Yes having a Double DIN Dashboard already fitted was great. It would have been difficult and expensive to get a match Swing Dashboard for the Jive interior.

If you are thinking of fitting a double DIN dashboard, it’s actually not that difficult. I found one in a breakers yards a few years ago and fitted one in my last A2. The job is 2 hours removal and and 2 hours fitting. Add in an additional 2 hours if you have to remove the DD Dashboard from another A2. They do appear on auction sites now and then for around £100-180.

It is intrusive work which involves removal of both front seats (optional but recommend), steering wheel along with the stalks and trim panels, glove box, passengers airbag and about 17 bolts (from memory). There is a thread somewhere in here that assisted me with the confidence to do it.

Kind regards,

Tom
Not sure I could get my head round this one tbh Tom! I do like the idea of the dimming mirror though! Is it difficult to set up/install? Where did you get the platinum one from? (My interior)
Gaining some great knowledge from you!
 
Not sure I could get my head round this one tbh Tom! I do like the idea of the dimming mirror though! Is it difficult to set up/install? Where did you get the platinum one from? (My interior)
Gaining some great knowledge from you!

Take a look at the pictures of the Platinum mirror I recently sold in the market area. Picture 3 is important to study. The foot of the mirror mount must look identical to this with the 2 clips (1 either side inside the hole), the newer versions have 3 smaller clips to fit into the newer style windscreen mount.

I’m sure there is a way of removing the 3 clips and fitting the older 2 clips but have not had to try that yet. Possibly Paul @depronman done something similar. I know he does offer auto dimming mirrors with a bracket but cannot remember price.

If you do find (auction site generally £30-50) the correct mirror (with the same clips inside the hole as per pictures 3), then all that is needed to physically fit it is to remove some of the end of the plastic trim which goes up the windscreen to the headlining. 2 minute hacksaw job with a little sanding afterwards to tidy up any burrs.

The wiring is some thing that can be attempted yourself if you’re confident with automotive wiring schematics and soldering.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
That paint looks great, was there much prep work involved? Sanding, primer, etc? Did you need to use any form of lacquer after?
 
That paint looks great, was there much prep work involved? Sanding, primer, etc? Did you need to use any form of lacquer after?

The fuse cover didn’t receive any primer as I used the incorrectly coloured paint as an undercoating. It was tickled with wet & dry 800 grit prior to the paint being applied along with a quick pass with panel wipe.

Once dried it then had 3-4 thin layers of the Volico paint. I didn’t use any lacquer as it’s an item that endures next to no wear. The paint is actually very good once dried and is a little harder than the original soft touch Twist paint.

It has been cleaned a few times with a Vinyl and Rubber product which has had no effect to the paint.

Going back to primer, although I think it should be used, it doesn’t look like Audi originally used primer on most of the interior items. I have rubbed some of the original Twist paint from some trim items and the paint seems to have no primer below it, it’s just the soft touch paint straight into the plastic trim items. Could be very wrong, so just my personal opinion.

If I was to recolour something in an area where it will undergo a more abrasive life I would of course use lacquer.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
The fuse cover didn’t receive any primer as I used the incorrectly coloured paint as an undercoating. It was tickled with wet & dry 800 grit prior to the paint being applied along with a quick pass with panel wipe.

Once dried it then had 3-4 thin layers of the Volico paint. I didn’t use any lacquer as it’s an item that endures next to no wear. The paint is actually very good once dried and is a little harder than the original soft touch Twist paint.

It has been cleaned a few times with a Vinyl and Rubber product which has had no effect to the paint.

Going back to primer, although I think it should be used, it doesn’t look like Audi originally used primer on most of the interior items. I have rubbed some of the original Twist paint from some trim items and the paint seems to have no primer below it, it’s just the soft touch paint straight into the plastic trim items. Could be very wrong, so just my personal opinion.

If I was to recolour something in an area where it will undergo a more abrasive life I would of course use lacquer.

Kind regards,

Tom
Thanks Tom,
I’m thinking of getting this for my centre console, as it’s lost a bit of its paint around the asr switch and sides. Although I could look out for a replacement, this is a good budget option and may work quite well. Might try it, got nothing to lose and can always replace later if needed! Also the colour match you attained looks awesome! Good job fella!
 
Afternoon all,

The weather has slowed down with the next lockdown works I’d like to accomplish.

What I have managed to do is get another preparation job complete.

Namely the SideGuard Airbag emblems painted in Twist and fixed into the correct location, many thanks @Darpod14. The full fitting will be conducted on the next sunny day:
8B6544A9-4022-402B-88C3-970F5DC668AE.jpeg

87F38E21-B470-4619-B84D-FF056932E5D3.jpeg

You’ll probably notice the clothes pegs on the seat belts. That was to keep them unraveled to dry after a good clean. I was utterly shocked how dirty the water was during the cleaning process.

After a quick interior detailing followed by the recent wet weather, I have come to realise that Twist carpets aren’t the easiest thing to keep looking nice. I have therefore been looking for a set of OEM Rubber Mats.

I found a set on an auction site and they were delivered (UPS next day) for £40 all in. Very happy with the price. There is a little hole under the clutch but I have since reinforced it with a length of inner tube adhered with some almost out of date rubber roof adhesive. It it keeps the rubber roof secure on the extension, it’ll certainly do its job keeping debris from the Twist carpets:
2A164DA7-54E4-410B-88AF-38A30873032D.jpeg


B7096386-0CEC-4626-8AFE-B2B73FE1410F.jpeg

The rear mats don’t quite beautifully fit. There seems to be a bulge in the middle as if the factory locating studs are too close or the factory rubber mats have the holes too close. Might try them with the factory carpet mats underneath to see if it assists with a flatter appearance, not convince it will though but will try later:
2B870DAF-0BBB-4BC1-8192-1EA5D1088528.jpeg


C5DA3DE6-2E17-4D5A-B580-7EDF56FFB46D.jpeg

That’s it until the weather improves.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Tom
I’ll have a look in the garage as I think I may have a set of bubbler rears
I bought a full set of worn rubber mats to get the spare passenger side front to enact a repair on the drivers side front

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Tom
I’ll have a look in the garage as I think I may have a set of bubbler rears
I bought a full set of worn rubber mats to get the spare passenger side front to enact a repair on the drivers side front

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should have rear rubber. Damn phone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Tom
I’ll have a look in the garage as I think I may have a set of bubbler rears
I bought a full set of worn rubber mats to get the spare passenger side front to enact a repair on the drivers side front

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brilliant Paul thank you,

I did read up on your repair, great work by the way, I will look to do the same in the future when I can find a reasonably priced passenger front.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Been busy today in between thunder storms. Removed the headlinging as it needs to be reupholstered:
31F96BD4-0926-4067-9AC7-DC63FEDCB080.jpeg

Fabric removed and waiting on more samples to arrive to decide on the best possible Twist OEM match. Not reupholstered a headlining for over a decade, hopefully it’s like riding a bike!
Whilst the headlining was out I fitted the SideGuard components ready for Tom @timmus to complete the harness work:
EBC88CB0-EE65-406A-958B-ACC4BF10EBE8.jpeg

129D22EF-4F78-405D-8315-34979EAA6BB2.jpeg

All plugged in at the rear and loom taped in to make it look nice:
D9AAC6E0-19F3-4982-B4CE-7CDB9151835B.jpeg

8B0DBC77-6C8E-4AC5-A26F-DAE02FAC184E.jpeg

You will notice the Rear PDC Buzzer dangling around. It’s now correctly fitted:
7C1F912D-1CEE-4F60-9BE8-8C4AD7CEE6FB.jpeg

Whilst I was there I also fitted the PDC Control Module, not much to see as it’s hidden under the foam item that the FAK sits in:
36AE110E-AD07-4B08-AF98-8467C6C8943D.jpeg

Still not content with the work carried out I got the power tools out:
3C5BF2DE-4366-4E6A-88D3-E355FCCAC95D.jpeg

You may notice some Twist fabric in the hole saw. This is what went into the new hole in the beautiful Twist False Floor panel (thank you @A2Steve for the measurement):
04D5801E-4FEE-49D1-A5E5-744A2B98B32C.jpeg

As I had full access to the roof with the headlining removed I also started to loom in the harness for the auto dimming rear view mirror. Even used a factory push in cable tidy:
6555E686-36CC-4066-86E2-A67158541E1A.jpeg

Rather happy with the days work whilst trying to keep out of the increment weather.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Fantastic job this mate!
cannot wait to see this car all finished!
amazing transformation so far, I love cream interior, If/when I buy my next a2 it’s got to be this interior!
 
Impressed, I have always regarded headlining job with great respect, it seems difficult.
Will follow your work with interest.
Btw, located in new Zealand? ?
 
After not being happy with the half hearted luggage compartment 12v socket retrofit (only the hole cut for the socket itself) I opted to fit the harness as well. I took the wiring to the front of the car to run it in parallel with the standard 12v socket under the handbrake. Not soldered in yet and might leave it for @timmus, as my soldering skills aren’t great. Not getting a perfect solder join on a constant 12v supply isn’t something I want to do. Some things are best left to the expert!

It took a while to undo all the work I had already done to get the PDC and SideGuard harnesses neatly tucked away the passengers footwell compartment (for Tom to complete the retrofit) but it was worth it. Just annoyed I hadn’t remembered to do earlier in and would have saved 45 minutes.

Here it is covered in loom tape:

403C8161-73BB-4ABB-BABE-77F21CDE23A5.jpeg

You will notice it’s thicker near the plug, this is because it has the hard corrugated plastic tube around it. This harness is the factory standard harness for the socket under the handbrake which was removed from the breaker. Its strong and looks like it’ll stand up to the odd ‘tug’ when removing the boot panels as and when needed. So glad I decided to go for running this in parallel opposed to direct to the battery, it would have been easier though!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Tom, I had a pop around in the garage yesterday and again today, I eventually found the role of rubber mats. However I was wrong, I only have a spare passenger side front and a worn drivers side front. I thought I had also got the rears, but it must be my memory playing tricks in me. I'm sure they would have all be together in the role of rubber mats.
Sorry about this
Paul
 
Tom, I had a pop around in the garage yesterday and again today, I eventually found the role of rubber mats. However I was wrong, I only have a spare passenger side front and a worn drivers side front. I thought I had also got the rears, but it must be my memory playing tricks in me. I'm sure they would have all be together in the role of rubber mats.
Sorry about this
Paul

Evening Paul,

I actually have the rears and they are in terrific condition, my only gripe with them is that they don’t sit perfectly flat to the floor. They lift (bulge) up in the centre, hopefully they settle after a while.

My front passenger side is also in fantastic condition.

The drivers front however has worn below the clutch pedal and needs either replacing or repairing. If you have your spare passenger side available I could surgically remove a good section out and transplant this it into the worn drivers side.

Let me know if it’s available for me to cut up to make my set perfect, it would be a massive help.

Kind regards.

Tom
 
Afternoon everyone,

It’s been a month since Ive updated you all on what’s been going on with my Project OEM commuter, well the answer is not too much really to be honest. In the last couple of days though I have been getting back to tinkering.

Yesterday I fitted the reupholstered Twist headlining (good colour match but a bit lighter) and I will reupholster the pillar trims along with the sun visors in due course. I had to put it all back together for now so I can start to use the car again. It’s been over a decade since I’ve done this task, which was on vehicles with a lot less contours on the headlining biscuit. I’ll master it in a very short time, just need a bit more practice to perfect the shape before I offer this as a service.

You’ll see the pictures of the sagging headlining fabric earlier on in this thread, but here is what it looks like after putting it all back yesterday before we used it for a family drive.

No more fabric touching the boys heads in the back:
280AD857-1CDB-4DDE-B847-C7B197832FB3.jpeg

The fabric around the overhead switch panel was also coming loose but looks so much better now:
94ACB46A-8E9D-441B-BE7B-DF3FE51B69E9.jpeg

The pillar trims will get done when I have time along with the sun visors (which are a little more difficult to do than first thought but I’ll get there)

Here is the colour match:
7A992193-3B6E-4F1D-93D9-064A550B11A1.jpeg

It will be less noticeable once I have completed the job.

I have also added a SDS Microphone (A VW item from Amazon, £11 same day delivered which works perfectly). It is only to ‘talk’ to the RNS-E PU for now. I’m yet to purchase a Telephone Module and may do that another time.

On the subject of the RNS-E, some of you may have noticed earlier in the thread that there was quite a lot of the anti-glare coating missing. It wasn’t perfect to start with but I certainly made it worse when taping the unit up for its diet to fit into the A2 aperture.

In the last hour I have removed the remainder of the anti-glare coating. I may fit a screen protector to it in the future but I’ll see how performs over the coming weeks before I make the decision.

Here is the RNS-E removed from the A2 with the screen open:
B0E1993F-338E-4C7E-BA3B-C5B2A51DBEAC.jpeg

Looks pretty terrible doesn’t it. First I removed the Piano Black Surround. To remove the surround you need to remove the 2 PH0 screws (the bottom left and right of the picture)
03304CF8-CAA0-4115-9A31-CB949FFB1E0F.jpeg

Below you’ll notice said screws removed:
FE1B8F6E-83C8-487F-84EB-1F1FC558D3D3.jpeg

Once the 2 screws are removed you need to gently unclip it around where you can see the 5 small rectangular holes along the bottom.

Surround removed:
F9D12D90-C811-4942-BB76-5BD7E557B895.jpeg

Now starts the simple process of rubbing away the coating with a slightly abrasive liquid polish. I have in the past used watered down toothpaste which works perfectly but today I went for the following product (toothpaste is a lot cheaper though):
9C3E435F-43A7-43F6-B880-045A9C6FE15A.jpeg

I kept gently rubbing with a small amount of the product, 3 applications with cleaning everything down (alcohol wipes) in between application to gauge the the progress/results.

After 10 minutes of the above process here is the results which I think you’ll agree is so much better than before:
3E6F0A36-48A1-4F7F-862B-B7F3F0EE600E.jpeg

Surround refitted and about to be placed back in its snug home:
EB9878E8-4854-42A5-9B51-CF87B902EAE8.jpeg


It’ll next be removed when I decide if I want to add the factory Telephone Module, £100 for the kit is steep when I already have this functionality with the Xcarlink. All I would be gaining is using the same microphone, thus removing the Xcarlink microphone and be able to use the SDS to make calls.

It’s an expensive thing to do which I don’t really need, so therefor, knowing me, I will probably buy the kit and fit it next week!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Amazing work and achievement, don't know how i missed this thread. What you are doing will be of huge interest to many , i'm sure , including myself as some of these retrofits you're doing are on my list. Very nice - cracking job!
 
Amazing work and achievement. Very nice - cracking job!

Thank you for your kind words, it’s always nice to hear that what you’ve been up to is of interest to others. I do hope that other members have a go at some of what I’ve been up to. I’m always here to answer any questions if anyone gets stuck etcetera.

I’ll keep the thread going as this glorious A2 is a keeper for me and there is always something to do/upgrade.

My continued thanks go to Rob @Jellybean for letting this one go from his collection and join me at 2Work Towers!

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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