My A2 "Top spec" project (AKA my Holy Grail)

Birchall said:
...
It is ABSOLUTELY DEFINITELY BLACK ----- Probably!!!! ;)
(as special a paint as I can get! Such as the suggestions so far.) ...
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I personally really like the Audi Graphite - quite a dark grey with extra-big metal fleck. I don't think it was ever on an A2 but a chap at work had it on an RS4. Other than that, my favourite would be a metallic black (again, ideally with an oversized fleck).
 
Minor update.

Still going for a "special" black.

Just checked with Tom (Timmus) he sourced the car and is doing a huge amount of work for me.

Looking like I will be able to collect the car in around 2 weeks !!! Can't wait to finally get my hands on this great A2 (made even greater by Tom).

Currently arranging collection of the seats (the Golf recarros) thanks to Jason (Hooley) then they go off to the trimmers to have the custom leather and Video screens (headrest) fitted.

I am arranging to get my hands on the 6 Speed conversion kit that David (DJ190) has been VERY patiently holding for me.

I will be ordering the new tyres (Goodyear F1 215 35 18), not only are they a great tyre, but they are the quietest I have seen (on the db rating) and I have suffered extreme tyre noise on another A2 and it was very loud and made the same sound and vibration as a badly worn diff!!!! So tyre noise is important to me (especially since these tyres have such a small tyre wall that they look like elastic bands!!!

Tom has promised a picture or two of the car stripped down for the electrical work he has been doing, but he has been super busy (as most top technicians are!!)

While preparing for the move, I came across the "white dials fascia" that I forgot I had!!! So that will be fitted soon after I get the car.

More soon

Steve B
 
What about some more tech gadgets in there Steve? iPad Mini that flips up from the top of the dash with wifi and 3G/4G? For internet access, movies (rear screens connected too?) In car cctv?
 
manhattan$ said:
What about some more tech gadgets in there Steve? iPad Mini that flips up from the top of the dash with wifi and 3G/4G? For internet access, movies (rear screens connected too?) In car cctv?
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Possibly but my aim is to try to be reasonably close to OEM or even just to look like it is OEM. I would have the option of fitting Mini iPads in the headrests instead of just plain screens. You can still show movies/tv and also have the full features of a tablet?

It is also illegal (and understandably so) to have a tablet / TV screen within the driver's view, anyway, so I will just do the rear screens.

One thing I am planning is to have a camera in the nearside rear wheel arch (hidden and protected) pointing down, so that when I am parking I won't kerb the wheels!!!

I will be using the RNS-E screen (along the lines of a reversing camera)

Steve B
 
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Birchall said:
One thing I am planning is to have a camera in the nearside rear wheel arch (hidden and protected) pointing down, so that when I am parking I won't kerb the wheels!!!

I will be using the RNS-E screen (along the lines of a reversing camera)

Steve B
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Why not hide it in the underside of the mirror housing?
J
 
Hooley said:
Why not hide it in the underside of the mirror housing?
J
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Hi Jason,

That is an option I suppose. .
I will see if I can get one with a wide enough angle.
If not I can angle it backwards and just show the rear wheel. (The most important one.)

Cheers
Steve B
 
Hi,

This is the MFSW I am having fitted, it is a 2012 and therefore has the single stage airbag (Two Stage air bags, as fitted to earlier wheels are not safe for the A2 unless you REALLY know what you are doing, and when it comes to safety there should be no compromises!(the wheel and air-bag are brand new too)

At the same time they are fitting the RNS-E (MkII) The Audi Bluetooth and Audi voice recognition!!!

Should be done towards the end of June, in plenty of time for AITP !!!!

Steve B
A2 FB MFSW.jpg
 
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That steering wheel looks great.


Birchall said:
Hi,

This is the MFSW I am having fitted, it is a 2012 and therefore has the single stage airbag (the wheel and air-bag are brand new)

At the same time they are fitting the RNS-E (MkII) The Audi Bluetooth and Audi voice recognition!!!

Should be done towards the end of June, in plenty of time for AITP !!!!

Steve B
View attachment 15565
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I dread to think what the cost of the install for the wheel is going to be. Saying that I completely understand you wanting to do this project. A few of my mates came around at the weekend and one of them was showing me his £20k plus 1 series and it was a bit 'blah'. Compared to the A2 it just had no character.
 
A2Steve said:
I dread to think what the cost of the install for the wheel is going to be. Saying that I completely understand you wanting to do this project. A few of my mates came around at the weekend and one of them was showing me his £20k plus 1 series and it was a bit 'blah'. Compared to the A2 it just had no character.
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The wheel costs £1,095 supoplied and fitted (along with the controllers and with a new air bag, so it sounds expensive but in reality it is not that bad?

Steve B
 
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Over a grand for a wheel sounds expensive but you only live once, why not have what you want. In the end the car will be something really special and unique that you will get enjoyment from for years to come so you can't put a price on that...well you can £1095 ha
 
A2Steve said:
Over a grand for a wheel sounds expensive but you only live once, why not have what you want. In the end the car will be something really special and unique that you will get enjoyment from for years to come so you can't put a price on that...well you can £1095 ha
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Exactly,

I have now been working in a very stressful job for 44 years and so it is now time for some "me" time.
I still have another 5 years before I retire so I am going to enjoy them a little more while I wait to retire!!!

I have modified cars for over 40 years and now I am a little too old to carry on doing the work myself I have to pay someone to do it and so the bills are high and the value of the car is going to be a fraction of the cost.

The interesting thing is that after 44 years of owning HUNDREDS of different cars, the one car I have decided to choose as my final project is an A2. That is a BIG compliment to these great little cars!!

I am just hoping that by paying for the work to be done I am not seen as someone with more money than sense, but you know what? It will be my car, my money and my choice, so I guess I shouldn't be ashamed of the fact that I can't build this one myself!!

Thanks for the supportive messages from everyone!

Onwards and upwards! (economically!)

Steve B
 
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Auto Express recently quoted the average family car depreciated £12,000 in 3 years. Makes your 'keeper' ultimate spec A2 seem like a bargain.

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
Auto Express recently quoted the average family car depreciated £12,000 in 3 years. Makes your 'keeper' ultimate spec A2 seem like a bargain.

Cheers Spike
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I like the logic there Spike.
The A1 I sold recently lost £15,000 in TWO years.
But that was because I over specced the car.

So as you say my keeper can't lose as much as that whatever happens and as it is a "keeper" it wouldn't matter anyway.

And as I have said, there is no logic in doing what I am doing, it is purely for enjoyment.

Cheers
Steve B
 
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Birchall said:
I am just hoping that by paying for the work to be done I am not seen as someone with more money than sense, but you know what? It will be my car, my money and my choice, so I guess I shouldn't be ashamed of the fact that I can't build this one myself!!
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Most definitely not. This is your project and you are kind enough to share so we can all enjoy this unfold. I haven't done any of the mods on my car ( well apart from the dummy fog lights:eek:) the rest have all been paid for. If I had the disposable income I'd lavish much more on the car; so what you are doing is to be enjoyed - there is definitely no shame in being able to employ others to meet your needs and for my small part, the story of this build unfolding to completion is much anticipated. ( Keep the photos coming)
 
Minor update,

I now have the journey planned to collect the car from Tom.
Going up next Saturday and driving back on Sunday (around 4 hours drive!)
Will have a look around Lancaster, it looks like a really interesting place!.

Ordered the Goodyear F1 Asymmetricals. Not only are they a great tyre but they are quieter than the rest.
Ordered new wheel centres and a complete new front fog kit (£119 on eBay, includes the fog lamps, bulbs, bulb covers and front grill trims, all new) Tom has already sorted the wiring for these.

Steve B
 
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