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people who put S4 grilles on their non-S4. You want to put an S4-lookalike body kit on, well, I think it is dumb, but whatever. But, if you put a kit, the grille and the badge on your non-S4, what the hell is the point? It is the people who try to misrepresent what they have. But, style wise, yes, the S4 grille is a lot better -- or fresher -- than the standard A4 grille.<p>Jon<br>'96 A4q

You wrote in your post "It is the people who try to misrepresent what they have." The sentence is a bit incomplete. In other words, what is "it" referring to?<p>I debadged my car and have the A!Avantgarde grill without the rings and without the A!A badge. The number of questions as to why I would do such a thing were numerous. I thought it was a bit ridiculous that people get so fired up about the issue.<p>Placing an S4-look body kit (or any body kit) on my A4 is not something I would ever contemplate. However, if someone else wants to do it, why would I have a problem with it. Different strokes for different folks. Someone may like the styling of the S4, but doesn't want or can't afford the rest of the performance. If it makes them happy, all the power to them, regardless of the reasoning. As long as it isn't hurting anyone, who cares!<p>As for all the "rice boy" comments and the like (not directed at you Rob), you know something... most of the people who style their cars in such a way probably can't afford the car that they are trying to portray. In a society where such an emphasis is placed on material belongings, is it such a surprise that people do these things to make others believe they own a car that is more "sporty" or more "prestigious" than it actually is.<p>What is most ludicrous is that a group (such as many of the folks on this Forum) that CAN afford such a car as the A4 spends so much time and energy looking down upon how those less fortunate then themselves try to emulate what they cannot afford. It's pretty sad actually.<p>Mike

examples: clear corners, 17" A8 wheels, S4 grille - all Audi OEM parts

The one sentence "It is the people ..." is incomplete. It is the people who take their car and make it look EXACTLY like a bigger/better/faster model that I personally dislike. Will I _hate_ that person? No, they could be (and in many cases are) very nice people. I really, IMHO, find it silly however to "put on the airs" of having something when it turns out to be phony.<p>I debadged in May '96. Got the car in April '96. I have the 98 Sport suspension, Euros and sport mirrors. Now, maybe my 12-valve no-chip/supercharger/etc isn't really "sporty" enough to have these mirrors in some people's minds. This isn't what I mean. Grilles, spoilers (no F-40/Supra wings, however), suspension kits, etc all give individuality to a car. Mine is very stock looking, that is me. Others (the Vancouver A4 guy with the Silver 1.8t comes to mind) are very ornate, involved and different looking from stock. Nothing wrong there. But I dislike it when people make the car a "boy racer". A car that looks JUST like the powerful model, but isn't.<p>I'd personally want to spend my $$ to have a comfortable car that is midrange with lots of creature comforts than get a strippo and try and make it look top of the line with lots of $$ invested. BUT, I also don't try to spend out of my range for the current latest/greatest/best. I could PROBABLY swing an S4, but it is financilly silly now. I could have afforded a used S6 in 1996, but, again, financially silly. But, to each his own...<p>I personally have been here since the site has started, seen a lot of changes and people come (lots) and go (some, but less). There will always be putzes on BBs. I like to think that while I express my opinion, I also help out anyone who needs it. I have also gotten a LOT of help from people here, both personally and for the QCUSA chapter here in DC/VA/MD.<p>It is nature to look down on those who you feel are "below" you, in order to make yourself feel better, especially since someone is looking down on you at that same moment! I don't dislike or look down on those who have "lesser" cars, nor do I worry about the guy in the A6/LS400/M3/etc looking down on me. I realized early on that there will ALWAYS be something nicer/faster/better out there, and I am not rich enough (yet :-) ) to keep up!<p>OK, too long a note. Comments? Flames?<p>Jon<br>'96 A4q

;-)<p>

But, to each his own. It's been my experience that the majority of folks wouldn't know the diff between a regular 328i and an M3 by looking. Your case is made especially more acute by the facts that A) you own an Audi, which still is not a major marque here yet, and B) you took the S4 badge off the grill. Now you have a really nice-looking front end. But, guess what? the stock front end of the A4 pretty nice looking, too.<p>Just my dos centavos.<p>J.Russ<br>98.5 2.8 Avant qMS

By "majority of folks," I'm talking about the general public and not the folks on this board or other enthusiasts, who have demonstrated the facility at spotting even the most minute details of a car's design and optioning. Hell, I do it all the time, also. %^)