Magnet

Welcome Mark, What led you to renewing the battery? What brand did you buy? Did you code the new battery to the car? Did you check the alternator output? Have you checked for a parasitic drain on the battery? Regards, Gareth.

As Richard suggests:- spray contact cleaner on under- seat connectors and give them a wiggle. This should be your first port of call.

Hello Grant, Take it you are talking ‘handbook’ ( for fuse location)-? If so, have you searched EBay? They should have come with the owners pack back in 2007, as opposed to on-line for current models. Where have you been ordering parts from? Autodoc? Why - and paying extra for postage and getting wrong parts? For part numbers, try LLL Parts website. For good service with a choice of reputable aftermarket parts at competitive prices, try Parts in Motion.

Possibly from rear dashcam during pervious ownership?? But just a guess. Regards, Gareth.

Could try WD40 instead, and look for blue smoke from exhaust. Regards, Gareth.

Apologies for jumping in, but try squirting Easistart or similar onto any suspect areas/connections and listen for any change in engine note/revs. Obviously start at the lowest point and only treat one area at a time. Regards, Gareth.

Notice you have returned to the forum Ryan, so could you let us know if the belt assembly has already been changed in the car’s 72K miles to date?

Welcome ‘User78’. Could you please amend your profile to show your proper name, since we like to address members by their name. Following this, I’m sure someone will be along to help with your query. Regards, Gareth.

Welcome Ryan, No it isn’t a joke at all. If you read the numerous posts on here about cambelts, you will see that VAG’s recommendation for cambelt changes has been extended to remove the time limit (previously 5 years). The full story will be revealed when you read the threads. Under the old recommendation, your car would have needed a cambelt change in 2024 ( which I guess you didn’t do??). When you read the relevant posts, you will realise that you are coming off lightly, in sofaras they are paying for the water pump and in effect the labour to renew the cambelt, and it’s understandable they would otherwise just refit the old belt and assembly in line with the new (ish) recommendation Hope this clarified. Regards, Gareth. .

Commercial bodyshops would replace the bumper rather than repair it. Cost? Almost impossible to estimate ( depends on demands in your area), but £350 to simply repaint a bumper would be a ball park starting figure. Options:- most of that damage can be brought back out -on a DIY basis - via the application of reverse pressure and heat from a hair drier. This would be your cheapest route, and leaving residual damage to be dealt with during the repainting. Alternative:- buy a secondhand bumper and get that repainted. Tip:- enquire at small volume car sales sites in your locality. These chaps depend on getting bodywork rectification work done at reasonable cost, so always a good source for recommendations. Please let us know how you get on. Regards, Gareth.

Yes, I know I’m right Gregg! Not often mind, but sometimes.

I would type out the detail on one sheet, so that it can be e-mailed to interested parties. Could also list with Pistonheads, and/or Car & Classic ( although the car would generally be a bit young). Have you thought about EBay - always a volume audience. Regards, Gareth.

Again Colin, just do a forum search and you will come up with numerous similar post requests. I always use VAG’s own Quantum brand, available from reputable eBay sellers, and Amazon ( I think). Grade? Consult handbook. Regards, Gareth. p.s. Filters? Mann or Bosch for me.

It’s great when vital details are not mentioned until the 11th hour! Such detail would save contributor’s coming up with irrelevant - but what they think are meaningful - comments. There we are then? Regards, Gareth.

Simples! Gregg, Just send Ian a PM. Regards, Gareth.

OK Simon, It could just be me, but I cannot understand why you remain interested in this car, but it isn’t my money - thankfully! This could be an interesting story to follow, so please keep the forum updated as that story unfolds.

Simon, It is evident that you are returning to the forum - latest 4 minutes ago! Can you give us good reason to support your failure to respond to questions or the comments already made? Regards, Gareth.

I’m well versed in the validity of my x3 rule Cliff! It is indeed always worth a couple of coats of thinking about before embarking on any restoration - irrespective of the satisfaction factor or any understandable sentiment.

Have you got this car advertised elsewhere Jay?

Hello Michael, Re. Classic car clubs, just do an on-line search for such regional, all makes, clubs in your area, and take advice there. If I were in your situation, I would be getting the car fully inspected before spending any money or time on it. Yes, I well appreciate the sentimental value, but being realistic it’s probably going to cost you beyond its value to renovate. Based on decades of such experiences, I apply my X 3 rule - it’s going to occupy 3 times its amount of space as when it was in one piece, take you 3 times the amount of time, and 3 times the amount of money you budgeted for. Work on this principle to avoid disappointment. Whatever help you need will be here. Just let us know. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Abigail, I apologise in advance for the contents of this post, but I think it’s worthwhile stating the facts as we now know them, rather than laying all the blame at the door of the original owners. We now know that you have had this diesel car for 2.5 years, covering 45k miles in that time, but having it serviced only once during that mileage. Saying as it is, and by way of an explanation why this engine has gone !Removed! up - this will have been a significant contributor in its demise. Having said earlier that I’m not a fan of VAG’s 18k mile interval servicing, you will understand I certainly wouldn’t have recommended the servicing regime during your ownership. Sorry, this is just my opinion, and seeing it as I see it. I don’t want to make any judgement or criticism, but just to find a pathway of explanation. Others may disagree, and that is fine too. Way forward:- Richard’s suggestion of sourcing an alternative engine and gearbox would seem to be the most cost effective way around the problem. Do the economics stack up of spending a large sum of money on a 7 year old car?? Probably not, but… Finance:- I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t like to put a case forward to support not paying the outstanding payments. If it were mine, I would be seeking advice from your local CAB before contacting the finance company. I genuinely feel sorry for the plight you find yourself in Abigail, and I wish I had some low cost options for you. Please come back to us, and I’m sure everyone on here will attempt to offer you their best advice. Please don’t be alone with the effects of this. Regards, Gareth. p.s. I didn’t write txxts up, I wrote bxxxxts up! Why a banned word?

Really sorry to hear of your plight Abigail. To better colour in the picture, it seems you have covered 45K miles in the car since you bought it (at 75K). How long have you owned it, and what has been your servicing regime? How comprehensive was the car’s service history with the previous owner? We have healthy varying opinions on here and in my opinion, yes, fleet cars can cover high mileages, but that mileage is likely (but certainly not always) to be covered with the car at optimum operating conditions over that higher mileage. My dislike is VAG’s regime of servicing every c18K miles or 18 months - too long intervals - but bear in mind that most privately owned vehicles are on the same servicing schedule! You mention it’s been using oil - how much in what mileage, and how long has it been doing this? Sorry about all the questions, but… Regards, Gareth. Oh, petrol or diesel?

Any response to Thursday’s request for an update Leah? Don’t want to continue asking. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Simon, Can see you have returned to the forum. Any answers to the questions asked, or to the comments made?

There you go then! His loss may gain?? Guessed your car cleaning routine - spray acid over wheels, discs and calipers, before blasting them with a high pressure lance. No wonder your brake components are suffering from premature corrosion issues.