Project "Let there be light"

:p did someone say Al2..

I did a very similar swap a few years back, also from an Amulet Red A2. Lots of work there !
so nice though when your vision starts to come together.

full hog with the dash and all !
 
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Happy to report that project "Let there be light" is now officially completed (at least that's what wifey thinks).

Last week I finally installed my freshly re-trimmed rear seats, after realizing that a mint rear 3 seater bench in twist leather is practically unobtainable.
For a hard-core, OEM-obsessed owner like me is quite painful not to have a mint, original leather rear seat but my quest for an immaculate, fresh-from-the-dealer interior eventually overruled the (small) rational side of my brain.

I shortlisted the best trimmers I could find not too far from me and B-Trim in Enfield came out as the winning candidate. They normally work on Ferraris and Lambos, so I though they might just do for my little aluminium box.
Together were able to source a nice, smooth nappa hide to perfectly match the front seats, and the colour is 99% spot on, including the correct beige carpet at the back. All other beige ancillaries like release handles and headrest o-rings, were kindly "sponsored" by Audi Tradition.

The amazing quality and attention to detail provides a welcome relief from the OEM-violation burning pain.

Now the interior feels whole and complete, after enduring for months a mismatched ivory-and-ebony seats.

Now few little upgrades remaining, like installing a brand new twist centre console tray....

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After months of preparation the moment for the big swap arrived and "Let there be light" project finally happened!

Time and place agreed and on the hottest day of 2019 @timmus arrived and so it began what I can only described is the most audacious and insane "upgrade" I ever embarked on.

Two days to transfer the immaculate twist interior - dash included - from a 37K miles A2 I recently bought into my silver A2 (the keeper) whilst putting back in the red A2 my equally pristine soul interior.
As if this was not enough Tom even managed to throw in a BOSE upgrade and heated seats. Yes, in two days folks.

I thought to share some photos to commemorate this epic weekend. Epic on many levels....the heat, the ambition, the amount of work , the fun and most of all the epic skills that Tom has demonstrated, leaving no doubt he is possibly the most knowledgeable figure in Europe when it comes to knowing every, and I mean EVERY little part and component on an A2. The fact that he is a wonderful, thoughtful , charming person made this marathon ever more enjoyable!

As we speak I have now the A2 I always dreamt of, chasing that aesthetic and vision first introduced with the Al2 concept, a silver A2 with cream interior.
It has been a long journey, started in 2011, waiting for the right cars to come on the market. Few bits still missing but is all there....

In the end both Tom and I agreed that somehow both cars now look better than before: the red one with black interior feels nicer ans so does the silver with the warm, cream interior.

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Both car ready for the transplant

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Tom nibbling away the interior from the red A2

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Dashboard removal in process

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In the afternoon time to remove the soul interior from the silver A2

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Few hours (and cold drinks) later

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An interior-less A2, a thing of beauty.

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Sunday, putting the twits interior into the silver A2, whilst adding Bose and heated seats.

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Project completed :) In the end quick scan with VCDS and both cars without a single error message or fault code!

PS: the 37K miles Amulet red A2 1.4 petrol, will be soon up for sale, so watch this space.
Great photo coverage of this mod... loved it !!!
Envy here ;)
Pro’s know what to do whatever the task is !
??????
 
Very nice, although OEM leather seats have more panels than the cloth variant. Three panels in the base, four in the back. See here:
 
Very nice, although OEM leather seats have more panels than the cloth variant. Three panels in the base, four in the back. See here:
I know, I know. I’ll live with it.
If there is a OEM hell I’m already there
 
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Just curious - how much was the re-trim work for back seats if you don't mind me asking? Though I've done similar work previously and could probably attack a re-trim myself during long, cold winter evenings.

I am debating with the other me on what should i do with my rear bench seat as finding a leather set seems to be akin to finding a unicorn to milk.
 
Fine fiddling today....Preparing to install the centre console tray. Before doing so I thought to cover the original black velvety bits sitting at the bottom of each tray with matching twist nappa leather, as the black velvet material seems to be a velcro magnet for dust and small bits. Up next the closure of the hole, originally intended for the navigation buttons, unless someone has a mint one store somewhere??

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Don’t worry your not that ocd as either your verniers out of kilter or the template you used for the leather was short as there a 040” gap between leather and rear of smaller pocket ??...
 
Oooo, nice idea! When I removed the (knackered) buttons from my black 3-way handbrake tray I cut an angled section from the back of a scrap glovebox to provide the fourth wall and a velvety surface for that compartment, and glued it into place. You're right about the dust though :D
 
Fine fiddling today....Preparing to install the centre console tray. Before doing so I thought to cover the original black velvety bits sitting at the bottom of each tray with matching twist nappa leather, as the black velvet material seems to be a velcro magnet for dust and small bits. Up next the closure of the hole, originally intended for the navigation buttons, unless someone has a mint one store somewhere??

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Is this a new consul?
 
What an excellent read. I did the same on a Rover 800 Stirling for someone. They had a Nightfire Red saloon, with grey interior, and wanted the sandstone cream with the later fluted trim.

I also like the Wireless charge idea. May do that to my A2.

Is that an Arm rest I see in a A2 too????
 
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