New to me Q5 3.0T S-Line - WTB Modifications

[kotykb]

I just picked up a 2013 Q5 3.0T S-Line yesterday in Orange County. After moving to San Francisco and owning a Porsche 997 GT3, it wasn't the most practical car for the city. I decided to get a Q5 so my GF can take it to work and when I often travel to asia.

Let me know if you have any of the following parts for sale in NorCal or SoCal

Modification List:
- H&R Lowering Springs
- CTS Turbo Intake
- RSQ5 Front Grill in Black
- VAG-COM Mods
- Exterior emblem debadge
- Tint the front driver/passenger windows 20%
- New floor mats and rear cargo mat - OEM
- 12.5/20mm Wheel Spacers with extended bolts

Modifications Left:
- LED Fog Lights
- VAG-COM Mods
- 21" SQ5 or S6/S7 wheels (If I can't find a set soon I'll powder coat my OEM wheels satin black, the OEM wheels have some curb marks which drive me crazy)

Here are some updated pictures

[jacho22]

Congrats! I'm sure you and your GF will be happy with the Q5. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the parts on your list. I do have a set of 22" Vossen VSF1's for sale if you're interested.

I thought I heard the factory rear windows were 28% tint. Not sure but it's something you might want to look into. Wouldn't want the front to be darker.

One thing I would recommend to add to your list is to drop the car slightly. I have KW coilovers but I've heard good things about the H&R sport springs which is just a subtle drop.

There are some Q5 owners in SF that might be willing to let you use their vagcom cable but if you're in the South Bay you are welcome to use mine.


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[Shaft2k]

I have 12 and 15mm spacers with bolts if interested......


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[anonymous_b6]

Nice. Now open your wallet and let the modding begin!!!

[kotykb]

I thought most people were doing 20% on the front windows to match the OEM tint of the rear windows. It sounds like going with 30% would be ideal, then going with ceramic tint probably isn't necessary.

I'm also going to install a set of H&R springs from Emmanuel Designs around the holidays when I'm in OC.

[S-Fore]

I have 10/15mm spacers and extended RAD Bolts
Pm me if interested

[Kruppa]

I thought most people were doing 20% on the front windows to match the OEM tint of the rear windows. It sounds like going with 30% would be ideal, then going with ceramic tint probably isn't necessary.

I'm also going to install a set of H&R springs from Emmanuel Designs around the holidays when I'm in OC.

Had mine metered 2 nights ago, rear reads 27% VLT. 40% VLT film on front windows reads 35%. Hope that helps.

[rusq5]

I thought most people were doing 20% on the front windows to match the OEM tint of the rear windows. It sounds like going with 30% would be ideal, then going with ceramic tint probably isn't necessary.

I'm also going to install a set of H&R springs from Emmanuel Designs around the holidays when I'm in OC.

I went with 20% because the guy only had that or 35%. I did the back windows too, they're now at ~5% (per my bad math). They're very dark, but it doesn't look mismatched compared to the 20% up front.


I did get a fix it ticket less than two weeks after I got them done in the south bay, so just a word of caution.

[kotykb]

Did you get a fix it ticket for the front windows being 20% or the rear windows being at 5%? I'm going to leave the OEM tint as is, then tint the front driver/passenger windows to match.

[jomama229]

Did you get a fix it ticket for the front windows being 20% or the rear windows being at 5%? I'm going to leave the OEM tint as is, then tint the front driver/passenger windows to match.

i'm gonna guess with 99% certainty that it was for the front, since you're allowed to tint the rears. i live in SF as well, and have gone back and forth on this. within the first ~8 months of moving here to SF, i got tagged 2x's for not having a front license plate, so i ended up going with an RSQ5 grill and mounted my plates on finally. i'm guessing the cops/metermaids will be similarly active wrt tints.

[rusq5]

i'm gonna guess with 99% certainty that it was for the front, since you're allowed to tint the rears. i live in SF as well, and have gone back and forth on this. within the first ~8 months of moving here to SF, i got tagged 2x's for not having a front license plate, so i ended up going with an RSQ5 grill and mounted my plates on finally. i'm guessing the cops/metermaids will be similarly active wrt tints.

It was on the fronts. The officer said I could paint the back windows black if wanted.

I haven't got a plate ticket yet, I'm not running any at the moment. The SFPD is notorious for giving out front plate violations. If I do get nicked for a plate, I plan on playing dumb/not mechanically savvy and saying I can't work a screwdriver.

[b6onboost]

Most states do not allow the front passenger windows to go as dark as OEM rear tint. I concur it would look the best, but its risking a ticket.

I'm going to leave the OEM tint as is, then tint the front driver/passenger windows to match.

[rusq5]

Most states do not allow the front passenger windows to go as dark as OEM rear tint. I concur it would look the best, but its risking a ticket.

CA is 65%. It would be much lighter than the backs. The fix it ticket is onl $190.

[jomama229]

It was on the fronts. The officer said I could paint the back windows black if wanted.

I haven't got a plate ticket yet, I'm not running any at the moment. The SFPD is notorious for giving out front plate violations. If I do get nicked for a plate, I plan on playing dumb/not mechanically savvy and saying I can't work a screwdriver.

the plates fix-it ticket is an easy fix thought. you just need to secure it on in any fashion you please, have a police officer sign off on the "fix," and pay a $10 fee. then you can take your plates off until the next fix-it ticket...so only $10 a pop.

[kotykb]

I was planning on running no front license plate and front tinted windows. I heard if you park your car you're at a higher risk of getting a no front plate ticket but if we hardly park on a city street, that is derisked. I worry more about my GF driving my car and getting pulled over for something stupid such as tint or no front plate....

[jomama229]

I was planning on running no front license plate and front tinted windows. I heard if you park your car you're at a higher risk of getting a no front plate ticket but if we hardly park on a city street, that is derisked. I worry more about my GF driving my car and getting pulled over for something stupid such as tint or no front plate....

each time i've gotten a fix-it ticket for no front plates, my car was parked. it's the meter maids scooting around looking for expired meters that tag you. i was never pulled over for not running a front plate.

i'm not adamant about not running the plates, but i ordered my car with a front filler not thinking i'd get ticketed. but lesson learned, and plates are now on the car! =)

[kotykb]

Front plates look so fugly but if my GF is driving the car Mon-Fri to work, its probably not worth the risk of her getting a ticket. I'm going to install a RSQ5 front grill and maybe I'll put a lightly tinted license plate cover of the plate to make it clash less with the front grill

[Mobileguy]

Front plates look so fugly but if my GF is driving the car Mon-Fri to work, its probably not worth the risk of her getting a ticket. I'm going to install a RSQ5 front grill and maybe I'll put a lightly tinted license plate cover of the plate to make it clash less with the front grill

I would stay away from license plate covers in Cali, especially the tinted ones. They are illegal in CA and one of my buddies just got dinged for that in SF. I live in the south bay and have been without a front plate for 15+ years. Only one fixit so far. General rule is to avoid meter parking because most city cops and CHP don't care (but the meter maids do).

[kotykb]

Pictures were updated on the initial post to reflect the mods I've installed