B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
Adrian E said:
They release new map updates at least once a year (last year there were 2!)
Firmware updates (for pre-facelift cars only) can run up to 4, but only the earliest cars need the first. If you look under settings you will find version information for both firmware and nav database.
The 4 firmware updates are:
1. 0031
2. 0206
3. 0253
4. 0257
The current map database version is 6.20.4
If you can follow fairly simple instructions, ideally have access to VCDS, and have or buy a 32GB high speed SD card (sandisk ideally) then it's half a day in total to DIY it.
I won't post links here but if you wanted to have a play drop me a PM
Thanks. Looks like I am somewhat off the pace with the updates then! (my versions below)Firmware updates (for pre-facelift cars only) can run up to 4, but only the earliest cars need the first. If you look under settings you will find version information for both firmware and nav database.
The 4 firmware updates are:
1. 0031
2. 0206
3. 0253
4. 0257
The current map database version is 6.20.4
If you can follow fairly simple instructions, ideally have access to VCDS, and have or buy a 32GB high speed SD card (sandisk ideally) then it's half a day in total to DIY it.
I won't post links here but if you wanted to have a play drop me a PM
I don't really want to do the updates myself though, as I'm still under extended warranty, and I don't want to give them the slightest reason to get out of any claim, if they perceive I've been "messing".
Are the firmware updates, and map updates, a "paid for" update freely available at a dealer? As (as I said above) even when I've asked, and would have been willing to pay, I have been told that nothing is available
Adrian E said:
Hol said:
What replacement tyres are people fitting to their 19in rims?
I want to swap my original ones off and store them in the garage loft, until I am ready to hand the car back, so I can do so with the OE spec rubber.
That way Im hoping to get the benefit of decent rubber for the remaining miles.
Ive always been a Goodyear f1 fan, but what works on one manufacturers AWD drivetrain, might not work for another.
Car is 8.5 Black Edition.
Is it on lease/required to come back on the OEM tyres?I want to swap my original ones off and store them in the garage loft, until I am ready to hand the car back, so I can do so with the OE spec rubber.
That way Im hoping to get the benefit of decent rubber for the remaining miles.
Ive always been a Goodyear f1 fan, but what works on one manufacturers AWD drivetrain, might not work for another.
Car is 8.5 Black Edition.
I'm loving Michelin Super Sports, although supply can be an issue. Worth the extra over Pilot Sports.
Goodyear haven't worked out well on Audis for me - cars are generally a bit too nose heavy and they scrub the sidewalls off quite quickly if you do much town driving. Same with Conti SC5.
The Dunlops are a pretty decent middle ground option, but if that's what it was delivered on you might as well run them and just swap like for like as required
Edited by lemonslap on Monday 10th August 20:51
lemonslap said:
I am finding the super sports far too noisy on the motorway, almost at the point of binning them tbh! Adrian how do you find yours?
On another note the bloody push clutch to start issue is returning occasionally and the cold start rattle is back with a very slight overrun noise for about 20secs... Big bills looming again!
Not finding ours noisy (we're on factory 20s) but then all we've got to compare to were the knackered Contis and the Dunlop winter 3d which are very noisy!On another note the bloody push clutch to start issue is returning occasionally and the cold start rattle is back with a very slight overrun noise for about 20secs... Big bills looming again!
I've found them sensitive to road surface in terms of noise - particularly bad on concrete sections of the M25 but otherwise no complaints
Edited by Adrian E on Tuesday 4th August 23:27
bungle said:
Thanks. Looks like I am somewhat off the pace with the updates then! (my versions below)
I don't really want to do the updates myself though, as I'm still under extended warranty, and I don't want to give them the slightest reason to get out of any claim, if they perceive I've been "messing".
Are the firmware updates, and map updates, a "paid for" update freely available at a dealer? As (as I said above) even when I've asked, and would have been willing to pay, I have been told that nothing is available
That's the same version I updated a week or so back in a 2010 Sportback. About an hour to 1.5 hrs to do firmware and 2.25 hrs for map update. I use a battery charger with a memory save function to keep the battery topped up. With VCDS you can deal with software version management easily. Going from such an early firmware version risks component protection kicking in but that's £20 to remove at a suitably equipped indy. Doesn't stop it working I don't really want to do the updates myself though, as I'm still under extended warranty, and I don't want to give them the slightest reason to get out of any claim, if they perceive I've been "messing".
Are the firmware updates, and map updates, a "paid for" update freely available at a dealer? As (as I said above) even when I've asked, and would have been willing to pay, I have been told that nothing is available
Our 2011 car has now been updated twice DIY and has been in for main dealer warranty work and service with no comment
My understanding is that dealers aren't interested in doing the updates due to time taken - my local parts guy has told me they've never sold a map update! Figures I've heard quoted are around £5-600 if they'll even quote!
With VCDS and a high speed 32gb SD card it's perfectly doable yourself.
will try sending you oneAdrian E said:
Have sent you one, but not received a copy myself, so I wonder if the system is up the creak?
ETA - I'm a member on AudiSRS, A5OC and various other Audi forums with the same user ID so if you're on any of those you could send me a 'proper' PM, as an alternative option!
Yeah I have just failed to send you a PM too. Will pop over to a5oc although I think I will have to make an account ETA - I'm a member on AudiSRS, A5OC and various other Audi forums with the same user ID so if you're on any of those you could send me a 'proper' PM, as an alternative option!
I think I'm having a bad technology day:
"
Database Error Database error
The Audi A5 Forum & Audi S5 Forum database has encountered a problem.
Please try the following:
Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
Open the www.a5oc.com home page, then try to open another page.
Click the Back button to try another link.
The www.a5oc.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.
We apologise for any inconvenience."
Exhaust Tip Cleaning success!
I got my two different 10 packs of Dremel type brass brushes through yesterday (about £3 per pack from eBay) so thought I'd have a go at the exhaust tips tonight. Pleased with the end result, took less than an hour to do both sides. They aren't absolutely perfect mostly because you can't get between the two tips with the size of brush I bought but look 100x better now and good enough for now until I get some smaller brushes and have a go at the middle bits. Here's a couple of before and after shots from one side...
I bought a 10 pack of each of these, used about 8 of the flat brushes and 4 of the cup brushes
Certainly beats doing it with wire wool etc, which didn't seem to budge mine at all.
I got my two different 10 packs of Dremel type brass brushes through yesterday (about £3 per pack from eBay) so thought I'd have a go at the exhaust tips tonight. Pleased with the end result, took less than an hour to do both sides. They aren't absolutely perfect mostly because you can't get between the two tips with the size of brush I bought but look 100x better now and good enough for now until I get some smaller brushes and have a go at the middle bits. Here's a couple of before and after shots from one side...
I bought a 10 pack of each of these, used about 8 of the flat brushes and 4 of the cup brushes
Certainly beats doing it with wire wool etc, which didn't seem to budge mine at all.
Good work!
Spoke to an epxert and something like this kit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Brass-Stainles...
with a cordless drill would work wonders, very similar to what you did but maybe a drill is more beefy than a dremel.
Anyway great job, will try and get mine sorted soon.
Spoke to an epxert and something like this kit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Brass-Stainles...
with a cordless drill would work wonders, very similar to what you did but maybe a drill is more beefy than a dremel.
Anyway great job, will try and get mine sorted soon.
The problem with drill attachments is that they're too big to use in situ, so the only bit you'd be able to polish would be the underneath and the outlet lip. The Dremel brushes are small enough to fit between the exhaust and bumper so you can get to most of it other than between the two tips as mentioned.
Thinking about it though, if you had a large enough drill attachment disc that was less than ~10mm thick then you might be able to use that to get at the bit between the tips that you can't reach with the dremel.
Thinking about it though, if you had a large enough drill attachment disc that was less than ~10mm thick then you might be able to use that to get at the bit between the tips that you can't reach with the dremel.
mrdanbartlett said:
Good work!
Spoke to an epxert and something like this kit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Brass-Stainles...
with a cordless drill would work wonders, very similar to what you did but maybe a drill is more beefy than a dremel.
Anyway great job, will try and get mine sorted soon.
Spoke to an epxert and something like this kit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Brass-Stainles...
with a cordless drill would work wonders, very similar to what you did but maybe a drill is more beefy than a dremel.
Anyway great job, will try and get mine sorted soon.
Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 7th August 18:45
Thanks for the head's up on this, it's winging its way to me as we speak
Easternlight said:
Black edition grill for B8.5 on RS246 bargain £150
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=11...
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=11...
Yay, my S4 has uptodate firmware and the most recent maps!
I also took the opportunity to enable the 'hidden' menu, battery display and video-in-motion which I'd never quite got around to doing. The only VCDS mod I'd actually done was to enable the lap-timer and oil temp display.
I also finally got around to replacing the last of the original keyless door sensors which had all cracked and filled with water, thus causing the entire keyless entry system to fail. The original (transparent) sensors are rubbish, the newer (black) ones are much more robust.
My car is error-free one again AND doesn't take me through quite so many fields near roads anymore.
Cheers Adrian!
I also took the opportunity to enable the 'hidden' menu, battery display and video-in-motion which I'd never quite got around to doing. The only VCDS mod I'd actually done was to enable the lap-timer and oil temp display.
I also finally got around to replacing the last of the original keyless door sensors which had all cracked and filled with water, thus causing the entire keyless entry system to fail. The original (transparent) sensors are rubbish, the newer (black) ones are much more robust.
My car is error-free one again AND doesn't take me through quite so many fields near roads anymore.
Cheers Adrian!
bungle said:
theboyfold said:
How low is your door? I'm only 6ft and I have to duck to dodge it!
6ft too, I've never had to duck, unless I do it without thinking! Going on bike ride now, will open the boot on the way and see how high it is. Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff