New A3 1.8T sport owner

[macpdm]

Afternoon

I have recently purchased yr 2000 A3 1.8T sport and I am very happy with it.It has a few miles under its wheels having done 130k but it has FASH 4 virtually new Michelins which seem to have enormous grip wet or dry.It also has the Bose stereo system but the front two door speakers need replacing.Its also got the centre armrest & xenon headlights so must have cost a pretty penny when new.The car is generally very clean & tidy but...

I bought it well with some known issues including rattling AC pump, very worn front discs & pads & possible knocking due to anti rollbar bushes oh and it needs a service.The cost to get all this work done is around £680 which thanks to a large bonus I can afford but its about a quarter of the cars value so its got me wondering what I should do for the best.

Car is currently @ Audi having the coil packs looked at thanks to the thread on the forum and it went in this week to have the roof looked at and reported to Audi again thanks to this forum

 

[s3dave]

If you are willing to get your hands dirty you can knock a big chunk of that off....theres loads of guides for various tasks,

 

[macpdm]

If you are willing to get your hands dirty you can knock a big chunk of that off....theres loads of guides for various tasks,

More than willing Dave but im not so good technically though to be fair its a confidence thing for me.

 

[macpdm]

Well just got back from the dealership they changed all 4 coil packs FOC & washed and hoovered it too.They even blacked the tyres up.I would swear the car feels quicker and smoother too.

Whilst I was there I was updated regarding the claim for repairs to the roof rails.It has been rejected but they have offered a goodwill gesture of 70% of the cost meaning I willl pay £292.

 

[dannyh]

There is a lot about this in the roof rails thread, the rails are either covered or not, what is there reason for rejecting the claim,

 

[Alex C]

probably because the paint bubbles were left too long before it being reported

 

[macpdm]

There is a lot about this in the roof rails thread, the rails are either covered or not, what is there reason for rejecting the claim,

Interestingly the guy first asked me if I had owned the car long (which I havent) and then told me it had been refused because it was not a valid claim.He then offered the goodwill gesture.

 

[Prawn]

I'd take the good will gesture and have the body work done at that cost I think.

As for the other work:

second hand aircon pump from a breakers will be about £120, then maybe £50 labour to fit. or do it yourself in about an hour.

Front discs and pads will cost you about £80 from GSF for good items, and take about an hour to fit.

ARB bushes will cost about £5 each. they're fiddly, but not at all hard, and should take less than an hour to fit again!

All your problems solved for £260 and a mornings work.

happy days. if you're not happy doing the work, find a mechanically minded friend and sling him £20 and a few beers for his help

 

[macpdm]

I'd take the good will gesture and have the body work done at that cost I think.

As for the other work:

second hand aircon pump from a breakers will be about £120, then maybe £50 labour to fit. or do it yourself in about an hour.

Front discs and pads will cost you about £80 from GSF for good items, and take about an hour to fit.

ARB bushes will cost about £5 each. they're fiddly, but not at all hard, and should take less than an hour to fit again!

All your problems solved for £260 and a mornings work.

happy days. if you're not happy doing the work, find a mechanically minded friend and sling him £20 and a few beers for his help

Your right massive savings to be made by doing it yourself I would genuinely love to do it myself if I only had the confidence.Whatever happens Im keeping the car as I think its superb.Enough grunt for me and although small feels bigger inside and the quality of materials is incredible.Im amazed at the condition of the interior for an 11yr old car.

 

[s3dave]

I think there are a few lads on here from your neck of the woods who may offer there services if you give them a hand...