Meow

Due to UK Govt ideology, its become like contraband , LOL ( not )

Mot is May. Next council inspection is Jan. I understand what you're saying. To do it regardless as a practical step, pending physical solution. However as I'm sure you'll understand, I'd be very wary of such a move. I operate under licence and there is a huge assumption of trust involved - one which I'd be super relucutant to breach. While there is no safety issue in terms of what the local authority would be interested to ensure against, it remains a legal matter and if not complied with might be problematic if discovered. It is a matter of central government and is in the realms of ideology ( which I do not myself buy into !!! ) but its there nevertheless. Therefore, I am minded more to seeking n accelerated physical solution.

This evening I got the expected warning lamps specifying the problem. Yes, the AdBlue light and the spanner, indicating system fault. As expected. So its a top up of the liquid soon and a visit to the garage to see what they might do next. Any further explanation of speciific methods to repair would be appreciated. The idea of "mapping out" the Ad Blu requirement stated earlier was intriguing, but is it legal ? Comment on that would also be appreciated.

Thanks. All I know is the ad blue pipe is leaking, for the third time now - twice replaced. One time I got it done again under repair warranty. I've been offered a really awesome deal by the dealer when I get it done again, but this time also to replace the injector module as a sort of peace of mind thing, again at a really good price.I praise the local dealer here for their helpful attitude ! My take ( guess ) is that quality of the pipes has really suffered in recent circumstances. Its not just me and its not just with Audi cars. It seems Ad Blu hardware is a bit of a plague really. I could certainly look outwith the Audi system, however don't you think with the shortages, any going goods will have been swallowed up by now. Perhaps that just leaves the other thing suggested, to get some imaginative engineering applied beyond epoxy resin. Maybe the same Audi dealer can do it. Can anyone think to mention specific ad blue pipe repairs that might stop the leaking ? In the absence of supply this option may very well be my only one for now. Legally I believe the system will simply shut me down if AdBlu is not poured in. So I'm not sure how a garage could map out the ad blu requirement legally. If there's a leak I have to keep pouring it in, but leaks typically accelerate so really it absolutely has to be replaced or repaired. So, suggestions of repair methods anyone ??

There's not really a substitute, is there ? Unless, someone can say what it is. The parts need replacing. The parts were for a long time unreliable too - another criticsism, but hey ho. The supply does have to be maintained given that they are absolutely required by all recent diesel cars. People are going to be off the road because of this, including some who use their cars for their living. Much as I like Audi, I won't retract my criticism of them here. I maintain their management of this critical supply issue has been irresponsible. I chose that word deliberately. I'm not sure what exactly you mean by "progressive". Should I pretend they weren't stupid and incompetent just to maintain the Audi love vibe on the forum ? I won't. They had all the time and ought at least to have had sufficient knowledge of the situation to see a need to act earlier. The region has been unstable for nearly a decade.

Audi know that every recent diesel needs a working AdBlu system. They know by now that the AdBlu pipes and injectors are unreliable ( I'm sure many forum users have been aghast at having to repeat replace/repair them ). Yet they continued to rely on one place for their production ............. in the eastern part of Ukraine ! Now I find that Audi UK have been blocked from ordering new AdBlu systems. So instead of replacing mine this time the local Audi garage did a resin repair and we hoped for the best. Well, after not many miles, lo and behold the amber light is back on. The info screen hasn't come round to saying yeah its Ad Blu with the spanner symbol, indicating its a system fault as well as needing more liquid. Not yet anyway but I'm expecting it. What happens to me if they can't get it repaired enough to work with, long enough to last before supplies of new parts come through ? I need my car for my living ( taxi ) and because of this it literally grinds to a halt. I'm invested in this car and its not even half through it useful life. I can't afford another one. Its absolutely terrifying. Is anyone else in a similar situation ? You will be, if your AdBlu system leaks / fails. In my opinion Audi / VAG have been extremely irresponsible over this. I'm sure a company their size engages consultants to brief them on geopolitical situations. Did they really not understand that the situation there would not resolve quickly ? They surely know better than the nonsense you get from the BBC or Sky or from the mouths of dishonest government ministers. They know every recent diesel needs the system and they know they are unreliable, therefore it is critical to maintain a supply of these parts. Why could VAG not organise production somewhere else, say Poland or Czech or even Germany ? The invasion proper took place a year and a half ago ! The war situation has really been going on since 2014 thus that area is unstable. To continue relying on it for so long is sheer irresponsibility. Now we have a situation in which UK government won't allow in parts from Russia or Russian controlled territory. I actually called Audi UK directly to ask the latest and I was told they have a plant now making them in South Africa. But is this enough ? There must be a big backlog already. Why not also somewhere in Europe ? But also, of all places, South Africa ? That country is in a mess. They can hardly get electrical power delivered reliably to have normal function. I sorely hope they manage to get these parts into the UK soon. If not then I hope whatever patching work the dealer can do holds long enough for me to hobble through till supply arrives. Any day I'm expecting the AdBlue and system spanner symbols to replace the general EMS warning light and I'll be back at the dealer asking for help. Any suggestions what I might do going around normal procurement channels ? Anyone else in the same boat ? Anyone know more than me about this absurd situation ? Does it annoy you ? ( it would if you can't get a working Ad Blu system ! )

I just don't use it. Its horrid ! I use a lovely Garmin on a windscreen mount. Better display of mapping, better functionality, far easier to set. Sits more or less line of sight with where my eyes should be. I might update the Audi system nevertheless so I'll watch this thread with interest.

Perhaps inspired by commuter rail operators, you get antimacassars over the headrests plus free coffee and they charge you three times the price 😁

Although not full Virtual Cockpit, my 2016 3.0tdi has a degree of it in an early rudimentary form with regard to satnav function. In addition to the full satnav function that displays on the main video screen, you get a simplified display showing immediate path and next action, in the centre of your instrument panel behind the wheel, if you select it to show. You see turn arrows, the path of the bit of road you're on, roundabout diagrams with path and exit marked. You can also select to view something else on the main MMI screen or put the screen away totally, leaving you with just this rudimentary direction display in your instrument panel if that's enough for you. I'd guess that many people seek having Virtual Cockpit specifically to have satnav directions right in front of the eye, rather than to have to look sideways all the time to the MMI while driving. That's never been good and many are uncomfortable with it. Possibly someone has posted a video on Youtube showing this rudimentary precursor to VC.

As for engine reliability, I've seen stuff saying the 3.0 tdi is fine but the 4.2 more problematic and expensive to deal with. Remember also, an aversion to diesel and diesel maintenance might be found more on an American video or forum, as over there is plenty of petrol models and gasoline prices are low, so why not. Besides, in the UK certainly, outside of the very high end, like w12 and the S8, or very old models, or the most recent very new ( D5 and not D4 at that ) models, it was virtually all diesels. Look at lists on Autotrader and its virtually all diesels other than very old or ( D5 new ). Then its a question of 3.0 V6 or 4.2 V8 and the 3.0 is said to be a safer and cheaper bet ( not meaning to knock the 4.2, which I'd love in a personal car )

On the matter of space and the question of swb or lwb ........ Some cars, like my old Skoda Superb are like a Doctor Who Tardis, kind of bigger on the inside than on the out, or rather you wonder how they do that, kind of thing. The Audi A8 is somewhat the opposite. For the muscular build and dimensions of it there is for some people surprisingly little space inside. Still a big car yes, but just not AS spacious inside as you might expect. Everything about it is thick, padded and big built; the doors, the console ( like an aircraft ! ), the big seats. That applies to both swb and lwb. The seats are really comfy, b.t.w.. But in the swb, the rear legroom DOES involve a degree of compromise with the front legroom. How it compares with an A6, I could not tell, but I will say that the trick playing Skoda Superb beats it easily in the narrow criterion of rear legroom. Importantly I will point out, it may only be a problem if the driver is very fat or has very long legs. I'm a FB I will admit and until I manage to lose more of the belly and therefore be able to get closer to the steering wheel, the rear legroom will be limited. Again, by limited, I don't mean its tight like in a small car, just not huge like you might imagine an A8 to provide. The lwb version provides plenty for all easily. So does the swb really, unless the driver is fat or lanky. As for exterior size and living practicality, the swb may be shorter but its length is still well over the length of a Tesco car parking space and significantly longer than my old Superb. Width also, very much more and I'm still getting used to it and wary of some situations. You can look at this two ways and it also depends on what driving situations you'll be in. You could say, thus far and no further with length and limit your self to the swb, because after all it is itself a very long and generally large car. In underground car parks you're already sticking out from your bay and having to be careful winding down the levels. Now me, I'm having to take my A8 into small streets in some tight circumstances ( taxi use ) so really the swb suits better ( although I would love to have the easy legroom of the lwb ). I also park in the street so I'm already pushing it with the swb sometimes. But maybe someone else has a nice big drive way, maybe has no need to plumb the depths of dense housing estates, maybe doesn't need to park in multistory car parks or on the street at home. The lwb would be just fine. Ride MAY be better, the noise MAY be lower, with the lwb, just from reading a general point about that but I really cannot say for sure. Even on your own in the lwb it has a nice advantage in driving self, of being able to spread out for breaks on long journeys i.e get into the back for a snooze, a read, a meal off a seat back table , or whatever. The lwb certainly stands out ! You may think it looks elegant or you may worry people will assume you're just the chauffeur, I don't know. I like the look though. Its a head turner and people do peer inside to gawp at the legroom. The assistance systems do help in parking. Maybe a higher spec one does it for you.

Very few A8s will have the B&O system installed and they will tend to be the higher end specs, that perhaps you don't need / have screened out from your searches / ( price does that automatically for you ! ) I was really surprised at how ordinary the standard system on my base spec A8 actually is. Not bad, but just not high end car expectation good. Maybe the Bose will surprise you. I have no idea beyond my prejudices. If I was given the choice, I'd want the Bose over standard, simply on the assumption it will be decent as its a higher system supposedly - and it maybe is. I'm going to guess you might want to trim back the bass in practice to get clarity.

Mine : " Here, deliver this document folder 300 miles to that easy to find address with a wide parking space waiting for you. When you're there there's another job for you, to take back a little box to where you started. No particular rush. Oh we'll need you to repeat this every day, six days a week " If that was reality I'd probably buy a fully automated S Class. Can't even be bothered to drive see. I'd rather just sit there watching cat videos and reading the Viz comic.

Nice. + Will be economical for a petrol engine one. I lol'd a little when I saw its humungousness parked in front of that garage. I'm going to guess you use it for bicycles, cardboard boxes and your lawn mower. Either that or you're that guy from an old X-Files episode called 'Tooms' 😁

Thanks. What will raise my income really is me having a better, more consistent attitude to going out ! I get the fares the ststem allocates me ..... WHEN AND IF I'M OUT. But along those lines, having the much nicer working environment might encourage me into that, see. I sought out such a car with this in mind, to overcome my strong tendency to avoid doing it ! Beyond that, yes I could cultivate my own personal clientele and indeed, I might find myself being asked, now that I have an A8. That said, I think I made a mistake of not waiting for the right long wheelbase version to be available and I do think such requests would more likely arise out of my having the L version. That's one of the unexpected disappointments with my A8, that the rear legroom is not great if I at the same time give my fat guts lots of room. Onto the salads ......

Best car hifi I ever heard was the OEM one on a Lincoln Town car in the US ( no idea who made it ) I'd be curious to experience a Mark Levinson system on a Lexus LS.

Just picked up my A8. D4 2016. Standard Audi OEM audio system I'm both an 'audiophile' ( sort of ) and with hearing loss and monster tinnitus ( hence the "sort of" ). You judge my judgements any way you like. But I would say, I wasn't impressed. Well I mean it was alright, but then I was kind of expecting even the standard system in a A8 to be really good. I didn't think so. Wish for the B&O system ! Trouble is usually when I've seen that fitted on one, its tended to be on a "higher" spec involving Stupid-Wheels that make noise. And by the way, I wasn't as impressed as I imagined I would be in the quiet ride stakes - and that was even on 18s with lovely 55 tyre walls. There might however be positive differences you may find with upgraded glazing on higher spec models ( yet to thoroughly investigate what's on mine ) and also petrol engined models may do better to. These are the examples you'll tend to find the B&O system on, with an occasional 'ordinary' A8 with it fitted. Keep scanning ! As for the older Bose system, I have no experience except a general disdain for the company and experience with certain unrelated products which bear out my general impression. Yet I remain open to refutation by owners with that system fitted .....

It won't get me any better clients other than my own if I choose to cultivate them - something I never bothered with before. I liked your story, the moral of being, get yourself CCTV ! Young woman are potentially the worst of all. That and mental people, screw loose types. I have never got used to dealing with that. Right, just got back from my trip and yes, I did buy it, so with car. Had a lovely convoluted trip back through some spectacular scenery. To update everyone on the imagined issues of soft close doors, well in practice the way they actually work, passengers' misunderstandings about them are moot, because if you do give them a shove they simply close with no soft closing trick involved i.e. just like ordinary doors. Therefore there shouldn't be any misconstrued need to fight with them at all. Also the idea that you could get your fingers crushed seems on real word observation a very unlikely scenario. There remains the notion that if they do go wrong then such a thing on an A8 will expensive. But then I'm sure headlamp bulbs and boot buttons are too. But that aside, no issue. Certainly not the main one that I feared.

Leather is easier to wipe though. 😄 I hope the first time leather I'd get in an A8 is going to be easier. !Removed! soaks into cloth. 😭 I've actually had more issues with bottom end than top end fluids / stink / oozing. But then I'm not a Saturday night on the rank kind of hard core driver. Since we're on the subject of people disrespecting cabs, another factor is how many people just assume it's the firm's vehicle ! One time, after spilling cider out of a broken bottle saved in a plastic bag wrapped around it ( the sheer cheapness of it ! ), she giggled at all the mess saying, oh don't tell the taxi company about it hahaha. God, the ignorance. I thought I'd explain that they don;t care but just sighed and didn't. You know what its like I mean, and you seem to have done a lot more than me.

Negatives are : - Size in some tight roads/circumstances - Inevitable high repair bills somewhere along the line Guiding reasons : - Raging tinnitus plagues me and to my relief the A8 will be really quiet. Alternative luxury barges are rear wheel drive, which isn't practical for year round safety where I live. - Hear people better, especially if masks and screens are to continue or return. Noisy cars are a problem for me to the extent that I have become prepared to bear the cost. Disrespecting the driver and vehicle : This can happen in anything. Being off the road normally loses the same revenues. The only differences are if it happens it is extra hurtful emotionally that this could happen to such a lovely motor and of course costs a bit more like if a knob were to be knocked off or something. Its actually not as common as you might think. I actually think people, even most arseholes, have a kind of respect for a decent car to be taken in rather than some contemptible bucket that charges the same fare. Seriously, I do think its a thing and also you're perhaps not seen as such a 'loser' who can be disrespected. I don't know, its just a gut assessment, though not at all what guides me to choose a luxury class car. Acoustics do. The damage through having soft close doors : Is something that would be accidental, in scenarios as I described. Disabling the function would avoid it. Thinking practically about what people normally do with doors and the fact they aren't to know about soft close like say a family member, I figured I should look into heading off problems with it, IF I can. Choice of A8 is unusual but remember everything in the game is individual and what works for you. I hope an A8 will make doing it much more palatable, that I may do more of it. A6 is ten times more common in terms of Audi and even then the A6 and E Class are among the higher end in themselves. So yes, its quite odd to find an A8 outside of "exec hires". By the way, if people cause me trouble I simply pull their arms and legs off, leaving them a torso by the side of the road.

A lot of them will have it and of course what whittles down your list besides ( age, miles, wheels, colour ) will leave you with only a few to choose from in reality. Therefore I rely more on being able to disable function through a setting. I must find out somehow. Perhaps a dealer service dept would know.

Yes and thank you for pointing out the typical accompanying trait of suspension differences. I'd even avoid the very popular S line for this reason. Ease of access is a thing and so is clearance over speed bumps beyond ride generally. Its a shame though, as the stylistic bodywork differences and I think interior trim differences also are nice. Plus certain options seem to be denied you on the base spec. I wish car companies wouldn't do this ! Unfortunately most buyers are tempted by the looks of the S Line or Black Edition specs and thus when you are looking at a list of available cars, the standard or base variant are few and far between and all the more so after you filter for colour/upholstry, miles etc.

Just how reliable is the AllRoad's air suspension ? I like the function of it but reliability is a concern - and the cost ! Otherwise a normally sprung Avant would suffice. Another thing, I vaguely recall reading somewhere about it "hissing", or is that just something that can happen IF it goes wrong ? I want the quietest car possible and I wouldn't want to hear a hiss, like a snake. This could be complete rubbish by the way and if it is please tell me.

A8 for example, often has soft close doors but I'd rather not. Reasons : passenger confusion, likely damage to mechanism, finger crushing risk possibly. Is it easily disabled in the software and then, will the doors operate just like unassisted doors ?