"The Black Pearl" build thread

[Devils Advocate]

I've been lazy in posting pics since I got the car last month, so here we go:

2009 P+ 2wd Black on black

Mods so far:

- Hardwired v1
- Premier's Diamond IR tint: 73% windshield, 35% front sides, 20% rear and rear sides
- Premier's tail light tinting(the lighter version)
- Debadged rear

On order:
- VMR v718s 19x9.5 in Sunken Treasure Powdercoat -From what I was told there are a lot of people curious about how this color looks, so in 2-3 weeks you'll all know! From the pictures Andy@VMR has sent me, it looks like a black gold. This is also what caused my wife to dub the car "The Black Pearl."
- Hankook v12 255/35/19 for those rims
- Gominigo tow hook license plate holder
- Full LED interior light and license plate light conversion
- Fill plate for the front grill
- Shadowline for all the chrome exterior pieces, matte black


Planned:
- Blacked out grille and emblems
- Air ride: From what I've been able to find here and elsewhere, there are no reputable US based air ride systems for the B8, and the only good one(GAS) is in Germany and doesn't ship to the US, not that I feel comfortable shelling out a few grand to a company on the other side of the world in case something goes wrong. Any advice or pointers would be appreciated. We want bags so we can be low when wanted, and raise it when we need to get somewhere without scraping. Not big on dragging frame and all that hoop-lah.
- Quad exhaust: I've talked to APR but seeing as they don't know what vehicle their customers put the system on they couldn't guarantee their quad exhaust would fit on 2wd, as it's listed as fitting just quattro on their sales site. If anyone has quad exhaust on a 2wd, please let me know what brand you have and how it worked.
-Vinyl wrap: some sort of matte dark gray, haven't completely decided yet. I tried a sample of Premier's Satin Guard but with my black not being metallic it didn't really look that amazing to me.
-R8 GT steering wheel: See questions below.

Questions:
- On my side mirror picture below, if you notice the line on the mirror itself about 1/4" in from the edge all the way around, what is that? It seems like some sort of tint or something. Is it stock or was that from the previous owner?

- I want to get the R8 GT steering wheel with paddle shifters. I have the 8speed transmission(CVT I think?) with sport mode and the semi-tiptronic shifter lever(knock the lever to the right then push/pull up/down to shift), would I be able to get paddle shifters to work relatively easy, or is that a no-go?

And finally the pics. Apologies for cell phone not artsy pics, I know Andy @ VMR will have a proper photo shoot once those wheels get on and I'm back in SD.



Edit: something happened to all my old picture links, so here's all the decent ones I could find.

[NPuter]

Nice car! Those are some expensive mods you have planned.... Everything should look great!

As for the steering wheel: yes, the paddles will work. You just have to enable them though vag_com. (If you do not know what vag_com is, search the forums for it - there are plenty of threads with everything you need to know)

[Dasquade]

Questions:
- On my side mirror picture below, if you notice the line on the mirror itself about 1/4" in from the edge all the way around, what is that? It seems like some sort of tint or something. Is it stock or was that from the previous owner?

Correct me if wrong but that is the heated mirror wire :) .

[Devils Advocate]

Thanks for the confirmation NP, I'm coming from VW so I'm pretty familiar with VAGCOM =)
That makes sense Das, thanks.

[NPuter]

Thanks for the confirmation NP, I'm coming from VW so I'm pretty familiar with VAGCOM =)
That makes sense Das, thanks.

Awesome, then you will have no problem at all. It's a single bit in the Steering Wheel module that has to be enabled.

[Greg Nelson]

So looking forward to see the rims- very interesting

[Devils Advocate]

Here's the link to VMR's flikr for anyone curious about the color:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmrwhee...7627001100117/

edit: also, what color is my grill? My guess is gray but I want to be sure.

[NPuter]

Here's the link to VMR's flikr for anyone curious about the color:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmrwhee...7627001100117/

edit: also, what color is my grill? My guess is gray but I want to be sure.

ummm. yes your grille is gray... Stone grey to be exact.

Interesting color. It definitely is different - I can't wait to see the installed pics.

[Devils Advocate]

Just making sure, my eyes play tricks on me occasionally.

Here's two other pics Andy had snapped of the color the other day. Note these are the VB3 rims, not 718. I just wanted to get more perspectives of the color change before I took the dive, and he was kind enough to get these pics for me within a few hours(and the wheel in the pic isn't even at their shop!).

So they are supposed to be black, possibly a little metallic, when there is no light on them. Once the light hits the rim the gold starts to come out, giving it that black gold, or "sunken treasure," look. My wife wanted black rims and I wanted something with a little something extra so you could actually see the details in the rims. My old gti had black rims and while it was better than the stock pewter silver color, it killed any detail in the rim. I'm hoping the whole rim glows a dark dark gold when I'm driving, that would look sweet.

[Okan509]

this I like ^

[NPuter]

this I like ^

+1 they look really good

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

[Greg Nelson]

Wow, that looks fantastic, very unique

[UmIsThisThingOn]

...
- On my side mirror picture below, if you notice the line on the mirror itself about 1/4" in from the edge all the way around, what is that? It seems like some sort of tint or something. Is it stock or was that from the previous owner?

It's the 'Anti Dazzle' aka Auto Dimming Mirror. Inside the line is where the dimming occurs.

I can't wait to see the new wheel colour mounted on the car - it's gonna be a unique car fo sho.

[Devils Advocate]

Ahh! That explains why I thought it was tinted, thanks!

[VMRWheels]

I'm really looking forward to seeing Sunken Treasure on The Black Pearl!

[ultra]

hmm don't know if I like the VB3's

[Devils Advocate]

I ordered the 718s =) VB3 is just what they happened to spray the powdercoat on however long ago. VB3 is an m3 CSL replica if I'm not mistaken, and those wheels look nice when mounted. The 718s are very similar, but with a small lip around the edge, which I think will make the color change more dramatic. We will see!

[Devils Advocate]

Some parts arrived today! GoMiniGo license plate bracket, stone grey fill plate, and trim piece tools. The GoMiniGo bracket came with a metal bottle opener keychain thing(needed one!) and also a 10% off coupon. If anyone wants the 10%, let me know and I'll PM it to you. Pics after I install tomorrow!

[VMRWheels]

Just a little update, your wheels went out for powder coat today!

[Devils Advocate]

Sweet!!

[Devils Advocate]

Just a little change but I like it. Still deciding how to black out my grill, and if I want to leave the chrome surround as it is for now or not.
Unfortunately USPS is dragging ass and I'm hoping to get the other 3 shipments before thanksgiving(LED interior lights, BMWshadowline, xenonmatch Hoen fogs)

[Devils Advocate]

Got all the lights hooked up, the xenonmatch is a little off but it looks much better than the halogen fogs. I've had a few issues with the USP Motorsports LED kit, namely it causing a fire in my ceiling console. Luckily I was watching it as I was moving the console around to work with the other non-working LEDs and noticed the puffs of smoke and quick flame before any real damage was done. Other than that and the non working front map light issue, they look great and are quite bright. Tomorrow I tackle the BMW shadowline and test some rustoleum rubberizer paint I bought since they didn't carry plasti dip. If it works then I'll spray the grill tomorrow, as well.

Just a quick update- USP has been in immediate contact with me and is providing outstanding customer support, shipping me out some LEDs that should hopefully solve the problem. Big ups to Gregg for handling it in an expedient and professional manner.

[NPuter]

Got all the lights hooked up, the xenonmatch is a little off but it looks much better than the halogen fogs. I've had a few issues with the USP Motorsports LED kit, namely it causing a fire in my ceiling console. Luckily I was watching it as I was moving the console around to work with the other non-working LEDs and noticed the puffs of smoke and quick flame before any real damage was done. Other than that and the non working front map light issue, they look great and are quite bright. Tomorrow I tackle the BMW shadowline and test some rustoleum rubberizer paint I bought since they didn't carry plasti dip. If it works then I'll spray the grill tomorrow, as well.

Just a quick update- USP has been in immediate contact with me and is providing outstanding customer support, shipping me out some LEDs that should hopefully solve the problem. Big ups to Gregg for handling it in an expedient and professional manner.

WTF

The LEDs caused a fire and you are still willing to use them I never really understood the desire to swap the interior lights for LED. Personally, I prefer the soft glow that the incandescent yellow lights provide. The only bulbs I want to swap to LED are the under door lights...

[phatAvant]

WTF

The LEDs caused a fire and you are still willing to use them I never really understood the desire to swap the interior lights for LED. Personally, I prefer the soft glow that the incandescent yellow lights provide. The only bulbs I want to swap to LED are the under door lights...

+1

I would like the interior lights to be a bit more white though, especially the center dome one, dont really like that milky creme colour it has.

[Devils Advocate]

+1

I would like the interior lights to be a bit more white though, especially the center dome one, dont really like that milky creme colour it has.

From what Gregg told me, I'm the only one whos had this problem, and he is resolving it as fast as he can. If this issue was widespread then I'd be a tad more worried. As for now I'm just chalking it up to me being that one in a million person.

[NPuter]

From what Gregg told me, I'm the only one whos had this problem, and he is resolving it as fast as he can. If this issue was widespread then I'd be a tad more worried. As for now I'm just chalking it up to me being that one in a million person.

Hmm... Personally, I would still stay away. LED interior lights is not worth the possibility of my car catching on fire (no matter how slight the possibility may be). It happened to you once, so we definitely know the possibility is there...
The decision is completely up to you though... Post pictures when everything is sorted out

(p.s. I can't wait to see your wheels installed!)

[Devils Advocate]

I have faith in gregg and the people at USP motorsports, ill make sure to update when I get the new ones. I got the BMW shadowline done today, looks sweet. I'm going to try to take off the grille tomorrow without the bumper and spray it. My internet is down right now so ill post pics once its up. The rims should be getting finished this week I hope.

[Greg Nelson]

Can't wait to see your rims

[NPuter]

I have faith in gregg and the people at USP motorsports, ill make sure to update when I get the new ones. I got the BMW shadowline done today, looks sweet. I'm going to try to take off the grille tomorrow without the bumper and spray it. My internet is down right now so ill post pics once its up. The rims should be getting finished this week I hope.

Let us know how the grille removal goes... I am planning on getting a S4 black optics grille and wold like to know if it is easy to install without removing the bumper...
Did you shadowline the window trim? Pics!

[Devils Advocate]

Internet's back up! Sorry for crap quality on last picture, apparently my phone doesn't like taking evening shots to show the Hoen xenonmatch.
It's an easy enough product and project to do, I took my time and it was about 4 hours(I'm slow, leave me alone, lol!). It looks great unless you get up really close and start inspecting it in some parts, like that rear quarter window.

This is the first strip I laid, bottom of rear passenger window.



All finished ones

[Devils Advocate]

I tried taking the grille out without the bumper, but to no avail. so I made my own mini paint booth! I did 3 coats, I got some bubbling that I'll sand down later, but its minor.

Coat 1:




coat 2:



After the 3rd coat:



Reassembled:

[Okan509]

whatja spray that with?

[Devils Advocate]

rustoleom underbody rubberized coating. Comes of with a swipe of denatured alcohol =)

[Okan509]

rustoleom underbody rubberized coating. Comes of with a swipe of denatured alcohol =)

so like the shit that's right next to the plastidip at home depot? does it peel off? how does sanding it down work if it's rubberized? The filler panel looks a little strange?

[Devils Advocate]

It doesn't peel off like plasti dip, they don't carry plasti dip out here unfortunately. I'll try using a really fine sand paper and take it easy, just to see if it works. There isn't big chunks of rubber, much smaller than grains of salt or sand. As for the filler panel it's just the lighting and it hasn't completely dried yet.

[Dj Toobs]

Whoa!!!!
This color is super sick. I wonder how they will look on my ibis white A3 Ti?

[Devils Advocate]

only one way to find out, order them!

[cyberbrutus]

1 Question and 1 Suggestion.

Question: Did you use Hoen Xenon Match for your Fogs? They dont look OEM !
Suggestion: Leave the Audi Badge chromed. It will look a lot better.

[Devils Advocate]

Answer: Yes, and correct they are not OEM.
Advice: I thought about doing that as well, but in the end I decided against it for a few reasons:
1. I don't like chrome
2. I like the more discreet look with it blacked out.
3. I don't want to highlight that it's an Audi to the rest of the world by blacking out everything but the emblem, people who know what it is will know what it is.
4. I'll be blacking out the headlights(the little chrome pieces inside and E-codes) eventually, so there will be no shiny stuff on my car.

I do appreciate the suggestion though, I'm always open to others' ideas.

[Devils Advocate]

Small update, bought a can of Rustoleum Spray tint and gave my USP license plate LEDs 1 coat to tone it down, I was lighting up everything around the back of my car, and now it's down to a level I like. Hopefully I'll be able to tackle the e-code mod while I'm at home for the holidays.

Also, I'll be getting the rims straight from Andy at the VMR shop next tuesday or wednesday(13th or 14th), they are going to do a shoot and I'll take some quick pics myself.
Next on the list after this is going to be a full body wrap and most likely coilovers since I can't seem to find a good bag setup stateside. If anyone has any leads on a good airbag setup and install near Carlsbad, CA(1/2way between LA and San Diego), please post and let me know asap!

Then the plan is a tune, APR or Revo I haven't decided, and some form of quad exhaust(AWE or APR). No one has chimed in with a 2wd a4 that has the APR, so I'm not sure if it will work on the 2wd or not, and APR doesn't know either lol.
After all that fun stuff comes the R8 GT steering wheel with tip paddles =)

No before pics, but here's a quick one I took tonight, sprayed them yesterday: