Completely destroyed the front, rear, and left stock plastic pans/trays/liners driving home Wednesday night in Raleigh’s snowpocalypse.
Now trying to decide which replacement to choose. I’m leaning more towards the panzer plate, but wanted to see what others recommended? Too bad I’m like 3 years too late to jump on the Thor group buy.
just go stock if it’s cheaper (salvage yard maybe?). Not sure you’ll have too many more snow storms to worry about.
I may still do that. Typically getting both pans new is quite a bit more than a panzer/thor. Knock off plastic replicas are a bit cheaper. I do like the little extra peace of mind the panzer/thor offer being lowered and people in this area typically give 0 fucks when securing loads. All sorts of stupid shit in the road.
I don’t know about the US but in Canada, just that front skid plate was like $500. Just stupid expensive. Then again, the piece of rubber that goes around the back passenger window is like $300 so at least you get more plastic for your money with the skid plate.
I ended up ordering a Thor skid plate today.
Knock off/used plastic front belly pans were around $100, and to get the rear, was like $160 for some reason. So for $265 shipped got the Thor. I’m slightly lower as well, so will make me feel a little better or something.
Could you post some pics of the before and after install?
I’m without a front pan myself and am wondering about replacement options. The pan, since it is aluminum and fairly stout, may make it easy to R/R an effective track day splitter.
Also, what made you choose one over the other?
Sure
It’s really splitting hairs. The slightly better feedback on the Thor is the main reason.
Both are priced the same, generally good feedback, and have been around awhile.
Panzer:
-Thinner/lighter
-1 piece design
-doesn’t extend as far back
-has two air ducts
-recessed fasteners
-Read of an instance where the plate was breached
-a few complaints about fit/finish
Thor:
-thicker/heavier material
-extends a little further back
-3 piece design
-1 air duct
-couldn’t find any complaints
-seems a little more recommended
Really don’t think you would be wrong in choosing one over the other.
Great choice OP. I’ve been running Thor one for a couple of years now and it’s holding up great, no issues whatsoever. The reason I went with it instead of Panzer is more sturdier design and coverage. It’s practically bulletproof and if you happen to destroy it, you’ll have way more issues than just a banged up skid plate lol The only thing I’d be changing on it myself is adding more air ducts before I put it on my new S4. Not that I had any issues with heat, but I feel like it’s a good idea before I get on a track with it.
Installed the Thor plate over the weekend. It’s a impressive chunk of aluminum. Seemed well cut, the edges were smooth. No instructions were in the box, but are on their website. The plate was primary designed for the A4, but with a spacer kit, it fits the S4 alright, and the instructions are pretty self explanatory and easy to follow.
I spent awhile installing, uninstalling, installing, uninstalling…just trying to get the best fitment. The “wings” as they are called are a little cumbersome when trying to install the plate, but gets easier the more I messed with it. The plate uses 2 10mm bolts that mount to the subframe using rivet nuts, with half inch plastic spacers between the plate and subframe, and one 8mm structural bolt on a metal bracket not far from the snub mount area, again using a half inch plastic spacer between the plate and mount. I also used two more bolts to tie in the front valance to the plate.
After driving to work and back for 2 days with it on, at first I noticed a slight vibration through the steering wheel that seems went away. My peace of mind is a little better knowing its there.
I’ll try to get some pics of it installed, but here are a few:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00101_zpsn6fsz1g1.jpg
Install hardware
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00100_zpsuvi6txkt.jpg
The “wings” and spacer kit that’s required for the V8’s
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00099_zpszz0tgw5i.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00098_zpsepsjsgab.jpg
A little oil pan scrapage:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00097_zps1e696o7p.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00095_zps5uqzcriq.jpg
Somehow one of my stern motor mount resisters got sliced open. I really wasn’t even hanging down.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/carrion84/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00093_zps6ar9jxvh.jpg
One day maybe I’ll grab an installed picture.
Thanks for the pics. That skid plate is a beast.
Would love to see some installed pics if you are under the car again anytime soon.
Neil at evolution is an awesome guy! We sell a lot of those skid plates for mk4, 5, and 6, I was surprised the first time I saw it in person, It’s quite the chunk of aluminum!