Do I need a splash pan?

[sailor]

Had this car about 2 months now and while the car has a splash shield it does not have a splash pan (the back piece). I was figuring on ordering one and got to thinking maybe it isn't used on a quattro or tiptronic for some reason. I figured it just got lost somewhere along the way.

So, do I not have one for a good reason and do I need one for any good reason?

Thanks
Gene

[Overboostin]

the plastic piece under the engine? you don't really need one. it's just to help keep things clean. it offers slight protection if you run over anything and has some aerodynamic attributes but nothing too special. a lot of people roll without one.

[sailor]

The one under the transmission, I was thinking it could improve gas mileage. Not really a biggie but it doesn't look like it ever had one as there are no rear mounting nuts, nor does it look like it ever had any.

[manhertm]

the plastic piece under the engine? you don't really need one. it's just to help keep things clean. it offers slight protection if you run over anything and has some aerodynamic attributes but nothing too special. a lot of people roll without one.

Yeah a most people who roll without one had it taken off by some oil change idiot who forgot to put it back on. I swear you can probably look behind a Jiffy Lube and see a belly pan graveyard.

Oh, on the aerodynamics thing, it really does work, when I had my B5, the week after, the oil change place forgot to put back on I notice my car swayed a highspeeds (85mph+). It was crazy becaus I took a trip to Toronto and highway patrol is non-existent in Canada so I had it floor from Detroit to Toronto. It really felt crazy with a little wind.

[drmarcj]

Would they have sold it without one if it wasn't deemed an important part of the car? It keeps a whole lot of salt and grime off the bottom end especially if it snows where you live. I left mine off my B5 one winter (fell off thanks to quickylube) and ended up having to replace my AC clutch. Could be a coincidence...
It also has little vents in it which I assume play some role in cooling...

[sailor]

Just so we are all talking about the same piece. I'm missing #6.

[OneBadAudi]

ahh what the hell, i was reading this like man, glad i have one, and def did not see the other piece...Damn dealership...Always tryna put the man down..ha

[NiveK1970]

well the reality is, if a bolt or whatever in the hell else comes off these 18 wheelers while your doing highway speeds and simply pops up and hits your pan, your going to need a new one if you don't have a crappy plastic shield, "ask me how i know :("

[absolutegtr]

what the hell is #6 I have never seen it

[dougyfresh]

what the hell is #6 I have never seen it

Neither have I. It goes under the transmission. I think its on the A6s.

My custom aluminum bellypan will include that piece. I'll probably make it a two-piece so I don't have to take the entire thing off for oil changes.

I hate not having a bellypan. My engine is filthy.

[LampyB]

well the reality is, if a bolt or whatever in the hell else comes off these 18 wheelers while your doing highway speeds and simply pops up and hits your pan, your going to need a new one if you don't have a crappy plastic shield, "ask me how i know :("

ouch! that's just plain bad luck man, what a bummer!

[sailor]

Nobody has actually confirmed they have this pan. I wonder what the deal is with it.

[Chekm8]

omg! i haven't seen 1 either. damn, feeling like i'm missing out too kekek. what was the dealer price if any1 checked?

i've been under my 2003 A4 1.8T and dont believe there are holes/bolts that that thing goes on. al i know is that everything stops at #9. Wonder if #6 is under the passenger compartment tho.

[sailor]

omg! i haven't seen 1 either. damn, feeling like i'm missing out too kekek. what was the dealer price if any1 checked?

i've been under my 2003 A4 1.8T and dont believe there are holes/bolts that that thing goes on. al i know is that everything stops at #9. Wonder if #6 is under the passenger compartment tho.

$83.18 from genuinevwaudiparts.com + assorted fasteners.
Splash Pan