Well, I have been struggling with the need to do something new, its seems I can't sit still for too long when it comes to this hobby. I had been recently conflicted about trading in my car for an S8 and I was very close to doing so, but the financials didn't make sense with how little my car is now worth and a new addition to the family that might want to go to college someday!

So I settled on doing some mods that hit the right "aesthetic buttons" for me.

First I changed out the front bumper to an S8 bumper to augment the S8 Grill that I already had. I actually preferred the '07 look with the round fogs but the shop ordered an '08 bumper and painted it only to realize the '07 S8 fogs and fog light grilles would not fit. So because the bumper was already painted, some '08 fogs/grilles were used in the end.

Also, an S8 rear bumper to accommodate some quad exuast tips. I enquired about modifying the rear bumper to fit some new tips but the labor involved to do it right was more than seemed reasonable.

The rear tailights were tinted (medium tint) so they look a dark red.

New rotors all around, cross drilled and slotted that are OEM's that have been zinc dipped and modified. I found out about these from CovertW12 and MP4.2+6.0, in addition to some EBC Redstuff Ceramic brake pads.

The wheels are HRE 948's that I was lucky enough to get from CovertW12. His car, in many ways, has been the inspiration for the look of mine. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!!!

The calipers have been powdercoated a dark red meant to match the tint of the tailights. I think they look nice, and subtle. I had them coated porsche red initially (pics at the end) but they seemed too bright to me and without some real performance brake upgrades, seemed inappropriate.

I decided not to go with a full exhuast and big brake kit because I was getting into big money that could have gotten me into an S8.

I feel that the exhaust tips may be sticking a little too far out from the bumper, but clearance issues behind the tips prompted this install, and further modification to push them back further may or may not be worth it.

sorry about the big pics.




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Not a fan of tinted tail lights but I love the exhaust. Is it just tips or is it a whole exhaust?

Wow, looks great. Did you get everything done at Champion Motorsports? That is exactly what I am looking to do to my '06 SWB. I am in South Florida also, I hope to see your car around sometime.

Hello, I like the look of the smoked tail lights for my s8. I am wondering if I have my current tail lights smoked? or if it is necessary to purchase new pre-smoked lights? If so, how would I go about it.
Great looking car.
Best, Carl

There are no aftermarket smoked taillights available for the A8 that I know of, these were removed from the car and painted with tinted clear coat and then buffed. I had them done at a body shop.

Hey Boca,

I did have most of the work done at Champion Motorsports, the taillights I had done at a local bodyshop. Let me know if you need anymore info, we must have SF get together sometime, with CovertW12 and us. I don't know of any others.

Nischal

They are just tips, I could not justify the cost of the exhaust system, will put that towards an S8 or D4 in the next year or two.

It's the lighting, there are plenty of swirl marks that need buffing, although the front and rear bumpers have brand new paint!

(10000km more of extended warranty)...might as well start modding her soon, after all, shes gonna be a keeper for a loooooooong time. Oh and did i mention that is one sexy front?!

Have to confess I like the 948's better then my new rims....

let's try to catch up one of these days for coffee or a beer.

E

I really want to do the S8 front end. It just seems like a big undertaking going from a pre-face lift. But, probably this summer.

Love the looks. Could you please provide me more information about the rotor and calipers mods? I would love to do that to my '05 W12.

One of the best looking A8-S8 i have seen so far, very very nice!

The rotors are from www.brakeworld.com (link below) and are OEM rotors that have been modified and Zinc dipped to prevent corrosion. They are a direct swap. The calipers were removed from the car and sent to a local powdercoater to be coated and then reinstalled. the decals on the calipers were custom cut by my shop, but are available on Ebay search "Audi caliper decal" let me know if you need any more specifics<ul><li><a href="http://www.brakeworld.com/catalog.asp?page_id=items&amp;catid=1">Drilled/slotted Brake rotors</a></li></ul>

Though I'm new to the club, I've been an admirerer of Audi for years. My favorite European brand gets better and better. And your pics exemplify that. Amazing job on your A8. Simple elegance with a touch of edge. I'm looking to add an A8 to my garage at the top of the next year. This just confirmed my choice. :) Very nicely modded black car.....it gets no better!

I'm in Delray and could use a high quality professional body shop operation ... many thanks.

They did my S8 conversion paint work, and the repair when I was rear-ended... it came out better then expected & they were reasonable. They also can do the tail tint if you're so inclined....

They're an Audi cert. shop as well

What are you needing ? repairs ?

E

I'll give 1st Class a call

I had my bodywork done through Champion Motorsport in Pompano Beach. They did the mechanicals and R+R of the bumpers etc. . but had the paintwork done at the Champion Motors Bodyshop. They may have been a little expensive but at the time the convenience of getting everything done at the same place was appealing.

This baby is hot, clean and classy. I like your wheels, image 6 makes them look "meaty". Compliments on the work!