Hello Nairalanders,

In addition to my daily driver, I am looking forward to importing a RHD Audi S4,6,8 and converting it to LHD to use as my weekend car.

I know many Nigerians are sceptical about car conversion but when it is done well, there really isn't any thing much to fear (Speaking from experience here).

Most would prefer/suggest I imported one from the US but to be completely honest, having just left the UK to live the Nigerian dream I much prefer sourcing my german cars from Europe plus the prices in the UK are very competitive.

I have not made up my mind on what 'S' car I would want but from Autotrader, the 2001 models are way within budget.
I would like to hear well thought out pros and cons from members of the house on what they think is the best idea.

Im doing this because after driving a soul sucking Honda during work days, i'd very much like to ride something that accelerates, handles and is built beautifully along the stretches of good roads we have here in Abuja. Alas, my pockets are not deep enough ... yet.

I had thought of going with two wheels but I have an irrational (maybe not so irrational) fear of bikes.

So, over to you. do I go with a Turbo S4 or the big V8s in the S6 and S8?

Thanks.

Hello Bro,
I didn't realise I wasn't alone in the 'weekend car' concept.
It surely is the way to go.
In addition to sourcing from the UK, do try this site i stumbled upon which stocks samples mostly from Germany but also from all over Europe
Let us know how your research pans out.

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/audi-s6-avant-4-2-quattro-rosenheim/181403273.html?lang=en&pageNumber=1&__lp=4&scopeId=C&sortOption.sortBy=searchNetGrossPrice&makeModelVariant1.makeId=1900&makeModelVariant1.modelId=21&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&minFirstRegistrationDate=2001-01-01&maxFirstRegistrationDate=2002-12-31&export=ALSO_EXPORT


PS: I do 2-wheels too. Nothing to be afraid of

I have read many posts about the evils of converting a RHD car to LHD. I do not have the experience of doing this. I have almost done this a few times but have always pulled back. Used cars are so much cheaper in the UK just like your research shows. If you know the market well like I do then you have the satisfaction of hunting down a very good car with proven history and spec to your taste.

I did do a bit of research and combed Ladipo market in Lagos, interviewing prospective mechanics who could do the potential conversion. I settled on three who seemed to have a reasonable level of competency. I even settled on a system of importing a newish SUV from the US for myself and getting a smaller car/ SUV from the UK for conversion as a second car.

Now here's what I think.

There is a varying level of expertise for car conversion in Lagos (Ladipo) which is the only market I surveyed. The newer and more expensive the car for conversion (including complicated electrics, ECU and OBC) the more challenging/ expensive the conversion and the higher the likelihood of something going..puff in a cloud of smoke!

Conversely the simpler the car e.g Peugeot 406, Honda CRV, Landrover Freelander (a car with well documented problems) the easier the conversion. I even saw C and E Class conversions (2002/2003) that looked reasonably good. I stuck my head under the bonnets and interior to vet the quality of the conversions. I concede I did not drive them so do not know how they would HAVE felt on the road.
From my research European cars have the advantage of having the same bulkhead for LHD or RHD cars so there will be blanks in the engine bay for entry and exit of cables etc into the vehicle.

Audis are lovely cars and I can't blame you for selecting the S4, S6 S8. You have not specified if you want a saloon or estate though the fact that you are considering an S8 gives me the impression you are probably after a saloon.

I much prefer the looks of the Estate though each to his own. I would recommend an S6 as a good in between, with the S4 being small though very fast (they all are) and the S8 being a little rarer I think. Give me a good RS6 Avant (Estate) (though much newer) and I'm a happy man.

Going down the conversion route with such a car you really need to know what you are doing.
You appear to have some experience of conversion already so if you have a good garage with good equipment and know-how then take the plunge.
I will advice checking prices in Germany on mobile.de first as someone has suggested, check the difference even after conversion and factor in a little hassle for curing and managing little gremlins here and there. It is after all a labour of love.
With cars like this I am motivated by two factors, the cost of acquiring and running the car and the grin I get on my face after each drive.

Whatever you do, good luck and please share your experience here good or bad. I'll be watching as I may be doing the same.

Siena: Personally, Iwould not risk a Nigerian conversion on any of the "S" Audi models.

Let's start with the Audi S4 B5 (I picked the B5, as it's the only S4 that had the 2.7 Biturbo motor). The bulkhead on a B5 A4 / S4 is shared with the C5 A6 / S6 and Volkswagen Passat B5, B5.5. The bulkhead is NOT commont to both LHD and RHD configuration, so to achieve a factory conversion, will require a bulkhead replacement Or if you'd rather cut corners and botch the job, the Oladipo boys will take a hammer, blowtorch, welding gear, drills and angle grinders to your expensive S4. Not recommended.

From 2001 onwards, the A4 / S4 platform became the B6, and marked the beginning of the "modular" platform. This means the bulkhead on both LHD and RHD are the same. The mechanical conversion is easier, but the wiring, with CAN-BUS and OBD II compliance remains a challenge for all but a genuine Audi tech, or seasoned electronics expert. Not a job for a roadie, or one who would rather advise a client to convert their 3.0 V6 Toyota Camry to a 2.0 carburettor motor, as opposed to sorting out the simple V6 issue. The B6 S4 is not a cheap car, and certainly not one for Nigerian "mechanics" to practice with.

The C5 S6 has the same bulkhead limitations as the B5 A4 / S4. I would NOT recomment it as a candidate for a LHD conversion. Heart-stopping bills if it all goes horribly wrong.

The Audi S8 Quattro is in a totally different class altogether. It does not share any of its body structure with any other Audi. You don't mention a model year, but I'll go with the 1999 - 2002 D2 It also marked Audi's foray into the ASF (Audi Space Frame) and is built entirely out of aluminium. Simple dents require specialist repairs, not your regular panel beater. Again, the bulkhead is unique to either LHD or RHD. It is NOT a common part. And replacement is a MASSIVE undertaking, requiring engine AND transmission removal. That's the easy part. The bulkhead can't be welded with regular welding gear, aluminium welding is pretty special. And as a bulkhead is a structural part of any automobile, if it's not done right, the car will literally fall apart.

The wiring again pure CAN network, at least the engine, transmission and instrument cluster. The same goes for the climate control panel.

Not a recommended car for a conversion, unless the garage carrying out the work really knows their stuff.

The obvious solution? Purchase a LHD Audi S from the fatherland, Germany. I too can carry out the conversion to Audi spec, but honestly, the cost of the car, plus what my labour rates are, plus parts will easily push the cost beyond what a decent LHD car will cost, by at least £4,000. Bulkhead replacement alone costs from £1,500 upwards. A jig is required to support the car before the old one is removed, else the shell will twist out of shape. A jig hire costs approx. £225 + VAT per day.

I can source decent LHD cars from my Euro contacts, for close to UK prices.

An excellent write-up there Siena. I have been thoroughly enlightened.
The hunt for the perfect weekend car still continues then. Just out of curiousity, I had some other (less well built) vehicles for consideration as a weekend car.

I had a couple of them on my list but went with the Audi because compared to the AMG's and M's of the world, they were cheaper.
Other candidates were
A ford Mondeo ST220
A Jaguar S-type V8 (Or an S Type R if the funds/SWMBO permits)
I know Japmobiles are not your stuff but would the Mazda 6 MPS (2.3 Turbo AWD) make for an easy conversion?

I am still throwing ideas round in my head and could maybe go to a bike school and get over my fear of 2 wheeled conveyance.

Thanks for your help everyone, your help has been invaluable.
Please do keep the ideas coming.
Regards.

lungwun:

An excellent write-up there Siena. I have been thoroughly enlightened.
The hunt for the perfect weekend car still continues then. Just out of curiousity, I had some other (less well built) vehicles for consideration as a weekend car.

I had a couple of them on my list but went with the Audi because compared to the AMG's and M's of the world, they were cheaper.
Other candidates were
A ford Mondeo ST220
A Jaguar S-type V8 (Or an S Type R if the funds/SWMBO permits)
I know Japmobiles are not your stuff but would the Mazda 6 MPS (2.3 Turbo AWD) make for an easy conversion?

My dear fellow, I think Mr. Siena said it all w.r.t your putative Audi conversion and I also think that you should apply what he said to any and all putative conversions you may be considering.

Like you, I once strongly considered bringing in a car from the UK and turning it round. I wouldn't say I'm a thoroughgoing expert on cars, but I used to import used car parts and engines from abroad to sell at Ladipo and was heavily involved in the Ladipo scene and knew a few of the conversion chaps there. At that time, as you pointed out, it was mainly the 406 that was to be seen there, and I was really fascinated by their "skill' and "expertise", used to watch them at work when I was having a slow day. And I shall tell you this: these chaps were good, I'd say, but I saw enough to convince me never to have any of my cars converted in Naija, and I would strongly advise you to do as Mr. Siena recommends and source your car from Europe.

lungwun:

An excellent write-up there Siena. I have been thoroughly enlightened.
The hunt for the perfect weekend car still continues then. Just out of curiousity, I had some other (less well built) vehicles for consideration as a weekend car.

I had a couple of them on my list but went with the Audi because compared to the AMG's and M's of the world, they were cheaper.
Other candidates were
A ford Mondeo ST220
A Jaguar S-type V8 (Or an S Type R if the funds/SWMBO permits)
I know Japmobiles are not your stuff but would the Mazda 6 MPS (2.3 Turbo AWD) make for an easy conversion?

I am still throwing ideas round in my head and could maybe go to a bike school and get over my fear of 2 wheeled conveyance.

Thanks for your help everyone, your help has been invaluable.
Please do keep the ideas coming.
Regards.

Can they convert the Jaguar S-Type because thats what I am thinking of buying or a BMW 728i or 730i

Hello Siena,

Is there any web resource where I could possibly find all vehicles built with modular/symmetrical firewalls?

Such information would be invaluable.

Thanks.