Magnet

Hello Adam, Having to work out the rough maths, I work that out to be about 22mpg - is that what you worked it out at? That’s obviously a bit daft for a diesel, whatever the overall journey conditions. Perhaps you could fill in a bit more background:- Has this deteriorated during your ownership, or have you recently bought it, and find the consumption is high. Whatever Adam, I would think you will need to get the car actually assessed by a trusted local diesel specialist (rather than an ‘ordinary’ garage) since it would otherwise be difficult to home in on the cause without inspection and testing. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jonny, I feel for your plight, and I don’t really want to spoil anyone’s interest on here, but the only way to value this car is via. the much broader interest that would be gained by listing it on EBay and let the bidders decide. Personally I would not be listing the estimated costs, but would list the individual issues found by the dealership, and list it as Spares or Repairs but running ? - if it is. In that way you are being honest and open. If it’s currently road legal then that would be very much a bonus, but if it’s not, it should not put off the likely DIYer buyer. Again, just my view, but once you start to break this car, there is no road back, and you will either find yourself being committed to remove parts and post them off to buyers, and put up with multiple people coming to your door over possibly a longish period of time. Good luck in getting out of your issue in an honest way. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Laurentiu, Any auto, or auto mode is likely to result in an increased fuel consumption. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Felix, I would suggest you send Luey a PM, since this thread is 5 years old. Having said that, he did revisit the forum a couple of years ago. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jim, Have a search back and I think you will find my reply to an earlier question on the same subject. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rob, Many thanks for the ‘still painful’ update, and I’m not surprised you have decided not to keep the car. Probably boils down to unfortunately not the best of examples, compounded by not the best attention from the selling main dealer. I too wonder about all these pre sales gimmicks? of 100+ inspections and warranties. Perhaps being pessimistic, but warrantees don’t come with any compensation for the hassle caused by the faults - that they should have picked up earlier! Service history? I really do understand the attraction of ‘full service history’, but in reality, it can boil down to the vehicle spending 2 hours in a workshop every 18 months, and being gloriously neglected in between. Cynical? Probably yes. Filters not changed? SteveQ posted a summary of an Audi service schedule, and I think air filter changes were far more extended than would suit me, and may never have been done with your car - according to schedule. What mileage has the car done Rob? Easily said, but this bad experience needs to be put behind you as soon as you can, and move on to the nicer experiences to come. The forum wishes you well Rob, and it’s been our pleasure to have dealt with you, if only in a supportive role. Wishing you good luck ahead. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Love the bit about the cuppa. There must be Welsh blood there somewhere, since no one escapes a visit to a genuine Welsh household without having had a cup of tea.

Thanks Jason. Price? Kind regards, Gareth.

I avoid them like the plague Mark, but respect their usage and purpose, so it needs others to advise you on that. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, Compressor DIYable? I guess like all things, that depends on ability and experience. The ones I’ve replaced rings in have been non-Audi, and access to remove the compressor had been rather awkward, but replacing the ring with the compressor on the bench was quite easy, but methodical is the key word. Where the compressor lives on yours? Guarantee that the compressor is at fault on yours? - but I’m sure Andy will talk you through the possibilities. As I understand it, you can buy replacement compressors - from Andy I think - and some are quite cheap (probably ex China). I’m appreciative of the fact that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t last, and opinions vary on that. If recent experience of a neighbour spending 5 hours fitting such an alternator, and it lasted about a week then that might be worth noting. I would pass it all passed Andy and see what he says before doing or ordering anything. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, Since the car sits evenly low and doesn’t rise at all on start up, then I would suspect the compressor- usually the ceramic piston ring - that’s assuming the electrical supply is intact. Worth looking up Bagpiping Andy on EBay. He has been the guru on air suspension for years. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Surprised that VAG seem to operate differently from many others, by fitting motorised mirrors and associated bits, where the customer isn’t paying. In this case, then I guess the dealer can discourage the new car buyer from paying quite a premium, and suggesting to the customer that they will just programme in that facility on receipt much, much cheaper. Nice little earner that. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Noel, Well done for asking. Do not (in caps) disconnect anything under the seat unless you had disconnected the battery about half an hour earlier, otherwise you run a high risk of setting the air bags off. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, Welcome and thanks for joining. Folding mirrors? Two possibilities:- The car wasn’t built with the mirror folding facility, or it was, and (not uncommon) it isn’t working anymore. Your first port of call would be to get a build record print out via. your local dealer, by giving them your VIN. If you find it wasn’t built with this facility, then yes, it would be possible to modify it, but I think you will find the cost and hassle involved would render it impractical. Let us know how you get on with the dealer request for the build record. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Stuart, Thanks for coming back on this. I don’t think what I (or anyone else) values the car at is of any value ( pardon the pun). It’s only what the insurers value it at that matters, and that is likely to be banger money for 19 year old car, irrespective of its condition. The only route to ensure you get paid out its meaningful value is to insure it to the agreed value that you and the brokers consider acceptable - based on photos and statements of condition. Such is the basis of Classic car insurance, but the normal criteria are:- not daily driver, limited annual mileage, c20 years old or more , doesn’t earn a NCB. Having said all that, there will be acceptable deviations. Worth trying Adrian Flux, Lancaster and others. Hope some of this helps, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Unfortunately, I think if you work on the principle that any new main-dealer-only part for a >15 year old car is unlikely to be available, unless it shares commonality with later models, then you won’t be disappointed. Mechanical parts however should not be an issue via. the aftermarket route. Does this point the enthusiastic owner such as yourself to invest in a complete spares car when available? Appreciate space requirements etc., but perhaps needs must at some point. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Trevor. Requiring ‘ 60 e- mails ….getting the car up to scratch’ might have put a number of buyers off, and suggesting there were just too many issues prior to purchase, particularly since it transpired your bad luck with the first, was duplicated with your local? dealership. The good news is that all now seems well and the car is being enjoyed, so I guess all’s well that ends well. Many thanks again, Gareth.

Hello Trevor, Thanks for joining, and pleased you are pleased with the car, and had a pleasant trip home. Just wondered if you have made - or intend to make- a formal complaint about your impression of Cheshire Oaks Audi? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Good on you for actually checking and adjusting your tyre pressures, rather than depending on the TPMS. Old fashioned probably, but I don’t like TPMS, since it’s not unusual to experience corrosion around the valve seats, and certainly the valve caps if someone has fitted ‘fancy’ caps at some time. I’m surprised that ordinary plastic caps have caused corrosion - they shouldn’t do, whereas metallic ones always do. Do yours have some sort of metal threaded insert covered in plastic? Worth a careful look. If so throw them all away. Renewing valves? Tyre has to come off, and obviously rebalancing will be necessary. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for posting the response Duncan. It seems you are now at the mercy of Audi’s pricing structure. Have you tried Audi Parts Direct ( part of Mon Motors) at Cardiff, and Aberdeen Audi, both of which have been known to offer discounts? TPS would be another source, although I think you will need someone with an account with them to be able to buy from them. Would you be kind enough to let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Which of the clutch parts has actually gone on yours?

Hello Niko, Thanks for joining the forum. I would suggests sending a PM to the original poster, since he hasn’t been on here for over 18 months. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Gorman, New discs will be required. Kind regards, Gareth.

It’s great to see that these cars are in good and caring hands. Only - hopefully constructive comment- I can add is to make sure they are insured to an agreed value where possible, to avoid being paid out a pittance in event of a minor scrape dictating total loss. Classic car insurance should ensure this, if the car is around 20 years old and isn’t your sole means of transport. Kind regards, Gareth.

Tried Worldwide EBay Philip? Tried on-line car breaker link sites? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello, Possible injector issues?? Actual culprit traceable without test equipment/diagnostics?? I would think your best bet would be to invest in an hour’s labour at a trusted diesel specialist (rather than an ‘ordinary’ garage) to gain an experienced opinion, rather than the more expensive route of try this, try that. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello David, This question was asked recently - and my response was to try EBay for Chinese ones, or search Aliexpress. I bought a set for a non-Audi at about a third of the main dealer cost, and was delighted with the quality and price - wouldn’t have expected better if I had bought at the main dealer. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on David. Kind regards, Gareth.