Greetings to all A2 owners,

For over a decade, I have been upgrading and repairing A2s. Having dedicated myself to just one model of car, I have intimate, specialised knowledge of the vehicle we all love. Countless reviews and recommendations are scattered across the pages of this forum. My hope is that, with incremental revisions, this thread will give A2 owners a clear and condensed overview of the services that I provide and how I deliver them.

Timmus was originally a childhood nickname, born from my sister's early attempts to say 'Thomas'. Upon joining A2OC, back when A2s were first starting to appear on the second-hand market, my nickname seemed a suitable choice of username. Even when I was building models as a young boy, I showed an enthusiastic desire to improve and innovate. Studying physics and engineering at university honed my understanding and developed in me the skills necessary to innovate and improve in line with established principles and with a due respect for correctness, caution and consideration.
I soon found that my understanding of the A2's electrics was an asset to the club. My lifelong and apparently innate fixation on detail and desire for the very highest standards of neatness, efficiency and safety has meant that I have acquired a reputation in the club for factory-standard perfectionism. I am known not just for my meticulousness and painstaking care for the work that I do, but also for my honesty, flexibility, cooperativeness and integrity with the people for whom I work.

Below is an overview of the range of services that I offer for the Audi A2.

Retrofitting of Optional Extras

With the exception of OpenSky and climate control, I can retrofit all of the original factory options, plus many others. If you've seen it in an A2, I can add it to yours. It'll be just like your A2 left the factory with that option...
  • Cruise Control
  • Instrument Cluster Upgrades...
    • Mini DIS
    • DIS
    • Colour DIS
    • Customised Clusters
    • Bulb Check System Deactivation
  • Audio System Upgrades...
    • Bose Premium Sound System
    • Rear Speakers
    • Bluetooth Wireless Music Streaming
    • Audi Music Interface (AMI)
    • Stereo Head Unit Upgrades
    • Later Generation Audi Stereos
    • CD Changer
  • Seat Upgrades...
  • Steering Wheel Upgrades...
    • Multifunction Steering Wheel (Many Different Designs)
    • Non-Multifunction Steering Wheels
  • Fog Lights...
    • Front Fog Lights
    • Twin Rear Fog Lights
  • Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
    • Front Fog Lights as DRLs
  • Rear Electric Windows
  • Double-DIN Dashboard
  • RNS-E Integrated SatNav
  • Komfortblinker Indicators
  • Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror (3 Different Designs)
  • Bluetooth Phone Integration
  • Rear Parking Sensors
  • Optical Parking System
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Heated Windscreen Washer Jets
  • Headlight Washers
  • SideGuard Curtain Airbags
  • Speech Dialogue System (Voice Control)
  • Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
  • False Floor Boot
  • Twin Interior Boot Lights
  • Pop-Out 12V Boot Socket
  • Additional Keys
  • 12V and USB Charging Sockets
  • Anti-Hijack Locking
  • Beep-on-Lock Full Closure Confirmation
  • Aftermarket Dashcams
  • HID Headlight Conversions
  • Custom Requests
As time passes, more and more of the options listed above will link to further details. If you have any questions, please send me a private message or post in this thread.

Electrical Diagnostics, Services and Repairs

I have a complete understanding of the A2's electrical systems and have great experience of diagnosing and repairing most electrical problems.
TDI Engine Upgrades
Accessing My Services

I'm based near Lancaster, just off M6 J34. My workshop is where a majority of my work is performed, and everyone is welcome to visit me by appointment. I'm sometimes to be found at 'satellite stations' in the Midlands and the South East. I also perform work on A2s at A2OC social events, where suitable/appropriate.
Very occasionally, I also do 'retrofitting tours', where I travel between multiple A2 owners to deliver upgrade and repair requests at owners' homes or places of work. Please note that I do not drive for individual jobs; it’s much easier to bring your A2 to my workshop than to bring my workshop to your A2.
For Central European owners, I'm happy to travel/fly. I also have a base in The Hague, which serves A2 owners in the BeNeLux region.

Please be aware that I am my own secretary and that I can struggle to reply to private messages promptly when work is busy. Rest assured, no message goes unanswered and I will get back to you. Thanks for your patience.

My list of services is always increasing, and I will continue to update and expand this thread as needed.

Warm regards to all,

Tom
 
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Hi Tom. I'd be interested in a few upgrades to my beloved and already mightily-specced A2 1.4. I'd be interested in the colour DIS (can it be set to display speed?), bluetooth integration (I have the Bose upgrade) and Komfortblinker indicators (can you get scrollers for an A2...?). Possibly also a multifunction steering wheel. Not sure how often you venture south, but I live in Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire - close to junctions 16 & 17 on the M25. Can you give me an idea of price, too? Many thanks. Steve
Hi Steve,

I shall start a private conversation with you.

Colour DIS can indeed be set to display speed, either in mph or km/h.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Finally I have had cruise fitted to Jack!!! I put it off for so long, but finally bit the bullet as I always fancied it on my keeper. I had it on a couple of my older cars, and always fancied it.
Perfect job, excellent banter, and drove away a very happy punter...only downside is I keep forgetting I've got it lol...
Next job is to get the canbus cable replaced, for some reason the previous owner decided to cut it out....this was discovered by Tom, just by looking at it!!!!!
Cheers Tom, always a pleasure meeting up, will raid the pound coin jar and book you in again soon.
Andy
 
I'm a newbie on here & haven't formally introduced myself yet but I couldn't miss the opportunity of supporting Tom's thread. I was a real damsel in distress, having written my beloved A2 off. I brought a replacement A2 which annoyingly had many electrical gremlins. I couldn't open the doors, the alarm was constantly going off, the fuel flap wouldn't close, the interior lights failed to come on. I had taken the car to an independent Audi specialist in Nottingham who had the car for 7 weeks, they had an electrical specialist look at the car & their verdict it wasn't feasible to replace the CCCU. The only fault they could fix was the fuel flap & they wired this is in independently. Despite a very hefty bill I was left with a car that I still couldn't use. Then I spotted recommendations on the forum for Tom & messaged Tom, I was reassured right from Tom's first response. I took a road trip to Lancaster & in a single afternoon Tom replaced the CCCU, sorted out a bad solder in the drivers door & removed the circuit that the other garage had completed & restored the electrics to its original state. Tom was remarkable, totally cured all the gremlins, his expertise is 1st class and I too can't recommend him enough, Furthermore Tom is such a lovely guy and his charges are very reasonable. Thanks again Tom.
 
Steve and John, I thank you both kindly for your positive feedback. Always nice to see new and known faces. :)

Kind regards,

Tom
Very tactful Tom, I bet you originally typed “new and old faces” then your “tact filter” kicked in.
But in my case I am not sensitive about my age?. I have had MANY Years to get used to it.
Thanks again.
steve B
 
I'm a newbie on here & haven't formally introduced myself yet but I couldn't miss the opportunity of supporting Tom's thread. I was a real damsel in distress, having written my beloved A2 off. I brought a replacement A2 which annoyingly had many electrical gremlins. I couldn't open the doors, the alarm was constantly going off, the fuel flap wouldn't close, the interior lights failed to come on. I had taken the car to an independent Audi specialist in Nottingham who had the car for 7 weeks, they had an electrical specialist look at the car & their verdict it wasn't feasible to replace the CCCU. The only fault they could fix was the fuel flap & they wired this is in independently. Despite a very hefty bill I was left with a car that I still couldn't use. Then I spotted recommendations on the forum for Tom & messaged Tom, I was reassured right from Tom's first response. I took a road trip to Lancaster & in a single afternoon Tom replaced the CCCU, sorted out a bad solder in the drivers door & removed the circuit that the other garage had completed & restored the electrics to its original state. Tom was remarkable, totally cured all the gremlins, his expertise is 1st class and I too can't recommend him enough, Furthermore Tom is such a lovely guy and his charges are very reasonable. Thanks again Tom.
Thank you, @Vintagefan, for such a kind and positive review. I'm delighted to have been able to fix your A2 after such a frustrating backstory. I hope that episode now feels like distant history and that you're enjoying your A2 - as Audi intended it! - every day. :)

Warm regards,

Tom
 
@Oett83 and I started chatting just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown about doing a few upgrades to his A2. Unfortunately, full lockdown restrictions came into force, scuppering our plans. However, this enforced break gave us an opportunity to make bigger and bigger plans.
The A2 was dropped off at mine three weeks ago, and collected yesterday. Although most upgrades can be done in a day, this project required a much greater investment of my time. So, over the last three weeks, between rain showers and countless other A2s arriving for work, I've slowly 'chipped away' at this project. The transformative results are shown below...

image.jpeg


I've added Colour DIS, Mk2 RNS-E SatNav, Audi Bluetooth phone integration, Bluetooth music streaming, SDS voice control, a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel with thumb-roller controls, Bose premium sound system, komfortblinker indicators, electrically adjustable lumbar support, heated seats, dashcam and cruise control.

This 'dual Bluetooth' setup allows for great functionality. One Bluetooth channel enables seamless integration of the phone with the car. The car can read the phone's contacts list, which can then be browsed on the DIS screen, using the multifunction steering wheel controls. Hands-free calls can be made and answered, etc. Voice messages can also be recorded in WhatsApp, for instance. The other Bluetooth channel enables music streaming, from Spotify, Apple Music and other such Bluetooth-enabled apps/devices. Of course, the multifunction steering wheel also controls these apps; track skipping and such is all done wirelessly. All audio is piped through the Bose audio system, so sounds excellent.

It's been a pleasure, and of great personal satisfaction, to complete this project. @Oett83 joins a very small group of people who have this kind of functionality in their 1997-designed car! :)

All the best,

Tom
 
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Hello Tom @timmus
Can you fit colour dis to other VAG group cars?
I have a full height cluster in my VW Golf mk4 R32 thats suffering with pixel fade.
Is this something that could be done?
Thanks
 
@Oett83 and I started chatting just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown about doing a few upgrades to his A2. Unfortunately, full lockdown restrictions came into force, scuppering our plans. However, this enforced break gave us an opportunity to make bigger and bigger plans.
The A2 was dropped off at mine three weeks ago, and collected yesterday. Although most upgrades can be done in a day, this project required a much greater investment of my time. So, over the last three weeks, between rain showers and countless other A2s arriving for work, I've slowly 'chipped away' at this project. The transformative results are shown below...

View attachment 67964

I've added Colour DIS, Mk2 RNS-E SatNav, Audi Bluetooth phone integration, Bluetooth music streaming, SDS voice control, a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel with thumb-roller controls, Bose premium sound system, komfortblinker indicators, electrically adjustable lumbar support, heated seats, dashcam and cruise control.

This 'dual Bluetooth' setup allows for great functionality. One Bluetooth channel enables seamless integration of the phone with the car. The car can read the phone's contacts list, which can then be browsed on the DIS screen, using the multifunction steering wheel controls. Hands-free calls can be made and answered, etc. Voice messages can also be recorded in WhatsApp, for instance. The other Bluetooth channel enables music streaming, from Spotify, Apple Music and other such Bluetooth-enabled apps/devices. Of course, the multifunction steering wheel also controls these apps; track skipping and such is all done wirelessly. All audio is piped through the Bose audio system, so sounds excellent.

It's been a pleasure, and of great personal satisfaction, to complete this project. @Oett83 joins a very small group of people who have this kind of functionality in their 1997-designed car! :)

All the best,

Tom
@timmus - Looks like a cracking job there - if that was my car I'd be over the moon!
 
VW Golf mk4 R32
Hi Dodders,

I am, in theory, able to add Colour DIS to the Mk4 R32. However, being a through-and-through A2 nerd, I've never done it before. At the moment, I'm too busy to take on customised/one-off projects, but if you're a patient chap, it can be added to the list.

Cheers,

Tom
 
I am indeed over the moon, I think the term is I had a s*** eating grin!
Overall functionality is very good, and for me makes an already great cat greater, although I totally understand that some folk would rather keep everything stock standard…….., I'm lucky in that I've got an original Mk1 Oettinger golf that I keep as standard, and I get to run around in the gem that is the A2 everyday.
Its certainly been an interesting journey over the last 6 months (Covid aside) and have already met 3 of the OC greats, 'A2Steve' who I bought the car off, 'Kleynie' who overhauled the OSS and the famous 'Timmus'. What a fantastic bunch!
Looking forward to phase 2 Tom, get your diary out! :)

Ron
 
What a fantastic bit of work Tom. It’s really transformed the car. Your abilities are really shown here, it’s quite breathtaking.

I think we’ve now both had that car apart, you internally and me externally. Before sale from memory it had 2 new doors, 2 wings, bonnet, and front and rear bumper all swapped over from a donar car to improve the paintwork that previously had a few deep scratches on them.

@Oett83 time for a project thread I think
 
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Hello Ron your "cockpit" looks amazing now fella and i should know as myself and my brother Ian visited Dr timmus 1 week ago to drop off Ians car for Toms attention and we looked at your car when we stood on his driveway and the makeover looked 2/3rds done and looked like an absolute nightmare to anyone who does not understand car electrics and i think that speaks for 99.9% of car owners, myself and Ian on lunch today looked at the images and we are both amazed at what Tom has done from what we seen last week and i look forward to having Tom carry out all the same mods as you have had done in good time. feeling rather jealous right now so need to raid the piggy bank ASAP and go for a full internal from Dr timmus !!! oh and if you are reading this Tom look forward to seeing you again when Ians car is ready for collection.
 
Those in the South East may be interested to know that I'll be in your area soon...
Cheers,

Tom
 
I had the pleasure of meeting Tom in person yesterday and spending the day with him :) . I took a 280 miles each way trip for have BOSE, Cruise Control , rear electric Windows and RNSE MK2 fitted. It was definitely worth the drive . Tom worked 10 hours on my car without taking a break this was a massive undertaking and Tom has detailed expert knowledge of the A2. His work is first class and everything is done to perfection . The drive back home was a nicer place with cruise and the BOSE sound system and The rns-e . Tom added 2 extra functions that were not present before doors locking after 10 seconds of driving off and now the car bleeps when the car is locked completely. If you’re looking for upgrades or retrofits Tom is the person. 10 hours of driving staying in a travel lodge over night so you can get the specialist deliver factory spec refits is well worth it. I have more things that need doing but there is a limit to what can be done in one day let’s say I'll be back :)
 
Devans i dropped of our silver tdi 2005 se at the "ELECTRICAL WIZARD OF OV" (ERTON)s house this morning for him to wave his magic timmus wand over our silver 05 se. heated leather seats+ cruise + plus other items we would like to have retro fitted if Tom can accommodate us in his extremely busy schedule which i am going to discuss with him monday, he worked on our other car around 3 weeks ago fitting cruise plus other bits then completely sorted my brother ians A2 two weeks ago and we all could not be happier as his knowledge about A2s is second to none. after we dropped of the car we spent this afternoon having lunch at the midland hotel terrace in morecambe not 10 minutes from Toms place sat in the sun overlooking the bay across to the lake district in the sun taking in a gin&tonic or two then back home and now looking forward to seeing Tom once he has worked his magic.
 
@Oett83 and I started chatting just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown about doing a few upgrades to his A2. Unfortunately, full lockdown restrictions came into force, scuppering our plans. However, this enforced break gave us an opportunity to make bigger and bigger plans.
The A2 was dropped off at mine three weeks ago, and collected yesterday. Although most upgrades can be done in a day, this project required a much greater investment of my time. So, over the last three weeks, between rain showers and countless other A2s arriving for work, I've slowly 'chipped away' at this project. The transformative results are shown below...

View attachment 67964

I've added Colour DIS, Mk2 RNS-E SatNav, Audi Bluetooth phone integration, Bluetooth music streaming, SDS voice control, a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel with thumb-roller controls, Bose premium sound system, komfortblinker indicators, electrically adjustable lumbar support, heated seats, dashcam and cruise control.

This 'dual Bluetooth' setup allows for great functionality. One Bluetooth channel enables seamless integration of the phone with the car. The car can read the phone's contacts list, which can then be browsed on the DIS screen, using the multifunction steering wheel controls. Hands-free calls can be made and answered, etc. Voice messages can also be recorded in WhatsApp, for instance. The other Bluetooth channel enables music streaming, from Spotify, Apple Music and other such Bluetooth-enabled apps/devices. Of course, the multifunction steering wheel also controls these apps; track skipping and such is all done wirelessly. All audio is piped through the Bose audio system, so sounds excellent.

It's been a pleasure, and of great personal satisfaction, to complete this project. @Oett83 joins a very small group of people who have this kind of functionality in their 1997-designed car! :)

All the best,

Tom


Hi Tom,

This upgrade looks fantastic! Congratulations on a really practical and helpful modernization. I would love to have you do a similar job on my car. Can you provide all the parts needed? How long does it take you from start to finish? Apart from fitting in to your undoubtably busy calendar! And last of all how much would it cost? Ideally, I would like the Colour DIS, Mk2 RNS-E SatNav, Audi Bluetooth phone integration, Bluetooth music streaming, SDS voice control, a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel with thumb-roller controls, Bose premium sound system, and maybe electric rear windows. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

Best-DON
 
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