Magnet

Hello James, Thanks for being in touch. Did you replace the number plate bulbs because they weren’t working, or did you just have a warning message that they weren’t working - when they were? If you could clarify that then we should be able to point you in a direction. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Do you have access to a multi meter, and know how to use It?

Hello Charlotte, ’Wont start’....Do you mean the starter motor won’t turn the engine over at a reasonable speed to start the car, or the engine does turn over energetically enough, but won’t start? Make of new battery? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andy, Many thanks for being in touch and sharing your experiences. I’m sorry to hear of your sad loss, and the unacceptable issue with these tyres couldn’t have come at a worse time for you. I just wonder if you did indeed change the rear tyres to Pirelli, and whether the fronts are still Dunlops. I don’t want to form definite conclusions with this serious issue, but it would appear ( perhaps in caps.) that these very low profile tyres are failing due to (unacceptable?) load issues, and if Dunlop are maintaining the faulty tyres are within specification, then they are being used in inappropriate conditions. If this is the case, then it is possible that Audi should not have specified/used them on these models. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Barry, Thanks for being in touch. Worth having a read of a similar post re. Stop/start - written within the last 48? hours. Kind regards, Gareth.

Jonathan raises a good point, and all battery, and major earth connections, must be first class. OK, Kwik Fit declare the battery to be serviceable - probably by performing a simple ‘voltage drop test’ , but as I mentioned, other parameters of the battery’s performance - e.g. cold cranking amps - may also come into the equation to evaluate whether it is up to consistently operating a stop/start system. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ollie, Thanks for coming back on this. So your additional requirements will be to match the load and speed ratings. We haven’t yet considered whether the current tyres are run-flat on not, and if so, then that of course has to be matched. To assess the effect of different widths and profile, just calculate the effect of the proline as a % of the width. I can appreciate the quest to try to save money and extend choice, but obviously moving from the manufacturer’s specification will result in you having non standard tyres on the car, and you will have to decide whether you inform your insurers - or not. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Phil, Depends on marque, model and year. I believe that if the car is fitted with a battery condition monitor - and many are now - then it will need to be coded. I have read that some circuits such as windows might not ‘limit’ correctly if the new battery isn’t coded, but apparently there is some dodge around that, but... Of course, if James’ battery is replaced under the Audi warranty, then the coding will be carried out if necessary. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, I’m must take it you have exhausted searches for ‘best possible price’ for these and your best price is £120. A quick search on EBay comes up with aftermarket brands for less than half that for petrol engines and even far cheaper again for diesels. Although I don’t usually advocate buying on cheapest price, if needs must, then buying a cheap replacement is better than suffering the consequences of failure of a sub standard component. Noting you say ‘It is a very cheap car’, then if that means you bought it cheaply in relation to its value, then having to spend on the car is not so bad as having paid a fair amount of money for it, then having to pay for (scheduled) service replacement items. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Many thanks for being in touch. Auxiliary belts remain serviceable for many tens of thousands of miles, and the common practice is that whenever the belt is changed, the tensioner is also changed as a matter of good practice. I’m sure you will appreciate that commenting on perceived wear without access to the component, is pretty well impossible, so if it were mine, I would be simply renewing the tensioner, particularly since you have doubts about its serviceability. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Thanks for being in touch. You are right in questioning whether the battery could be the source of your issues. If this were mine, this is where my first port of call would be. The car is 11 years old, and it’s reasonable to expect that it has already had one replacement battery, so the make/quality/ efficiency of this battery would be of interest. Of course, there is a remote possibility that the current battery is the original, but this would be exceptional for a stop/ start vehicle. Could you let us know what make the battery is James? I would now be getting the battery (and alternator) efficiency check, irrespective of whether the car still starts OK. Stop/start systems are the first to be disabled as the battery’s efficiency drops. Perhaps you could come back to us. Kind regards, Gareth.

Not sure if yours is chain or belt driven. Chain? If belt, and it hasn’t been done already then most certainly get it done. If you are getting it done, I would only use genuine VAG parts, or as a second option, Gates kits, but I would only use a VAG water pump, and not be talked into ‘ we only fit O.E. parts’. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks James, Now that’s a make which is a complete unknown to me - never too old to learn. I have always stuck with Varta/Bosch batteries ( Varta was the O.E. supplier to Audi), and I tend to go with their 5 year warranty grade - nothing less. I’m not sure what Audi would replace yours with if it becomes defective under warranty, but the above might help. If you find you can/have to supply a replacement then yourself, if it were mine, I would source one of these from specialist on-line suppliers such as Battery Megastore, Tanya, Plymouth Batteries etc. who will deliver - at most competitive prices - to your door. Always worth looking at their listings on EBay, since strangely, they sell on EBay with free postage, but often not if bought direct! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ollie, Thanks for being in touch. The first port of call when considering changing tyre dimensions is to calculate what effect that change has on the outside diameter on the wheel + tyre. Moving from your current ( manufacturer’s original tyre size?) tyres to a higher 35 profile tyre, will increase the OD by just over 13mm ( approx.1/2 inch), and although not significant, is sufficient to cause second thoughts, in terms of effect on gearing, speedo etc. If you couple this with second-thought concern with the potential of your insurer being interested in the fitment of non standard tyres, then it may help to concentrate the mind on whether the economics are worth while. You don’t mention the load (xl/non XL) and speed ratings of the proposed size compared with the ones you have now, but these would indeed be meaningful. We take it your current ones are not run flat -? It’s interesting that you mention the hard ride with your current 30 profile tyres. This is a meaningful issue, and the downside of ‘nice looking’ large diameter wheels. It would be worth looking in your handbook to check the original specified tyre sizes for the 20 inch option wheels. Who knows, someone might have previously fitted non standard tyres, and you could be trying to match to that anomaly! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Thanks for coming back on this. What is the make of the original battery currently fitted to the car, and reputed to be crap? Also, is your vehicle suffering from any battery associated issues? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Naeem, Do you have an owner’s handbook for the car? If so, the relay position ( if fitted) is usually shown within the section dealing with fuses. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Thanks for being in touch, but wondered if you could clarify why you are enquiring about a (replacement?) battery for a 2019 - still under warranty - vehicle. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Marc, Thanks for being in touch with the forum. I would anticipate that since the car has almost 25 year old technology, that it’s likely to be reasonably reliable in terms of less sophisticated technology. In terms of value? Can we take it that you would not anticipate keeping this car very long, since you enquire about it’s value even though you have just bought it? Reasonably, it should not depreciate, and will benefit from low classic car insurance etc. if not used as your daily driver. It should/might appeal to ‘modern classic’ enthusiasts, but although the mileage is low in comparison to age, enthusiasts normally seek very low mileage examples for use as classic cars. My suggestion would be to look after it, use it and enjoy it. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mike, Many thanks for being in touch with the forum. It sounds as if your search can only be via. secondhand, and if so, it would be worth registering your ‘want’ with car breaker link sites such as Partsfinder ( there are more). These sites advise breakers of what you are looking for, and the breakers contact you directly if they have what you want. This may be pessimistic, but since you require a specific colour from a recent model, then this is likely to restrict your success. If this is true, would it be possible to modify the upholstery of your current seat to make it more comfortable? If so, it could be worth looking up a localish classic car trimmer, who might be able to help in that direction. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hydraulic power steering on this Ivan, rather than electric? If hydraulic then you should have a power steering fluid reservoir, and a belt driven pump - as Jonathan says. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tim, Many thanks for the additional information. I wouldn’t claim the air filter would account for the higher than expected fuel consumption, but I would treat it as a necessary basic check before moving on. It would be well worth checking the condition and make (if it appears near new), and I would also check the make of the oil filter - we assume that was changed by the seller. Whereas it can be a bonus to have the car serviced within the deal, it must be respected that a non franchise seller is likely to use the ‘best motor factor deal’ parts. Do you know exactly what items they covered in the service, and do you know if they used Audi discs and pads? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tim, Many thanks for the extra information. Re. pre sales service - can we take it it was it bought from a main dealer? If so, there shouldn’t be any issues with say the air filter quality, but I guess we are assuming (in caps) that it was renewed as part of the service, since it isn’t always. Worth a check? We really do need to get some other owner experience here, so come on folks! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, I think you are very wise in asking for owner’s comments before dipping your toe in the water - let’s hope that experience is forthcoming. Pending that, my general comment to would be to ask whether the ‘look’ of the car is more important than ride quality? If so, then ride quality will certainly be compromised by larger diameter wheels with low profile tyres, and the likelihood of these tyres also being run-flat, which in themselves, significantly hardens the ride. If you are ‘buying on appeal’ then it’s worth checking what you are getting in terms of wheels and tyres, before you add to that the inherent effect of sports suspension. I can understand the ‘buying on appeal’ bit, but in practical terms the appeal is directed to the passer-by rather than the owner, since much of the appeal factor becomes invisible to the driver when the car is being driven. Would owners be kind enough to help Tim out with their experiences? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tim, Pardon my ignorance of your particular engine, but is this close to 3 litre? It’s disappointing that no one has yet come forward to share their experience - come on folks, help Tim out. Pending some response Tim, I take it the car is well serviced in terms of air filters etc. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Roger, Many thanks for being in touch with the forum. ‘Downsizing’ wheels is a fairly rare choice, but understandable in my book, if you are looking to improve the ride quality. Downsizing by two inches is a fair decrease though, Having said that, I guess you appreciate that the tyre profile will need to be increased to ensure the outside diameter of your proposed 18 inch wheel + tyre, will be equal to that of your current 20 inch. One other point - you will need to check if 18 inch wheels were listed as an option on your model year. If so, no problem, but if not, you will need to inform your insurers that you have fitted non-standard wheels. Appreciate the above does not answer your question about off set, but I would expect that if 18 inch wheels were an option then they are likely to be a straightforward fit. Of course, if you are thinking of aftermarket wheels then this information is of importance. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Glyn, Many thanks for being in touch. I would share your potential (understandable) difficulties in obtaining Y rated winter tyres. Y speed rated tyres are capable of withstanding speeds in excess of 160 mph, and it would be difficult to imaging why anyone would be thinking about driving at over twice the legal limit on snow and ice! - particularly around the beautiful rural lanes of Shropshire. Kind regards, Gareth.