Originally Posted by
pwdrskr
Welcome to the allroad fold! Great looking car and excellent write up.
How have your aluminum trim bits held up? On a different car (BMW 335xi) I had aluminum and it scratched very easily so wondering how Audi aluminum is standing up.
How do you like your suspension set up? Like you I felt the stock ride height wasn't ideal so I went an OEM S-line Avant suspension and have been pretty happy.
On the wheel front I just this week backed off from 20" rims to 19" ones from BC Racing. The roads here in Seattle were just a little to rough for 20s and an S-line suspension.
Have you considered e-code headlights? I did it and I REALLY like the way they look, not to mention the improved beam pattern. I also have e-code rears on the way...
@pwdrskr -- Your car is one of my greatest inspirations here on the forums, so thank you so much for the compliments. There was actually a white 2013 for sale here locally when I bought this car. And anyone who knows me is aware that I almost always get white cars. But the cost savings for this gray one plus the metallic color won me over. It looks better in person than the photos might suggest-- but yeah, love white and ADORE your car.
To answers your questions....
(1) - Purchased this vehicle with 19k miles on it, used (2013) about a month ago (yeah, I've been busy modifying in such a short period of time). I'll say that for the most part the alum trim bits are doing okay on the exterior. The lower rockers have fared the worst, with swirl marks. When cleaned up you notice it most. But then again this is the Midwest here with snow/salt blasting them. I'd say it has held up nicely, though I suspect if you were meticulous then around 100k you'd want to maybe replace them. But for 20k miles of wear/tear, they are doing nicely.
(2) - Suspension setup is good, but hardly pocket-car handling. Granted the B8 cars are hard to make handle well, just take a look at how far out in front of the front axle the motor/trans sit-- not so great for weight distribution. I'd imagine that performance could be better with some stiffer sway bars, and Bilstein PSS coils-- or maybe KW V3. But there is a trade off here, with the cost of this kit being around $800-900 for the suspension, versus those other kits are $1500-3000. I'm really happy with how the car rides at this lower stance, though I'd imagine your S-line is probably more compliant and relaxing to drive. My car isn't harsh, but can be bouncy due to the lowness.
(3) - Wheels were a bone of contention for me. When I got the car with the stock 18s I immediately knew those would be relegated to winter driving. (I'll buy snow tires to put on the stock 18s come the fall). I really wanted some 19" OEM S4/S5 wheels for summer, and found a few sets but they were all pretty scuffed up, too much of a cost to ship, etc. I had a used set of 20" Sport Edition wheels laying around so I figured I would go the cheap route. I picked up the new Falken tires, and I tried them on first. But they were just too heavy and so I ended up searching. Having spent the money on the new tires I decided to stay with 20s, and scored these A7 wheels off eBay but from a local seller, for a good price. They are forged so they are strong, and light, and being OEM wheels they are very nice build quality. I don't think I've seen photos of your new 19s/BC wheels-- got a pic? In Ohio the roads are bad here too, much like Seattle. Perhaps even worse being in the snow belt here, I think we get more plowing/snow/pot holes compared to the PNW. It is really tough to drive downtown, I look like I'm drunk dodging pot holes. Lucky for me, the wife's car gets us both to work, so my wagon is an evening/weekend/long trip car primarily. Still, in a perfect world, I'd have run some 19s for summer... but I do love how the 20s look.
(4) - Your headlights are also an inspiration for me... I'd really love to do the European headlights not only for the beam pattern, but also because I really want to ditch the amber corners (I already used a VAG COM to code out those bulbs so they don't even run anymore haha). What is the difference between the USA tails and the ecode tails? I was unable to figure out what the differences were. But as for the headlights I know they drop the amber corner markers and update to european beam pattern. I could see myself doing that, down the road. Next on the list will be APR software when it comes available. I'd also love to do the AWE Tuning full downpipe/exhaust setup -- those two items (chip/exhaust) are nearly $3k. But I think it would really wake up the motor which I'd love. Those two are going to take priority over any other cosmetics. I'd also love a new front grille (to drop the front plate)- but that is still law/required in Ohio and the cost is prohibitive.
Great to banter with you. Again, love your car. Ciao!
Ari (Shaka)
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