Audi A3 8v Facelift Conversion New 【LEGIT CHEAT SHEET】

Problem: The FL hood leaves a massive gap at the top of the pre-FL grille. Solution: You must change the hood. Do not listen to forums telling you to shave the grille. Buy the FL hood.

Is it worth upgrading your 8V Pre-Facelift to the 2017-2020 "New" look? Let’s dive in.

When Audi released the 8V generation of the A3 (2012–2020), it set a benchmark for premium compact cars. However, in 2017, Audi dropped the mid-cycle facelift (FL). The changes weren’t just cosmetic; they sharpened the car’s aggression, improved lighting technology, and modernized the digital interface.

If you own a pre-facelift (2012–2016) Audi A3 8V, you might look at the newer models with envy. The sharper singleframe grille, the LED matrix headlights, and the sleek rear diffuser make the car look five years younger. The good news? You don’t need to sell your car. The Audi A3 8V facelift conversion is a popular, albeit complex, modification that can transform your ride into a "New" look. audi a3 8v facelift conversion new

Here is everything you need to know about performing a new facelift conversion on your A3 8V.

If you plan on keeping the car for three or four years, do the conversion. Driving a car that looks brand new while paying 2014 insurance rates is a massive win.

Just don't debadge it and try to sell it as a 2018. That’s fraud. But doing it for your own driveway? That’s just smart tuning. Problem: The FL hood leaves a massive gap

Pro Tip: If you are looking for "new" parts, don't buy cheap Chinese replicas. The light projection is terrible. Find a set of OEM take-offs from a crashed S3 on eBay. Your night driving vision will thank you.

Have you done the 8V conversion? Did you mess up the wiring on the dynamic indicators like I did? Let me know in the comments.

Before sourcing parts, you must understand what changes. The 8V facelift is not a simple bumper swap; it involves a complete optical redesign. If you plan on keeping the car for

The sweeping rear light requires a separate control wire. The Pre-FL did not have this circuit. You will need to run a dedicated wire from the BCM to the rear light connector, or use a "dummy" module that simulates the sweep.

To understand the conversion, one must first recognize the fundamental design shifts Audi made between the pre-facelift (2012–2016) and facelift (2016–2020) models.

1. The Headlights (The Biggest Change) The pre-facelift model featured elegant but somewhat conservative headlights, available in Xenon or basic LED forms. The facelift introduced distinctive "saw-tooth" or "fang" Daytime Running Lights (DRL) encased in a flatter, sharper housing. This single component defines the modern Audi face and is usually the primary motivation for the conversion.

2. The Singleframe Grille Audi shifted from a rounded, five-point grille frame to a sharper, hexagonal outline. The grille slats also changed from a fine mesh/striped design to wider, more imposing horizontal bars.

3. The Rear Lights The rear taillights on the facelift model feature dynamic sweeping indicators (on higher trims) and a cleaner internal graphic design that connects more fluidly with the rear diffuser.