Facelift Jimbob76’s Daytona Grey S3 Sportback

[Jassyo06]

I am loving the rotor grey super sports seats. I’m not sure the picture does them justice - in reality they are a bit darker than this. Look much nicer in the flesh...
View attachment 158160

Very rare is this rotor grey leather especially with the Supersport Seats, black is the most popular on here, but not a big fan of rotor grey of black leather, loved my Lunar silver leather interior on my last S3, it was so easier to keep clean than the black leather l have at the moment

 

[Jimbob76]

Where did you get your rubber mats for your current saloon Jassy - are they standard Audi with the A3 branding? Or have you found a decent alternative?

 

[mxnrg]

View attachment 158162

Hello @Jimbob76

Lovely S3 Sportback you have there. Have just taken delivery of a SQ5 in the same colour and so I have an affinity to the Sportback + Pano roof look of your new ride No black pack yet on the Q5s otherwise I might have matched your look.

As I spec’d my car from scratch I have to agree that I couldn’t bring myself to spend £300 on red brake callipers! Instead I put that money towards the sport diff I also considered rock grey but my memory of light grey seats is not good so I stayed safe with black and grey stitching. Will be interested in your longer term opinion on the colour...

All the best with your Audi experience!


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[Tom.H]

Highly bolstered sport seats have a downside to them as well mate, because the side bolsters will crease or fold badly more so than a conservatively bolstered seat especially if its a Audi seat The super sport are also more bolstered than the normal S3 seats and also firmer than the standard seats

Tell me about it, I did find that out with the R32. Lovely to sit in, but a pain in the *** to get in!

 

[Jassyo06]

Where did you get your rubber mats for your current saloon Jassy - are they standard Audi with the A3 branding? Or have you found a decent alternative?

They are standard A3 rubber matts mate from the Audi accessories.. .there's no S3 alternative that doesn't bother l ain't a badge snob lol very very good matts, l got these ones for my last car so they are 3 years old now and still look good

 

[Lehn]

Nice one Lehn - looks like a pretty well specced motor you’ve got there yourself!

Are you pleased with your matrix headlights? They look amazing but what a price tag!

Yes it's pretty well specced and I had to check all the boxes myself because we don't have any package options here in Denmark. I even had to spec heated seats!

I'm VERY pleased with the matrix lights 60% due to the new LED lights (coming from xenons), 30% because of the matrix function and 10% because of the dynamic indicators. I would recommend it and wouldn't be without it but it's very subjective. Some loves it (like me) and others are more like "nah" and would rather spend the money on something else.

 

[MattSedg]

Very rare is this rotor grey leather especially with the Supersport Seats, black is the most popular on here, but not a big fan of rotor grey of black leather, loved my Lunar silver leather interior on my last S3, it was so easier to keep clean than the black leather l have at the moment
View attachment 158180

View attachment 158179

lunar silver hides the creases better to?

nearly went rock grey myself, and was tempted by the alcantara option, was it seat bases?

 

[MattSedg]

Yes it's pretty well specced and I had to check all the boxes myself because we don't have any package options here in Denmark. I even had to spec heated seats!

I'm VERY pleased with the matrix lights 60% due to the new LED lights (coming from xenons), 30% because of the matrix function and 10% because of the dynamic indicators. I would recommend it and wouldn't be without it but it's very subjective. Some loves it (like me) and others are more like "nah" and would rather spend the money on something else.

50% indicators 50% actual light functionality

im all about how the car looks....poser

 

[Lehn]

50% indicators 50% actual light functionality

im all about how the car looks....poser

EDIT: when I’m not sitting in front of my computer but instead I’m sitting in my car and can see the reflection of the indicators in the car in front of me it’s more like 1000000% indicators and 0% light functionality....

Aaaand the S3 is equipped with the LED as standard so move the 60% of that over to the indicators instead

 

[Mark_86]

@Jimbob76 Nice S3 you have there. Very similar spec to mine I'll fire some pictures up after it's had a bath tomorrow. Welcome to ASN!

 

[Jimbob76]

Cheers Mark, and nice to meet you. Look forward to seeing some pix of another Daytona Grey Sportback!

 

[Jimbob76]

This will spark some interesting debate I’m sure, and not to everyone’s taste, but I’ve fitted some pressed metal plates.

The old plates were awful - cracked, split, delaminated, drilled and screw capped acrylic number plates. You wouldn’t believe they had been fitted to the car a few days before I picked it up as the previous owner had private plates which they took with them, so these were effectively new plates! They were beyond hideous

Anyways - researched the legality of pressed metal plates (and I’m expecting some debate here) but my new pressed metal plates are...

100% legal as:
They are from a DVLA approved and recognised supplier (checked on Gov.uk)
They have the name of the DVLA approved supplier and postcode of the supplier printed on the plate (bottom centre on the plate)
They have the relevant British Standards approved number printed on the plate (bottom right hand corner)
The font style is standard
The font spacing is standard
They are retro-reflective, as per legal requirements
There are no weird flags, logos or footy club affiliations printed on them!
They are just a standard plate, just in pressed metal.

I think they look so much better (sorry, no before shots, but you know what a **** plate looks like!)

 

[mxnrg]

This will spark some interesting debate I’m sure, and not to everyone’s taste, but I’ve fitted some pressed metal plates.

The old plates were awful - cracked, split, delaminated, drilled and screw capped acrylic number plates. You wouldn’t believe they had been fitted to the car a few days before I picked it up as the previous owner had private plates which they took with them, so these were effectively new plates! They were beyond hideous

Anyways - researched the legality of pressed metal plates (and I’m expecting some debate here) but my new pressed metal plates are...View attachment 158444 100% legal as:
They are from a DVLA approved and recognised supplier (checked on Gov.uk)
They have the name of the DVLA approved supplier and postcode of the supplier printed on the plate (bottom centre on the plate)
They have the relevant British Standards approved number printed on the plate (bottom right hand corner)
The font style is standard
The font spacing is standard
They are retro-reflective, as per legal requirements
There are no weird flags, logos or footy club affiliations printed on them!
They are just a standard plate, just in pressed metal.

I think they look so much better (sorry, no before shots, but you know what a **** plate looks like!)

I like the look, I am considering doing something similar on my SQ5. I see you have the plate on a holder, would you mind posting where you got the plate and the holder? How is the plate attached to the holder?


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[Tom.H]

@Jimbob76 I had them on the R32, they did start looking a bit shabby after a while though once the stones hit them and chipped a few bits of the Black but all in all I liked them.

@mxnrg another to consider is the UltraTek from Hills Numberplates, I had Audi supply these on the car from new - http://www.hillsnumberplates.co.uk/products/ultratek/

 

[Jimbob76]

Tom, liking your UltraTek plates! So these are aluminium, but not pressed? Instead the raised numbers/letters are bonded onto the backing plate? Not seen these before but very smart!

 

[Tom.H]

Tom, liking your UltraTek plates! So these are aluminium, but not pressed? Instead the raised numbers/letters are bonded onto the backing plate? Not seen these before but very smart!

That's it yep, Hills supply the dealership I bought the car from so I asked for them.

 

[Bells]

That's it yep, Hills supply the dealership I bought the car from so I asked for them.

I’d vouch for these too, after a year on my car and they look pristine still. I bought my Hills Ultratek plates from a local car parts dealer as there wasn’t any local Garages near me that stocked them and they need to see the registration docs.

 

[Jimbob76]

Hello @Jimbob76

Will be interested in your longer term opinion on the colour...

.............

Have to say, the more I live with the Daytona Grey paint, the more I like it. I had reservations about a dark colour because (a) having had a black VW Corrado many years ago - which looked great for about 5 secs after being cleaned and then just looked filthy again, and (b) coming from a metallic silver car that was so forgiving and v.easy to keep looking good I wondered whether living with Daytona would annoy me, but it doesn't. It is way more forgiving than black, plus you get about 3 different colours in one with this paint.

On a dull day (let's face it we have a few of those in the UK), it looks almost black, but when the sun comes out the pearl flakes in the paint really pop and she almost looks a dark silver (see original post). The surprise for me was the in-between dull and sunny. It almost has a subtle metallic green tinge to it in certain lights.

The paint also seems pretty robust and 'hard' and following a decent polish and a couple of coats of wax the gloss depth is pretty nice.

Summary = well happy. Can't get on-board with Nardo Grey I'm afraid - just personal opinion but Daytona beats it hands down IMO.

 

[Jimbob76]

Daytona grey is a fab colour on any Audi, by the spec and mileage on your car it looks to have been a Audi management/sales car previously?

Just realised I didn't answer your question mate. You could well be right - the car could have been originally configured in this way, but the story I was told (and the paperwork backs it up) is that she was sold to a private buyer VERY early on in her life. This owner kept her for a year, but (apparently) because he owned his own business and was using a works vehicle Monday to Friday, and found he wasn't using it much on the 'fun-days' - he passed it on to free up some money to put back into the business.

I was pretty cynical - until I took a look at the dashcam footage left on the memory card! I'm now pretty convinced that this is actually true (and very happy to view footage of my pride and joy being reversed out of a very swanky and spacious double garage which she probably spent much of her first year of life living in!)

 

[Jimbob76]

I like the look, I am considering doing something similar on my SQ5. I see you have the plate on a holder, would you mind posting where you got the plate and the holder? How is the plate attached to the holder?

Thanks! They are a massive improvement over the shocking acrylic plates they've replaced, and I'm happy with the look. There's a small part of me that wishes I'd known about about the UltraTek plates @Tom.H has though

I used a local place for convenience. There are plenty of genuine suppliers for these out there on the internet. Just follow the checklist of legal requirements I've given above.

The front 'plate holder' is actually an integral part of the S3 radiator grille mate. For the rear plate, I just tacked some masking tape onto the paintwork around the outer edges of the previous plate before taking it off - to act as a guide for the new fitting.

In terms of fixing on, I just used decent sticky pads (which came with the plates). Tip, after you've taken the old plates off, use some panel wipes (cost = pennies from Halfords), to properly de-grease and prep the paint before you apply the sticky pads.

 

[Jimbob76]

So one year ago today I picked up my S3 and I've just enjoyed re-reading my old original thread. How time flies. She's already been part of some great family memories and many, many more to come as I'm keeping her long term. Very happy I bought when I did and got a 310 S3 before the new petrol particulate filters came into effect. Still v.happy with the car (and still hate the start/stop function, lol) - it is the ultimate all-rounder and sensible family car in Sportback with roof-rails guise IMO.

And next week it will be one year since I joined ASN. Met lots of great people in that time - had some laughs and received loads of top advice. So thanks to everyone one here - great place to hang out and share experiences with like-minded Audi nutters. Gold Supporter membership is worth every penny @Sandra

I thought I had a detailing problem before I joined this forum. How little I knew back then, lol. Curse you (and praise you in equal measure) for feeding my addiction @jassyo06 @q5man (you've stepped up your game recently pal, wowzers!) @Tashfeen @Bristle Hound @Scotty75 and @A4A4 in particular.

Need to get the roof box back on soon and organise some outdoors adventure weekends. Reckon climbing Cadair Idris in North Wales might be on the cards soon @MattSedg

Bring on year 2...

 

[Jimbob76]

I think she needs a birthday present. Either...

(a) OEM quattro puddle lights for the rear doors
(b) Karcher K4 premium full control pressure washer (getting tired of waiting for my 8 year old Nilfisk c.110 to die - been willing it to give up the ghost for about 18 months now. Stubborn noisy old short hosed made of granite beggar, lol)
(c) Or put a bit aside and save for a Flex XFE 7-15 150 Dual Action machine polisher to deploy next spring (damn you @q5man)

Votes?

 

[Mark_86]

I'd go down the pressure washer route... handy for other things besides the car and thus easier to justify to 'er indoors'.

 

[AlS3BE]

Car looks good and looks right with roof rails. my pressure washer just gave up after 8 years+ of service and I got the Karcher k4 to replace it. Not had a chance to use it since the weather has been a bit mental. Sun, rain and hail all within an hour of each other. Proper 4 seasons in 1 day.

 

[Scotty75]

So one year ago today I picked up my S3 and I've just enjoyed re-reading my old original thread. How time flies. She's already been part of some great family memories and many, many more to come as I'm keeping her long term. Very happy I bought when I did and got a 310 S3 before the new petrol particulate filters came into effect. Still v.happy with the car (and still hate the start/stop function, lol) - it is the ultimate all-rounder and sensible family car in Sportback with roof-rails guise IMO.

And next week it will be one year since I joined ASN. Met lots of great people in that time - had some laughs and received loads of top advice. So thanks to everyone one here - great place to hang out and share experiences with like-minded Audi nutters. Gold Supporter membership is worth every penny @Sandra

I thought I had a detailing problem before I joined this forum. How little I knew back then, lol. Curse you (and praise you in equal measure) for feeding my addiction @jassyo06 @q5man (you've stepped up your game recently pal, wowzers!) @Tashfeen @Bristle Hound @Scotty75 and @A4A4 in particular.

Need to get the roof box back on soon and organise some outdoors adventure weekends. Reckon climbing Cadair Idris in North Wales might be on the cards soon @MattSedg

Bring on year 2...

View attachment 181948

Glad you're here Jimbo........ You've given some good advice around here too. Just sayin

That Daytona S3 ........ She is looking cracking . Votes mmmm ....

I'd be greedy and go for the K4 and the puddle lights As mentioned above the K4 has other uses than just the car ........ So it's for the family...( Cough, cough) A worthy investment .

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[Sandra]

@Jimbob76 that has been a quick year. I’m glad you have enjoyed the forum and get on with so many nice people (even if they do try to spend your money) I think as a special treat to yourself you should just get your new pressure washer and get the use out of it in the summer weather. Thank you so much for being a gold supporter it’s much appreciated and is used towards the overall running of the forum. x

 

[Bristle Hound]

I think she needs a birthday present. Either...

(a) OEM quattro puddle lights for the rear doors
(b) Karcher K4 premium full control pressure washer (getting tired of waiting for my 8 year old Nilfisk c.110 to die - been willing it to give up the ghost for about 18 months now. Stubborn noisy old short hosed made of granite beggar, lol)
(c) Or put a bit aside and save for a Flex XFE 7-15 150 Dual Action machine polisher to deploy next spring (damn you @q5man)

Votes?

@Jimbob76 - Thanks, I think lol
The car Detailing malarchy only gets worse before its gets better. Trust me I've been there lol

My vote?
(b) Karcher K4
Get the basics right & move up from there. Only downside is the emptying of your bank account in the process ... :

 

[OCDaveS4]

Wow that looks stunning - presume you engage in "extreme parking" in those dodgy walkers car parks !! All those sticks, dogs, stones lol.

I wouldn't bother with rear puddle lights unless you like to back seat drive - I've got a K4 "full control" and its a nice piece of kit. Great for the driveway, patio, kids (!! - social services, I'm kidding ok!) and all sorts of other justifications as others have highlighted !!

 

[NevMan]

I think she needs a birthday present. Either...

(a) OEM quattro puddle lights for the rear doors
(b) Karcher K4 premium full control pressure washer (getting tired of waiting for my 8 year old Nilfisk c.110 to die - been willing it to give up the ghost for about 18 months now. Stubborn noisy old short hosed made of granite beggar, lol)
(c) Or put a bit aside and save for a Flex XFE 7-15 150 Dual Action machine polisher to deploy next spring (damn you @q5man)

Votes?

My vote is c)

 

[NevMan]

So one year ago today I picked up my S3 and I've just enjoyed re-reading my old original thread. How time flies. She's already been part of some great family memories and many, many more to come as I'm keeping her long term. Very happy I bought when I did and got a 310 S3 before the new petrol particulate filters came into effect. Still v.happy with the car (and still hate the start/stop function, lol) - it is the ultimate all-rounder and sensible family car in Sportback with roof-rails guise IMO.

And next week it will be one year since I joined ASN. Met lots of great people in that time - had some laughs and received loads of top advice. So thanks to everyone one here - great place to hang out and share experiences with like-minded Audi nutters. Gold Supporter membership is worth every penny @Sandra

I thought I had a detailing problem before I joined this forum. How little I knew back then, lol. Curse you (and praise you in equal measure) for feeding my addiction @jassyo06 @q5man (you've stepped up your game recently pal, wowzers!) @Tashfeen @Bristle Hound @Scotty75 and @A4A4 in particular.

Need to get the roof box back on soon and organise some outdoors adventure weekends. Reckon climbing Cadair Idris in North Wales might be on the cards soon @MattSedg

Bring on year 2...

View attachment 181948

Just read through your thread @Jimbob76 , as you say, time flies! I joined a similar time, give or take a few months.
Thanks for the kind words, just want to get the DA out more now to get whole car done...slowly slowly and all that.

 

[Kayobong]

This will spark some interesting debate I’m sure, and not to everyone’s taste, but I’ve fitted some pressed metal plates.

The old plates were awful - cracked, split, delaminated, drilled and screw capped acrylic number plates. You wouldn’t believe they had been fitted to the car a few days before I picked it up as the previous owner had private plates which they took with them, so these were effectively new plates! They were beyond hideous

Anyways - researched the legality of pressed metal plates (and I’m expecting some debate here) but my new pressed metal plates are...View attachment 158444 100% legal as:
They are from a DVLA approved and recognised supplier (checked on Gov.uk)
They have the name of the DVLA approved supplier and postcode of the supplier printed on the plate (bottom centre on the plate)
They have the relevant British Standards approved number printed on the plate (bottom right hand corner)
The font style is standard
The font spacing is standard
They are retro-reflective, as per legal requirements
There are no weird flags, logos or footy club affiliations printed on them!
They are just a standard plate, just in pressed metal.

I think they look so much better (sorry, no before shots, but you know what a **** plate looks like!)

May I ask where you got your plates? Cheers.

 

[Jimbob76]

May I ask where you got your plates? Cheers.

From here mate...
https://www.ukmetalplates.com/?utm_...3V70w2LO7Mm34Gx6ULvccWLtlJ3JDeJBoC2ZUQAvD_BwE

Quality is spot on - and they tick all the boxes of being 100% road legal. They use standard fonts, won’t press them with any weird spacing of the letters/numbers, use retro-reflective paint (so speed cameras will recognise them) and have the necessary British Standards mark on them (bottom right corner) and the supplier name and postcode bottom centre. They’re very subtle/understated actually, but very nice and I’ve been pleased with mine (and nay bother with the rozzers in the last year since I’ve had ‘em).

Interestingly, the supplier name on the plates is Autostyle, and a quick google brought up this, at a VERY good price - seems to be the same manufacturer, but at nearly half the price of ukmetalplates.com...

http://www.autostyle-plates.com/

Weird web page though, and you have to call them to order - might be worth a quick call to quiz them using the checklist of legal requirements I listed in my post that you quoted above. A good question to ask them would be ‘what’s the supplier postcode that is printed on the plates?’ If the answer is CV22 7DG, then they could well be genuine (just cutting out the mark-up of a middle man), but I can’t vouch for ordering them this way. So up to you.

Hope this helps pal.

 

[Kayobong]

From here mate...
https://www.ukmetalplates.com/?utm_...3V70w2LO7Mm34Gx6ULvccWLtlJ3JDeJBoC2ZUQAvD_BwE

Quality is spot on - and they tick all the boxes of being 100% road legal. They use standard fonts, won’t press them with any weird spacing of the letters/numbers, use retro-reflective paint (so speed cameras will recognise them) and have the necessary British Standards mark on them (bottom right corner) and the supplier name and postcode bottom centre. They’re very subtle/understated actually, but very nice and I’ve been pleased with mine (and nay bother with the rozzers in the last year since I’ve had ‘em).

Interestingly, the supplier name on the plates is Autostyle, and a quick google brought up this, at a VERY good price - seems to be the same manufacturer, but at nearly half the price of ukmetalplates.com...

http://www.autostyle-plates.com/

Weird web page though, and you have to call them to order - might be worth a quick call to quiz them using the checklist of legal requirements I listed in my post that you quoted above. A good question to ask them would be ‘what’s the supplier postcode that is printed on the plates?’ If the answer is CV22 7DG, then they could well be genuine (just cutting out the mark-up of a middle man), but I can’t vouch for ordering them this way. So up to you.

Hope this helps pal.

Cheers mate, very helpful indeed, I'm definitely going to give them a buy. Appreciate the detailed post, also, love the S3! Daytona is probably my favourite colour Audi offer.

 

[Jimbob76]

Glad you're here Jimbo........ You've given some good advice around here too. Just sayin

That Daytona S3 ........ She is looking cracking . Votes mmmm ....

I'd be greedy and go for the K4 and the puddle lights As mentioned above the K4 has other uses than just the car ........ So it's for the family...( Cough, cough) A worthy investment .

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Cheers buster - she's my third child, lol.

@Jimbob76 that has been a quick year. I’m glad you have enjoyed the forum and get on with so many nice people (even if they do try to spend your money) I think as a special treat to yourself you should just get your new pressure washer and get the use out of it in the summer weather. Thank you so much for being a gold supporter it’s much appreciated and is used towards the overall running of the forum. x

@Jimbob76 - Thanks, I think lol
The car Detailing malarchy only gets worse before its gets better. Trust me I've been there lol

My vote?
(b) Karcher K4
Get the basics right & move up from there. Only downside is the emptying of your bank account in the process ... :

Agree with you both - had made the decision to pull the trigger, based on an ace price I saw last night for a K4 premium full control at £129 at the Karcher outlet. They had x3 for sale at this price last night, but I hesitated, and they've all gone today and the price has shot up again. Doh! New deals every 2 weeks though so gonna keep my powder dry.

Wow that looks stunning - presume you engage in "extreme parking" in those dodgy walkers car parks !! All those sticks, dogs, stones lol.

I wouldn't bother with rear puddle lights unless you like to back seat drive - I've got a K4 "full control" and its a nice piece of kit. Great for the driveway, patio, kids (!! - social services, I'm kidding ok!) and all sorts of other justifications as others have highlighted !!

I always 'Extreme Park' David - drives my wife nuts - I have been known to drive away from supermarkets much to her annoyance, even when there has been a rubbish space right by the front door . My favourite shot of extreme parking below. On the top floor of a multi-storey in Nottingham, where I was the ONLY car on the floor (there were some good spaces on floors 4-5, but why take the chance, lol).

The rear puddle lights were really just to make the kids giggle more than anything else - I'll get 'em at some point for this reason alone. Yep, I need a K4, the old little Nilfisk has been a trusty old work horse for years now, but it screeches like a banshee when you let off the trigger, and the hose is too short (and fused to the unit so I can't even add an extension hose), so definitely time to upgrade mate (along with hoze-eez detail guardz, a 6 metre extension hose and a new snow foam lance, lol).

 

[AlS3BE]

All this chat about the k4 is great and the weather been absolutely horrible so my shiny new one is just sitting in the box waiting to be unleashed
Had it since Saturday or Sunday.

 

[Kayobong]

Cheers buster - she's my third child, lol.





Agree with you both - had made the decision to pull the trigger, based on an ace price I saw last night for a K4 premium full control at £129 at the Karcher outlet. They had x3 for sale at this price last night, but I hesitated, and they've all gone today and the price has shot up again. Doh! New deals every 2 weeks though so gonna keep my powder dry.



I always 'Extreme Park' David - drives my wife nuts - I have been known to drive away from supermarkets much to her annoyance, even when there has been a rubbish space right by the front door . My favourite shot of extreme parking below. On the top floor of a multi-storey in Nottingham, where I was the ONLY car on the floor (there were some good spaces on floors 4-5, but why take the chance, lol).

View attachment 182039

The rear puddle lights were really just to make the kids giggle more than anything else - I'll get 'em at some point for this reason alone. Yep, I need a K4, the old little Nilfisk has been a trusty old work horse for years now, but it screeches like an banshee when you let off the trigger, and the hose is too short (and fused to the unit so I can't even add an extension hose), so definitely time to upgrade mate (along with hoze-eez detail guardz, a 6 metre extension hose and a new snow foam lance, lol).

Love my Nilfisk, is the Karcher any better? I've read mostly negative things about Karcher products.

 

[AlS3BE]

Love my Nilfisk, is the Karcher any better? I've read mostly negative things about Karcher products.

My k2 lasted over 8 years. Never had a problem till it died last week. Only issue I had was was the hose splitting after about 5-6 years, new one was £20 or so. It’s used almost every week to clean 2 cars and for me I have a few attachments already so going with Karcher again so I don’t need to replace everything.

 

[Jimbob76]

Love my Nilfisk, is the Karcher any better? I've read mostly negative things about Karcher products.

I’m not knocking Nilfisk for a second - the entry level model I have beats the entry level Karcher I used to have hands down (my old **** of a K2 I bought 10 years ago melted its own plastic pump in less than 12 months, and put me off Karcher for that reason). But, technology moves on, and a good, current, mid-range Karcher K4 seems to get some pretty positive (long-term) feedback on here, hence my coveting...

 

[Kayobong]

My k2 lasted over 8 years. Never had a problem till it died last week. Only issue I had was was the hose splitting after about 5-6 years, new one was £20 or so. It’s used almost every week to clean 2 cars and for me I have a few attachments already so going with Karcher again so I don’t need to replace everything.

I’m not knocking Nilfisk for a second - the entry level model I have beats the entry level Karcher I used to have hands down (my old **** of a K2 I bought 10 years ago melted its own plastic pump in less than 12 months, and put me off Karcher for that reason). But, technology moves on, and a good, current, mid-range Karcher K4 seems to get some pretty positive (long-term) feedback on here, hence my coveting...

I didn't mean to sound negative towards the Karcher products, just in case it may have came across that way, I've got nothing against Karcher, I've read a lot of the same of what you were saying about them breaking down soon after purchase, which was probably just the case for cheaper ones. I'm not too clued up on pressure washers so I was just curious about the benefits of each washer because I'm always looking for something to up my detailing game, if it's something worth upgrading to.

 

[MattSedg]

So one year ago today I picked up my S3 and I've just enjoyed re-reading my old original thread. How time flies. She's already been part of some great family memories and many, many more to come as I'm keeping her long term. Very happy I bought when I did and got a 310 S3 before the new petrol particulate filters came into effect. Still v.happy with the car (and still hate the start/stop function, lol) - it is the ultimate all-rounder and sensible family car in Sportback with roof-rails guise IMO.

And next week it will be one year since I joined ASN. Met lots of great people in that time - had some laughs and received loads of top advice. So thanks to everyone one here - great place to hang out and share experiences with like-minded Audi nutters. Gold Supporter membership is worth every penny @Sandra

I thought I had a detailing problem before I joined this forum. How little I knew back then, lol. Curse you (and praise you in equal measure) for feeding my addiction @jassyo06 @q5man (you've stepped up your game recently pal, wowzers!) @Tashfeen @Bristle Hound @Scotty75 and @A4A4 in particular.

Need to get the roof box back on soon and organise some outdoors adventure weekends. Reckon climbing Cadair Idris in North Wales might be on the cards soon @MattSedg

Bring on year 2...

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get the box on and get out exploring!! look forward to seeing where you get to pal