Magnet

Thanks James, that’s great to hear. Could you do us a kindness and keep us updated on progress. This updating will hopefully be helpful to others in your situation in the future. Regards, Gareth.

Thanks Moises, but you are still not answering the crucial question I asked yesterday.

Was the timing belt changed at an Audi dealership?

Hello Matt, If it were, I would entrust this assessment to an auto electrician. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Scott, You posted your plea for help, received it, but not bothered to return to read and react to it. Do you intend to do so?

Welcome Peter, Have you removed them and want to refit them, or is there another reason for asking - such as being overtightened? This used to be listed in the handbook - either in glovebox, or now available to download, but I would suggest 110N/m until you have written evidence. No associated spacer fitting? Regards, Gareth.

Welcome Moises, Exactly what does this quote cover, and who is it from? How many alternative quotes have you sought for the same job? Regards, Gareth.

So is the VIN plate………. as asked?

Welcome James, If all the ducks aren’t in a row for DVLA, then they will run you ragged - as you are now finding out! Not wishing to make things worse, but expect to find another hurdle close down the line once you eventually sorted this out! I dealt with them in a capacity of ‘DVLA Adviser’ for a Classic car club for a couple of decades prior to Covid, and I understand it’s a lot worse now. My advice was to never to buy a car without paperwork - too late for you! Can I take it the car has an original legible VIN plate securely attached with original fixings? If so, you should eventually get a reg. no. If it doesn’t then you can kiss goodbye to any chance of a reasonable rough paths to success. Build record/ year of manufacture? Simple route first - go along ( don’t phone) to your local Audi dealer armed with VIN and talk with the Parts Dept. Long shot chance, but eliminate it. Join a German Audi ‘classic car’ club, and get them on board to deal with Audi Germany for you. They are more likely to get some degree of success than you are. Approach FBHVC and seek their advice. They can act with advice and liaison with DVLA - probably at a price. Some possible avenues to go down, so please let us know how you get on. One thing to bear in mind is, when DVLA closed their LVL offices, such matters were handed over to the Kit and Rebuild Section at DVLA, so you can guess the logic of treating any unknown as being a ‘ bitser’. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Gary, Your call, but I wouldn’t post photos on this open-to-all website with registration numbers still visible - not blanked out. Regards, Gareth.

For what it’s worth:- Our humble 2006 A3 has been in the family from new, and I used to get all parts for it from a Skoda dealer up North at very much discounted prices compared to the same part from Audi. This went on for years and I recall the dealer used to win Parts supplier of the year awards. Then it stopped! Seems VAG wanted an extortionate amount of money annually to continue to supply the computerised cross reference numbers, brand to brand, Good isn’t it. As I understand it ( and I’m open to contra opinion) the trade discount on genuine Audi parts ex. dealers is now only 7%. Having said that, our Halfords club discount card now only entitles us to 7% off. Wow y! I guess in reality, the garages have to add more to the labour costs to make up for the shortfall on parts. We end up paying again. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Pip, I think (in caps) there is only one O ring, and that wasn’t supplied with the one for my 2006 1.6, so it seems you are lucky! More than one needed? Proof positive is to ring the Parts Section at the dealer you bought it from, and they will confirm/ refute. Regards, Gareth. Next best option would be to look up LLL Parts website.

Hello Paul, If it were mine, I would be listing it on EBay with a starting price of the scrap value you have been offered ( or can seek).Yes, you maybe messed around a bit, but someone might save it, and there little to lose except a week of time. Regards, Gareth.

This thread appears to have gone somewhat off topic and ended with a ‘political answer’, and it is anticipated that there will be little extra gathered from protracting discussion. It is therefore going to be locked.

Good luck for the future Tony. It’s was always a pleasure to hear from you, and thanks for updating us. Please don’t be a stranger just because you have bought the Jaecoo, in fact it would be very interesting to hear of your experiences with it. Take care Tony. Kind regards, Gareth.

Blinking heck! I join Cliff’s stance, so also out on this, except to ask:- so are you going to get the new battery coded or not? Or come to think about it, forget the question, since the answer doesn’t really interest me.

Why not buy a classic car where you can stick a key in a lock and open and close the doors without any remote, only have 2 warning lights to worry about, no MMI, and above all, if it breaks down you don’t need to plug it into anything? ‘Design philosophy’ !? I bet you wouldn’t do without your modern toys. Forgot:- if you want audio, hold the end of the aerial cable and sing!

Welcome Pip, You will need a new O ring. Alternator out or not ?? On my earlier A3 - no. Regards, Gareth.

No problem Dave, You asked whether the new battery needs coding, and you have been given the answer. Now you seem to want to question that advice and conclude that you ( in caps) have answered your own question, with an answer totally opposite to what you sought an answer to in the first place. Good luck when your alternator attempts to overcharge the new battery, kissing goodbye to any warranty you would have been given. You can then ponder over whether the alternator decides it had enough and gives problems.

Hello Sajid, Reversing the update? Probably possible, but I would put money on it that they won’t even consider it.

Welcome Telmo and thanks for joining. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Will, When using the search facility, select ‘Everywhere’ from the drop down menu. Regards, Gareth.

Can anyone recommend an independent in Ayrshire for Ann Marie please? Sorry, should have suggested you take the car to your MOT station and ask them to inspect the renewed links and any possible reason for water ingress.

Search on ‘Battery coding’ using Everywhere on the drop-down menu. Surprised if that doesn’t do it, but Cliff has already given you the answer. Still worth a read.

Hello Anne-Marie, I cannot see any connection between suspension repairs and water ingress, unless they have knocked a hole in the bodywork. Do you know what particular arms they have replaced, as there are more than one per side? Your wallet, your call, but why on earth are you getting repairs to this 12 year old car carried out at a main dealer? That really amounts to extravagance, and no other benefit. Worth finding yourself a trusted independent or local garage to get this latest issue checked out - as Steve Q recommends. Regards, Gareth.