If the distributor is seized you had better replace the whole thing. And if the drive gear at the bottom is broken you may also have to remove the sump to retrieve the broken metal.
In the absense of any information regarding a diagnosis I suggest consulting a mechanic who can test the electronics. To simply throw new parts at the car in the hope it will solve the problem could cost you than the price of a new car.
It may be worth your while to consult a solicitor. Some will give a short initial opinion by telephone at no charge, particularly if you have been a previous customer for something like writing a will as mine was, though if you engage him to take on your case the costs will rocket to £200 or more per hour.
I was about to suggest packing the splined hole with grease to prevent rust, but on reflection even a high temperature grease might melt and contaminate the pads.
No it's not normal. The chances are that the rattle is caused by the exhaust is hitting the underside of the car, which in turn could mean that the engine mounting rubbers are soft or broken.
Grab the exhaust pipe when it is cold and shake it hard to see if you can reproduce the noise.
To test the engine mounts you need to lever against them with a crowbar, or get an assistant to let the clutch bite gently while you watch the engine. It should go without saying that both handbrake and footbrake should be firmly applied during the test.
Fiona.
Before you pay out for another subframe, are you sure the rest of the car is sound? I appreciate that the salty air in your location probably contributed to the subframe's corrosion, but it seems unlikely only that one part has suffered while the rest is in good condition.
As the bulbs are new it's likely there is a poor connection in one of the bulb holders or a plug or the earthing of the lamp unit. It's common if water has entered the units, so ensure all moisture has been dried out and any corrosion of the terminals is cleaned off.
Me too Gareth, however I see little prospect of behavioural change from the "entitled" generation. My solution is to ignore this forum for at least one day every week.
Michael.
To save us having to ask lots of preliminary questions it would help if completed your profile with Audi model, version, engine, year, and your approximate location. Your name suggests you are in the USA where there are differences in the model ranges.
As Steve said, it's likely to be the instrument cluster at fault. You have the options of a new one from Audi for silly money, (don't even consider a secondhand one,) or repair of yours for about £180. Search this forum for other examples of this fault.