My New DD 2016 Audi S4!!!

[lensch09]

As per usual, Germany was awesome

Went to a local meet with a MASSIVE variety of stuff (Skylines, jacked-up coal-rollers, BMW made a good showing, other various JDMS, etc). Just a few pictures with a few Euro buddies:

New Philips X-treme Vision bulbs... This probably represents the last step in my quest for additional light prior to swapping out the projector lenses (actual lenses, I already have E-code housing-assemblies)

Had to pull the intake apart to remove the passenger side lamp. Got bored and jet-lagged as all get out so decided to snap a picture with my phone...

A comparo of the stock bulb and the new Philips. I couldn't believe the the stockers were from Harison (a lesser known "value" lower-quality Japanese company)

So, I was starting to question if my ecodes had some cheap-o bulbs thrown in them prior to shipment from the distributor (I bought them fully loaded with electronics and bulbs brand new while still on expat assignment in Germany). So, I decided to grab my NA spec housings and have a look at the factory bulbs. Sure enough, our cars use el-cheapo Japanese bulbs from the factory. Sad.

Anyways, I'm gonna let these new bulbs burn in for a bit. I'm relocating to California this week, and driving this thing out there. So, there should be plenty of burn-in time. I'll slap in a swap bulb at some point between the relo and the new job and try to get a comparo picture of the wider beam given by the Philips.

Thanks for looking. Stay Tuned!

-Dan Lensch

 

[builthatch]

who makes the actual headlight housings? Hella?

 

[lensch09]

who makes the actual headlight housings? Hella?

Company by the name of AL (Automotive Lighting).

 

[BrutalNoodle]

As per usual, Germany was awesome

Anyways, I'm gonna let these new bulbs burn in for a bit. I'm relocating to California this week, and driving this thing out there. So, there should be plenty of burn-in time. I'll slap in a swap bulb at some point between the relo and the new job and try to get a comparo picture of the wider beam given by the Philips.

Thanks for looking. Stay Tuned!

-Dan Lensch

Where about in Ca? If you make it to the Bay Area, try La Honda/Santa Cruz Mnt. area. Beautiful whiny roads.

Mmmmmm....Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.... Loved the stuff.

I'm quite sober now. Gave up drinking altogether. Sigh... Those were the fun days. lol

 

[lensch09]

Where about in Ca? If you make it to the Bay Area, try La Honda/Santa Cruz Mnt. area. Beautiful whiny roads.

Mmmmmm....Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.... Loved the stuff.

I'm quite sober now. Gave up drinking altogether. Sigh... Those were the fun days. lol

New job is with a large wine/spirits company in Modesto. If you know the area, I'm sure you're familiar with the company. Should be exciting!

Right now, I'm looking for a condo/apartment/townhome in either Turlock or Livermore. Should be fun!

-

Dan

 

[builthatch]

ahh, that makes sense then. thanks for the pic. AL (MM/Bosch JV) is buying capsules from Toshiba.

off topic but Toshiba used to make these cool bulbs called HIRs in 9011 and 9012 fitments. with slight modifications, they were very nice when your only options were various iterations of performance 9005 and 9006 bulbs. i ran them as much as possible for a few years.

anyway, i think you'll like the +50s. I run +30s from Hella in one of my cars and they definitely appear brighter and slightly whiter, which is saying something because the OE HIDs are very nice.

 

[JSMet]

Congratulations on getting a fabulous ride. Head turner of a car with nice features. Enjoy it.

 

[lensch09]

Well folks, I made the 2,000 mile drive out to my new home in Central Valley, NorCal. Some interesting tidbits:

-I can definitely feel the difference between 5000+ ft. power and 100 - ft power
-I drove through crap roads on summer performance tires. While not ideal, the correct alignment settings and a good bit of attention towards the road will get a person through safely
-Denver is fun, and full of interesting people
-I don't care for Vegas. There are MANY other places I'd rather be on "vacation."
-I love NORCAL!!!
-I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

Car performed flawlessly loaded down with 400+ lbs of things, through EVERY weather combination and elevation combination thinkable. Props to GIAC/AWE!

Up in the Rockies...

No pictures of Vegas. I had it valeted. Mandalay Bay actually parked the car up front of the garage right next to a pearleasant grey McClaren P1 riding on bronze/gold ADV1 wheels.

When I got to the valley, the car needed a clean. My place has an HMA which doesn't allow handwashing. The solution: Call Epic Detail. They did a great handwash... Later on now being tied to a full on paint correction/LSP by yours truly.

Engine Bay cleaned up!

Removing the front bumper to repaint the crashbar. I had used standard Rustoleum bedliner (crap). The 3M professional series comes out MUCH different and seems to be a better coating.

Interior is also now cleaned!

I'll be tweaking the paint with a 7424XP (hopefully won't have to bust out the Rupes), some Pinnacle stuff, and some Menzerna stuff. My god, does this DGP paint sure ever pop in this California sun!

Stay Tuned!!!

-

DL

 

[TTQ B4U]

I've had to respray my crash bar too. Sanded it completely and sprayed it with some High Quality bed liner. So far it's held up. If it doesn't I may do as others on AZ have done and mount some Poly board from Home Depot on it.