MoT failure - advice wanted

B

B300ABT

Member
I'm going through one of my periodic "I'm not at all sure about my love for A2s" phases
I've got 3 x 1.4 TDIs at the moment, one of which I've only just acquired, and is fine - touch wood.
One is a totally immobilised bar steward, which I haven't got a clue how to deal with - even if I disconnect the battery for 24 to 48 hours, the moment I reconnect the earth lead, the hazard lights start flashing. The engine will fire up, but immediately cuts out.
The 3rd one is my partner's, and we use it all the time, and it has just failed it's MoT...
OSF lower suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached
NSF anti roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn / OSF has some play
Major exhaust leak from front flexi pipe
Plus 1 tyre down to tread wear indicators
The non specialist garage that I use estimates £725 to put this lot right.
I'm told that the exhaust flexi is no longer available from Audi, but was hideously expensive, so they'll have to remake that pipe for me.....or is a pattern part available from somewhere.
Any thoughts? They don't see that many A2s down here in Devon, so a fair chunk of the estimate could be down to guesswork
 
OK - so I've found the £25 flexi pipe on fleabay - but local garage is "allowing for £££ difficulties" in removing the system prior to fitting this. Does anyone know if any of the nationwide exhaust centres will take this on?
 
The flexi section of the exhaust can be easily replaced at any exhaust specialist, who'll have the tubing in stock and weld the new section in. There's no difficulty in doing the job, just phone ahead and check that they're using a good grade of stainless mesh.
 
oneflewover said:
Don't think thats bad for a 15-20yr old car. Almost consumable type things.
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Exactly, it's all bolt on stuff that will wear out on any car. A drop link is £15, tyre around £40, exhaust fix £80-100. With the ball joint I would suggest changing the whole bottom arm unless they are relatively new because they are prone to rust. They are around £80 each. £720 seems a finger in the air estimate.
 
Hi as has been said flexi pipe any good exhaust specialist ..no big deal ....anti roll bar drop links pennies ...as for tyre that’s wear and tear my old mate infact it’s all general wear ..and you cant drive anything for free ...but the a2 is one of the nearest you will get ..every make has its probs unfortunately..but these aren’t faults they are general wear ..,as for that quote did your garage man wear a mask ? try somewhere else ..
 
Thanks guys - pretty much mirror my own thoughts. "Reason" for high quote was apparently that exhaust system would need to be removed to replace the front flexi, and garage was "allowing for problems"! As I understand it, it should be possible to cut out and then replace the leaking flexi without removing the exhaust system.
 
B300ABT said:
Thanks guys - pretty much mirror my own thoughts. "Reason" for high quote was apparently that exhaust system would need to be removed to replace the front flexi, and garage was "allowing for problems"! As I understand it, it should be possible to cut out and then replace the leaking flexi without removing the exhaust system.
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If you could tell us whether or not the car is still driveable, and whereabouts in Devon you are, we may be able to point you towards someone to sort out the flexi for you.
 
B300ABT said:
Car is still driveable - and I’m in Kingsbridge
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Project Stainless, Unit 1, 12 Newnham Road, Plympton PL7 4AW Tel 01752 638 767 look like they're closest for you. They have a Longlife Exhausts franchise. I've spoken to them to check that they're happy to do a simple flexi replacement and they are. They say you'd need to take the car in to them as they may need to order in the specific size of flexi tubing you'd need though.

Custom Exhausts | Longlife Plymouth | Devon

Longlife Plymouth: Custom stainless steel exhausts specialists in the South West. Bring your drive alive with our built-on vehicle exhausts.
www.longlife.co.uk www.longlife.co.uk
 
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