Interior help (pics inside) and garage recommendations

[dk1234]

Hello guys

I have alot of questions I'm hoping you guys could help me with. I bought my A3 in October last year but there's a few things that I need to get sorted with my interior, after replacing the battery a few weeks ago. I have an Audi A3 2004 fsi 2.0 litre.

Also I was wondering ifyou guys have got any recommendations on any VAG or Audi specialists in North London? The cars due a service, the MOT has ran out and it looks like the cam belt has not been changed. I called Audi to check if they had any record of it being changed and they don't, according to my service book the last service was at 68,000 miles which was a "longlife Service" 2 years ago. The cars now on 82,000 miles. When on the phone to Audi I enquired about how much a service would cost they said a Major service would be £290 I think they said it would consist of changing the oil filter, spark plugs, air filter and afew other things I can't remember or he said I could go for the next service down, that would be an oil change for £149.

Cam belt change at Audi = £429, I asked about getting the water pump done at the same time he said that would be £130 extra, wow no wonder I see some people calling them the stealers lol... £559 for both. So if there's any recommended garages that you know around North London I would be thankful if you could point me in their direction.

Okay back to the main subject, I need to sort some things inside my car and was hoping you guys could advise me. some of the things may be simple hopefully. I'll post each of them in different posts in this thread rather than putting them all together.

 

[dk1234]

First up - Cover on the back of driver's seat.

The back of the driver's seat. Over the folding mechanism a cover that goes over it is loose / sticking out as pictured below. Is there any way for me to get it back in and secured?

 

[dk1234]

Second Problem - Rear Ashtray - centre console

Now when I bought the car I didnt know about this and found out about it when my gf touched it and it collapsed in lol.
Here is a picture of it resting in the centre Console

If the bits were not broken from the ashtray would the ashtray fit in as normal and lock into place? I looked for the part number on line and cant seem to find where I can buy it from. The part number is 8p0 857 961 if anybody knows where I could get one.... I just phone Audi again to ask if they had that part number, they would have to order it in and it will cost £20 and I would have to go and collect it, if any one could find it online for cheaper or delivered let me know, the guy said I needed 8p0 857 961 6PS on the end of it I think.

Centre Console where Ashtray goes

BTW in the pic below, I'm not sure what that is where the arrow is pointing and if it should be like that?

 

[dk1234]

Third Problem - Old car phone - Removal / replacement

I have an old nokia 810 car phone that was in the car when I bought it, it's connected to the car speakers (if you try to use it or dial a number the music mutes). I want to get rid of it as I worried someone will try to break into my car for it, plus I've never used and dont know where the sim card goes either. I wouldn't mind being able to put a mobile phone holder in its place though. From what I read I cannot connect my mobile via bluetooth to the Nokia 810.

This is a picture of most of the parts connected to the nokia 810 from ebay although I have never seen it like this, only as it is in my car as displayed in the next picture.

If Iam going to remove it, how will I go about it and could there be any problems? can I do it myself or is it better to take it to the garage? I'm guessing everything is going to be behind the glove box? plus there is a mic next to the interior light (do you think I could use that for something else (e.g. if I get a mobile phone holder dock?)

Im guessing I will have to take the RNSe out aswell?

Here is a pic of the mic, that I assume must be connected to the Nokia 810 phone


Ariel at rear of car

Then I have this Ariel on the rear window. I'm not sure what this is for but I'm thinking that it might be connected to the Nokia 810 car phone also? does anybody know? it would be good if it were for something else such as TV for the RNSe...(lol...I wish)

it has SRB-2010 printed on it and on doing a google search I cant find any information about it.

 

[Metro]

The wonky plate in your last picture is where the handbrake attaches to the cables going to the calipers, it's best that it is even, easy to do if you have a socket set or spanner that fits.

Your ashtray its self is definitely foobed, just keep checking eBay. The bit where it slots in to looks okay from here though.

 

[Metro]

The handbrake splitting piece looks a bit bent acctualy? Not sure though.

 

[dk1234]

Second Problem - Rear Ashtray - centre console


BTW in the pic below, I'm not sure what that is where the arrow is pointing and if it should be like that?

The handbrake splitting piece looks a bit bent acctualy? Not sure though.

sorry mate, are you talking about the sliver bit that the arrow is pointing too? because that does look bent to me... or is it something else you are referring too? any ideas of what could have caused it?

I made up my third problem post and internet explorer decided to crash on me when I hit save changes... arrhhh lol...

 

[dk1234]

Fourth problem - Parcel Shelf bit missing on one side.

close up in second picture of the area in the red circle

 

[wez3570]

Fourth problem - Parcel Shelf bit missing on one side.



My parcel shelf was like that at both sides.

I just phoned round breakers yards and got a replacement shelf for not much money.

 

[Graham89]

BTW in the pic below, I'm not sure what that is where the arrow is pointing and if it should be like that?

That picture is the handbrake adjustment. It shouldn't be at an angle like that. Basically the offside rear handbrake is adjusted up a lot more than the nearside. Might be worth getting it looked at. If it doesn't fail on the MOT (brake pressure test) then to be honest I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Graham89]

Just took a second look and yes it does look pretty bent. Might be worth getting one from a breakers. Easy to change consisting of 3 bolts.

 

[Metro]

Just took a second look and yes it does look pretty bent. Might be worth getting one from a breakers. Easy to change consisting of 3 bolts.

Failing that, TPS stock them for a few quid, might be easier just to get one from there? It's easier than 3 bolts isn't it? Just one nut that unscrews amd the adjuster slides off, just make sure to tension the handbrake properly make sure not to over tighten or your rear calipers will bind.

 

[Graham89]

Failing that, TPS stock them for a few quid, might be easier just to get one from there? It's easier than 3 bolts isn't it? Just one nut that unscrews amd the adjuster slides off, just make sure to tension the handbrake properly make sure not to over tighten or your rear calipers will bind.

If they are only a few quid then happy days might aswell buy a new one. Yeah the easiest way I find is to jack the rear wheels off the floor and get someone to spin the wheels whilst I tighten the cables up. Once they bite together I tighten the last bolt (cant think what it's called) This probably isn't the proper way without rollers to test it on but it works on my off roader most weekends after the mud gets inside the brakes and they de-adjust themselves.

 

[dk1234]

Failing that, TPS stock them for a few quid, might be easier just to get one from there? It's easier than 3 bolts isn't it? Just one nut that unscrews amd the adjuster slides off, just make sure to tension the handbrake properly make sure not to over tighten or your rear calipers will bind.

Thanks for all the advice so far. TPS is it these guys? Trade Parts Specialists

I've posted another pic just to check I'm following what parts you are talking about. Hope you can read it. is the adjuster the part I could replace the part that I've circled in red? and the nut I need to take off (circled in blue). I live on a hill so I'll have to find somewhere else to do this if needed.

I see the center nut (circled in blue) but how do you tighten up the offside or nearside cables? Is it by the tiny nuts on the other side of the adjuster, where the two cables attach? if so it looks tricky to be able to tighten those little nuts?

 

[dk1234]

Fourth problem - Parcel Shelf bit missing on one side.



My parcel shelf was like that at both sides.

I just phoned round breakers yards and got a replacement shelf for not much money.

I was hoping that because it looked like it was glued on I could get a replacement bit that could be glues back on..lol ?

Next time I buy a car I'm going to have to make sure I check everything twice, quite a few little things I missed, with this being my second car. Going to have to spend a bit to sort it...had to replace all the tryes when I bought it, replaced battery. Needs cambelt change, needs service. boot mechanism
seems a bit weak. I'll post pics of that bit in a bit.

I might change the front end. I wish I had joined this site before I bought my car as I've found out quite abit from here since joining and this info would have been good to know before hand

 

[Ads]

Re. an Audi/VAG specialist in North London.... Russell Automotive Centre. Google it and you'll get their website with all details.

Cambelt and waterpump (and aux belt) you're looking at about £400, or is it £500 now?? I can't remember.
Full service is about £290, and that is the longlife service, which would cost you about £400 at Audi. The £290 you are getting quoted by Audi will be using chip fat as engine oil.

 

[dk1234]

Thanks for the information and to everbody else who has replied.

If I don't want to go to Audi or a VAG specialist and say go to my local garage, are there any risks? with a non VAG specialist doing the work? I imagine it might be a little cheap at the local one but will need to check.

How much for a normal service from Russell Automotive Centre?

Do non Audi servicing and work affect the resale value? I mean my cars 7 years old so I cant imagine that it would make much difference to the resale value or will it?

 

[dk1234]

That picture is the handbrake adjustment. It shouldn't be at an angle like that. Basically the offside rear handbrake is adjusted up a lot more than the nearside. Might be worth getting it looked at. If it doesn't fail on the MOT (brake pressure test) then to be honest I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi, I took it for an MOT and it passed with no problems. Does this mean I might aswell forget about replacing that part?