COLOR? Pros n cons of painting our S4 Avant?

[norsecarnut]

So, yeah it's new, but the color I wanted did not exist in the deal scenario we found at this time of year. (Loaded S4 08 avant, mt6, end of year for best deal, etc)

If I were ordering a stock color, I'd probably go with the red or blue - However, I understand you can special order previous stock colors as well as any chip color you like for more $...

We "saved" $7000 and got .9 apr so the way I see it, I have some room to pay for a custom paint that wasn't a stock color or at least an cool old one like Nogaro blue.

I know factory is best, period, however I also know of two shops, that are top notch, dealer preferred, etc. Seattle's Queen City (possibly others in the area with this population base) and Raleigh NC's Paragon. Both of which work on the highest level cars out there. I've been roughly quoted from Paragon ~$10k for a wagon.

Thoughts, ideas? I'm thinking red, orange, blue, or yellow.

I love the car and wanted a new one considering the decent deals this late in the year.

[RAudi Driver]

If your'e gonna paint it, then do a custom color that never appeared on an Audi. Frankly, I wouldn't dump 10k to change the color of a car. That's just like throwing your money away.

[ieatfishburitos]

A guy in the local euro car club just had his 6 month old 335i painted for $5500. He was following a car on the freeway that hit a gallon bucket of some type of tar on the freeway, it exploded in front of him and covered his car and dried. The new paintjob looks great and the place that did the paint job paints ferrari's and the such. This guy is no cheap ass either rolling HREs...

I spent a ton of time looking at paint shops around town here for my project car and you get a very wide range of quotes. Most shops seem to think if you have the money to paint your car that they can milk you for a lot more. I had one painter (I'll call him X) quote me 15k, and another shop whom outsourced their work to painter X quote me 30k for the same work.

You should be able to find a place for $5k. Their is no body damage and they will not have to spend a bunch of time in prep repairing dings or bumps since the car is new.

[norsecarnut]

I meant to also say, I'd most likely include a rs4 wide body kit in this plan - more $ yes, but also more awesomely worth it to me. Hell, I'd have new stock body panels to sell I suppose as well.

I wouldn't go stock color unless it was the very beautiful Nogaro Blue. Otherwise a deeper, more blue tinted, red would be sweet (not metallic necessarily)

[RAudi Driver]

I meant to also say, I'd most likely include a rs4 wide body kit in this plan - more $ yes, but also more awesomely worth it to me. Hell, I'd have new stock body panels to sell I suppose as well.

I wouldn't go stock color unless it was the very beautiful Nogaro Blue. Otherwise a deeper, more blue tinted, red would be sweet (not metallic necessarily)

Now you're talking. Turn it into a Rs4 body with a deep blue where it doesn't look black and you got yourself a winner. I would drop 10k on that.

However, seeing as you want to dump 10k into your new car, you should have just dumped the 10k when you purchased the car from the dealer and got an RS4.

[norsecarnut]

Now you're talking. Turn it into a Rs4 body with a deep blue where it doesn't look black and you got yourself a winner. I would drop 10k on that.

However, seeing as you want to dump 10k into your new car, you should have just dumped the 10k when you purchased the car from the dealer and got an RS4.

Impossible presumption, the Avant aspect is clearly the first part and not an option other than how we did it.... who buys an avant but wants a sedan? That would be a very tricky conversion I'd guess. ;)

If they had an Rs4 or Rs6 avant, we'd have bought it for sure, without a doubt.

So yeah, a dark blue would be nice as well but it would more or less be like the dark blue stock color offered. I'd like to go for lighter than darker though anyway seeing as I already have a black land rover and have had two other black cars.

[Louis J.]

jwest, I've done a complete respray on three of my previous cars. They were older 911s and one of them I considered and got quoted for a color change, though I stayed with the original color. In my experience, if you want to do a color change and you want a proper job, I can assure you it will cost much more than $10k. Just think about the cost associated with removing the engine and complete interior...that's a proper job. And will the car be "like new" aftewards? Not anymore. I also think it's a terrible idea on a brand new car that doesn't need to be painted simply on the basis of resale. It will be very, very difficult to sell a newer car that has had a color change and you'll get raped if you try to trade it in. Not putting down your idea...just trying to help you avoid what could potentially be a very big mistake.

[dreamcar=rs4]

If I were you, I would go with an OEM audi paint color. IMO Nogaro would be the best choice, as it isn't offered on the B7 S4. If you like crazy colors such as orange, you could try this:



edit: you could also go with a matte paint job

[norsecarnut]

The green one is "neat" but would wear on me over the years I think (or months). It's like I'd love to have a friend who drives one so I can see it once in a while but not have to live with it ;)

I totally understand the resale and such issues, I will only do it if I am very sure it will be my car for the long haul. You're right about the whole "proper" job, I agree, and what a pain in the arse.

[osoquik]

Hi, new here but I thought I'd add my 2 cents. i'd just add a pearl over the existing paint. Could make it interesting and a little cheaper then going base coat/clear. JMO

[Raudi 4.2]

you can't go wrong with this

[sakimano]

However, seeing as you want to dump 10k into your new car, you should have just dumped the 10k when you purchased the car from the dealer and got an RS4.

exactly. Why do people buy an A4 then spend a pantload modding it? just buy an S4.

Why do people buy an S4 then spend 10-15,000 on cosmetic mods (like these)...just buy a frigging RS4!

[iconoclast]

We "saved" $7000 and got .9 apr so the way I see it, I have some room to pay for a custom paint that wasn't a stock color or at least an cool old one like Nogaro blue.

the money you saved, will be quickly offset by the money spent on new paint job and the accelerated depreciation hit youll take when reselling.

[sakimano]

I don't love the green, but that titanium package RS4 in Papaya Orange is spectacular. It's not an in your face ugly burnt orange, but rather a light pastel orange. The blacked out trim and gunmetal wheels/mirrors make it my favourite car on Audizine.

If I were you, I would go with an OEM audi paint color. IMO Nogaro would be the best choice, as it isn't offered on the B7 S4. If you like crazy colors such as orange, you could try this:



edit: you could also go with a matte paint job

[italian a4 1032]

what about that color that comes on the rs4 i think its called glunt orange

[RAudi Driver]

glut

[akasch]

be different and go pink! haha

[norsecarnut]

exactly. Why do people buy an A4 then spend a pantload modding it? just buy an S4.

Why do people buy an S4 then spend 10-15,000 on cosmetic mods (like these)...just buy a frigging RS4!

Because it's impossible - AVANT....

These color ideas are great. It's funny as hell that I'd get any flack for spending on color or body kit when people spend for a cat back which is really just for sound more than anything else. The sounds can't even be appreciated unless it's running and you're on the throttle....visual mods like I'm talking are appreciable no matter what it's doing.

The pastel-like Papaya is the one I was thinking about all along after seeing it a month ago. That pink is too far out there but I love seeing that people have done it!

[S4J]

Wow, that's a brave undertaking for a brand new car. Your car would have to be almost completely stripped in order to do all the interior areas...door jams and hinges, inside rear hatch and hinges, under hood and engine compartment. All that removal, storage, and re-install?? Too many chances for damage to a multitude of small parts. Plus, if they don't remove absolutely every door, hood hatch, every piece of trim, and separate all bumper parts, door guards, windshield washer covers, tow ring cover and whatever else and sand and prep and paint separately before reinstalling....forget it! I'm such an anal prick about my car it would drive me crazy. Why don't you console yourself and get the dam thing SUPER CHARGED. Then you can enjoy your opponents faces changing color instead.

[norsecarnut]

Why don't you console yourself and get the dam thing SUPER CHARGED. Then you can enjoy your opponents faces changing color instead.

Very good ideas indeed. But it will still be a boring color.... ;) I agree about doing it "right" or not at all.

This would be a much more timely project for that guy on youtube who slammed the whole side of his s4 into the wall off a track. (I presume "guy" because no woman would drive like such a dumbass on the track - he had the wrong line every time around)

[sakimano]

ahhh...touche

you could import one from Germany for about $100,000...(officially a ridiculous option)

I've driven S4 and RS4 and honestly didn't notice much of a power difference. Definitely a firmer ride in the RS4, and better sound, but I wasn't convinced that an extra 25 tq was worth it (from a low end power point of view). The looks of the RS4 DESTROY though...side by side with an S4 and the S looks kind of...conservative...understated. THe RS has that aggressive stance on those perfect 19" wheels. Love it.

Because it's impossible - AVANT....

[sakimano]

funny enough...that was an RS4 Avant...your dream. It was in the UK. RS4 Avant was the only B5 RS4 sold. When the B7 RS4 launched, it did so ONLY as an Avant over there. Sedan, then Cabrio followed later.

Much cooler folks in Europe...they understand the greatness of an uber-vagon

Very good ideas indeed. But it will still be a boring color.... ;) I agree about doing it "right" or not at all.

This would be a much more timely project for that guy on youtube who slammed the whole side of his s4 into the wall off a track. (I presume "guy" because no woman would drive like such a dumbass on the track - he had the wrong line every time around)

[iconoclast]

ahhh...touche

you could import one from Germany for about $100,000...(officially a ridiculous option)

I've driven S4 and RS4 and honestly didn't notice much of a power difference. Definitely a firmer ride in the RS4, and better sound, but I wasn't convinced that an extra 25 tq was worth it (from a low end power point of view). The looks of the RS4 DESTROY though...side by side with an S4 and the S looks kind of...conservative...understated. THe RS has that aggressive stance on those perfect 19" wheels. Love it.

fsi and aggressive body design (compared to s4) = worth it. however s5 > b6/b7 s4 and rs4.

[norsecarnut]

fsi and aggressive body design (compared to s4) = worth it. however s5 > b6/b7 s4 and rs4.

"s5" what? not sure what is meant but don't try to turn this into a comparative model thread seeing as we are dealing with the cars available in the US as well as what we have already.

[iconoclast]

lol...exactly. audi s5:

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n...s/Audi_A5.html

[norsecarnut]

lol...exactly. audi s5:

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n...s/Audi_A5.html

well, so what?! was there a point?

[norsecarnut]

the money you saved, will be quickly offset by the money spent on new paint job and the accelerated depreciation hit youll take when reselling.

I know you're trying to help but mentioning depreciation assumes intent of resale. I do not recall saying I plan to sell it.

It's more likely that after taking even the time for such a project, that one might keep it a long time, or, not give a crap about resale.

The body kit is the way to go if we paint it at all. Painting alone doesn't even seem worth the hassle but the whole new look and wheel options, etc seems worth going the extra mile.

Of course this just makes the list grow to over $40k.

[iconoclast]

well, so what?! was there a point?

what was the point in your comment about cars being available? i was showing you the link to the car, bc you werent aware of it. thats all.

I do not recall saying I plan to sell it.

i do not recall you mentioning that you would keep it forever. it was a point i was trying to bring up to save YOU money. idk why youre being a d!ck about it. in your sig it says lease on one of your cars, and youre talking about .9 apr in this post... so it could've beeen a lease as well.

man your posts really make that porcupine joke a reality.

[nimski62]

IMO, a new paintjob, is worthless. You have to get the car stripped, door jambs will never be right, YOUR WHOLE CAR WILL HAVE PAINTWORK. EW. Nothing beats factory paint.. You just cant get that dust free environment replicated to the T. Ive seen all kinds of paintwork and there is no way in hell this will look as good as or last as long as factory paint. Bad idea.

[iconoclast]

2nd. the most important things most ppl leave out are door jambs and engine bay and under hood and trunk. most ppl do not do this unless its a 'show car'.

[norsecarnut]

what was the point in your comment about cars being available? i was showing you the link to the car, bc you werent aware of it. thats all.



i do not recall you mentioning that you would keep it forever. it was a point i was trying to bring up to save YOU money. idk why youre being a d!ck about it. in your sig it says lease on one of your cars, and youre talking about .9 apr in this post... so it could've beeen a lease as well.

man your posts really make that porcupine joke a reality.

Seriously?
-doesn't .9 apr usually refer to a financed 'purchase'?
-sorry but the s5 is not "available" as an AVANT....


I was pretty clear about the avant being the first and foremost factor. Even if I hadn't, it would still be irrelevant seeing as we're not shopping for a car but dealing with the one we have. I welcome the comments the thread was about, not some silly "the s5 is > (whatever else)". You might as well have said the M5 Touring is better - like it matters dude.

[iconoclast]

okay you win... paint the car.

[norsecarnut]

2nd. the most important things most ppl leave out are door jambs and engine bay and under hood and trunk. most ppl do not do this unless its a 'show car'.

I agree, and it's good to point out because the cost associated with the engine bay alone must be ridiculous.

Best plan would have been, in hind sight of course, to find the desired color, then simply match a body kit to that so all the "innerbits" would basically match. The stock body could even be kept for posterity or resale issues.

In this scenario, I would have preferred red or blue, neither of which were hanging around late in the year and I'm guessing next to none came without being ordered that were loaded, manual, etc. in those two colors.

[norsecarnut]

okay you win... paint the car.

No, no, no...present the S5 Avant... or an idea to get to the desired end result without all the silliness of painting a stripped car and body kit, etc.

[norsecarnut]

I love the new color idea as well as the body kit, however, the voice of reason ( a race car instructor friend) would say leave the avant totally stock and put the $ into an actual track car to seriously thrash and not worry about slamming into this or that.

i know it's the voice of reason. it also makes me sad.

[iconoclast]

there is no s5 avant and my initial post about the s5 wasnt towards you but sakimano... who was talking about cars being 'worth it.' however you responded with availability options so i thought you werent aware that the car was available here or even exists since you said 's5 what?'. lets just move on. paint the car, paint your nails, paint your living room, see a red door? paint it black...

[norsecarnut]

there is no s5 avant and my initial post about the s5 wasnt towards you but sakimano... who was talking about cars being 'worth it.' however you responded with availability options so i thought you werent aware that the car was available here or even exists since you said 's5 what?'. lets just move on. paint the car, paint your nails, paint your living room, see a red door? paint it black...

ding-a-ling, of course the s5 is not available as an avant. it's fairly simple to know every model currently available in the US. You missed the specifics in the posts.

So again, as for wagons, as far as I know the fastest available option in the US is in fact the S4 Avant. In stock form it is (as you would type) >bmw 535iT which has a twin turbo i6 w 300 hp and a Dinan pkg to top out at 380 hp.
I don't count the dodge wagon because it's not an option in our world of asthetics.

Any other available options? ;)

[iconoclast]

okay.

[iconoclast]

if youre still hung up on changing the colour of this car... look into vinyl wrapping it.

[Lugi20]

Don't waste money painting your brand new car.