newnoise1024

Hey guys, first time poster... i've had my a3 for about a year now and im loving it!

Some info quickly,

2006 2.0 (fwd)
electric blue

Lookiing to finally black out the front grille, but cant find somewhere local (toronto) that sells them. So i was considering doing it myself.

Has anyone else attempted this? i have checked online and know what products i need to get to finish it, but was just wondering i it would be easier for me to either a) bring it to a shop for them to do it or b) order the grille online and have someone install it.

also, looking for some 18" rims ( i currently have 17" a8 rims, which i love but are too small for my taste)

Thanks!!

Greddy87

i would use black 3M Vinyl , it has a sticky side, and its flat black.. U can do it yourself.. Some shops do vinyl almost anywhere.. Theres even carbon fibre 3M vinyl.. That way, u can keep ur stock grille.. As for 18 inch rims.. Thats the size i went with.. Dimensions- 18 X 8 with a 5x112 Bolt Pattern.. Tire size varies if u want more ride comfort and how low U plan to lower your car.. 225 / 40 /18 Is a stock audi tire size.. I ended up going with a 235/40/18 with a 1.5 inch drop.. Hope this helps..

newnoise1024

Thanks for the tips!

Just a question, my winters are the a8 rims i have now, 235/45/17, and when i hit bumps they rub at the back.

wouldnt they rub worse with 18's? how are they with your set-up? I like the 235's better personally (i believe they're wider, looks better imo).

are they rubbing because they're 235's, or because its 45 and not 40 (235/45/17)

Ill look into the vinyl wrap, but im not sure how seamless it would look having to cut the pieces to form around the grille, i think sanding/priming/painting would look more OEM, even though its more work would look better.

Greddy87

N/P.. The rubbing would have to be the width, your tire for example , 235 is the circumference, 45 the width, 17 the rim size.. With a 18 inch rim, 235 tire, 40 width , theres no rubbing at all with stock suspension height.. I have a 17 inch, 225 , 40 width, winter tire.. Perhaps sell your winters for a smaller set.. ? As for the vinyl its something i have been debating too, but I have seen awesome jobs with vinyl wrap.. So its something I plan to get done for my A3..

newnoise1024

makes sense, thanks for clearing that up for me. It doesnt rub too badly, only with people sitting in the back. (looks really nice though, because the tires are flush with the fender)

I was going to get the 17's refinished (quoted 280 for the set, sandblasted/powdercoated/clearcoated) but perhaps i should just invest in 18's... i really like to keep it looking stock though, so i would have to find audi rims or replicas (thats why i went with the a8 rims, looks clean!)

Greddy87

Yea those rims are sweet.. Im gonna say 1st off, lot of pple dont trust on replica audi rims, bad experiances.. Reason why replicas dont have good rep, cheaper product, tendency to crack during bumps.. I took the risk of buying replicas, and i enjoy them, no problems, almost been a full year.. Knock on wood.. This is where i purchase them, mind U, HST wasnt included at that time.. OEM RIMS FACTORY WHEELS STOCK RIM CHROME REPLICA WHEEL USED RIMS Wheels OEM RIMS FACTORY WHEELS STOCK RIM CHROME REPLICA WHEEL USED RIMS Rims .. Feel free to browse my profile for my car pics.. Same wide stance, although I need to update the pictures, got an S-Line Spoiler installed and I lowered it..

newnoise1024

thanks for the link,

post a pic of it lowered!

Greddy87

[IMG][/IMG] bad qaulity pic lol

newnoise1024

those rims are very nice!

did you mod your side markers?

Greddy87

Thanks! No side markers come with the 2009, 2010 and up A3 models.. I have side markers build into my mirrors..