Time to walk away???

[JulzB]

Hi. I'm new to this site & to forums but I'd welcome any help/advice.

Firstly, I don't have the technical knowledge or skills to do work myself - I just know how to drive my car.

I bought a 2003 A4 Sport Cabriolet last summer at auction. It runs like a dream but a couple of weeks ago, the roof stuck halfway down - I had to put it back up manually with help. Just got it back from the garage and the motor, the micro switches and the clips which work the roof are all defunct. Apparently, the roof has been forced down at some point (not by me, I've only ever used it electronically. 

To get it fixed by AudI is going to be way more than the car is worth but is it possible to get parts that could be fitted by my garage, is it possible and is it worth it? The car cost me £600.

Thanks in advance.

Julz

[audia4b5kev]

EBAY  BEST BET 

[Steve Q]

It's always a risk buying a car at auction. 

Definitely worth getting the parts on eBay either new or used and getting a garage to fit them. 

Cheers

Steve

 

[JulzB]

Thanks both.

How do I know what I need and if they're the right parts? Sorry, I did say I wasn't technical.

I've found a seller on eBay with good reviews who can supply the motor but I haven't a clue about the micro switches or clips. I've tried "Googling" but I just get a variety of parts at a variety of prices. 

I'm loathe to get rid of the car but the garage says it's  not worth fixing - I'd drive it anyway but what's the point of having a convertible if the top won't go down? (It will, but manually.)

Julz

[Magnet]

Hello Julie,

I think some good advice has been offered so far, and of course, no one on here is going to know exactly what parts are needed, since (understandably?) you don’t tell us. You really need to go back to whoever identified the offending parts, and get them to take photos and write the part names down for you. You will then be in a better position to move forward to obtain the parts. 

I sense your frustration, and I sense ‘your garage’ isn’t too interested in doing this job, so you would benefit from finding someone actually interested in sorting it out, otherwise you could end up with buying parts which no one really wants to fit. 

Perhaps you should start by Googling cabriolet root specialists around your area and take advice there first, rather than trying to find parts which you are not familiar with. 

The car sounds to have been ‘bought for nothing’ so only you can decide if it’s worth spending money on. 

‘What’s the point of a convertible if the roof won’t go down’? I think your answer may rest with ‘It will, but manually’. In the final analysis, how much of a hardship is doing it manually? These cabriolets normally have a manual ‘rotary key’ mechanism which can be turned to raise and lower the roof if it fails on automatic. If it does, it should be possible to modify that turn  ‘key’ to operate by a cordless drill. Much quicker and easier. 

Maybe some helpful points here? 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[JulzB]

Thanks, Gareth,

I'd need to ask the garage if they WOULD do it if I can get the parts. They eventually got an Audi guy in to look at it and it was he who said that all the micro switches are gubbed- well he would!! I've done a bit of investigating and it looks like there are many switches & solenoids (😯) to operate the roof.

As for doing it manually, there's only the key to lock/unlock the roof latches and storage box - it really is 'manual'. I'll take all the advice on board and think about it.

Thanks everyone so far for your help.

Julz

[Magnet]

Hello Julz,

Thanks for coming back. Probably pessimistic, but it sounds like your ‘Audi guy’ really means it could be any of the micro switches etc., so that diagnosis doesn’t do you much good. Also garage doesn’t really want to do any work to sort it. 

Sounds like you need to consult someone in your area who deals with replacing convertible roofs. Try Googling it. Even try car trimmers. 

We have someone down here in Swansea, but obviously no good to you, but I would be surprised if there isn’t someone in your neck of the woods.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

[JulzB]

Thanks again, Gareth,

I've started the hunt for someone near me who will at least give me a second opinion.

I appreciate all the help.

Julz