Group buy for CR-15 Upper Strut Brace for all B8 A5/S5/A4/S4

**Bruno_s4** · 03-31-2016 10:06 AM

Hey guys, a good friend of mine (01northernS4) put me onto this product I have read through pages and pages of reviews on this home made Upper Strut Brace from the A5/S5 and A4/S4 forums and decided to contact the inventor about a group buy.
It seems like a pretty amazing and stealthy upgrade for a very reasonable price.
Take a look at the hundreds of reviews:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ictures-inside
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ut-Tower-Brace

Nelson was quick to reply and thought it would be a great idea as shipping these bars individually is much more expensive.
Normally he sells the black anodized version for $127 US but if we get 10 or more then he will do $120 US.
He recommends that over the brushed aluminum for our environment.
Shipping them individually will cost over $30 but Nelson thinks we can get the price down to $10 each.

So I will act as the point of shipping but you will process payments directly to Nelson.
If you are interested reply to this thread or PM me.
All bars will need to be picked up from my office in Richmond Hill (Hwy 7 and Leslie area)
Not making any money off this... just helping out.

Going to leave this open until Sunday April 17.

So far we have:

Bruno
Anthony
Skillz
Silverrotor
Finder
Marco12
jschrauwen
kshup2me
driv3n
mitko
nevets4
Ragnar
downey13
1975audi

**Crusader105** · 03-31-2016 10:38 AM

Have one install that I got from Nelson's initial group buy...... they are great addition that you'll feel straight away when cornering.

Takes about a 1/2 hr to install with minimal skills and tools.

Nelson's a great guy to deal with, no problems with my transaction, shipment or follow up.

**ed@mtl** · 03-31-2016 01:16 PM

Damn just ordered one yesterday.

**Finder** · 03-31-2016 04:12 PM

I'm in for a black one.

Thanks Bruno.

**Silverrotor** · 03-31-2016 06:57 PM

I'm in.
Bruno made me do it. Lol
I live by Hwy 7 area.
I can pick it up.

**marco12** · 03-31-2016 10:51 PM

Count me in too... seems like a pretty clever mod

**jschrauwen** · 04-01-2016 06:34 AM

Subscribed

**jschrauwen** · 04-01-2016 07:35 AM

I just went through all 10 pages and didn't see any feedback or mention of any 08 coupe owners doing the 09 reinforcement bar + CR-15 combo.
Has no 08 coupe owners tried this yet?

Originally Posted by u2nelson

I feel your pain. I'm pretty sure an 09+ firewall reinforcement would fit in and then with the AL strut bar installed on top, that would give you the same set up everyone else has. The OEM reinforcement part number 8k0805629A, is the one that will not work, you would need the one that ends in 29B or a 29D. They are 52 new from OEM parts. I've never done this, so you might be the first, and this obviously would add to the work needed on install. IMO this might not be worth the effort because I think the 29A already uses 4 attachment points, which is what my bar is fixing, although I'm pretty sure my bar is also stiffer so it might make things a tad better. Thats pretty much all I know about it, so its a toss up for you. Link to the part you would need if you want to check it out.

http://genuineaudiparts.com/parts/20...agramCallOut=2

**Bruno_s4** · 04-02-2016 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by jschrauwen

I just went through all 10 pages and didn't see any feedback or mention of any 08 coupe owners doing the 09 reinforcement bar + CR-15 combo.
Has no 08 coupe owners tried this yet?

Got this feedback from Nelson: "08 Coupe should be fine, a few very early ones in 08 have a diff config, but they are so rare I have never had any one with one. He can tell by looking at the OEM steel bracket behind the false firewall. Compatible looks like a stamped L cross section, incompatible looks like a squished tube"

**jschrauwen** · 04-02-2016 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Bruno_s4

Got this feedback from Nelson: "08 Coupe should be fine, a few very early ones in 08 have a diff config, but they are so rare I have never had any one with one. He can tell by looking at the OEM steel bracket behind the false firewall. Compatible looks like a stamped L cross section, incompatible looks like a squished tube"

Ah, this makes things a bit more clearer. Mine doesn't look like a "squished tube".

But I'll let you have a look and tell me if it's compatible for the CR-15 brace without having to get the newer oem type?

oem strut bar 1.jpg
oem strut bar 2.jpg

**kshup2me** · 04-02-2016 02:09 PM

like the look of this... any A5 reviews?

**u2nelson** · 04-02-2016 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by jschrauwen

Ah, this makes things a bit more clearer. Mine doesn't look like a "squished tube".

But I'll let you have a look and tell me if it's compatible for the CR-15 brace without having to get the newer oem type?

oem strut bar 1.jpg
oem strut bar 2.jpg

That is the compatible version, your good.

**u2nelson** · 04-03-2016 12:17 AM

So what we will do is once the group buy closes, I will calculate the total shipping, and pro-rate for each bar. I use Pay Pal for payment processing and each member will need to PM me an E mail address, make sure you let me know your in the Bruno group buy. Once I know the total I will send an invoice for payment that has CC links and then when I have everyone settled up, I'll send the bars to Bruno, who will distribute to you all. Sounds complicated, but its actually not that bad. We can start the PM process any time.

**jschrauwen** · 04-03-2016 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by kshup2me

like the look of this... any A5 reviews?

The first AZ link in the first post of this thread has 10 pages of user feedback. Plenty of which are A5's.

Originally Posted by u2nelson

That is the compatible version, your good.

Good to know - thank you.
Bruno - put me down for a black anodized one please.

**kshup2me** · 04-03-2016 08:18 AM

I am in!

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

**kshup2me** · 04-03-2016 08:21 AM

Looks good to me!!

**szaer** · 04-03-2016 10:03 AM

In. Any mention of dealers saying anything about having this installed?

**14S4GWM** · 04-03-2016 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by szaer

In. Any mention of dealers saying anything about having this installed?

Once installed it is hardly noticeable.

**jschrauwen** · 04-03-2016 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by szaer

In. Any mention of dealers saying anything about having this installed?

If you're asking if dealers may have an issue with installing a non oem structural component, that can be sometimes subjective as we all know any dealership is always reluctant to do anything that's not oem related. I'm sure there's plenty of non dealership shops in the GTA familiar enough with Audi's to do your install.

**adbender** · 04-03-2016 10:30 PM

I have installed...no brainer upgrade for money and tightness achieved. Enjoy

**driv3n** · 04-04-2016 12:29 PM

I'm in for one

**Bruno_s4** · 04-05-2016 07:27 AM

Okay guys, that makes 9! I think I may close up the group buy this Sunday April 10 instead of next Sunday April 17.

Any other takers?

**mitko** · 04-05-2016 08:11 AM

I'm in as well.

**nevetS4** · 04-06-2016 11:10 AM

I'm in as well.
Thanks Bruno.

**Ragnar** · 04-09-2016 12:57 PM

Count me in.
Tks

**jschrauwen** · 04-09-2016 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by u2nelson

So what we will do is once the group buy closes, I will calculate the total shipping, and pro-rate for each bar. I use Pay Pal for payment processing and each member will need to PM me an E mail address, make sure you let me know your in the Bruno group buy. Once I know the total I will send an invoice for payment that has CC links and then when I have everyone settled up, I'll send the bars to Bruno, who will distribute to you all. Sounds complicated, but its actually not that bad. We can start the PM process any time.

Paypal invoice info pm'd.
Should I pm Bruno as well with my information? IE: Name, address, phone number, etc?

**u2nelson** · 04-09-2016 04:55 PM

JSCH and Bruno E mail received...thanks.
Everyone else can PM me your E mail also, and I will record them for invoicing soon.

JN

**Bruno_s4** · 04-09-2016 10:31 PM

That makes 12!

**downey13** · 04-10-2016 06:40 AM

Is this still open?

**jschrauwen** · 04-10-2016 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Bruno_s4

That makes 12!

Well done sir. Please advise when to send our details to you. It'll be a 3 hour drive for me to pick it up so I'll need to combine the trip with other things.

**Bruno_s4** · 04-10-2016 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by downey13

Is this still open?

. Yes. Closing it tonight.

**downey13** · 04-10-2016 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bruno_s4

. Yes. Closing it tonight.

Count me in.

**1975audi** · 04-10-2016 06:16 PM

Count me in.

**jschrauwen** · 04-11-2016 07:55 AM

Count up to 14? Well done Bruno.

Perhaps u2nelson might even offer a slightly deeper discount. *wink*

**jschrauwen** · 04-11-2016 10:48 AM

This is a recent post to Bruno's link in the first post.
Feedback like this is very re-assuring. I hope it doesn't also mean that it's a must to also have the Eurocode sway bars and end links to take full advantage of the Cr-15?
Nevertheless, that feedback is still very re-assuring.

Originally Posted by doc280

Update: I was contacted almost immediately and was giving a price, which I felt was very fair.
Now don't take this the wrong way, but I believed most of you must have been smoking something, reading all the claims that have been made about this CR15 strut bar.
My 2013 S5 does not have the dynamic suspension or dif and has been equipped with the EuroCode sway bars and drop links. The S5 holds the road very well with this configuration, but has an unbalanced feel to it.
I was thinking about the Eurocode Alu Kreuz when I located the CR15.
Decided to give the CR15 a try, installed it Friday, so easy dropped right in place and bolted in. I spent more time trying to get the plastic cover back in place, then installing the strut bar.
OK so I have been burning up the moonshine highways here in western NC and the car is now perfect. All the claims you guy have been making about the firm steering, more direct feedback, front of the car more planted, ect ,ect are all true.
Thank you very much for creating something which really does work and makes a great car into an even better one.
Robert

**u2nelson** · 04-11-2016 08:01 PM

Ok the group buy is closed, and I will need a PM with e mail address from everyone for invoicing, indicate your in the group buy. I have some already, thank you. I will give it a few days, and get a good count then calculate the shipping, then E mail you a Pay Pal invoice with links to pay, its secure and easy and you don't need a PayPal account just a CCard. looks like this is going to work nicely on shipping rates, under 10 each for sure, so kudos to Bruno for setting this up.

JN

**KurTecH** · 04-11-2016 09:51 PM

Sent you a PM. Thanks!

**Bruno_s4** · 04-12-2016 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by KurTecH

Sent you a PM. Thanks!

Who did you send the PM too? Me or Nelson?

**Runge** · 04-12-2016 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by u2nelson

Ok the group buy is closed, and I will need a PM with e mail address from everyone for invoicing, indicate your in the group buy. I have some already, thank you. I will give it a few days, and get a good count then calculate the shipping, then E mail you a Pay Pal invoice with links to pay, its secure and easy and you don't need a PayPal account just a CCard. looks like this is going to work nicely on shipping rates, under 10 each for sure, so kudos to Bruno for setting this up.

JN

takes about 11 calendar days for shipment to reach Canada. (mine that I ordered outside of this GB should be delivered tomorrow)