MOD: A6 C6 chrome handles on A8 D2 FL

[notorious]

I learned from James (mkoneman) when he has put his car on sale that A6 C6 handles fit A8 D2 FL and I decided to fit these handles.

The A6 C6 handles have chrome strip on top and a bit different design, which I think is well aligned with A8's subtle elegance.

Here's how those handles looked on ex-James car:





Changing involves removing door card, inner door subframe and inner handle and then changing outer handle.

As some of you know, I'm changing door cards and aluminium strips below the window from outer side. I'm stripping all 4 doors anyway, so adding handles is a good idea. This is not full write up as I understand there are not so many folks here as crazy as myself. If someone has serious interest I will provide more detail.

Part numbers:

2 x 4F0 837 208 -- right side outer handle
2 x 4F0 837 207 B -- left side outer handle
4 x 4F0 839 239 B GRU -- primed handle covers
4 x 4F0 839 167 -- caps

Pictures of the process for driver handle and how end result looks like:

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[notorious]

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[Nollywood]

I recall with the change to the A6 A6 handles, you lose the lock barrel. One of the reasons James reverted to stock D2 before he sold the car.

With your conversion, I observe you still have the lock in the driver's door handle. Did you have to modify the C6 A6 inner handle to accept the lock? And how good is access to the said lock, if you raise the outer handle fully, will the stock D2 key have enough space to lock and unlock manually?

[notorious]

Year, interesting story. James said A6 C6 handles were straight fit for him, but he couldn't leave the lock barrel for unknown reason. He had Final Edition S8.

What I did I purchased A6 C6 handles from James and tried to install those on my February 2002 A8 (almost final edition). What I discovered is A6 C6 handles 'feet' where bigger than holes in inner handles of my A8. Weird. I have enlarged holes with Dremel tool and could easily fit A6 C6 hangles into inner handles of my A8. There was enough space for lock under the handle cover.

So, yes, I did modify the inner handle, but not the lock

Sill confused as to why this didn't work for James. I have e-mailed him link to this thread and I'm sure he will reply in due course.

[notorious]

>> And how good is access to the said lock,
>> if you raise the outer handle fully,
>> will the stock D2 key have enough space to lock and unlock manually?

The beauty of A6 C6 handle is that the cover unclips and then slides sideways when handle has been raised. This is very easy operation. You need 15 seconds to remove the handle cover. Then we have full access to lock.

I have used black gasket silicone. It seals everything and still allows lock to rotate to unlock the car. But i'll only use the lock in emergency.

[71camaro]

Just ordered parts for this MOD. If I run into problems I'll be sure to enquire here.

[notorious]

I'd suggest to order 4 chrome strips for top of doors if yours are milky. It'll be very easy to change them.

Also, order black painted triangles for rear doors. Usually they are corroded at this age. Again, will be very easy to change while you do handles job.

[71camaro]

Those are all ok for me right now. Only cloudy trim is the belt line stuff, I want to pull it all and get it chromed eventually.

[notorious]

>> I want to pull it all and get it chromed eventually

It is almost impossible to remove chrome strip from rubber 'base' without damaging the strip. Those 4 door strips are relatively cheap, so I decided to buy them.

In terms of painted black 'triangles' I'm almost certain you'll discover some corrosion on the area below the door line. It is just a matter of time when corrosion gets up above the door line and becomes visible.

You can leave old triangles, bring them to body shop and pain shiny black again. In ten years when you open doors again you can change them again.

Anyway, good luck.