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A car without a horn is like a dog without a bark, you know what I mean? It's a vital part of keeping yourself safe on the road and letting folks know you're there. Now, about that air horn idea, sounds like you're thinking outside the box! That could definitely turn some heads (and ears) on the road. But hey, make sure to check the basics first. Sometimes it's just a loose wire or a blown fuse causing the issue.

When I asked a shop who specialize in Thule bike carriers, if that part, the 'last part of the puzzle', would fit the Audi bars - were I to get those ones - they were very confident that many do and that there were lots options, but then they entirely failed to give me any of those options and were very vague about guarantees about fitment and cost of returning things that didn't fit. I'm sure that Thule must make the bike carriers fit other people's bars, I strongly suspect there must be some standard t-slots or clamping geometries in play in the industry, but I don't know how complicated it is to get the right ones and to be sure I'm not entering a returning-stuff cycle. Regarding the rubber protective bits that go between the feet and the bars, that actually a question I had. I don't know the answer. At some point I'll need to sell the car (interest rates stay this high any longer then my next mortgage payment is gonna require selling the car) so I really don't want the bars scratched. A lot of people buy Audis (whether they admit to it or not) because they want something that makes them look successful at work, so the resale price does depend a lot on making sure there are no scratches!

No worries, if you have the thule system you can at least use on other cars (with suitable mounting kits/feet) rather than having something bespoke in terms of the bars - do the audi ones have to have specific bike carriers as part of that setup then? I am a bit concerned about any might scratch my bars (as they are black) but think they have rubber bits on them, probably similar with the Audi ones.

Hi! Thanks for getting back to me. I still haven't bought anything, so your responses are still very welcome. The 3rd party ones we had originally bought (and sent back) weren't Thule, they were only about £100 and seemed fine, but I wasn't convinced and am just terrified of them letting go and the bikes flying back and killing someone in the car behind. The Thule ones look good, and I presume are very reliable, but they cost the same as the Audi ones as far as I can see - about £300 for a pair of bars and feet. The Audi ones, I'm guessing, have locating pins as the car itself has some little dimples on the inner side of the bars on the roof. The Thule ones do not have any pins, they just rely on the geometry of the bars and compressive forces to keep them attached. So the Audi ones, at the same price are perhaps better.... But, firstly, at the price of the Audi ones, and considering they are engineered in Sweden where quality standards are as high as anywhere in the world, and given the cost and the reputation, I suspect the lack of any locating pins can't possibly be a problem. The Thule ones must surely be absolutely rock solid. So I think, given all that, that the question only comes down to compatibility with the actual bike-holding apparatus that attaches to those bars. Most of the best ones seem to be Thule, so I would guess I'm going to have the most options if I get Thule bars. But really all of these are guesses. I've given up trying to save any money. I think I'm gonna have to accept that any solution is going to be at least £600 once I include the cost of two bike-holding thingamies. Anyway! Thanks for your replies. I did watch that video Axelz posted as well and they do look incredibly solid, so I'm guessing they'll work very well! Danny.

Don’t try Graham unless you have an adequate range of plastic trim removal tools - should be available on EBay or Amazon. Gently, gently would be my approach, ‘teasing’ the crease slowly. If you have to push the trim tools down behind the panel ( as I think you will) strongly masking tape a length cord to the top to retrieve the tool in case of difficulties! Good luck, and let us know how you get on, and stop feeding that son extra Weetabix! - otherwise you are going to end up with a ‘one careful owner - x careless children’ vehicle. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Danny, Sorry your enquiry went without response. To offer any meaningful replies to your valid question of ‘adequate fit ability’ were your 3rd party ones Thule? If so, this would have been the aftermarket make I would have suggested. If they were, then I fear you may struggle to find better, and genuine VAG might have to be the answer. If your aftermarket weren’t Thule, then it’s well worth investigating whether you discontents with what you now have, do/don’t apply to Thule. Apologies again for the forum’s lack of an earlier response. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. If you have to go the genuine Audi route, try Phil at Audi Parts Direct at Cardiff ( part of Mon Motors - originally Cardiff Audi). Phil might do you a bit of discount and mail order.

Sounds worth a try! I’ll let you know how it goes 😬 Thanks Graham

Welcome, aiming to be there albeit my RS has gone of for some DRC therapy currently 😱 Have my Mk1 TT as a back up plan though 😉

Hi thanks for the info.

Hi I had this on my A6 Avant. The pipe had come off inside the tail gate. If the clips that hold the tail gate trim on are anything like the A6, they are very fierce and they distort when you try to put the trim back. Might be an idea to have some spares before you do the job Tony

I've some Thule aero bars from my previous A4 2010 B8 and two Thule bike rack things and did look into getting mounting kit thing for my A4 Avant B9, one company I contacted suggested this for my situation https://www.roofracks.co.uk/kit/p/5998 and https://www.roofracks.co.uk/evo-flush-rail-4-pack/p/5981 I've not gone ahead and bought yet though so can't comment on the fit but there is a video here showing the fitting which might help you

I connected the device as specified by the manufacturer. That is, a blue connector which I believe is the CD auto changer. However I need to tell the car that it has a CD changer via programming. A mechanic I use is going to plug into it on Thursday. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for the info, will definitely let you know how I get on.

Welcome Graham and thanks for joining. Oops! Strong and persistent young lad you have there! Although the panel buckling damage appears significant, it should be possible to minimise/eliminate this via. warming the damaged area with a hair dryer, and carefully easing it back into shape with manipulation aided by plastic trim lever tools. The ideal would be to remove the whole panel to do this, but they are often reluctant to come off unless you know exactly where they are clipped - otherwise broken clips! I think your best expectation would be damage limitation rather than elimination, depending how confident you are with carrying out the above. Let us know what you think Graham. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dennis, Also consider the possibility of the tubing having broken at the tailgate junction, or similar (usually during a cold spell) and water now being sprayed within the tailgate. Of course, well worth checking that fluid does perhaps get to the jet - as has been suggested- to eliminate the likely chances that it’s just a blocked jet issue. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Apologies Simon, but regrettably, I cannot offer any advice on this from a personal experience point of view. Unless I’m confusing this with another older product, this used to be sold as an oil additive in the days when I had hair. Possibly now an actual oil brand-? If so, my only comment would be, is that I’ve always stuck with VAG’s oil brand - Quantum - to good effect over many years, and I really don’t see me departing from that regime, along with good quality (generally German) branded filters. The claim ‘… hugh difference to his oil consumption…..’ seems odd, since generally vehicles subjected to regular oil changes don’t have such an issue ( certain years, and component design changes excluded). What will be your anticipated annual mileage Simon, and what will be your servicing routine? Sorry I can’t help you more with this. Kind regards, Gareth.

For me the app shows "AdBlue range > 1,500 mi". On a previous Skoda Superb, more information about AdBlue range was available all the time in the car's trip computer display. Now, all I get is "it's fine" or "put some in" and nothing in between. I also seem to add AdBlue less often (much bigger AdBlue tank, more modern engine?). So is it possible that this is just how the App works, i.e. it doesn't change other than indicating you've loads of range or "you need to add some". I guess 1,500mi left is plenty of time to find some....

Yes I can hear the pump, will try a pin,thanks.

Can you hear the pump? Mine gets blocked. Pull it off an stick a pin in 🙂

Go on then give us a refund and I'll go elsewhere.

Have you scanned it and made sure it's not just a sensor?

My apologies for not having a panel of experts available for free consultations 24 hours per day. Remind me how much you are paying for this service and I'll ensure you get a refund.

My rear window washer is not working, just wondered if anyone else has the same problem. Any ideas on what it may be. Only had the car 2 weeks a4 avant b9 2017.

Can you post a link? And did you plug in the connector for cd changer?

I just google it due to no response here.