2012 Audi A5 S-line Build: Only Bagged Cabriolet in the Country

From Hot Wheels to Custom Upholstery

Richard's been into cars his entire life. Since he was young playing with Hot Wheels with his dad—both of them had their favorite ones they'd always use. He knew what any car on the road was. Had posters all over his bedroom walls. Loved every Fast and Furious film and could recite every Top Gear episode.

His love for classic cars came from his grandparents who own a Triumph Herald she's had from new. Richard would spend weekends with them and his grandpa would always say "let's take the Triumph out for a drive" at any chance. They'd just drive for the sake of driving. Not to go anywhere. Just to drive.

That kind of childhood makes sense for someone who'd eventually become a custom car upholsterer. Richard works at Vamped Trimming where he's been doing this his entire working life. And it's the perfect job for any car lover.

He's worked on everything. A 1-of-1 Alfa Romeo concept car. A brand new Audi R8. Everything in between. Even converting a VW split screen camper into a dog. Not joking—he's done it all.

He left school with terrible exam results and didn't want to go to uni. Got lucky finding the job through a Facebook post. The rest is history.

Spotting the 2012 A5: A Kid's Dream Made Real

Richard can remember being a kid at school when the facelift A5 range came out in 2012. He loved it instantly. Thought it was the most aggressive looking car on the road at the time.

And honestly? He still thinks that today.

When he got fed up with his first car—a heavily modded Citroen C2—breaking down all the time he knew it was time to make that dream reality. Obviously UK car guys know insurance is a total killer for dream cars. An RS5 was completely out of reach when he was 21. After looking at a few A5 coupes he eventually tried a cabriolet because one happened to be at a dealer he was visiting.

Being able to get rid of the roof at the flick of a switch was all it took to convince him.

So he found one with the spec he liked and it was his in a matter of days. A 1.8 TFSI convertible Audi was a very nice upgrade from the 1.1 Citroen he'd been driving. Enough power to let him have some fun and actually mean he could overtake those annoying slow lorries everyone hates.

The Only Bagged A5 Cabriolet in the Country

What makes Richard's 2012 Audi A5 S-line build unique? To his knowledge it's the only A5 cabriolet on air suspension in the entire country.

He's seen countless coupes bagged. Never another cabriolet.

He loves that his car looks so different to other A5s on the road. The carbon fiber parts are so subtle given the car is grey but they make a huge difference when compared to a standard model. Could easily be missed if you're not paying attention.

Before Richard got the car it had 2 previous owners who clearly looked after it really well. No issues with the common leaking roof compartment or rusting sills. Perfect base for him to add his touches to.

The list of modifications feels long but it's actually way less compared to what he wants to do with the car going forward.

Suspension and Wheels: The Foundation

The 2012 Audi A5 S-line build started with the fundamentals.

Fully polybush suspension made a huge difference. As a heavy car the body roll was significant stock. Getting proper bushings sorted transformed the driving experience.

Then came Airlift Performance air suspension struts with 3P digital management. The controller is mounted in the ashtray—clean installation that keeps the interior looking factory. Being on air means he can drop the car for shows and cruising then raise it for daily practicality.

20x10.5 Ferrada FR4 wheels with 240-30-20 tires stretched to get them tucked deeper into the arches. That wheel sizing on a cabriolet is aggressive. Gets the stance right without going overboard.

Carbon Fiber Details: Subtle but Effective

The carbon fiber work on this 2012 Audi A5 S-line build is intentionally subtle.

Carbon fiber splitter at the front. Carbon fiber fog light trims. Carbon fiber wing mirrors. Carbon fiber spoiler. Interior trims wrapped in carbon vinyl—soon to be made in real carbon.

On a grey car these pieces could get missed if you're not looking. But for anyone who knows cars they immediately stand out as quality touches that separate this A5 from everything else on the road.

Interior and Driving Experience

Richard swapped the standard round steering wheel for an Audi flat bottom wheel—proper upgrade that improves grip and looks way better for a sporty build.

Stock brakes got upgraded to Brembo pads and drilled disks. Nothing crazy but a solid improvement for actual driving. Tinted windows complete the look and provide privacy.

Sweeping mirror indicators add a modern touch that wasn't available on 2012 A5s originally.

The interior work shows his expertise. As a custom upholsterer by trade he knows exactly what quality feels like. Every detail on this 2012 Audi A5 S-line build reflects that professional knowledge.

The Journey: Lockdown and Community

It feels like a very long journey to get the car to where it is now. And it's definitely an ongoing project.

A lot of the modifications happened during lockdown when Richard had so much time at home looking at the car and the internet thinking about everything he could change and do.

Because of that timing he hasn't actually been to very many shows yet. The first big one would have been Players Classics at Goodwood which he had booked and ready. But 2020 had different ideas.

He can't wait for next season to start and get to as many shows as possible.

Car Clubs and Real Community

Richard's been a member of many clubs over the years. Led him to meet so many great people and travel all over going to shows and meets.

First club: @C2UK—the most welcoming and friendly group of people. Perfect introduction into car community. Many of them he's still friends with today.

Current memberships: @flashcars_uk and @Audiownersclubuk. Often goes to meets and shows. Blasts around the country roads of Surrey for whole days with other members.

Even met photographers like Down Shift Media who took most of the pictures for the 2012 Audi A5 S-line build.

He'd recommend joining a group 100%. Never know where it can take you.

From C2 to A5: The First Car Story

Richard's first car was a 2005 Citroen C2 1.1. Still owns it today.

He did pretty much everything without sending insurance through the roof. Eventually bagged it after spending most of its life on coilovers. Had 16" WCI CC10s, Corbeau bucket seats, and a retrim he did himself in the brightest red possible.

Had to remove rear seats to fit twin 12" 3600-watt subs. Cracked the windscreen at a show doing the boot build with 2 polished air tanks.

Custom stainless steel exhaust. Stainless decat manifold. Eventually bought another C2—a VTS with a 1.6 engine—and swapped the engines over.

Being French it broke every weekend. Eventually enough was enough and he got the Audi.

Future Plans: Long List Ahead

The list of things Richard wants to do with the car is substantial. A few more cosmetic touches. More performance mods as he's got used to the power the car gives now.

He won't be falling out of love with the 2012 Audi A5 S-line build anytime soon. The project will keep evolving.

Dream Cars

Richard doesn't think any car person can say they have just one dream car. But here's what he's closest to:

Dream JDM: Mazda RX7 (actually considered getting one when shopping for the A5)

Dream Supercar: McLaren 720S

He hopes one day he'll see his A5 parked next to both of these in his garage. For now he'll keep dreaming.

Complete Build Specifications

2012 Audi A5 S-line Cabriolet - Powertrain

• 1.8 TFSI engine (stock)
• Stock transmission

Suspension System

• Polybush suspension (full upgrade)
• Airlift Performance air suspension struts
• 3P digital management system
• Controller mounted in ashtray

Wheels & Tires

• Ferrada FR4 wheels (20x10.5)
• Stretched 240-30-20 tires
• Deep arch tuck fitment

Brakes

• Brembo pads
• Drilled brake disks

Exterior Styling

• Carbon fiber splitter
• Carbon fiber fog light trims
• Carbon fiber wing mirrors
• Carbon fiber spoiler
• Carbon vinyl interior trim (upgrading to real carbon)
• Tinted windows
• Sweeping mirror indicators

Interior

• Audi flat bottom steering wheel
• Vamped Trimming upholstery expertise

Why This Build Stands Out

The 2012 Audi A5 S-line build represents something important: doing things properly with purpose.

Richard didn't just throw money at the car. He sourced good quality parts. Made thoughtful decisions about what would actually improve the driving experience. Documented the journey through car clubs and community.

As a custom upholsterer he understands quality and craftsmanship. That knowledge bleeds into every decision on this build.

The 2012 Audi A5 S-line wasn't supposed to be an air suspension car. Richard made it one anyway. Only bagged cabriolet in the UK. That's vision. That's commitment.

It's a car built by someone who genuinely loves cars. And that shows.