MALC-AS24

Hi, Does anyone out there have a 2019/2020 A1 35 TFSI SPORTBACK STYLE EDITION - this was I think a fairly limited edition - metallic grey / metallic black roof, with 18inch bronze colour wheels. If so, I would welcome your opinion on the suspension / ride. I appreciate that the 18" / 40 profile tyres will give a "firm" response to bad road surfaces - but the suspension and ride is rock hard to say the least. I am used to firm suspension, from way back to XR3i days, VW Golfs, MG ZR 160 , all gave firm but good handling. The A1 suspension is so stiff and rigid that B-roads are a nightmare , with the car lurching all over the place. The Audi Dealership's response to me was - " yes, Audi suspension is a bit torquey " - I think "agricultural" would be my description. Your thoughts , Malc

Hi Gareth, Thanks for your reply - No problem with the tyres at the moment - but having recently had four new tyres fitted, I suddenly thought -" if new valves have been fitted, did sensors go with them". Having said that - just checked with Audi dealership- who said that the sensors on the 2019 onwards A1, are part of the ABS ring assembly, nothing to do with the valves, as earlier models. The arrangement sounded very complex, but I suppose they should know. Kind regards, Malcolm

On the 2019/2020 Audi A1 35TFSI Sportback with 215/40 - 18 tyres, where are the tyre pressure monitoring sensors. Are they in the actual tyre valve, or if not, where.

Hi Gareth, Having looked at the posts you suggest, relating to Deborah's Audi diesel, I'm afraid nothing relating to cam belt replacement on my petrol, Audi 35 TFSI could be found. Have I missed something ? Malcolm

What is the recommended mileage / time between cam belt replacements for a 2019 ( new style ) Audi A1 35TFSI SPORT BACK. I have seen and read various mileages and often no time scale mentioned at all. Years ago it was one or the other , which ever came first.

Hi Steve, Thank you for your response. Over the time I have had the car , I have tried the different driving modes - mainly used dynamic - but to be honest I cannot feel the slightest difference in the driving "experience" between the modes. Should there be a noticeable difference, or is that only on the higher performance Audi models ? Maybe I'm expecting too much from an Audi A1 35TFSI - it's nippy enough - but sadly nowadays cars are sold with too many "novelties", which sound great but deliver very little. Kind regards, Malcolm

NEW MODEL A1 35TFSI There are supposedly four driving modes available for this Audi model - EFFICIENCY-DYNAMIC-AUTO-INDIVIDUAL. Now I know that there is no adjustment to the suspension and ride height, but according to the info' - throttle response, steering response and fuel economy can be varied depending upon which drive mode is selected in order to achieve the desired driving experience. Having tried all options, I cannot detect any difference between any of the settings - are the variations there or so minimal as to be undetectable. Has anyone had better results with their Audi A1 2019-2023

Bought my A1 35TFSI SPORTBACK - new model - in April 2019 and generally very pleased with it. Ride is a bit firm mainly due to 18inch wheels - price you pay. BUT - and this may sound weird, but ever since day one, I find it difficult to align with either white parking bay markings or getting the car straight when entering the garage. I park in front of the garage what looks in line with the opening, but getting out and looking back at the car, it is at a slight angle. I've spoken to a fellow new A1 owner who is experiencing the same strange problem . My only idea is maybe due to the curved / wrap round shape of the dashboard, the brain aligns the front edge of that with the front opening of the garage or any other reference point. I don't have the problem with my wife's car - non Audi but similar size. Not a major issue , just a bit strange and annoying -- any ideas or anyone with the same problem ?

Cheers Steve - Sound advice ( excuse the pun ) Malc

Despite having the car from new, I have only just noticed that the inner pipe of the twin tail pipes on the rear silencer box, has a valve / flap fitted. What is the purpose of this - does it open when certain revs are reached - and is it always operative or just in dynamic mode. Also I find that the exhaust is too quiet- difficult to hear what the engine revs are doing - and would prefer a slightly more "sporty" note, although nothing too dramatic. The afore mentioned valve doesn't seem to have any effect on noise output. Apart from fitting an after market sports system, has anyone tried "modifying" the standard back box silencer by removing some of the "stuffing".

Hi Steve, Once again, thank you for your good, solid and knowledgeable advice. Methinks you are or were in the auto/design industry. I spent my working life designing Marconi transmitters and although an ageing petrol head, I gained my love and knowledge of cars/driving by experience over many years - my first mods were wider wheels and replacing SU carbs with Weber twin chokes - that's shows how old I am ! Prior to buying the Audi two years ago, my car for 18 years was a MG-ZR160, modified and remapped ( by the original MG software design engineer) to around 190bhp. Great motor, but eventually after 170,000 miles, the dreaded rust got a hold, and was becoming a money pit. So, I think I will leave things as standard on the Audi - certainly until the warranty expires, and by that time hopefully I will have got use to the turbo lag and throttle response - fingers crossed. It's still quite nippy if not mind blowing fast. Thanks again, Regards, Malc

Hi Steve, Thanks for your info' - it all makes much more sense. I must admit that having "clicked " the pedal fully down, a placebo effect combined with wishful thinking crept in. Having always driven ( for many, many years ! ) naturally aspirated cars with a throttle cable, giving instant throttle response. The style and build quality are great, but I have been disappointed with the performance characteristics of the A1 - 35TFSI ( bought new in 2019 ). The A1 - 40TFSI was/is only available in automatic and begin "old" school, I wanted manual, and despite the bhp being somewhat lower than my then car, the 35TFSI seemed reasonable with the possibility of future "enhancements" ! On that subject, bearing in mind that all cars are under tuned as standard, what are your views on a sensible remap ( once out of warranty ) from a reputable company - GAD Tuning - DMS or Celtic . Regards, Malc

Just discovered that the fully depressed accelerator pedal operates the kick-down switch ( I thought normally only fitted to automatics ) on my manual gearbox A1. When car is in "dynamic" mode it seems to sharpen throttle response on initial acceleration from standstill. -- or am I imagining it ? Also, does it reset to normal, when ignition is turned off ? Anyone fitted a "Sprint Booster" throttle controller, to overcome the vague/delayed throttle response on cars now using "fly-by-wire"control.

Cheers Steve, thanks for info'

Hi Steve - Any idea the name of the strut kit manufacturers / suppliers. Some years ago I fitted struts from an MG website to my MG ZR160 - no drilling required as the brackets used existing fixings, but can't see any suitable fixings / holes on my new Audi A1.