Magnet

Many thanks for coming back Matt. I can understand the VAG specialist wanting to fit genuine dealer parts, but if the vehicle is off the road (VOR) then fitting an aftermarket one - Hella for example- to return the car to the road, would seem to be an acceptable option, pending a dealer part coming back into stock. Full choice on EBay - from too cheap to reasonable price for quality. I think you will find there are numerous members on here who use reputable aftermarket parts to good effect. Just a thought Matt. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Richard, Estate springs are likely to be firmer that saloon ones, so you will be off to a good start on that. Worth having a word with the good folks at Parts in Motion down in your neck of the woods at Exeter. They will point you to a variety of available brands inc. Febi, Apec etc. I doubt - but could be wrong- that there are beefed up springs for towing. You will obviously enquire. If these new springs prove not to be ‘firm’ enough for your towing needs, then you could consider spring assisters - as mentioned. Keep us posted on what you intend to do Richard. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Jonathan, Try LLL Parts website. They may well have an exploded view of it - with its part no. May well be a dealer only part, so why not try there first? At least you will then be armed with what it is called, even if they won’t give you a part number. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Let us know how you get on.

Hello Benny, Sorry to hear that. Another option to consider:- Find a ‘volume’ importer of specialist vehicles on EBay:- example - Nissan Elgrandes are regularly imported from Japan, as are many of the low mileage Jaguar XJs - X350 models. These folks will know the ropes and may be prepared to give you some useful contact details. Worth a try, in my book. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Any answers James, and have you PM’d the original poster?

Thanks Stephen, Regrettably £110/hr. at substantial garages is about the norm. - whether we like it or not, and whether we can afford it or not - it is what it is. Options:- DIY. Some owners have the tools, equipment and knowledge to carryout most repairs on their vehicles. We on here, recommend sources of good value parts at reasonable prices, so overall costs are kept as low as possible. The level of DIY capabilities will obviously vary, so inevitably some repairs will need to be contacted out. Contracting out:- the smaller the garage, the lower the overheads, and consequently the lower the hourly rate. Local knowledge and asking about if the only way in which anyone is going to find such garages in their particular areas. Recommendations are great if you can find them. Least cost route:- find a local one man band fitter who does such jobs. Again only found via. local knowledge and enquiries. Hope this explains where we can be at with this Stephen. Summary:- find a local one man repairer who is prepared to do this at say c£50/hr. max. Ask if you can supply the parts. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Jessica, glad you are enjoying it. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Richard, A 17 year old estate car is likely to have been used to carry loads during its lifetime, and the springs will have deteriorated, and would obviously now benefit from renewal. Before doing this, I would be seeking advice from a local towing equipment specialist, who would be able to advise on additional aids such as sorting assisters etc. - in addition to the new springs. Uprated springs available? Whether fitting such would result in adverse ride conditions in normal non- tow situations? How often do you tow? Perhaps you could come back to us Richard.

Thanks for joining Malcolm. Pessimistic, but I doubt whether anyone on here would be able to recommend a suitable source in New Zealand. Have you conducted an on-line search for such a service? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Andrew, I have removed your e-Mail address from the advert, since this is an open forum. Interested parties can contact you by PM on here. Apologies, but I inadvertently deleted all the photos - meant to reduce just to the one which is needed! Sorry. Could you please resubmit one of your choice. Good luck with the sale, and please let us know when it sells. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Matt and thanks for joining. Sorry to hear about the issues. Could you clarify whether the not -available- in-U.K. oil sensor is - not available from VAG dealers in the U.K., and/or not available from U.K. aftermarket sources? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Richard, What weight are you towing? Do you know whether the springs on this 17 year old car have ever been changed. Afterthought :-Pardon my ignorance, but is this A6 estate on rear air suspension? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for tip about the Forte Steve. I’ll get some of that for a family member’s non-Audi. One 150ml bottle be enough? Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Budget Chris?

Tried EBay James? Also registered your want with on-line breaker systems such as Partsfinder - there are more- ?

Hello James, Bit of a tall order that someone still has a bulky set of alloys left more than 5 years after advertising the parts, and over 2 years since the later poster posed a question - and didn’t have any response. How did you find this post, and did you realise how old it was?

So how did you get on Dave?

Hello Renato, Could be a leak/s, could be level sensors - etc. Whatever it turns out to be, your best source of experience will be ‘bagpipingAndy’ on EBay. He has been manufacturing and supplying parts for air suspensions for years. Please keep us informed on how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Graeme, ‘…nor do I think Audi U.K. would take much notice, without being satisfied that people have first gone though their dealership’. Most important point missed here Graeme I’m afraid - hasn’t everyone on here already complained to their dealership - without avail? Hence my suggestion of an amalgamated - we haven’t got anywhere with our dealership - approach to Audi U.K. Thank you David for progressing this via. Watchdog. I can’t really understand why no one else has tried that. Good on you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for joining Stephen, I’ve amended you thread title.

Well there you go then Graeme. ‘Contractual arrangements are with the dealer and not Audi….’ Fair point, but your case in point proves that the dealerships won’t do anything without reference to Audi U.K., so really, you blow your own argument out of the water. Not my problem, but the forum is happy to share experiences bad and good, and indeed can make hopefully constructive and logical suggestions to move progress, but….. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Richard, nice to hear from you again. I could be wrong, and hopefully others will be along and give you to correct story, but I believe Autoglass and other windscreen fitting companies fit aftermarket windscreens, and not the far more expensive ‘main dealer’ ones. Having said that, I would think there are few main dealers who would fit windscreens as opposed to using specialists - such as Autoglass - so there you go, you complete the full circle! The capability of these windscreens correctly reacting to automatic lights, cameras etc.?? What I did hear about them was not to be too surprised if they show stone chips at a rate of knots - ‘softer’ than originals-? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Kevin, You can request ( via an e-Mail to the dealer) a print out of the on-line service history - well worth having as hard copy for your file. I also request copies of service invoices - they can supply these with previous owner details blanked out. There is nothing like having hard copies of evidence of full service history. We take it you didn’t buy it from a main dealer Kevin-? Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Kevin. Reason for no books? - as said, probably ex lease, and driver probably just wasn’t interested. Did you manage to acquire copies of the service history? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Kevin, but I’ve given the advice needed - go to your local main dealer and compile a list of what it comprised of. I think you are unlikely to find (and not miss) one set on EBay that is totally complete. Way forward:- Bid on a set which looks in good condition, and appears to have most of the books you would expect. Buy this, then take it to your dealer and purchase what they then tell you is missing. Kind regards, Gareth.