A lot of chatter has been happening lately about aluminum mirror caps for the B8 A4. Many of us have seen various versions online and at a wide range of prices. I had even looked to buy some unfinished A4 mirrors caps and have them painted the aluminum finish. The only problem is, there does not seem to be a paint code for these guys as they do not seem to be actually painted.
I spent many hours searching part numbers, searching parts distributors, comparing photos of various S model Audi aluminum caps, and even going to the dealership and roaming the lot. You would think this would have been easy enough to find a part number and order the damn things, but without being certain I was getting what I wanted for the price I was going to pay made me very hesitant. I knew the look I wanted, and a part number that was probably it, but never the two in the same place. Nor anyone who actually purchased them through the dealer.
So, for $267 each, I ordered the MY 08' - 09' S5 aluminum mirror caps from the dealer using the following part numbers:
8T0-857-527-A-3Q7
8T0-857-528-A-3Q7
The caps came in within two days, and when I picked them up, I was relieved to have received what I was hoping for! The finish on these is unlike most other S model mirror caps. They are not matte silver, but rather much more deeper and shinier aluminum, as if they have a clear coat over them. I was really hoping for the shiny finish to go along with the Avant roof rails, the stock 18 sport wheels, and the chrome window trim. Below are some comparisons shots.
Mirror cap by itself obviously:
Mirror cap next to the avant roof rails:
Mirror cap next to the chrome window trim:
Mirror caps next to the stock 18" sport wheel:
Overall I think this was $540+ well spent. I had waited long enough for these. After seeing what is probably the exact same caps on Anthony's sedan, I knew this was a must have mod for me. The finish on these caps looks much more refined and polished for the price. I didn't want to many different silver finishes going on outside the car, unlike the interior accents.
Installing them later this afternoon. More pics to follow.......
I think these mirror caps really tied the room together Donny!
Last edited by MiracleWhips; 09-05-2009 at 01:22 AM.
I don't think the pics really show the comparisons as it's very hard to capture silver.
They don't look chrome but do they match the rails?
They are definitely plastic, but seem to be some kind of faux aluminum finish, but not exactly painted on. Hard to explain really......probably why there is no paint code for them.
You are right, in the pics the caps seem to match each other silver piece of the car exactly. They are not an exact match, but they are in a way also. The roof rails and the wheels side by side are not at all the same color, but the mirrors caps seem to be right there in the middle and blend them all together.
No, the roof rails are not chrome, Rather another type of aluminum finish, bit sure of those are painted either. I took about 60 photos to get the 4 decent ones that i posted. The flash of the camera also might be casting a different spin on things. But over the match is pretty close, and since they won't be sitting exactly near the other silver bits, minus the window trim, they match as good as you are going to get IMO.
Originally Posted by ChronoVII
do they have holes cut out for the blind spot detection system? if not, are there any out there that do?
These ones do not, My A4 does not have that feature, nor did it come on the earlier model S5's.
I believe the 10' S4 and S5 have the lane assist cutouts but i hear the caps are a different shape now.
Well done, and they do indeed look like the ones I have. Not chrome, and not brushed. I'd call them polished.
I am with you on not wanting too many varying metal finishes. I was looking to tie the wheels, mirrors and valences together and have only the badges be the bright chrome.
I may have finally found the paint product I was looking for as well, thanks to a good friend that does autobody work. Unfortunately it's an expensive product, and I can only hope it comes out as expected. I should know for sure on Monday as I'm having a few new parts painted this weekend. *fingers crossed* If it's a good match, then I may do the chrome grille trim as well.
Got them both on within an hour. After learning form the first mirror, the second went on very easily. The hardest part was making sure not to break anything or crimp any of the wiring inside the housing for all the electronics. Being that I am not the most patient or have the most delicate touch at times, I am happy to say that I installed these without breaking or scratching anything!
Sorry the weather is not the greatest for photographing a white and silver car, but here is the best I could do for now. I think the mirror caps are very noticeable, yet subtle enough to not look to gaudy!
Yup, easy install just requires patience and a gentle touch.
I do like the way they look on lighter color colors (obviously which is why I put them on our Ibis too), and probably wouldn't have gone with them if I had a darker color.
"fuck your woods, fuck your bears, i'm machinegunning everything" - Marty
"i used to date gold digging polish chicks, the venus fly traps of semen." - Marty
"Listen, you can attatch F1-style suspension to a giant dildo, but at the end of the day, its still a dildo." - mdzaudi
"fuck your woods, fuck your bears, i'm machinegunning everything" - Marty
"i used to date gold digging polish chicks, the venus fly traps of semen." - Marty
"Listen, you can attatch F1-style suspension to a giant dildo, but at the end of the day, its still a dildo." - mdzaudi
oOo you live in the Sunset. I lived on 21st and santiago for about 8 years :)
So you know why the weather was not cooperating yet!
Originally Posted by belzebutt
Looks great! Only price stops me from ordering a pair right now. :D
Yeah. Another reason why it took me over 4 months to pull the trigger as well. But if you see them in person, these are no eBay specials.
Very nice quality!
holy crap there 698 for side mirror covers!! i think i'll wait for osir..
yeah i think they are buying a non painted OEM mirror cap and wrapping it in CF, so your paying for a mirror cap + carbon fiber... which would explain why so expensive...
OSIR should be priced much better since I believe they will be vacuum forming it out of CF.
"fuck your woods, fuck your bears, i'm machinegunning everything" - Marty
"i used to date gold digging polish chicks, the venus fly traps of semen." - Marty
"Listen, you can attatch F1-style suspension to a giant dildo, but at the end of the day, its still a dildo." - mdzaudi
yeah i think they are buying a non painted OEM mirror cap and wrapping it in CF, so your paying for a mirror cap + carbon fiber... which would explain why so expensive...
OSIR should be priced much better since I believe they will be vacuum forming it out of CF.
That makes the price even more absurd...
-Jeff
2009 Ibis White A4 2.0T Gloss Black Grille | CF Filler Plate | 19x8.5" Dark Gunmetal VMR v701's | Black Calipers | ST Coilovers
OSIR Trunk Spoiler| H&R 5mm Spacers | 5k DS3 HID's | Luminics Fogs | VAG-Com | Silver CF Interior | K&N Intake
Painted Front Splitter | Gloss Black Roof | Hardwired V1 | OSIR CF Rear Valence | AWE Quad Tip Exhaust
"fuck your woods, fuck your bears, i'm machinegunning everything" - Marty
"i used to date gold digging polish chicks, the venus fly traps of semen." - Marty
"Listen, you can attatch F1-style suspension to a giant dildo, but at the end of the day, its still a dildo." - mdzaudi
Got them both on within an hour. After learning form the first mirror, the second went on very easily. The hardest part was making sure not to break anything or crimp any of the wiring inside the housing for all the electronics. Being that I am not the most patient or have the most delicate touch at times, I am happy to say that I installed these without breaking or scratching anything!
Sorry the weather is not the greatest for photographing a white and silver car, but here is the best I could do for now. I think the mirror caps are very noticeable, yet subtle enough to not look to gaudy!
Next mod for this weekend, the S5 fog light rings
Do you live in the Sunset?
2010 Audi S4 Phantom Black Prestige 6MT
Current Mods: JHM Short Shifter, A.W.E. exhaust, Stratmosphere Intake, Ecodes with 6000K, Höen Endurance Fogs, Diffuser Painted
News: Thinking about sellin my HRE p41 et35 and new mods next Friday~
The finish on these is unlike most other S model mirror caps. They are not matte silver, but rather much more deeper and shinier aluminum, as if they have a clear coat over them. I was really hoping for the shiny finish to go along with the Avant roof rails, the stock 18 sport wheels, and the chrome window trim. Below are some comparisons shots.
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Originally Posted by scottyuk
, Osir Trunk Spoiler, Custom Blacked-OUT Grille
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