Magnet

Hello Omar, I’ve noted that even prestigious marques such as Mercedes, are now fitted with Hankook tyres when new. I had believed that they were previously considered only to be ‘mid range’ tyres compared with Michelin etc. Currently, I can only go with the experience of a family member who used Hankook on a non-Audi and was disappointed with the wear rate. I think it might be fair to say that most tyres become noisier as they get to their well worn condition - I have experienced this even with Michelin, but they tend to give better wear rates. Not sure if any of this helps, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Conor, My simple answer would be not to even go and look at it! You may like the look of it, but....! . If its been de-catted then it’s likely (probable) that it’s been in the hands of a boy- racer type, and and just too much of a risk in my book. If you do decide to go and look at it, then it will be a bit like going to look at a puppy - your heart could rule your head. Also worth bearing in mind that it’s almost certain that the dealer will replace the catalytic converter with a generally much inferior aftermarket one, and you could find yourself battling with emission issues at subsequent MoTs. Even if the car has suffered from a cat. theft, then obviously the owner has taken the cheapest route to disposing of the car, and then again, the same comments about replacements will apply. I’m sure there will be others. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mustafa, I think your logic on minimising expenditure to essential jobs makes sense, where the expenditure may exceed the car’s value. Yes you can worry about the cambelt, but provided you are resigned to effectively dropping the car’s value to its scrap value if it fails, then you can just carry on and use it. Of course, if it turns out you are otherwise very happy with the car, then you could consider getting it done at that point. Reduce worries to one thing at a time! Good luck with it Mustafa. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Olumide, Of course, unfortunately, we don’t know when the MOT is due, so getting a tyre retailer to give it a good coat of looking at the earliest convenience would be the safest option here. I must say your comment ‘.....You have my full respect on your opinion given in this instance..’ brought a smile to the morning face. Great! Take care, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Olumide, No apologies necessary, and yes I agree, forums survive via. a means of recording varying opinions. I can understand your opinion that you believe you are suitably equipped to make a decision that the tyre is safe and serviceable from viewing the photo, yet I’m a bit confused as to why you then say that it needs to be inspected by a trusted tyre expert - although of course, I agree with that latter comment. I stick with my recommendation (and your suggestion) that it gets inspected, simply on the basis that it is unfair to ask any forum member to be a judge of safety issues in a sight - unseen situation. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth. p.s. My turn to apologise now:- I would prefer not to quote my bone fides, on the basis that it’s likely to infer that I should be sitting in arm chairs around a room with my contemporaries!

Hello Mustafa, Personally, I don’t like this forum being asked to comment on potentially highly safety critical tyre damage, simply armed with a not very good photo of the damage. I don’t think anyone can offer meaningful advice in this case. To me, the obvious solution to getting the correct advice is to take the car to your trusted local tyre retailers and get expert - sign seen - advice on the tyre’s fitness for safe use. Anything else is simply unseen quesswork. Please, Mustafa, treat this with the respect it deserves - the answer does not rest within this forum. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Alfie, OK - short ownership. ‘....I took it back to the dealer....’ The one you bought it off? If so, they have to guarantee the vehicle being fit for purpose for 3? ( could be 6) months, so if they say the turbo is the issue (questionable?) then they will have to sort it. Audi and engine issues and claim? You will need to consider that the car is now 9 years old and even if it has main dealer service history up to the hilt and complete, I would not be holding my breath on getting any redress there - but yes, worth a go. If it’s that simple, why didn’t the previous owner/s go down that route? Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Alfie. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve. Apologies Trevor! If forums such as this are not platforms to communally move progress on repeated (safety) issues, then surely this must come under the heading of ‘.....could do better.......’. Whatever, I feel it might be too late coming to the party! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tom, So we can reasonably discount any connection between header tank renewal and the start of this issue. Back to Steve’s suggestion? Kind regards, Gareth.

Six pages of posts and almost 3 years on, and still issues with these tyres, but remarkably no one dead or seriously injured yet? -well that we know of. Personally, I’m surprised that the administration of this forum hasn’t yet commented on why the forum hasn’t initiated pursuing this with the manufacturers. Surely with the collective evidence they have been made aware of, they are in a better position than most to initiate collective inroads, than a series of individuals acting on their own. Isn’t not to do so, rather remiss? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Kwok, Nothing to do with car manufacturers paying design engineers good salaries to get the steering and handling characteristics correct at the manufacturing stage then!?

Hello Tom, Did the noise start, or not, when the header tank was replaced? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Alfie, Sorry to hear of your issue with oil consumption. Wondered if you had recently bought the car, or if you have owned it for some time, and it’s only now using oil. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jamie, I can understand your concerns. Unfortunately, your description of the symptoms has been confused by this, and led me to believe the noise was there when the car was stationary and the engine running - which you have now confirmed, it isn’t. Apologies. Advice regarding informing the dealer remains, since it is possible that they may not be in agreement with anyone else working on the car. I would be giving then an opportunity to advise - via. a confirming e-mail response. Your current description of the noise only being steering associated puts everything in a different light, and I too would be taking it to a local garage for diagnosis, and estimated costs, but as I say, getting the dealer’s agreement to pay for these repairs before moving on. I think you will find that the costs will have to be met by the dealer and not the warranty company, so I would be wary of meeting any costs yourself and attempting to claim the money back. Effectively, it is the dealer’s responsibility to sort this out for you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jamie, I am discounting your description of the noise being associated with the car being ‘on the move’, but concentrating on the fact that it is now apparent when the car is stationary and idling. Very concerning, and to my mind needs urgent diagnosis to avoid the possibility of anything going catastrophically wrong. To your last point:- ‘.....should I contact the dealer...?’ Definitely and without delay. Using the car? Personally I wouldn’t even start it, but would be suggesting to the dealer that you get the breakdown service (if you are a member) or a local garage who would come and look at the car, rather than driving to anywhere, if you are going to respect the possible significance of this noise. This is why I would not be going anywhere in it. Possible causes? I’m sure that you will appreciate that it’s a very difficult task to ask anybody to identify an unheard noise without access to the car. Possibilities:- near-total-failure cam belt whipping against cover, dual mass flywheel, or something totally different. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Jamie. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello, A family member has a lack of air con. on the above 77K A4. It loses pressure, and the problem has been diagnosed as a faulty compressor (leaking?). Have done a quick on line search for a new replacement and prices seem to vary from as low as just over £100 to the mid £300s. Wondered if anyone has any experience of buying replacement compressors and could share some good contacts, and/or ones to avoid. Also, is this problem relatively common, since I would have expected this part to have lasted longer than it has? Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Diesel - incase it matters.

Already been said Chris.

Hello Mark, Not saying it is, but sounds like injectors then. If they are suspect than they are quite easily tested by a leak-back test. If it were mine, I would be entrusting it to a local recommended diesel specialist - not an ordinary garage. If you bought it recently from a dealer, then you should have redress. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Lee, Are you selling the boot lid, or want one? If selling - price?

Hello Mark, Can we take it you can smell diesel when you see the grey smoke? No loss of coolant? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello High, Thanks for the additional details. I cannot see that there would be any warranty implications if the car has been serviced in accordance with the dashboard alerts, but it would be useful to talk with the dealer now that they have experience of your usage. Things like brake fluid will need to be changed on a time (irrespective of mileage) basis anyway. I guess it will be worth considering how long you are likely to be keeping the car for, before discussing service schedules in more detail, since if it isn’t your intention to keep it beyond a couple of years, then obviously the cheapest route to adequate but minimal servicing, may be the way to go. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. re servicing costs, I would suggest shopping around dealers within a 20 mile radius to get the best price. Costs are rarely absolutely fixed, and often open to negotiation, but be specific in what will be renewed - e.g. pollen filter changed or not?

Hello Hugh, Has the car been serviced once already? If not, I would guess it’s on a Longlife schedule which normally extends the servicing interval to around 18k miles or x months, whichever comes first. Guessing again - no longer than 2 years? If indeed it is on a Longlife service schedule then this is probably not the best schedule for your low mileage use - a normal timed schedule would probably ensure the car is better maintained. On PCP or direct purchase? If PCP - perhaps not to be too worried about, provided you have had it serviced according to what you are instructed to do. Service cost? Sorry cannot help there. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Carl, The coolant temperature sensor will not affect the actually running temperature of the coolant i.e. the cooling system works as it should do and the operating temperature will stay at normal when up to the operating temperature. What this sensor does is to simply monitor this temperature and signal it’s varying resistance value to control the fuel mixture. Coil packs? I would expect the that if these were suspect, you would was experience missing associated with the black smoke. Injector issues?? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello CJ, OK, but couriers now leave signed-for packages at you door if you are not in. I don’t automatically go ECP’s x% off and assume it’s a good deal - it often isn’t. Re. other on line motor factors:- EBay is awash with them - all competing with each other on competitive prices. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Carl, I’m not saying this is the offending component with your car, but faulty coolant temperature sensors can give similar issues. They work on the principle that they sense the coolant temperature and signal the ECU to set the correct mixture for that temperature - rich when cold, lean when hot. If they fail, they do so to an arbitrary resistance value which can result in over rich mixtures when hot, and indeed too weak when cold. Does the car start instantly from cold? Kind regards, Gareth.