S4 Mod Thread

[will13k7]

I removed the black plastic rivet (top left) and was able to pull the bumper skin away from the car a bit to give me a little more room to remove/install the reflectors.

Oh, nice! That inside bumper ridge was flexible so I just bent it to get tools in there, probably not the best way, but it worked!

[CreoSTi]

The darker tones is my hesitation with the Tag reflectors. Did you have to take off the wheels to get to it? I’ve noticed most people have removed the bumper to install however Tag mentioned that while it would make install easier it wouldn’t be necessary.

Nope, I just turned the wheels to the sides.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, nice! That inside bumper ridge was flexible so I just bent it to get tools in there, probably not the best way, but it worked!

Well, you can remove it that way when it's time to put the car back to stock...

[jran76]

I really like the mirrors and spoiler. This has me seriously considering them. I was on the fence for painted reflectors, but I’m thinking I may stick with the tinted overlays on mine for now (they are ok on my Daytona Gray).

[will13k7]

tinted reflectors for darker colored cars looks good imo too!

Spacers on! Massive front calipers.





Needs low even more now

[TurboQuattroPwr]

tinted reflectors for darker colored cars looks good imo too!

Spacers on! Massive front calipers.


Needs low even more now

Looks great. What size spacers?


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[danaeroS4]

bare bottom when taking off the spoiler yesterday:

Did you chip or crack the old spoiler in the removal process....just asking because I had my dealer install the carbon fiber spoiler and asked for the old one back. I noticed there was a couple of chips out of it. Just want to know if it's normal for this or should I be complaining?

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[will13k7]

Did you chip or crack the old spoiler in the removal process....just asking because I had my dealer install the carbon fiber spoiler and asked for the old one back. I noticed there was a couple of chips out of it.

the car and original spoiler have no damage, sounds like your installer used too much heat and/or tried to yank it off. I used just enough heat to warm the spoiler and dental floss to saw end-to-end, even through the middle section of the spoiler which has an extra strip of adhesive. I went through a lot of dental floss, but it only took about 30 minutes.

[will13k7]

Looks great. What size spacers?

Thanks! That’s 10mm all around.

[danaeroS4]

the car and original spoiler have no damage, sounds like your installer used too much heat and/or tried to yank it off. I used just enough heat to warm the spoiler and dental floss to saw end-to-end, even through the middle section of the spoiler with has an extra strip of adhesive. I went through a lot of dental floss, but it only took about 30 minutes.

Thanks for reply I figured they should of removed old spoiler without damaging it. I asked for my old spoiler back before they started the job... so not like I didnt give them warning.

I will seeking compensation for the damaged spoiler which is useless to me with the 2 chips in it.



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[danaeroS4]

Yep

Roughly how long did it take you to remove mirror caps? Any special tools?

My dealer wants $330 to remove and install carbon fiber ones.

I am mechanically inclined and can do DIY stuff.

Just worried about breaking mirror or housing.

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[will13k7]

Roughly how long did it take you to remove mirror caps? Any special tools?

I used a T10 and pry tool. Took about a hour or so. I took my time and was patient, messing with it until it came apart, not forcing anything.


(I didn't remove the center mirror mount like this video shows.)

[danaeroS4]

I used a T10 and pry tool. Took about a hour or so. I took my time and was patient, messing with it until it came apart, not forcing anything.


(I didn't remove the center mirror mount like this video shows.)

Great thanks for reply I didnt think it would take that long, I watched videos and picture instructions and didnt seem super hard. I bet it wouldn't take them more than an hour either.

I'll prob buy the mirror caps from them then save the 330 and install myself.

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[GTburn]

Great thanks for reply I didnt think it would take that long, I watched videos and picture instructions and didnt seem super hard. I bet it wouldn't take them more than an hour either.

I'll prob buy the mirror caps from them then save the 330 and install myself.

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It really is really very easy. All you have to do Pop the mirror off, unplug 3 wires, remove 4 screws and pop off the cover. Disconnect Blind Spot Light and pop it out of the housing then put it all back together. It took me 10 min per mirror.

[will13k7]

springs, sways, and endlinks will be on early next week. excited for the altitude adjustment!

I also found the good stuff ("pro"-only ceramic coating), it didn't look any harder to install versus the consumer grade stuff, so I'm going to put this on in a few weeks. getting brave!

[will13k7]

Before the drop, cooling down.

[will13k7]

Needs a little fine tuning, all the way down all around right now, needs to settle, but bringing up the front to match the rear more tomorrow.

[will13k7]

[CMA337]

Looks great. What springs did you go with?


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[will13k7]

What springs did you go with?

those are H&R VTF adjustable lowering springs. they are breaking in fast, it is already lower from the drive home, lol.

[will13k7]

how she sits right now

[Mops@Nemesis]

The drop looks awesome!!


Mops On The Move

[will13k7]

^^Thanks mops! 034 nailed it!

I love the look, I’ll see how well it works out, I might need to come up 10-20mm all around worst case. I haven’t rubbed or scraped yet though.

Negative camber ftw! Would rub like crazy without it. Can barely get a finger in between the tire and fender.

Ride isn’t as good as coilovers, but not bad. The firmness is there, it’s smooth most of the time, but big bumps will upset it, and the dampers will clamp down. They feel reactive! Probably better if raised some, but good enough for my daily driver, and I like it low. Might smooth out more after it breaks in more.

[Mops@Nemesis]

^^Thanks mops! 034 nailed it!

I love the look, I’ll see how well it works out, I might need to come up 10-20mm all around worst case. I haven’t rubbed or scraped yet though.

Negative camber ftw! Would rub like crazy without it. Can barely get a finger in between the tire and fender.

Ride isn’t as good as coilovers, but not bad. The firmness is there, it’s smooth most of the time, but big bumps will upset it, and the dampers will clamp down. They feel reactive! Probably better if raised some, but good enough for my daily driver, and I like it low. Might smooth out more after it breaks in more.

I'd prefer the overall look if it were up 8-10mm, but I think I'm getting old. Turned 37 this past Sunday 😂 My A5 was at least that low, and I LOVED the look.

And yea, after I dropped mine the last time, the ride declined a bit. But I'm right there at the balance... low enough, fully usable, and the ride is still nice. The front bumper cover will work in your favor.... I'm betting you can drive it at that height with little hassle.

[Diokhan]

^^Thanks mops! 034 nailed it!

I love the look, I’ll see how well it works out, I might need to come up 10-20mm all around worst case. I haven’t rubbed or scraped yet though.

Negative camber ftw! Would rub like crazy without it. Can barely get a finger in between the tire and fender.

Ride isn’t as good as coilovers, but not bad. The firmness is there, it’s smooth most of the time, but big bumps will upset it, and the dampers will clamp down. They feel reactive! Probably better if raised some, but good enough for my daily driver, and I like it low. Might smooth out more after it breaks in more.

I love the look too! Seeing the way your car looks makes me wish I'd done a similar setup over the 034 springs. Don't get me wrong, my drop is great with an even front rear gap that probably fits my age better, but I love that slightly tucked tire look.

[Diokhan]

I'd prefer the overall look if it were up 8-10mm, but I think I'm getting old. Turned 37 this past Sunday 😂 My A5 was at least that low, and I LOVED the look.

And yea, after I dropped mine the last time, the ride declined a bit. But I'm right there at the balance... low enough, fully usable, and the ride is still nice. The front bumper cover will work in your favor.... I'm betting you can drive it at that height with little hassle.

Happy birthday!!!

[will13k7]

not acting my age


this car doesn't lean in the corners anymore, stays super flat around freeway loop ramps, and I don't notice the "track" spec swaybars degrading NVH any.

[CreoSTi]

I love the look, I’ll see how well it works out, I might need to come up 10-20mm all around worst case. I haven’t rubbed or scraped yet though.

Negative camber ftw! Would rub like crazy without it. Can barely get a finger in between the tire and fender.

Looks great!

I was rubbing on the rear fender liners/black plastic piece with the BBS LMs (ET38 with 255/30/20 Michelins) + 15mm spacers and -1.5 degrees of camber all around. I went down to 10mm and it's perfect now.

I'm going to throw the 15mm spacers on the OEM Black Optic wheels, which should fit well.

[DirtyDog--IRL]

I removed the black plastic rivet (top left) and was able to pull the bumper skin away from the car a bit to give me a little more room to remove/install the reflectors. But like I said, next time I'm just going to a vinyl decal shop and seeing if they have a close enough match to the car...

Still having trouble even after removing this rivet - it’s a true pita! Any other advice ? I’m nervous of breaking or scratching something

Btw love the car, looks so good with the mods !!

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[CreoSTi]

Still having trouble even after removing this rivet - it’s a true pita! Any other advice ? I’m nervous of breaking or scratching something

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I was too, until 10 minutes in and my garage was about 90 degrees... If you cannot get the reflector out from the inside, once a corner or two were loose, I put a nylon trim tool in a couple of spots (from the outside of the bumper skin) to help break the bond of the tape. You can potentially scratch your bumper doing this, but I put some masking tape on the outside of the bumper cover and there was no damage that I saw once I was finished. These were a huge PITA to remove compared to the ones on my F80 M3.

[DirtyDog--IRL]

I was too, until 10 minutes in and my garage was about 90 degrees... If you cannot get the reflector out from the inside, once a corner or two were loose, I put a nylon trim tool in a couple of spots (from the outside of the bumper skin) to help break the bond of the tape. You can potentially scratch your bumper doing this, but I put some masking tape on the outside of the bumper cover and there was no damage that I saw once I was finished. These were a huge PITA to remove compared to the ones on my F80 M3.

Thanks I’ll give it another go this weekend.


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[will13k7]

The reflectors cracked from the amount of pressure I was putting on them.

[NC_Detail_Garage]

The reflectors cracked from the amount of pressure I was putting on them.

lol that oem glue is no joke. i think i spent 30 mins per side just scraping the glue away

[DirtyDog--IRL]

The reflectors cracked from the amount of pressure I was putting on them.

I saw that in your pic but didn’t want to call you out haha

I don’t care about cracking that I’m more worried about the bumper, I tend to start out fine then 3 minutes in I’ll just want it over with and force it till I hear something snap...then spend the next 5 minutes saying “no no...” :)


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[DirtyDog--IRL]

Finally got them in this weekend in 90deg heat - the rivet was the key to anyone trying to do this.

Certain light the colour isn’t 100% match but it’s close enough - you’ll never get factory match

Thanks for all the helpful comments !


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[will13k7]

I've been an ECS customer long enough that I caught on to their procedures, if you order something from them they don't have a picture of, when they get it in, they take a bunch of pictures to post on their website, then ship it to you the next day, so these should be pictures of my actual exhuast which just shipped today and should be here friday. Can't wait!





This is the resonated version which comes with an extra silencer when compared to the non-resonated.




I'm hoping to get between stock and non-resonated sound. My S3 is a bit obnoxiously loud during cold start and WOT (turbo-back exhuast), so I'm going for something more tame on the S4, but if it's too quiet, converting it to non-resonated is my backup plan.

[will13k7]

exhuast arrived! install is set for wednesday. tips go with the wheel color somewhat.



Also put two coats of nanolex Si3D on. Super glossy now. I'll have to take some proper pics once the exhuast is on.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Love that finish on the tips! I wonder if coating them as well would assist in keeping them clean and free of staining? Many coat calipers, and they can exceed 300F while tips stay below 200F IIRC.

[will13k7]

Love that finish on the tips! I wonder if coating them as well would assist in keeping them clean and free of staining? Many coat calipers, and they can exceed 300F while tips stay below 200F IIRC.

oh yeah, forgot about this! I've seen youtube videos of people coating exhuast tips, thanks for reminding me! going to do this today. haha.

[Mops@Nemesis]

oh yeah, forgot about this! I've seen youtube videos of people coating exhuast tips, thanks for reminding me! going to do this today. haha.

Certainly can’t hurt! Might should do it a few times per year but we like that detail oriented weirdo type piddling.


Mops On The Move

[will13k7]

had exactly enough Si3D left to put one layer inside/out on each tip.