New A4 Avant owner with many questions... plus car pics

[MaverickTDi]

Hi chaps,

Well I bought my 1st Audi today, A4 Avant TDi (110). First impressions are really good, I've only ever owned VW's or BMW's and so far the Audi has been spot on! The car is on an S plate (1998) and came with a FSH and covered only 105k, which is low-ish for it's age. I bought the car with 12 months MOT & Tax, 2 new front tyres and serviced for £2020 all in, which I didn't think was to bad given how economical the 1.9 TDi engine is, got 55mpg+ on the 60 mile trip back home. The only issues I have with the car, which are tolerable, are the LCD displays on the radio, climate control and centre bezel, they are fragmented a little, I won a new climate control panel on eBay for £21 earlier today, bargain! Mechanically so far it has been a dream, the only thing is the bite point on the clutch is abnormally high, so I suspect that will need changing soon, found some reasonably priced clutches on eBay for around £90, so just labour to fit. Has anyone ever tried that DIY CD guide to repairing you centre bezel display, costs around £8 off eBay, I'm a little skeptical tbh, however, the alternative, having the display physically replaced is pricey!

Having sifted through the various threads within this section of the forum I have found some very good and useful info, in particular the face lift spec headlights. What part exactly to you need to 'cut' from the front wing to allow the unit to fit? I have scoped the loom conversion parts, just need to source a good condition set of FL headlights. Anyone selling?

Having owned loads of VW's past and present, lots of parts from various models are interchangeable, being my first Audi, what parts are interchangeable to upgrade standard equipment, for example, can a better OE head unit be fitted from say a well spec'd A6 from around the same year of manufacture?

It's no secret that AFN 110bhp engine isn't the most exhilarating to behold, however, it is very good on fuel a pulls well enough, that said, what mods would people recommend to relinquish a few more torques from the old girl? I've seen a decat, again, on eBay for around £70, has anyone else got one fitted or something similar? My initial plan was to fit a performance panel air filter i.e. K&N, decat and remap. I'd like it to have similar pace to the 130PD engine, I had a Bora and it was, I felt, the ideal balance between performance and economy. The Audi go's well enough, could do with just a little more. However saying that, I think it may go slightly better with a new clutch...?

Any feedback, opinions or comments will be greatly received as I'm still getting to terms with Audi ownership.

Many thanks.

Here she is;

 

[Sandra]

Welcome to audi-sport.net any :sign_pics: Enjoy the forum. x

 

[MaverickTDi]

Welcome to audi-sport.net any :sign_pics: Enjoy the forum. x

Will add some pics tomorrow, provided the weather isn't crap!

 

[BakPak]

Good to hear you like your audi.
Do you support Norwich City?

 

[MaverickTDi]

Good to hear you like your audi.
Do you support Norwich City?

Thanks mate. No I don't support Norwich, I used to play for their reserve team when I was younger though. I keep an eye out to see how they get on but not overly fussed.

 

[BakPak]

Thumped the posh last night good boys.
I'm originally from yarmouth mate .

 

[MaverickTDi]

So I see, great result like! Yarmouth is only about 30miles from me.

 

[TeKnodriver]

Has anyone ever tried that DIY CD guide to repairing you centre bezel display, costs around £8 off eBay, I'm a little skeptical tbh, however, the alternative, having the display physically replaced is pricey!

I asked around and AFAIK the info you would buy recomends putting a cardboard shim behind the LCD panel connector...
i think all the B5s must have pixelated DIS screens so breakers not too good either
I got quoted 150 to fix it, so kindly pointed out they were having a laugh and spent it on a remap instead
similar figures to the PD130 now - probably a good way to go

OEM panel filter flows more air than you'll ever need in this engine - just get a nice new one for a tenner and clean the inlet pipes

as for clutch, bleeding and renewing brake/clutch fluid often helps

 

[MaverickTDi]

I asked around and AFAIK the info you would buy recomends putting a cardboard shim behind the LCD panel connector...
i think all the B5s must have pixelated DIS screens so breakers not too good either
I got quoted 150 to fix it, so kindly pointed out they were having a laugh and spent it on a remap instead
similar figures to the PD130 now - probably a good way to go

OEM panel filter flows more air than you'll ever need in this engine - just get a nice new one for a tenner and clean the inlet pipes

as for clutch, bleeding and renewing brake/clutch fluid often helps

I see, interesting!? I found a company on eBay that do a replacement service for £70 plus you foot the bill for postage there and back, as you say, you could spend the money better elsewhere if it's needed.


Yeah as I said I had a 130 Bora TDi and it was more than adequate for today's driving demands and running costs, so to achieve similar performance from the AFN engine would be spot on.

Filter wise, I was going to go for one of these Bosch service kits which include's a OE filter to start with and see how that goes, but as it's relatively standard, as you say, the difference between an OE & K&N panel filter wouldn't be noticeable.

The service book suggests the brake fluid was replaced at 75k, so 30k ago, so I'd be surprised if it's that but definitely worth a try for the expense. The biting point is very high in fact and you get a slight judder through the pedal so for £90 plus mates rates labour a new clutch wouldn't be the worst thing to do.

 

[infectus-guy]

Hi there, i'm a new and very pleased audi owner too. Looks great in white and very tidy. I've also got a high bite point, as TeK said to me try bleeding the clutch system. EGR blanking is always a good move.
Guy

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Nice i had a 98' saloon 1.8 SE in casablanca white and i loved it, but when i got the TQS it was sort of a distant memory lol yours looks in good nick aswell mine was one of the 'uncared' for examples so was a bit shabby but i tried to make it look clean and tidy best i could

​

as for the clutch they seem to have high biting points on them all i put one in my old SE and in the TQS and after a few hundred miles/harsh driving it seemed to raise to the top but theres no slipping at all, its just natural characteristics of the vehicle to me lol

id definately blank the EGR of and do the 'mr muscke' clean whilst your at it give that tubby a good clean, imo id leave the DIS ive thought about mine but i just leave it off all the time spend it on a nice set of OEM alloys or what ever tickles your fancy and maybe a set of coilovers and drop it some, i dont like the way they sit on the FWD models they sit well too high.

 

[MaverickTDi]

Nice i had a 98' saloon 1.8 SE in casablanca white and i loved it, but when i got the TQS it was sort of a distant memory lol yours looks in good nick aswell mine was one of the 'uncared' for examples so was a bit shabby but i tried to make it look clean and tidy best i could

​

as for the clutch they seem to have high biting points on them all i put one in my old SE and in the TQS and after a few hundred miles/harsh driving it seemed to raise to the top but theres no slipping at all, its just natural characteristics of the vehicle to me lol

id definately blank the EGR of and do the 'mr muscke' clean whilst your at it give that tubby a good clean, imo id leave the DIS ive thought about mine but i just leave it off all the time spend it on a nice set of OEM alloys or what ever tickles your fancy and maybe a set of coilovers and drop it some, i dont like the way they sit on the FWD models they sit well too high.

Cheers guys for the comments.

White seems to be a very fashionable colour these days, I even bought the new shape Scirocco in white back in 2008, so to find a 15 year old car in white was a surprise itself. Being old, rust would always show up worst on a white car but I'm please to report that there is next to none, only very small bits under the wheels arch, but only noticeable really close up and eye height with the wheel. From what I gather this car has been very well looked after indeed, it came with 2 remote key fobs and the spare blade, all the service history, manuals and other Audi info was complete in the original leather booklet. I really can't grumble it seems to have been a good find and just what I need for work so happy days!

Regarding the clutch, I was starting to think if it was just an Audi characteristic from that era/model, as it seems to drive fine...? For peace of mind and convenience I might still get the clutch done as I couldn't see anywhere in the history that it had been done and with winter weather still yet to make an appearance I wouldn't whan the car to break down at 3am on the way in the countryside!

Mr. Muscle thing? Elaborate please? And tubby? What is this?

Yeah I'll probably leave the DIS, it's only 2 lines, so the info displayed is perfectly readable. Gonna change the radio though, although you can see what radio station your tuned in on the bezel display, it bugs me that about 70% of the display is corrupted. Found a few on eBay, £30.

I agree, the ride height is high and looks a bit naff, I don't think I'll opt for coilovers as I don't want to spend £500+ on a set that don't shatter your back! I'll probably go for some Eibach or H&R 30mm springs. Any recommendations?

 

[ex911driver]

Just realised you are on Dubgen too, are you going to the meet on Thursday night?

 

[MaverickTDi]

Just realised you are on Dubgen too, are you going to the meet on Thursday night?

Yes mate I'm on there. Not sure if I'll go tbh, depends on work. Haven't been since May last year, back when I had the Edition 30.

 

[ex911driver]

ok I have to scan someones car so i will be going , dont get to many of the Thursday meets though.

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Cheers guys for the comments.

White seems to be a very fashionable colour these days, I even bought the new shape Scirocco in white back in 2008, so to find a 15 year old car in white was a surprise itself. Being old, rust would always show up worst on a white car but I'm please to report that there is next to none, only very small bits under the wheels arch, but only noticeable really close up and eye height with the wheel. From what I gather this car has been very well looked after indeed, it came with 2 remote key fobs and the spare blade, all the service history, manuals and other Audi info was complete in the original leather booklet. I really can't grumble it seems to have been a good find and just what I need for work so happy days!

Regarding the clutch, I was starting to think if it was just an Audi characteristic from that era/model, as it seems to drive fine...? For peace of mind and convenience I might still get the clutch done as I couldn't see anywhere in the history that it had been done and with winter weather still yet to make an appearance I wouldn't whan the car to break down at 3am on the way in the countryside!

Mr. Muscle thing? Elaborate please? And tubby? What is this?

Yeah I'll probably leave the DIS, it's only 2 lines, so the info displayed is perfectly readable. Gonna change the radio though, although you can see what radio station your tuned in on the bezel display, it bugs me that about 70% of the display is corrupted. Found a few on eBay, £30.

I agree, the ride height is high and looks a bit naff, I don't think I'll opt for coilovers as I don't want to spend £500+ on a set that don't shatter your back! I'll probably go for some Eibach or H&R 30mm springs. Any recommendations?

tubby = Turbo and mr muscle is a fix for sticking vnt vanes, throw it in the search bar and have a read through never done it but only ever heard good things from it, you basically get some mr muscle oven cleaner remove egr pipe speay it down in to the turbine houding of the turbo let it do its work for half hour start it up give it some light throttle to clear it trough then give it a blast and feel thd differance as i said look it up as ive never done it so may have missed something.

the clutch on my TQS was changed around 120k but had really no service history it has stamps in the book but i have the feeling it may be fraudulent so ive done my best to keep it roadworthy and do everything its needed/wanted lol so may have been the original clutch i also ditched the Dual mass flywheel and went for a 240mm upgrade based on the clutch thats in an S2.

as for lowering eibach or h&r seem the best option out there but if your not going to go mad apex springs seem pretty cheap as a lad i work with had them on his mk4 gt tdi golf.

 

[MaverickTDi]

tubby = Turbo and mr muscle is a fix for sticking vnt vanes, throw it in the search bar and have a read through never done it but only ever heard good things from it, you basically get some mr muscle oven cleaner remove egr pipe speay it down in to the turbine houding of the turbo let it do its work for half hour start it up give it some light throttle to clear it trough then give it a blast and feel thd differance as i said look it up as ive never done it so may have missed something.

the clutch on my TQS was changed around 120k but had really no service history it has stamps in the book but i have the feeling it may be fraudulent so ive done my best to keep it roadworthy and do everything its needed/wanted lol so may have been the original clutch i also ditched the Dual mass flywheel and went for a 240mm upgrade based on the clutch thats in an S2.

as for lowering eibach or h&r seem the best option out there but if your not going to go mad apex springs seem pretty cheap as a lad i work with had them on his mk4 gt tdi golf.

I see! Yeah I had read that thread about using it to clean turbo vanes, as you say, seems to do the trick very nicely. I might give that a go. The thread I've read involves removal of the turbo iirc? Your way does sound somewhat easier. I suppose, removal of the turbo allows for a more detailed clean, but the chemicals should break down any soot build up and running it afterwards should sort it out. Do the AFN A4's have dual mass? I know these are often double if not more over the more conventional single plate clutch.

Eibach or H&R can't be more than £100 a set can they? It's not for what I'd call a sporty model!

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Im pretty sure they do have dual mass but don't hold me to that as im not a big fan of diesels so tend not to get involved with discussions on them lol i wouldn't go removing the turbo as plenty of people have done it with piping down where the egr pipe sits.

not to sure on price or spec needed for FWD as im only ever searching for TQS/S4/RS4 bits.

 

[aragorn]

Yes it has a dual mass. Ignore the clutch until it starts slipping, they're all high like that when old, and can take years before they actually give out. Our 1.8T bit right at the top of the pedal for nearly two years until it finally "failed" and even then, it didnt fail due to wear, it failed due to oil contamination from a leaking gearbox input seal!

Eibach springs are around £150ish and IMO are the best option if you want it a bit lower and still retain the factory ride quality. You may find you'll need to upgrade the shocks though.

H&R's are harsh, i'd avoid those personally.

 

[MaverickTDi]

Yes it has a dual mass. Ignore the clutch until it starts slipping, they're all high like that when old, and can take years before they actually give out. Our 1.8T bit right at the top of the pedal for nearly two years until it finally "failed" and even then, it didnt fail due to wear, it failed due to oil contamination from a leaking gearbox input seal!

Eibach springs are around £150ish and IMO are the best option if you want it a bit lower and still retain the factory ride quality. You may find you'll need to upgrade the shocks though.

H&R's are harsh, i'd avoid those personally.

Ok, thanks for confirming that about the clutch. As I said above, the clutch seems to be fine, no slipping etc, so I'll take people's experienced advise on this and leave it be until it packs in.

It seems Eibach always get the favoured vote and H&R are a little hit and miss, but I guess it depends on your preference to ride comfort and handling.

 

[MaverickTDi]

Having only owned the car just short of 2 weeks, it's fair to say my relationship with this A4 isn't off to the smoothest of starts. Aside from the electrical dash issue I experienced Friday it now seems to have a mechanical one.

I was driving down a dual carriage way about 80mph took the slip road off and once past the roundabout, I was driving in a mixture of 30/40mph zones. Under normal acceleration to reach the speed limit there was no 'get up and go', I know it's only a 110bhp but it was as if I was driving a non-turbo car and felt different to how I expected it to, no boost!?

Parked the car up, done food shopping and it drove fine, boosting fine?

What's the consensus? Dirty/sticky turbo vanes, sticky turbo actuator?

Any advice will be greatly received.

Thanks.

 

[MaverickTDi]

Having only owned the car just short of 2 weeks, it's fair to say my relationship with this A4 isn't off to the smoothest of starts. Aside from the electrical dash issue I experienced Friday it now seems to have a mechanical one.

I was driving down a dual carriage way about 80mph took the slip road off and once past the roundabout, I was driving in a mixture of 30/40mph zones. Under normal acceleration to reach the speed limit there was no 'get up and go', I know it's only a 110bhp but it was as if I was driving a non-turbo car and felt different to how I expected it to, no boost!?

Parked the car up, done food shopping and it drove fine, boosting fine?

What's the consensus? Dirty/sticky turbo vanes, sticky turbo actuator?

Any advice will be greatly received.

Thanks.

With reference to the above it happened again! Driving about 80-85 down a dual carriage way, slowed down for a 40 zone, accelerating back up to dual carriage speeds and absolutely nothing, under full throttle the speedo crept up! When I got to my street doing about 10mph I conducted a little experiment, still moving I switched the ignition off and back on selected 2nd and gave it a dab of throttle and it boosted fine, so my initial thoughts is that it's not a boost leak problem more along the lines of a hard latch ECU problem??

Can anyone please weigh in here as I can't really pin point what the problem may be?

Thanks.

 

[ex911driver]

Have you scanned it at all ?

 

[pj123]

Sounds like it is going in to limp mode which is reset by ignition off and then on. Sticky vanes in the turbo could cause this but could be something else. MAFs can go faulty but not sure if this causes limp mode.

Recommend getting a VCDS cable off ebay for £15 and the software. Essential and will pay for itself time and time again.

Using VCDS you can cycle the actuator that controls the variable vanes in the turbo. With the engine running it cycles every 15 seconds or something like that and you will hear it in the exhaust note. Good check to see if its working. If all seems ok do some logs whilst driving to see what is going on.

I have owned an old S3 for 10 years and an a4 avant 130 for 5 years. Both have their own little 'common problems' but when you are aware of their little quirks they are great cars to own. Do a search for the common a4 problems, there aren't too many.

Replaced the DIS in the S3 which is probably similar to the a4. Bought a new cluster on ebay for £17 from eastern europe and soldered it in, plenty of guides on the 8L s3 pages.

The clutch judder will be the dual mass flywheel, not particularly cheap. They fall apart basically. Our a4 is on 125k original clutch and not a particularly high feel to it so guess we are lucky, but have see it on friends 130's.

 

[Dimokslis]

It is more likely that the turbo vanes will be dirty, you would need to clean it. I have the same problem with mine AFN. It drives perfect until I reach 75-85 mph then the limp mode comes on and I loose all the power. It does happen every time when I drive into the hill on that speed. So I switch the ignition off and start the engine again and its fine again. I've been told that turbo needs cleaning.
Check turbo actuator if it does move when you accelerate. As well you should check all the vacuum and air intake hoses for the leak, I still have not checked my ones.
Could not find if you changed the air, fuel filters after you bought your car.