Premium vehicles like Audi have always been attracting a particular kind of owner. They usually pay attention to details and pursue quality. Also, they are interested in upgrades that can match and improve the car’s character. In fact, illuminated car accessories are becoming more and more popular in the aftermarket accessory market. Why? They can bring people direct and immediate visual effects without any permanent modification. In this guide, we introduce where to find the best illuminated accessories for Audi and other premium vehicles. Moreover, you can learn what the best choices are and how to ensure product quality.
The Illuminated Car Accessories — What’s Available
In fact, there are many kinds of illuminated accessories for premium vehicles in the market now. The core products for Audi owners are:
LED Light Up Grille Emblems
Audi light up emblem is the most popular illuminated Audi accessory. People can replace the factory front grille badge with a dynamic LED emblem. After that, the emblem will animate when people lock or unlock the car and stay on during driving. You can find suitable emblem versions for every Audi model from A1 to Q8 and the full e-tron range.
LED Door Puddle Lights
The LED door puddle lights can project logos on the ground under the door when you open the door. The logos can be the Audi four rings, Quattro logo, or model-specific designs. What’s more, the lights are fully plug-and-play, so you can install it in the existing factory door light socket. Passengers can see the projection every time they get on or off the car. Therefore, the door puddle lights are one of the most worthwhile upgrades for your car.
LED Floating Center Caps
Audi wheel center caps are equipped with self-powered LED illumination and a floating mechanism. It means they can keep the Audi logo upright at all speeds. The LED is powered by wheel rotation so you don’t need any battery or wiring. You can choose from white, blue, and red LEDs with a black or silver chrome finish.
LED Ambient Lighting
Interior ambient lighting kits are usually used to replace or supplement the factory ambient lighting for higher-specification Audi models. People can connect them to the factory ambient lighting circuit in order to extend the glow to areas which are not covered from the factory.
Where to Buy Illuminated Car Accessories?
Specialized Audi/Premium Vehicle Accessory Retailers
The best place to buy illuminated Audi accessories in the US market is a retailer who specializes in the Audi model range. These retailers have product data of specific models and can provide real technical support. Moreover, they know which vehicle models require consideration of ACC radar compatibility. You can find all kind of Audi products at 4Rings Accessory. What’s more, customers can enjoy free US shipping on orders over $50.
Audi Dealership Accessories Departments
Audi USA dealerships also provide OEM accessories through the Audi Genuine Accessories program. These products are all authorized by the manufacturer, so you can enjoy full dealer warranty. However, the only disadvantage is the price. Although the function can be similar, OEM accessories are usually 2-3x the cost of quality aftermarket alternatives. If you are an owner who wants complete factory warranty, the dealership is the best choice.
Automotive Enthusiast Communities
In fact, people can get much information from online communities like AudiWorld, AudiZine, and model-specific forums now. Members with real installation experience will give you advice on specific retailers, specific products, and specific compatibility concerns according to your exact model and year. Moreover, the suggestions from the forums are usually useful because they come from owners who have actually installed the product on the same car as yours.
Online Marketplaces With Careful Vetting
You can find illuminated accessories for Audi on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, but the quality can be very different. Don’t worry, you can select products with the advice we mentioned in this blog. In detail, you should confirm badge size in millimeters and check for pure white LED light at first. Then you need to check the ACC compatibility statement and read reviews from verified purchases of the same Audi model as yours.
Premium Vehicle Considerations — What Makes Audi Different
Actually, it is more complex to buy illuminated car accessories for Audi than other mainstream vehicles. Here are several factors. First, the model range is large and diverse. For example, the badge sizes, mounting methods, and ACC sensor positions may all be different across the A/Q/S/RS/TT range or even between platform generations of the same model. Second, Audi models have great interior quality. If you add a cheap accessory in an Audi interior, it will look very strange than in a mainstream car. Third, some Audi models are equipped with advanced safety systems (ACC or Night Vision). Therefore, you need specific product knowledge to match these accessories with the systems.
Considering all these factors, we recommend that you buy Audi accessories from specialists. They have already done the model-specific research, so they can help you confirm the right product for your specific car before ordering.