Rob G

Update! Turns out it's the sensor that's built in to the climate control display (infrared that's top left of the display as you look at it). Suggestion from the garage (who I use regularly) is that the whole job will cost £1600(!). I have found quite a few of the displays on eBay from breakers for less than £100 so might try that as a worse case scenario if the warranty company won't cough up. 🤞

Hi Steve, excuse the daft question. I'm assuming it's the rear view mirror yeah?

Just checking in to see if anyone has had this issue on their A4 My 67 plate 2.0TDI 190 Avant has had this issue with climate more or less since I got it last July. Lost my job in October so I have lived with the problem through the winter, but I’m addressing it now as we (hopefully) get some warmer weather. The temperature can alter (either hot or cold) without me changing the temp on the dial. My garage have diagnosed the fault and have suggested it’s down to one of three sensors as the OBD is showing interior temp as much as 10 degrees higher than the actual figure. The car is still under warranty so I’ll get the work paid for, but the problem is that I’ll be saddled with the labour costs of the garage to find out which sensor of the three is causing the problem. If I’m lucky, it will be the first one they check, but if it’s the third they’re estimating circa £450 of labour of which I might get a third back from the warranty company. It would be good to hear from anyone who has experienced the same, so I can give the garage the heads up and try to save some cash. TIA

Fixed with a new cable FWIW

I have the twin USB / 3.5mm aux sockets under the centre armrest that allows for a wired Android Auto or Apple Car Play connection. This has generally worked 99% of the time since buying the car last year but recently the connection drops out easily and unplugging and reconnecting the USB makes no difference. When this happens I can still make calls and listen to BT audio, so it's not a connection issue with the phone as such. I'm going to try a new cable and give the ports a clean, but was wondering if this is a known / common fault with the B9. I have the wider (non touch) screen if that helps.

🤔 I'll speak to the garage but they're the second garage locally (unconnected to one another) who have told me Pagid was OE. May just be OE spec I suppose?

Bit of an update. The local (Bosch) service garage I used for a recent warranty repair recommended VBT discs Link and I’ll be using OE (Pagid) pads to start with as Brembo X for my callipers are like hens teeth at the moment. They had a good look around for different options but the choices are a bit limited as my front rotors are 314mm. The works being done in three weeks so I’ll post up some photos when the works done. All four discs need replacing so they will be drilled (NOT grooved per everyone’s feedback) all round.

Thanks Steve, Looks like another downvote for grooved discs!

Thanks Joe, I’ll look into those pads and appreciate that feedback about the grooved discs. 👍

Has anyone upgraded their brakes when replacing discs and pads? I’ll need to replace all four corners in 4-6 weeks and have been looking at the options available to me. Has anyone replaced the fronts with drilled and or grooved discs over the standard ventilated types. As I cover a lot of miles each week I’m primarily concerned with getting a similar lifespan from the replacements (circa 55k miles) but I’m wondering if there’s a trade off between having more powerful braking (I’m assuming I’ll get that from drilled / grooved discs) over a shorter lifespan. The initial VAT inc quote I had was £1350 fitted for all four corners with OE spec.

Mine is a 2.0TDI Ultra. IIRC the mileage interval is 140k. Have heard that EU dealers don’t quote years and only mileage now. Unfortunately, the decision is now moot as I’m taking the ‘safety first’ option and getting the belt and pump changed as the car is on finance and I don’t want to risk a further warranty claimed getting binned off if the belt failed. FWIW the Mondeo I came from had a 10 year / 120k interval for the belt so I am inclined to think the longevity has improved over the years.

With Big Motoring the reasoning is Kafkaesque. They say that replacement is only ‘recommended’ but when asked about the likelihood of honouring a warranty claim linked to the cambelt they agree that they will most likely reject it if the recommended schedule isn’t followed.

Yes, only did a few miles when it happened and it went straight to the garage after that. More cheesed with finding out with what isn’t covered by Big Motoring’s 200 point pre-sale check, but that’s another story.. 😤

My cars in for this very job at the moment. Fortunately only driven a couple of miles before it went in. Should have checked in on here first!

Re the cam belt timing. My car registered in Sept 2017 is currently in with a specialist for some work. As part of the inspection they flagged getting the belt done as we’re coming up on five years. When I mentioned this to the supplying dealers (car supermarket that sounds like another German car brand) that I was surprised that this work hadn’t been carried out prior to putting the car on sale to me less than two months ago, they said the following (I’ll paraphrase). Belt replacement is ‘recommended’ at five years or 140,000 miles so they would not fund or assist with cost of replacement. When I suggested that I was sceptical that they would honour a warranty claim (I have three years warranty on the car) if the belt let go, they agreed that it was unlikely they would do so. Bit of a Catch 22 situation. TLDR I’m replacing the belt to be on the safe side.

Thanks John, didn’t realise the fob was so sensitive. My main gripe until now was missing the keyless entry I had on my last car.

Strong possibility Steve. Didn’t realise the boot button would do anymore than unlock tbh, so that’s the most likely cause.

Got home about two hours ago. Parked car, locked it etc. Door bell goes 10 mins ago: “Did you know your boot is open?” I haven’t had the tailgate open since Sunday. Now I do have the electric open / close on the tailgate and my Mrs had a Mini where you could wave your foot under the bumper and it would pop the doors open. Is this a feature on the Avant that I have just triggered without realising or is my car haunted 🤔😉😂

Thanks Dave, I have had a few BMWs (various 3’s and 5’s) but haven’t had an Audi as a daily driver since an 89 on the F 80. Think that’s like the Great Great Great Grandfather of the A4! Pleased with the Avant so far. Not as cavernous as the Mk5 Mondeo I was in before, but so much nicer to drive!

Thanks Steve!

Thank you! It’s only taken me two weeks to realise I had replies to this post!

My A4 B9. Look closely and you can even see a club sticker. 😉

Went to my first Audi show today, Vorsprung International at Market Harborough ‘showground’. Exhibitors were a bit thin on the ground compared to the VW shows I have been to in the past, with Abt importer Richter Automotive the biggest presence with three show cars. If anything, there was more to see in the various club parking areas. Who knew there could be so many variations on Audi club names! 🤔😉. Apologies for the Avantcentric photos, I was looking for inspiration for my own B9. The Avant on air below manages to make a roof box look cool. My choice from the Richter stand. The three cars on display were all for sale. Didn’t see the price of this RS6, but someone mentioned £120k. Seems legit. Can’t beat a V8 Dunno if I can decide if this is cringe or classy? These on the other hand are very desirable; the ceramic brakes and the Abt wheels. Plenty of Avants on display, more A6 than A4 though. 🤔 Maybe not everyone’s colour choice, but I liked it. Original RS4. Still want one. It wasn’t just about the modern stuff. Developed a soft spot for this little red NSU and I don’t think I have ever seen so many Ro80’s in one place! One of my all time favourite cars. Sport Quattro. Homologation special from Group B rallying. Still looks mint. Audi 100 low rider in the show n shine This 80’s throwback was pretty cool too. I wasn’t counting but I reckon the TT was the most represented Audi model at the show. Couple of engine bays on display here from the show n shine.