Magnet

Hello Paul, Thanks for joining. Engine - petrol or diesel? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rizwan, Thanks for joining. Any undue exhaust smoke when held at a steady 2000rpm for two minutes after a 10 mile run? Could you let us know. If nothing untoward there, it might be worth investigating in a new reservoir cap, before getting further investigations carried out. Mileage as a matter of interest? Kind regards, Gareth.

13 year old shock absorbers must now be passed their best, but with all other components being free from tolerable wear, I cannot see VAG would have designed these vehicles with an in-built handling issue, and it’s fair to assume that it’s fine unless you ‘give it a bit of stick around corners’. If as you say that handing is such that you don’t have any confidence in its road holding abilities when driven in that manner, then I fear that fitting a strut brace to counteract minimal body flexing would not be money well spent. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Thanks for joining. Are you sure your engine has a belt rather than a chain? If a belt, then it should now be due for its second belt change, based on a recommended 5 year or 75K mile cycle - whichever comes first. If you are asking what make belt to fit, then Gates are an OEM supplier. Kind regards, Gareth.

It’s worth trying the ‘smart repair’ route, since they should be able to mix you a small quantity. Kind regards, Gareth.

What’s the latest Alex? Kind regards, Gareth.

Mileage Colm? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, I think it is unlikely that you are going to find this colour listed separately. You don’t say what extent of damage? - you wish to respray, but you might find the only sure way to obtain a good match is to visit a local bodyshop who should be able to come up with a mixing formula via. a spectro of the actual colour. Other than that, a local ‘smart repair’ specialist should be able to do what you need. Kind regards, Gareth.

Try Car Parts in Motion. Febi brands with them are worth a go. Just a personal view:- I don’t favour ECP with their discounts on so called list prices. If you like them, then do you try their sister site - Car Parts 4 Less? Sometimes/often? cheaper for exactly the same part ( with less discount!) Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, You now seem to have two threads running on the same topic. I don’t want to appear unhelpful with this, but I feel opinions on here could end up being misleading, since it’s unlikely anyone has sufficient legal experience to correctly assist you. As a result of that, I would think your more progressive route would be to present your case to the Citizens Advice Bureau, and I would expect that they would be able to offer you the advice you need. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Adithya, This is typical of a failing battery, or infrequent use/short journeys. Is your battery the original one fitted to the car when new? Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. As I’ve said before, I’m very much anti this engineeringly averse system, so for me, it would be a bonus that it doesn’t work. Sorry - any environmentalists reading this.

Hello Stewart, Since it was close to £600 2 years ago, then I’m not at all surprised about your current £900 quote. I think we are unfortunately all used to such % increases with most thinks we buy/pay to get done. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, Thanks for joining. Where have you looked? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Daniel, Shock absorbers - how many miles, originals? Tyres? Matching quality brands and thread depth across both axles? Pressures checked and set? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for joining Paul. Don’t want to be dismissive, but it really doesn’t matter whether anyone else has any ideas what is wrong - you have an unacceptably unreliable 1 week old vehicle. The dealer has to sort it, and if it were mine I would be insisting they have it back without delay, and provide you with a ‘courtesy’ car while they sort it. If they fail to sort it to your satisfaction, then you retain the right to reject it, so time is of the essence - I wouldn’t be hanging around for ideas on here. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Good luck and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Daniel, I would suggest you get the whole suspension and steering set up carefully examined foe wear before considering the benefits of fitting a strut brace. It sounds suspiciously like there is some wear at critical points. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve - likewise. It’s just that some of the Bosch seem cheaper than with others sellers, and I’m just wondering if they are indeed genuine. Having said cheaper, they are all expensive items now, as we are experiencing with virtually everything we buy. Kind regards, Gareth.

Wondering if anyone can share their experience and offer recommendations for a replacement alternator make, and supplier, for a family member’s 2015 2ltr. A4 Avant. I noticed a couple of Bosch listed at what appeared to be fairly competitive prices compared with some unknown Chinese brands, but unsure whether these are genuine. Trusting somebody might be able to help. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Alex, Many thanks for the additional information. It has been said that the last suffix letter is simply a later dated derivative of exactly the same part, and not wishing to raise differences of opinion, I can only restate that I believe that claim to be too broad brush, but I still keep an open mind with that being correct for some parts. I have come across the ‘non availability’ of aftermarket equivalents for VAG products, and obviously the acid test would be to physically compare the …….L with your current ….T. Has your flywheel been removed from the car yet? If this were mine, I would first be getting in touch with LUK/Sachs technical department and seeking advice and hopefully - some drawing dimensions which may clarify. The necessary experience should be there. If you find this is indeed a VAG only part, then I do have a couple of contacts where a discount may apply. Perhaps you could come back to us with your findings Alex. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Max, Engine mounting?? Kind regards, Gareth.

Why not LUK/Sachs Alex? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tommy, It’s not uncommon for the in-rear-widow elements to fail due to damage. It quite easy to test with a multimeter, before moving on to more complex possibilities. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Vitaliy, I might be worth sending the original poster a PM. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, Do you want a build record for your particular car, or do you want a list of the full ‘extras’ to choose from for that model year? If the former then any main dealer (Parts Dept. would be my best option) should be able to give you a print out from the VIN. I would do a visit rather than try to do it over the phone. If it’s a list of all options available, then I would be searching EBay for a copy of original sales brochure for your year. This maybe available as an on- line print out, but for me, a nice original copy would be preferred. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Craig, Are you addressing this to anyone in particular? If so, best to send them a PM. Kind regards, Gareth.