Magnet

Hello Ian, ’…always put in branded Ad Blue… normally Redex…’.. Redex is probably the most prolific and one of cheapest available. I’m certainly not saying it’s anything but the best, but it would be good to have hands-on experience from volume users. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. No relation to pal Brendan -?

Hello Mohammed, ‘I wish I was that competent!’. All the bodyshop workers who you are going to approach will have started from a platform of zero competence. They will only have become more competent via. a wish to do so. Your rust issue really is simple to work with, and would be a great starting point to develop enthusiasm in this aspect of DIY. In terms of actually eradicating the effects of the rust, then you are more likely be successful than they are, since your time doesn’t cost money, and they have to work within the time constraints of the quote. You will just take your time in an attempt to be thorough. Anyway Mohammed, the questions you ask are irrelevant if you don’t have any intention of spending some time with this. If you really did, then time could be spent on going through the detail of the procedure with you, but I’m sure you will understand that I wouldn’t want to spend time unnecessarily. What I certainly would do if it were mine, would be to mix some car shampoo in a jar, and clean up the paintwork areas around your rust spots - doesn’t look as if it’s seen any attention since it came out of the showroom - if you don’t mind me saying. This would assist your chosen bodyshop in assessing the full extent of the issue. Perhaps you could let us know as things proceed. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mohammed, Would I be right in believing the rust is only associated with pressed holes in the inner wing? If so, rust perforation ( holes) would not really apply in this case - as it would do with a smooth body panel. You could try asking them if they consider the rust surrounding the holes is typical of what one could expect with this model, and see what reply you get to that. My feeling is that if this rust is left untreated (as it has been for some time) then it will ‘perforate’ the metal surrounding the hole, so if this were mine, I would be wanting to do the best I can to reduce that risk. I think you have to be realistic and understand that this is a nine year old car now, and such things are going to need attending to if you want it to last. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sorry Rob, Personally, although I would like to assure you, I can’t really do that based on my earlier posts. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Bob, Are you are having photos - particularly of the connection? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rob, Thanks for joining and posting your plea. There are varying views on the importance of the suffix letter with Audi part numbers. It has been claimed that it doesn’t matter, and it simply denotes a later edition of the same part. From my experience, I have found this broad brush view to be incorrect in some cases , so unfortunately you have to take your pick, or depend on luck! I guess you are replacing this with a used part, rather than buying new - otherwise you wouldn’t be asking the question -? If this is right, if it were mine, I would be asking for photographs to compare before buying, since connecting plugs ( for example) can vary from year to year. Sorry, I can’t give you a definite yes/no - you may find it to be the same, or you may not, but perhaps other opinions will give you greater confidence. Kind regards, Gareth.

Apologies, wrongly thought in-tailgate lights. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, Are you still about, to let us know how you are getting on with this? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Colin, Andrew hasn’t returned to the forum for over 3 years. Probably best to send him a message via. the forum. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Chris, Yes, Halfords can carryout a (more than basic?) battery efficiency text, but it may not be comprehensive enough. Other parameters (if not tested) such as cold cranking current can come into play. The dealer you was talking about in your first post - was that a main dealer? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, Thanks for joining and posting your plea. Have you tried walking into your local dealer and asking for a copy of the build record - or indeed Audi Customer Services-?

Hello Wilf, That’s fine then, and of course we don’t know what your requirements or background are via. such posts, but it’s not that uncommon for S line owners not to realise that they inherit harder suspension - until they have bought it and it’s too late! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Will, I’ve not owned what you are looking for, so unfortunately my advice isn’t going to be worth much, but I note you have narrowed your search to an S-line. I just wonder if that choice has been mainly influence by ‘looks’ since it depends on whether you favour ‘ride quality’ or are prepared to compromise that for harder suspension and road holding. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Christian, It certainly looks very original and unmolested. In my book, originality is king, and usually short lived! I’m sure we don’t need to wish your family good luck with its sale. This is the condition in which I like to find them - such that they sell themselves, and the last thing they need is a salesman. Many thanks for bringing it to the attention of the forum members. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. I think I would try to get it listed under the Classic Car section of EBay, even if you have to cancel the current one and relist it. I think it’s better aligned to a ‘Modern Classic’ rather than a modern car.

Is that right then Steve, on a 2007 A3? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Chris, Worth investigating a possibly below par battery? Kind regards, Gareth.

Possible partially fractured wire/s in flexible harness from body to tailgate? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Christian, Many thanks for the comprehensive details about your late uncle’s car. It could just be my system, but unfortunately I cannot open the photos, so I wonder if you can post them in a different format. It’s great to post the advert on here as well, but in reality, it warrants a much wider audience to realise its full advertising potential. Since the car is part of his estate, I would think it might need to be demonstrated that it’s sale has been publicised and the best price has been obtained. Price will be influenced by the need of new tyres all around, battery, brake work, as well as the belt/s you refer to, but I guess you will have worked that out. Appreciating that EBay is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it does fulfil that ‘wide advertising’ criteria, and this would be my main port of call in finding the appropriate home for it - try it under their ‘Classic cars’ category ( a little beyond normal, but reasonable enough category in this case). Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Christian. Meanwhile, many thanks again. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Michael, so Glyn is happy to have his number on an open forum? Since you are in Spain then why not have forum members contact you via. the forum - as has happened with my post getting through to you? At least any dealing are done direct, and saves the risk of your friend’s number being shown on a forum. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, Thanks for joining and posting the adverts for the two registration numbers for sale. It’s your choice of course, but personally I would not be posting my contact phone number on an open forum - particularly since interested parties can contact you by PM. Please let me know if you want me to remove your number. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s.Your name Michael, the contact person - Glyn. Just wondered if the sale of these plates were purely private sales.

Hello Richard, Many thanks for being in touch. I think you are going to find that the dealer will tell you that all new vehicles are expected to use some oil within their bedding in period, and some will claim this can extend until the car has covered some 3K miles or so. If it were mine, I would return to the dealer and ask them to top up the oil to the correct level, and ask them to record the quantity used against the mileage covered ( you would be wise to also keep a record of that). You can then continue to monitor the oil use, and hopefully you will find it will decrease. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tony, I’m very sorry to hear of your sad loss, and may I pass on condolences on behalf of all members on here. Take care Tony, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hasn’t been back since he last posted. You could try sending him a PM. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, Thanks for joining. I believe there should be a jack even though you don’t have a spare wheel. If you have a wheel brace then why not a jack? Buying from an Audi dealer? If so, first ask for the price of a jack at the Parts Dept. and say yours is missing. They are more likely to give you the true story of whether it was part of the original equipment or not. Not buying from an Audi dealer? - same procedure beforehand at the nearest dealer. Also check you have the locking wheel nut remover, and the tow eye. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, It must be me and my age, but I’m confused by your post. You say you told the Kwick Fit person to ‘carry on’ with the wheel alignment. …‘when he came back and said…£ and 10 mins’ you said ‘don’t bother’. So can we really take it the alignment wasn’t adjusted?? If it wasn’t, how is your steering wheel now off centre? If it wasn’t before, then how is it now - if it wasn’t adjusted!? I’m lost now! I hope for your sake that your chosen technicians do indeed know how to use their sophisticated equipment. It’s surprising how many people put their trust in the best of equipment, and believe the operators must therefore be just as good. I’m sure it will all work out for you. Kind regards, Gareth.