Hidden mud trap

[glospete]

I'm sure like a lot of you I am fastidious about cleaning my car and not just the bodywork but under the wheel arches as well. Living in Devon (and up a lane) we have plenty of mud around!

Once I've finished my car I always feel proud that the wheel arches are really clean. But I've discovered a mud trap which is hidden unless you feel for it. I've marked it on the photo - if you feel up behind this rear valence panel you will discover a large amount of mud if you live in places such as I do. You can'

t feel it from the rear strangely enough. I was horrified how much mud I managed to hose out from this area. Anyway it's a new addition to my car cleaning regime!

 

[Vertigo1]

Shouldn't that area be protected by the wheelarch lining? (Can't be ***** to go check right now )

 

[glospete]

I'd have thought so but it is open to whatever the wheels throw up!

 

[The Challinor]

Guess it's like a shelf for mud

 

[mjcourtney]

I had a rattle from the exhaust for a few months, drove me mad. Took it to the dealer, technician ran his hand up behind the bumper, scooped out a couple of handfuls of gravel, pebbels and crap... Rattle gone!!

It definitely is a mud trap!

 

[RichardT]

Everyone is popping out and putting a hand under their car this morning!
Absolutely right, I found some muck under there when I looked. Will have to give a jetwash blast every time from now on. At least it's plastic down there, so not habouring damp to rot the body.

 

[J4MMYz]

I find the body styling makes mud flick up way too easy, the drivers wheels flick mud up the side because the body goes in, and the rear bumper underneath gets tonnes of mud, or tar as I found out when I drove through freshly filled potholes last week. I used a whole 1L of tar remover to get rid -_-

P.S - you clean your wheel arches? You'd hate mine, I just power wash them but after that tar incident there's a whole road inside them haha

 

[The Challinor]

Time for mud flaps!

 

[veeeight]

Oh god, don't start that, yet another divisive topic, along with Wind Deflectors, mono.pur, S-tronic or Manual etc.

 

[Marc18]

I always give my arches a good spray with some g101 while I'm cleaning each wheel then get the pressure washer In and blast loose what I can. Awaiting my local detailers getting the EZ detail brushes back in stock as they have one for arches.

 

[Blackwhite]

Oh god, don't start that, yet another divisive topic, along with Wind Deflectors, mono.pur, S-tronic or Manual etc.

You forgot advanced key.

 

[The Challinor]

Also forgot tech pack debate

 

[veeeight]

95 vs 98

GAP or no GAP

 

[Bristle Hound]

You forgot advanced key.

Also forgot tech pack debate

95 vs 98

GAP or no GAP

Stop it!

 

[Blackwhite]

95 vs 98

Important one: S3 or Golf R !

 

[The Challinor]

Sepang or Misano ( sorry BH last one just for you )

 

[Bristle Hound]

Sepang or Misano ( sorry BH last one just for you )

Naughty & cheeky but funny! Lol

 

[The Challinor]

Back on topic, 8V mud guards.

 

[mjcourtney]

Would that actually stop the mud collecting up underneath the bumper though?

 

[Pulp84]

Oh god, don't start that, yet another divisive topic, along with Wind Deflectors, mono.pur, S-tronic or Manual etc.

Forgot hold assist.....

 

[Bristle Hound]

Back on topic, 8V mud guards.

Sorry, but no no and very much no to mudflaps

BUT each to their own ...

 

[The Challinor]

Would that actually stop the mud collecting up underneath the bumper though?

Doubtful, would stop **** flying up the back and sides though.

Can't stop dust and grime though

 

[The Challinor]

Sorry, but no no and very much no to mudflaps

BUT each to their own ...

I never said they were pretty.

 

[Blackwhite]

I never said they were pretty.

But veeeight is!

( Signature under his avatar. )

 

[cuke2u]

Difficult to fit mudflaps to a s-line without modding them, however I don't think they should be with a bodykit anyway, it just seems so wrong..

 

[Ben Daniel Grant]

Back on topic, 8V mud guards.

Are those carbon? Absolutely hideous things

 

[veeeight]

They may be hideous to your eyes, but some people live down farm tracks, so sometimes function > form.

This is like Deja Vu.

 

[The Challinor]

Are those carbon? Absolutely hideous things

Just look like black plastic to me

 

[The Challinor]

Difficult to fit mudflaps to a s-line without modding them, however I don't think they should be with a bodykit anyway, it just seems so wrong..

Meant to be comparable with all 8v's

 

[Relliott6879]

Are they an official Audi product?

 

[The Challinor]

Yes

 

[Relliott6879]

Might you have a link, perchance?

 

[naughts4187]

Might you have a link, perchance?

no no no no no no no.... don't do it

 

[veeeight]

Might you have a link, perchance?

Here you go, but be prepared, haters gonna hate

Also note 3-dr version is different to SB version.
http://www.stokeaudi-parts.co.uk/categories/Audi-A3/A3-Accessories/A3-2012>-8V-Chassis/Comfort-and-Protection/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s-line-mudflaps.213873/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-mudflaps.227009/

 

[glospete]

Would that actually stop the mud collecting up underneath the bumper though?

No I think these are front mudflaps. But even so the problem is not within the rear wheel arch but further back - it's not visible at all. You can only feel for it.

 

[cuke2u]

Meant to be comparable with all 8v's

No not with the s-line, please see this thread http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/mud-flaps-for-2012-s-line-a3.208561/all been discussed before. Mudflaps are not designed to be fitted with sill covers and s-line rear bumper. I quote "Information
Not for: S line exterior package, S and RS vehicles".

 

[glospete]

Good point cuke2u! I had forgotten that

 

[The Challinor]

The instructions are wrong then OR they have brought some new ones out!


Please see these images

Direct link http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=251838602886

 

[The Challinor]

Good point cuke2u! I had forgotten that

Well maybe not

 

[Relliott6879]

Here you go, but be prepared, haters gonna hate

Also note 3-dr version is different to SB version.
http://www.stokeaudi-parts.co.uk/categories/Audi-A3/A3-Accessories/A3-2012>-8V-Chassis/Comfort-and-Protection/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s-line-mudflaps.213873/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-mudflaps.227009/

Like that's ever bothered me! Cheers for the link. I think I'll need to do a little more digging though and determine whether the cabrio is the same fitment as the 3 door or something different again.