.... Betsy the A3 1.8 Sport needs jazzing up from the standard look :)

[Floral.x]

.... Hello from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. I am a new member and i am new to all this but as this is a car forum i better start talking about my car which is an Audi A3 1.8 Sport which is totally standard and needs jazzing up, it's on a V reg and it's blue/jazz blue. Ideas welcome for a new look for Betsy the A3?!

Lauren :)

[Arcaned]

Hi Lauren and welcome to AudiOwnersClub forums. Unfotunately im also pretty new to the modding scene and not really purchased any mods for my car yet but have done some D.I.Y mods. I will dig out a couple of useful sites that might come in handy for you.

We hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to reading your posts

[Floral.x]

Thanks for the reply, glad I'm not the only one who's a newbie. The only DIY that's on the car is a sprayed grill, very proud.

Lauren

[Arcaned]

He he, there's nothing wrong with just having a sprayed grille. That's alot more than my car had a couple of weeks ago :)

There's alot i want to do, it's having the money and being a full time college student my funds are quite tight. I will sort them sites out in the next couple of hours, i would have done them sooner but had to do a full electrical re-wire on my dads shed so my time had been taken

[Arcaned]

Im not sure how strict Steve might be with adding other forum web links so im sorry if it's against the rules and please delete as appropriate but i find the following sites useful with Audi mods.

Although this site is a dedicated Audi A4 site, i have noticed that the Audi A3 has alot of similar parts so it may come in useful. No registration is required to view the posts which makes things alot better to source information quickly - http://www.a4mods.com/webcontent/forum/

This is the forum thread where i got the idea for the I-Tray, it's pretty in depth and contains some useful information - http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41040&highlight=ipod+dock+ashtray

Again, aimed at the Audi A4 but can be used for some parts of the Audi A3 - http://www.wheelsjamaicahost.com/wheels_forum/index.php?topic=119783.0

Everything you will need to know about replacing standard bulbs with L.E.D bulbs - http://www.wheelsjamaicahost.com/wheels_forum/index.php?topic=119783.0

This is a forum thread for an airbox mod, it costs nothing to do and has the same effect as an aftermarket airfilter (ram air, forced air, cool air, etc) - http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60004

I will add some links for companies that sell official Audi mod parts soon :) If you don't feel confident enough to try a little D.I.Y on your Audi, these links are more than useless to you :P

[Floral.x]

.... Thanks for the links, i'll be mooching at them but i guess a sprayed grill is a start :)

[Arcaned]

Do you have any changes in mind? I seem to work better to plans but sometimes things don't go as plans lol. I try and do most of the work myself to cut the middleman costs but its sometimes easier to puy the parts :)

[Floral.x]

.... The only changes that could be happening is a diesel?! Lol. Petrol= too expensive for the A3.

[Arcaned]

PMSL! my A4 is 2.0 so i know the feeling. I have to take out a bank loan just to drive 5 miles ;o) At least with a petrol it's more responsive, better acceleration and cheaper to fix/service. Everything is pricey at the moment, think it's a case of 'grin and bear it' until the current climate sorts itself out :)

[Blueberries]

Unfotunately im also pretty new to the modding scene and not really purchased any mods for my car yet but have done some D.I.Y mods. I will dig out a couple of useful sites that might come in handy for you.

[audimod7]

hi guys, any parts needed, just let me know, i just need the part number from you and ill come back to you with a good price!! i have access to discounted genuine audi parts direct from germany.

cheers

audimod7

[ELLIOTT]

hey guys/girls

i too am new, hopefully u still read these lol, i also have a A3, mine is a 98plate so almost 14 years old!! i have been looking for bits to put on mine also and as the student lad said, A4 bits do fit aswel as couple of the newer models of the A3 up to 53 plate i believe. Things like the headlights/breaklights fit, so instead of like mine where the headlights and indicators are seperate, the newer lights are joined and clearer.

Under the hood there are simple things that dont even have to be Audi, such as universal air filters and air breathers. if you remove the manufacturer airfilter you WILL need to also replace the oil breather, looks like a miniture version of the airfilter, available in differant colours mainly red, blue and black.

Another simple yet effective thing to do decorative is get some Hammerite paint and paint your brake calipers, again comes in many colours and can be picked up in any halfords or B&Q or most motor stores.

On my A3 my engine does have the large plastic engine cover to which i removed, degreased, rubbed down any thick grime/scrathes etc, primed it 3-4 coats and sprayed it 3-4 coats but am yet to Lacker it to prevent the paint peeling/flaking. You can also if u want, re-spray some of the interior bits like door handles (around the chrome and where you pull door closed etc), outside of the ashtray, airvents etc and for engine area things like the lids for water, oil, windscreen wash etc, i wouldnt suggest re-spraying the hoses as the temperature could cause a problem and u will waste time and money so just get some hose covers looks just as good, i will add pictures of my work in progress motor.

I have a LIST of things i plan to do to my A3 so if you want any suggestions or ideas, you can always message me im always willin to help.

I know i've babbled on a bit but i hope that its helped!? As i'm part of a car cruise group i have alot of ambitions for my car so any suggestions to give me, websites etc im just as willing to accept them as i am to give the advice, unfortunately i dunno about where to looks for mods yet.

be cool to hear from ya's

Regards,

Elliott - 22, Brighton UK