Shedlife! Here we go!
Discussion
If it is any consolation, my "SHED" merc has trashed it's Wiper motor AGAIN 3 days after getting it back on the road after me spending a bit getting it through an MOT and having the brakes done. 
I used to enjoy shedding, but I'm so busy sorting the house with a third child on the way that I may give up. After selling my TT daily driver, I had planned to use the Merc for a while until I decided if I needed a newer daily driver - it seems I already have the answer.....
I used to enjoy shedding, but I'm so busy sorting the house with a third child on the way that I may give up. After selling my TT daily driver, I had planned to use the Merc for a while until I decided if I needed a newer daily driver - it seems I already have the answer.....
It's aliiiive!!
Audi Shed is once again back on the road. The issue was indeed a short-connection between the starter motor and the engine block. Fixed by Father in law, battery recharged all is well again. Hurrah!
So we are back on the road, but having several weeks using the other cars, it has highlighted just what a shed this car is. Its noisy, not particularly comfortable and the recent breakdowns have blighted it's workhorse CV. The air conditioning is still spectacurlaly good though.
It only needs to go for another 12 months and then it's changeover time. However Mrs Paul O spied a nice Mini Convertible this weekend, so it might depart before then if we can make the numbers work.
For now though, back on track!
Audi Shed is once again back on the road. The issue was indeed a short-connection between the starter motor and the engine block. Fixed by Father in law, battery recharged all is well again. Hurrah!
So we are back on the road, but having several weeks using the other cars, it has highlighted just what a shed this car is. Its noisy, not particularly comfortable and the recent breakdowns have blighted it's workhorse CV. The air conditioning is still spectacurlaly good though.
It only needs to go for another 12 months and then it's changeover time. However Mrs Paul O spied a nice Mini Convertible this weekend, so it might depart before then if we can make the numbers work.
For now though, back on track!
Thanks for the comments BlimeyCharlie 
Happy Birthday, Audi Shed!
OK, so its not technically it’s birthday, but it has now been in my ownership for 2 whole years!! Well, about 25 months to be exact, close enough for an update though.
Reflecting on this, it has been a period of ups and downs, but mainly it has been right across the middle being a relatively reliable and dependable car – albeit not a particularly comfortable one, it has to be said.
But, with the onset of this anniversary, I thought I’d knock up a quick list showing the approximate costs to date. So without further adue…
Audi A4 Costs:
Year 1:
Purchase cost: £300
Work at purchase: £100
Insurance (3 months): £87
Ignition Switch: (unsure)
Insurance: £350
MOT: £40
TOTAL: £877
Year 2:
Tyre fix and balance: £25
Car Tax: £260
Insurance: £350
Mini-Valet: £12
MOT: £45
4 tyres: £200.02
Discs and pads (front): £32.50
Upper and lower arms: £54
TOTAL: £978.52
Ancillary costs:
Air over 2 years: Approx £5
AutoAid Breakdown cover: £39 per year.
Total of two years ownership: £1899.52
Approximate value of the car now: £300
Final Standing: £1599.52 in 25 months, not including fuel. = £63 per month.
Shedding looks to still be the cheapest mode of transportation! However, I suspect that running the Porsche as the only car rather than the Audi might have been cheaper than this, or if not not much more expensive overall. However, that would ruin the fun of the Porsche – and of course having a variety on the driveway is more fun.
Happy Birthday, Audi Shed!
OK, so its not technically it’s birthday, but it has now been in my ownership for 2 whole years!! Well, about 25 months to be exact, close enough for an update though.
Reflecting on this, it has been a period of ups and downs, but mainly it has been right across the middle being a relatively reliable and dependable car – albeit not a particularly comfortable one, it has to be said.
But, with the onset of this anniversary, I thought I’d knock up a quick list showing the approximate costs to date. So without further adue…
Audi A4 Costs:
Year 1:
Purchase cost: £300
Work at purchase: £100
Insurance (3 months): £87
Ignition Switch: (unsure)
Insurance: £350
MOT: £40
TOTAL: £877
Year 2:
Tyre fix and balance: £25
Car Tax: £260
Insurance: £350
Mini-Valet: £12
MOT: £45
4 tyres: £200.02
Discs and pads (front): £32.50
Upper and lower arms: £54
TOTAL: £978.52
Ancillary costs:
Air over 2 years: Approx £5
AutoAid Breakdown cover: £39 per year.
Total of two years ownership: £1899.52
Approximate value of the car now: £300
Final Standing: £1599.52 in 25 months, not including fuel. = £63 per month.
Shedding looks to still be the cheapest mode of transportation! However, I suspect that running the Porsche as the only car rather than the Audi might have been cheaper than this, or if not not much more expensive overall. However, that would ruin the fun of the Porsche – and of course having a variety on the driveway is more fun.
Edited by Paul O on Tuesday 22 July 11:31
October: Another Breakdown
A few things have gone wrong recently with the ol’ Audi shed, causing me to rethink the long term ownership plans of this car. It started with the remote central locking becoming intermittent, and ended with the car being locked in a car park in the centre of Leeds – with no way to unlock it without the alarm going off. More on that later.
Whilst the intermittent central locking provided something of a warning of future problems, a more immediate issue following a relatively long drive home from Manchester airport after a short business trip to Rome, manifested itself with a flashing red light on the dashboard just as I pulled onto the driveway. A check of the manual showed that this indicates the brake fluid is low. One solution would be to simply top it up, but the correct solution is to find out why it’s used the fluid in the first place.
An internet post – and a call to my brother in law (a mechanic by trade) suggested that the brakes might be due replacement. I hadn’t replaced the rear brakes in my tenure with the car, so assumed these must be due. £39 of eBay magic later and I had myself a new set of disks and pads. I enlisted the skills of my father in law to complete the replacement duties, but he duly informed that both discs and pads are in full tact and don’t require replacement. However, there was a ceased brake calliper, which he fixed, and noted that there was a small leak on the handbrake, so might explain the dip in fluid – which was topped up with a tiny drop of fluid and the light immediately went out. The brakes are working fine but will monitor closely incase the leak issue hasn’t been fully resolved.
The final issue to date – which had me cursing furiously, was the remote central locking keyfob failing completely, and being unable to get into the car without the alarm going off. This ended in a recovery truck being called (exceptional service once again from AutoAid) and me considering a change of car in the near future. I managed to eventually get the secondary keyfob working on the aftermarket alarm to unlock the car, and am now using the key in the door rather than risk the same issue occurring again.
So for now, we are back on the road safely, but two recoveries is one too many for my liking, so am on the lookout for a replacement. Watch this space…
A few things have gone wrong recently with the ol’ Audi shed, causing me to rethink the long term ownership plans of this car. It started with the remote central locking becoming intermittent, and ended with the car being locked in a car park in the centre of Leeds – with no way to unlock it without the alarm going off. More on that later.
Whilst the intermittent central locking provided something of a warning of future problems, a more immediate issue following a relatively long drive home from Manchester airport after a short business trip to Rome, manifested itself with a flashing red light on the dashboard just as I pulled onto the driveway. A check of the manual showed that this indicates the brake fluid is low. One solution would be to simply top it up, but the correct solution is to find out why it’s used the fluid in the first place.
An internet post – and a call to my brother in law (a mechanic by trade) suggested that the brakes might be due replacement. I hadn’t replaced the rear brakes in my tenure with the car, so assumed these must be due. £39 of eBay magic later and I had myself a new set of disks and pads. I enlisted the skills of my father in law to complete the replacement duties, but he duly informed that both discs and pads are in full tact and don’t require replacement. However, there was a ceased brake calliper, which he fixed, and noted that there was a small leak on the handbrake, so might explain the dip in fluid – which was topped up with a tiny drop of fluid and the light immediately went out. The brakes are working fine but will monitor closely incase the leak issue hasn’t been fully resolved.
The final issue to date – which had me cursing furiously, was the remote central locking keyfob failing completely, and being unable to get into the car without the alarm going off. This ended in a recovery truck being called (exceptional service once again from AutoAid) and me considering a change of car in the near future. I managed to eventually get the secondary keyfob working on the aftermarket alarm to unlock the car, and am now using the key in the door rather than risk the same issue occurring again.
So for now, we are back on the road safely, but two recoveries is one too many for my liking, so am on the lookout for a replacement. Watch this space…
December 2014
Following a change of the fleet (selling the Porsche for an as yet unknown replacement), and a new car being purchased in the shape of a Mini (running report coming soon), the Audi is now surplus to requirements. A friend of mine recommended Gumtree as a great free way to sell cheap cars.
I put the Audi up for sale, detailing its problems, and the phone was like a hotline for several days. I had a lot of offers, but they were too low and I chose to wait for a little while longer (although the local scrapyard offered £160, which I thought a surprisingly good offer).
But a few days ago, I had a visit from a young chap who immediately liked the car, despite its issues with the brakes and the vibrating type noise from the front wheels. And the coolant leak. And the hesitent start. The car was up for sale at £350, and we negotiated to £300.
It will be collected next Tuesday, so I’ll give it a quick wash and clean in advance of that for its new owner. I’ll post again once the deal has been done to close the A4 blog, but as of this moment, the writing is on the wall for Shedlife. But fear not, the Mini will be starting up a new blog in the very near future. Stay tuned for more updates, and of course, a new blog on my next sports car of choice - whenever (and whatever) that may be.
Following a change of the fleet (selling the Porsche for an as yet unknown replacement), and a new car being purchased in the shape of a Mini (running report coming soon), the Audi is now surplus to requirements. A friend of mine recommended Gumtree as a great free way to sell cheap cars.
I put the Audi up for sale, detailing its problems, and the phone was like a hotline for several days. I had a lot of offers, but they were too low and I chose to wait for a little while longer (although the local scrapyard offered £160, which I thought a surprisingly good offer).
But a few days ago, I had a visit from a young chap who immediately liked the car, despite its issues with the brakes and the vibrating type noise from the front wheels. And the coolant leak. And the hesitent start. The car was up for sale at £350, and we negotiated to £300.
It will be collected next Tuesday, so I’ll give it a quick wash and clean in advance of that for its new owner. I’ll post again once the deal has been done to close the A4 blog, but as of this moment, the writing is on the wall for Shedlife. But fear not, the Mini will be starting up a new blog in the very near future. Stay tuned for more updates, and of course, a new blog on my next sports car of choice - whenever (and whatever) that may be.
The buyer couldn't complete the sale unfortunately. FFS. So, its back up for sale, now £250, but I'm not sure I can be arsed given the calls I've had so far.
Scrapyard has offered £160 and I'm thinking for an extra £90, is it worth the effort?
So.. if anyone on here fancies a shedding bargain for 250 notes, let me know!
Scrapyard has offered £160 and I'm thinking for an extra £90, is it worth the effort?
So.. if anyone on here fancies a shedding bargain for 250 notes, let me know!
You /could/ try advertising it on RetroRides - someone on there may well fancy a bit of 90's exec bargain?
http://retrorides.proboards.com/
http://retrorides.proboards.com/
Here's are real nice low mileage one that's gone up for sale on here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
But I could be biased lol.
I like them so much that I've got two A4s.. One early B5 and one of the very last.
When doing any maintenance I notice that the old ones are better quality than the new ones as you get proper jubilee clips and better fixings than the newer b5s
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
But I could be biased lol.
I like them so much that I've got two A4s.. One early B5 and one of the very last.
When doing any maintenance I notice that the old ones are better quality than the new ones as you get proper jubilee clips and better fixings than the newer b5s
Thanks for the input everyone, the car has now sold! The level of intelligence of some of the callers defied belief, hence the consideration for scrap. But just as I was about to give up, finally a normal human called about the car. He sent me a message last night, turned up this morning at the agreed time, handed over the cash after a short test drive and left. Whoop!
£250 is a great bargain for the car I think. Current problems aside, it was in pretty good shape with a lot of work done recently so should certainly last its new owner until at least its next MOT. A quick check on the Audi website shows that a brand new A4 will set you back £24,685 for an entry level model. Thats a lot of £250 Audi's! In fact, its almost a hundred of them. Blimey.
For me, it means I'm now back down to two cars - the Mini Convertible (new report coming soon) and the Range Rover Evoque. Both really cool cars, but both quite girly. We probably don't really need two cars these days, certainly not three, but something man-ish will undoubtably join the fleet soon, possibly in the new year. For now though, I'm going to enjoy driving to work in luxury and then whizzing around in the Mini at the weekends.
Happy days. Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for reading my blog.
Edit: Leo thanks for the retro rides link. I've not seen that before, but looks like an interesting community. Bookmarked for coffee break browsing.
£250 is a great bargain for the car I think. Current problems aside, it was in pretty good shape with a lot of work done recently so should certainly last its new owner until at least its next MOT. A quick check on the Audi website shows that a brand new A4 will set you back £24,685 for an entry level model. Thats a lot of £250 Audi's! In fact, its almost a hundred of them. Blimey.
For me, it means I'm now back down to two cars - the Mini Convertible (new report coming soon) and the Range Rover Evoque. Both really cool cars, but both quite girly. We probably don't really need two cars these days, certainly not three, but something man-ish will undoubtably join the fleet soon, possibly in the new year. For now though, I'm going to enjoy driving to work in luxury and then whizzing around in the Mini at the weekends.
Happy days. Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for reading my blog.
Edit: Leo thanks for the retro rides link. I've not seen that before, but looks like an interesting community. Bookmarked for coffee break browsing.
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