Today I.....

It looks like these are the std 15" wheels that I believe are are lacquered bare alloy from the factory, which is difficult to re-create. Is this what you've had done, or have they been painted or powder coated?

Powder coated. Less trouble.

Just waiting for the wheel centres to arrive.
 
...experienced this! Once warmed up, this all changed and was like normal; 3 cylinders again... From posts here, I suspect Injector Wiring Loom...
 

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I have been mainly dealing with break downs in live lanes of the M5 and M6 .. plus some silly drivers
 

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Discovered the A2 was a commoner!

Went to wickes, parked next to silver A2, later went morrisons parked close to a rather clean red colour storm!
 
Sort of today (flexi-time applies) I collected a 205,000 mile 2004 TDi75 SE, bone stock and option free other than a very effective eBay parking sensor kit, which I have to say looks neater on the bumper than the factory ones (which I have on PYXi, the project FSi).

Anyway, it came via a chap that looked at my TT last year. Although we didn't do a deal we had a good old natter and A2's naturally cropped up. He mentioned his one and that was that.

A week or so ago he phoned, 'remember me' etc etc. Long and short was he'd just replaced the A2 as they needed an auto. He didn't want to advertise it as it has a collection of things to sort. At the price it would be it just wasn't worth having strangers rocking up, with all the misery that can bring. So he called me.

It's a 2004 and will be on a 53 once his plate is removed. Long MOT, good tyres, very quiet engine which has been fed Slick 50 all the time he had it. It does seem notably happier than either of the other TDi's I've had, despite being the most mile-wealthy.

It falls into the criteria that usually tempts me: it would be a shame to scrap it, I don't want to sell it on the open market, but when you tot up all the work commercially, it's just not viable. I love these as I can spend a few weekends saving an A2 (and all sorts of other things), have all the fun of getting a 'new' car, the satisfaction of turning it around and don't really have to price any time commercially. More importantly, it stops me running off and buying something stupid, like another 996.

All being well, this one will replace the Cobalt TDi. Jury remains out on PYXi, hence my possible interest in the FSi Sport in Marketplace at moment. Ultimately I'd like to end up with a pair of A2's, one petrol, one diesel, both silver over black.

List of jobs so far (and there will be more I'm sure):

Timing belt, serp belt, water pump, G13, thermostat. bought
Interior fan inop. lube?
Tailgate microswitch (??) inop (display on dash all the time). no idea .. yet
A of the A2 badge deleted in preference to RS (as in RS2) badge: will go back to stock. bought
Stiff gearchange (very). will strip and lube as per Cobalt car, worked well.
Bonnet hatch catch doesn't. seized, will strip, clean, reassemble
Rear shock shrouds around the ankles. bought
Undertray missing. wanted
Will paint suspension as just beginning to get some rust: best one so far though other than LASi, my first A2 (my, that seems a very long time ago, 18 months).
Spray front pressed arms with cavity wax.
Club sticker set (naturally).
Repaint original Audi dealer plate holders.
Poss delete a lot of soft-touch which I did before and looked much better.
Interior wet valet (when it warms up again)
Refurb wheels and hubcaps, replace missing cap.
Replace missing first aid kit.
Wiper arm refurb.
Door check strap refurb x2

After that it'll be my faux flaps, I've got a Parrot kit that needs using, might do cruise, will deffo do Baby DIS, fancy trying @depronman 's cruise kit (which I can code here) possibly.

Oh yes, and this is the first vehicle I've ever owned that has seen military action: it has actually been under fire, albeit from an air rifle (confiscated there and then by a rather cross A2 owner). Turns out a .22 can make a really nasty (but perfectly formed) dent in an A2 door. My dent rod skills are definitely not going to be able to rescue it, but I might reduce the secondary damage. After that I might literally get my next door neighbour to cut me a little silver disc on his vinyl cutter. I reckon it'll just take the eye off it.

It's remarkably clean externally although has had paint to NSF wing and door, which the camera picks up around the blend (rear 3/4 of door) but oddly the eye really doesn't. It's a nice job. Third picture shows the brutal damage wrought by the weapon.

It's had my usual up-in-air, wheels off, truck-wash fluid and scrub, jet-wash, door-shuts, engine bay and exterior first clean. All nice and spangly for the workshop, which is where it's sitting tonight. Had a monster week sending a 911 out (74 RS rep out of interest), so not sure how much I'll achieve this weekend: will just potter and see where I end up.

Here's what low single hundreds buys you these days if you're prepared to invest 50 or so hours of graft thereafter:

P1030430sm.jpg
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P1030436sm.jpg
 
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Today I took my lady’s Smart ForTwo to the Scottish Independent Smart specialist for the first time now that it’s officially ours and no longer bound to a lease.

It was due for a service but due to COVID hasn’t done more than a few hundred since the last Mercedes service (of which it’s had four since we got it).

This was the brake pad...
B9F7304A-4D2F-40AC-B59C-B50389F2661D.jpeg


I’m so glad our fine cars have a brake wear indicator but it’s amazing that the dealer didn’t even mention this! Also the oil filter looked about 3 years old... ?
 
Today I took my lady’s Smart ForTwo to the Scottish Independent Smart specialist for the first time now that it’s officially ours and no longer bound to a lease.

It was due for a service but due to COVID hasn’t done more than a few hundred since the last Mercedes service (of which it’s had four since we got it).

This was the brake pad...
View attachment 77216

I’m so glad our fine cars have a brake wear indicator but it’s amazing that the dealer didn’t even mention this! Also the oil filter looked about 3 years old...

That’s main dealer servicing for ya
Charge you a kidney and do a s**t job in to the bargain

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That’s main dealer servicing for ya
Charge you a kidney and do a s**t job in to the bargain

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not half! Full B service today, two disks, pads and ARB bushings replaced. Slightly cheaper than the A services at the Merc garage. Also I was offered a cuppa and a bacon sandwich


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Not half! Full B service today, two disks, pads and ARB bushings replaced. Slightly cheaper than the A services at the Merc garage. Also I was offered a cuppa and a bacon sandwich


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yep main dealers pee me right off. Audi dealers are amongst the worst in my opinion. They look down there nose at their customers and the price they charge is eye watering just to get the dealers stamp in a book
Someone needs to pay for the glass and chrome showroom and the tottie on reception


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Today I found another improperly installed bolt where the head sheared off as soon as I looked at it with a ratchet. This one needed cutting out and once the ARB bracket was off the damage that the bolt had caused to the console was too great so that has been added to the parts list.

The ARB bracket had caused the bolt to bend up into the console and then the bolt was very corroded into the holes
IMG_20210305_094256_compress74.jpg
 
Sort of today (flexi-time applies) I collected a 205,000 mile 2004 TDi75 SE, bone stock and option free other than a very effective eBay parking sensor kit, which I have to say looks neater on the bumper than the factory ones (which I have on PYXi, the project FSi).

Anyway, it came via a chap that looked at my TT last year. Although we didn't do a deal we had a good old natter and A2's naturally cropped up. He mentioned his one and that was that.

A week or so he phoned, 'remember me' etc etc. Long and short was he'd just replaced the A2 as they needed an auto. He didn't want to advertise it as it has a collection of things to sort. At the price it would be it just wasn't worth having strangers rocking up, with all the misery that can bring. So he called me.

It's a 2004 and will be on a 53 once his plate is removed. Long MOT, good tyres, very quiet engine which has been fed Slick 50 all the time he had it. It does seem notably happier than either of the other TDi's I've had, despite being the most mile-wealthy.

It falls into the criteria that usually tempts me: it would be a shame to scrap it, I don't want to sell it on the open market, but when you tot up all the work commercially, it's just not viable. I love these as I can spend a few weekends saving an A2 (and all sorts of other things), have all the fun of getting a 'new' car, the satisfaction of turning it around and don't really have to price any time commercially. More importantly, it stops me running off and buying something stupid, like another 996.

All being well, this one will replace the Cobalt TDi. Jury remains out on PYXi, hence my possible interest in the FSi Sport in Marketplace at moment. Ultimately I'd like to end up with a pair of A2's, one petrol, one diesel, both silver over black.

List of jobs so far (and there will be more I'm sure):

Timing belt, serp belt, water pump, G13, thermostat. bought
Interior fan inop. lube?
Tailgate microswitch (??) inop (display on dash all the time). no idea .. yet
A of the A2 badge deleted in preference to RS (as in RS2) badge: will go back to stock. bought
Stiff gearchange (very). will strip and lube as per Cobalt car, worked well.
Bonnet hatch catch doesn't. seized, will strip, clean, reassemble
Rear shock shrouds around the ankles. bought
Undertray missing. wanted
Will paint suspension as just beginning to get some rust: best one so far though other than LASi, my first A2 (my, that seems a very long time ago, 18 months).
Spray front pressed arms with cavity wax.
Club sticker set (naturally).
Repaint original Audi dealer plate holders.
Poss delete a lot of soft-touch which I did before and looked much better.
Interior wet valet (when it warms up again)
Refurb wheels and hubcaps, replace missing cap.
Replace missing first aid kit.
Wiper arm refurb.
Door check strap refurb x2

After that it'll be my faux flaps, I've got a Parrot kit that needs using, might do cruise, will deffo do Baby DIS, fancy trying @depronman 's cruise kit (which I can code here) possibly.

Oh yes, and this is the first vehicle I've ever owned that has seen military action: it has actually been under fire, albeit from an air rifle (confiscated there and then by a rather cross A2 owner). Turns out a .22 can make a really nasty (but perfectly formed) dent in an A2 door. My dent rod skills are definitely not going to be able to rescue it, but I might reduce the secondary damage. After that I might literally get my next door neighbour to cut me a little silver disc on his vinyl cutter. I reckon it'll just take the eye off it.

It's remarkably clean externally although has had paint to NSF wing and door, which the camera picks up around the blend (rear 3/4 of door) but oddly the eye really doesn't. It's a nice job. Third picture shows the brutal damage wrought by the weapon.

It's had my usual up-in-air, wheels off, truck-wash fluid and scrub, jet-wash, door-shuts, engine bay and exterior first clean. All nice and spangly for the workshop, which is where it's sitting tonight. Had a monster week sending a 911 out (74 RS rep out of interest), so not sure how much I'll achieve this weekend: will just potter and see where I end up.

Here's what low single hundreds buys you these days if you're prepared to invest 50 or so hours of graft thereafter:

View attachment 77169View attachment 77170View attachment 77171
Priceworthy indeed. Will you give this car a thread of it own?
 
Priceworthy indeed. Will you give this car a thread of it own?

To be honest, probably not. Although there's a list to get through, there's less than either Cobalt TDi's. I'll just give a brief update here as and when. I think the first Cobalt car merited its own Project thread as it was so close to being scrapped and was quite a big job. Ditto PYXi: living life on the edge.

The latest two, last weekend's TDi and this weekend's FSi Sport (more of which later) may throw up odd points, but again, won't justify threads of their own, although it did occur I might do a general update on my first eighteen months since joining the A2 family. I was mentally totting them up as I brought the FSi Sport home this evening and I was shocked / horrified / amazed at how many A2's have been here*. Good to hear from you btw :)

*Spoiler alert, it's seven :eek:
 
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Loads of service history with my car. Mostly Audi main dealers. Have they ever replaced the cabin filter?
 

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Quality main dealer service people! 7 quid. I need to check all the service paperwork to see how many times they charged for it!
 
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