Newbie Here - Saying Hello

DyslexicDog

DyslexicDog

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Hi All,

Perhaps there is a thread already for this, if so point me in that direction and lock this one.

I'm a new Audi A4 B9 owner. I picked up my 2019 A4 Avant, Black Edition Quattro 40 TDI at the start of June after a nightmare rejecting a 20 plate VW Golf.

The Audi is a different beast, refined and comfortable. I love it. It's reasonably well spec'd for me but it appears as though the original owner (Audi) didn't add any/many packs onto it - shame. It does have a towbar though!

I picked it up with 1200 miles on the clock and 15k under the original retail value.

I've already carried out a few things to it with a few more planned.
  • Full set of rubber mats (easier to clean)
  • Hatchbag boot liner
  • Spare wheel & jack set.
  • Gtechniq ceramic coating (9 yr)
  • Removal of A4/40TDI badge
Upcoming
  • Dynamic wing mirror indicators
  • Various coding changes
    • Traffic Sign Recognition retro code
    • Seatbelt chimes
    • Passenger airbag chime (is this possible?)
    • Needle sweep
    • Chirp on unlocking/locking
    • Start/stop deactivation
    • Lane assist activation
I've just purchased the VCP system to allow for the TSR work, hopefully, I can work out how to carry this out - I've done plenty of reading on the forums to find out how to do this.

The only coding couldn't find a definitive answer on was closing the powered tailgate via remote/driver switch, does anybody know?

Anyway, here's a picture of the car.

See you in the forums!

hiBb4oQ.png

aARgDAT.jpg
 
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I figured I'd share the spare wheel & boot liner photos.

For the spare wheel, I had to be very careful to find one with a reasonably new tyre. I picked it up for £80 with a 2015 (brand new) tyre with zero dings, scratches or kerb marks. Tons of them on the bay of e were damaged. I have cleaned it before it went in the car, the photo was a test fit!

ktLvwjU.jpg


The boot liner (not cheap) was purchased to protect the boot from tip runs and dirty bags! I think it's brilliant and it fits perfectly - as it's tailored made I'd expect nothing less :D

xBP7HBE.jpg
 
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Not sure what pack you needed from new to have the tailgate close from the key fob - I have the comfort pack so it may be a feature of that but it’s worth trying yours anyhow.
The reason I say that is I believe it’s often overlooked how close you have to be standing for the function to work - I can open from many metres away (as when you unlock the car) but the close function only works if you are essentially close enough that you could reach the button on the tailgate itself. Safety feature I guess, give it a try - long hold as to open.
 
DyslexicDog said:
Hi All,

Perhaps there is a thread already for this, if so point me in that direction and lock this one.

I'm a new Audi A4 B9 owner. I picked up my 2019 A4 Avant, Black Edition Quattro 40 TDI at the start of June after a nightmare rejecting a 20 plate VW Golf.

The Audi is a different beast, refined and comfortable. I love it. It's reasonably well spec'd for me but it appears as though the original owner (Audi) didn't add any/many packs onto it - shame. It does have a towbar though!

I picked it up with 1200 miles on the clock and 15k under the original retail value.

I've already carried out a few things to it with a few more planned.
  • Full set of rubber mats (easier to clean)
  • Hatchbag boot liner
  • Spare wheel & jack set.
  • Gtechniq ceramic coating (9 yr)
  • Removal of A4/40TDI badge
Upcoming
  • Dynamic wing mirror indicators
  • Various coding changes
    • Traffic Sign Recognition retro code
    • Seatbelt chimes
    • Passenger airbag chime (is this possible?)
    • Needle sweep
    • Chirp on unlocking/locking
    • Start/stop deactivation
    • Lane assist activation
I've just purchased the VCP system to allow for the TSR work, hopefully, I can work out how to carry this out - I've done plenty of reading on the forums to find out how to do this.

The only coding couldn't find a definitive answer on was closing the powered tailgate via remote/driver switch, does anybody know?

Anyway, here's a picture of the car.

See you in the forums!

hiBb4oQ.png

aARgDAT.jpg
Click to expand...
Welcome buddy, nice A4.
 
Pork said:
Not sure what pack you needed from new to have the tailgate close from the key fob - I have the comfort pack so it may be a feature of that but it’s worth trying yours anyhow.
The reason I say that is I believe it’s often overlooked how close you have to be standing for the function to work - I can open from many metres away (as when you unlock the car) but the close function only works if you are essentially close enough that you could reach the button on the tailgate itself. Safety feature I guess, give it a try - long hold as to open.
Click to expand...

So it turns out I can close the tailgate from the driver's seat by holding the switch but the key fob does not appear to work when stood directly behind. Instead, it appears to actuate the lock mechanism and flash the indicators as if it is opening.

I'm still researching whether I can close from the remote but so far there doesn't appear to be anyone posting about it and searching through VCP is tough so I'm not going to bother.
 
Yep, mine does that when you close it - have you tried keeping the button held in?
 
So I've done another update to the car.

All the coding is complete and working as expected, including TSR. I deactivated the lane assist as I find it a little annoying and grabby (even on the late setting). I still can't get the remote key fob to close the boot but I did get the driver switch to work.

I have fitted dynamic wing mirror indicators as I think they look smart. The picture highlights both colours on/off when fitted.

Fitting was easy, although removing the mirror glass was scary! I followed this guide: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/dynamic-wing-mirror-indicator-install.377205/

47TwrX0h.jpg


I've also fitted an LED in the glovebox as that was the only place that wasn't spec'd like this from the factory. I had a host of CREE lights sitting around from my old BMW LED project so this was a free mod.

I plan on adding the following in the coming weeks/months:
  • Door warning lights
  • Audi logo puddle lights
  • Code out passenger airbag warning if possible (???)
:)
 
DyslexicDog said:
  • Door warning lights
  • Audi logo puddle lights
  • Code out passenger airbag warning if possible (???)
Click to expand...
Logo puddle lights are easy. I got cheap ones on eBay and they're not great but I'm happy enough with them.
Passenger airbag alert I'm pretty sure is impossible frustratingly.
 
DyslexicDog said:
Hi All,

Perhaps there is a thread already for this, if so point me in that direction and lock this one.

I'm a new Audi A4 B9 owner. I picked up my 2019 A4 Avant, Black Edition Quattro 40 TDI at the start of June after a nightmare rejecting a 20 plate VW Golf.

The Audi is a different beast, refined and comfortable. I love it. It's reasonably well spec'd for me but it appears as though the original owner (Audi) didn't add any/many packs onto it - shame. It does have a towbar though!

I picked it up with 1200 miles on the clock and 15k under the original retail value.

I've already carried out a few things to it with a few more planned.
  • Full set of rubber mats (easier to clean)
  • Hatchbag boot liner
  • Spare wheel & jack set.
  • Gtechniq ceramic coating (9 yr)
  • Removal of A4/40TDI badge
Upcoming
  • Dynamic wing mirror indicators
  • Various coding changes
    • Traffic Sign Recognition retro code
    • Seatbelt chimes
    • Passenger airbag chime (is this possible?)
    • Needle sweep
    • Chirp on unlocking/locking
    • Start/stop deactivation
    • Lane assist activation
I've just purchased the VCP system to allow for the TSR work, hopefully, I can work out how to carry this out - I've done plenty of reading on the forums to find out how to do this.

The only coding couldn't find a definitive answer on was closing the powered tailgate via remote/driver switch, does anybody know?

Anyway, here's a picture of the car.

See you in the forums!

hiBb4oQ.png

aARgDAT.jpg
Click to expand...

Looks great mate - welcome to the forum. I see you haven’t washed any time “tweaking” the car!!
 
Quick question- do the dynamic indicators sweep in time/coordinated with the other indicators?
 
Fellow newbie as well, welcome haha. Damn lovely motor and a great shine on it. Is that ‘Mythos Black’?
 
So I've updated the car a little more with OEM mods. I added in door warning lights and OEM Audi logos, costing £42.50 per door. So far I've only done the fronts as they are used more than the rears.

NZ2T3x8l.jpg


I'm very pleased with them. The wiring harness was from rocket wires and the logo lights were from the bay of e.

Cm_92 said:
Is that ‘Mythos Black’?
Click to expand...

Welcome, Yes it is indeed.
 
DyslexicDog said:
I have fitted dynamic wing mirror indicators as I think they look smart. The picture highlights both colours on/off when fitted.
Click to expand...
I got the same ones as you in the end. Half fitted one of them after having a bit of a nightmare removing the mirror cap.
However, how do you find yours is during the day? As currently I cannot see the indicator without basically covering it up with my hands to make it dark, even then it's dim and the LEDs almost appear to be pointing upwards and not outwards.
Have plugged the other one in and seems to be identical.
Reckon it'll probably look good at night, but not much point if you can't see it at all during 90% of my driving.
 
GenerationGav said:
I got the same ones as you in the end. Half fitted one of them after having a bit of a nightmare removing the mirror cap.
However, how do you find yours is during the day? As currently I cannot see the indicator without basically covering it up with my hands to make it dark, even then it's dim and the LEDs almost appear to be pointing upwards and not outwards.
Have plugged the other one in and seems to be identical.
Reckon it'll probably look good at night, but not much point if you can't see it at all during 90% of my driving.
Click to expand...

I've sent you a PM with a video - it has my location, hence the PM to specific people.
 
DyslexicDog said:
I've sent you a PM with a video - it has my location, hence the PM to specific people.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much! I think your video might have helped me inadvertendly sort it!
So I compared, and mine was still pretty awful. So decided to get a comparison video, for some reason i thought the video would be better if I "sat" the mirror cap in place. I think the LEDs fire up and they actually use the mirror cap to reflect them back through the perspex, as soon as I did it, it was a lot better. Still not as good as OEM but I didn't actually fit the cap properly as I ran out of time, but will be sorting it later and will let you know.
 
GenerationGav said:
So I compared, and mine was still pretty awful. So decided to get a comparison video, for some reason i thought the video would be better if I "sat" the mirror cap in place.
Click to expand...
I think at best this was coincidental. As I put the one wing mirror back together and it was as bad as before.
Every now and then, especially unlocking and locking the car it was a reasonable brightness. A bit of messing found that to get it bright I simply had to have the engine running, not just ignition on. The only thing I need to check and I'm not 100% sure how, is what happens when stop-start engages. But with the engine on the brightness is great.
The odd thing is why this doesn't affect the OEM lights.
 
DyslexicDog said:
I've sent you a PM with a video
Click to expand...
Following on from this - was that with your engine running? And have you noticed a big brightness difference with the ignition only on to the engine on?
I'm honestly not sure what's going on with mine or if there's a solution. I'm a bit worried if I n ed to use hazards they'll be useless, plus potential issues with MOT etc. Not to mention it's not right.
 
So I got some new ones from Amazon, turns out they're identical but do have an additional cable you can wire up to make them flash blue when the car unlocks, but no indication where you wire this up to, I'm not bothered anyway. The ones from eBay have the cable but it's been cut!
And these ones work perfectly, so obviously a bad pair. The eBay seller offered to send me new ones if I paid an additional £10.50, might have a bit of a fight returning them!

Might have removed the mirror a few too many times now as I did have to superglue one of the clips on the shell back together. But seems solid now it's in place and hopefully never to be removed again.
 
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I managed to get the tinted lights fitted - £299 from eBay, brand new & genuine. I had a crack in one of them that I found during fitting. No damage marks so I suspect it was damaged during manufacture. A quick email to the seller and I had a new one 24 hours later!

They were super easy to fit, moreso than I had originally anticipated.

Here the car is - excuse the dirt!



That was Wednesday, on the weekend I had a little clean: engine bay; undertray; wheel arches & wheels.

First was the engine bay, no before shot, but here is the after!



Up next was the undertray - a quick check of my Erwin documents and the tray was off. It had annoyed me that from the bonnet, the tray looked greasy and full of dirt. Turns out it wasn't too bad. I took a photo of the cars belly just incase I ever needed to check something (like what?):

Up on the ramps:



Belly shot:



Next, I found some interesting radiator flaps - I need to find out what they are:



Finally onto the wheel arches. I decided that my previous cars had started to rot from the arches, due to the dirt build up behind. So out with the front arches and in with the cleaner and pressure washer. I was careful where the washer was pointed (electrical components in site).

To be fair, the arches weren' too bad. They were a sod to remove and refit (I doubt I'll do that too often) and I needed to be careful not to scuff anything. The VW we have has foam in the arches which holds moisture and promotes corrosion. I found tons of mud and sediment in that one so it made me want to check the Audi.



I did crack a plastic nut when refitting the plastic arch liner and the drive shaft guards did crack under removal. Luckily, I was able to super glue (hi-tech) them while Audi ordered me some new ones for a total of £17.59. They aren't hard to fit and it's a lesson on perhaps not being too nosey in what something does!



While I was in the wheel area, I gave the wheels a good wash with citrus degreaser, fallout remover & a shampoo. Before bilberry wheel wax and C2V3 to protect. I was annoyed to find one appeared to have been off the car before and scuffed on the back face with a small chunk missing on the lip (no photos, I don't want to be reminded) - for 8,000 miles I wouldn't have expected that kind of damage. I wonder if that wheel was not the one it rolled off the production line with...

Before refitting, a quick wirebrush and Hammerite black and the hubs looks smart again!



The next big job, likely in a few years, will be refurbished wheels (gunmetal?) and painted calipers (black?) - the salt is nasty and I suspect in a few years the car will need it!

:)
 
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Wow, didn’t see that coming. Why did you sell ? Especially with all the love and care you’ve been putting into it.
 
Jcbmally said:
Wow, didn’t see that coming. Why did you sell ? Especially with all the love and care you’ve been putting into it.
Click to expand...
The dog - he's a 45kg German Shepherd and he didn't like travelling in it. My wife's Passat was the main dog car and this just sat around. I even needed a battery charger to stop it going flat after weeks of being idle.

I sold it with 24.6k miles on it as a 2019 plate. That's 6.15k miles/year - so a huge waste and misuse of a diesel.

I've traded up for a '22 Volvo v90 which has lots more room. So my investment is utilised more.

It was a lovely car, however, the driveway got to spend more time with it than the road.
 
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DyslexicDog said:
The dog - he's a 45kg German Shepherd and he didn't like travelling in it. My wife's Passat was the main dog car and this just sat around. I even needed a battery charger to stop it going flat after weeks of being idle.

I sold it with 24.6k miles on it as a 2019 plate. That's 6.15k miles/year - so a huge waste and misuse of a diesel.

I've traded up for a '22 Volvo v90 which has lots more room. So my investment is utilised more.

It was a lovely car, however, the driveway got to spend more time with it than the road.
Click to expand...
Needs must fella, Volvo will be a great car especially for the pooch. Some one is getting a very good A4.
 
Jcbmally said:
Needs must fella, Volvo will be a great car especially for the pooch. Some one is getting a very good A4.
Click to expand...

It’s currently selling for the price I paid for it with another 3 years on the clock and 23k miles. Probably the only time in my life cars are holding value well!

If you’re curious it’s with Vertu Renault Exeter. Volvo doesn’t allow branded dealerships to sell other brands so they’ve clearly moved it to a nearby dealership in the franchise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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