So this is where it starts. We’ve always been a fan of the aluminum mirrors used on Audi’s S and RS cars to set them apart from their daily counterparts. Although this is not an S3, we knew the car needed some of that Audi “S” heritage to pay respect to their sporting nature. So the project had its first task to be completed, find the “our A3's first mod.”

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*sparx*

i was wrong. nice job.

Hey Bri, can you check with Nick on a more detailed description on removal of the mirrors? You mention that he checked the service instructions on them. Is there anything specific folks should do or avoid doing?

Lemme know, I'll add to the article if you determine that.

Quote, originally posted by Project A3 »

There was one snag. When the mirrors arrived, we learned they were finished plastic, and not actual aluminum. Doing a little research, we learned that Audi made the mirrors of aluminum up until the 2002 model year. After that point, we a switch was made to plastic. Whether or not all Audis have been switched we do not know, but the mirrors we received were of the plastic variety. Still, the price from VAGParts was very good, so there’s no complaint here.

BTW it wasn't until 2002 . . . . it was until mid-2003 as I stated in the links I provided before.

edit: hmm... $450? I'll have to think twice about that.

Modified by portishead at 10:56 AM 9-7-2005

As for the mirrors, keep your eyes on the used market. they pop up in classifieds, or you could keep an eye on parts yards with S4s on hand. B6 models shuld work, and an '03 should be of aluminum, so maybe more sought after. Also watch ebay and German ebay if the new price from VAGparts is too much for you. If you want them now though, we had no probs getting them in a timely manner.

As for the writeup, that was Brian. I just put it up and linked it. Thanks though.

lots more plans to come, keep watching.

Quote, originally posted by portishead »

I didn't think I would like the look of the aluminum mirrors on the A3, but they look nice. I might think about doing the upgrade myself. Maybe this will help accentuate the aluminum on the trapezoid grill better, and make it look less arbitrary. edit: hmm... $450? I'll have to think twice about that. Modified by portishead at 10:56 AM 9-7-2005

not sure if this is the same quality, but check this out on ebay, if link doesn't work do a search for "A3 Mirror" on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...photo

http://www.snaprhead7.zoomshar...ges/1

Hello, "My name is Inigo Montoya, You killed my father...Prepare to die!!"

Different finish but inpros are very high quality mirror covers. The chrome finish is very resistant to pitting and etc. The pricepoint is certainly more realistic than the fake alum covers.

Dave

thats the thing you didnt get. Mine are not fake. They are real OEM parts, and OEM used both aluminum and plastic. from my experience with in-pro covers, they fit worth a damn and usually involve trimming and cutting. i wanted OEM fitment and quality.

And i thought about the Forge valve, but if its not gaining anything, then i dont want it. I got real tired of the noise of the CAI and DV on my 20th AE GTI, and dont really want it on this car.

going for the grown-up boy racer theme and not just the boy-racer if there is such a thing LOL

Modified by ProjectA3 at 8:26 AM 9/9/2005

Oh please. Have you ever owned a set of Inpro covers? They're OEM plastic mirror caps that are dipped in chrome and or done up with the same fake alum texture. How do I know? Becaused I owned a set for my 2000 VW Passat . . . . they had the same OEM markings on the insides of the housing.

I could hardly justify paying $500+ for your fake alum covers when inpro offers the same thing for $180 shipped from that ebay link.

BTW OEM didn't use both alum and plastic. . . . they used to use alum and then they switched to plastic like I told you so . . . . none of the new ones are alum.
Dave

Modified by crew217 at 8:48 AM 9/9/2005

damn, calm down. i would ask you to come look and feel the 2006 S4 mirrors i have here in the showroom. very cold to the touch in the showroom and very hot outside. they are not plastic.

you can have your in-pro, but my experience with them on my last car and a friends 20th AE, both needed trimming and never fit right.

i only write the articles for the A3. so since about 3 weeks ago i write for fourtitude really cause its my car and it was part of the agreement

If you happened to have any pics or directions for the install I'd be even happier. I know you're a busy man but nobody is too busy not to take pics of their A3...

Thanks!

more pics of the car will be posted soon.

more stuff just arrived today.

not worth paying ~$500+ for faux alum plastic covers . . .

inpro makes some for $180 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

At the bottom of the listing, he tells you how to order the matte ones.

Dave