We need more build threads: 2018 SQ5, Family hauler

[robb1887]

Friday was my alignment, tire mount and rear brake job. All 4 corners now have fresh rotors and Hawks HPS 5.0 pads.

Monday was getting rid of the window alum trip with some satin black vinyl warp. I still haven't had a chance to do a proper wash and take some real photos so some driveway shots will have to suffice.






I ran out of time to do the roof rails, and still unsure what I'm doing with the front end. I will likely pull the rear bumper trim and wrap the alum on it as well eventually.

Anyone have any idea if there is an option to delete the roof rail completely?

A box from Neuspeed showed up late yesterday too, so hopefully get those checked out this upcoming weekend too.

[turbo_911]

Friday was my alignment, tire mount and rear brake job. All 4 corners now have fresh rotors and Hawks HPS 5.0 pads.

Monday was getting rid of the window alum trip with some satin black vinyl warp. I still haven't had a chance to do a proper wash and take some real photos so some driveway shots will have to suffice.






I ran out of time to do the roof rails, and still unsure what I'm doing with the front end. I will likely pull the rear bumper trim and wrap the alum on it as well eventually.

Anyone have any idea if there is an option to delete the roof rail completely?

A box from Neuspeed showed up late yesterday too, so hopefully get those checked out this upcoming weekend too.

Blackout trim looks nice. How does it look up close? Can you tell it was wrapped?

Btw nice progress on the build, you got the car after I did and came along further!

[robb1887]

Blackout trim looks nice. How does it look up close? Can you tell it was wrapped?

Btw nice progress on the build, you got the car after I did and came along further!

I went DIY route and its definitely a 5ft job. I will say that I got better as I went around but due to time and material I stopped trying to make each piece perfect and went for 95%. There are a few nicks and small pieces in the corners I maybe cut or tore it a little and it shows through but its not a show car so leaps and bounds better than it was. I may redo some of it later, but for now it's good'nuff

[robb1887]

So I guess I'm the first SQ5 with braided brake lines?

Hit up Mops for a set if you want your own.

[Mops@Nemesis]

That 3rd gen 4R and Clownshoe avatar... whew!

Neuspeed does great lines. I've been running them on my B9 S4 for a couple of years now.

[Hostile]

Nice job guys!

[robb1887]

Finally got some free time to get the roof rails wrapped for now.

Not too excited on how the 3M film is staying adhered on some of the edges. I've heard through he grapevine of friends that have friends that vinyl wrap for a side gig using VViViD over 3M but that was after the fact of my original application. I may grab some of VViViD's satin black to use on the front and rear bumper parts as I'm out of the 3M supply I bought and have a side by side to compare in a few months maybe. All and all, still significantly cheaper than having it professionally done and is good enough for a daily as it sits now.

[robb1887]

Came across a stupid deal for a used RocEuro intake. While I hate the aesthetic, I want more turbo noises and I can count the number of times I've opened the hood on two hands, so screw it. I chucked the engine beauty cover onto the garage shelf this past weekend but haven't had a chance to romp on it to see if there is any noticeable difference.

Worst case i use it as a starting for a "custom" air box.

[ccoop6]

A little less than a year ago I got into the Audi scene and picked up a B8.5 S4 with an EPL Stage2 SP tune and was hooked. A growing family coming Oct 2022 required more back seat space than the S4 could accommodate without me being on top of the steering wheel and possibly needing to break my femur to operate the pedals comfortably. The SQ5 was as close as I could get to an S6 Avant in the US market so here we are. I found a listing with everything but a Black Optics Package I was hoping for and decided to jump on it.

Current Photo(s)


Backstory:
Specs:
2018 SQ5
Daytona Gray over Black
449xx Miles at purchase
Packages: Prestige, Sports, Warm weather, Cold weather, DAP, Dynamic Steering, Towing, Carbon Inlays

Previous owner has swapped the Alu-inlays for Carbon Atlas, Euro perforated leather shifter cover, installed a JB4 piggy back, and lowering links.

As purchased photo:



Things done so far:

Engine:
- EPL Master tune (Stage 1)
- Factory airbox "mod"
- pending install - AWE intercooler
- pending install - Forge Valves (Recirc and Atmospheric option)

Exhaust:
- ECS res delete X-pipe

Drivetrain:
- EPL TCU tune V1

Suspension:
- CETE suspension controller

Brakes:
- Zimmerman Rotors
- Hawks HPS 5.0 Pads
- Neuspeed braided lines

Interior:
- Full Windshield tint 3M Crystalline 70%
- Driver & Passenger Fronts SunTek CIR 20%
- Euro perforated leather shifter cover
- Carbon Atlas inlay swap

Exterior:
- Black Optic mirror caps
- Satin black (3M 2080 S12) vinyl wrapped window trim
- De-badged
- Vinyl wrapped front bumper reflectors

Wheels & Tires:
- Forged ONE competition FF10s
- 10mm/15MM spacer F/R for ET30/25 fitment
- Black extended lug bolts
- Continental DWS 06 plus 275/40/20 square

Lighting:
- S front door puddles

Stereo:
- AAwireless dongle

Misc:


In Progress:


Misc parts acquired/waiting install:


Maintenance:
Front brake rotors and pads 5/9/22 48046mi
Rear brake rotors and pads 5/20/22 48495mi
Tires mounted 5/20/22 48495mi
Brake fluid flush 5/29/22 48738mi

Literature acquired:


Things coming in the mail:
Carbnlab "RS" grille

Things planned for short term:
Brushed Alum Exterior delete -roof rails, front and rear bumper trim
AWE FMIC install
Stage 2 software

Long to-do List:
HF Catted DP upgrade
Drivetrain/Diff inserts
034 Brake Rotors (eventually maybe)
CTS turbo inlet (or maybe the 034 pending product)

Your SQ looks awesome! I’m looking at an 18 SQ5 with just under 40k. Have you had any issues? This one doesn’t have a warranty and wondering how others have faired. Thanks!


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[robb1887]

Your SQ looks awesome! I’m looking at an 18 SQ5 with just under 40k. Have you had any issues? This one doesn’t have a warranty and wondering how others have faired. Thanks!

Thanks!

No issues other than regular maintenance for the mileage and smidge of surface rust but mine lived north of the Mason-Dixon for it's life before me. I was getting some "steering rack malfunction. you may continue to drive" warnings on a few start ups but it seems to only happen when I start the car after parking with the steering significantly off center. I haven't had it in a while. I ran a OBD11 scan prior to purchase and a good look over. Recognizing at my mileage, the brakes were at their life expectancy for the northern life. I had a pretty bad driver seat squeak after purchase that was solved with some greasing that was discussed in another thread here and has fixed that issue successfully for a few weeks now.

Everything else I have done was voluntary modifications more or less.

[robb1887]

In the ever going quest to hear more turbo noises I broke down and bought a STEAL of a used RocEuro intake. While I couldnt justify the 1k price tag for the Carbon boxes "because how often do I open the hood to look at it" but wanting the sounds, the same reasoning was used to get over my distaste for the aesthetics of the RocEuro... I'll hear it 99% more of the time then I'll be looking at it.

So it went in today and I recently took off the beauty cover as well for whatever that is worth.


I have tracking info for my Carbnlab RS grill, but that looks like it shows up Tuesday in lieu of the Saturday to be able to install it on my day off Monday.

[robb1887]

I had plans to put in the AWE FMIC and the Carbnlab RS grille on Monday but a sick kid took priority. Mom ended up staying home from work today as well so I got some free time to tinker but still not enough to do the multiple hours of work for removing the front end. I did wrap the silver of the fog grilles to go with the work later until I figure out RS style fog grilles that don't block the cooler air flow.

3M vs VViViD wrap will be tested in this application, passenger side is done with the 3M leftovers I had. A buddy suggested using VViViD so I figure I needed some more and will give it a shot. The 3M is certainly easier to work with cold and requires less heat. The VViViD required heat, but seems to stretch and fit better. VViViD has some sort of embedded reinforcement fiber that is slightly visible on the exterior when stretched that the 3M did not. I'll update how they hold up on the front end of the car for however long they are on there or a few months if they stay on for a while.

Comparison- 3M under my thumb, VViViD is the longer strip.





The fog grille wrapping went alright. It's annoying to wrap parts so small. The strips are just spring plastic clips, a 45* pick and a plastic pry tool makes easy work of.






I've seen a ton of people ask about the "factory air box mod" so when I took mine back out for the RocEuro I snapped some photos of that too. For the Interwebz! Dremel and finger sander did the work. I followed the natural edges of the box and left a "lip" for rigidity.

[JonnyBravo!]

How do you like the Hawk pads? It's almost time for new pads and the 5.0's were one of the options I was considering.

[robb1887]

How do you like the Hawk pads?

I was skeptical as you likely are in the claims but I'm super impressed by them. Super clean, super stoppy, super quiet.

[robb1887]

My foam cannon setup is finally operational.

Sun Joe SPX3001 with MATCC snow foam III

[Hostile]

I was skeptical as you likely are in the claims but I'm super impressed by them. Super clean, super stoppy, super quiet.

Why? Hawk makes excellent brake pads.

[robb1887]

Why? Hawk makes excellent brake pads.

Never said they didn't. But low dust, low noise, high performance street pad was never really optional the last few times I did brakes.

Low dust and sacrifice some performance get a ceramic.
High performance meant a semi dusty pad.

These new HPS 5.0 are the bees knees. So much I looked to see if they made a set for my wife's RDX so I didn't have to clean her wheels as often 🤣

[ccoop6]

In the ever going quest to hear more turbo noises I broke down and bought a STEAL of a used RocEuro intake. While I couldnt justify the 1k price tag for the Carbon boxes "because how often do I open the hood to look at it" but wanting the sounds, the same reasoning was used to get over my distaste for the aesthetics of the RocEuro... I'll hear it 99% more of the time then I'll be looking at it.

So it went in today and I recently took off the beauty cover as well for whatever that is worth.


I have tracking info for my Carbnlab RS grill, but that looks like it shows up Tuesday in lieu of the Saturday to be able to install it on my day off Monday.

How much better is the sound with stock exhaust? This along with tune will be my first go fast mods. I’m with you, I never open my hood, only to add windshield wiper fluid honestly.


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[ccoop6]

In the ever going quest to hear more turbo noises I broke down and bought a STEAL of a used RocEuro intake. While I couldnt justify the 1k price tag for the Carbon boxes "because how often do I open the hood to look at it" but wanting the sounds, the same reasoning was used to get over my distaste for the aesthetics of the RocEuro... I'll hear it 99% more of the time then I'll be looking at it.

So it went in today and I recently took off the beauty cover as well for whatever that is worth.


I have tracking info for my Carbnlab RS grill, but that looks like it shows up Tuesday in lieu of the Saturday to be able to install it on my day off Monday.

How much of a sound difference did it make with stock exhaust? This along with tune will be my first go fast modifications. I’m with you, I never open my hood either. How was the RS grill quality?


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[robb1887]

How much of a sound difference did it make with stock exhaust? This along with tune will be my first go fast modifications. I’m with you, I never open my hood either. How was the RS grill quality?

Definitely noticeably more induction noise with windows up. I have an ECS resonator delete though so windows down it fights a little from the driver seat.

Grill was a smidge disappointing. I haven't had a chance to install it yet. In my opinion the packing was a little light which resulted in minor damage to some mounting studs. I believe it to be insignificant but should know tomorrow. In my experience it arrived with minor swirling in the black paint already and a decent run in a corner, but it's the low one and likely less noticeable when installed on the car. I cannot speak in relative terms to other vender sources.

Update on the grill post install:
-The fit was spot on, as expected the two damaged studs were inconsequential to final install and were not missed. There are a TON of fasteners in these things.
-For those with front cameras: the camera hardware is literally useless except for the little ring they provide to set the installation depth. All the other parts can be tossed in the garbage. You'll need to sacrifice your OEM mount parts, a Dremel, and some extra hardware. I will be putting together a hardware list once I dial it in. I cut up my OEM mount and mounted it but the angle is low which is skewing my bird's eye view a bit and will be adjusted. Other than the weird skew due to angle, it has no ill effect. I ordered through Mops, of course, and he did warn me about this. It's also previously discussed here: Carbnlabs RS grill camera retrofit. I did mine a little more aggressively with the Dremel.
-For the front distance sensors: They clipped right in, the wiring has no good provision as the OEM did, I also cut up the OEM rear grill support to add some extra strength to the RS grill but the lower section I tried to retain lands directly in line with the sensors so they are slightly relocated from OEM location. I have not noticed any adverse effect from the move.
-As far as finish, I ended up having to drill three of the mounting holes out due to bad molding and residual plastic filling the holes for the mounting screws.
-I used a few of the surface mount ziptie tabs to manage wiring
-No good provision for those of us that have to run a front plate. The euro plate holder is gigantic and incorrectly shaped (and pre-installed which is a bummer since it leave holes when removed, albeit small ones). So I still need to figure that part out still

As for quality over other, say eBay, venders I cannot speak to unless someone wants to ship one to my house and I can take a look side by side. PM me.

[robb1887]

Yesterday was productive.

AWE intercooler installed
Carbnlab RS grill installed
Black out bumper chin trim
Black out crash bar for RS grill





The days work took about 6.5hrs total start to finish working solo.

Disassembly revealed I had a small compost project going under my OEM intercooler, and in each of the side cooler ducts. Which was subsequently evicted. I also fully disassembled the bumper to remove the chin trim and black that out "while I was here"





Prep including painting and then wrapping the crash bar and the chin trim. I did not reinstall the Styrofoam cover piece that goes over the crash bar


Here's some shots of the as-installed camera mounting:



The lower reinforcement backing panel bar that interferes with the new distance sensor locations prior to being removed:


Reinforcement reinstalled after trimming and some cable management, the camera mount hardware was also painted black:

[ccoop6]

I also fully disassembled the bumper to remove the chin trim and black that out "while I was here"





Prep including painting and then wrapping the crash bar and the chin trim. I did not reinstall the Styrofoam cover piece that goes over the crash bar


Here's some shots of the as-installed camera mounting:



The lower reinforcement backing panel bar that interferes with the new distance sensor locations prior to being removed:


Reinforcement reinstalled after trimming and some cable management, the camera mount hardware was also painted black:

I like just wrapping the aluminum trim on the factory fog grills. This looks very clean. I’m looking to see which direction I want to go with the aluminum trim. Def want to go black. Just don’t know if I want gloss, semi gloss or matte.


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[robb1887]

I like just wrapping the aluminum trim on the factory fog grills. This looks very clean. I’m looking to see which direction I want to go with the aluminum trim. Def want to go black. Just don’t know if I want gloss, semi gloss or matte.

Mind trimming down your reply quote? It makes the thread cumbersome to quote whole photos posts. Thanks.

All my wrap is satin. I have a few angles of the un-installed material in a post previous. If you're particular about the glosses all matching you'll want gloss, as the RS grill, Factory mirror caps, and window bars are gloss. I don't care for the shine, and am actually considering getting my silver mirror caps painted body color and re-selling the BO mirror caps. I would recommend the ViViDD wrap currently over the 3M, while a bit more of a learning curve to apply the finish product and durability seems superior from my limited experience. Time will tell how the two hold up as each fog grill is the different manufacturer.

I liked how the final silver front delete tied together. The factory covers fit well enough for now. I do wish I could do all functional honeycomb eventually though.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Nice additions Robb! Looks great and thank you for the detail.

Don't think I've ever seen that OEM LC wheel on the gen 3 4Runner.

[robb1887]

Nice additions Robb! Looks great and thank you for the detail.

Don't think I've ever seen that OEM LC wheel on the gen 3 4Runner.

Thanks!

The LC wheels are temporary loaners (I've borrowed for way too long as I expected to be done in 12 months and we are now on 40+, but life happens). I have a set of 17" FN 5 spokes with 33's in the garage it previously sat on.

[ccoop6]

Thanks! I will certainly want it all to match, so I’ll probably go gloss.


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[Chris.green]

Nice you finally got it installed! Looks good!

[robb1887]

Thanks! I will certainly want it all to match, so I’ll probably go gloss.

Good luck! If you plan to DIY, you'll want some of the following:

Wrap Sticks
30 Degree snap off razor knife
Squeegee

Alcohol prep pads or lint free paper towels and a bottle of rubbing alcohol as well.

Nice you finally got it installed! Looks good!

FINALLY, right?! Thanks.

Only took me 3.5 months, but nearly half of that was waiting for the grill to show up since I wasn't taking the bumper off twice.

[ccoop6]

Good luck! If you plan to DIY, you'll want some of the following:

Wrap Sticks
30 Degree snap off razor knife
Squeegee

Alcohol prep pads or lint free paper towels and a bottle of rubbing alcohol as well.



FINALLY, right?! Thanks.

Only took me 3.5 months, but nearly half of that was waiting for the grill to show up since I wasn't taking the bumper off twice.

Thanks!


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[robb1887]

Well I thought I might get the last of my black out completed on Monday, but it may be delayed. I just scored a NIB Stealth hitch and receiver combo at a steal of a price so to save work, I'll wait for it to come in to only have to remove the bumper once to do both. Coming from PA it may get here in time but who knows.

P.S. I'll have my factory Audi hitch and likely the Stealth hitch wiring kit available after for any that may be interested.

[robb1887]

I decided to be responsible today and do maintenance in lieu of the stealth hitch install that showed up Saturday that I bought on FB marketplace on Friday! To my surprise.

Spark Plugs (Brisk Racing 2MOR10S)
Oil Change w/ filter (Liqui Moly Top Tec 6200 0W20)
Cabin Filter

I tinkered with the front camera but doing it solo makes it nearly impossible to see changes made so I'll need to bug my wife to help at some point (she'll love that)

Fun facts: FCP's oil change kit for the B9 SQ5 has a "site error" per all their customer service reps (both on chat and phone call) that provides 6L of oil event though their description calls for 8L they failed to be helpful to resolve any wrong doing. I'll admit I didnt do my homework as I expected FCP to have it right and our SQ5's need 7.2L of oil, which is strangely NOT in our glove box manual. I get the minimum oil level and "you may continue to drive to a workshop". My indy shop locally is coming in clutch and called me after seeing a Facebook post on my search for 2L of extra from any local buddies and said they'd have me some tomorrow morning if I want it so I'll take the toy car out tomorrow, luckily I dont have day care pick up tomorrow.

Spark plug service tools:
0.024" feeler gage or plug gapper
Plugs need the right plug socket
12" extension
6" extension
T30 Torx
Large ratchet
Small ratchet
23Nm torque wrench**

Oil change service tools:
32mm (1-1/4") Socket for Oil filter housing
25Nm torque wrench
I used an extractor to get out just shy of 7L via the "dip stick" tube
Funnel if that's your thing

Plugs are a PITA, but doable with patience and the right plug tool. I took some other's advice before I started and picked up one of these [ARES 11000] and it made it a breeze getting the plugs in and out. The coils on the other hand are the real pain with Audi's infinite wisdom to put a huge cluster of harness directly over the middle cylinders on both sides that spiders everywhere.

Driver side really just needed the crank case vent removed and the main harness loose to get enough play. I started taking out injector connections plugs (which the misfire on start up told me I missed putting back on) but then tried with them as is which worked fine (or well 6 was disconnected during the work but I don't think it really helped).


Passenger side accessibility took a lot more plug disconnections, but nothing you cant get to with a small pick or flat head.


**Torqued my plugs to 30Nm. Gunnarrrr provided data later that it should be 23Nm per spec from the pdf manual. Mine didn't strip during install, we'll see how they come out next change.

[Hostile]

I’ve ordered two oil change kits from ShopDAP and they include 8qts in their kits.



They let you customize the kit so if, like me, you use an extractor you can exclude the drain plug and washer.

[robb1887]

FCP has already corrected the webpage to show 8L in the kit content after my two different discussion with them pointing out their "kit content" list showing 6L with the photo and the production description of 8L we're contradicting one another. I have screen shots showing their error but they refused to offer solutions so I'm going my my local Indy to support them even though it's crazy out of my way.

I would have been happy to pay FCP for the 2L if they would have admitted the error and offered to get it to my door step tomorrow regardless of their 2p cut off

[Hostile]

Ok, I was just giving you another online shop to choose from.

ShopDAP is also just a great resource for the VW/Audi community, they post tons of informative DIY and How-To videos. That’s just one reason I like to give them my business.

[JonnyBravo!]

Speaking of spark plugs and FCP, I ordered new plugs from FCP and I'm not sure if they weren't gapped properly (they should be if they're OEM), but ALL six of my plugs fouled and I had misfires all over. I had to install my old ones and purchase new ones from my local VW. It was a pain in the ass doing the spark plug install eight times trying to track down the issue. Now I'm skiddish about purchasing from FCP, even with their lifetime guarantee.

[robb1887]

Speaking of spark plugs and FCP, I ordered new plugs from FCP and I'm not sure if they weren't gapped properly (they should be if they're OEM), but ALL six of my plugs fouled and I had misfires all over. I had to install my old ones and purchase new ones from my local VW. It was a pain in the ass doing the spark plug install eight times trying to track down the issue. Now I'm skiddish about purchasing from FCP, even with their lifetime guarantee.

I got my Brisks from UROturning as FCP didnt stock the 2MOR10S plugs. I had to gap 4 of the 6 plugs as they were all a bit tight.

[robb1887]

Ok, I was just giving you another online shop to choose from.

ShopDAP is also just a great resource for the VW/Audi community, they post tons of informative DIY and How-To videos. That’s just one reason I like to give them my business.

I'll check them out next time. Until this instance I've had good experiences with FCP and their lifetime guarantee is.... useful. So I try to support that as well.

[jdem]

Could you do me a huge favour when you have a second? Measure the width and height of those honeycomb openings? Trying to see if something I have will fit in-between those if I were to go with that style of grill.

Much appreciated!

[orangesquared]

Could you do me a huge favour when you have a second? Measure the width and height of those honeycomb openings? Trying to see if something I have will fit in-between those if I were to go with that style of grill.

Much appreciated!

7/8” x 2 1/4” …ish


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[robb1887]

Picked up an ECS dipstick during the labor day sale. You'll have to picture it in your head as its a 3 second pop the hood, install, close hood. It is the S4/5 unit which doesn't directly correlate to the SQ5, but gives me some means of mechanical verification. The "bob" for the level seems to be too low in the pan for my recent oil change and 7.2L of oil and MAX line per the MMI. I did file the milled recess a bit prior to install as others have mentioned new oil is hard to see on the "smooth" machined surface.

I also finally unboxed this baby that's been sitting in the way in the garage for a few weeks. I am still waiting to install, but fun fact the hitch box fits an OEM intercooler pretty flawlessly that needed to go into storage and stop getting moved around the floor.