Hello all,
It’s now been 6 months since I first started to commute in this amazing A2; covering just over 12k miles so guess it’s right to add a progress review.
If you’re reading this post then I guess you’ve read the thread from the beginning and will have seen what’s been done over the last few months, as such I’ll not add any pictures of what’s happened so far as most work has already been covered earlier on.
This commuter was absolutely spot on when handed over from Paul
@PaulA2 and really didn’t need any further updates/upgrades but you all know me too well to not be satisfied with its budget specification; I like to tinker and have decided to invest my little spare time on research to take on all my own retrofits. After improving my soldering skills and having access to the necessary wiring diagrams I realised that it was the way forward as it’s much more satisfying doing your own work if you’re confident enough. Unsurprisingly, as the marque is some 20 years old, it’s astonishing how easy some of the retrofits actually are.
From memory is has benefited from the addition of:
1. Complete Soul interior transplant to rid it of the dated Swing interior plastics
2. Black leather SE heated seats with electric lumbar
3. DIS retrofit (revision Q instrument cluster and the associated fuel sender from a later generation A2)
4. Komfortblinker Blinker
5. Bespoke A2 Armrest bracket and C5 black leather armrest
6. Full winter pack (spray washer jets uprated to heated twin jets)
7. Factory collapsible spare
8. Soul auto dimming mirror with compass
9. Crystal clear headlamps
10. Double DIN dashboard transplant
11. A3 RNS-E PU with factory BT and AMI module (Bovee WMA1000)
12. A5 factory QI wireless charger
13. A6 C6 dual tone horn
14. A3/5 HFBMFSW with revision AL slip ring
15. Headlamp washer bumper
16. Pepperpots
17. Seat belt buckle warning wired to the cluster
18. Later generation CCCU
There is probably more as the above is from memory.
The items remaining to be retrofitted are:
1. Bose with full loom in the garage
2. SideGuard with full loom in the garage
3. Rear PDC with full loom in the garage
4. Arduino for Rear OPR display on the RNS-E PU in the garage
5. Reupholstered headlining (colour change), already have the fabric and adhesive
6. Auto Dab, a trial item which needs the MFSW to flick between channels
7. JDD already prepared
8. Votex kit (no spoiler just yet)
9. ColorMFA (Colour DIS)
10. Rear electric windows
There have been a few things that required rectification along the way:
1. Headlamps were dull so a fresher set were fitted
2. Front brakes started to warp after 5k miles so we’re replaced
3. Wipers didn’t function correctly, new wiper relay fitted
4. Yaw rate sensor fault after 2k miles so was replaced
5. Couple of rubber suspension parts were picked up on the recent MOT so we’re replaced
The above list is more than acceptable for a vehicle of its age. So what can I say about my new’ish commuter; simply brilliant.
I started commuting with the odometer reading 128444 miles back on the 4th of January and delivered me home this evening with 140460 miles on the clock. Pretty much 6 months and 12k miles.
The DIS MPG display has consistently been presenting me with 60mpg over the whole (smaller) tank of diesel but we all know the inaccuracy of the firmware of the factory DIS screen. I’ve been filling up at 400 miles and adding 27 litres of V-Power which is pretty much 67mpg over the range of the fuel tank, very admirable for a 22 year old car with standard gearbox. Sure it’ll increase slightly once I get the JDD ‘box fitted.
All the 2022 maintenance conducted by Paul has seen this enjoyable family member not miss a beat, it’s been such a pleasure to drive. So comfortable with its recent suspension refresh and has ensured many a smile with returning a very respectable mpg. The paint work needs a little work to small areas of lacquer peel/blister but I’ll get to that eventually; that said, the beautiful Jaipur Red paint really pops with a few layers of polish and wax. It attracts many comments in car parks or on the driveway from visitors. I’m so glad I deceived to grab this stunning A2 and selfishly happy to not see any interest on the sale thread after some 5 hours of listing, I just had to register interest.
My thanks still go out to Paul for a cracking deal on this one, thank you again Sir.
The next dramatic change will be fitting the Votex kit which is being dropped off at the paint shop next week, cannot wait to fit it!
I’ll add some pictures at the weekend after another layer (or 2) of wax has been applied. Hopefully I’ve managed to find some time to add a few more items that are sat waiting in the garage.
Kind regards,
Tom
keep up the good work you’re doing
