Magnet

Thanks Kyle. Pleased you've made your decision. I don't see this forum needing to inform what should be done, but simply drawing attention to useful information and - in my case- going as far at to indicate what I would do under the circumstances. Enjoy the car. Kind regards, Gareth.

A few years ago, it was 'macho' ( or whatever the in phrase now is - I'm old!) to drive around with your spot and fog lamps on in an attempt to draw attention to themselves by saying ' look at me - I've got spot lights' . Poor inadequate beings - bless them. Then - nationally it seems - we have the groups who believe 'it's not macho if you use your indicators'! OK summer now, but when the nights draw in we will have a return of the ' I can go longer than you before putting my lights on ' brigade. This group is easily identified ( but not so easily seen!) since they like to own dark coloured cars - black is best. Now if the no lights brigade happen to mate with the no indicator groups then it's safer to simply stay in the house! Whatever happened to the one-indicator-flash-per-10mph as taught to the police? Good, sensible and workable. Another macho tactic if indicators are used - the one flash as they pull back into your lane at 70 mph. That seems to score highly with the poor inadequately. Apologies, rant over. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Kyle, There are some good points here, and to me No. 1 is that you are reading up on it and asking for advice, rather than asking for advice after submitting it for a recall, and the proverbial has hit the fan. OK bad news, and as Mr. Trump would agree, fake news, travels fast, - good news not so fast- but it can only be left in your hands to decide whether to risk the recall following reading some of the outcomes on here and no doubt other forums. Question :- are you happy with it as it is? If yes, well this might also influence your decision. If it were mine, I wouldn't go near a 'recall', and to ensure this doesn't happen, I would keep the car well away from any VAG dealer and probably any independents - just to ensure you don't end up ...' We've carried out the recall sir, as part of your service!' Too late then. Hope this helps in some way. Kind regards, Gareth, p.s. It could be worth checking (via. VIN and/or reg. Number ) if any recall has indeed been carried out before you bought it.

Hello Kyle, Sorry to hear of your issue, and in the absence of any positive pointers to date, it might be worth bearing in mind that since the car is well within the manufacturer's warranty, you really don't have to worry or concern yourself about the whys wherefores of the problem. If it were mine, I would simply book it into your local or chosen Audi dealer and request they correct the fault. Kind regards, Gareth.

Very sound advice I feel, since it would not be fair to the seller to have someone else playing with this, and expecting the seller to settle the bill, without their prior permission to do this. Good luck and kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Paul, That's cleared up a few things which will be helpful to others. Helping a charity and a good cause is great - and this certainly seems like a good cause. As a matter of interest, what would this service cost at a main dealer and again at an independent? I would guess that as a charity, they will be VAT exempt, so as a comparison you would need to add around 20% to their charge to get a fair comparison, so say your just short of £300 with them would come to £360 if VAT was applied as with a main dealer. So I guess the fair comparison would be to ask how much more than £360 ish would this same service cost you at an Audi dealer. Of course , cost isn't everything, and as I said, helping a good cause is rewarding in other ways. Kind regards, Gareth.

For what it is worth, I see some very valid points from both sides. These are some of my observations:- The forces re engineered website is a very poor 'advert' for their 'business' , and if this is a nationally promoted scheme then someone really needs to get their act together and inject some website promotion expertise here. The concept is to be applauded, but... I'm not sure whether the person you were talking to Paul was the actual mechanic or someone promoting the scheme - the latter usually being the case. I think Piotr has a very valid point about the origin and quality of parts and oils which will be used - there is some seriously poor quality aftermarket stock out there - some bearing bought -out brand names from once respected manufacturers. Service schedule:- major service, but apparently no inspection of braking system, steering, tyres etc.? If it were me, I would make a serious but supportive visit to the set up and see what it is actually like, ask all the questions about part sourcing, makes etc. then going forward from there. It has to be remembered that to be run properly, this has to be funded properly- if only to be able to buy in the parts required to work on the vehicles. Perhaps just a few points to keep in mind. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Martin, I think you are right, but sorry, I cannot be sure on that. To be sure:- wander into your local dealer and ask them to look it up for you, or find a contact number for Osram technical section. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Chris. So fair do s (as we say in God's country) Audi! How to confuse and alter terminology with a total lack of consistency and logic! Kind regards, Gareth.

So this really = You asked them to drill the holes (unusual) and they drilled them in the wrong places. I bet they won't be drilled holes for many more customers in the future! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dom, Strange, but must be true, but the Audi dealer has actually drilled holes in your new plates? Plate suppliers usually (never known any different) simply supply the plates and you have to drill the holes yourself - or fix them with the correct double sidded sticky pads which is more the norm. If you asked them to drill holes for you then I agree with Paul. If you didn't ask them to drill holes - again as Paul suggests. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Chris, Thanks for coming back on this. I'm still a bit confused and this may be due to your non use of capitals. Do you mean it is specified (where is it specified? ) as a Special Edition? I am aware that in old terminology SE was used to classify Special Edition, but my belief is that Audi used these words to classify a basic specification at the time your car was new. My elderly mind is boggled by the combination of S Line and Special Edition for the same car. Of course, I could be wrong and no doubt someone will put me right. Of no particular interest, but as smart as Audi marketing may have thought they were in making basic saloons sound more glamorous by calling them Special Editions, the good old Rootes Group had been there some 60 years earlier when they called their basic saloons 'Special'! Many things are not so new as we think. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Sashi, 'Why is it?' The crankcase is being pressurised by the compression gasses passing the pistons due to worn piston rings and/or cylinder bores. If so forget about any additive. It would be worth checking the engine breather system to ensure it is clean and free, then repeating the test. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Chris from the Homeland, Now I cannot answer for 2007 and A4, but I can answer for 2006 and A3s although I would guess the same logic would have applied. 'Special Edition' was Audi marketing's clever description for the cheapest end of the model range i.e. - Basic. I know you could then specify certain extras to be built into that basic specification. S Line?? Badges added later? Or indeed the V5 ( or the 'system') showing an incorrect specification. Seems to need clarification via. the build record from the VIN? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Kris, While we bask in glorious sunshine down here in the south, did you have any rain during the journey or overnight following the trip? Have you checked the coolant level to confirm there hadn't been any loss? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Greame, Sorry to hear of your problem, and I too share Steve and Paul's views on alternative scarers. Re. the possibility of claiming off your insurers:- If you haven't yet approached them, then personally I wouldn't. Just don't do it. If you have - it's probably too late to do a U turn since your potential claim will have been listed, and your premium may be adversely affected whether you choose to make a claim or not. Appreciating many (including myself) have NCB protected policies, but the reality is that it does just that - it protects the % NCB but does not protect the future premium from significant increase. Example - 50% NCB percentage is protected following a claim, but they could (and often do) double the future premium, and premiums can be inflated for up to 5 years. Just don't go there! It will seriously cost you in the short and longer term. Audi and £1000 quotation:- I would not go down that road, but entrust this to a trusted local auto electrician who should be able to sort this out for a fraction of that cost. The non electrical hose bit - friendly local garage can renew this. Back to scarers for our long-tailed friends - worth visiting an agricultural equipment dealer. I'm sure they will be knowledgeable in recommending such things to protect the framer's tractor investment of >£70K from such attack . Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Sam, Have you registered your requirement with one or more of the part finding sites which link into the breakers yards? You register that you want a bonnet, and sit back and wait for breakers to respond to you. Partsfinder (I think) is one, but there are more. You will need to state the colour code as well as the colour. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. It is unlikely that you will find a bonnet which is absolutely free from blemishes. Most people stand taken-off bonnets on their corners for example, and breakers tend to store them with one leaning against another, so you will need to be realistic about finding the right one in the right colour, and free from paint defects.

Hello Mark. Register your requirements with one of the on line seconhand parts finder sites which notify all scrap yards loged into their system. Just Google scrap yard parts finding should get you there. Partsfinder - I think - is just one. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Nick. Appreciating that communication is a multi £billion business, but unfortunately it still contact compete with the good old fashioned face to face chat. As you have found, ringing around is unlikely to get you anywhere. However, paying these specialists a visit may well do - or even 'accosting' one of the national windscreen technicians as they go about their day's work. Cap-in-hand is the way to do it and just appear as if you are really stuck ( pardon the pun) and are very grateful for any assistance. DIY type fixes? Keep your money in your wallet - they are unlikely to work. I adopted the first paragraph approach a few years ago with our daughter's Jeep - having tried all the expensive DIY fixes. A visit to our local friendly windscreen depot, listening intently to the don't think it will work bit, but it did. Tea kitty duly lubricated, and everyone was happy. Good luck and kind regards, Gareth.

Insignificant Sashi, when you consider the amount of oil you are using. Did you try the dip stock blow back test? Kind regards, Gareth.

OK Andrew, .....'what do you think that would do though .? . ' ( visiting local tyre retailer) (1) It would result in an independent specialist opinion on whether you tyres need changing now. (2) whether the trade wear is uniform - if it isn't, you need to do something about it, (3) you will get opinion on whether this rate of wear is abnormal for this brand of tyre (4) if they do need changing then it would have a significant beneficial affect on your wallet by buying from the tyre retailer. There are probably more reasons for doing this, but surely that is sufficient reason to take this action. 'Dissatisfied with Audi...' ........' feeling like I am being ripped off...' First point:- I think the dissatisfaction is via the Audi dealership. Why not try another dealership within reasonable distance - to enquire about your oil changing recommendation and if it is really necessary at this point. Second point:- ... ripped off..' I think it's common knowledge that considering buying tyres at the main dealers is always going to be the most expensive route - hence my suggestion to visit your local tyre retailer. Now if you really want to avoid being ripped off then you start thinking about Internet tyre purchases for best prices for the brands and brand 'pattern' you want,..... but that's another story and another positive action! I think I can now only offer you good luck in getting this sorted (if indeed it needs sorting) via. the most efficient and cost effective route. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andrew, The plot thickens. Tyres worn to 2 mm of thread in 5000 miles? Does your wife do a bit of rallying when you are not looking? Now Audi fit premium brand tyres to their cars when new - what brand are on yours? Personally, with reasonable driving, I would expect even budget tyres to last this long. This is what I would do if it were mine:- take the car along to a local trusted tyre retailer ( avoid the national chains) and ask them to assess the amount of remaining tread and its evenness across the width of the tread. It would be useful to have this reported back to the forum before returning to your Audi dealership. Tyre brand woukd also be useful - as mentioned. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Richard, Sorry to hear of the problem with the car. Yes, I guess it could be the disc backing plates, but the usual problem with theses with a car of that age is that they rust and may distort and the disc could then rub against this distortion. If it does, it is unlikely to result in a knocking noise - more of a constant rubbing noise. I cannot see why the garage can say it ... may be..... when they should, with examination be a able to say it is or it isn't. Knocking noise- do you feel any pulsating at the brake pedal when this noise occurs? Kind regards, Gareth.

I'm at a bit of a loss with this Sasi. With the excessive rate you are using oil and no evidence of it being burnt (blue smoke) is more than a a bit confusing. Diesel rather than petrol? It might be worth pulling the dipstick up a bit with the engine running (with hot oil) to see if there is any blow-back fuming from the dipstick hole. Also worth checking the engine breather system is free and clean. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Could you let us know what the temperature gauge was showing when the light came on? Can we take it that the gauge was reading above normal and had risen gradually from normal before the light came on? When you say the light hasn't come in since, does this mean the temperature gauge has remained at normal (not a bit above) during its subsequent use? Sine you have only recently bought the car, have you thought about contacting the previous registered keeper to enquire whether there has been any previous experience of this issue during their ownership? All good background knowledge. Kind regards, Gareth.