e46 M3 sold, '14 S5 in garage. Minor mod list in mind, looking for best options

[uvmshoob]

Greetings,

After 12 years and 130k I sold the M3 and bought a CPO '14 S5 with 4k miles.

I love the car, especially given the winter we're having here in Boston. With Dunlop Wintersports / BBS wheels bolted on snow driving has gone from doable in the M3 to a lot of fun. The S5 feels much lower than the M3, and I know I'll bang up the grill on a random ice chunk one of these days. I've put 4k on the S5 in the last 3 months, and want to do a couple of things to the car. Any help from the experience board members in terms of the best vendors would be appreciated.

I've debadged the rear of the S5 (1st mod on the M3 as well), and plan to remove the side "badges" and grill badge this spring.

Short Shift Kit - Compared my M3 with a Dinan SSK the S5's shifter seems long. The JMH short shift kit seems to be the most popular S5 SSK from my searches. Any opinions on this SSK? Or others?

Rear diffuser - I don't really like the grey inserts on the diffuser. I'm not sure I to spend the $ on a CF version...has anyone had the grey painted the same color as the body? Other options? Vinyl wrap? Plastidip?

RS Grill - There are more threads on this mod than anything else I've seen. What's the best vendor in terms of price and making sure the crash bar isn't visible through the chicken wire?

Last thing...highway driving - The one place I don't love driving the S5 is in a straight line on the highway, where the car seems to need constant corrections. This doesn't feel like tramlining (and I'm only running 235's). An alignment is in order, but I haven't seen this discussed. Is this a common complaint? Is there a check list of fixes?

Thanks all!

Erik

2014 S5 | 6 MT | Premium Plus | Phantom Black | MMI Nav Plus | Sports Diff | B&O | Carbon F Inlays | Side Asst | Front Licence Plate Delete | Debadged | Xpel
Last car: 2002 BMW M3 | Topaz Blue | 6MT

[GSS5]

you can always have the rear valence painted gloss black, or color matched to body since you're phantom black anyway. i painted the valence gloss black on my old s5. it's a good look for black cars i think



imo keep your s5 grille or get the black optic s5 grille. i'm not a fan of rs5 replica grilles on a5/s5s at all. the rs5 grille is best suited for the aggressive front end of the rs. but again that's just imo.

[superswiss]

Last thing...highway driving - The one place I don't love driving the S5 is in a straight line on the highway, where the car seems to need constant corrections. This doesn't feel like tramlining (and I'm only running 235's). An alignment is in order, but I haven't seen this discussed. Is this a common complaint? Is there a check list of fixes?

Congrats and welcome to the Audi world. The steering situation is an ongoing concern that seems to mostly affect S4 and S5s without the Dynamic Steering. After a software update and updated steering racks, the issue still seems to be present even in 2015 models and one of the concerns is the floaty feel at straight line highway speeds. For some the software update has introduced other issues. There's an active lengthy thread over in the S4 forum and several other threads discussing the whole steering situation.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ering%20update

[uvmshoob]

[QUOTE=GSS5;10554152]you can always have the rear valence painted gloss black, or color matched to body since you're phantom black anyway. i painted the valence gloss black on my old s5. it's a good look for black cars i think

Thanks. That diffuser looks great IMO.

And I like the RS grill in pics on an S5. I haven't seen one in person...but it seems more simple and clean than the one on my car.

[uvmshoob]

Congrats and welcome to the Audi world. The steering situation is an ongoing concern that seems to mostly affect S4 and S5s without the Dynamic Steering. After a software update and updated steering racks, the issue still seems to be present even in 2015 models and one of the concerns is the floaty feel at straight line highway speeds. For some the software update has introduced other issues. There's an active lengthy thread over in the S4 forum and several other threads discussing the whole steering situation.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ering%20update

Thanks. I was afraid of that. It's not as bad for me as it seems to be for some of the people on that thread, but it takes more attention than it should to keep my car going straight down the highway.

[01northernS4]

+1, love the valance color matched black... this is my next mod, look much much better... noticed you left the trim on the valance unpainted... I think I may paint mine since I'm on black optics and don't think I'd need to leave it unpainted... thoughts?

Also, was it a pain to remove and paint or did they mask and paint on the car?

Maybe gloss black plastidip would be a good cheap way to experiment first on the painted/unpainted trim piece on the valence since it can be easily peeled off...

you can always have the rear valence painted gloss black, or color matched to body since you're phantom black anyway. i painted the valence gloss black on my old s5. it's a good look for black cars i think



imo keep your s5 grille or get the black optic s5 grille. i'm not a fan of rs5 replica grilles on a5/s5s at all. the rs5 grille is best suited for the aggressive front end of the rs. but again that's just imo.

[superswiss]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. It's not as bad for me as it seems to be for some of the people on that thread, but it takes more attention than it should to keep my car going straight down the highway.

One thing you can do to improve things is to stiffen the subframe with the Alu Kreuz. The AK is pretty much the one aftermarket mod if you are looking to improve the steering on these cars.

[John@Nemesis]

Short Shift Kit - Compared my M3 with a Dinan SSK the S5's shifter seems long. The JMH short shift kit seems to be the most popular S5 SSK from my searches. Any opinions on this SSK? Or others?

Rear diffuser - I don't really like the grey inserts on the diffuser. I'm not sure I to spend the $ on a CF version...has anyone had the grey painted the same color as the body? Other options? Vinyl wrap? Plastidip?

I'd take a look at the Eurocode. I haven't driven a 5 with the JHM, but the Eurocode made a HUGE difference. And it's on sale right now. I'd also add the 034 motorsports insert along with it. Put those two together and it doesn't feel like the same car shifting at all.

Rear diffuser-I plastidipped mine. It's been holding up absolutely perfect. The satin black offsets my Phantom Black just enough that you'd think it came like that from the factory. I also did the front splitter, mine is an '08, and the car looks a million times better.

[01northernS4]

Please post pic! I want to do this to my mythos black... can't imagine there is much difference between phantom and mythos... they are both metallic black...

did you use the gloss plastidip modifier? doing so will match the paint better I would think.

Thanks

I'd take a look at the Eurocode. I haven't driven a 5 with the JHM, but the Eurocode made a HUGE difference. And it's on sale right now. I'd also add the 034 motorsports insert along with it. Put those two together and it doesn't feel like the same car shifting at all.

Rear diffuser-I plastidipped mine. It's been holding up absolutely perfect. The satin black offsets my Phantom Black just enough that you'd think it came like that from the factory. I also did the front splitter, mine is an '08, and the car looks a million times better.

[GSS5]

+1, love the valance color matched black... this is my next mod, look much much better... noticed you left the trim on the valance unpainted... I think I may paint mine since I'm on black optics and don't think I'd need to leave it unpainted... thoughts?

Also, was it a pain to remove and paint or did they mask and paint on the car?

Maybe gloss black plastidip would be a good cheap way to experiment first on the painted/unpainted trim piece on the valence since it can be easily peeled off...

it was diy. i removed the valence to do it, which is pretty simple. if the pre fl and fl are the same, you just need to remove some torx screws underneath and pull towards you from behind the car.

the splitter trim on that car was an aluminum piece. on the facelift, it is color matched to the valence. i liked the aluminum piece so i kept it. on the facelift, i would paint the whole thing black.

plastidip is okay to experiment with, but it's a bigger pain in the ass to remove than you'd think. gloss plastidip isn't actually gloss either. it's just less matte. i'd just go ahead and do it right. a shop should charge no more than $200 to do it. hell, if you were local i'd do it for you since i have free access to spray booth facilities.

[John@Nemesis]

Please post pic! I want to do this to my mythos black... can't imagine there is much difference between phantom and mythos... they are both metallic black...

did you use the gloss plastidip modifier? doing so will match the paint better I would think.

Thanks

I didn't use the gloss. I actually prefer the matte, separates it like the grey previously did. However, matches the body color much better. Let me look for pics quick. Not sure if I have any or not and I am out of town at the moment.

[John@Nemesis]

Here you go. Not the best, but...it works.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Congrats Erik!

I prefer a satin look on the rear valence. Look into Wurth satin trim paint. I use it on my rear, splitter and fog grilles. Perfect finish IMO.

IMG_0224 by Audiyos, on Flickr

[John@Nemesis]

I also used the Wurth on my Fog surrounds (not in the pic above). It goes on nice and looks factory.

[tins5]

Last thing...highway driving - The one place I don't love driving the S5 is in a straight line on the highway, where the car seems to need constant corrections. This doesn't feel like tramlining (and I'm only running 235's). An alignment is in order, but I haven't seen this discussed. Is this a common complaint? Is there a check list of fixes?

Congrats on the car! Have u taken it to the dealer for the software update yet? I'm assuming this applies for the S5 as well - I had it done on my S4. I never noticed significant unsteadiness on the highway, but it did feel better overall after the update.

[uvmshoob]

Congrats Erik!

I prefer a satin look on the rear valence. Look into Wurth satin trim paint. I use it on my rear, splitter and fog grilles. Perfect finish IMO.

IMG_0224 by Audiyos, on Flickr

Thanks. That looks good as well. My DIY aptitude doesn't extend to paint, I just know I'd screw it up. But I do have a local shop that does a nice job.

[uvmshoob]

Congrats on the car! Have u taken it to the dealer for the software update yet? I'm assuming this applies for the S5 as well - I had it done on my S4. I never noticed significant unsteadiness on the highway, but it did feel better overall after the update.

I haven't been in for a service yet. I'll be sure to ask the SA when I do if the car has had the steering update installed. Thanks!

[ians]

Congrats, I used to have E46 328i with UUC SSK too. Here is my build thread on y S5. I also plastic dip my rear variance and original dip the front S5 grill too but switched to oem RS5 grill after a year. Also I dun have any issue on my steering both winter & summer. Maybe I didn't drive fast enough! And keep finger cross, up to this moment have no problem driving my lowered S5 in Toronto winter.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...5-build-thread

[jmaddr]

I'd take a look at the Eurocode. I haven't driven a 5 with the JHM, but the Eurocode made a HUGE difference. And it's on sale right now. I'd also add the 034 motorsports insert along with it. Put those two together and it doesn't feel like the same car shifting at all.

Rear diffuser-I plastidipped mine. It's been holding up absolutely perfect. The satin black offsets my Phantom Black just enough that you'd think it came like that from the factory. I also did the front splitter, mine is an '08, and the car looks a million times better.

Where did you find it for sale? I still see it listed for $420.

[mozman68]

Congrats Erik!

I prefer a satin look on the rear valence. Look into Wurth satin trim paint. I use it on my rear, splitter and fog grilles. Perfect finish IMO.

IMG_0224 by Audiyos, on Flickr

I just realized I have the paint and haven't done this yet. Maybe tonight since it is just about warm enough.

Mops..did you do it on the car or remove? I have plenty of plastic and tape and don't mind doing it that way.

[FaceSmA5h]

Congrats Erik

I've debadged the rear of the S5 (1st mod on the M3 as well) - Same!

Short Shift Kit - JHM?

Rear diffuser - I don't really like the grey inserts on the diffuser. I'm not sure I to spend the $ on a CF version...has anyone had the grey painted the same color as the body? Other options? Vinyl wrap? Plastidip? I painted mine Brilliant Black =)

RS Grill - Vinyl wrapped mine.

Last thing...highway driving - The one place I don't love driving the S5 is in a straight line on the highway, where the car seems to need constant corrections. This doesn't feel like tramlining (and I'm only running 235's). An alignment is in order, but I haven't seen this discussed. Is this a common complaint? Is there a check list of fixes? No sure

[John@Nemesis]

http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2104
There you go.

Where did you find it for sale? I still see it listed for $420.

[jmaddr]

Ah. Thanks hippie killer. I read the post as the AK was on sale. I already have a JHM on the way. That Ecode SSK looks pretty good though. Id love to see the AK on sale.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Thanks. That looks good as well. My DIY aptitude doesn't extend to paint, I just know I'd screw it up. But I do have a local shop that does a nice job.

Mine does not either, but its cake! Give it a nice dish soap wash, let dry, and hit with 2-3 coats. Goes on so smooth. But yes, you could carry in the part and paint, and they'd charge $50 max.

I just realized I have the paint and haven't done this yet. Maybe tonight since it is just about warm enough.

Mops..did you do it on the car or remove? I have plenty of plastic and tape and don't mind doing it that way.

Remove. This is not dip, and I'd not want to mask the rear 1/2 of the car hehe. The valence comes on in 5-10 minutes.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Forgot I had this pic.



And you must also remove the Alu strip held by 8-10 small screws. Another reason to remove.


Plain ole Mops on the move

[uvmshoob]

[QUOTE=Mops;10558015]Forgot I had this pic.



And you must also remove the Alu strip held by 8-10 small screws. Another reason to remove.

Ok, maybe you've sold me on this. A few torx screws, pull valence off. A few more screws and off comes the aluminum. 3 coats of Wurth. Repeat in reverse. Done.

Sounds easy. Thanks again!

[uvmshoob]

Thanks!

[street sleeper]

Short Shift Kit - Compared my M3 with a Dinan SSK the S5's shifter seems long. The JMH short shift kit seems to be the most popular S5 SSK from my searches. Any opinions on this SSK? Or others?

I have a short shifter on my car and love it! Only problem, it came with the car when I bought it and I can't remember what brand he told me it was — maybe JHM?

I'm curious myself. So I may have to investigate and report back.

Rear diffuser - I don't really like the grey inserts on the diffuser. I'm not sure I to spend the $ on a CF version...has anyone had the grey painted the same color as the body? Other options? Vinyl wrap? Plastidip?

If your grille is satin black, why not paint the rear diffuser satin black to match? Make it flow. That's what I plan on doing.

Speaking of which, anyone have their rear diffuser professionally painted? Rough estimate?

[Longwolf]

I had some steering issues with my S5: very jittery and hard it keep straight, especially in cold weather. I had the dealer do the software update, and no issues since.

I upgraded to the RS5 grill (OEM, $700), and love it. The S5 grill is really unattractive, especially since it is grey.

You guys have me thinking about painting my rear valence now. Guess it is time for me to learn how to use plastidip.

[mozman68]

No plastidip...Wurth as mentioned above. You can order it off of Amazon if not available locally.


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[Mops@Nemesis]

No plastidip...Wurth as mentioned above. You can order it off of Amazon if not available locally.

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This. The Wurth is miles past dip in appearance, and it looks good as new even after 2-3 years, and it accepts products like Adams VRT and In & Out well. Satin and texture are perfect too. Wurth fanboy if I've not made it clear yet :P

[Longwolf]

Thanks guys, are you referring to this stuff?

[mozman68]

That's it.


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