RS style Grille on Audi S3

[patrickk]

Hey guys, I've recently gotten into a small accident (someone backed into my parked car) that broke a couple plastic lines and cracked my 2017 S3's grill (breakage not visible though), and I'm currently in the market for the front license bracket, but the bracket is almost 200$. I think I should just buy the RS style grill with the "quattro" on the bottom for 250$, pay the labor cost, and then I'll have a new grill and just zip tie the license plate or 3D print a bracket. Has anyone switched out their grill and is it worth the process / price? My S3 is the prestige, "nano grey metallic," and has some mods on it, cosmetic and performance. Thank you!

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[EvoToSQ5]

The grill is pretty straight forward to replace yourself. I also picked up a license plate relocating kit for like $50 on EBay I think and I haven’t had any issues with it moving or setting off the parking sensors.

165424


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[2010A6]

Nano for the win!

I had this installed in 1.5 hrs on my own, but it wasn't my first time doing it. If you have a weekend free I say DIY and skip the labor. Grill cost $450 at the time. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/ea9793f3f925285fbff3854bad790133.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/66d820b042d668190b4e6413a4c1baf6.jpg

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[facasi]

Hi,

What’s the hardest part of the process ? I am afraid to have a bolt remaining to replace somewhere after finishing the installation. :)


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[2010A6]

Hi,

What’s the hardest part of the process ? I am afraid to have a bolt remaining to replace somewhere after finishing the installation. :)


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThe belly pan and wheel wells are are full of the t25 screws but as far as bolts go you have 3 on top just under the hood, 3 on bottom holding the belly pan to the bumper, then one on each side holding the bumper to the body. The last ones mentioned are the hardest to reach and can be very difficult to get back in place if you don't have enough light and didn't remove the wheel well far enough to give yourself room.


Pics below aren't exactly S3 setups but are all Audi so it should give you an idea where to look
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/438754552092c0ce043e5628079236c4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/f0a9286c5bd8a9668583c968ec4931b2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/fb7dead4888d18a54a5ae8071cedb93f.jpg

[s0nniez]

The belly pan and wheel wells are are full of the t25 screws but as far as bolts go you have 3 on top just under the hood, 3 on bottom holding the belly pan to the bumper, then one on each side holding the bumper to the body. The last ones mentioned are the hardest to reach and can be very difficult to get back in place if you don't have enough light and didn't remove the wheel well far enough to give yourself room.


Pics below aren't exactly S3 setups but are all Audi so it should give you an idea where to look
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/438754552092c0ce043e5628079236c4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/f0a9286c5bd8a9668583c968ec4931b2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/fb7dead4888d18a54a5ae8071cedb93f.jpg

I have the same grill, did you have to cut the radar frame and mount it higher? The radar on the S3 is lower than the RS3. In your picture, it looks like it fits perfectly.

[shaundarbie]

Looking to do this to my 2017 S3. Is there a consensus best place to buy the grille?

[SirChuckNorris]

I've been wanted to do this for a year but I'm having the same issue. Where to buy. It seems to me we have a choice between ordering from China for ~$200 and hoping its a quality part when it arrives sometime between a month from now and mid next year. Or we can order the same exact part from the US and get it in a week or so for ~$450+.

[MikTip]

I ordered one off Ebay. Came from China...zero issues. Arrived undamaged.

[EvoToSQ5]

I ordered mine from EBay and had no issues. Quality and fitment were spot on. The front pre sense sensor isn’t perfectly aligned in the opening but it doesn’t affect the pre sense whatsoever.


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[shaundarbie]

I ordered mine from EBay and had no issues. Quality and fitment were spot on. The front pre sense sensor isn’t perfectly aligned in the opening but it doesn’t affect the pre sense whatsoever.


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Similar to this (https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS3-Style-Grille-Front-Hood-Henycomb-Bumper-Grill-for-Audi-A3-S3-2017-2019-Black/123973787354?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1cdd69deda:g:BxoAAOSwNoBdy2f8&enc=AQAEAAACUBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qVDfNCHI6HYrkSh J5orbbim4Q0JggsXPbxjlkedEFZhzam%2Bf2YtTRFzt6UgqyVu Y5I6ssqpxiTVXw9dQvnhXUoekIFeIYaBWsz197Y%2B2gpQW1eJ vLc8IP0%2Bph4Zbg1vX4kXp%2FN%2BbDYzSNmbG2wbiLLsYQnG %2FBw6jsPxSGg6fRbZ5Dw6cVM9mOD1k1G2WfFW%2FWh7RD%2Fb 5mXSi5Uc%2F6gG3d8inJniCIRrbp5eBVB34KIzjTLE61oL9ltO o%2FZ7VIWjOX6QnLlwJzNqE6n54DsYvt7jKIX%2FXs2onjkWmZ lrJFOmXVTXOYpmc2PE8eGFw2gJm7q6UrD0Jsil0FYk049M9%2F 63PqmIfehxukXkHnA0RRzWvhYs3NYNXboLua2AnKzgU9Rn9Uzh mdZrneanl4NX8nbbRiYH8gPM4m1ga1HcDNT7Rm%2F1xqAK40e8 XWpi1mAkyD262N%2BWlZ5Jkn0%2BdC6rWW4E1A3sX8%2FXwA6D s08I%2BBESp8HZ0UaldxcBboN9BYNflC%2Fqik%2BFNuxkN4Q% 2FUrfiShosSVJOXJY9QI6TuinocFAkl93Id2ZWwTGTh3oXJI05 xYzZa3VaeMQ3zpl755YV3%2FwokHXZZwYJHO1Y9s2rVUyM%2BY %2Bpj9P1D5%2FYFoj54XEqZm7L8CohbXgbPBMgtvF8pcZueHq2 qIVGtTDmkunvZ9Tc6Ywu4Q%2BihMDY895UP%2FW9i0%2Bsg99S %2FGQQms%2FdYXXCEP5zm1s78V0vaWsXqRWr1MyF4uJmnWYX1P 6SCmPwjjUrRJ4%3D&checksum=12397378735416d5b1eac2e2450caee2a0e596299 108) on ebay?

[EvoToSQ5]

This is the exact one I bought. It was recommended by a fellow member so I picked it up. The one in your link doesn’t appear to have the cutout for the front sensor.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS3-Style-Grille-Black-ACC-Grill-Chrome-Rings-For-2017-17-2018-18-Audi-A3-S3/292851669982


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[shaundarbie]

I ordered mine from EBay and had no issues. Quality and fitment were spot on. The front pre sense sensor isn’t perfectly aligned in the opening but it doesn’t affect the pre sense whatsoever.


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Oops, that link doesn't have the pre sense cutout. How about this (https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS3-Style-Grille-Black-ACC-Grill-Chrome-Rings-For-2017-17-2018-18-Audi-A3-S3/292851669982?hash=item442f51dbde:g:nG8AAOSw~WJdrta d) one?

- - - Updated - - -


This is the exact one I bought. It was recommended by a fellow member so I picked it up. The one in your link doesn’t appear to have the cutout for the front sensor.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS3-Style-Grille-Black-ACC-Grill-Chrome-Rings-For-2017-17-2018-18-Audi-A3-S3/292851669982


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Ha, we crossed posts. That looks right. Thanks dude.

- - - Updated - - -

[2010A6]

I have the same grill, did you have to cut the radar frame and mount it higher? The radar on the S3 is lower than the RS3. In your picture, it looks like it fits perfectly.
Pre-Warning: If you do this presence COULD error out because the position of the sensor changed and you will have to reprogram. Just ask Audi what a recalibration costs.....



Yeah I had to take it off, drill a hold and then put the bolts in from the back of the plate instead of the front like stock. Also, the parking sensors are wider on the new grill. You will have to cut some foam out of the cross bar. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/0eb9bdcde2512b5a68ec3edadd4d77a6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/69c21da11fb07465c2e10dc06959d9f2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/bf2592098978549ce39879da1281ad1e.jpg

[patrickk]

Wow! Thanks for the extreme amount of feedback and support, looks like I'll buy that linked one for about 250$ total and get it switched out. I'm a bit nervous to do it myself and I'm good friends with a local shop that'll do it for cheap, so I'll make sure to get it soon and update with pictures!

Thanks again to everyone :)

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[Jesse S.]

Pre-Warning: If you do this presence COULD error out because the position of the sensor changed and you will have to reprogram. Just ask Audi what a recalibration costs.....



Yeah I had to take it off, drill a hold and then put the bolts in from the back of the plate instead of the front like stock. Also, the parking sensors are wider on the new grill. You will have to cut some foam out of the cross bar. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/0eb9bdcde2512b5a68ec3edadd4d77a6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/69c21da11fb07465c2e10dc06959d9f2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/bf2592098978549ce39879da1281ad1e.jpg

Oh wow you relocated yours? I didnt want to go that far on mine and the pre-sense still works even with it partially blocked.

Also did you cut the foam in the center? You didn’t have to do that the sensors work in the spots that they have them in. Then again your grill looks different than mine.

[2010A6]

Oh wow you relocated yours? I didnt want to go that far on mine and the pre-sense still works even with it partially blocked.

Also did you cut the foam in the center? You didn’t have to do that the sensors work in the spots that they have them in. Then again your grill looks different than mine.Yeah I went a little overboard..

Unfortunately I don't have the grill anymore (even being $450 the plastic was still cheap and brittle. No match for a snowbank..) and forgot to take a pic but basically the back of the sensor was pushing into the foam, preventing the grill (and the bumper) from seating correctly.


Edit: To be clear I cut the foam for the round-button parking sensors, not the pre-sense square.

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[Clod]

I have an OEM Rs3 grill for sale if anybody is interested

[incognino]

EMDAuto.com

Theirs is really close to OEM fitment.


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[Jesse S.]

EMDAuto.com

Theirs is really close to OEM fitment.


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I don't think they sell them anymore. Also their front lip, spoiler and other cosmetic stuff seems to be out of stock a lot.

[dpmotley]

I bought mine on ebay, really inexpensive. It feels solid. The badge part seems to poke forward a little longer than the oem, but this is the case with most or even all aftermarket RS3 grills. I had no problem with fitment, though I needed to shave a plastic cover and foam piece of a crash bar a little.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49633706866_0de2443d94_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iBXHQE)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49633181593_83d3af7766_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iBV2Ge)

[incognino]

I don't think they sell them anymore. Also their front lip, spoiler and other cosmetic stuff seems to be out of stock a lot.

I emailed them, they responded that they are expecting more within 4-6 weeks.

I would email them for the specific part you’re looking for as they are really popular and sell out quickly.


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[fischman]

Anyone put an rs grill without the ACC opening on a car with ACC (Pre-Sense). I really don't want to adjust and pay to have the sensor recalibrated and actually prefer the look of the grill without the hole in it. I believe I've read elsewhere that people have put it behind the grill with no issues. Just want to make sure before ordering an ebay/china rs grill.

Thanks!

[EvoToSQ5]

Anyone put an rs grill without the ACC opening on a car with ACC (Pre-Sense). I really don't want to adjust and pay to have the sensor recalibrated and actually prefer the look of the grill without the hole in it. I believe I've read elsewhere that people have put it behind the grill with no issues. Just want to make sure before ordering an ebay/china rs grill.

Thanks!

Didn’t have to make any adjustments on my ‘17 S3 for the Presense with the RS3 style grill.


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[Rare Ara S3]

I did an RS grill but I got one with the opening and I had no issues with the sensor. I highly doubt you can just put it behind the grill without a problem.


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[Nonee]

Nano for the win!

I had this installed in 1.5 hrs on my own, but it wasn't my first time doing it. If you have a weekend free I say DIY and skip the labor. Grill cost $450 at the time. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/ea9793f3f925285fbff3854bad790133.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200305/66d820b042d668190b4e6413a4c1baf6.jpg

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Where did you get the grill?

[carkins]

Yeah I went a little overboard..

Unfortunately I don't have the grill anymore (even being $450 the plastic was still cheap and brittle. No match for a snowbank..) and forgot to take a pic but basically the back of the sensor was pushing into the foam, preventing the grill (and the bumper) from seating correctly.


Edit: To be clear I cut the foam for the round-button parking sensors, not the pre-sense square.

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I have the exact same issue! This is a picture of my ACC now that I have had the RS3 grill installed on my 2018 S3

https://ibb.co/JvDc1xY <-- If the link doesn't work, this is it --> https://ibb.co/JvDc1xY

Can you please explain what you did to move it up and forward? You just drilled two holes above the existing ones and then lifted it up? What about bringing it forward and did you then have to somehow recalibrate with tools and sheets of metal etc, or did the pre-sense error just magically go away? Note that I don't have ACC on my car, just the pre-sense...

[Clod]

You need the relocation bracket.
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/4000149532132.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.3b395 4aehITUMy&browser_id=43c20d79475b45d6965fb2c55752dc83&aff_trace_key=ba2a22a6baf54cbd9defb28b5243a231-1605376251291-04418-irey5Th&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=175d10e13d313f7ad2611dcbd122b1f59f393918 e1&gclid=&_imgsrc_=ae01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FH3a3676e47cf44a2eb 4573fae5c3333a5G.jpg_640x640Q90.jpg_.webp

[carkins]

You need the relocation bracket.
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/4000149532132.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.3b395 4aehITUMy&browser_id=43c20d79475b45d6965fb2c55752dc83&aff_trace_key=ba2a22a6baf54cbd9defb28b5243a231-1605376251291-04418-irey5Th&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=175d10e13d313f7ad2611dcbd122b1f59f393918 e1&gclid=&_imgsrc_=ae01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FH3a3676e47cf44a2eb 4573fae5c3333a5G.jpg_640x640Q90.jpg_.webp

I had a look at that but from the pics they provide I can't see how that bracket would raise up the radar higher than it currently sits?

[Clod]

The existing plate screws into the back side of the new bracket and relocates the assembly higher. The new bracket will screw into the frame from the inside. If you relocate the sensor the radar may need to be reprogrammed for alignment.

[carkins]

The existing plate screws into the back side of the new bracket and relocates the assembly higher. The new bracket will screw into the frame from the inside. If you relocate the sensor the radar may need to be reprogrammed for alignment.

Ok thanks, I think I can (somewhat) see that.. my acc radar is purely for Audi pre sense ie it doesn't have adaptive cruise control installed.. would it still require recalibration?

[Clod]

Possibly, if the radar gets slightly out of alignment and it can't recalibrate itself then it will need to be done.

[carkins]

So I have a couple of options.. I can buy that bracket from Aliexpress above and then go to an ADAS place to fit it, which will reposition the sensor and also require realignment. This will cost me about $450 all up, including taking the grill off and putting it back on again. Problem is I'm not 100% confident the bracket will do the job.... has anyone actually gotten that bracket?

Second option is to buy another grill and swap them over. I have found this one, which doesn't have the "quattro" lip at the bottom, which in turn makes the ACC hole a bit lower. I've been told this grill will NOT require movement of the sensor:

https://marsperformance.com.au/Gloss-Black-Honeycomb-RS3-Style-Front-Bumper-Bar-Grille-Grill-AUDI-A3-S3-8V-17-19-Facelift

It's about the same price all up, but I do quite like the "quattro" logo at the bottom of the current grill..

Thoughts?

[OhDavy1]

I recently installed rs3 grill with the bracket from alibaba. The pre sense restrictions came on within 15 mins of driving the car. Not to mention the new grill presses up against the acc bracket. Will have to make some adjustments and go from there