Cool!

Parking sensors too!

Adding some pictures taken today of both my old D2 and this D3, the difference in sizing is quiet apparent, with the D3 being tallest of the two.

 

 

 

 

Edited 21 November, 20178 yr by mannyo

The original A8 is a 'big' car.

Can't imagine the size of the newer one!

Looking at those pics, with the cars side by side, I think I still prefer the older one.  Seems to have better proportions somehow. No doubt the newer one has more up to date kit but just personal preference.

D3 is easier to drive due to the variable rate power steering, which the D2 lacks.

 

Below is a list of outstanding work, which I'll update as they are completed.

 

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 - Booked in for Jan 2014

3) Replace all four tyres - Jan 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)

6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted.

 

Number 5 is a right ball ache, the plastic linkages have both snapped (discovered yesterday). All it means is that once fixed the car will feel even faster than it already does.

Like The New Motor very smart i was going to purchase either an A8 Or a Phaeton Wife wanted a dog (ended up with a Great Dane) now got the VRS Estate. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to with the D3.

Well, the D3 is off for its cambelt /thermostat /tensioners /water pump change next week. Not expecting much change from £850.

 

That will remove one thing from the list, but I'll be adding another. As per the other A8, I'll get there eventually.

 

Today the air suspension threw a hissy fit and decided that there was a fault but everything appeared to be ok. I do hope its just a gremlin in the works, but it could equally be a faulty air compressor (£300 + fitting from Germany). I'll need to keep any eye, The fault is only intermittent and does not occur all the time. VCDS reports that it has occurred three times since 30/12/13 (when I last cleared the codes, but the car has been driven a lot more than that.

 

01772 - Signal from Level Control Pressure Sensor (G291) 

            008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

             Freeze Frame:

                    Fault Status: 00101000

                    Fault Priority: 3

                    Fault Frequency: 3

                    Reset counter: 64

                    Mileage: 207890 km

                    Time Indication: 0

                    Date: 2014.01.02

                    Time: 08:36:08

 

01400 - Suspension Level Control 

            002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

             Freeze Frame:

                    Fault Status: 00100010

                    Fault Priority: 2

                    Fault Frequency: 1

                    Reset counter: 64

                    Mileage: 207901 km

                    Time Indication: 0

                    Date: 2014.01.04

                    Time: 08:58:15

 

So the list, as it stands.

 

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 - Booked in for 7th Jan 2014

3) Replace all four tyres - Jan 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)

6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted - TBA

7) Sort suspension issue out. Either wiring / sensor or compressor. Hopefully the first one, but knowing my luck it will be the last.

 

I just want this rain to stop.

What rain ?  Blue skies here.

I have always wondered on these what the story is with the phone? Do you inherit some kind of contract with Audi for it?

I have always wondered on these what the story is with the phone? Do you inherit some kind of contract with Audi for it?

there will be a place to fit a sim card normally people get a spare pay as you go sim and put that in

Thanks.

I have always fancied the idea of these luxury cars as you get so much for your cash when second hand, but never had the guts to stump up the potential maintenance and running costs! Lovely car mannyo.

Adam

Yes, phone has a slot where you put any SIM card at all. Currently has the previous owners Vodafone PAYG sim card installed. I tried my own, but until I upgrade the MMI software to the latest version it will only accept ancient sim cards.

 

The suspension fault I eluded to earlier has reared its head again today, so before the rain set in I did some diagnostics. From what I have determined the air compressor does not have sufficient ooomph anymore and its switching on and off a little too often to try and maintain the pressure. There is no leak in the system, the car is always at the correct ride height after more than 24 hours standing. So I'll need to get a new compressor and relay from germany, and get at least the compressor fitted. The relay has reasonably easy to get at, so I can DIY that.

 

If the suspension situation gets worse, then I'll need to temporarily switch back to using the old car. That's not going to be straightforward to sort either, since I sent the tax back for refund and SORN declaration and that has not yet been processed.

The cambelt / tensioners / Thermostat and aux belt have been changed today, however the water pump remains. The garage were unable to remove the bolts, they are seized in the block and will not budge. They tried a number of known fixes, but they will not move. He does not want to try anymore, as there is a big risk that the bolt head will break away or the thread on the bolt or block could strip. The pump is fine, no sign of leaks and the bearings are all good so the car is going back together without the pump being changed. Lets hope it lasts out for as long as I have the car.

 

So the list, as it stands as at 7th Jan 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 - Booked in for 7th Jan 2014

3) Replace all four tyres - Jan 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)

6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted - TBA

7) Sort suspension issue out. Either wiring / sensor or compressor. Hopefully the first one, but knowing my luck it will be the last.

edit: got car back, Suspension issue is now resolved, but compressor does need to be rebuilt at some point. There is a repair kit on ebay and the garage is happy to fit this. Cost to resolve the suspension issue, £0. The main cause was water ingress into one of the sensor connectors, as an aside they have recalibrated the whole system as well for free.

Another update to the list, as it stands as at 14th Jan 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 - Jan 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)
6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted - TBA
7) Sort suspension issue out. Either wiring / sensor or compressor. Hopefully the first one, but knowing my luck it will be the last.
8) Have suspension air compressor rebuilt using repair kit (booked in for 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

Replaced the alarm siren today, so another additional item repaired. Thats another fault code removed from the VCDS scan, at least until the used part that I installed fails that is.

 

Poor car is looking a little sad right now, bought it at the start of December 2013 and to date it's not been washed. The interior is all sorted and spotless however.

 

She is going in next week to have the suspension air compressor rebuilt, that should remove the fault from the levelling controller. Thet are also going to try and replace the flexi in the exhaust.

Another update to the list, as it stands as at 21st Jan 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 - Jan 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)

6) Have exhaust flexi joint sorted - TBA

7) Sort suspension issue out. Either wiring / sensor or compressor. Hopefully the first one, but knowing my luck it will be the last.

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

Exhaust Flexi joints are being ordered on Monday. They are being custom manufactured for the car and supplied by AmD, and are being fitted by a well respected Audi specialist in Harrow who will weld both of them into place. I chose this workshop as they have already done it to another A8 the same as mine, and the photos of their work look OEM. The supply and fit price is very good considering custom parts made from stainless steel are being fitted.

 

Parts should be in by the end of the week, then its just booking in the fitting.

I bet that sound system is amazing! Lots of toys. 

I bet that sound system is amazing!

 

Even at full blast there is no distortion, and thats loud enough to make your ears bleed. The Bose Sub and the other 10 speakers sound amazing, and you can also choose from a range of surround sound effects so the music appears to come from all around, it has to be heard to be appreciated. Shame its not the B&O system, that was a 4.5K option so it quiet rare.

4.5k option, crikey!! So how much were these cars new?

Mine was just over £64,000 when it left the Audi dealership 10 years ago, lets just say its depreciated very heavily.

Indeed.  I knew they weren't cheap but I didn't realise it was quite that much.

After a bit of a delay and a visit to the specialist in Harrow who are fitting the flexi joints, the Audi exhaust has been measured so the custom parts can be made. Order went into AmD today hopefully, so should be in for next week.

The reason for custom, the passenger side has a kink in the pipe as it exits the joint so a straight through is no good as it will fail quickly if fitted.

I'm still very much considering a diesel LWB one of these. The specs vary wildly between each one I've seen. The suspension can be controlled from the mmi I see, but is it literally a few different modes or can you adjust the height to suit? Also are the different modes that noticeable on a run? I do a 50 mile round trip for work with a mix of A and back roads..I want to be able to have a little fun on the twisties. I know its no GTI but is it possible to enjoy driving it if you get me?

The suspension has a number of different modes and the car height varies, I'll explain briefly, see image below for MMI screen.

 

Lift - increases the height of the car above normal to allow you to drive over rough terrain at low speed.

 

Comfort - Normal ride height, designed for gentle cruising and is the softest setting.

 

Automatic - Normal ride height, once 75MPH is reached for more than 30 seconds the car drops 25mm and stiffens up slightly to allow a more positive feel on the motorway. Slow down to 40mph for more than 90 seconds and the car will resume the normal ride height and increase 25mm.

 

Dynamic - Car drops 20mm and stiffens the ride, at 75mph for more than 30 seconds the car will drop another 5mm and stiffen further for a more sporty feel. Slow down to 40mph for more than 90 seconds and the car will raise 5mm to the dynamic height.

 

I leave mine in Automatic most of the time, however Dynamic is great fun and the car handles noticablely different.

 

The specification vary wildly, since most things were optional. Mine has 4 zone climate, adaptive cruise control, Bose surround sound and more.

 

Weather permitting I'll be at the Castle Combe Spring action day with the car, if anyone wants to have a look.

 

Today I have fixed the parking sensors as one of the eight sensors had died, replaced it with a brand new OEM one from eBay. Also fixed the strange sound I was getting from the air compressor as the compressor started and stopped, I found a pipe joint had come apart.