Magnet

Many thanks Jason, but I still find myself rather perplexed by any connection, but let’s put that down to my simple lack of understanding. I’m not aware of any fighting on here, and any differences of opinion have always been freely and amicably aired, and respected on all sides - it’s what we do! Anyway, thank you again Jason.

Hello Colin , and welcome from the other end of the Homeland, to you and your son. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Colin, Glad to hear the car meets your expectations in all respects - except for the spare wheel. As I see it, you have what the car was originally equipped with:- a compressor, and a container of tyre sealant. With these, you won’t have had a jack or a wheel brace, since there wasn’t a spare to replace. Where to go:- I would be looking on EBay for suitable space saver, and a jack and wheel base and their foam holder. Sub woofer will probably have to be repositioned. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks again John for your understanding. I think through all of this, lessons have to be learnt, and as I keep saying you are indeed right - the forum interchange between members is restricted to a relative few, and is unfortunately dwarfed by the number of quests for assistance. Let me come clean - my non-Audi is a Jaguar, the current being the fourth in as many decades, and I have first hand knowledge of the member to member interchange (and banter) on the forum there - it is great, albeit often off topic! , but it is an interchange. So I know full well what you mean. If only we could encourage such interchange on here. It’s pleasing to hear you intend to buy a Q5, and I wish you well in your search, and we really hope the forum maybe of some use to you once you have found the right one. Take care. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mike, I did gather that, but it’s progressive relevance to the thread, does indeed go over my (and most others?) head. Thanks John, Regrettably, I cannot answer which of the two possibilities you mention was being referred to. What I can, and want to do, is to apologise on behalf of the forum, if any offence has been taken. Kind regards, Gareth.

A little over the heads of most of us, I fear Jason.

Welcome Aran, Not reaching temperature is usually a classic symptom of a failed/failing thermostat, so I would be renewing that first. Kind regards, Gareth.

As I understand it, in these parts, non-retail stock cars are tendered to local dealers. If no interest is shown then the more costly ( and it can be costly) route of sending to auction is followed. Any particular reason for asking Smithy?

Thanks again John, Through all my responses , I haven’t excused the reason for your dissatisfaction, and it certainly would be great to encourage the interchange you seek. I’m pretty sure I have made two requests to you to suggest ways to improve this, but regrettably, nothing has been forthcoming, so come on John, what are your progressive suggestions. As our Welsh poet says ‘Look on our good side, not our bad’. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Chris. These bodyshops work on ‘screwed to the wall’ labour rates, and although the final result is generally good, they aren’t going to take the time that you take to prepare the surface. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Malcom, You can fall in love with a supermodel, but she may not cook your dinner - or whatever! Just don’t attempt to live with it. Sounds like someone might have laced the guts out of it?? Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. I would be putting my intention to reject in writing, and not depending on conversations.

Hello Christopher, If this were mine,I would be driving the car around to a local medium sized bodyshop ( where you can talk with the workers rather than the receptionist), and seek advice there on the best product. You appear to have been very thorough in your surface preparation - which is so important. I wonder if the negative reviews for the 3M product is due to inadequate surface cleanliness. I’m sure the answer lies with the bodyshop contact. Let us know how you get on Chris. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Malcolm, Sorry to hear of your issues with this just- bought car. Judging by what you say, I would not be entrusting this to the warranty to sort out, but simply rejecting the vehicle. Kind regards, Gareth.

See my post of 3 hours ago Ken.

Thanks Susan, Some important progressive points remain unanswered, and if the hope was that someone on this site may have been advertising the same specification car for sale, then regrettably that isn’t so. Too late now - and hopefully not required by others at any time - never allow the insurers to remove/ obtain the salvage until a settlement figure has been agreed. I would be seeking advice at the CAB if I was in your situation. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. we take it you have done exhaustive Internet and publication searches for any for sale.

Thanks, but we are waiting for Ken to comeback with some answers. WBAC valuation? I guess as low as /lower than whatever valuation Ken has had.

Hello Ken, Was this a no-fault accident on your part? If you were not at fault, you could inform the offender - in writing - that you hold them totally responsible for the damage caused, and wish to claim all expenditure necessary to return your situation to where it was pre-accident. It might be well worthwhile contacting CAB for advice and assistance. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Susan, Copart are being totally unrealistic in asking you for an exact-match example being offered for sale. There are so many parameters which make that an unreasonable requirement. ‘Hit … by a Police 4x4…’ Are the Police maintaining your husband was to blame for this in anyway, and if so, have/are they initiating prosecution? Kind regards, Gareth.,

Hello ‘D’, ’……where to start’? Simple things first - eliminate the battery as being the culprit, and get its full serviceability tested at one of Halford’s shops. Also worth getting the alternator output checked at the same time. Kind regards, Gareth.

Side mirrors. But we all call them wing mirrors.

Hello John, I would like to welcome you to the forum, and wish you well with your new car. Hopefully you won’t need us to advise on issues, but please let us know if you do. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ken, Very sorry to hear about the accident, but being realistic, I’m not really surprised that your insurers are offering you a lower pay out than you would have expected. Two questions:- How much are they offering you? How does this figure compare with the estimated value listed on the comparison website (that you may have used to obtain insurance-?). If you didn’t use a comparison website, try it today and see what estimated value comes up. You don’t tell us what damage has occurred, and whether this damage would be repairable - by yourself? Where I’m coming to is to accept an offer for the salvage, and use the payout to fund the repair. Your situation is a salutary lesson to all those who cherish an over 20 year old car - insure it on an agreed value basis Classic car policy, where you will be paid out that value which was agreed. This type of insurance comes with certain limitations ( just ask if you want further detail ) but alway a worthwhile consideration. Perhaps you can come back to us with some more detail Ken. Kind regards, Gareth.

Possibly best to have Susan’s insurance offer before progressing?

Hello Andrew, It’s the thermostat for the whole engine coolant system. Yes, as stated, unless the coolant is up to 90 degrees, you aren’t going to get maximum warmth out of the heater. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tony, Have you tried the ‘How many left’ search. Kind regards, Gareth.