2011 Meteor Gray Avant build thread

[Stubek]

So, in the theme of Cory_can's build thread http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-**?highlight=
Here is mine

Car started as a 2011 Meteor Gray Avant with Black Leather, Titanium 19inch sport package, B&O sound system, and Nav.
Original exterior pictures http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...44#post6234144



As of August 15, 2012, the mods are
Exterior
35% 3M tint rear windows
50% 3M tint front windows
Yellow Fogs
ROW LED Tail lights http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6695010[i]
PLANNED
Rear valence upgrade and paint to match soon
power coat the wheels
some custom under hood "decoration" is planned

Interior
All lights changed to LED http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6599776
B5 trunk cargo net
All weather trunk mat
Painted the silver plastic dash trim piano black as well as the area around and behind the door handles http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...30#post6644030
Black aluminum paddle extensions on the steering wheel shifters http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6798485
Under seat storage bins added to the front seats http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6805510
Done, but I need to write real updates for this thread
footwell red led lights in front, LED lights under all doors
Planned
soon making a coin holder delete with factory volume nob to control aftermarket subwoofer
eventually flat bottom steering wheel
eventually sport pedals

Audio
Custom subwoofer addition http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...97#post6362097
Replaced B&O 3 inch dash mid range with Audison Voce 3.0
Replaced B&O A pillar tweeters with Audison tweeters
Replaced B&O 8 inch front speakers with Audison Voce V6.5
Replaced B&O Rear door 6 inch speakers with Audison Voce VX6.5
Replaced B&O center channel speaker with Audison Voce 3.0 with a custom baffle
Disconnected B&O rear door tweeters
Road kill in all doors
Audio upgrade thread http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ers?highlight=

Engine
APR stage 1 tune
Done, but I need to write real updates for this thread
034 HFC
034 Catch Can
034 FMIC
APR Stage 2 tune
Carbonio
034 TIP hose
Planned
Cat back Exhaust eventually


Suspension
Installed Eurocode Alu Kreuz http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6844841
5mm front spacers and 11.5 mm rear spacers http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post7228781
Done, but I need to write real updates for this thread
front and rear sway bars

VAG-COM
Lap Timer
Euro Parking Lights
Disable winking
turn off amber side markers
Front fogs with high beams
Rear fogs with high beams
Front turn signals as parking lights
LED DRLs to 50%
LED DRLs full bright with parking lights
Gauge Test/Needle Sweep
MMI3g Hidden Menu
Windows by remote
Maximum Volume on in MMI3g

Service
Airbag sensor replacement
5k service
15k service

[formula1guy]

subscribed! Glad I was able to see your car in person (met with you and Anthony at Starbucks next to Pruneridge golf a while back) and in stock form and am looking forward to seeing it evolve.

[Stubek]

So far as you can tell, it has mostly been audio upgrades, but if you want a listen, let me know.

[formula1guy]

You read my mind, would definitely like to check out your audio set up sometime soon.

[routertyty]

Nice Avant. Even nicer in person!

[quality_sound]

I was REALLY surprised at how much dirt and how many swirls Meteor hides. Normally dar colors show everything but Meteor is VERY good in this respect.

[Stubek]

I was REALLY surprised at how much dirt and how many swirls Meteor hides. Normally dar colors show everything but Meteor is VERY good in this respect.

That is part of why we picked the color. Coming from silver, we did not want white, red, black, or silver. Not many options left after that, but quite happy with this.

[a4_bob]

+1 on the color. I think it's looks classy and is pretty decent to maintain. I came from deep sea blue which was pretty tough keeping free of dirt and swirls.

[Stubek]

I switched out most of the interior lights to LEDs. I started with this thread by B_Boy and there is great information there http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=LED .

In the end, I personally went with the following bulbs/locations. All bulbs are cool white unless noted. All bulbs were bought from superbrightleds.com
Front Map WLEDx4
Front Dome 3710 xHP3
Visor Mirror lights 3710 xPH3
Rear Dome WLED x-6
Door ground lights WLED xHP6
trunk/cargo area WLED x6
License plate blesk error free festoons
glvoe box WLED xHP6

I still need to install the mirror tape from gregnelson in the four door lights so more light reflects down, but they are pretty good as is.

The only one that I am not happy with is the Front dome. I need to find a festoon that has LEDs on both sides or something because right now, there is really just a line of light in the dome.

[Stubek]

LED tail lights are in and fully operational!


Thanks so much to DavidB8 and Alex@Europrice for all the great research and patience with me they had!
Full details at http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...99#post6693999

[routertyty]

Nice, Kevin.

[Stubek]

Update with the interior trim pictures http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...und?highlight=

[Wah]

Very nice trim color....

[Stubek]

Installed aluminum paddle shifter extensions today
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...75#post6798475

[Stubek]

Installed the under seat storage bins in the car today. Easy job, only took about 30 minutes total.
http://www.audienthusiasts.com/ProjectUnderseatbin.html

[JOS4AUDI]

Great mods!! I just noticed this thread.

[Okan509]

damn! every mod in the book!

[Stubek]

I will have the car for 7 years, so doing it all now so I can enjoy the mods as long as possible. Only thing I can't do that I want to do is coil overs, I promised the wife I would not lower this one. She said the last one was too low and hurt her back getting in and out, also, every speed bump and driveway was the enemy of my front bumper and oil pan.

[adam20t]

good looking...was a toss up between Ibis White and Meteor Gray...went with the white b/c its the wife's DD and that is what she liked.

[rxs1407]

More pics please..... inside & out...

[Stubek]

Thanks for the comments. She is going in for a spa treatment tomorrow before the local morning car show, so I will get lots of pics there.

[Greg Nelson]

She is going in for a spa treatment tomorrow

Icelandic mud bath, manicure, pedicure, massage?
See you tomorrow.

[Stubek]

One quick new iPhone picture of what I just did. See if you can spot it. Real pictures tomorrow

[Stubek]

Icelandic mud bath, manicure, pedicure, massage?
See you tomorrow.

Hetch Hetchy water treatment, hand massage, Brazilian wax.

[Greg Nelson]

Hetch Hetchy water treatment, hand massage, Brazilian wax.

Brazilian wax job - now I know I'll be there

[Greg Nelson]

One quick new iPhone picture of what I just did. See if you can spot it. Real pictures tomorrow

I know, only b/c we've discussed it many times.
Let others here figure it out. Spot the Pope in the Pizza

[Stubek]

I refuse to comment any more tonight because I have had too much to drink...

[DavidB8]

I know, but only because I furnished encouragement and details.

[Stubek]

DavidB8, the part you helped with is not wired yet need to still get pins and plugs

[Greg Nelson]

I refuse to comment any more tonight because I have had too much to drink...

Red Red Wine

[DavidB8]

Well in that case I'm voting parking switch moved to other side and base controller installed.

[Stubek]

Strong margaritas made by my wife and installed the UK parking switch and the base nob.

[DavidB8]

Do I win a prize or something? I hate entering these online contests.. All you ever get is spam.. ;)

[phatAvant]

Howcome you moved the switch, is there soemthing going to go around the base controller or is it just sitting in a "hole"?

[Stubek]

David, I thought about sending you a hundred PMs, but decided not to. Maybe I will find you a prize for winning and as a token of my appreciation for all the help you have been...

phatAvant
I moved the switch because the plan was to put the subwoofer gain nob where the coin holder was, but on that side, it is annoying to reach around the shifter, so I got the UK switch (HHA was only about $2 more).
The other part of the plan is I took the coin holder out. I am going to 3D scan it, auto cad it to be flat so I can then either 3d print or vacuum mold a coin holder delete. Through autocad, I can flip it to fit the left side then I can put that in, make a small hole, and put the subgain nob on the left with a factory volume nob and it will look almost OEM.

[phatAvant]

I moved the switch because the plan was to put the subwoofer gain nob where the coin holder was, but on that side, it is annoying to reach around the shifter, so I got the UK switch (HHA was only about $2 more).
The other part of the plan is I took the coin holder out. I am going to 3D scan it, auto cad it to be flat so I can then either 3d print or vacuum mold a coin holder delete. Through autocad, I can flip it to fit the left side then I can put that in, make a small hole, and put the subgain nob on the left with a factory volume nob and it will look almost OEM.

Nice plan, will be good to see how it turns out.

[cory_can]

I'm not sure if you have stubby dinosaur arms but I don't have any difficulty "reaching" around the shifter. I actually find having the volume control and my sub control on the far side MORE comfortable/ergonomic and the having them together (within a few inches) works out perfectly and is very convenient for fine adjustments. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Stubek]

Nah, I have long arms, actually long enough it's hard to find dress shirts in 15x36. I just found it more pleasing on the left.

[Stubek]

Installed the Eurocode Alu Kruez (http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=1994) about 2 weeks ago with routertyty.
My impressions of this after driving for two weeks. I don't think it has increased the lateral grip of the car or the overall cornering ability, but where it excells is with the steering input. As an example, I take a right-hand down-hill clover leave to work every day (Lawrence Expy North to 101 N for those local). Stock, I could take the turn at about 50mph and be working the steering wheel A LOT. At 40 mph stock, I still had to make a lot of little fine adjustments. Now, with Alu Kruez, I can literally make no adjustments at 40mph and just hold the wheel in one spot to make the 270* turn. At 50 mph, I am only making the fine adjustments I use to make at 40.

Over all, I love it!

[routertyty]

Installed the Eurocode Alu Kruez (http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=1994) about 2 weeks ago with routertyty.
My impressions of this after driving for two weeks. I don't think it has increased the lateral grip of the car or the overall cornering ability, but where it excells is with the steering input. As an example, I take a right-hand down-hill clover leave to work every day (Lawrence Expy North to 101 N for those local). Stock, I could take the turn at about 50mph and be working the steering wheel A LOT. At 40 mph stock, I still had to make a lot of little fine adjustments. Now, with Alu Kruez, I can literally make no adjustments at 40mph and just hold the wheel in one spot to make the 270* turn. At 50 mph, I am only making the fine adjustments I use to make at 40.

Over all, I love it!

I completely agree with Stubek. The Alu Kruez doesn't improve cornering grip but it does make bumpy high speed corners way easier to handle. Very good explanation by Stubek.