Ok if you want it perfect, mine isnt either since the S8 front end swap. To get it closer, you dont actually lower the hood, but raise the core support. My S8 is at perfect gap, and my A8L is close to your gap . I couldnt be arsed to line it perfect when I did timing belt since it`s still not painted after the 2004 to 2009 S8 front end swap.