Placed the order for our next long-term project car: 2012 A6 - Quartz Gray on Black

[Anthony]

Here's the order configuration...

Model Year: 2012
Model: 4G251A A6 3.0 SEDAN 4-DR AUTO QUATTRO
Exterior Color: Q4Q4 QUARTZ GRAY METALLIC
Interior Color: FZ BLACK
Options:
5TG INLAY - BRUSHED ALUMINUM
6NQ HEADLINER IN BLACK CLOTH
6W9 FRONT LICENSE PLATE - FILLER GRILLE PANEL
9ZW AUDI CONNECT
AMI IPOD CABLE FOR AUDI MUSIC INTERFACE
PX2 LED HEADLIGHTS
WPT PRESTIGE PACKAGE

Needless to say, we're pretty excited!

Below are the renderings from Audi's website of a Quartz Gray with S line. Not the proper stock wheels and we obviously won't have a European (or any) front plate, but other than that this is pretty much it...

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/audizine_a6_mockup_front.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/audizine_a6_mockup_back.jpg

First mods will be wheels (already know which ones), a light tint, and an Audizine plate frame out back.

Already looking into European headlight housings and suspension options as well. [evilsmile]

Now for the 3-4 month wait...

[Snooter]

Nice! I'm jealous....

[awdjunkies]

Congratulations on the New/Project car Anthony!! I can already see you going to the calendar every few minutes and counting the days LOL

[AofC_RR]

No sport package?????!? Love the color choice and full LED lights.

[Stubek]

Very awesome! Are you going through Stevens Creek again or somewhere closer to the new homestead?

[MA7]

What made you choose the LED headlights? Is this purely aesthetics or are there functional changes/improvements associated with the LED headlights option? $1400 is a bit pricey.

Do LED headlights help (reduce) insurance costs?

[cebo0650]

Why European headlight housings, or did you mean tail light?

[OmaHahn]

What made you choose the LED headlights? Is this purely aesthetics or are there functional changes/improvements associated with the LED headlights option? $1400 is a bit pricey.

Do LED headlights help (reduce) insurance costs?

I can't answer for him but I would pay that much for the LED headlights for starters your front turn signals are that fregin awesome kick ass amber LED strip! If you get anything OTHER than LED headlights, your front turn signal is your regular ugly amber BULB!
I am also very jealous of this car along with 2 other C7 posted recently on here! Go look for Tony's from Regina, Canada - his new car is sweet and there's a silver one with black wheels that rocks!

[Anthony]

No sport package?????!? Love the color choice and full LED lights.
Nope, the wheels and suspension would just be coming off within days/weeks anyway.



Very awesome! Are you going through Stevens Creek again or somewhere closer to the new homestead?
Yup, Enrique over at Stevens Creek. I haven't made any contacts up here at Sonnen yet.



What made you choose the LED headlights? Is this purely aesthetics or are there functional changes/improvements associated with the LED headlights option? $1400 is a bit pricey.

Do LED headlights help (reduce) insurance costs?
They're gorgeous, more efficient, and more durable. $1400 is a deal compared to how much a new set costs from the dealer (even at cost).



Why European headlight housings, or did you mean tail light?
To get rid of the DOT-required amber/orange. They will look like the headlights in the first pic up top instead of having an amber reflector in them like this...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7lT73vkVx3M/Tm4J9DnTfpI/AAAAAAAAAfw/dB4RakKvK5Y/s720/IMG_6762.JPG

E-code headlight housings or usually one of the first mods I do (or if the model has a reflector in/on the bumper, like the A7, I paint over them to match the car). I just feel they look a lot cleaner. More aesthetically pleasing.

[305Supercharged]

Nicee! congrats =D!

[cebo0650]

The ones in the pic above are the LED, which don't have the amber so I'm not sure I follow. Didn't you get the car with LEDs as an option?

[Audacious]

The ones in the pic above are the LED, which don't have the amber so I'm not sure I follow. Didn't you get the car with LEDs as an option?

It's the amber side markers on the corner edges of the headlight; just the reflectors, not an actual bulb/LED.

Pics when you get the car, Anthony...LOTS of pics. Looking forward to seeing what the end result will look like [up]

Also, never would have found this thread without twitter!

[Anthony]

The ones in the pic above are the LED, which don't have the amber so I'm not sure I follow. Didn't you get the car with LEDs as an option?
The ones in the first pic are E-codes, AKA: Euro spec. Both the HID and all-LED headlights here in North America (well, certainly the US at least) have amber reflectors in them. See the following...

http://yfrog.com/h24teqfj:tw1

http://yfrog.com/khxgjyj:tw1

[Anthony]

It's the amber side markers on the corner edges of the headlight; just the reflectors, not an actual bulb/LED.

Pics when you get the car, Anthony...LOTS of pics. Looking forward to seeing what the end result will look like [up]

Also, never would have found this thread without twitter!
God bless the Twitter! It's where/how I first posted those two pic here. [:D]

[cebo0650]

The ones in the first pic are E-codes, AKA: Euro spec. Both the HID and all-LED headlights here in North America (well, certainly the US at least) have amber reflectors in them. See the following...

http://yfrog.com/h24teqfj:tw1

http://yfrog.com/khxgjyj:tw1

Ahh, yes! Now I see what you mean. E-code do look much better. I also hate the US/Canada spec taillights with a passion. Luckily in my C6 Avant I was able to re-code mine so the blink amber not red, but after seeing the C7 at my dealer a few days ago it looks like e-code tails would be needed to have an amber blinker.

Maybe one day someone can explain to me why some manufacturers insist on making red blinkers. There is now it's a requirement because some cars have amber blinkers, while others don't. The worst part is that they typically make the blinker as part of the brake light so when you're breaking and turning at the same time it looks especially retarded! I would expect this crap from an old Buick or something, but an Audi??!!!

[Anthony]

As I think I said in another thread, I don't mind the US-spec taillights at all. I think they look clean when both on or off, unlike the US-spec headlights. That's just me though...

But yeah, it's a part that I don't understand/see the need for two versions.

[Seerlah]

I must critique:

I may be the first to say it, but I think the body lines are a little too...robotic. Or maybe the front bumper is too robotic and gives the rest of the car the same feeling. The computer drawing looks much different than the real thing. But the nice thing is, it's simple subtle mods that can change the whole attitude, aprearance, and all around feel the car. Plus you buying it in Black will def assist in masking some of the unapealing body lines that would pop out on different colored vehicles. Of course, this is all an opinion, and would more than likely be swayed if I were to see the car in person. But for a first impression, it is just that.

I take it the engine is a 3.0L supercharged Inline-6?
Also, why the Auto? Simply because of preferance? Or it is not offered in a manual gearbox (in the US) with the specifications you wanted?

And last but not least, congrats on the purchase!

[Stubek]

Seerlah,
I am a real fan of the new Cadillac as an art piece, the sharp edges and crazy lines I think are very cool as art, but not as a car. I think the A6 takes the Cadillac-like lines and makes them a little less crazy and very nice for a car.
Just my personal preference and in no way saying Audi copied Cadillac.

[Seerlah]

The new Cadillac CTS-V is a very nice peice of machinery. But Cadillac I feel is in a different category of it's own. Cadillac was and always will be an American icon in the automotive industry, despite people's opinions. If gas prices weren't so high years ago (and still), I would probably be in a cadillac now and not an Audi. I dared share that truth on an Audi forum board, but it is what it is. But I sure am glad I picked up my Audi above other choices. It's one of the few things in life that I can truly says makes me happy (when she isn't causing problems [wrench]).

I am more used to sleek/smoother designs on the curves of automobiles. Audi really does have a design of it's own, and I notice that a lot of Japanese automobile industries try to mimic that of the German industry. I still have my disdain for the sharper lines vs smoother lines and people say that change is good. Others like myself would beg to differ in many cases. With that being said, this is maybe a reason I love older vehicles so much. But I actually like the C6 A6 3.0 w/Supercharger a lot. What Audi really needs to do is a really simple concept of an inline 6 single turbo luxury sports sedan. Just simply trade the s/c for a turbo.

To Anthony, pardon the thread jack. Just trying to make freindly conversation.

[transp0rter]

Beeeee eautifulllllll

[cebo0650]

As I think I said in another thread, I don't mind the US-spec taillights at all. I think they look clean when both on or off, unlike the US-spec headlights. That's just me though...

But yeah, it's a part that I don't understand/see the need for two versions.

I know the DOT requirements are that the car be visible from the side, hence why cars in US/Canada have the amber reflectors/lights in the front and typically something in the taillights that projects light to the side of the car. Not sure how useful in the real world because but OK, I can live with it. It's the red blinkers that drive me up the wall, not only does it looks like crap it's also less safe because there is less contrast between a brake light and blinker. If I knew got to get in touch with someone at the DOT I would to complain.

I hate it so much I think I will start a website for people to sign a petition to change the requirement.

Below is some text from from Wikipedia. WTF then do they keep on making this red turn signal shit for NA??!!!

Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year, though front turn signals were still permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible colour for front turn signals. Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals. U.S. studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to stop lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red.[37][38][39][40][41] American regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals have historically asserted there is no proven benefit to amber signals. However, a 2008 U.S. study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests vehicles with amber rear signals rather than red ones are up to 28% less likely to be involved in certain kinds of collisions,[42] and a 2009 NHTSA study determined there is a significant overall safety benefit to amber rather than red rear turn signals.[43]

[Golom]

What interior did you go with? Nugat/ ash wood?

[OmaHahn]

I know the DOT requirements are that the car be visible from the side, hence why cars in US/Canada have the amber reflectors/lights in the front and typically something in the taillights that projects light to the side of the car. Not sure how useful in the real world because but OK, I can live with it. It's the red blinkers that drive me up the wall, not only does it looks like crap it's also less safe because there is less contrast between a brake light and blinker. If I knew got to get in touch with someone at the DOT I would to complain.

I hate it so much I think I will start a website for people to sign a petition to change the requirement.

Below is some text from from Wikipedia. WTF then do they keep on making this red turn signal shit for NA??!!!

Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year, though front turn signals were still permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible colour for front turn signals. Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals. U.S. studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to stop lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red.[37][38][39][40][41] American regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals have historically asserted there is no proven benefit to amber signals. However, a 2008 U.S. study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests vehicles with amber rear signals rather than red ones are up to 28% less likely to be involved in certain kinds of collisions,[42] and a 2009 NHTSA study determined there is a significant overall safety benefit to amber rather than red rear turn signals.[43]

Couldn't agree more! Plus it looks 1000% better! My A4/B8, I didn't even have a brake light on the side of the activated signal! The brake light would turn into the blinking turn signal so the only brake lights were the other side and the 3rd brake light on the top of the window. It looked horribly stupid too! I completely changed mine to ROW and now it looks so clean and proper! All the red lights are brake lights now and the signal is the bottom-lower bulb that blinks amber.

[cebo0650]

Couldn't agree more! Plus it looks 1000% better! My A4/B8, I didn't even have a brake light on the side of the activated signal! The brake light would turn into the blinking turn signal so the only brake lights were the other side and the 3rd brake light on the top of the window. It looked horribly stupid too! I completely changed mine to ROW and now it looks so clean and proper! All the red lights are brake lights now and the signal is the bottom-lower bulb that blinks amber.

My C6 A6 Avant was the same way, the brake lights acted as turn signals. Thankfully I didn't need to replace the lights, just re-coded them with VAG-COM to ROW put in a missing bulb to get the proper amber turn signals.

[Stubek]

Anthony, when you get this, are you going to have DavidB8 look into the VAG-Com coding of the rear lights?

[Anthony]

What interior did you go with? Nugat/ ash wood?
Black with brushed aluminum. Black headliner as well.



Anthony, when you get this, are you going to have DavidB8 look into the VAG-Com coding of the rear lights?
I know a lot of you guys dislike the way our NA-spec tails work, but I personally think they're fine.

[Anthony]

Checked on my build this weekend. The current ETA is 12/12. Just in time for Christmas! [up]

Still wheel shopping...

[Anthony]

I must critique:

I may be the first to say it, but I think the body lines are a little too...robotic. Or maybe the front bumper is too robotic and gives the rest of the car the same feeling. The computer drawing looks much different than the real thing. But the nice thing is, it's simple subtle mods that can change the whole attitude, aprearance, and all around feel the car. Plus you buying it in Black will def assist in masking some of the unapealing body lines that would pop out on different colored vehicles. Of course, this is all an opinion, and would more than likely be swayed if I were to see the car in person. But for a first impression, it is just that.

I take it the engine is a 3.0L supercharged Inline-6?
Also, why the Auto? Simply because of preferance? Or it is not offered in a manual gearbox (in the US) with the specifications you wanted?

And last but not least, congrats on the purchase!
Sorry, forgot to adress this earlier.

I do agree that it can look a little mechanical in photos. They look nicer in person, and like most cars will look even better with a few simple mods.

It's the supercharged V6 (the 2.0T will be the other engine option), and only available in auto. It will be the daily driver that my wife and I both share, and she can't drive stick anyway.

[OmaHahn]

I skimmed through the thread real quick - but any engine mods? APR & Pulley tune?

SinCityA6 can also code lights now! He did his C6 a couple weeks ago to the ROW configuration - looks sweet!

[Anthony]

Of course I'll be doing some engine mods. I'm a big fan of the supercharged V6 and really looking forward to finally getting to "play" with one.

An exhaust and some other tuning bits are on the to-do list for next year.

[wildcat333]

Looks like it'll be sweet!

[Quattroownsyou]

Congrats...looking forward to seeing what you do with this platform. [wrench]

[Anthony]

Thanks, guys. Less than a month to go before she arrives! [:D]

[CruzS4]

Congrats Anthony. IMHO the C7 A/S6 is one of The most gorgeous sedans ever made. Period.

[m2giorav]

Congrats Anthony. The new A6 is one superb looking car. [:)]

[scorchio]

Nice looking car my friend, $1400 dollars is a steal for the led headlamps as they are a £3000 pound option over here i am sure. Regarding wheels i am having the same dilema, have settled on 19" wheels but unsure of offset/ width etc on my phantom black c7 s-line, any clues on which wheels you have been looking at ?

[Anthony]

HRE is making me a set of their all-new P45S "Conical" wheels. Going for a 20" diameter and shooting for a 9.5" or 10" width. They haven't made any for the new A6 yet so they're taking measurements this week in order to get the optimum offset. I'll report back once I have more info.

[scorchio]

Hi anthony cheers for letting me know, any chance you could e mail me over some pics of the wheels as rest assured i wont steal your thunder with the wheels as i am over here in the uk but any help would be appreciated as i havent got a clue how to work out offsets on larger wheels etc

[Anthony]

No worries. I wouldn't mind sharing pics when I have them. They're so new that there really aren't any proper photos out yet!

[Anthony]

UPDATE: The car arrived a week early! I won't be able to take delivery until next week, but will try and get some pics of it by Friday.

[Stubek]

Anthony, I would be more than happy to pick it up for you and break it in if you want, just say the word [:D]

[Anthony]

Very funny, Kevin. [:p]

Went and visited our new car at the dealership yesterday. Can't take delivery until next week, but here's a few shots I snapped with the ol' iPhone. Posted these on our Facebook and Twitter already, but for those that haven't seen 'em...

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_02.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_03.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_01.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_04.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_600_03.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_600_02.jpg

Lots more to come!

[C6Q]

"Sold to AUDIZINE.COM" - I like that!

[audia6fan]

Very funny, Kevin. [:p]

Went and visited our new car at the dealership yesterday. Can't take delivery until next week, but here's a few shots I snapped with the ol' iPhone. Posted these on our Facebook and Twitter already, but for those that haven't seen 'em...

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_02.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_03.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_01.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_800_04.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_600_03.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_600_02.jpg

Lots more to come!

Wow!!!! What a great looking car. Congrats. ;)

[Stubek]

Looks great! First thing I would do to that car though is sit in it with the engine off and just enjoy the feeling of the seats and the smell. Then start the engine and listen to it for about 10 minutes!

[illusive45]

Sp Anth, is there a baby carseat going in the back of that thing some time soon??? [;)]

[Anthony]

Sp Anth, is there a baby carseat going in the back of that thing some time soon??? [;)]
No plans on that, but ya never know...


For now though, some shots we took on our first weekend excursion.

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_a6_121711_800_01.jpg

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_a6_121711_800_02.jpg

More to come!

[Lazydog]

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/az_c7_a6_600_03.jpg

I was never a fan of having ther start/stop button on the passanger side and glad that it is on the drivers side in my car.

[Stubek]

How do you like that touch pad?

[Anthony]

How do you like that touch pad?
Love it! Just wish that overall the MMI was faster. There's a bit of a lag between hitting enter and getting a response. But hey, we're spoiled Silicon Valley tech nerds! [:p]

[tenspeed]

How do the all LED headlights measure up in the real world?

[texsun]

Very nice. After my ordeal with my '11, my '12 is on its way in the same color combo!

[Anthony]

How do the all LED headlights measure up in the real world?
I absolutely love them, even more than I thought I would!

The light output is extremely broad and even. Much brighter and cleaner than expected. Although, I have already been flashed a few times and they're definitely not pointed too high. I think people just don't know what to make of them and assume I have my brights on. Hah!



Very nice. After my ordeal with my '11, my '12 is on its way in the same color combo!
Nice. I assume you've driven one? They handle leaps above the C6. Just so well poised and better balanced.

I do wish I'd added the side assist...

[martianbooby]

soooo sexxxyyy, congrats Anthony!

when is she due for some coil overs? [:D]

[Anthony]

soooo sexxxyyy, congrats Anthony!

when is she due for some coil overs? [:D]
Thanks.

She'll get a drop early in 2012 when the wheels are done. It'll be a great before and after!

[texsun]

Nice. I assume you've driven one? They handle leaps above the C6. Just so well poised and better balanced.

I do wish I'd added the side assist...

Yes, had a C7 package loaner for three weeks while my C6 was in the shop. It absolutely is like night and day compared to the C6, expecially in Dynamic, and that was without the sports package. I could easily live with the car but since Audi is replacing mine with like options, I get to have the 19" sports package.

Only debate is whether to change to Nougat. All I've ever known is black interiors and I've always like the richness/modernity of brownish interiors.

[tankdeer]

Looks great Anthony. You should have made them import you an Avant. [;)]

[Anthony]

Looks great Anthony. You should have made them import you an Avant. [;)]
Hah! I wish I had that much pull. [:p]

[tankdeer]

Hah! I wish I had that much pull. [:p]
Trust me, we all do.

[martianbooby]

Thanks.

She'll get a drop early in 2012 when the wheels are done. It'll be a great before and after!
What wheels are u getting?


Trust me, we all do.

Time for operation #occupieAoA lol

[Anthony]

What wheels are u getting?

A set of 20"x9.5" HRE P45SC's. I'm hoping to be able to post teaser renderings in a week or so.

[Blake P]

A set of 20"x9.5" HRE P45SC's. I'm hoping to be able to post teaser renderings in a week or so.

Very nice choice Anthony! I'm willing to bet those wheel wells can fit 10.5"+ and HRE is just being conservative, as usual. Either way, I can't wait to see your A6 dropped on those wheels!

[Anthony]

I am pretty sure they could have fit at least 10"s. But hey, better to be safe than sorry. To my knowledge it's the very first set they've built for the new A6.

Oh and BTW, they'll all have the same offset of 27 but the rears will have a deeper "conical" profile.

[martianbooby]

A set of 20"x9.5" HRE P45SC's. I'm hoping to be able to post teaser renderings in a week or so.

[drool][drool]
cant wait to see this

[vjma]

I am pretty sure they could have fit at least 10"s. But hey, better to be safe than sorry. To my knowledge it's the very first set they've built for the new A6.

Oh and BTW, they'll all have the same offset of 27 but the rears will have a deeper "conical" profile.

I mounted my P40 (19x9) from the S4 that I traded and although the tire size is wrong they look alright. I am going to wait until they worn out first before getting some new ones.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l133/veejj_2006/DSC00418.jpg

[Quattroownsyou]

Beautiful car....looking forward to seeing it with the drop and wheels.

[Anthony]

Thanks, guys. [up]

[Anthony]

Got this photo from Lon @ HRE of the prototype P45SC wheel.

https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/P45S_CONICAL.JPG

I'll be starting a new thread in here once I have actual photos of my wheels being built!

[Blake P]

Awesome! You should head down to Vista and document the process for an AZ feature...

[tankdeer]

I like

[Anthony]

Awesome! You should head down to Vista and document the process for an AZ feature...
Already ahead of ya, bud. [;)]

[Blake P]

Already ahead of ya, bud. [;)]

Let me know when you're heading down if you'd like a co-pilot. Touring HRE's facility is something I've always wanted to do but never had the right opportunity.

[Anthony]

Let me know when you're heading down if you'd like a co-pilot. Touring HRE's facility is something I've always wanted to do but never had the right opportunity.
Will do.

I'm pretty sure my wife won't be going, but I'm hoping to have our videographer Sean come with me as well.

All I know for sure is that I'll be taking a road trip to SoCal in the A6 within the next month and that it comfortably seats 4-5 adults. That, and I'll be coming back with a sweet set of new shoes. [up]

[Beakerz]

Another of the first mods should be to paint the rear diffuser. It completely gets lost on that color, at least in the pics.

[tenspeed]

Another of the first mods should be to paint the rear diffuser.

Paint the diffuser the same color as the wheels.

[Anthony]

You know, I thought about that as well, but not sure which color I'd paint it. It's a pretty big piece of plastic, and I don't want it sticking out like a sore thumb. A few shades darker might do the trick. Subtle enough that most wouldn't notice a difference, but we definitely would.

[scorchio]

Anthony those wheels are stunning mate, really cant wait to see these on your a6. Been working offshore for the last 4 weeks so not drove my c7 in what feels like ages but still undecided on what wheels to get plus after seeing your twin exit rear diffuser makes me want one for mine but would mean getting a exhaust system made up, not sure the other half will allow me

[Anthony]

Anthony those wheels are stunning mate, really cant wait to see these on your a6. Been working offshore for the last 4 weeks so not drove my c7 in what feels like ages but still undecided on what wheels to get plus after seeing your twin exit rear diffuser makes me want one for mine but would mean getting a exhaust system made up, not sure the other half will allow me
Thanks!

Have any shots of your car's rear? Is it dual pipes on one side as opposed to one on each side?

[Brooklyn]

Resurrecting an old thread, but Anthony, did you start a new thread at some point? I seem to recall you changing wheels, no? Did you ever change the exhaust on the car, and if so, what did you end up going with?