Lensch09 - 2016 Daytona Grey B8.5 S4 Build (6MT)

[Lensch09]

A response from me on another forum (PKG)

Xpel Ultimate is a self-healing paint protection film (PPF). It keeps surface scratches at bay, defends against and lessens the impact of rock chips, makes the ladies feel weak in the knees, etc. Unfortunately, Xpel Ultimate is not a miracle cure for all types of threats declaring violence on sexy paint. The film can still be etched by environmental droppings (sap, bird shit, etc), and is not on a competitive level with ceramic coatings or traditional waxes on its' hydrophobic abilities (the ability to repel water, dust, or anything else attached to a water-molecule carried via the air, splashed via direct contact,etc.).

The rest of the plan (you all knew there would be one):

Fun-fact #1: The paint should be pretty close to flawless (negating any pre-delivery/transit protection equipment application/removal, washes, etc...). However, the film actually masks any small imperfections. Regardless, the application areas were touched up by Willis prior to the Xpel application.

-My Makita 9227 should not be necessary as this process will take place on a car with <500 miles on the clock. There shouldn't' be any type of damage severe enough to merit a rotary correction. In fact, I'll be pretty pissed if the previous statement is not accurate.

-I still have my trusty old standard PC 7424 laying around and collecting dust, somewhere... Lord knows that bitch has seen some miles. However, during it's last years/stints of service, it had developed some wiring issues that demanded a few rebuilds/rewiring of the unit on multiple occasions. I purchased a new 7424XP HD and a new 5" hook/loop backer. I'll feel out the counterweight on the new machine, and if necessary, flip the counterweight over from the old machine to the new unit.

-I picked up a few new Lake Country 5.5" CCS pads from the folks at Autogeek (light cut). I had used 6-6.5" pads on the old 7424 in the past. Latest idea from me is to make the move to a smaller diameter pad when using a DA... I want more control... Speaking of strategy, I would use 60" pads on the rotary to cover more ground and cut cycle times if they were available, and if motor-heat never became an issue (which it does around a 9" pad, >80 ambient, moderate pressure).

-Entire car will get cleaned with some good stuff (I own the entire Wolfgang line), two buckets, grit guards, MF everything, etc, etc...

-Clay isn't necessary... I'll destroy whatever type of rail dust or fallout is laying on the finish after ~300 miles with the Eraser.

-Non-Xpel applied areas will get wiped with CarPro Eraser prior to light polish. This step is being used in place of clay to remove any rail dust, environmental fallout, etc...

-I also own the full Menzerna line circa de 2013 (being a hobbiest/spare-timer bespoke detailer has perks). However, there is a new Meznerna product that I felt I needed to demo (SF-4000). I'll hit the non-Xpel areas with a grey CCS equipped 7424XP, and SF-4000 to "level up."

-Full car (including the Xpel application area) will then get re-wiped with the CarPro Eraser (yes, Cobra MFs will be used).

-Full car (including the Xpel area) will then get two layers of CarPro Cquartz Ceramic Paint Protection. CarPro Reload will be used to level-up between applications.

-Kicking around laying a topper coat (or 2) of Souveran over the Cquartz... Havent decided yet... We'll see how well the golf game is working, how cherry the Cquartz finishes up to my eye, and how jet-lagged I am.

Should be fun. Labor of love!!!

-DL

[Lensch09]

AG M590 mit Bespoke Level III custom-finish (hand-laid "Brushed Grigio finish) arrived at Lichtys'





Look sharp! Can't wait to get them on the car!

-DL

[SouthernBoy]

Check the Audi website. If you ordered the Technology package, the list price has dropped $600! So instead of an after credit price of $2300 it should be $1700. Thought you might like to know this since you're supposed to pick up your new S4 tomorrow.

[Lensch09]

For re-verification and point of reference:
2016 S4 Prestige (Tech Package with B&O sound, Google maps, adaptive headlights, Audi SmartKey, color DIS, TPMS, AudiConnect, XM, etc. etc.)
6-speed Manual Gearbox
Daytona Grey Pearl Effect Paint
Audi Sport Bucket Seats - Black Nappa Leather bolsters with Black Alcantara Inserts
Black Optics/Titanium Edition
Carbon Atlas Inlays
Sports Differential
Supercharged Badges
Audi "Guard" mats (rubber trunk mat and floor mats with S4 logo)
No front plate option
AudiCare (free service expenditures first 45,000 miles)

Car also has Xpel Ultimate applied to the following:
Full front bumper
Full front fenders
Full hood
Mirror Caps
Door Guards
Door Pulls

At the dealership right before I drove it home. I was extreme tired. I had been up for 26 hours at that point after the international flight and other issues...







19 miles on the "clock" when I got it



When I was moved back from Germany (for work), I was relocated near to the same town where my parents live. Shaking with parents the next few weeks (which isn't horrid). My new apartment is not ready to move in for the next 3 weeks (one of them I will be in California). Would buy a house. But, not sure how long I'll be in this area, and it just doesn't "fit" my career. Plus, my parents could use the help. Mom just had knee-replacement surgery 3 weeks ago and is still somewhat recovering (she's a trooper).

Back at the parents place









Audi "guard" mats installed. Confirmed to support golf clubs and gain respect/comments from fellow golfers





Again, you can see the "guard" mats



The "business"



When a person buys a new car from Audi, Audi has a very cool way to deliver the new keys





Stay tuned!
-DL

[torinalth]

keybox is a neat touch. I was kinda worries the sales girl was proposing to me when she pulled it out to hand to me. Hope you enjoy the car. I know I have for the past few weeks.

[Lensch09]

Stuff waiting around for me to get back from Germany!



Things starting to be laid-out and organized (also some cool stuff pictured that I brought back with me)







First thing that needs to be fixed/updated/modified...The stupid capped dipstick tube. As noted earlier, North American S4s do not come equipped with a dipstick to check engine oil level. Instead, Audi demands North American owners to check the oil levels through the MMI. Yeah....No.



RoW S4s get the dipstick. As a matter of fact, all North American S4s also have the dipstick tube installed, but with a capped end rather than the dipstick installed. Solution, remove the cap, and install the RoW dipstick



Finished



-DL

[Lensch09]

Next up, yellow Lamin-X for the fogs. I thought about doing yellow bulbs as well, but was concerned with light output.

Factory



Removed



What it will look like



No one to my knowledge has a pre-cut template for the B8.5. So, I had to make my own. I used the spray bottle to the left as a way to control slip/stretch when installing the film. Don't remember what it was off the top of my head. But, it worked well.



Installed




Next up, Audi Sport plate frame.



A few more pictures after a wash






-DL

[Lensch09]

Next up... S4 ECS Kohlefaser Luft-Technik Intake System

First priority, wipe down Carbon Fiber bits with Wolfgang ID to add a layer of protection



Getting tools and hardware together to put the heat-shielding together



I installed DEI Reflect-A-Gold on the exterior walls of both heatshields prior to putting the box together. Trying to get that last bit of thermal difference out of the kit. These supercharged cars seem to run a bit warm under the hood.



Installation in progress



Finished!



-DL

[Lensch09]

Next up (with super blurry pictures), ECS/Ziza Ultimate Interior LED Kit (with before and after in the same picture)









-DL

[Lensch09]

Next up, AWE Tuning Electronic Stepper Boost gauge/mount + boost tap. This kit was almost impossible to try and find. If it's discontinued, that's a shame.

Pictured already installed within vent mount



This 5 piece trim removal kit is worth it's weight in gold when removing the one piece cluster/radio surround



Elbow removed on the charger.... Pretty cake on a car with approximately 200 miles on the clock



Stock spacer removed from elbow, getting ready to install the AWE boost tap



Boost tap installed and elbow re-installed (be sure to use some fresh engine oil to re-lubricate the o-rings during re-installation)



On to the inside...My neighbor came over when the car was in this state. The look of confusion on his face was priceless as he said, "what are you doing, isn't this a brand new car?"



All back together and working



Video



-DL

[Lensch09]

Next up on the list is minor paint correction followed by LSP. Car wasn't too bad (with less than 300 miles). But, had the typical pre-wash micro-marring, and also some micro-marring from application and removal of the transport protection.

Car was washed with Wolfgang shampoo, Chenille MF mitt, two bucks and grit guards, then dried with a blower, and a MF guzzler

There wasn't enough on the car to necessitate a clay (tested with plastic bag method)

Car was polished with a PC 7424XP, a Grey 5.5" CCS pad, and Menzerna SF4000



There is some kind of a drain in the doors that leads to a waterspot/stain on the doorblades. I don't have an after picture, but I can tell you that my polish methods removed it and restored it, good as new.





Car was then wiped down with CarPro Eraser and Cobra MF towels.

After Eraser, two coats of CarPro Cquartz were applied



Sitting around, waiting....



After waiting an hour or more (I think about 90 minutes), I wiped the car down with CarPro Reload



Car looks pretty good. I need to wait a few more days so I can let the coating completely cure, then give it a wash and take some pictures. Because of the high heat on the day of application, there are also a few minor streaks in the Cquartz finish from the product flashing out too soon and leaving a few minor high-spots (nothing too serious). I have a plan to resolve that... More on that later.

Next up, 3M Color Stable 35% on rears and sides. Was going to go Crystalline. But, after seeing the Crystalline samples, I just didn't like the hue of the Crystalline, and made the decision to jump down to Color Stable.





Tomorrow is a big day. AG Wheels get tossed on, along with H&R Coilovers, AWE Track exhaust, EuroCode AluKruez (plus new bolts), EuroCode F+R droplinks (plus new bolts and boots), 034 Motorsports transmission mount insert (plus new bolts), 034 Motorsports rear diff carrier mount insert, 034 Motorsports rear diff-to-carrier mount insert.

Stay Tuned!

-

DL

[Lensch09]

Fresh out of my gearhead heaven (Lichty Automotive in Waterloo), a bigger day is in the books! I'm back in the states, I'm back to my roots, I've got a hell of a car, and it's all tying together with great people, and lifelong friends. This is what it's all about, and I'm genuinely happy.

Mr. Kevin Lichty backing the car into the lift.



First Step, EuroCode AluKruez + bolts. Pictured here next to the stock cross-member (clearly, already removed).



My coworker the better half of the afternoon. Definitely owe this guy beers/food/whatever.



Looks Sharp!





Factory transmission mount



Now including the 034 Motorsports "gap-filling" insert. 034 guys: If you're reading this, your work instructions are hilarious.



034 Motorsports differential mount insert installed. No "before" picture due to not being overly concerned with the camera, and more concerned with knocking out the work.



Carrier mounts before





Carrier mounts now with 034 Motorsports inserts.





Next up, H&R Street Performance Coilover System... My gripe? Why no new/shorter rear bump stops? I wound up hacking up my factory bumps with the idea of trying to keep a safe stop-bump, while allowing some additional travel at the lower ride height if possible. H&R or whoever else: A product improvement idea would be to develop a rear bump-stop solution for the B8... Make something, and A LOT of us will buy it. Seriously.



Front stocks (car has around 400 miles at this point)



Front assembly with H&R included



Front buttoned up



Rears also buttoned up





Thoughts: we used ECS's installation instructions as a point of reference. I would recommend to the ECS technical writers that they go back through their work instructions because they're not quite right on multiple points (no points to clarifying the necessity to un-mount the front steering assembly on a b8.5 to remove the lower control arm bolt, having multiple torque specifications incorrect, etc). Plus, I genuinely feel half of the stuff that we removed to do the front coils was unnecessary, and we could have gone a lot quicker had we just removed the front axle bolt and swung the axles out of the way.

Anyways, the front needs to come down a bit and the rear needs to slightly raise. Not a big deal, I'll do that tomorrow, wash the car, and then take better pictures.

Stay tuned!

-DL

[Lensch09]

Wheels! Avant Garde M590 19" X 9.5". Bespoke Level III Finish (Brushed Grigio Metallic). Square fitment.



Test fit prior to mounting the tires (255/55/19 ContiSportCompact3). Square fitment.



Tires on. The shop thought they would have problems getting these tires to bead up on a 9.5" wheel. But, no problems



Finished product (also note AWE Track 90mm tips)













Car has since had some Ross-Tech updates to get rid of the orange LEDs, also tweaked some other stuff (ambiance lighting). Will update that later.

Stay Tuned!

-DL

[Turboaudi01]

I'm looking at scooping one of these up too. 110 bucks isn't too bad, fully adjustable and tiltable

[Lensch09]

Cleaned the car last night, had a few beers, and took a few crappy cellphone pictures. Car still hardly has 800 miles on it after nearly a month of ownership. Those 800 miles include 500 miles worth of trips....

Average MPG to date - 14.7 Yup, jamming on the loud pedal and letting the AWE sing the song of my people.

A few of the goodies (I only use Hyper Wash for wheels). I use Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds II (in Grape) through the Gilmour foamer. Absorber only gets used on the wheels as well. I have a massive MF drying town that I use with Chemical Guys Extreme Slick Detailer to assist in lubricity.

Tough spots on the wheels get Wheel Brightener cut down 10:1. Don't pay attention to the people that warn about this stuff. I've been using it for years and love it to death.



In process









Ecodes are supposed to show up either today or Tuesday. I'll get out the good camera and snap some pictures when they show up. Happy holiday weekend, everyone!

-DL

[s4matty]

There's a proud owner of a beautiful car!

[saphuso]

DL - your ride is looking clean! a little pun intended. Just took delivery of a '16 Daytona S4 a few months ago, as well. curious, after driving a few minutes, do you have any issues with temperature being warm? tried to search AZ forums, but haven't found anything definitive.

I'm new to Audi (Germans, in general).

[Lensch09]

These cars run WARM!. Gages indicate that everything is normal, though.
-DL

[saphuso]

sorry, i meant to say temp. in the cabin. vent is blowing warm air. AC is off.

[Lensch09]

sorry, i meant to say temp. in the cabin. vent is blowing warm air. AC is off.

I had a rental A3 in Germany that was doing the same thing. I'm 90% sure it has to do with the internal temp. sensor. Have the dealership give it a look.
-DL

[Lensch09]

CR-15 Upper strut mount bar was installed last night.

Install/Product impressions:
James was super easy to deal with in procuring the product! He kept me informed on availability updates, and processed the shipment incredibly fast with included tracking/insurance/etc. The product itself is a nice piece. I opted for the black anodized part (James thought it would look better). Initial quality looks spot on. Hardware (correct quantity, too) and instructions were also included. All accurate, all quality well beyond the initial price point.

Super easy install. I had a small drop-in problem with the tab on the drivers side tower which wasn't unexpected (actually says it might be a small issue in the instructions and some convincing with a hammer may be required). Overall install time took maybe a total of 30 minutes (not in a hurry at all and on the phone half the time).

Driving impressions:
Car seems to "load and plant" better than it did before. Steering feedback seems a bit more precise. All in all, for the ~$150 entry fee, why in the world anyone who tinkers wouldn't want this thing on a $30-$65k car is beyond me.

Picture of the bar on the ground with some of the hardware (no instructions pictured)



Stock location with the tray removed. Car still only has about 1500 miles on it at this point. Ooops.



Now with the CR-15 bar installed



And just a random picture I took last night with my new 6S after leaving the gym. Car is super dirty, but might be the only semi-decent picture I have with the new ride-height, E-codes, wheels, etc....



Thanks again James. Great product!
-DL

[Lensch09]

Well folks, finally got a chance to install my EuroCode USS sways and spherical endlinks....



Installed boots on the front. Pink zippes, for the awareness....



Front installed



With links!



Rear bar installed (AWE Track has been installed the last 900 miles or so, car only has 1600 miles...ooops)



Getting alignment


More alignment


Badnews...I'm all but positive the front subframe is shifted. I'm not running adjustable fronts, and there is no way that the deviation between the driver and passenger side camber should delta at this level... We will fix that later....



Latest pictures









Some Instagram editing for the feels...



Fixing that subrame non-sense with the AWE kit/alignment tool soon,

-DL

[PinoyS4]

Looking good!!

[Lensch09]

Well, ordered the SPC adjustable control arms, wiring harness brackets, and subframe alignment tool from AWE today. Gonna get this riddle solved by the end of next week (hopefully).

-DL

[Lensch09]

What I walk away from as I head into work....



-DL

[mec]

Glad I ran into you again, I don't know if you ever answered my question, but why is your profile pic a picture of drumnjuny?

[Lensch09]

Glad I ran into you again, I don't know if you ever answered my question, but why is your profile pic a picture of drumnjuny?

Because it's hilarious, and Arjun did some weird photoshoot thing that I have to still give him a hard time about.
-DL

[SteveYem]

As someone who has personally installed almost every one of these parts on his own car, I really appreciate all the effort you took to take clear, high-resolution in-process photographs. Every little bit helps when tackling one of these jobs for the first time.

BTW, I am also lowered on coilovers to about the same ride height as you, and my front camber specs are similar to yours. I also have a set of SPC adjustable control arms sitting on the shelf but would rather align the subframe first. I figure that once the subframe is aligned properly, the front camber on both sides should be closer to -1.8 degrees and, honestly, I could probably live with that and just do without the adj. control arms. I will be curious to hear how you make out with using the AWE alignment tool, though.

[Lensch09]

Another small update.

Picked up the AWE-Tuning Camber Adjustment Solution which includes the following:

SPC Performance Control Arms
AWE-Tuning wiring harness relocation kit
AWE-Tuning subframe alignment tool



This should clear up the previously mentioned alignment/camber issues. Car should handle even better (if that's even possible).

Now officially out of things to do with the suspension with right around 3,000 miles on the car.... Oops.

Also picked up a set of USP Motorsports LED reverse lights. Not sure why Audi didn't install them from the factory. Oh well, pictures of those will come tonight when I get off work and install them.

Also, afraid to say it's time to switch wheels to winter-mode in the next few weeks. Gonna run the stock 19" Titanium wheels with some spacers...

Stay tuned!

-DL

[Lensch09]

Next mod is/are USP Motorsports LED reverse lights. They are DAMN awesome....



Before



50/50 comparison



After



Before (sorry, brake lights are on)



After



Overall, an absolutely awesome mod. These are so much brighter than the stock lights. Huge improvement.

Stay tuned!

-DL

[Lensch09]

I guess I'll update this. The weather has been shitty, I moved into a new condo, I'm going through a career change and possibly an employer change (which could result in a relocation from the Midwest to East Bay), so the car has sort of been on the back-burner.

Picked up some Sumitomo HTRs for the stock wheels for winter. We don't get much snow here. But, it's cold and slushy most of the time



Finally got around to aligning the sub-frame and installing the SPC adjustable upper control arms and AWE wiring harness relocation kit (all AWE pieces are AWESOME)





Re-adjusted the ride-height and re-adjusted alignment. I'm pretty close to factory alignment settings with a little bit more camber dialed in, and a little less toe in the front (to ease tire-wear). Currently sitting 25.5" FTG all the way around







My coworkers have a sense of humor



Waiting for this crappy weather to go away. The front bumper on the car isn't perfect (someone tapped it) and it needs to be repaired/repainted. It isn't that bad, but I know it's there. The dealer quoted less than $700 for the repair/repaint and will also throw in a re-application of Xpel Ultimate. I will not run it through insurance.

I might also add a CF rear valence, CF spoiler, CF mirrors, and a black RS4 grille in the spring. I've also been recently kicking around the idea of a GIAC chip + program switcher. The only setback is that the car only has 5,800 miles on the clock... Time will tell.

Stay tuned!

-DL

[VenturiRS]

Very, very nice build!

[s4vagemiami]

i didn't have to use my AK

[Lensch09]

Spring updates are just around the corner

Big thanks to MOPS @ SupremePowerParts for being a fantastic supplier.

Deval Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser, ordered!





Thanks to ECS for hooking me up with their Carbon Fiber mirror caps, also ordered!





Also ordered a Piano Black cluster surround out of an RS4/RS5 to replace the ugly silver plastic one that is the only piece available on US Spec S4s. Not cheap for such a small change, but the silver was driving me nuts....





It replaces this piece. Which, as I said, drives me nuts



Also a big thanks to USP. Ordered up their gloss black RS4 grille.



Car is going into the body-shop in the next 2 weeks to have the bumper covers refinished. They will also be reapplying the Xpel film on the front bumper cover and hood that were never applied to my level of satisfaction.

First week of April, I'll clean up and install summer wheels and tires and then I think I'm done for awhile.... Again (yeah right).

Stay tuned!

-Dan

[jl87]

Dang, wish I would have known you were ordering Deval stuff. Mine came today and I've decided to not install.

[Lensch09]

Dang, wish I would have known you were ordering Deval stuff. Mine came today and I've decided to not install.

Really. Why's that?

[LIM1TED]

What's your after alignment? After SPC

[Lensch09]

What's your after alignment? After SPC

I am running around .3 toe, around -1.3 Camber on all 4 corners, and left caster remaining within stock specifications (I believe around .13-.14).

Car tracks perfectly.

I used this setup to minimize tire wear. If I was running more often at the track, I would have set it up completely differently.

[Lensch09]

Update. Time to start getting the car ready for spring. Overall, not a really bad or intensive weather-winter (which is good). However, the car is still dirty.

I'm getting the itch to slap the summer wheels on. However, what I've learned in the past few years is that it's best to wait until after Easter weekend.

Car goes into the bodyshop next week to have the front and rear bumpers re-finished (I got tapped over the winter), the front Xpel application will be re-done, and they will also be adding a layer of Xpel to the top of the rear bumper (to prevent damage/scuffs from groceries, luggage, golf bags, etc.)

Now that it's warming up (about 40F daily), I've had a chance to actually get the car looking somewhat presentable (so there will be lots of pictures in this thread). However, once it gets up into the 60s, I'll do a complete detail on the car inside and out.

Spring updates... Part I:

USP RS4 style grille



Piano Black Cluster/MMI surround



A close up (it's pretty)



ECS Carbon Fiber mirror covers (a close up)



All of the goodies together



What we are starting with: just rolled through a pay and ride, winter mats still in (and dirty), dirty/trashed carpets (by my standards), and definitely needs some love in a few weeks (which it will definitely get due to mystery box and a few other things).



Still running stock Ti grille, stock Ti wheels (on snows), tons of suspension, Ecodes, etc. etc.



Continued in next post...

-

DL

[Lensch09]

Onto the work...

Front bumper removed



Stock grille removed



USP grille installed



Was going to try and wrap the crashbar. Once I was into the process, I realized I sucked at it. I trashed the wrap idea, and went to bedliner spray. Pulled the car into the garage and coated the whole crashbar (like 8 coats)



Crashbar coated



Bumper re-installed with new grille in place



Continued in next post....

-

DL