[CortinaQ3]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone's looked into/removed their front grille yet. I've got an RS Q3 grille incoming for the fiance's Q3, and was just wondering if there are any hidden screws or tips anyone knows about. The part just cleared customs in NY today, so hopefully it'll be here soon! If nobody has done so already, I'll be sure to create a well documented DIY thread for everyone

 

[Quatto]

You might want to check out some other Audi forums in the mean time to see if anyone has. Also checking for a service manual online might help to show were the screws and clips are located so that you can do this

 

[CocoPops]

It's a bumper/fender off job to change the grille.

 

[Quatto]

It's a bumper/fender off job to change the grille.

that's what i was thinking it would be a combination of, like a lot setups out there.

 

[CortinaQ3]

It's a bumper/fender off job to change the grille.

that's what I figured too, I'm not having too much luck finding anything specific to the Q3's, but I'm sure I can figure it out. the new grille was delivered today, so hopefully I'll get a chance to install it this weekend!

 

[rnlabas]

Nice - looking forward to pics and play by play - btw, how much did the bad boy grill cost ?
Did you get the RSQ front bumper surround as well? I'm looking for that or just the S-Line version too...

 

[Otto]

So basically the difference between the two grilles is that the regular model one has vertical lines and the RS version has a kind of fishnet mesh instead.

is this the grille you ordered?

 

[Arabay]

the RSQ3 is blacked out honey comb, but close. Above all I want those wheels <3

 

[Quatto]

Those wheels are indeed awesome.
Do you think that the rear wheels could be wider by a bit?

 

[CocoPops]

As I understand it, the RSQ3 grille will fit an SE bumper, but not an SLine bumper?

 

[Arabay]

As I understand it, the RSQ3 grille will fit an SE bumper, but not an SLine bumper?

Whats the change that allows one and not the other?

 

[rnlabas]

As I understand it, the RSQ3 grille will fit an SE bumper, but not an SLine bumper?

I would think that all grills fit all bumpers. That's true (mostly) on all the other models. The internal parts behind the grills need consistency that the bumper covers do too, but once you're outside those points of common, especially the sculptured surfaces (where the differences usually lie) they're free. Btw, fog light parts (grills and surrounds) are usually different too, but the lamp housings the same...

 

[CocoPops]

Here for example:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RSQ3-Front-Glossy-Black-Euro-Grille-for-2013-2014-up-Audi-Q3-Quattro-TFSI-SFG-/191169012820

Another one (US ebay):
www.ebay.com/itm/RSQ3-Style-Grille-Fit-For-2013-2014-Audi-Q3-Chrome-Frame-Black-Not-Fit-S-Line-/291267674820

 

[CocoPops]

Having had a quick look at photos, not very scientific I know, I think the RSQ3/SE grille is shorter in height than the S-Line grille.

I think this is also apparent in the trim UNDER the grill, in the S-Line it is much shorter in height than the SE/RSQ3 (Indeed the RSQ3 has the word QUATTRO written under the grille, demonstrating the height).

As said, I'm happy to be proven wrong... Indeed I would like the RSQ3 grille on my S-Line Plus

 

[rnlabas]

If the RSQ grille won't fit an S-line, then I'd find it hard to imagine/believe it would fit the "regular" bumper cover either. We in the US don't have an "SE" so I have no idea what that means. From the Audi EKTA, I can see 4 bumper covers : one for the regular line, one for the S-line, one for the India/China regular line, and the RS. For the first three, the grills seem to be the same size and have all the same mounting points. The RS has them in the same places as well, but the RS bumper cover is deeper - like on the RS7 to allow for that enlarged lower vent where they optionally place the "quattro" badge. It's not clear from the illustrations - they're drawings - about the grill itself size, even if the mounting points are the same. So it's conceiveable to me that the grill itself, mounting points notwithstanding could be shorter in height - but reviewing the other bumper covers, leads me to think it (the RS grill) won't fit ANY other cover than the RS.

The other thing I notice from the link above for an RSQ3 grill for $399 - is it is NOT an Audi part at all, but rather a duplicated (counterfeit) piece from China. This is quite common actually and extends to MANY Audi parts - even window regulators, motors etc. So, in their 'creativeness', the manufacturers could've actually resized this part to fit the normal bumper covers - then why it doesn't fit the S-line one is a mystery ...

Since CortinaQ3 has one and by now may have tried to install it, I'm kinda anxious to see what he's found out and if successful ... Hope so to see pics of before/after and during -

 

[CocoPops]

Fitted yet?

 

[rnlabas]

@CoCoPops - could you measure the height of your S-Line grill, please. I'll check the regular one and compare. I challenged one of the RSQ3 grill suppliers on their statement and they just said "as we know," then they followed up a day later with, "it DOES fit S-Line and Sport cars." So now, I m a bit more definitively curious.

I'm also holding my breath for CortinaQ3 to publish his swap for us. If the grills do in fact interchange, which I believe they should, then we could all have grill swapping parties reminiscent of what I'd done with my B8. Btw, I saw also on eBay the lower vent grill with the word "quattro" on it as in the RS too. It was $199 though ...prolly cheaper than Audi.

 

[CortinaQ3]

Sorry for the long absence guys! Between work & planning for a wedding, things have been rather crazy lately... I do indeed finally have the grille, but ran into a bit of a roadblock once I got to the wheel arch trim. I have no clue how to get it separated from the front bumper to take the bumper off, and if I accidentally break something on the fiance's brand new car, well... my life may be over. Anyone have any ideas on how the trim is held on? If it's some sort of adhesive, I may *sigh* break down and see if the dealership will do the install for me. They're an excellent dealership & I've already made friends there that liked my personal car & hooked my fiance up because of that, so maybe they'll do me another solid. fingers crossed!!!

oh, and just from lining up the grilles together, they seem the same size, so that should be fine the one we got was the RS Q3 style one with the black surround (as opposed to the matte silver or chrome).

If the RSQ grille won't fit an S-line, then I'd find it hard to imagine/believe it would fit the "regular" bumper cover either. We in the US don't have an "SE" so I have no idea what that means. From the Audi EKTA, I can see 4 bumper covers : one for the regular line, one for the S-line, one for the India/China regular line, and the RS. For the first three, the grills seem to be the same size and have all the same mounting points. The RS has them in the same places as well, but the RS bumper cover is deeper - like on the RS7 to allow for that enlarged lower vent where they optionally place the "quattro" badge. It's not clear from the illustrations - they're drawings - about the grill itself size, even if the mounting points are the same. So it's conceiveable to me that the grill itself, mounting points notwithstanding could be shorter in height - but reviewing the other bumper covers, leads me to think it (the RS grill) won't fit ANY other cover than the RS.

The other thing I notice from the link above for an RSQ3 grill for $399 - is it is NOT an Audi part at all, but rather a duplicated (counterfeit) piece from China. This is quite common actually and extends to MANY Audi parts - even window regulators, motors etc. So, in their 'creativeness', the manufacturers could've actually resized this part to fit the normal bumper covers - then why it doesn't fit the S-line one is a mystery ...

Since CortinaQ3 has one and by now may have tried to install it, I'm kinda anxious to see what he's found out and if successful ... Hope so to see pics of before/after and during -

 

[rnlabas]

Hey thanks for the update - don't risk your life. We mostly know from where this comes - I'll have the same concerns, which is one reason I really appreciate pioneers like yourself (you know, the ones with arrows often in their backs - hah!).

Please take pics of the install, whether yourself or at the dealer, so we can see. And good luck with the wedding too -

 

[CocoPops]

Pics of a rear bumper removal, the arches clip in (and are stucking using sticky pads).
www.q3ownersclub.co.uk/forum/remove-rear-bumper_topic1247_page1.html