Okay, was driving on the freeway yesterday and hit one of those tire tread caps from a truck. Not so mad that I hit it, but why. I was in heavy traffic and went to slow down to change lanes and the idiot next to me slowed down with me. Kept me from being able to change lanes. Scuffed up the bumber and ripped the plastic belly pan out of the car. Didn't know that until I got off the freeway and heard it dragging.

I am thinking of replacing the belly pan. I know you can't see it, but I wonder if it will impact fuel economy and if it hadn't been there I might have ripped up some hoses (I can see an A/C line for example). Anyone running with their's off?

2008 A4 S-line Quatro (w/the sport suspension)

 

A lot of people rip them out in the snow. There are metal aftermarket replacements you can get.