1DUBAUDI

Short of looking at the manuals for mounting points etc....close inspection of the two front ends leads me to believe that the newer front ends including the S8 could be swapped onto the 04 A8 for an updated look.

Im certain that with a different hood and bumper this could be done. I belive that the headlights are the same dimension as well but I still need to reference the part numbers.

Has anyone looked into this?

BFN949

I did this on my '04 A8 some months ago. The headlights definitely need to be replaced, as well as the hood and bumper. A few other smaller items need to be replaced as well, like the grills surrounding the fog lights below the bumper and a (plastic) cover plate on top of the radiator. The biggest issue is getting the hood sprayed. Apart from that, there is not much to it. The parts amounted to the equivalent of approximately $3,000.00. Would do it again if given the choice. There is no way telling my '04 is not a '06.

1DUBAUDI

I figured it was an easy swap. I think im going to try the S8 swap. Shouldnt be any different ?

good to know that the headlights need to be changed but was there anything that needs to be modded or was it basically plug and play ?

Russ

PaulW

The things I don't like about an 04: no bluetooth and the front end.....

But you could save HUGE over a fishmouth car, spend the $4K up front to have it done and have a very cool car!

They are getting cheap.....but I want a SWB....guess that would nix it...

BFN949

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/61815/invoice.jpg"></center><p>No, there were no mods required and it was simply a "plug and play" + spraypaint job. I managed to locate the dealer's invoice - don't know if the part numbers will be the same, but it will at least give you an idea of the parts involved. (I can't remember what the "waterbox" is and why that was required - it's a $10 part.) The conversion was done by the dealer and was the first one they had done. Did not have any problem doing it once they had all the parts. An advantage is having nice shiny headlights again! O yes, the part numbers for the headlights are for the adaptive headlights (which my car had)

BFN949

I had my dealer attend to all recalls and service bulletins after acquiring it and it has been a joy to drive and absolutely trouble free. I recently added the Dension Ice Link 500 Gateway for iPod integration, which works like a charm.

FallenBMWer

There's a kit out that allows you to do it a lot cheaper where you use your original hood. I can't remember the name. I think it was discussed on this forum before, though.

1DUBAUDI

Ive found kits for the D2 A8 but not D3?

FallenBMWer

Definitely seen them for the D3

1DUBAUDI

How would you rate the install of the Ice Link for difficulty ?