What can a Dieselgeek Panzer Skid Plate do for me? 

  The 1996-2001 B5 Audi A4's and S4's have a weakness in that their undersides have no protection from damage when hitting objects in the roadway such as road kill, retreads, and ice chunks. Also, the front springs on these cars are soft which causes the cars to bottom out frequently. Damage can occur when bottoming out. The plastic belly pan that comes with these cars is often damaged. Why replace it with another expensive plastic plate when you can buy an indestructible aluminum skid plate for similar money? Installing our hefty .125 inch thick aluminum Panzer Plate will help you avoid costly repairs and give you peace of mind that your engine is protected. 

  The Panzer Plate protects all of the parts in the bottom of the engine bay, including the very delicate cast aluminum oil pan, A/C compressor, A/C lines, and rear subframe.  These items, and especially the very thin cast aluminum oil pan, can be easily damaged by road debris, speed bumps and minor off-road excursions. Did you know that your oil pan is only 2mm thick?  This is the thickness of a U.S. quarter!  Many Audi A4 and S4 engines have been destroyed by debris putting a hole or a crack in the aluminum oil pan and the subsequent loss of oil pressure. This doesn’t have to be...

Installation and removal: 

  The initial installation of the Panzer Plate takes about 20 minutes and involves installing two large threaded, reusable OE rivnut anchors into the rear subframe with an included rivnut install tool. The other attachments include seven OE Dzus brand ¼ turn steel screws that fit far better than with the factory belly pan.  All fasteners for the plate face straight down which makes it easier to remove and install than the factory plastic belly pan. Also, all hardware is rustproof steel hardware; no plastic fasteners are used whatsoever. 

  Reinstalling the Panzer Plate is as easy as slipping it in from the rear of the car. It slots just above the front spoiler on the outside edge and where the front Dzus screws are. When reinstalling the plate, you just keep a 10mm bolt with fender washer close by and thread it through the plate when it's in position above the spoiler. You then center the plate and run in the 1/4 turn Dzus screws and the two big 10mm bolts with washers. That's it, you're done. There are no more frustrating cheesy plastic screws and receptacles in the fender wells like with the factory plastic belly pan.

 Audi A4 Spoiler protection: 

  We provide you with three self-tapping 6mm screws that allow you to anchor your front spoiler to the aluminum skid plate to prevent unwanted hooking incidents. Details of the fastening of the front spoiler to the skid plate are given in the install guide here. 

  You will need to remove the Panzer Plate to change your oil as the oil filter is located at the bottom of the engine bay. Not to worry since removal and reinstallation of the Panzer Plate is easier than stock! 

Ground clearance and total weight: 

The Panzer Plate has as much ground clearance as the stock plastic belly pan.  The Panzer Plate weighs in at only 12 pounds.  It’s a must-have for any B5 owner!

U.S. Shipping: (Please read!)

  The cost for U.S. Ground shipping is only $11-$20 can be calculated exactly by clicking the "Add to Shopping Cart" button below. On the cart page just input your zip code into the zip code box on the right hand side of the page. After you click the "Submit" button the shopping cart will then show the exact shipping amount to your zip code.  The Panzer Plate can only be shipped via FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery or USPS Priority Mail.    

  To accurately calculate shipping rates for an international order, customers must fill out information on all order pages.  On the "Invoice/Receipt" page you will see the shipping calculation specific to your address. You may cancel the order without being charged if you do not wish to order.