Project 250 (2005 Dolphin Grey TDI BHC)

[2work]

Hello again,

This brilliant 2nd A2 had a lot of time spent on it over the weekend to make that stunning Dolphin Grey Coachwork stand out. It has unfortunately succumbed to pollen from the 300 year old oak tree above it.

It still looks good though and even more so with its new shoes:

Must tend to that headlight!

Ian @Proghound more thank yous thrown your way Sir.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Proghound]

Much better use of those than sat in my garage and not able to actually fit on one of my cars Tom ? Looks great!

 

[2work]

Much better use of those than sat in my garage and not able to actually fit on one of my cars Tom ? Looks great!

Ian,

Although this great little car is already in daily use, it looks so much better for having your Pepperpots fitted. Just need to solve the air condition issue and it will be finished……

Unless I get the go-ahead for retrofits!

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[dj_efk]

Don't pepper pots just suit the A2 so much better than either the standard 5.5J alloys do - or indeed so much better than they suit the A3!

On that note, I spotted a W reg A3 yesterday wearing a set and immediately thought (seeing as the car in question looked like it already had it's wheels pointing towards the scrapheap) that it'd make a good donor for an A2!

 

[2work]

Evening David,

I’m in agreement, I think they suit the A2 very nicely.

I know they’re light but I wasn’t expecting the 15” Alloys I removed to be soo much heavier. I’ve not got the scales out, just judged by hand.

I’m finding it hard to put the 16” A8 wheels on as they’re a little bit heavier, although not by much.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Don't pepper pots just suit the A2 so much better than either the standard 5.5J alloys do - or indeed so much better than they suit the A3!

On that note, I spotted a W reg A3 yesterday wearing a set and immediately thought (seeing as the car in question looked like it already had it's wheels pointing towards the scrapheap) that it'd make a good donor for an A2!

Like so many of the best things in life, I think they’re something of an acquired taste.

When I first started my ‘a2 odyssey’ I was totally seduced by the looks of 17’ sport wheels and ruled out more than one car sat on Pepperpots. After living with a sport car sat on said sports wheels for a year or so I gave Pepperpots a go as a winter wheel. (With the winter tyres from which had been on Audrey @dj_efk of course!)

I will never go back. Not only do I adore the difference it makes to ride and handling, it also helps appreciably on mpg and now the look is at least on a par with the 17’s imo on all but the ‘sportiest’ A2’s.

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Evening Erling,

I’m in agreement, I think they suit the A2 very nicely.

I know they’re light but I wasn’t expecting the 15” Alloys I removed to be soo much heavier. I’ve not got the scales out, just judged by hand.

I’m finding it hard to put the 16” A8 wheels on as they’re a little bit heavier, although not by much.

Kind regards,

Tom

By the time you get the adapters on they are appreciably heavier with the extra rubber. But they also TOTALLY change the way the car drives imo. I’ll be interested to see how you get on with them @2work

 

[2work]

Evening again,

The next instalment for this A2, remembering only this afternoon that I said it’s pretty much finished; it’s having the Rear Electric Windows harnesses added next week by other Tom @timmus. I have the Rear Electric Windows here which I’ll install over the weekend hopefully. Or possibly before I set off for Leighton Buzzard but time is tight.

The slight issue I have is that the door cards have blue leather armrests so these will need to be recoloured. Maybe a gun metal grey (or best match possible to the Swing seats) furniture clinic product could assist or I could easily just go for black. Decisions decisions again!

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[2work]

Afternoon all,

The next instalment for this A2 has started already.

This morning I swapped the front door cards (blue leather but they will become Swing Grey soon enough) and fitted rear electric window frames and harnesses along with matching door cards (again blue leather which will be recoloured).

Fronts:

Rears:

All set to meet up with Tom @timmus at Ian’s @Proghound next Friday. Looking forward to it!

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Proghound]

Looking forward to seeing the finished article Tom, hope you've managed to recolour the doorcards by then Knowing how rare the blue ones are with rear electrics it has a bit of a sacrilegious feel to it, but actually it will go very nicely in the otherwise black interior and suit the outside of the car too. I've spare switch holders in Swing including the front four-way one, if you want them.

 

[2work]

Looking forward to seeing the finished article Tom, hope you've managed to recolour the doorcards by then Knowing how rare the blue ones are with rear electrics it has a bit of a sacrilegious feel to it, but actually it will go very nicely in the otherwise black interior and suit the outside of the car too. I've spare switch holders in Swing including the front four-way one, if you want them.

Afternoon Ian,

I fully understand the sacrifice I’ll be making recolouring the blue leather armrests but it’s either that or wait for a black or grey leather set to appear on the market. It really is unfortunate but I have to work with what I’ve got.

Looking forward to the longest drive I will have done in this A2 next week, love a mini social/catch up.

Anyone reading this who is after a set of blue leather/Soul fabric door cards; get in touch soonest for a potential swap before I recolour what you’re after. Must be the leatherette type though (any colour considered).

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Proghound]

They only did the leatherette in the blue, red and yellow (really rare) unfortunately Tom. Although you can cut the armrests off the backs of any doorcards and reattach them to other doorcards quite easily, so a full set of Swing ones would see you right. We have at least the two electric rears plus the driver's side here right now, if you can find a passenger one then the job's a good'un. I have plenty of the fixings you'd need.

 

[2work]

They only did the leatherette in the blue, red and yellow (really rare) unfortunately Tom. Although you can cut the armrests off the backs of any doorcards and reattach them to other doorcards quite easily, so a full set of Swing ones would see you right. We have at least the two electric rears plus the driver's side here right now, if you can find a passenger one then the job's a good'un. I have plenty of the fixings you'd need.

Ian,

This sounds like a possible solution to not have to recolour these beautiful Blue Leather Door Cards, although I'm positive the outcome will be terrific; it would be a shame.

I'll not get the Furniture Clinic products out until I've visited you next week Sir.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Cenick]

Afternoon Ian,


Anyone reading this who is after a set of blue leather/Soul fabric door cards; get in touch soonest for a potential swap before I recolour what you’re after. Must be the leatherette type though (any colour considered).

Kind regards,

Tom

I have a set of Red leather f your interested Tom?


Sent from the future

 

[2work]

Evening Steve,

I'd happily take a Red set if you're specifically after Blue Leather Armrests on Soul Fabric Door Cards. They will probably be recoloured but guess Red is not quite as rare as Blue; therefore easier on my conscience recolouring Red Armrests. That said, watch someone jump in now who is after the Red set you have.

Happy to move to PM to see about the logistics of this as I'd rather not like to be out of pocket on this.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[audifan]

Only MY opinion but the blue adds a nice touch of bright contrast and I would leave them as is. Know this is now probably academic due to the swap to red.

 

[2work]

Only MY opinion but the blue adds a nice touch of bright contrast and I would leave them as is. Know this is now probably academic due to the swap to red.

Evening Graham,

As 250 is Dolphin Grey with a Swing Grey Leather Seats in a Soul interior, I feel the Blue leatherette armrests stand out too much for my OCD.

Fully appreciate what you’re saying but I’ll probably go ahead with the recolour whether that is the Blue door cards or the Red. I’ll wait for Steve @Cenick to contact me via PM to see what the logistics of this swap look like as it would be a shame to recolour something that someone wants.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[audifan]

Could an add on wrap be a possibility that could be removed at a later date if required? Alternatively remove just the blue arm rests and replace with different Audi ones?

 

[2work]

Hi Graham,

I have considered recovering them in Grey Leather, just need to find the best colour match, this of course would save what’s underneath if I was careful how I used adhesive. I could simply cover the standard black armrest and make the cut outs to receive the rear switches.

Such decisions will probably be made if/when I find the right coloured (and textured) leather covering. I’ll not rush this as having the Blue (or Red) armrests for a couple of months will be fine.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Hi Graham,

I have considered recovering them in Grey Leather, just need to find the best colour match, this of course would save what’s underneath if I was careful how I used adhesive. I could simply cover the standard black armrest and make the cut outs to receive the rear switches.

Such decisions will probably be made if/when I find the right coloured (and textured) leather covering. I’ll not rush this as having the Blue (or Red) armrests for a couple of months will be fine.

Kind regards,

Tom

If you end up with red I’d bet you’d keep them. Dolphin Grey with the red leather just works and the red ties in with details like the needles and the colour of the backlights and would just work imo. The blue would jar