Much appreciated with the explanation of the ride height. I've narrowed my ideal spec down to:- LWB in 3.0 or 4.2 TDI guise. 4 zone climate + heated rear seats, BOSE or Bang and Oulfson stereo, 18" wheels or bigger, TV/DAB + Bluetooth ideally.

 

Would like the fingerprint recognition for pure gadgetry, but unsure of its purpose? Surely you still need the key in to start it so I can't see the need apart from Security? Also is it easy to reprogram with my own fingerprint as obviously the previous owner will be no where near!!

No key needed, the fingerprint recognition is more for remembering the seat positions, and all the other settings. For example, I get in and start the car. The seat position, external mirrors, climate control temperature, suspension settings and steering wheel all move to my preferences. in addition the radio presets, volume, navigation destinations and phone book entries are all set to mine.

 

Along with the fingerprint you get full keyless entry and keyless go. So I simply walk up to the car, as I lift the handle the key in my pocket is read by the car and it unlocks. Jump in and hit the start button, the key does not need to go into anything and remains in my pocket. When you leave the car, simply get out and press the external locking button on the door or the lock button on the key.

 

The car can remember 4 drivers, and its easily reprogrammed as long as a key valid key is present inside the car.

 

Should there be a problem with the system, you can of course put the key in the dash and use that, and also use the unlock and lock buttons on the key.

So I assume you've never experienced 'Automatic' mode, Manny

Major list update today, as it stands as at 3rd March 2014

1) Sort out battery captive nut so the battery can be secured down - Completed 30-12-2013
2) Replace cambelt / tensioners/ water pump/ thermostat / Aux Belt - Completed  7/01/2014
3) Replace all four tyres - TBA
4) Have MMI screen mechanism fixed, common issue because of cog with missing tooth (works fine, just clicks on open/close) - TBA
5) Intake manifold variable flaps need fixing, common problem, symptoms lack of torque below 4K RPM - TBA (Low priority)
6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted - Fixed 03/03/2014
7) Sort suspension issue out. Either wiring / sensor or compressor - Completed Jan 2014
8) Have suspension air compressor rebuilt using repair kit - Completed 21 Jan 14
9) Upgrade MMI firmware from Version 3.50 to Version 57.50, has to be done in three stages - Completed 14/01/2014.
10) Replace Alarm Siren to remove VCDS Code - Completed 18/01/2014
11) Fix parking sensors, replaced nearside front sensor - Completed 01/03/2014

Added another completed thing at number 11, also completed today is the exhaust which is now fixed and makes the car almost silent.

 

So outstanding we have.

 

3) Replace all four tyres - TBA
4) Have MMI screen mechanism fixed, common issue because of cog with missing tooth (works fine, just clicks on open/close) - TBA
5) Intake manifold variable flaps need fixing, common problem, symptoms lack of torque below 4K RPM - TBA (Low priority)

If I'm right you have TV on yours. Guessing its analogue due to age but assume an upgrade to digital is a simple case of replacement tuner? Also any ideas if the DAB radio module is part of that or an additional unit again?

Also your MMI upgrade process. Was it a trip to a dealer or is it something you download and do?

Sorry for the questions but I'm intregued!

Yes, its analogue TV but its dead easy to replace the tuner module for a digital one. Just get replacement tuner, disconnect the power, aerial and fibre channel connectors and swap the module. Even if you keep the analogue TV, it has two AV inputs so you can add a DVD player or game console directly to the MMI.

 

MMI, I did it myself. I have the four CDs to carryout the upgrade, and it took about 2 and a half hours. Unlike the Columbus the updates need to be applied in sequence to get to the last one. The only caveat is that if you have the bluetooth phone it is possible to corrupt its firmware, and if the update goes tits up it will be a very expensive fix.

 

Once you have the latest firmware you can add the Audi AMI module which is basically the same as the Skoda MDI setup.

Saw a guy in a new A8 the other day watching freeview while sat in traffic.

 

I also had a quick look myself at what kind of money these go for.

 

Was amazed how much car you get for your money. Would love the 4.0 or 4.2 TDI!

 

Phil

Nice to read through the progress on this lovely big car!!!! 

 

Looking forward to seeing some pics of it nice and shiny when time allows.

 

They are lovely big buses.... a mate recently got an A6 4.2 V8 on the cheap, around 10 years old and its very nice.

He has had some issues with oil seals though and cost quite a bit to fix..... only 65k miles too.

Was amazed how much car you get for your money. Would love the 4.0 or 4.2 TDI!

 

Phil

Avoid the 4.0TDI, it has inbuilt failure, much like the MK1 Superb 2.0 TDI. Essentially the inlet manifold flaps are made of plastic and they can break off, they are then ingested into the engine and its bye bye engine. There are fixes available, but you'd need an invoice to prove the flaps have been replaced before they failed or removed all together.

The 4.2TDI is the one to get, the 3.0TDI is a nice all rounder if you want economy. Both can be remapped for substantially more than stock power.

Avoid the 4.0TDI, it has inbuilt failure, much like the MK1 Superb 2.0 TDI. Essentially the inlet manifold flaps are made of plastic and they can break off, they are then ingested into the engine and its bye bye engine. There are fixes available, but you'd need an invoice to prove the flaps have been replaced before they failed or removed all together.

The 4.2TDI is the one to get, the 3.0TDI is a nice all rounder if you want economy. Both can be remapped for substantially more than stock power.

 

That would explain the amount of 4.0 TDIs up for sale then!

 

I like the 3.0 TDI.

 

I have driven an old Touareg with it in and was very impressed with it. The new twin turbo one is even better especially with the 8 speed auto.

 

Phil

Today another item has been chopped from the list

 

3) Replace all four tyres - Completed 17/03/2014
4) Have MMI screen mechanism fixed, common issue because of cog with missing tooth (works fine, just clicks on open/close) - TBA
5) Intake manifold variable flaps need fixing, common problem, symptoms lack of torque below 4K RPM - TBA (Low priority)

 

This currently leaves two minor issues, plus an additional one to fix which is a problem with pipe between the screenwash bottle on the headlight washers. Currently adding water to the bottle results in it leaking out until it drops below the level of the headlight washer motor. I think a pipe has either split or come loose and leaking.

Almost there.

 

I had the same issue with a pipe on our Cordoba. There was a hole in a pipe so the water would just leak out till it got below the level of the hole.

 

Mine was easy to get to but I suspect it may not be the case on yours...

 

Phil

Almost there.

 

I had the same issue with a pipe on our Cordoba. There was a hole in a pipe so the water would just leak out till it got below the level of the hole.

 

Mine was easy to get to but I suspect it may not be the case on yours...

 

Phil

Correct, wheel off, arch liner off to get access. I may just leave it until the service is due and get them to fix it at the same time. its just the annoying beep followed by the animated warning light that never stops on the dash.

I've found one I quite like the look of, however it has a sunroof which is listed as fixed, no tilt/slide. Was this an option and if so..why would you have a glass roof that didn't open. Its standard sunroof size.

if it has a factory sunroof it should tilt/slide. There are three factory sunroof options; Metal, Solar (which I have) and glass. They all tilt/slide, PM me a link if you like Chris and I'll see what its like.

Thanks I've just had a reply to an email I sent them. Apparently the fuse has gone but they are not going to repair it. ERM..if its just a fuse why not. Walk..no wait...run away!

Thanks I've just had a reply to an email I sent them. Apparently the fuse has gone but they are not going to repair it. ERM..if its just a fuse why not. Walk..no wait...run away!

its just failed then, can be fixed but its labour intensive.

Took the car back to the tyre place today, the spare had gone as flat as a pancake. When they did the tyres monday, they took the almost new Pilot Sport tyre which was on the front and swapped it for the cheap and nasty budget in the boot. However checking today it was flat, so they removed the tyre from the wheel and spent quiet some time cleaning up the inside edge of the wheel face. The lacquer had gone good and proper, so they tyre was then re-installed and inflated again.

 

Also had a moment earlier whilst checking the car history, however all is well on paper. I used the MOT history check to go back, I wanted to checkout historical advisories to work out what has been replaced over the years. The car had its first MOT in 2007, mileage recorded by the testing station was 62K. Car had its second MOT in 2008 by the same testing station, recorded mileage 59K. Now going by this alarm bells rang, until I worked out for the first test the wrong mileage was entered. From the service history and paperwork I have, it suggests that the mileage in 2007 was in fact 52K and not the 62K on the first MOT. 

 

Today I also installed the 2014 Satnav disk which was released 2 weeks ago, so now have the latest maps.

Out of interest what sort of mpg are you getting out of your 3.7?

MPG wise, mid to high 20's. On a good run I have seen 460 miles from the 90 litre tank, so its not really that bad. This A8 is better fuel wise around town than the one I recently sold, so seeing around 15mpg or so.

 

Time for another update.

 

Discovered last night that the wiper linkage was playing up, the passenger wiper was juddering a lot. Quick investigation last night showed a lot of play in the passenger side bush where the arm attaches. Confirmed that this morning by removing the wiper arm and doing some basic tests, so have ordered a replacement from a breakers yard who have one from a 20K mile car. Hopefully that will have less play in the bushings and I'll be judder free again.

 

Still got the whining diff to sort, apparently the most likely cause is the pinion bearing preload coming loose due to wear, I'm waiting for a local transmission specialist to get back to me on that one.

 

I've also been in touch with the MOT testing station regarding the MOT's on the car that they carried out and they are going to check back to see if they have the invoices for the 2007 MOT that was passed to the customer and check the mileage for me. I have given them the relevant info, and they are digging around for me. (see second paragraph, post 69)

Replaced the entire wiper linkage this morning, what looked like a simple job ended up taking 3 hours due to the amount of disassembly required.

 

A few pictures below of taken part way through the reassembly stage.

 

Now all back together and working perfectly, the replacement second hand linkage was from a 2008 car which had just 20K on the clock when it was scrapped.

Also a picture taken yesterday (still with old wiper linkage) of the car surrounded by fields of rape seed in Dorset.

New updated picture

 

Just took these after I had the car cleaned on Saturday, in the spring sunshine the car looks really good and its such a shame that one of the rear wheels is suffering from lacquer delamination. I have started to work on sorting this out, but what with everything else going on its taken a back seat.

 

Looking good Manny 

Keeping my fingers crossed for the car today, its going in for a service and MOT at my local VAG specialist (if you call Wareham local to Blandford that is). They are collecting the car from my office and returning it later today.

 

Always seems to be a worry putting a car through the MOT for the first time in your ownership, its only done 4K since the last one but even so.