You will need to cross-reference any new part numbers that you can find, so ask Audi for a quote for new part based on your registration number and they should list it with a part number, look online or even go to a motor factors and buy the part then take it to France with you.
Whereabouts in France is the car as I know some Garages out there?
Hi Julia...welcome to the Forum
It is worth looking at other variants of the A3 for replacement parts such as Volkswagen and Skoda as they all pretty much use the same chassis components....may find they are being offered cheaper than Audi parts.
Use websites like http://www.eurocarparts.com/ and http://www.audiownersclub.com/parts-results/A3-S3/Steering-Racks--Boxes/33589
Also, £600 for labour is an horrific cost, shouldn't be more than about 2 hours work tops!
Let us know what you find
Cheers Trevor
If you do pull off any trim with SRS in it, make sure you disconnect the battery and leave for about 30 minutes to allow the capacitive discharge to drain.
There is usually a bolt at the top securing the belt and that may impinge removal so will need to be undone
That does appear to be quite random locations on the lens unit and I think you are correct with your stress fracture diagnosis.
Let us know what Audi say about it
Cheers Trevor
If it has an airbag in the pillar then it should have SRS printed on the trim cover.
Should just pull off and then undo the seatbelt securing bolt but do not allow the seatbelt to retract from the length/position it is in.
I can understand your Mechanic's apprehension as there may be so many subtle differences that could lead to problems but if you were in no hurry and you can afford to pay him to put it in and take it back out if it doesn't work then it may be the way forward....and to upgrade is always a good thing.
Good luck with it all and keep us in the loop as to how its all going
I remember reading about the 10 year life span of airbags around 20 years ago and nothing has ever really been done to address the problem of out of date airbags which must deteriorate over time.
It sounds like the alarm/locking system which is not being deactivated and causing the engine to not start.
You need to code the key to the car by pressing the button with the ignition on I believe or even pressing it several times until the door locks or some process similar to these suggestions.....will have a look to see what I can find on this type of key.
Other possible causes may be battery / power supply related issues so worth starting checks with the battery connections and leads and go from there.
Hi Josh...welcome to the Forum
sorry to hear you've had problems already and a transfer box is quite a major one to start with.
My advice is to try to find the exact one or if a later one does fit and work okay (worth checking with a specialist rebuilder,etc) as it may have improvements on the earlier spec box.
Keep us update on this one
Cheers Trevor
You could try this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Diesel-Engine-Turbo-Cleaner-Cures-Limp-Home-Mode-Variable-Vane-Turbos-/152003334878?hash=item23641ad2de:g:lQ4AAOSwZ8ZW2O4l
Otherwise, there are some posts on here about cleaning the turbo vanes and Mr Muscle or similar has been suggested to use (cheaper alternative)
Sounds like the turbo boost regulator being a bit sensitive....sometimes if it kicks in on overboost situations this can be down to clogged up vanes in the turbo....maybe run some cleaning additives through the engine/turbo and see if that improves things
Yes, going to fit one to my Honda soon as the OE unit is outdated, slow, voice control is rubbish and so many more reasons to make me want to replace it with something that actually works and is bang up to date with technology
Hi Paul....welcome to the Forum
Most of the posts I have read on this seem to indicate that the MMI is updatable but with the updated card for maps having to be initialised by Audi at huge costs.
If it were me, I would use a TomTom or similar and don't forget, turn off any speed camera identification or your SatNav or the French coppers will throw a 500 Euro fine at you and confiscate the SatNav. TomTom defaults to switching off this feature when being used in France
Cheers Trevor
Hi Dan
Maybe best to see what codes are flagged up first and go from there as it could be one of multiple systems causing the problem.
Will wait to hear what you find out and I'll jump back in then with some possible solutions.
Cheers Trevor
Hi Moray...welcome to the Forum
It could be several things as you have even suggested yourself...best bet would be to run a scan to see what codes it throws up and go from there.
Let us know what you find
Cheers Trevor
Thanks for the update Dave.
It could just be a case of running an update on the hardware or if maybe just takes a bit of time to update with the environment (which is unusual unless it's particuarly cloudy).
Other factors that can affect it are the use of Dash Cams.....had one for review recently and it caused huge interference with two different SatNavs I had running at the time. The high end Dash Cams have a choke which filters out interference.