ED4_1_201_a.jpg B1920AEF-39F2-4293-9B4F-D059BD2BD79E_1_201_a.jpg

These front arch guard gaps are quite small and aren't really noticeable unless looking for them, hence why I gave them a 90-95%. If these small gaps were the only issues with the guards I'd be happy. However, the rear implementation is frankly a joke. If installed the way they instruct and with the materials provided, the guards will not sit flush with the wheel arch nor will they be parallel with the tire tread surface. In fact, the guards angle forward such that the outside edge is closer to the tire than the inside edge. I couldn't even fully install them. I'll try to explain.

The rear wheel arch on which the guard will rest is actually just the edge of the rear quarter panel sheet metal. There isn't a flat surface on which to attach the guards:
E52EB2A5-0999-4296-91D4-2686C2BF246F_1_201_a.jpg

So, two spacers and long screws are supplied to provide support for the arch guard:
4F196BF2-8026-450A-A999-2FF19A1DEB6B_1_201_a.jpg

The existing screws inside the wheel arch (see photo) are removed and the long screws and spacers are used in their place. The screw goes through the guard, into the spacer, then into the existing hole where the OEM screws were. Simple, right. You might think so. However, the spacer is too short. This means the guard will be pulled away from the tire, forcing the guard to pivot on the edge of the quarter panel and thus bringing the outer edge of the guard forward.
1DDE43AD-D18D-4351-810B-6341CDDFC3A3_1_201_a.jpg 5521F27F-1EAB-4567-BFBA-B8C8E7559EDB_1_201_a.jpg

I stopped at this point as it looked to me like there was something wrong. I assumed it was likely that I'd been sent the wrong mounting hardware. The depth of the area the spacer needs span is ~3.6 cm. The length of the spacers is ~3 cm., a ~0.5+ cm difference. That is enough to cause the guard to angle forward at the outside edge.

I reached out to the supplier with this issue. They sent one email claiming everything is fine. Sent some pics that conveniently "hide" the way the rear guards look when viewing directly from the side. I replied asking about this, specifically, whether they rear guards should sit parallel with the tire (like every other splash guard every made for any car ever) and whether they should fit with no gap between the guard and the wheel arch edge. Crickets for days now. They stopped responding to me. Wonderful customer service.

[pwdrskr]

I got some longer spacers and tried to give it a go. Unfortunately, the screws weren't long enough to start threading. So...I decided to give the original spacers another go of it, and I have to admit that the end result isn't as bad as I originally though. Once fully installed and tightened, the forward angle of the guard isn't as dramatic as I'd envisioned they'd be. It does eat at me that they aren't parallel to the tire tread surface. Its most obvious in the first photo. Maybe I'll hunt up some longer screws, 2 1/4" would do it I think.... Here are some photos, you be the judge:

EB6620C9-D8AC-4AC8-B901-C2E82B635259_1_201_a.jpg6C0CFC37-552B-4F19-BCEF-82264650982C_1_201_a.jpg9590170E-E101-4CC1-B5CA-8486813486C5_1_201_a.jpgFAB6259D-4130-400C-A6CA-6A047F65F850_1_201_a.jpgUPDATE:

[WTF its Arturo]

I got some longer spacers and tried to give it a go. Unfortunately, the screws weren't long enough to start threading. So...I decided to give the original spacers another go of it, and I have to admit that the end result isn't as bad as I originally though. Once fully installed and tightened, the forward angle of the guard isn't as dramatic as I'd envisioned they'd be. It does eat at me that they aren't parallel to the tire tread surface. Its most obvious in the first photo. Maybe I'll hunt up some longer screws, 2 1/4" would do it I think.... Here are some photos, you be the judge:

EB6620C9-D8AC-4AC8-B901-C2E82B635259_1_201_a.jpg6C0CFC37-552B-4F19-BCEF-82264650982C_1_201_a.jpg9590170E-E101-4CC1-B5CA-8486813486C5_1_201_a.jpgFAB6259D-4130-400C-A6CA-6A047F65F850_1_201_a.jpgUPDATE:

Thanks for the detailed write up and update! I'd have to agree that the front and rear are not completely perfect, but may be good enough for most. I took a look at my rear liner before u posted your pics and wondering how the heck they intended to mount. Your post was very helpful!


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[pwdrskr]

Thanks for the detailed write up and update! I'd have to agree that the front and rear are not completely perfect, but may be good enough for most. I took a look at my rear liner before u posted your pics and wondering how the heck they intended to mount. Your post was very helpful!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad you found it useful. As I was writing it up it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, I have too much time on my hands! Then I thought, nah, I'm doing this on work time...

It does irk me that the rear guards don't sit quite right. I'll probably keep trying to find a solution...

[Noggybowl]

I am hoping to make some of my own very soon. I made templates and have everything in my head for the “problem” of the rear mounting.

I just have to determine the correct material to use. On my B9 Allroad I used some universal Rally Armor ones and made my own brackets. I may use RockBlokz on the RS6 just to not have them be as glossy.

I prob won’t get around to it for another month. But I’ll try to make sure I take good pics. So far, this was my mock up I did last year.

IMG_0554.jpg
IMG_0550.jpg
IMG_0547.jpg
IMG_0522.jpg
IMG_0524.jpg


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[pwdrskr]

I am hoping to make some of my own very soon. I made templates and have everything in my head for the “problem” of the rear mounting.

I just have to determine the correct material to use. On my B9 Allroad I used some universal Rally Armor ones and made my own brackets. I may use RockBlokz on the RS6 just to not have them be as glossy.

I prob won’t get around to it for another month. But I’ll try to make sure I take good pics. So far, this was my mock up I did last year.

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

I'm curious to see how you "solve" the rear guard issue. To be fair, the angle the guards are at once fully installed isn't all that noticeable unless you are looking right at them. It's more one of those things that just annoys me. I suspect with a longer screw and spacer the problem will be addressed. I've just been too lazy to continue to work on it.

On a related note, I've noticed I get quite a bit less brake dust accumulating on the body panels now. the guards seems to be blocking it. On a white car this benefit is pretty significant aesthetically. Haven't tested in the rain yet, because, well....San Diego! Maybe in January/February during the "rainy" months. If we're not all desiccated by then...

[Noggybowl]

I'm curious to see how you "solve" the rear guard issue. To be fair, the angle the guards are at once fully installed isn't all that noticeable unless you are looking right at them. It's more one of those things that just annoys me. I suspect with a longer screw and spacer the problem will be addressed. I've just been too lazy to continue to work on it.

On a related note, I've noticed I get quite a bit less brake dust accumulating on the body panels now. the guards seems to be blocking it. On a white car this benefit is pretty significant aesthetically. Haven't tested in the rain yet, because, well....San Diego! Maybe in January/February during the "rainy" months. If we're not all desiccated by then...

The B9 rear bumper is much the same. While the angle is not perfect, the protection is great. I will do a bolt on the inner lower edge that goes through the fender liner for stability and the reduction of spray on the underbody as well. I can't find a good pic of the B9, but I will take some once I get moving on the install.

[Noggybowl]

Well pwdrskr....

I FiNALLY had time to finish my mud flap adventure. I went through a few different manufacturers for the right material. But ultimately I landed back in the same place I started with when I build my first set for my B5 S4 Avant. I'm sure you will recognize the material. ;)

I will add a few pics to try and capture the majority of the install, and maybe it's finally time a do a build post on the car. My goal was all OEM mounting hardware that will come off in the summer months then the summer wheels get swapped back on.

Front flaps
, on Flickr
, on Flickr



68797696838__A41F312A-8223-42F6-9791-B19387926B61.fullsizerender.jpg
IMG_3244.jpg

Rear Flaps

IMG_3231.jpg
IMG_3233.jpg
IMG_3237.jpg
IMG_3273.jpg
IMG_3277.jpg

[Jimminez@Nemesis]

Well pwdrskr....

I FiNALLY had time to finish my mud flap adventure. I went through a few different manufacturers for the right material. But ultimately I landed back in the same place I started with when I build my first set for my B5 S4 Avant. I'm sure you will recognize the material. ;)

I will add a few pics to try and capture the majority of the install, and maybe it's finally time a do a build post on the car. My goal was all OEM mounting hardware that will come off in the summer months then the summer wheels get swapped back on.

So good! I'd love a set of those rear supports. Have wanted to attach some Rally Armor flaps but just never got to mocking some supports up.

[pwdrskr]

Well pwdrskr....

I FiNALLY had time to finish my mud flap adventure. I went through a few different manufacturers for the right material. But ultimately I landed back in the same place I started with when I build my first set for my B5 S4 Avant. I'm sure you will recognize the material. ;)

I will add a few pics to try and capture the majority of the install, and maybe it's finally time a do a build post on the car. My goal was all OEM mounting hardware that will come off in the summer months then the summer wheels get swapped back on.


Rear Flaps
IMG_3233.jpg
IMG_3237.jpg

So good! I'd love a set of those rear supports. Have wanted to attach some Rally Armour flaps but just never got to mocking some supports up.

Well done, sir! What did you use to make the rear brackets? How did you ensure they are identifiable to each other? I’d pay to get a set of those?

That said, the rear flaps I installed no longer bug me like they did when I first installed them…unless I think about them, like when I detail the cars. Then it eats at me like before. Regardless, I do love them for how they protect the car from brake dust accumulation and general dirt and road grime. The think carbon fiber is subtle while still doing the job.

Speaking of carbon fiber, I’ve been debating on adding an Akrapovic exhaust With the CF exhaust pipe ends. Maybe even add the CF diffuser. Though, if I do that, I’m going to want to add CF side blades and the the various bits on the front end. Oh, and mirror caps. Yikes! Need a second job to feed this CF addiction!

[Jimminez@Nemesis]

Speaking of carbon fiber, I’ve been debating on adding an Akrapovic exhaust With the CF exhaust pipe ends. Maybe even add the CF diffuser. Though, if I do that, I’m going to want to add CF side blades and the the various bits on the front end. Oh, and mirror caps. Yikes! Need a second job to feed this CF addiction!

Check out Urban Automotive as they have a nice set for RS6 but no mirror caps, but if you want gloss then OE are available.

[Noggybowl]

Some of the pics are too big, I'll get them shrunk down and uploaded soon.

[tinmanwpk]

Once I get my car I will have to enlist my custom sheet metal shop that I own and have one of my guys fabricate some of these. I'll decide then on either aluminum or stainless steel.

[Noggybowl]

Once I get my car I will have to enlist my custom sheet metal shop that I own and have one of my guys fabricate some of these. I'll decide then on either aluminum or stainless steel.

One of the biggest reasons I went with the material I did was to minimize the amount of load/torque on the mounting points. I didn’t want to bend a fender or pull a screw out of the plastic. I just needed shielding for the majority of the debris without worrying about a speed bump, large snow load, etc.

Just a thought for doing a large metal plate. Unless you are just talking about the mount. In that case, shoot me a message.


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[Maitre Absolut]

I had the exact same AP CF arch guards on my F80 M3 CS. I had done front only though. They kept the side of the car pretty clean. Do you still recommend getting this kit? With spacers even more crap will be thrown along the side of the car. Was it only screws or did you need double sided tape or glue as well?

I got some longer spacers and tried to give it a go. Unfortunately, the screws weren't long enough to start threading. So...I decided to give the original spacers another go of it, and I have to admit that the end result isn't as bad as I originally though. Once fully installed and tightened, the forward angle of the guard isn't as dramatic as I'd envisioned they'd be. It does eat at me that they aren't parallel to the tire tread surface. Its most obvious in the first photo. Maybe I'll hunt up some longer screws, 2 1/4" would do it I think.... Here are some photos, you be the judge:

EB6620C9-D8AC-4AC8-B901-C2E82B635259_1_201_a.jpg6C0CFC37-552B-4F19-BCEF-82264650982C_1_201_a.jpg9590170E-E101-4CC1-B5CA-8486813486C5_1_201_a.jpgFAB6259D-4130-400C-A6CA-6A047F65F850_1_201_a.jpgUPDATE:

[tinmanwpk]

One of the biggest reasons I went with the material I did was to minimize the amount of load/torque on the mounting points. I didn’t want to bend a fender or pull a screw out of the plastic. I just needed shielding for the majority of the debris without worrying about a speed bump, large snow load, etc.

Just a thought for doing a large metal plate. Unless you are just talking about the mount. In that case, shoot me a message.


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Since I don't have a car yet I have no idea of the finer points of fabricating and installing anything on this car. Until that time I can't say what will or will not work.

[Pascalb]

Since I don't have a car yet I have no idea of the finer points of fabricating and installing anything on this car. Until that time I can't say what will or will not work.

I have nothing against splash guards but Audi ain’t Subaru


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[Noggybowl]

I have nothing against splash guards but Audi ain’t Subaru

You are correct, Audi pioneered the Rally world for manufacturers like Subaru and won championships over a decade before Subaru even knew what rally was. Some of the most iconic Audi historic vehicles have rally flaps on them. And some of those are the cars that influenced the RS6's boxed fenders and flares.

So, while the flaps are not for everyone... They are functional and also very historically fitting for an Audi.

For me, I am anal about my paint but also do not believe the RS6 should sit during the winter, so I will do my best to protect it in a unique and fitting manner. Do what you want with your RS6.

[pwdrskr]

You are correct, Audi pioneered the Rally world for manufacturers like Subaru and won championships over a decade before Subaru even knew what rally was. Some of the most iconic Audi historic vehicles have rally flaps on them. And some of those are the cars that influenced the RS6's boxed fenders and flares.

So, while the flaps are not for everyone... They are functional and also very historically fitting for an Audi.

For me, I am anal about my paint but also do not believe the RS6 should sit during the winter, so I will do my best to protect it in a unique and fitting manner. Do what you want with your RS6.

Protecting the paint is the main reason I wanted something. I'd put the OEM splash guards on our '21 Allroad and it made a big difference. However, those splash guards were huge compared with the carbon fibers ones I put on the RS6. Those are barely visible since they are so thin. They also don't extend that far out; just enough to block 90% of the crap kicked up by the tires and brake dust coming out. There would be visible black material (most likely brake dust) clearly visible on the white paint directly behind the wheel arches within only a couple days prior to installing the splash guards. After a week it would look like I'd driven through a bunch of mud puddles.

The angle of the rear guards isn't as dramatic as I'd feared once I got them installed. That said, I'd gladly pay for some brackets. I'm puzzled why the makers of these didn't come up with a better solution.