Grille swap

[WheelyWorld]

I've been looking at buying an S6, 2002 or earlier. I've noticed on Pistoheads that the RS6 models had a slightly different grille surround with a thicker, more recessed chrome surround and the honeycomb pattern grille mesh. It's subtle, but to my eye this gives them a more contemporary look, more akin with the newer cars with their 'big mouth' grilles.

Anyone know if this grille (upper and lower) would be a straight swap onto an '02 or earlier S6... and did the '03-on S6 have this grille anyway? (couldn't find photos of the relevant models to compare).

[Kev.S]

This any help?

[tonyS6]

Hi, I'm a newbie having just bought my 2001 saloon a month ago (absolutely love it ). I also really like the honeycombe grille from the RS6 and would like to fit one if it's a straiaghtforward job (which I presume it is ).

What is the most reasonable source for one please? Audi, eBay, indie bodykits?

Cheers,

Tony

[Golffather]

VAGParts sell em as well as ebay, not sure if the S6 release catch will function with the RS6 grille due to the position - need to investigate.

[GardinerG]

Here's the deal. You need the RS6 bonnet release catch too, but luckily VAGParts sell the grille with the catch as a kit. Job done.

[GardinerG]

As for the lower grille, I'm not sure.

[tonyS6]

Many thanks guys. I'll contact VAG parts as suggested, and will also ask them about the lower grille. I'll come back with the response for future reference.

[tonyS6]

[quote="tonyS6"]Many thanks guys. ISent an email to VAGparts and here is a link for the main grille at £85.78 +VAT if anyone is interested -

https://sslrelay.com/s74326199.oneandon ... h%25253D29

- this one is a blackout version which in theory look great on my own car which is also black, however..... they then mentioned that they are "almost certain" that the lower grille for the RS6 is a different size and fitment. This is a real bummer as the lower grille would not have the honeycombe pattern and it has a chrome surrond of course, so I'm holding fire for the moment to consider if there is a way round this.

Does anyone know of a way to "dechrome" the lower grille? This might offer a solution even if it isn't the perfect one.

[GardinerG]

You *could* always follow some of the other owners on the '6 side and spray paint the chrome surround.

As for lower grille size you need to get yourself to a meet and try and get an RS6 owner to experiment, or just order 1 and try it yourself.

I know for a fact that the Non V8s have different sized grilles but am not sure about the differences between S6/RS6.

[tonyS6]

[quote="GardinerG"]You *could* always follow some of the other owners on the Thanks for the suggestion about spraying the grille surround, although I have to admit to being a little surprised that it takes over chrome - definitely something I'll consider for the lower grille though if the RS6 ones don't fit - I'll have to get along to a meet like you suggest - meanwhile I'd also welcome any pics from people who've already got "blackened" grilles.

Here's a couple of pics of my car at the moment:-




[img]

[tonyS6]

VAGPARTS.COM got back to me to state the following about the lower grille:-

Re: The lower bumper grilles... the dimensions of both are:
S6 66cm x 14 x 7
RS6 67cm x 15 x 4 so on face value the Rs6 is indeed going to be about 1 cm bigger all round, not easy to over come

The blackout S6 lower bumper grille... there IS a blackout bumper grille for the S6 yes!! its not very well known as its hardly EVER seen!! but it does exist yes the cost is £152.24+vat

So there a solution but bear in mind that this lower grille is not "honeycombed" so to some extent defeats what I was trying to achieve - but it may be an acceptable compromise for some - not for me though, especially at the price, which is double that of the upper honeycombe grille!

So for now this is one project that I'm putting on hold. If anybody does try the above option though I'd love to see some pics - I might just change my mind

[Golfather]

this may provide some inspiration:

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext70.shtml

[tonyS6]

Thanks for that Golffather, although it fills me with trepidation rather than inspiration. It does definitely offer an answer and I'm grateful for your efforts but I'm not best skilled in the necessary diy that this solution requires so I'm going to leave this alone for now. If a direct replacement does come along at some point with VAGPARTS or another supplier, then I'll definitely have no hesitation.

Thanks again anyway.

[Golffather]

Tony, to be honest I think the S6 front end is spot on, particularly on your dark car.

I'd be tempted to change the bonnet grille to the blackout RS6 grille only if all other dechroming has been achieved.

[tonyS6]

After reading your last comments, I took a step back to look at the whole thing again and I'm inclined to agree with you on both counts.

Since my car is black, totally "blacked-out" grilles would probably lose the detail of the bottom grille completely - except at close range. And that would mean losing the quasi-open jaw later model appearance (like all the latest Audis) as well. So I'm now content with what I've got and will leave as is

On cars with lighter or more distinct colours though like Nogaro Blue, Red, White, Silver or Grey, like you said fully dechromed black surrounds with an RS6 black honeycombed upper grille would look absolutely fantastic. As per the previous comments above, this can now all be achieved using the direct replacement grilles from VAGPARTS.COM, albeit at a total cost of £280 INC VAT. Not bad value at all though really, the finished look would definitely be worth it - just a shame that the lower grille costs so much more than the upper one with the honeycomb , quite illogical but that's the way it is.

I guess this puts the subject to bed for now, although I hope anyone fitting these grilles will share a few pics to show the final look

Thanks all who contributed