NYCA8L

Hey we all with the A8's have issues with the lousy belly pans getting damaged and they cost to damn much to replace from the dealer. i contacted a manufacturing company that's willing to produce them for me in aluminum. that means they will be longer lasting and way worth replacing then the oem plastic ones. The cost of one should be 280-320 flat with shipping included. would any of you here be intrested ?

mishar

That may be a good idea but I would start with a prototype. Belly pan is there, besides splash protection, for the sound insulation. Aluminum may act as a resonator, or may not. Prototype would say that.

Albatrossboss

I'd be interested if the connecting screws and connection points were well built and meant to last. Also, a prototype would be a great idea, if you need "beta" testers, I volunteer.

MJE32

I am interested if it is well made such as a PanzerPlate or similar! Thanks - MJ

dvs_dave

The plastic belly pan is designed to be able to take some punishment and in doing so flex without permanent damage. An aluminum one wouldn't flex and would just permanently dent/bend.

If you made it stronger, it would then just transfer those loads to other parts of the bodywork not designed to take it and damage those instead...and probably very expensively.

I think you'd be better off improving the fixings on the existing plastic one to make it easier to remove and refit.

GradecEngineering

Well said mishar. The BVQ generates a lot of noises. The OP would be undoing tons of R&D which makes the D3 as refined as it is.

As a product developer, I recommend looking into some kind soft material that you can layer on top of the aluminum plate. It won't exactly be engineered and optimized, but should be a significant improvement in terms of acoustics.

EHLO

I installed an aluminum belly pan on my daughter's B5 Passat, it's anchored at two points to a stronger suspension cross member.
The oil pan hangs out forward of the wheels, almost level with the bumper, and is therefore susceptible to things like parking curb damage.
Under light impact aluminum would just scratch and do it's job, where in the same case plastic would allow damage to the oil pan.
Aluminum deforms under strong impact, but being malleable can be easily hammered flat again.
I'd buy an aluminum belly pan if it was available for the D3, as insurance against the stray night time highway rock that took out a rim, but could have just as easily hit the oil pan.

MiMitch

Now you got me thinking, as the lead cnc programmer at a 200 man shop i have quite a bit of freedom with our lasers and panel formers after hours. what kind of quantity are you looking at to get the panels at that price? that actually seems very low for anything low volume, given the size of the panels. also what material type are you looking at? i was thinking .0625 (1.59mm) 5052 aluminum with 1" angle welded down the center for support. their may need to be some sort of rubberized coating on it to help dampen noise also (as mishar pointed out). something like dynamat will be far to heavy and most likely damage mounting points or bow the pan due to weight. i could easily see this needing to come with a kit to upgrade mounting points. just some quick thoughts on it.... i like your idea though. audi.... panzer.... same thing by the time this thread is over

uberwgn

Just so y'all don't have to re-invent the wheel, there are a couple companies already doing these "skid plates" for several VAG cars.


(I believe these panels are fitted for aero-smoothing and noise attenuation, not skidding over things They also have a significant impact on keeping the engine bay cleaner and preventing those turbo actuators from early rotting/failure. )

Panelhead

I would be very happy with a new plastic belly pan. The original has lasted 10 years. Another will outlast the car.