2006 Audi A8 4.2 TDI - Project Thread
 

Hi,

Just wanted to start a project thread to update on any changes for the new D3. Having had it now for 2 weeks and driven it 800 miles, i can honestly say it's the nicest car I've ever owned.

The spec:
- D3 A8 Sport 4.2 TDI twin turbo http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ies/driver.gif
- Azure Blue with pearl-effect finish (Z5K) Audi Exclusive Paint
- Amaretto Brown Valcona Leather sport seats and matching roof lining
- Sports suspension, folding autodim mirrors
- Bang & Olufsen Sound
- Digital TV Tuner
- Extended aluminium pack
- Heated front seats
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring
- Xenon Plus headlights
- Wooden 3 spoke sport steering wheel
- Fridge
- Extended Leather Pack 2
- Wooden gear knob
- One Touch memory (Fingerprint sensor)
- Automatic Boot lid
- Electric Tilt/Slide Glass sunroof
- Soft-close doors
- Graphic Park Distance Control
- 19' RS6 Wheels

At the moment, this is the list of things I'll be working my way through in the coming year:

- Winter mats
- Replace missing passenger seat trim
- Replace missing engine undertray
- DRL retrofit to LED
- Upgrade xenons to 5000k
- Restore minor leather wear on front seats
- Replace headlight washer hose to stop fluid leak
- S8 mirrors
- S8 grille
- Remove ding on boot lid
- Add grocery bag hooks in the boot
- Replace faulty front PDC
- Stone chip windscreen repair
- AMI cable for iPhone5 (when oh when will Audi have this?)
- Facelift LED rears
- 20mm rear spacers
- Summer tyres (currently on winter tyres but happy with that given we're going into that time of year)
- Replace faulty aircon condenser
- Front end respray: previous work wasn't done very well and may as well tackle any stone chips
- Remap
- Straight chrome exhaust tips
- Install dashcam
- A service
- A serious detail http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ies/buffer.gif

Thanks,

Oli

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/1...46fd9ba1_z.jpg

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/1...eb566fff_z.jpg

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/1...f5696406_z.jpg

Good luck Oli.. You should maybe add a Shark remap to that :)

Maybe even a set of 20" Cantonas.. not that I know anyone that might be selling a set soon.

For the AMI, I'd go with an HDD in there rather than the phone as it'll save you faffing with the glovebox all the time, I fitted some USB sockets to the cubby under the arm rest and plug the phone in there to charge.

Rubber winter mats
 

Awesome! Have you got a link to any past threads on the HDD and the USB sockets? The Shark remap has been added to the list +++

The first addition to the D3 arrived yesterday: OEM winter mats ready for autumn and winter :)

Oli

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8407/1...bbd0b18304.jpg

Very nice indeed. Nice spec and will be even nicer spec'd when you're done with it :cool:

The HDD is simple, it's just the USB adapter for the AMI and a 2.5" HDD that's powered from the USB adapter, mine happens to be Audi branded, but any drive will do.

The USB sockets I don't think I ever got a proper write up done. It's a really simple mod to do.

- Remove the central cubby, which does need some fiddling with the armrests too to get it out.

- Take the rear climate panel out, the lighter surround pops off, and thenit's two torx screws and it pulls out from the bottom.

- Fit a lighter to USB adapter in parallel with the rear adapter.

- Fit a flush USB socket such as http://www.maplin.co.uk/neutrik-usb-...-socket-219901 . You'll need to cut the appropriate sized hole, be careful you don't damage the coloured coating.

- And then just connect a USB cable from the charger to the socket and the on to your device.

Missing trim replaced - phew...i can sleep again at night! +++

Oli

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/1...90fc7cf5_n.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/1...44e15624_n.jpg

Ahh my OCD is calming down already lol +++
Please don't put S8 mirrors on it, it looks awesome in blue with the mirrors coloured the same. On the iPhone 5 issue, you can use an adaptor like this one to plug into the iPhone 4 lead for the ami until something bespoke is finally made by Audi -
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1381439177

Thanks Neil - I have one of them but it doesn't work for me. I'm quite surprised Audi haven't yet sorted out a proper cable for it yet :Confused:

On the S8 mirrors, I'm afraid i'm going full steam ahead with it - I love the contrast on the colour so not sure you'll sway me away from them :ROFL:

...i'll keep the originals though in case it doesn't work out +++

Oli

If you buy the "official" (and much more expensive) apple lighting to 30 pin adaptor then it should work with the AMI whereas cheaper ones don't +++

Thanks Neil - I'll have a go at that as you're right, mine's not an official one.

Had some goodies arrive in the post over the weekend and today...

Fresh in from Deutschland, I'll be looking to fit these when i get a chance:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/1...f395e08f1f.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/1...9b34de2075.jpg

...and use the Woolies leather renovation kit on the front seats to restore a few minor wear marks - as usual, Woolies was brilliant and having sent in a sample of the leather have matched it +++ :

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/1...04cdb7468c.jpg

Mirrors look in good nick, look forward to seeing the outcome, post a poll to see if its a winner in the eyes of others.

Love that blue, its deep man.

Ps how much was the mats?

They were about £45 I believe for just the front ones! +++

Oli

The S8 mirrors are on - and I LOVE them :)

...particularly like the way it matches the silver in the alloys (ones cleaned :D), front grille, door strips & handles and window surrounds.

I've just posted a 'how-to' here but it was far easier just replacing the covers in the end :rolleyes: (Thanks Neil & David!).

Oli

Before:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...602e01e9ca.jpg

After:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...3408e64194.jpg

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Facelift rear lights
 

Hi,

Did the facelift rear light conversion today - most people may not notice but I think it updates the 8 quite a bit ...

I have not opted to fit the extra wire as i believe that is for US clusters only but will pick that up in a seperate thread.

...Thanks to Delboy for his 'how-to' guide ... it was very useful +++

Oli

Vine: Shows 3 stages (sidelights, sidelights+brakes, sidelights+indicators - before and after)

https://vine.co/v/hjVgPmlrpPY :D

Before:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...1dafed99_z.jpg

After:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/1...e5009615_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/1...bd46f064_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/1...9f2b8ff5_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...234d2aac_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/1...e5e7d5d1_z.jpg

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Looking sweet, now for a w12 or s8 rear end with exhaust trims :D

Replaced the missing engine under tray today. They're normally £245 quid from Audi for the diesel versions (which have additional soundproofing in the tray i believe). I got lucky and got a brand new one from eBay at £90 delivered so happy days! 6 twist screws and it was on!

I've avoided driving in the rain but glad it's on now and ready for the winter season!

Oli

Before:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/1...3c4700a49d.jpg

After:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/1...5acb7e603c.jpg

That was a good price Oli! well done! (Good job we didn't see it first haha) +++

Ha, yes I think I got lucky there! +++

A picture of the 8 clean for a change seeing as it was sunny! :)

Oli

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/1...c7f8f31e4f.jpg

Very nice, love the blue.

Totally agree with mannyo, that's a superb colour for an A8 +++

How long are you going to keep it Oli? I would not mind taking it off your hands in 3-5 years time when prices drop closer to £5k mark.
It ticks pretty much all the boxes, Nice colour, like the interior as well, plenty of extras, best engine for D3. If I have to be picky then could do with nicer exhausts, not sure about wooden steering wheel and maybe put RS4 style wheels on but current ones also work good on dark colour car.

Beat me to it ainarssems but I'd keep it as it is, I'm liking every aspect of this car and the upgrades Oli is carrying out.

Let the auction begin..........whenever Oli decides to sell ;)

Thanks for the kind comments guys! :)

I will be holding on to this one for a while i think. I had the Silver D2 for almost 5 years and the blue D2 1 1/2 years before that. I tend to keep my cars for a while...but good to know there is already a market +++

I think the hard thing (when the time comes) will be finding something that matches the spec....what on earth would that even look like :Confused: I can honestly not think of a car that I'd trade this one for at the moment.

With regards to the wooden steering wheel, i was also of the mindset that i would change it. However, it's a really really nice feel and I prefer it over the normal steering wheel so have decided to keep it :)

Oli

Well mate.....
I would never say that blue is a good colour for a A8.....BUT.....after seeing your car I think this is a beautiful colour man, really really like it.

On top of it when everything is in order, well looked after, well balanced and ... clean, makes car looking very attractive.

I like it +++

Thanks :)

I like the fact it is a project - nothing major but small fixes and enhancements to put my own stamp on it +++

Can't wait to see yours though and see that carbon in the flesh!

Oli

Thats my approach as well.
Personal touch.

I don't want to over do it, plenty of examples online of badly finished A8s.
It's all about the detail and quality.
I'm still far off mint condition, but all the bits came together nicely so far. I do actually spend much more on things yo can't see than the ones which you can see.

And carbon interior, well, you will have to see it, touch it....smell it!?!? :ROFL:

I'll see you soon anyway...

Hi,

Finally got some time to put 20mm hubcentric spacers on both the rear corners. It makes quite a difference but given how much space there is under the arches, they are quite comfortable still under there. You can see why people go for the 20s though as even now there is still room for more wheel!...a project for next year :)

Oli

Before and afters:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/1...06b9481ca1.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/1...be1a02e404.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/1...794ff29c67.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/1...1afc6f9fe7.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/1...574dfdbdb6.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/1...99b93c4469.jpg

Looking good Oli... Which ones did you get?

Nice one mate, difference is just amazing :mexicanwave:
The only thing I don't like is the colour of them, you can clearly see them :p sorry, it's better to be honest.
I like the black paint on rear discs but not with silver or any other colour spacers, too much contrast.

I like when spacers blend in with the hub and wheel, but that is obviously my opinion and taste ;)
[IMG]http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...3/DSC_0828.jpg[/IMG]

I asked you this last time when you came to collect the grill, what's the original offset on the actual wheel, have you managed to check it this time??

I'm thinking to move 12mm h/centr to the front instead of 5mm ones and get 20mm h/centr (£40-45 made to order) for the rear and this way I will achieve ET28 @front and ET20 @rear which I believe is the perfect maximum, unless you lower the ride to xxx00xx, you may have problems then but that's not confirmed.

Haha. That was my exact reaction.

Firstly, it absolutley had to go. After a few days, it felt ok, but really didnt look as good a leather one. After a few weeks the smooth feel of the wood had become quite addictive, and to hell with the looks, it was staying on..... +++

Hi

Ian - i'm so glad I didn't make a change when i first got it...i wouldn't change it for the world now! +++

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...f6cf7ee597.jpg

PhYcHe - They are Delta Mics hub centric wheel spacers. They are made of steel rather than aluminium alloy - unlike my previous Eibach and H&Rs which were are about 2lbs lighter but i wasn't that bothered - the important thing for me was that it had the TRACK+ configuration where you first bolt the spacer to the hub and then the wheel on top rather than replacing the bolts with longer ones.

So another quick update on mods...I finally got around to fitting the CREE LED P21Ws and 501s, wiring and coding them as DRLs and OMG, what a difference. The photos don't quite do it justice but the difference is quite remarkable. It may be one of my favourite mods so far. It makes the car look much fresher, newer and up-to-date...and it's not really that old yet either!

I wanted to thank M-A8 for his DRL retrofit 'how-to' +++

Cheers,

Oli

Before: (Sorry for the crummy pic...it's the only one i could find...doh!)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/1...e3d69548db.jpg

After:

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Just a few pics of the 8 on the boat to holland today...got a few comments from 2 guys in a grey D3 parked next to mine wanting to sit inside it lol!

This is the 8s first big trip and I can't think of any other vehicle that would do this better. Great audio, great luxury, cool drinks in the fridge and 34mpg :D

Oli

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/1...bd6563bd8b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/1...1916e43aa9.jpg

Yes IT will be missing his fridge this time of year with all the beer and champagne to be chilled!! :rolleyes:
Have a safe and enjoyable trip home Oli. +++

34 mpg? You must be caning it then :)

Us dutch don't 'ang about - innit! :p

What sort of figures are you getting PsYcHe? .. would be interesting to compare!

Oli

I'll get 33-34 doing about 85 (kph officer!).. Did a run at 65 when I first got the car and was doing over 45mpg until I got bored.

That's brilliant! Have been keeping to Dutch national speed limits at 120 and 100 km/h and am also averaging 38 mpg now! +++

A few more pictures as the weather was dry on the weekend - hurrah!

Oli

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/1...8e4f1b55ae.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/1...5c0ed70f1f.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/1...8aabaca444.jpg

looking good Oli, just realised your number plate suggests your car started life as a Scot:D