4 time A2 TDI SE owner (West Yorkshire, UK)

MOI

A2OC Donor
How do chaps/chapesses? Well I'm not sure why its taken me so long to find this community but better late than never I guess.

Having owned 4 of these incredible cars you'd think I have an intimate knowledge of them but the truth is I could sell the virtues of owning an A2 but ask me to change the alternator belt and I would not have a scooby. Take all sorts. I currently own an 2001 (51 plate) A2 TDI SE 5-seater OSS RHD with 175k on the clock.

I joined last week and have spent sometime trying to get a handle on how the community works and who is offering the services I need at the moment. Any help/advice with the following greatly appreciated:

1 - Everyone seems to say cruise control is a life changer on here. Never thought about it before but willing to take your word for it. Who can offer this thats local?
2 - I have a single DIN factory fitted cassette stereo. What are the popular replacement options here?
3 - Bluetooth. Is it easy enough to add bluetooth?
4 - Are centre hubcaps really made of gold? The prices eye popping.
5 - Has anyone had any long term problems when chipping from 75BHP to 90bhp?
6 - I understand that getting leather seats for a 5 seater is not likely as the 5 seaters are rare. But I'll put it out there anyway. I'm looking for grey, black or cream.

Looking fwd to getting to know you guys and helping out where I can.

Cheers

Imran
 
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1) - Cruise control is great, but really only of use on longer journeys or when your are not 'pressing on' - so invaluable depends on your needs.

2) - Any single DIN head unit will fit. Do you want factory fit or aftermarket? Factory you can go single CD or can change the dash to double DIN and get a Symphony 6 disc + tape all the above are aided by BOSE which can fitted to any headunit (includes new door speakers, grilles for the doors with Bose emblazoned on them and a sub in the boot well instead of the tools (which get relocated under the drivers feet. If aftermarket then there are lots of options. BOSE is nice option if you can find it and can be fitted (@A2Steve @Clackers are good for supply of any spares and @timmus can make up the looms and install for you)

3) - Aftermarket is easier as it was never offered as original fit, just a handset I believe. Parrot kits are good in my experience although have not had to do this in some time - as with any aftermarket item placement into the car is critical if you want to maintain an OEM look.

4) - Yes they are actually a combination of Rhodium/Platinum and Gold and are only made every 3rd blue moon by Unicorns.

5) - Chipping is not usually an issue and has been done many times, there are a few good people that do remaps on the forum.

6) - 5 seaters can be troublesome to get but do come up, they are less practical in that they are harder to remove but more practical in that they seat 5 (obvs) so it is personal preference what you 'like'. I'm a 4 seater person as I regularly remove the seats and I never take 5 people in the car.

Hope that helps sir and welcome to the club!

MrB.
 
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How do chaps/chapesses? Well I'm not sure why its taken me so long to find this community but better late than never I guess.

Having owned 4 of these incredible cars you'd think I have an intimate knowledge of them but the truth is I could sell the virtues of owning an A2 but ask me to change the alternator belt and I would not have a scooby. Take all sorts. I currently own an 2001 (51 plate) A2 TDI SE 5-seater OSS RHD with 175k on the clock.

I joined last week and have spent sometime trying to get a handle on how the community works and who is offering the services I need at the moment. Any help/advice with the following greatly appreciated:

1 - Everyone seems to say cruise control is a life changer on here. Never thought about it before but willing to take your word for it. Who can offer this thats local?
2 - I have a single DIN factory fitted cassette stereo. What are the popular replacement options here?
3 - Bluetooth. Is it easy enough to add bluetooth?
4 - Are centre hubcaps really made of gold? The prices eye popping.
5 - Has anyone had any problems when chipping from 75BHP to 90bhp?
6 - I understand that getting leather seats for a 5 seater is not likely as the 5 seaters are rare. But I'll put it out there anyway. I'm looking for grey, black or cream.

Looking fwd to getting to know you guys and helping out where I can.

Cheers

Imran
Ow do Imran, tha's come t't'reight shop fer owt to do wi' A2s.
Timmus is t'chap fer t'cruise control or owt to do wi' thi wireless an' yon Bluetooth stuff. He's not on t'doorstep but it's not a bad drive through Settle up to Lancaster where he lives. Thur's nowt he dunt know about 'lectric side o' these motors.
I have a Tdi 75 that's bin mapped to about 100 an' I corn't see a downside. Tha can tootle about in a higher gear fer longer at lowish speeds an' give folk wi' what they think are fast motors a bit of a shock when you boot it.
I bought 3 new SE wheel centres from Audi soon after I bought mine six years ago because th'owd uns wur tatty. All four looked t'same after a couple of months an' I can't help but think that somebody swapped 'em. If you still have four, some folk pull t' th'outer ring off an' polish or paint what's underneath. I think some folk have bought copies off eBay. 'Appen they' ll chip in an' say 'ow they got on.
If you pay £2.00, you can get into t' Marketplace on here. You can look fer t'seats tha fancies or put a Wanted ad on an' see if anybody 'as owt t' suit.
I'll sithee,
Jeff
 
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Ow do Imran, tha's come t't'reight shop fer owt to do wi' A2s.
Timmus is t'chap fer t'cruise control or owt to do wi' thi wireless an' yon Bluetooth stuff. He's not on t'doorstep but it's not a bad drive through Settle up to Lancaster where he lives. Thur's nowt he dunt know about 'lectric side o' these motors.
I have a Tdi 75 that's bin mapped to about 100 an' I corn't see a downside. Tha can tootle about in a higher gear fer longer at lowish speeds an' give folk wi' what they think are fast motors a bit of a shock when you boot it. Timmus can sort that out too if you fancy it.
I bought 3 new SE wheel centres from Audi soon after I bought mine six years ago because th'owd uns wur tatty. All four looked t'same after a couple of months an' I can't help but think that somebody swapped 'em. If you still have four, some folk pull t' th'outer ring off an' polish or paint what's underneath. I think some folk have bought copies off eBay. 'Appen they' ll chip in an' say 'ow they got on.
If you pay £2.00, you can get into t' Marketplace on here. You can look fer t'seats tha fancies or put a Wanted ad on an' see if anybody 'as owt t' suit.
I'll sithee,
Jeff
Nicely done: Google Translate? ? ?
 
Hey @moiazam - Sorry for my little dig in the marketplace section on @Clackers advet! Welcome. ?

175k is a decent mileage! Just thought I point you in the direction of This thread, as this job should really be done as a matter of urgency by now on your car, especially if it’s almost due a cam belt change anyway.

Looks like your questions above have been well covered, the only one I can add to is the one on chipping (go for a remap, not an aftermarket chip though) - I looked and there is no evidence at all that remapping shortens the engine life, your TDI should be capable of half that mileage again (at least) with a remap, provided it is already in good condition of course (and that you get the chain kit done as above).
 
Hello Imran and welcome...as a fellow Yorkshireman I hope your questions have been answered.
 
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Ow do Imran, tha's come t't'reight shop fer owt to do wi' A2s.
Timmus is t'chap fer t'cruise control or owt to do wi' thi wireless an' yon Bluetooth stuff. He's not on t'doorstep but it's not a bad drive through Settle up to Lancaster where he lives. Thur's nowt he dunt know about 'lectric side o' these motors.
I have a Tdi 75 that's bin mapped to about 100 an' I corn't see a downside. Tha can tootle about in a higher gear fer longer at lowish speeds an' give folk wi' what they think are fast motors a bit of a shock when you boot it. Timmus can sort that out too if you fancy it.
I bought 3 new SE wheel centres from Audi soon after I bought mine six years ago because th'owd uns wur tatty. All four looked t'same after a couple of months an' I can't help but think that somebody swapped 'em. If you still have four, some folk pull t' th'outer ring off an' polish or paint what's underneath. I think some folk have bought copies off eBay. 'Appen they' ll chip in an' say 'ow they got on.
If you pay £2.00, you can get into t' Marketplace on here. You can look fer t'seats tha fancies or put a Wanted ad on an' see if anybody 'as owt t' suit.
I'll sithee,
Jeff
Appen as th dus, thems ull doo champion!
 
Welcome to the club, Imran.

I have replied to your PM.

Many thanks to all for the recommendations.

1 - Everyone seems to say cruise control is a life changer on here. Never thought about it before but willing to take your word for it. Who can offer this thats local?
If you were to tell me that I had to get rid of all my A2's optional extras, with the exception of 1, I'd keep cruise control. I do a lot of motorway miles, so it makes sense for me, but it's also incredibly useful on long urban roads, where you need to stop your speed creeping up.
I have fitted cruise control to literally hundreds of A2s, and am frequently told that it's a life-changer. It just makes driving so much more comfortable. I always have kits in stock, so it can be added 'on demand'.

2 - I have a single DIN factory fitted cassette stereo. What are the popular replacement options here?
Given that you have a 51-plate A2, I suspect it's a 2002 model year. Knowing your 17-digit VIN will confirm this. A lot of changes were made to the A2 between 2001 model year and 2002 model year, so this information is vital to giving you the correct advice.
Note that your UK registration plate does not accurately tell you the model year of your car. Only the VIN does this.

3 - Bluetooth. Is it easy enough to add bluetooth?
There are multiple options available here. However, if your existing single-DIN cassette deck is the Chorus 1 model, we'd first need to upgrade this. The Chorus 1 is the only Audi head unit that was fitted to the A2 from factory that cannot support Bluetooth.

5 - Has anyone had any long term problems when chipping from 75BHP to 90bhp?
No. There are probably more remapped TDIs in this club than there are non-remapped TDIs!

6 - I understand that getting leather seats for a 5 seater is not likely as the 5 seaters are rare. But I'll put it out there anyway. I'm looking for grey, black or cream.
You will find leather seats for a 5-seater A2. They come up for sale from time to time, but you need to be quick, as others with the less common seating arrangement will also be hunting.

Again, welcome to the club. Better late than never. :)

Cheers,

Tom


Cheers,

Tom
 
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We left in 1978 . We're still in the East Riding, but have to cross a bridge to Church that's in the North Riding..
 
Well thanks for all the warm and informative replies chaps. Very much looking fwd to slowly but surely putting new life into my A2 with your advice, help and services. Onwards!
 
1) - Cruise control is great, but really only of use on longer journeys or when your are not 'pressing on' - so invaluable depends on your needs.

2) - Any single DIN head unit will fit. Do you want factory fit or aftermarket? Factory you can go single CD or can change the dash to double DIN and get a Symphony 6 disc + tape all the above are aided by BOSE which can fitted to any headunit (includes new door speakers, grilles for the doors with Bose emblazoned on them and a sub in the boot well instead of the tools (which get relocated under the drivers feet. If aftermarket then there are lots of options. BOSE is nice option if you can find it and can be fitted (@A2Steve @Clackers are good for supply of any spares and @timmus can make up the looms and install for you)

3) - Aftermarket is easier as it was never offered as original fit, just a handset I believe. Parrot kits are good in my experience although have not had to do this in some time - as with any aftermarket item placement into the car is critical if you want to maintain an OEM look.

4) - Yes they are actually a combination of Rhodium/Platinum and Gold and are only made every 3rd blue moon by Unicorns.

5) - Chipping is not usually an issue and has been done many times, there are a few good people that do remaps on the forum.

6) - 5 seaters can be troublesome to get but do come up, they are less practical in that they are harder to remove but more practical in that they seat 5 (obvs) so it is personal preference what you 'like'. I'm a 4 seater person as I regularly remove the seats and I never take 5 people in the car.

Hope that helps sir and welcome to the club!

MrB.
Suberb thanks mate. Been watching a few of your vids. I now know how to get the door cards off :)
 
Ow do Imran, tha's come t't'reight shop fer owt to do wi' A2s.
Timmus is t'chap fer t'cruise control or owt to do wi' thi wireless an' yon Bluetooth stuff. He's not on t'doorstep but it's not a bad drive through Settle up to Lancaster where he lives. Thur's nowt he dunt know about 'lectric side o' these motors.
I have a Tdi 75 that's bin mapped to about 100 an' I corn't see a downside. Tha can tootle about in a higher gear fer longer at lowish speeds an' give folk wi' what they think are fast motors a bit of a shock when you boot it.
I bought 3 new SE wheel centres from Audi soon after I bought mine six years ago because th'owd uns wur tatty. All four looked t'same after a couple of months an' I can't help but think that somebody swapped 'em. If you still have four, some folk pull t' th'outer ring off an' polish or paint what's underneath. I think some folk have bought copies off eBay. 'Appen they' ll chip in an' say 'ow they got on.
If you pay £2.00, you can get into t' Marketplace on here. You can look fer t'seats tha fancies or put a Wanted ad on an' see if anybody 'as owt t' suit.
I'll sithee,
Jeff
This made me laugh. I'm an adopted northerner but just about managed to decipher this. Thanks!
 
I'm from Wakefield, The Merrie City..Not been back for several years..My Niece was the first owner of an A2 i knew of, bought it new from Audi Wakefield..about 15 years ago..I idn't like the look of the thing when I first saw it...
 
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