Magnet

Hello Mark, Compressor DIYable? I guess like all things, that depends on ability and experience. The ones I’ve replaced rings in have been non-Audi, and access to remove the compressor had been rather awkward, but replacing the ring with the compressor on the bench was quite easy, but methodical is the key word. Where the compressor lives on yours? Guarantee that the compressor is at fault on yours? - but I’m sure Andy will talk you through the possibilities. As I understand it, you can buy replacement compressors - from Andy I think - and some are quite cheap (probably ex China). I’m appreciative of the fact that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t last, and opinions vary on that. If recent experience of a neighbour spending 5 hours fitting such an alternator, and it lasted about a week then that might be worth noting. I would pass it all passed Andy and see what he says before doing or ordering anything. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, Since the car sits evenly low and doesn’t rise at all on start up, then I would suspect the compressor- usually the ceramic piston ring - that’s assuming the electrical supply is intact. Worth looking up Bagpiping Andy on EBay. He has been the guru on air suspension for years. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Surprised that VAG seem to operate differently from many others, by fitting motorised mirrors and associated bits, where the customer isn’t paying. In this case, then I guess the dealer can discourage the new car buyer from paying quite a premium, and suggesting to the customer that they will just programme in that facility on receipt much, much cheaper. Nice little earner that. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Noel, Well done for asking. Do not (in caps) disconnect anything under the seat unless you had disconnected the battery about half an hour earlier, otherwise you run a high risk of setting the air bags off. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, Welcome and thanks for joining. Folding mirrors? Two possibilities:- The car wasn’t built with the mirror folding facility, or it was, and (not uncommon) it isn’t working anymore. Your first port of call would be to get a build record print out via. your local dealer, by giving them your VIN. If you find it wasn’t built with this facility, then yes, it would be possible to modify it, but I think you will find the cost and hassle involved would render it impractical. Let us know how you get on with the dealer request for the build record. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Stuart, Thanks for coming back on this. I don’t think what I (or anyone else) values the car at is of any value ( pardon the pun). It’s only what the insurers value it at that matters, and that is likely to be banger money for 19 year old car, irrespective of its condition. The only route to ensure you get paid out its meaningful value is to insure it to the agreed value that you and the brokers consider acceptable - based on photos and statements of condition. Such is the basis of Classic car insurance, but the normal criteria are:- not daily driver, limited annual mileage, c20 years old or more , doesn’t earn a NCB. Having said all that, there will be acceptable deviations. Worth trying Adrian Flux, Lancaster and others. Hope some of this helps, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Unfortunately, I think if you work on the principle that any new main-dealer-only part for a >15 year old car is unlikely to be available, unless it shares commonality with later models, then you won’t be disappointed. Mechanical parts however should not be an issue via. the aftermarket route. Does this point the enthusiastic owner such as yourself to invest in a complete spares car when available? Appreciate space requirements etc., but perhaps needs must at some point. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Trevor. Requiring ‘ 60 e- mails ….getting the car up to scratch’ might have put a number of buyers off, and suggesting there were just too many issues prior to purchase, particularly since it transpired your bad luck with the first, was duplicated with your local? dealership. The good news is that all now seems well and the car is being enjoyed, so I guess all’s well that ends well. Many thanks again, Gareth.

Hello Trevor, Thanks for joining, and pleased you are pleased with the car, and had a pleasant trip home. Just wondered if you have made - or intend to make- a formal complaint about your impression of Cheshire Oaks Audi? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Good on you for actually checking and adjusting your tyre pressures, rather than depending on the TPMS. Old fashioned probably, but I don’t like TPMS, since it’s not unusual to experience corrosion around the valve seats, and certainly the valve caps if someone has fitted ‘fancy’ caps at some time. I’m surprised that ordinary plastic caps have caused corrosion - they shouldn’t do, whereas metallic ones always do. Do yours have some sort of metal threaded insert covered in plastic? Worth a careful look. If so throw them all away. Renewing valves? Tyre has to come off, and obviously rebalancing will be necessary. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for posting the response Duncan. It seems you are now at the mercy of Audi’s pricing structure. Have you tried Audi Parts Direct ( part of Mon Motors) at Cardiff, and Aberdeen Audi, both of which have been known to offer discounts? TPS would be another source, although I think you will need someone with an account with them to be able to buy from them. Would you be kind enough to let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Which of the clutch parts has actually gone on yours?

Hello Niko, Thanks for joining the forum. I would suggests sending a PM to the original poster, since he hasn’t been on here for over 18 months. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Gorman, New discs will be required. Kind regards, Gareth.

It’s great to see that these cars are in good and caring hands. Only - hopefully constructive comment- I can add is to make sure they are insured to an agreed value where possible, to avoid being paid out a pittance in event of a minor scrape dictating total loss. Classic car insurance should ensure this, if the car is around 20 years old and isn’t your sole means of transport. Kind regards, Gareth.

Tried Worldwide EBay Philip? Tried on-line car breaker link sites? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello, Possible injector issues?? Actual culprit traceable without test equipment/diagnostics?? I would think your best bet would be to invest in an hour’s labour at a trusted diesel specialist (rather than an ‘ordinary’ garage) to gain an experienced opinion, rather than the more expensive route of try this, try that. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello David, This question was asked recently - and my response was to try EBay for Chinese ones, or search Aliexpress. I bought a set for a non-Audi at about a third of the main dealer cost, and was delighted with the quality and price - wouldn’t have expected better if I had bought at the main dealer. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on David. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, Incase it helps, a family member has used Pirelli Scorpions on a non-Audi to good effect covering c60k miles over two sets. Kind regards, Gareth.

Didn’t you actually get connected to somebody on the telephone Duncan - rather than leaving a message? If not, I would just keep trying on the phone, and/or look for alternative phone numbers where somebody should be able to connect you internally. Keep us posted Duncan. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tommy, Probably better to send Paul a PM. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, I’d be tempted to send Dean a PM - he hasn’t been on here for a year, but should be able to be contacted provided he hasn’t changed his e-Mail contact. Kind regards, Gareth.

Pleasure Jon. Glad that Battery Megastore worked for you. I did have an issue with a non Varta/Bosch battery for a ride-on mower from them, but they were progressive in sorting it out. I must say I use EBay for most parts for family member’s cars. I attempt to buy quality parts at competitive prices from reliable sellers - not just the cheapest for the same product. Incase it helps, I have favoured a variety of Febi ( Bilstein) aftermarket parts to seemingly good avail. Car Parts in Motion (Exeter) have provided a good mail order service for Febi parts at generally competitive prices. Again, it’s always worth checking GSF for their prices. Hengst filters? Believe they are part of the Mann empire ( German origins) but possibly still unaffected by this economics is king policy. I’ve just bought one for the A3 from GSF and first impressions give scope for being impressed - sturdy and quite heavyweight. The one for the A3 was just £4.30 if you believe, and I did buy a Mann for another car sometime last year from them, and that was less than £5. They are not competitive for some parts, but it’s always a case of shopping around. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. No connection with any of the above mentioned suppliers, apart from having bought from them.

Thanks Jon, Would you mind refreshing an aged memory on the Bosch filter issue? Interestingly, I’ve just moved away from Mann ( and Bosch) oil filters for the annual service on the humble A3, due to helpful comments from Steve Y some time ago. I bought the Hengst equivalent from GSF at a fraction of Hengst, Mann and Bosch prices from other sellers. Just ordered on line and picked it up at their local- to - me branch. Great service. Just double check that I’m right in my belief that if you buy Varta or it’s equivalent Bosch, you are actually buying the same battery - simply branded Varta or Bosch as appropriate. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks John, Sounds good, but slightly cheaper from Battery Magastore on EBay. Tayna list on there as well. Incase it helps, I always buy via. EBay (postage is included in the price there) since you have the backing of EBay if anything goes wrong. You are on your own if buying direct. Perhaps a word of caution:- one seller is listing the same/similar battery at around £113, but their reviews appear poor. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. You might look at the Bosch equivalent - reputed to be the same battery, but simply rebranded.

Always worth buying once and wisely with batteries Jon. I only buy brands and grades that have a minimum of 4 year warranties. I tend to buy mine on line from specialist suppliers at competitive prices. Don’t forget to get it coded to the car. Kind regards, Gareth.