Interior Day
The RS Design package offers alcantara with grey or red stitching, with the US competition model defaulting to red. I’m not really a fan of red with a blue car and wish the RS5 had a blue option like the RS6/7performance does. Since I really miss having a flat bottom wheel, I am swapping it with one from the RS6/7 so it won’t throw any errors with the hands on detection and heat. I was able to source the blue stitched version from RS6/7design package and will be pairing it with an A8 leather stitched airbag from the extended leather package. To complete the look, I reached into the Audi parts bin and am using the blue stitched console sides and shift boot from the A5. I lose the alcantara console sides, but the look still works with the car.I am saving the red on the floor mats and seat belts for another time.
Rather than go through the process of swapping the wheel, there are youtube videos that explain it better than I could. One thing I will mention is I found the facelift airbag a little more difficult to release than the previous round version. This one liked more of a push than a pry on the release pins – hard to explain, but if you ever swap yours, you’ll see what I mean. A Phillips screwdriver worked the best for me.
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Another note: The car is keyed on to unlock the steering column and the battery is disconnected for airbag safety. Because I had a door open when I disconnected the battery, it didn’t raise the glass when reconnecting it and saw that lowered point as its new home. Opening the door dropped it farther. If you do this, or have a window down, it will lose its position and need to be re-calibrated. To re-calibrate, run the window all the way down, release the switch, then hold it down again for another five seconds.Do the same procedure when running it to the up position. The window will relearn the limits and the auto open/close will work again.
One thing that stuck out to me with the facelift model is they switched the aluminum shift button to black, but left the rest of the handle trim aluminum. It cheapens the look for me, so I’ll be using the pre-facelift gear selector. Of course I opted for the blue stitched version.
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I’m also swapping out the 12v plug covers to the pre-facelift version so they match the volume and climate control knobs again.
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Many of you probably never noticed, but Audi removed the bolt covers on the front part of the center console in the foot well area. I purchased two of these covers to replace them on each side.
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I always thought it was odd that the bolster control knob was aluminum but the seat adjustment knobs were black. I installed the aluminum optic switches so they match. They pop out with a pry tool.
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I like the clean look of the OE Euro-spec visors. To remove your visors, pop the cover out and rotate out. Then, use a small pick to allow the electrical connector to release. To install is the reverse.
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I also swapped the rear headrests for the Euro version. To unlock them, either use the emergency door key in the key fob or a similar sized flat blade screwdriver.
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Overall, I love the look. It will look even better after round two when I address the mats and seat belts. I also picked up a used set of basic console sides for a core to have upholstered in alcantara with blue stitching, since Audi doesn't make that combo for the B9. Many of you may think it’s a waste to dial in an interior when it would be better spent on performance mods or exterior bits. The interior is where you spend all your time with the car.While the interior is very nice to begin with, there’s something special to me about blue stitching in Audis, even more so than red.
Riley's Ascari Blue RS5 Competition Journal
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Originally Posted by z06ontrack
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