B5 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro Avant
Discussion
dandam said:
I'm a big fan of the B5 A4 and C5 A6's - great quality cars before Audi started trying to chase Merc and BMW with too many pompous dealers and flat screens - perhaps I am just too old to appreciate them 
Anyway, keep the write up going, loving your style and perseverance
The B5s are my absolute favourite, however the C5's are really growing on me. What i'd really love though is a C4 A6 with the 2.2 5 pot. Ugh, German limousine porn. Anyway, keep the write up going, loving your style and perseverance
Cheers dude, just trying to be honest and reflect upon my frustrations, ups, downs and also document all the money i'm throwing at this.
Forgot to add to the original post, i also updated the head unit with a bluetooth one as the interference from my FM one was driving me insane.
Managed to find the correct wiring adapters which utilises the factory sub, OTSOT.
I also splashed out, needed new tyres as mine are close to the limit. Found some Avus 17s with good tyres all round for what i wanted to pay for 2 tyres.
Plus, im much happier having A4 wheels on the car, even if mine are only from a TT. Being collected this weekend.
I'm getting itchy feet. I've a shed full of parts and no bloody time to fit any of them.
The Avus 17" wheels are in my possession, 2 wheels aren't in the best condition and 1 tyre is perhaps worse then expected with cracking (seems to be a fairly common issue with Avon ZV7s, *sigh*).
I've ordered the correct wheel paint, called, shock horror - Avus silver. So i'm gonna do a light wheel refurb to at least bring them up to a reasonable standard. Thankfully there are no chunks missing, just paint degradation.
I've got the full exhaust to fit, both downpipes and cats and then the S4 catback. Which is actually very solid. Will need to get a little creative with how i join it to the cats but the diameter change is a 1/4 of an inch i think? maybe less. That reminds me, need to buy the down pipe hardware. b
ks.
Also need to find a chrome tip for it as one is missing. Boo. Fix one problem, create 5 more small jobs to do.
Then the next big thing which i have decided to not do myself is the cambelt and surrounding parts. Struggling to find the time to the above...Car is being collected Monday for Cambelt, water pump, thermostat, dampener, fresh coolant and oil change. Hopefully nothing else pops up as the bill is more then enough - practically the price of the car. However i'd rather not find out what the inside of an ACK V6 looks like with no compression and valve impressions on the pistons.
After Monday will update further with photos of the car in pieces. The person doing the cambelt is of course an independent specialist but has a USP of documenting visually the process, which with this thread i was pretty keen too have!
The Avus 17" wheels are in my possession, 2 wheels aren't in the best condition and 1 tyre is perhaps worse then expected with cracking (seems to be a fairly common issue with Avon ZV7s, *sigh*).
I've ordered the correct wheel paint, called, shock horror - Avus silver. So i'm gonna do a light wheel refurb to at least bring them up to a reasonable standard. Thankfully there are no chunks missing, just paint degradation.
I've got the full exhaust to fit, both downpipes and cats and then the S4 catback. Which is actually very solid. Will need to get a little creative with how i join it to the cats but the diameter change is a 1/4 of an inch i think? maybe less. That reminds me, need to buy the down pipe hardware. b
ks. Also need to find a chrome tip for it as one is missing. Boo. Fix one problem, create 5 more small jobs to do.
Then the next big thing which i have decided to not do myself is the cambelt and surrounding parts. Struggling to find the time to the above...Car is being collected Monday for Cambelt, water pump, thermostat, dampener, fresh coolant and oil change. Hopefully nothing else pops up as the bill is more then enough - practically the price of the car. However i'd rather not find out what the inside of an ACK V6 looks like with no compression and valve impressions on the pistons.
After Monday will update further with photos of the car in pieces. The person doing the cambelt is of course an independent specialist but has a USP of documenting visually the process, which with this thread i was pretty keen too have!
A wee bit delayed posting but there was inevitably issues with getting the old barge done.
Last Monday rolls around, Steve the mechanic (who's company i cannot recommend enough), came to my work to collect my car. Mentions will send some videos and photos later in the day as they progress. Around 11/12 get a video - doing an almost MOT type inspection of the car and points out a few minor details i could do with addressing. Fantastic, great to see the underneath of the car in full detail!
3pm comes round "Sorry parts haven't turned up, will be due Wednesday." Delays in postage, what you gonna do. Points out that the header tank is in a dire cracked state, so really delays in parts not a bad thing as allows me to order a replacement.
Anyway returns the car, have a good chat and get it booked in for the following Monday.
Over the weekend i had some free time and the weather down in Dorset wasn't completely dog piss poor so i decided to brave the low temperatures to get my Avus alloys on. Get them cleaned up and dust over the worst alloy with some paint and lacquer. Could i do that? No. Paint is entirely incorrect - thankfully company are being great so hopefully get this resolved in the coming weeks.
Also, i think i now know why they were cheap as a wheel set. 2 of them are leaking around the bead.
As a temp fix some puncture repair in a can has stopped the worst of it. However now in the future will have to get them bloody cleaned up. Or just get them refurbed entirely. However, it looks fking mint and i'm very happy with how they look on the car. Bonus feature, theyre approx 4KG lighter over all then the TT wheels and tyres.
Later in the day on Saturday, header tank turns up. Message Steve to let him know and he replies with a picture of all the replacement parts.
Brilliant - we are getting somewhere.
Yesterday (Monday), Dorset seems to have avoided most of the snow so all goes ahead as planned. Steve shows up, leaves me his Golf GTE for the day just incase any delays, takes away wagon and gets stuck into it.
Within the hour, sends some detailed videos and the odd photo of the car being stripped down.
Half hour later, another video. Stubborn bolt holding them up, indicates which one and then goes from there. Result - nothing sheared, broken or mauled.
Throughout the day, stream of updates which is fantastic.
However fast approaching 5pm, he reckons wont be done in time but he's gonna stay late, finish it off over the night and this morning then get it back to me. Yep, no problem have a 65 plate GTE to mess around in.
Uhhh it's very pleasant but about as interesting as reading the Sunday tabloid. Very grateful to have use of the vehicle but thank god i am glad i have my prehistoric estate.
This morning begins - we have a few more messages back and forth. Car takes 7L of oil when it's meant to only take 6? Hey ho. He's doing it for cost so no big deal. But 7l, where's it bloody going?!?!
Next small niggle - the is it fk 'OE' quality header tank has some issues. The new cap can't hold any pressure and the moulding markings means the return line is just pissing water everywhere. Steve gets that filed down and removes any other excess plastic which there is. Uses the original cap and we are sorted.
Car is returned to me by 12:30 today.
Cost is £771 pounds which includes - Cambelt, thermostat, waterpump, vibration dampener (which had failed), bearings, Oil and oil filter, coolant, aux belts and fitting of the new header tank. Also collection and return of the vehicle and very active communication throughout the two days.
Couldn't have asked for a better service.
Now whilst the repair bill is pretty much on par with the purchase price of the car - i'm hoping this means i won't have to touch any of that now till atleast 200k miles.
In the coming weeks will be fitting that pesky exhaust - after i've done some work on the Misses' car.
Last Monday rolls around, Steve the mechanic (who's company i cannot recommend enough), came to my work to collect my car. Mentions will send some videos and photos later in the day as they progress. Around 11/12 get a video - doing an almost MOT type inspection of the car and points out a few minor details i could do with addressing. Fantastic, great to see the underneath of the car in full detail!
3pm comes round "Sorry parts haven't turned up, will be due Wednesday." Delays in postage, what you gonna do. Points out that the header tank is in a dire cracked state, so really delays in parts not a bad thing as allows me to order a replacement.
Anyway returns the car, have a good chat and get it booked in for the following Monday.
Over the weekend i had some free time and the weather down in Dorset wasn't completely dog piss poor so i decided to brave the low temperatures to get my Avus alloys on. Get them cleaned up and dust over the worst alloy with some paint and lacquer. Could i do that? No. Paint is entirely incorrect - thankfully company are being great so hopefully get this resolved in the coming weeks.
Also, i think i now know why they were cheap as a wheel set. 2 of them are leaking around the bead.
As a temp fix some puncture repair in a can has stopped the worst of it. However now in the future will have to get them bloody cleaned up. Or just get them refurbed entirely. However, it looks fking mint and i'm very happy with how they look on the car. Bonus feature, theyre approx 4KG lighter over all then the TT wheels and tyres. Later in the day on Saturday, header tank turns up. Message Steve to let him know and he replies with a picture of all the replacement parts.
Brilliant - we are getting somewhere.
Yesterday (Monday), Dorset seems to have avoided most of the snow so all goes ahead as planned. Steve shows up, leaves me his Golf GTE for the day just incase any delays, takes away wagon and gets stuck into it.
Within the hour, sends some detailed videos and the odd photo of the car being stripped down.
Half hour later, another video. Stubborn bolt holding them up, indicates which one and then goes from there. Result - nothing sheared, broken or mauled.
Throughout the day, stream of updates which is fantastic.
However fast approaching 5pm, he reckons wont be done in time but he's gonna stay late, finish it off over the night and this morning then get it back to me. Yep, no problem have a 65 plate GTE to mess around in.
Uhhh it's very pleasant but about as interesting as reading the Sunday tabloid. Very grateful to have use of the vehicle but thank god i am glad i have my prehistoric estate.
This morning begins - we have a few more messages back and forth. Car takes 7L of oil when it's meant to only take 6? Hey ho. He's doing it for cost so no big deal. But 7l, where's it bloody going?!?!
Next small niggle - the is it f
k 'OE' quality header tank has some issues. The new cap can't hold any pressure and the moulding markings means the return line is just pissing water everywhere. Steve gets that filed down and removes any other excess plastic which there is. Uses the original cap and we are sorted. Car is returned to me by 12:30 today.
Cost is £771 pounds which includes - Cambelt, thermostat, waterpump, vibration dampener (which had failed), bearings, Oil and oil filter, coolant, aux belts and fitting of the new header tank. Also collection and return of the vehicle and very active communication throughout the two days.
Couldn't have asked for a better service.
Now whilst the repair bill is pretty much on par with the purchase price of the car - i'm hoping this means i won't have to touch any of that now till atleast 200k miles.
In the coming weeks will be fitting that pesky exhaust - after i've done some work on the Misses' car.
Scoobydrew95 said:
A wee bit delayed posting but there was inevitably issues with getting the old barge done.
Last Monday rolls around, Steve the mechanic (who's company i cannot recommend enough), came to my work to collect my car. Mentions will send some videos and photos later in the day as they progress. Around 11/12 get a video - doing an almost MOT type inspection of the car and points out a few minor details i could do with addressing. Fantastic, great to see the underneath of the car in full detail!
3pm comes round "Sorry parts haven't turned up, will be due Wednesday." Delays in postage, what you gonna do. Points out that the header tank is in a dire cracked state, so really delays in parts not a bad thing as allows me to order a replacement.
Anyway returns the car, have a good chat and get it booked in for the following Monday.
Over the weekend i had some free time and the weather down in Dorset wasn't completely dog piss poor so i decided to brave the low temperatures to get my Avus alloys on. Get them cleaned up and dust over the worst alloy with some paint and lacquer. Could i do that? No. Paint is entirely incorrect - thankfully company are being great so hopefully get this resolved in the coming weeks.
Also, i think i now know why they were cheap as a wheel set. 2 of them are leaking around the bead. As a temp fix some puncture repair in a can has stopped the worst of it. However now in the future will have to get them bloody cleaned up. Or just get them refurbed entirely. However, it looks fking mint and i'm very happy with how they look on the car. Bonus feature, theyre approx 4KG lighter over all then the TT wheels and tyres.
Later in the day on Saturday, header tank turns up. Message Steve to let him know and he replies with a picture of all the replacement parts.
Brilliant - we are getting somewhere.
Yesterday (Monday), Dorset seems to have avoided most of the snow so all goes ahead as planned. Steve shows up, leaves me his Golf GTE for the day just incase any delays, takes away wagon and gets stuck into it.
Within the hour, sends some detailed videos and the odd photo of the car being stripped down.
Half hour later, another video. Stubborn bolt holding them up, indicates which one and then goes from there. Result - nothing sheared, broken or mauled.
Throughout the day, stream of updates which is fantastic.
However fast approaching 5pm, he reckons wont be done in time but he's gonna stay late, finish it off over the night and this morning then get it back to me. Yep, no problem have a 65 plate GTE to mess around in.
Uhhh it's very pleasant but about as interesting as reading the Sunday tabloid. Very grateful to have use of the vehicle but thank god i am glad i have my prehistoric estate.
This morning begins - we have a few more messages back and forth. Car takes 7L of oil when it's meant to only take 6? Hey ho. He's doing it for cost so no big deal. But 7l, where's it bloody going?!?!
Next small niggle - the is it fk 'OE' quality header tank has some issues. The new cap can't hold any pressure and the moulding markings means the return line is just pissing water everywhere. Steve gets that filed down and removes any other excess plastic which there is. Uses the original cap and we are sorted.
Car is returned to me by 12:30 today.
Cost is £771 pounds which includes - Cambelt, thermostat, waterpump, vibration dampener (which had failed), bearings, Oil and oil filter, coolant, aux belts and fitting of the new header tank. Also collection and return of the vehicle and very active communication throughout the two days.
Couldn't have asked for a better service.
Now whilst the repair bill is pretty much on par with the purchase price of the car - i'm hoping this means i won't have to touch any of that now till atleast 200k miles.
In the coming weeks will be fitting that pesky exhaust - after i've done some work on the Misses' car.
Last Monday rolls around, Steve the mechanic (who's company i cannot recommend enough), came to my work to collect my car. Mentions will send some videos and photos later in the day as they progress. Around 11/12 get a video - doing an almost MOT type inspection of the car and points out a few minor details i could do with addressing. Fantastic, great to see the underneath of the car in full detail!
3pm comes round "Sorry parts haven't turned up, will be due Wednesday." Delays in postage, what you gonna do. Points out that the header tank is in a dire cracked state, so really delays in parts not a bad thing as allows me to order a replacement.
Anyway returns the car, have a good chat and get it booked in for the following Monday.
Over the weekend i had some free time and the weather down in Dorset wasn't completely dog piss poor so i decided to brave the low temperatures to get my Avus alloys on. Get them cleaned up and dust over the worst alloy with some paint and lacquer. Could i do that? No. Paint is entirely incorrect - thankfully company are being great so hopefully get this resolved in the coming weeks.
Also, i think i now know why they were cheap as a wheel set. 2 of them are leaking around the bead.
As a temp fix some puncture repair in a can has stopped the worst of it. However now in the future will have to get them bloody cleaned up. Or just get them refurbed entirely. However, it looks fking mint and i'm very happy with how they look on the car. Bonus feature, theyre approx 4KG lighter over all then the TT wheels and tyres. Later in the day on Saturday, header tank turns up. Message Steve to let him know and he replies with a picture of all the replacement parts.
Brilliant - we are getting somewhere.
Yesterday (Monday), Dorset seems to have avoided most of the snow so all goes ahead as planned. Steve shows up, leaves me his Golf GTE for the day just incase any delays, takes away wagon and gets stuck into it.
Within the hour, sends some detailed videos and the odd photo of the car being stripped down.
Half hour later, another video. Stubborn bolt holding them up, indicates which one and then goes from there. Result - nothing sheared, broken or mauled.
Throughout the day, stream of updates which is fantastic.
However fast approaching 5pm, he reckons wont be done in time but he's gonna stay late, finish it off over the night and this morning then get it back to me. Yep, no problem have a 65 plate GTE to mess around in.
Uhhh it's very pleasant but about as interesting as reading the Sunday tabloid. Very grateful to have use of the vehicle but thank god i am glad i have my prehistoric estate.
This morning begins - we have a few more messages back and forth. Car takes 7L of oil when it's meant to only take 6? Hey ho. He's doing it for cost so no big deal. But 7l, where's it bloody going?!?!
Next small niggle - the is it f
k 'OE' quality header tank has some issues. The new cap can't hold any pressure and the moulding markings means the return line is just pissing water everywhere. Steve gets that filed down and removes any other excess plastic which there is. Uses the original cap and we are sorted. Car is returned to me by 12:30 today.
Cost is £771 pounds which includes - Cambelt, thermostat, waterpump, vibration dampener (which had failed), bearings, Oil and oil filter, coolant, aux belts and fitting of the new header tank. Also collection and return of the vehicle and very active communication throughout the two days.
Couldn't have asked for a better service.
Now whilst the repair bill is pretty much on par with the purchase price of the car - i'm hoping this means i won't have to touch any of that now till atleast 200k miles.
In the coming weeks will be fitting that pesky exhaust - after i've done some work on the Misses' car.
Great news CornedBeef said:
Solid effort, I love threads like this - always the most interesting reads. Good work sticking to it through some issues mate
Thank you very much! Yeah i intend to stick with this, through to the bitter end. Incredibly attached this car already which only means it's going to cost me more money.
I wasn't fussed about the wheels, then you sold it to me on the weight difference! 
It seems to sit arse down, is that right?
Looks like Steve done a great job for a great price tbh.. Sometimes it really is worth every penny getting someone else to do a job!
Interesting comparison to the Golf considering the Audi wasn't known for excitement or being that engaging back when it was new! I always find new cars a "nice" place to be, but generally anything mid 2000's onwards somewhat dull/cold. Hence my E46 330i daily.
It seems to sit arse down, is that right?
Looks like Steve done a great job for a great price tbh.. Sometimes it really is worth every penny getting someone else to do a job!
Interesting comparison to the Golf considering the Audi wasn't known for excitement or being that engaging back when it was new! I always find new cars a "nice" place to be, but generally anything mid 2000's onwards somewhat dull/cold. Hence my E46 330i daily.
Edited by Jhonno on Wednesday 14th December 09:41
Jhonno said:
I wasn't fussed about the wheels, then you sold it to me on the weight difference!
It seems to sit arse down, is that right?
Looks like Steve done a great job for a great price tbh.. Sometimes it really is worth every penny getting someone else to do a job!
Interesting comparison to the Golf considering the Audi wasn't known for excitement or being that engaging back when it was new! I always find new cars a "nice" place to be, but generally anything mid 2000's onwards somewhat dull/cold. Hence my E46 330i daily.
I liked the TT wheels a lot but they were a means to an end. I imagine the weigh difference would be a combination of shoddy snow tyres and them probably being a bit heavier too. I was surprised, nearly put my back out picking the first one up. There is a wheel i prefer its the old C4 S6 wheel. They're like a large flat faced 5,6? spoke. Incredibly rare and expensive when they do come up. But as you say, absolutely sold on them with the weigh saving. Shame they're a bit leaky. It seems to sit arse down, is that right?
Looks like Steve done a great job for a great price tbh.. Sometimes it really is worth every penny getting someone else to do a job!
Interesting comparison to the Golf considering the Audi wasn't known for excitement or being that engaging back when it was new! I always find new cars a "nice" place to be, but generally anything mid 2000's onwards somewhat dull/cold. Hence my E46 330i daily.
Edited by Jhonno on Wednesday 14th December 09:41
Steve seems to be s
t hot for anything German really. So if people are based in Dorset and want someone reliable i am happy to pass on that information. I think it's just the photo and or where it was parked. It sits surprisingly flat - however i will in the future be dropping it my 20mm ish i think? All around.
My comparison of the vehicles are 98 318ti E36, 98 Volvo V40 T4 and this. Of the 3 this is the most direct and is the most place able? The 36 i think had the nicest steering feel but actually didn't excite me as much. And the T4 was an odd one, i threw money at suspension on that so it could hustle along pretty nicely but it was more like a video game in that respect and the brakes were f
king shocking. Maybe it's slight rose tinted glasses where i am overall so happy with the car? I don't know - other then a slightly iffy sitting position. There's nothing i have to complain about the car. I really thoroughly enjoy driving it. Being around it and even working on it. You're spot on about anything later being dull/cold. Nothing new i've driven which has been exciting - bar an Aerial Atom which is just utterly confounding. And i don't think is a relative comparison.
Scoobydrew95 said:
I liked the TT wheels a lot but they were a means to an end. I imagine the weigh difference would be a combination of shoddy snow tyres and them probably being a bit heavier too. I was surprised, nearly put my back out picking the first one up. There is a wheel i prefer its the old C4 S6 wheel. They're like a large flat faced 5,6? spoke. Incredibly rare and expensive when they do come up. But as you say, absolutely sold on them with the weigh saving. Shame they're a bit leaky.
Steve seems to be st hot for anything German really. So if people are based in Dorset and want someone reliable i am happy to pass on that information.
I think it's just the photo and or where it was parked. It sits surprisingly flat - however i will in the future be dropping it my 20mm ish i think? All around.
My comparison of the vehicles are 98 318ti E36, 98 Volvo V40 T4 and this. Of the 3 this is the most direct and is the most place able? The 36 i think had the nicest steering feel but actually didn't excite me as much. And the T4 was an odd one, i threw money at suspension on that so it could hustle along pretty nicely but it was more like a video game in that respect and the brakes were fking shocking. Maybe it's slight rose tinted glasses where i am overall so happy with the car? I don't know - other then a slightly iffy sitting position. There's nothing i have to complain about the car. I really thoroughly enjoy driving it. Being around it and even working on it.
You're spot on about anything later being dull/cold. Nothing new i've driven which has been exciting - bar an Aerial Atom which is just utterly confounding. And i don't think is a relative comparison.
Yeah the leaking wheels is a disappointment! Hopefully a refresh will see them right! Some fresh new tyres should make it drive loads better.Steve seems to be s
t hot for anything German really. So if people are based in Dorset and want someone reliable i am happy to pass on that information. I think it's just the photo and or where it was parked. It sits surprisingly flat - however i will in the future be dropping it my 20mm ish i think? All around.
My comparison of the vehicles are 98 318ti E36, 98 Volvo V40 T4 and this. Of the 3 this is the most direct and is the most place able? The 36 i think had the nicest steering feel but actually didn't excite me as much. And the T4 was an odd one, i threw money at suspension on that so it could hustle along pretty nicely but it was more like a video game in that respect and the brakes were f
king shocking. Maybe it's slight rose tinted glasses where i am overall so happy with the car? I don't know - other then a slightly iffy sitting position. There's nothing i have to complain about the car. I really thoroughly enjoy driving it. Being around it and even working on it. You're spot on about anything later being dull/cold. Nothing new i've driven which has been exciting - bar an Aerial Atom which is just utterly confounding. And i don't think is a relative comparison.
Ah, OK.. Yeah, 20mm would sit nice!
Interesting on that one, I had a '96 Ti and it was great! Actually really liked it, 40mpg and an enjoyable chassis (being E30-esque), used to thrash the nuts off it, and have it sideways all the time in the wet
It's all about the enjoyment of driving and how they make you feel, I was looking at B5 S4 Avants a while back, but bought a 530d instead due to mpg, which I ended up selling and kept my 330i.. Yeah, an Atom is a bit of an exception
Jhonno said:
Yeah the leaking wheels is a disappointment! Hopefully a refresh will see them right! Some fresh new tyres should make it drive loads better.
Ah, OK.. Yeah, 20mm would sit nice!
Interesting on that one, I had a '96 Ti and it was great! Actually really liked it, 40mpg and an enjoyable chassis (being E30-esque), used to thrash the nuts off it, and have it sideways all the time in the wet It's all about the enjoyment of driving and how they make you feel, I was looking at B5 S4 Avants a while back, but bought a 530d instead due to mpg, which I ended up selling and kept my 330i..
Yeah, an Atom is a bit of an exception
I'm guessing to why they were cheap. The tyres aren't too bad, ones cracking a bit (seems to be a common ZV7 thing) but main reason i bought them as matched tyres. I'll rectify it at some point. Ah, OK.. Yeah, 20mm would sit nice!
Interesting on that one, I had a '96 Ti and it was great! Actually really liked it, 40mpg and an enjoyable chassis (being E30-esque), used to thrash the nuts off it, and have it sideways all the time in the wet
It's all about the enjoyment of driving and how they make you feel, I was looking at B5 S4 Avants a while back, but bought a 530d instead due to mpg, which I ended up selling and kept my 330i.. Yeah, an Atom is a bit of an exception
Don't get me wrong, absolutely loved it glad to have owned one but was definitely missing that 200bhp ish figure.
Probably would have been worth the purchase of a B5 in the long run ahah. Specially way prices have gone.
Jhonno said:
I wasn't fussed about the wheels, then you sold it to me on the weight difference!
This made me chuckle too. They need refurbing, at least one tyre needs replacing, at least two are leaking, but you've saved 4kg. So, win? Sometimes with cars like this it's best to avoid creating problems for yourself. Having said that, this era of VW/Audi holds a special place in my heart, so I'm glad you're putting some effort into keeping it on the road.
C70R said:
This made me chuckle too. They need refurbing, at least one tyre needs replacing, at least two are leaking, but you've saved 4kg. So, win?
Sometimes with cars like this it's best to avoid creating problems for yourself. Having said that, this era of VW/Audi holds a special place in my heart, so I'm glad you're putting some effort into keeping it on the road.
I don't see the problem? Other than the inconvenience of pumping tyres up...and the visual disappointment of aluminium corroding. i mean 4 bloody Kilograms! Sometimes with cars like this it's best to avoid creating problems for yourself. Having said that, this era of VW/Audi holds a special place in my heart, so I'm glad you're putting some effort into keeping it on the road.
Just trying to have a positive outlook on probably a poor purchase by myself (Pretty much a summary of my whole car purchasing history). Definitely some cool products from this time period, B5 w8 passat i'm looking at you! I think i got genuinely very lucky with my purchase and whilst there has been things that do need attention the car at some point was very well looked after. The cambelt that came off was OEM audi and every part on the car was still audi badged parts even down to things like brake pads.
Say next big thing is the exhaust - hoping to have some time over the xmas period.
Scoobydrew95 said:
C70R said:
This made me chuckle too. They need refurbing, at least one tyre needs replacing, at least two are leaking, but you've saved 4kg. So, win?
Sometimes with cars like this it's best to avoid creating problems for yourself. Having said that, this era of VW/Audi holds a special place in my heart, so I'm glad you're putting some effort into keeping it on the road.
I don't see the problem? Other than the inconvenience of pumping tyres up...and the visual disappointment of aluminium corroding. i mean 4 bloody Kilograms! Sometimes with cars like this it's best to avoid creating problems for yourself. Having said that, this era of VW/Audi holds a special place in my heart, so I'm glad you're putting some effort into keeping it on the road.
Just trying to have a positive outlook on probably a poor purchase by myself (Pretty much a summary of my whole car purchasing history). Definitely some cool products from this time period, B5 w8 passat i'm looking at you! I think i got genuinely very lucky with my purchase and whilst there has been things that do need attention the car at some point was very well looked after. The cambelt that came off was OEM audi and every part on the car was still audi badged parts even down to things like brake pads.
Say next big thing is the exhaust - hoping to have some time over the xmas period.
Scoobydrew95 said:
Jhonno said:
Yeah the leaking wheels is a disappointment! Hopefully a refresh will see them right! Some fresh new tyres should make it drive loads better.
Ah, OK.. Yeah, 20mm would sit nice!
Interesting on that one, I had a '96 Ti and it was great! Actually really liked it, 40mpg and an enjoyable chassis (being E30-esque), used to thrash the nuts off it, and have it sideways all the time in the wet It's all about the enjoyment of driving and how they make you feel, I was looking at B5 S4 Avants a while back, but bought a 530d instead due to mpg, which I ended up selling and kept my 330i..
Yeah, an Atom is a bit of an exception
I'm guessing to why they were cheap. The tyres aren't too bad, ones cracking a bit (seems to be a common ZV7 thing) but main reason i bought them as matched tyres. I'll rectify it at some point. Ah, OK.. Yeah, 20mm would sit nice!
Interesting on that one, I had a '96 Ti and it was great! Actually really liked it, 40mpg and an enjoyable chassis (being E30-esque), used to thrash the nuts off it, and have it sideways all the time in the wet
It's all about the enjoyment of driving and how they make you feel, I was looking at B5 S4 Avants a while back, but bought a 530d instead due to mpg, which I ended up selling and kept my 330i.. Yeah, an Atom is a bit of an exception
Don't get me wrong, absolutely loved it glad to have owned one but was definitely missing that 200bhp ish figure.
Probably would have been worth the purchase of a B5 in the long run ahah. Specially way prices have gone.
Small list of new year updates, unfortunately no photos really. Mainly down to utter infuriation.
I've managed to stop the leaky wheels, kind of! Thank you to some puncture repair gunk, absolutely not a long term fix but it'll do for now. Least i'm not at the petrol station every other day.
I received some speakers for a gift for xmas, i'd already changed the fronts and they were shot. So as a precaution i thought id get some new ones for the rear. The fronts were nice and simple so i thought, hey the rears can't be too different.
I ordered to correct, i thought speaker adapters. Went to go do the job and surprise surprise, were they fk the right speaker adapter. 
Also it turns out, whilst the front have a spade connector to fit the speakers. The rears don't? Now, im not sure if someone has been in my car before and changed some bits but whatever. So i set about ordering the loom adapter and speaker adapter.
Great, few days later they turn up. Weather as we all know has been miserable. So just having to sit there patiently twiddling my thumbs waiting for a break in the rain. Yesterday was meant to be pretty okay all day, so i take my chance. Wish i hadn't.
The adapter was now correct but bloody loom adapter wasn't. Thankfully nothing a knife and some pliers couldn't fix.
The next issue, trying to squeeze the slightly bigger speaker pass the door bar. What an absolute. Get it seated one side and then pop out the other. After what seemed like 40 minutes of to me to you'ing. I got the door card back on without breaking anything.
Get a message from work and need to go do some bits, which is fine. In the 45 minutes im doing some work we pretty much have all of the rain. So one speaker has been replaced. One has not. Very very very very very irritated.
In some better news, i have ordered some Mtec braided hoses, all 6. So once they're made, will get them fitted with a full flush of the brake system too.
And finally when the car is having that done, will try and see if i can find some of the gearbox bushes that i believe have failed.
And no, i still haven't fitted the exhaust.
Also booked in to go to Vorsprung International, on the classic audi stand. I'll make sure to be parked in the furthest corner - where you can't see the paint work.
Apparently frost and ice help hide lacquer peel. And other paint issues. 
I've managed to stop the leaky wheels, kind of! Thank you to some puncture repair gunk, absolutely not a long term fix but it'll do for now. Least i'm not at the petrol station every other day.
I received some speakers for a gift for xmas, i'd already changed the fronts and they were shot. So as a precaution i thought id get some new ones for the rear. The fronts were nice and simple so i thought, hey the rears can't be too different.
I ordered to correct, i thought speaker adapters. Went to go do the job and surprise surprise, were they f
k the right speaker adapter. Also it turns out, whilst the front have a spade connector to fit the speakers. The rears don't? Now, im not sure if someone has been in my car before and changed some bits but whatever. So i set about ordering the loom adapter and speaker adapter. Great, few days later they turn up. Weather as we all know has been miserable. So just having to sit there patiently twiddling my thumbs waiting for a break in the rain. Yesterday was meant to be pretty okay all day, so i take my chance. Wish i hadn't.
The adapter was now correct but bloody loom adapter wasn't. Thankfully nothing a knife and some pliers couldn't fix.
The next issue, trying to squeeze the slightly bigger speaker pass the door bar. What an absolute
. Get it seated one side and then pop out the other. After what seemed like 40 minutes of to me to you'ing. I got the door card back on without breaking anything. Get a message from work and need to go do some bits, which is fine. In the 45 minutes im doing some work we pretty much have all of the rain. So one speaker has been replaced. One has not. Very very very very very irritated.
In some better news, i have ordered some Mtec braided hoses, all 6. So once they're made, will get them fitted with a full flush of the brake system too.
And finally when the car is having that done, will try and see if i can find some of the gearbox bushes that i believe have failed.
And no, i still haven't fitted the exhaust.
Also booked in to go to Vorsprung International, on the classic audi stand. I'll make sure to be parked in the furthest corner - where you can't see the paint work.
Apparently frost and ice help hide lacquer peel. And other paint issues. Jhonno said:
Love it when a job goes to plan.....
I hope MTEC make better brake lines than brake discs/pads!
Always the really simple stuff. I hope MTEC make better brake lines than brake discs/pads!
I've got Mtec rotors on this now on the front. And they're absolutely fine for what i use the vehicle for. They're just the grooved as the drilled ones sound bloody awful. I did purchase their cheapest pad as well which was something like brakeworld? They're definitely not the best but they're sufficient for a daily driven car. I'm not doing any track days in the car and so on.
The hoses are being made to order so i'm praying they're okay. Still trying to work out why there is 6 flexis for car.
Today, i managed to pluck up some motivation to do the other leaky, messed up rocker cover gasket. The one i had been strongly putting off as the previous owner had 'sealed' it up with what seems a tube of RTV. 
After doing the previous side, the process was a fair bit easier. Other then separating the cover from the head. Damn you.
As expected, everything was covered in RTV and i'll be honest. The nuts were not remotely tight at all. I did have to get a little inventive with undoing the bottom 3 nuts, so i do wonder if perhaps some of the leaking was down to this.
Or was it all just down to this...
Quite frankly beyond me to why he didn't, as theyre like 15 quid a go.
Other then the heaps of sealant, all looks well this side too. Hurrah.
Slapped it all back together after applying the sealant in the correct locations. Hopefully we have achieved something today and made the car a tad less of a sieve. I do believe the cam seals are leaking but this is a job for not me.
When the car went in for its cambelt, it appears the mounting solution from factory has been damaged in what i can assume is a light front end impact. The bumper was kept up in place using mastik or something similar. So when the bumper came down for the cambelt, the hanging bumper presented itself. So i thought i would for the time being, use the same method to hold the corner in place. Dutiful spray can holding the bumper up.
On the 7th the car is going in for brake flexis and fresh fluid. Also going in to have new down pipes/cats fitted as well. This will allow me to get the S4 catback fitted in the near future. Hopefully with these bits done, it just leaves me with cosmetic bits to get done prior to Vorpsrung international.
After doing the previous side, the process was a fair bit easier. Other then separating the cover from the head. Damn you.
As expected, everything was covered in RTV and i'll be honest. The nuts were not remotely tight at all. I did have to get a little inventive with undoing the bottom 3 nuts, so i do wonder if perhaps some of the leaking was down to this.
Or was it all just down to this...
Quite frankly beyond me to why he didn't, as theyre like 15 quid a go.
Other then the heaps of sealant, all looks well this side too. Hurrah.
Slapped it all back together after applying the sealant in the correct locations. Hopefully we have achieved something today and made the car a tad less of a sieve. I do believe the cam seals are leaking but this is a job for not me.
When the car went in for its cambelt, it appears the mounting solution from factory has been damaged in what i can assume is a light front end impact. The bumper was kept up in place using mastik or something similar. So when the bumper came down for the cambelt, the hanging bumper presented itself. So i thought i would for the time being, use the same method to hold the corner in place. Dutiful spray can holding the bumper up.
On the 7th the car is going in for brake flexis and fresh fluid. Also going in to have new down pipes/cats fitted as well. This will allow me to get the S4 catback fitted in the near future. Hopefully with these bits done, it just leaves me with cosmetic bits to get done prior to Vorpsrung international.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff