aftermarket black optic options

[docfunk]

I've been lurking here for some time, decided to sign up today. Forgive me if i'm repeating a prior thread, but my A7 is in the shop for some repairs, and while there, I'm considering getting it blacked out with an aftermarket black optic package. They are quoting me $3800 for parts/labor/taxes to get the black optic grill and to replace the front/rear/quarter panel/roof trims to gloss black. More than I expected. $748 for the grill, $297 x 2 for the front trims/molding, $284 x 2 for the rear, $437 x 2 for the roof, and $267 for the quarter panels. Should I ask about getting the trims/moldings wrapped to save cost and get the grill? Other suggestions? I'm trying to get cost down as much as possible.

Mine currently looks like:
http://www.moibbk.com/images/audi-a7-black-5.jpg

Would like it look like:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d132/ufmike316/IMG_1035.jpg

With wheels painted as such:
https://www.tagmotorsports.com/media/igallery/cache/1/0dc2d03fe217f8c83829496872af24a0/t/a/tag_audi_a7_brabus-6.jpg

[docfunk]

bump for suggestions

[hubris]

Too much black in the second photo. Yours has nice contrast to my eye. But it's all personal taste. I thoght I wanted to completely black out my grille/fog light area before I put the RS6 honeycomb grill in. After putting the new grille in, I like the silver bars attached to the black honeycomb grill - it adds nice contrast. All subjective.

[Stan77]

wrapping works fine with chrome trim, and actually to properly paint a chrome it's pain in the @$$ =)

[Brooklyn]

The stock trim is expensive, as you're finding out. There are a ton of aftermarket grills available. Do a search here and you'll likely find a few options, including from reputable advertisers on the board. Alternatively, you could paint or Plastidip your stock grill. For the trim, you have a few options:

1. Wrap;
2. Remove and paint. Prepped correctly and assuming you can get it off and on without breaking any tabs, etc., should be significantly cheaper than replacing with actual OEM black optics trim;
3. Paint with Plastidip. Pros: you can presumably do this without removing the trim, or pay a professional Plastidip installer to do it; easy to touch up; Cons: My limited experience painting furniture hardware with Plastidip is that it goes on with a textured look. Very difficult (at least for me) to get it on to where it was 100% smooth, but that was straight out of the rattle can. This would be, by far, your least expensive route.

[Eugeinus]

Get it wrapped in Vinyl - excellent results and way way cheaper than painting.

[docfunk]

Appreciate all the advice, I think I'll ask them about wrapping the trims and consider the grill to be wrapped or replaced. I think I can save the most money on the trims.

[[email protected]]

Generally wrapping the window trims saves quite a bit of cost. However with the grille, license plate delete (or holder) and lower bumper grilles you are better off replacing for longevity and quality sake. Vinyl or paint can be done well, but the front end tends to take a beating with rock/stone/pitting and the factory parts hold up very well to this.

For your grille pricing, looks like they are pricing that out oddly or is it for non genuine items or painted items? The factory items will hold up very well, but they do price out a bit higher than aftermarket items or painted items which tend to chip over time.

Grille | A7 Post-Facelift Black Optic (http://europrice.us/grille-a7-post-facelift-black-optic)

As for the bumper grilles you can do genuine pieces for nearly the same price as the aftermarket or painted:

Bumper Grilles | A7, S7 Post-Facelift Black Optic (http://europrice.us/bumper-grilles-a7-s7-post-facelift-black-optic)

I've found over the years that the factory black optic items really do stand the test of time. The black gloss trims always seem to resist stone chips really surprisingly well.

If you have any questions or need more information don't hesitate to let me know via PM or email: [email protected]

Cheers,

[dennisg]

If the grill you have is fundamentally black with brushed teeth and polished surround, I would say just wrap the surround and leave the teeth brushed.

I put a black optics grill in my car because it was silver grey with brushed teeth and polished surround stock. But I put the brushed teeth on the black grill for some contrast. I think it looks better than the all black.

I had window trims wrapped. Too expensive to buy the factory pieces in my opinion and the wrap looks good.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/thelionsden/IMG_1499.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/thelionsden/media/IMG_1499.jpg.html)

[tonymission]

That looks pretty good Dennis!

[docfunk]

Generally wrapping the window trims saves quite a bit of cost. However with the grille, license plate delete (or holder) and lower bumper grilles you are better off replacing for longevity and quality sake. Vinyl or paint can be done well, but the front end tends to take a beating with rock/stone/pitting and the factory parts hold up very well to this.

For your grille pricing, looks like they are pricing that out oddly or is it for non genuine items or painted items? The factory items will hold up very well, but they do price out a bit higher than aftermarket items or painted items which tend to chip over time.

Grille | A7 Post-Facelift Black Optic (http://europrice.us/grille-a7-post-facelift-black-optic)

As for the bumper grilles you can do genuine pieces for nearly the same price as the aftermarket or painted:

Bumper Grilles | A7, S7 Post-Facelift Black Optic (http://europrice.us/bumper-grilles-a7-s7-post-facelift-black-optic)

I've found over the years that the factory black optic items really do stand the test of time. The black gloss trims always seem to resist stone chips really surprisingly well.

If you have any questions or need more information don't hesitate to let me know via PM or email: [email protected]

Cheers,

I'm pretty sure the grille gricing is for the genuine grill

[docfunk]

If the grill you have is fundamentally black with brushed teeth and polished surround, I would say just wrap the surround and leave the teeth brushed.

I put a black optics grill in my car because it was silver grey with brushed teeth and polished surround stock. But I put the brushed teeth on the black grill for some contrast. I think it looks better than the all black.

I had window trims wrapped. Too expensive to buy the factory pieces in my opinion and the wrap looks good.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/thelionsden/IMG_1499.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/thelionsden/media/IMG_1499.jpg.html)

gorgeous s6 you have there. My A7 is also phantom black pearl and I really like that contrast of the chrome teeth with the polished surround. I think i'll consider something similar and see if they can also wrap the window trims glossy black. What are your wheel opinions? keep current stock, paint glossy black, or do a new wheel altogether?

[Rusty G.]

Get what you want to get. If you want all black with black optics, go for it.

Are your wheels stock, or are you going to go with aftermarket rims?

[Plutolawyer]

A big +1 on the Wrap idea. I Plasti Dipped my window trim and grille and it looked ok for awhile (cheap but a pain in the a$@ to put on the window trim. After a few months had it professionally wrapped. It's been over a year and looks amazing. My wife's RS5 has the black optics package and they look very similar. Get a gloss wrap if you want it to look closer to the package.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[docfunk]

wheels are stock, not sure yet on those. Want to decide on grille and window trim first.

[dennisg]

I am an HRE addict... These would look awesome on your car and I have a set for sale but they are for A/S6 not 7 Pricey but like fine jewelry

http://i.minus.com/jbb0UQPRXccVbx.jpg (http://minus.com/i/bb0UQPRXccVbx)

[RAF_S7]

These guys do a few options if you want to stay OEM. Ive used them for a few pieces.

https://www.bks-tuning.com/oem-audi-a7-s7-rs7-window-trim-package.html

[[email protected]]

I'm pretty sure the grille gricing is for the genuine grill

I would definitely check with the supplier about this. The prices in North America and Europe are quite a bit higher than that pricing you listed in the first post plus you do also need a matching center trim (plate delete with or without holder) which adds a reasonable amount to the price as well.

Cheers,

[docfunk]

I would definitely check with the supplier about this. The prices in North America and Europe are quite a bit higher than that pricing you listed in the first post plus you do also need a matching center trim (plate delete with or without holder) which adds a reasonable amount to the price as well.

Cheers,

thanks, will do. And definitely no front plate to me, love how streamlined and beautiful the face looks without it

[docfunk]

I am an HRE addict... These would look awesome on your car and I have a set for sale but they are for A/S6 not 7 Pricey but like fine jewelry

http://i.minus.com/jbb0UQPRXccVbx.jpg (http://minus.com/i/bb0UQPRXccVbx)

love these wheels, I've decided that I still want some contrast, which I'll probably do with the wheels.

[docfunk]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I've pretty much finalized what I want. Black optics grille/window/sunroof trims with chrome audi rings on the grille. Black wheels I think will be overkill for me, and I love the contrast and style of a brushed tinted or brushed titanium wheel. The bmw/audi guy agreed that the trims cost way too much and will check a quote for me on the wraps.

I pretty much want it to look like the A7 version of this beautiful s8 (with chrome rings of course):
http://www.luxury4play.com/automotive/126681-2013-audi-s8-velos-designwerks-solo-l-wheels-full-shoot-inside.html
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/9103924168_cbb1475c70_h.jpg

[ellisina4]

Here is my aftermket black optics option... Please do not judge me as I traded my 2013 s6 for this 2015 550xi.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=81392&title=image1254&cat=500

[docfunk]

they quoted 700 to wrap all the chrome parts and 125 per tire to make them more a gunmetal color. Much better than 3800, will do someone research and decide on pulling the trigger.

[Kem]

How hard is it to pop the teeth out to swap the brushed ones into a black optic grill? I like the look, might try this myself.


If the grill you have is fundamentally black with brushed teeth and polished surround, I would say just wrap the surround and leave the teeth brushed.

I put a black optics grill in my car because it was silver grey with brushed teeth and polished surround stock. But I put the brushed teeth on the black grill for some contrast. I think it looks better than the all black.

I had window trims wrapped. Too expensive to buy the factory pieces in my opinion and the wrap looks good.

[UroTuning]

such a pretty car. Love it [drool]

[docfunk]

so either wait and buy new wheels or get them coated gunmetal? thoughts? i worry that coating the stock 10 spokes will look cheap...however, if they could get the wheels to look like this, I think it would work

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151271304473638.516079.308423203637&type=1