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.
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.
Let’s be honest. The used car market right now is chaos. If you want a 2017–2020 Audi A3 (8V Facelift), you are paying a premium that makes no financial sense. Meanwhile, the pre-facelift (2013–2016) cars are everywhere for pocket change.
But here is the plot twist: With a few hours of wrenching and a handful of parts, you can turn that "dated" 2014 A3 into a 2020 model so convincingly that even Audi service techs do a double-take.
Welcome to the world of the 8V Facelift Conversion.
Prices vary by region, but a realistic budget looks like this:
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | | :--- | :--- | | Used FL Headlights (LED) | $600 - $1,200 | | Aftermarket Headlights (VLAND, etc.) | $400 - $600 | | FL Front Bumper + Grille (Painted) | $500 - $1,000 | | FL Rear Bumper + Diffuser (Painted) | $400 - $800 | | Wiring Adapters & Modules | $150 - $300 | | Coding & Component Protection Removal | $200 - $400 | | Total Estimated | $1,850 - $3,700 |
Verdict: If you sell your Pre-FL A3 and buy a factory Facelift model, the financial difference is often less than the cost of this conversion. You do this for the project, not the economics.
This is where many DIY projects stall. The Audi A3 8V utilizes the MQB platform and complex CAN-BUS electronics. Simply plugging new lights into old sockets will result in immediate error codes and flickering lights.
1. Pin-Out Differences The pin configuration on pre-facelift and facelift headlight plugs is completely different. Owners cannot simply swap the connectors; a custom wiring harness or a specific adapter set is mandatory.
2. VCDS Coding Once the physical parts are installed, the car’s computer must be told that it now has different lights. Using a diagnostic tool like VCDS (VAG-COM), technicians must recode the Central Electronics Module (BCM2). This involves changing the "Leuchte" (light) channels to match the pin assignments of the new LED units.
3. Dynamic Turn Signals If installing rear taillights with dynamic sweeping indicators, additional wiring is often required to drive the sequential animation, as the pre-facelift wiring generally only supports simple flashing.
Problem: After swapping the MMI or Virtual Cockpit, the screen shows "Component Protection Active." Solution: Only an Audi dealer or a specialized tuner with online ODIS access can remove this. It costs roughly $150-$250.
Do it if:
Don't do it if:
The Audi A3 8V facelift conversion is the ultimate expression of upgrading what you already love. With the right "new" parts and patience, you can roll a 2014 chassis that looks exactly like a 2020 model. Just remember: where the bumper meets the hood, the devil is in the coding.
Need a wiring harness or coding service? Check forums like Audi-Sport.net or shop Kufatec for plug-and-play conversion kits. audi a3 8v facelift conversion new
Have you performed the facelift conversion on your 8V? Share your before-and-after photos and cost tips in the comments below.
To convert a pre-facelift Audi A3 8V (2013–2016) facelift look (2017–2020)
using new parts, you need to target specific aesthetic and electronic features. Because Audi altered the shape of the headlights and the width of the grille during the mid-cycle refresh, a direct swap of a single part usually is not possible.
The primary features and components required for a complete conversion include: 1. Front-End Conversion Features
The front of the vehicle requires the most extensive modifications because the parts are physically shaped differently between the generations. Audi A3 generations - cinch
Blog Title: The Ultimate Guide to the Audi A3 8V Facelift Conversion: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Meta Description: Want to make your pre-facelift Audi A3 8V look brand new? We break down the parts, costs, and labor required for the OEM+ facelift conversion.
Intro: The 8V Dilemma
The Audi A3 8V (2012-2020) is a modern classic. But if you own a pre-facelift model (2012-2016), you’ve probably looked at the 2017-2020 facelift models with a little envy.
The sharper headlights, the wider singleframe grille, and the sleeker bumpers make the car look five years younger. The good news? You don’t need to sell your car to get that look. Enter the Audi A3 8V Facelift Conversion.
Here is everything you need to know about giving your older A3 that "new" showroom shine.
Why Convert?
What You Need (The Parts List)
Doing this conversion is purely cosmetic. It is a "plug-and-play" operation if you stick to OEM parts, but it isn't cheap. Here is the shopping list for a full front-end conversion:
The "New" Way to Source Parts (2026 Update)
Gone are the days of paying $3,000+ at the dealer. Here is how to do it cheaper now:
The Installation Process (Simplified)
Front vs. Full Conversion
The Verdict: Should you do it in 2026?
Yes, if: You plan on keeping the car for another 3-5 years and you love the 8V chassis. The facelift makes the car look current against the new BMW 2-series and Mercedes A-Class.
No, if: You are trying to flip the car for profit. You will not get your money back on this mod.
Final Word
The Audi A3 8V facelift conversion is the best way to fall in love with your car all over again. It transforms the personality from "economy sportback" to "mini-R8."
Just remember: Buy genuine headlights, don't cheap out on the wiring harness, and find a shop that knows VAG group cars.
Have you done the facelift conversion? Drop a photo in the comments below
Suggested Tags: #AudiA3 #8VConversion #AudiMods #Facelift #OEMPlus #CarBlog
To give your pre-facelift Audi A3 (8V) a brand new, aggressive look, upgrading it to the facelifted RS3 style is one of the most impactful aesthetic modifications you can make
. Conversion kits typically include a full front bumper swap and the iconic gloss black honeycomb grille, completely transforming the front-end profile.
Because fitting a facelift bumper onto a pre-facelift vehicle or changing to a wider RS3 stance can yield fitment challenges, selecting a high-quality kit and opting for professional installation is strongly recommended to ensure parking sensors and body lines align perfectly.
Here are several highly rated facelift and RS3-style conversion kits available for the Audi A3 8V:
RS3 Front Bumper Conversion Kit with Rear Diffuser - Audi 8V A3/S3 Bimmer Plug
Car Conversion Upgraded Facelift Bumper Bodykit for Audi A3 8V 13-16 Old Change to New 17-19 RS3 AliExpress
Body Kit compatible with AUDI A3 8V Facelift Sedan 2016-2020 EuroSport Tuning
Twenty Two Tuning Audi A3/S3 (8V) Facelift Gloss Black Honeycomb Grille With ACC Extreme Power House
WGYAP Front Bumper Body Kit A3 8V 2017-2019 Facelift RS3 Type Front Bumper With Grille AliExpress
Audi A3 S3 Upgrade - Factory A3 S3 8v Body Kit For 2013-2016 Alibaba.com If you plan on keeping the car for
Car A3 S3 8V Front Bumper Body Kits RS3 Style Conversion Kit With Grille Front Lip for Audi A3 8V S3 2013 2014 2015 2016 alibaba.com
A3 or S3 8V front bumper for A3 S3 car Bodykit facelift RS3 car bodikits for A3 S3 Hatchback or AliExpress
YMP Design Spec RS3 Front Bumper Conversion Kit (Polypropylene): Audi A3 / S3 (8V) 2014-2016 EPI Motoring Fits For Audi A3 8v Sedan 2016-2019 Front Bumper Rs3 Look
Karbel Carbon Front Bumper for Audi S3 A3 8V.5 2017-2020 Carbon Fiber Forged/Gloss Performance Speedshop
Audi S3 A3 8V Aftermarket Parts - CMST Tuning Front Bumper & Front Lip Carbon / FRP Front Bumper Only/FRP or Carbon/Paintable Carbon Showroom
Front Bumper Primed 2x PDC + SRA For Audi A3 8V Facelift 2016-2020 S-Line
SR RS3 Style Front Bumper With Grill Audi A3 8V Facelift 17-19 -PP, Pay Total Price Now Stealth Ride
Body Kit S3 Front Bumper With Grill For A3 8V 2017-2019 Facelift S3 AliExpress
2014-2016 8V Audi A3/S3 CAP Front Bumper | 2024 8Y Style Audi RS3 Bumper - V2 Canadian Auto Performance or aggressive rear diffusers to complete the full walk-around transformation?
Twenty Two Tuning Audi A3/S3 (8V) Facelift Gloss Black Honeycomb Grille With ACC
Twenty Two Tuning Audi A3/S3 (8V) Facelift Gloss Black Honeycomb Grille With ACC - Upgrade your Audi A3 or S3 (8V) Facelift (2017-
RS3 Front Bumper Conversion Kit with Rear Diffuser - Audi 8V A3/S3
Prices vary by region and whether you buy new OEM, used OEM, or Chinese aftermarket replicas.
| Component | Used OEM (Good condition) | New OEM (Dealer) | Aftermarket (Replica) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Hood | $200 - $400 | $800+ | N/A | | Front Bumper + Grille | $300 - $600 | $1200+ | $400 | | LED Headlights (Pair) | $600 - $1200 | $2500+ | $500 (Poor quality) | | Tail Lights (Pair) | $300 - $500 | $1000+ | $200 | | Rear Bumper | $200 - $400 | $900+ | $300 | | Wiring Harnesses | $100 - $200 (Adapter kits) | N/A | $50 (DIY) | | Paint (Hood + Bumpers) | N/A | $500 - $1000 | $500 - $1000 | | Coding/Programming | $100 - $300 | N/A | $100 (DIY software) |
Total Estimated Cost:
The Reality Check: A full "new" conversion often costs more than selling your pre-FL A3 and buying a factory FL model. You do this for the love of the build, not for financial logic.
If your Pre-FL has adaptive Xenon headlights (AFS - cornering lights), and you switch to standard FL LEDs, the AFS module will go into fault mode. You must either code out AFS completely or retrofit FL AFS LED units (very expensive).