Belly pan poll: Dieselgeek's Panzer vs. W8

[jibberjive]

When changing my oil the other day (for the first time in this car) I found that the center section of the belly pan had been completely worn through and the rear was zip tied because it had previously broke. I'm going to replace it and I'm curious if you think the panzer plate ($250) is worth the money over a W8 passat replacement (~$100 I think).
http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Detail?no=375
Keep in mind that I live in Utah and hit my fair share of unavoidable ice/snow chunks on the freeway this winter. I'm slammed as well and for example I hit my DTS on a speed bump the other day. Also, the panzer weighs 13lbs (the stock feels < 5lbs), but I can easily take it off for any track whatnot. Panzer, hit or miss?

[Brett0712]

I kind of like that skidplate a lot! I was just about to buy a W8 one seeing my stock on is all messed up. I think I'm going to pick one of those up!

[jibberjive]

Also, anyone with RS4 bumper, will I be able to get to those front left and right bolts?

[RuS4ty]

If you got the money, go with the panzer. I know what you mean about the unavoidable ice chunks and can see it being worth it. My bumper usually takes the brunt of those though.

[gointoscott]

Mine is gone. Dont have it on.

[XSilverJ]

Speaking of this.. anybody got a Dieselgeek Panzer plate they wanna sell?

PM me

[BaconBait]

There's also the Evolution Thor skid plate -
http://www.evolutionimport.com/Thor_...-00001-007.htm

[OldYella]

I really dont think that a belly pan is needed at all. It is nice to have one to keep it semi clean from road debris but i think 250 is overkill for that. Seems as if the A4 owners get more benefit from that belly pan from reading the description on the website.

[goody6691]

i have the panzer, i do not worry about hitting anything, unless its gonna take out my bumper and cf lip

[andru1313]

I run the Panzer on my R32..... I love it. I used to think it would be a pita to remove for oil changes but i have very little issue. I may consider getting one for the S4. Just have some other mods I need done first.

[Rican_S4]

No need for the Panzer. If you're going to hit something hard enough it can cause damage with either one.

[slammed_nogaro]

unnecessary front end weight hahahaha

[quickglx]

I disagree, I think it would be very useful to have the skid plate... If your car is low and you scape the belly pan often like I do, a sturdier plate willl take more abuse than the flimsy plastic one. It's basically designed as a noise barrier, at least thats what the part description is. I destroyed one on my A4 hitting someones muffler that fell off, but I think it helped minimize damage to the car. If you scrape driving slow, the skid plate should work perfectly, saving your oil pan, filter, subframe, trans lines if equipped, etc... But as others have said, unfortunately the bumper takes most of the damage usually. Another option would be the Allroad belly pan. Might be a few lbs lighter, but its surely not as durable as the skid plates mentioned here

[Borden]

Panzer, i know in MA i hit some pretty good sized ice chunks as well as some deer chunks(i dont know how it got the way it did prob got hit by a good sized truck)

[jibberjive]

Well I'm getting a new belly pan either way, as people said for cleanliness, sound dampening, and aerodynamics. So I think I'm going to spend the extra $150 just for peace of mind, even though like people are saying, my bumper definitely would take the brunt of anything as it is really low.

[ny02s4]

complete waste of money!! get the W8 and save that extra money for more useful mods.