Magnet

Hello Hubert, Is this 2017 car still under warranty? If so, no need to worry about why, just worry about getting the problem sorted. If it’s a very early 2017 vehicle then it’s barely out of warranty, and some degree of flexibility may exist if it has an acceptable service history - so time is of the essence. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Keith, By what I can make out, the Vorsprung edition of the Q3 is only available with wheels of 20 inch diameter minimum (in caps), with options of increasing theses diameters to 21 or even 22 inch - like farm cart wheels. It sounds to me that you are interested in a comfortable ride over potholes rather than road holding capabilities, and if so, the all important factor is the tyre profile (the height of the tyre wall rubber from road to rim). If this is if the order of 40 profile or less then the ride is going to be firm, unless the tyres are very wide - profile = % of width. Another factor in the comfort stakes is whether run-flat tyres are fitted as standard, as they often are now, since the sidewall will be firmer and less flexible. In theory, the larger the wheel and tyre diameter, the less affect will be felt at a pothole, since the larger dia. wheel will roll over the pothole rather than into it. Apps. are fine, but you cannot beat a face to face discussion and assessment of a test vehicle with the dealer. That would be my move - armed with some of the above. Let us know how you get on, and what the tyres sizes and types are on the 20 inch wheels. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, I think it’s great that you have taken your time and interest to try to explain and help the original poster. The sad thing is that he has not revisited the forum since the day he first joined! Why do people do this? Anyway, from your point of view, let’s trust the time you’ve taken to share your experience will be of help to someone else. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jeffo?, Welcome to the forum. As I said in my post of 13th August 2017 - ‘I would be aware of the often used OEM term’. It is widely used in the marketplace of aftermarket supplies. I really don’t think it’s a question of whether to use ‘aftermarket’ or insist on ‘OEM aftermarket’ rather than genuine dealer parts. In my experience you just as well ignore the significance of OEM if buying in the aftermarket quarter since it is often misused. Through bad experiences such as yours, I have developed my own buying restrictions if buying aftermarket - they aren’t all bad, but you build up respect for certain brands and disrespect for others. Main dealer parts and higher prices? You are buying quality for your extra outlay and as you have found out, buying cheap once, can mean buying again. We are fortunate here since we can buy genuine Audi parts at discount, so we have a better change of buying quality at competitive prices. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Many thanks for joining and posting, but I think it’s worth asking the Forum Admin to consider not allowing new contributions to threads which have not been responded to for say over a year. Problem is that folks read - and may even attempt to post replies - in relation to the first (long outdated) post without noticing the dates.

Many thanks Tom, I’m currently with them, but they don’t cover vehicles over 16 years old - OK last year but not this year! Kind regards, Gareth.

Wondering if forum members would be able to recommend reliable breakdown cover options based on the following requirements:- Husband and wife driving either of two cars - oldest of which is 17 years old. Nationwide recovery home is essential if cannot be fixed at the roadside. Don’t really need Homestart or European cover, or onward travel. Don’t want to add cover to individual car insurances, since unlikely to be economic. Don’t want to pay and reclaim or ideally pay an excess on a claim. Don’t really want to pay per month - want one off annual premium. Trusting forum members can share their experience. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, From the school of simple things first:- Replace the battery with a quality make one such as Duracell etc. Worth the small investment. Yes, I know Audi has replaced it, so...., but satisfy yourself from a known starting point. Surprising how many use Poundland’s best! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Damien, ’......a lot of models are?’ Are what? S line:- Please check with others on here, and on-line, but I think S Line represents ‘Sports Line’. Don’t forget to respect wheel sizes (which influences tyre profiles) and of course whether run-flat tyres are fitted - which would not enhance your quest for a more comfortable ride. Don’t quote me, but I believe the wheels used for run-flat tyres will dictate that only run-flat can be fitted when tyres need changing, so worth confirming/refuting. Kind regards, Gareth.

Unfortunately Patrick, David joined and last visited the forum on the same day! Might be worth sending him a PM? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for coming back Jez. I you don’t mind buying new, it would be worth calling to your nearest dealer, and they should be able to help you to at least identity the part name, and advise whether it’s a stand alone item, or part of a larger section of trim. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, Air suspension I guess ? If so - culprits could be level sensor, air leak, or failing compressor piston seal - in no particular order. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Damien, I would avoid anything which was built to ‘sports specification’, and try to buy a car with small wheels and high profile tyres - e.g. no less than 50 profile. Also avoid run-flat tyres. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jez, I take it you don’t want to buy a new piece then. If you want to buy used, then you could register your want with online breaker’s systems such as Partsfinder (there are more). You simply register your want - I would suggest describing it as Windscreen Trim - and sit back and wait for beakers to contact you directly. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dean, Check the wiring for breaks within the flexible harness which links the body to the hatch. This is frequently a source of problems due to continual flexing over the years. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, Usual points where water may come in include from the plenum chamber ( the area below the vents forward of the screen) - due to blocked drains, a badly fitted screen, wing mirrors allowing water to get to the wrong side of the door panels etc. Also, does this car have a targa top ( or whatever you call it?) - pardon my ignorance. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Rab, I could well be wrong, but the availability (and understanding) of wiring diagrams is not what it used to be, but it’s quite possible that someone on here might be able to help you. Get it wrong and trouble lies ahead! Options if you can’t get help on here:- Obtain an original plug and it’s short length of wiring from a breakers ( register your want with Partsfinder or similar). Connect this plug colour for colour into your harness, and buy the adapter plug to link your new set to the original plug. Or seek out a trusted local audio specialist and get them to connect up your new set to the chopped off wiring. Probably nothing in it cost wise. Sorry I can’t help you directly. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rab, What are you trying to do - return the car to original in terms of its audio equipment or not? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Katie, Can we take it the headlamp Perspex ‘glass’ is free from discolourisation? If not, there are products available for remove the film. If they are OK, then I would be checking that the earth connections to the lamps are clean and secure, and also measure the voltage to the lamps. Perhaps you could come back and let us know. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Salim, The poster has not returned to the forum since he posted on 25Nov. last year. It may be better to send him a PM which should get to him via. his e-mail. Perhaps you would be kind enough to post the information you receive on here. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andrew, OP posted on the 23 Aug. and simply hasn’t return to the forum since! Kind regards, Gareth.

Does all of this mean you are attempting to fit secondhand rear screens then Carl?

Sorry Carl, it’s probably me, but I’m not at all sure what you are saying/meaning about ‘having widow replaced .......can’t supply window as it’s damaged...but can pay an additional cost....’

Hello Carl, So did you follow earlier advice and get the rear screen heating element tested for continuity of the element, and it was found to be at fault? If so, whoever has diagnosed this problem, should be able to give you a fair idea of where the break is. Certainly with the older types, the element was inside-surface mounted, and was susceptible to damage if say something was loaded into the car and the hatch closed against it. Current technology with these things ?? - but may still be the same. If so, you used to be able to paint on repair solution to bridge the break. Could you come back to us once you’ve got some more information? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mathew, In my book either suggestion would sound logical, but the car actually needs to be a examined to determine what is actually wrong here. It’s trying to tell you something, so my advice would be to get it inspected without delay at a trusted garage, before something nasty happens. Any diagnosis on here would simply be guess work - educated guesses - but guesswork nevertheless. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve, I think it would difficult to justify judging the service received at one Audi dealer, to be representative of the service which will be received at them all. As with all other ‘national’ concerns, and trades, the confidence, or lack of it, and experience at one branch quite likely to vary at another. I thought I had posted a reply re. main dealer vs. using automatic gearbox specialists, but it seems to have disappeared! Anyway, in effect, I would always recommend seeking advice on auto. box issue from trusted specialists - main dealers will simply recommend renewing the whole box. Kind regards, Gareth.