DIY: front bumper removal and blackout grille install

[terje_77]

Quote, originally posted by krazyboi »

^^^ that sucks dude. the way i found it worked best...work from bottom first, then go up along the sides and finish w/ the top. it helps to have a friend, dog, tree, garden gnome to hold the bumper in place while you pull the grill out you did remember to remove the screws holding it in place right?

I recommend the garden gnome

[swbpwr]

need like 10 screw drivers

[A3s415]

Absolutely...it was just so incredibly hard. I had like 8 flathead/knifes holding the tabs in place but the ones in the middle were tabbed on both sides so if you tried to pry out on side, it just reinforced the other side. i dont even wanna think about it, haha, made me so frusterated. 6 hours of work for nothing

[tpsolid]

omg took you 6 huors?!?!

well after 2 or 3 times, it will only take you 1 hour max whole thing.

[GTi TAB]

Looking forward to trying this out one day, having done a few R32 bumpers in my time I reckon this one should be a doddle!

[JimR]

Kudos to you, good stuff, very easy with your procedure.

Definitely the answer for me, on the grille replacement. Tried the "no bumper removal" method, but don't see how I could have separated the screwed-in-from-the-back screws.

[Schlated]

Thanks for the post it helped and I have to say it was very similiar process for the '09. You have to remove the bumper to replace the grill. The new grill is rear mounted and screwed in. Maybe Audi caught on that the tabs are a pain in the butt. Anyways it took about 2 hours to do it and few cuts on my hand. Here is my new S3 black out grill on my '09 S Line.

[angryrican66]

Quote, originally posted by Schlated »

Thanks for the post it helped and I have to say it was very similiar process for the '09. You have to remove the bumper to replace the grill. The new grill is rear mounted and screwed in. Maybe Audi caught on that the tabs are a pain in the butt. Anyways it took about 2 hours to do it and few cuts on my hand. Here is my new S3 black out grill on my '09 S Line.

Holy Crap!!! so does the S3 grille fit perfect or is there a gap i see inbetween the grille and hood?

[terje_77]

Quote, originally posted by Schlated »

Thanks for the post it helped and I have to say it was very similiar process for the '09. You have to remove the bumper to replace the grill. The new grill is rear mounted and screwed in. Maybe Audi caught on that the tabs are a pain in the butt. Anyways it took about 2 hours to do it and few cuts on my hand. Here is my new S3 black out grill on my '09 S Line.

[Schlated]

It was just the angle, no gaps. The S3 grill is a perfect fit/ replacement for the stock grill.

[angryrican66]

Quote, originally posted by Schlated »

It was just the angle, no gaps. The S3 grill is a perfect fit/ replacement for the stock grill.

Awesome!! on order

[drew138]

A warning would have been nice here! Now I have to go change my shorts!

Awesome

Also, the chrome around the fogs has to be deleted.


Modified by drew138 at 10:31 AM 11/11/2008

[terje_77]

Quote, originally posted by drew138 »

A warning would have been nice here! Now I have to go change my shorts! Awesome Also, the chrome around the fogs has to be deleted. Modified by drew138 at 10:31 AM 11/11/2008

Delete chrome before or after shorts are changed?

[kwanja_a3]

Quote, originally posted by terje_77 »

Delete chrome before or after shorts are changed?

same time

[terje_77]

Quote, originally posted by kwanja_a3 »

same time

Makes sense

[Schlated]

Drew138 try to not soil another set of shorts here is another picture of the whole car with my new wheels as well. I will be removing the chrome rings on the fog lights this weekend.

[Schlated]

I am selling my stock chrome grill and 17" Audi wheels with tires all are brand new. See classified's or shoot me an email.

[Fade To Black]

Wow!!! Car looks hot! I'm hopefully doing my S3 grill install this weekend. Were you able to remove the fog light surrounds?

[KCMTNBIKER]

Quote »

Man, I want one of those grills so bad (non-SLine though). Where's the best place to get a good deal? I am kind of leary of the FK ones since they are not OEM. My local dealer wanted almost $500.00 for the blackout grill.

[krazyboi]

Quote, originally posted by KCMTNBIKER »

Man, I want one of those grills so bad (non-SLine though). Where's the best place to get a good deal? I am kind of leary of the FK ones since they are not OEM. My local dealer wanted almost $500.00 for the blackout grill.

http://www.oempl.us is one place. or if you have the part number, http://www.genuineaudiparts.com

[KCMTNBIKER]

Quote, originally posted by krazyboi »

http://www.oempl.us is one place. or if you have the part number, http://www.genuineaudiparts.com

Thanks for the links...just what I was looking for.

[iambrennan]

come post some more pics in the 2009 A3 Thread

Nice Ride

We need to all share where we are getting 2009 Aftermarket Parts From

[3lfk1ng]

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage...=2.0T

$274 w/o plate holder.
$379 w plate holder.

[forkkid]

Is it possible to remove the fog light grills without taking off the bumper for an s-line?

[brungold]

Quote, originally posted by forkkid »

Is it possible to remove the fog light grills without taking off the bumper for an s-line?

yes. grab the center post and pull straight out. better to grip the side of the post opposite the fog light to get better leverage).


Modified by brungold at 12:16 PM 12/11/2009

[mikedone]

i am in the middle of doing this, and after 1 hr with not 1 tab budging on the grill im about to throw the bumper on and sell this car. i understand fully the previous dude's frusteration. what a waste of my time, and waste of my money.

[TBomb]

i am in the middle of doing this, and after 1 hr with not 1 tab budging on the grill im about to throw the bumper on and sell this car. i understand fully the previous dude's frusteration. what a waste of my time, and waste of my money.

LOL wow dude. It's really not that hard. It probably took me 2 hours to take the bumper off, switch out the grills, and put the bumper back on. Don't give up so easily

[krazyboi]

LOL wow dude. It's really not that hard. It probably took me 2 hours to take the bumper off, switch out the grills, and put the bumper back on. Don't give up so easily

Agreed. Just user larger flatheads and you won't have such a hard time.

[Machnickiⓐⓤⓓⓘ]

If you can, avoid doing this alone. Those tabs mess with you when you've got half unclipped. Once you try unclipping the other half, the open ones find a way of clipping back in. DON"T GIVE UP!!!

[skotti]

Agreed. Just user larger flatheads and you won't have such a hard time.

Word. KB knows- he's done a few- I wouldn't have my new grill without his help.

[yannick3133]

I just stepped on mine and pulled up took 2min no tabs broke, luck? I think so

[krazyboi]

I just stepped on mine and pulled up took 2min no tabs broke, luck? I think so

That's a learned trade skill. You should sell your service.

[kristian86]

Thanks for very nice guide

This is how my car looks like with black grill and black rings also fitted the cupra lip tho

[LE45]

I just bought a grill for my 2012 S4 from ECS. Was wondering if anyone has any info on the install. Such as how to remove the bumper. Is it the same as previous years? Is there a step by step link? Would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
"L"

[NBPT_A3]

Question, once I have the bumper off, can I get the condensor out without removing the support and top-side apron (the black **** above the radiator, etc)?