2005 Audi A4 TFSi Quattro - an accidental purchase
Discussion
Well... You know when you go car shopping and end up with something totally different to what you wanted? Yes this happened.
So in February time, I was changing jobs and would end up losing my company car (2020 Peugeot 308) so needed something to run around in - ideally something I could put my own mark on as such and tweak - I'm very much a fan of OEM+. Ideal car would be interesting, relatively reliable, well specced and comfortable long distance.
I went to see a 2005 Golf GT TDi with the 140 BKD engine in. Every panel had a mark on it it rattled like a goodun and just felt every inch a 2005 car, it didnt help that I'd just got out of a literal brand new car and into this one. Disheartened I spotted at the same dealer a 2004 ST220 - seemed to tick all the boxes but was visibly tatty and just didn't feel nice to sit in, again felt very much a 2001 design with recaros slapped into it. Didn't help that when I started it, it was running on 5 cylinders and therefore I walked away again.
Next I contacted a friend who runs a car sales business, he said he had a couple of things that might interest me, a 3dr 2006 116i - nice car but poorly specced and the wrong engine which is a shame as if it was a 120i or higher I could have got round the spec, looked the part and was nice to sit in. I also looked at a 1.8 Civic which was nice just didn't seem to feel right if that makes sense.
Now I'd like to mention at this point that I'm no driving god. I do 50k a year for business but I'm just an ordinary man not a rally enthusiast, or a track god and my cars very rarely get pushed but I feel a 4 cylinder petrol would have been the wrong buy. I decided this after test driving a 2.0 Focus Titanium which drove nice but the interior was 50 shades of grey and the spec was poverty for a Titanium. So I sat on Autotrader in starbucks car park and I found an Audi...
It seemed to tick most of the boxes other than the reliable part however had a beige interior that I'm not sure I could get over. Went to have a look anyway. Turns out to be an honest car - two registered keepers, full history, 110k, the only downsides being the wheels are horrendously kerbed, a tiny piece of rust on the NS wing and just generally needing a damn good clean. Oh and the interior. Took it for a spin and it just felt right. Didn't feel like id immediately got out of my Peugeot and into a 15 year old car and that's all that matters for me. Didnt feel exceptionally fast but then its a big car and 4WD so assumed that was the issue. And then the management light came on. Drove back to the dealer in a sulk and prepared to go back to the drawing board. He looked genuinely shocked, and said that he'd get it fixed and hed call me when he had. Turns out it was the PCV valve, they done a full smoke test on it and replaced it with a genuine valve, common issue according to google and therefore we struck a deal!
Got it home and gave it a clean and noticed a bit of oil on top of the gearbox, looked relatively old. Gave it a quick service, using OE parts and invested in VCDS as it weirdly didn't have cruise control.
Whilst scanning the car I found a low boost code which seemed to be relating to the DV valve being split. Replaced and now the power is fully up there, still not lightning quick but feels about right for a 200bhp 4WD saloon.
Had to modify my existing surround as parts in this trim code are a nightmare to find and its grown on me believe it or not!
Then turned onto the instrument cluster, turns out the original speaker dies which results in no lights on warning being sounded and as this hasnt got auto lights and the Peugeot has I can see a disaster happening...
Now fully functioning.
Then decided to change the stereo to suit the modern times but still wanted to retain the original OE looks...
£100 of adaptors later as the car has full BOSE and here we are:
Wheels went off for refurb:
Interior light off of a Seat Exeo with the ambient lights:
And now onto the oil leak. Was a bit concerned it was the timing chain, or something id done when I changed the fuel pump idler but turns out it was the Vacuum pump o-ring - unfortunately not available separately. Replacement pump fitted and now leak free:
And lastly an image of it looking quite pretty...
More pictures to be taken this weekend after the tyres get changed and the headlights get detangoed and the front end realigned as clearly nobody can fit a bumper properly!
And no doubt further stuff I find to do with it!
So in February time, I was changing jobs and would end up losing my company car (2020 Peugeot 308) so needed something to run around in - ideally something I could put my own mark on as such and tweak - I'm very much a fan of OEM+. Ideal car would be interesting, relatively reliable, well specced and comfortable long distance.
I went to see a 2005 Golf GT TDi with the 140 BKD engine in. Every panel had a mark on it it rattled like a goodun and just felt every inch a 2005 car, it didnt help that I'd just got out of a literal brand new car and into this one. Disheartened I spotted at the same dealer a 2004 ST220 - seemed to tick all the boxes but was visibly tatty and just didn't feel nice to sit in, again felt very much a 2001 design with recaros slapped into it. Didn't help that when I started it, it was running on 5 cylinders and therefore I walked away again.
Next I contacted a friend who runs a car sales business, he said he had a couple of things that might interest me, a 3dr 2006 116i - nice car but poorly specced and the wrong engine which is a shame as if it was a 120i or higher I could have got round the spec, looked the part and was nice to sit in. I also looked at a 1.8 Civic which was nice just didn't seem to feel right if that makes sense.
Now I'd like to mention at this point that I'm no driving god. I do 50k a year for business but I'm just an ordinary man not a rally enthusiast, or a track god and my cars very rarely get pushed but I feel a 4 cylinder petrol would have been the wrong buy. I decided this after test driving a 2.0 Focus Titanium which drove nice but the interior was 50 shades of grey and the spec was poverty for a Titanium. So I sat on Autotrader in starbucks car park and I found an Audi...
It seemed to tick most of the boxes other than the reliable part however had a beige interior that I'm not sure I could get over. Went to have a look anyway. Turns out to be an honest car - two registered keepers, full history, 110k, the only downsides being the wheels are horrendously kerbed, a tiny piece of rust on the NS wing and just generally needing a damn good clean. Oh and the interior. Took it for a spin and it just felt right. Didn't feel like id immediately got out of my Peugeot and into a 15 year old car and that's all that matters for me. Didnt feel exceptionally fast but then its a big car and 4WD so assumed that was the issue. And then the management light came on. Drove back to the dealer in a sulk and prepared to go back to the drawing board. He looked genuinely shocked, and said that he'd get it fixed and hed call me when he had. Turns out it was the PCV valve, they done a full smoke test on it and replaced it with a genuine valve, common issue according to google and therefore we struck a deal!
Got it home and gave it a clean and noticed a bit of oil on top of the gearbox, looked relatively old. Gave it a quick service, using OE parts and invested in VCDS as it weirdly didn't have cruise control.
Whilst scanning the car I found a low boost code which seemed to be relating to the DV valve being split. Replaced and now the power is fully up there, still not lightning quick but feels about right for a 200bhp 4WD saloon.
Had to modify my existing surround as parts in this trim code are a nightmare to find and its grown on me believe it or not!
Then turned onto the instrument cluster, turns out the original speaker dies which results in no lights on warning being sounded and as this hasnt got auto lights and the Peugeot has I can see a disaster happening...
Now fully functioning.
Then decided to change the stereo to suit the modern times but still wanted to retain the original OE looks...
£100 of adaptors later as the car has full BOSE and here we are:
Wheels went off for refurb:
Interior light off of a Seat Exeo with the ambient lights:
And now onto the oil leak. Was a bit concerned it was the timing chain, or something id done when I changed the fuel pump idler but turns out it was the Vacuum pump o-ring - unfortunately not available separately. Replacement pump fitted and now leak free:
And lastly an image of it looking quite pretty...
More pictures to be taken this weekend after the tyres get changed and the headlights get detangoed and the front end realigned as clearly nobody can fit a bumper properly!
And no doubt further stuff I find to do with it!
Edited by nipsips on Friday 26th June 10:13
BrettMRC said:
Looks great 
BTW - when sharing from flickr on to PH you can bin everything in the sharing URL except for the bits between
if you want the pics to be "unclickable". (Is that a word?)
This era of A4 looks just right all the time I think.
Thank you! I didn't know that if I'm honest - I'll bear that in mind BTW - when sharing from flickr on to PH you can bin everything in the sharing URL except for the bits between
This era of A4 looks just right all the time I think.
Yeah I agree - probably one of the better looking A4's. Never really looked twice at them before buying this one but it seems to be quite nice!
drdino said:
Nice one, I am a big fan of OEM+ too.
Btw, is the coding for the steering wheel control correct? Shouldn't it be 01041?
If I'm honest I wanted to retain the original Audi radio, but there's such a minefield as to what adaptors work and what do not so I just went for something reliable. Still keep meaning to adjust the amp settings as it doesn't sound as bassy as the original unit but its hardly been used as I've still got the Peugeot until such time as Covid-19 buggers off and I can change jobs Btw, is the coding for the steering wheel control correct? Shouldn't it be 01041?
Very vaild point you make! I think I was messing around with it to try and get it to work as I was having issues getting it to switch on, turns out you have to recode the ABS controller as well on my version.
Believe it is set to 1041 now but I'll check the next time I plug in lol
Joey Deacon said:
I used to own a B6 Convertible and I think the B7 has aged perfectly and certainly doesn't look 15 years old.
I am looking at getting VCDS but I am a bit unsure as to the best way to go. Do the cheap leads for sale on eBay give full access to everything?
They certainly don't look 15 years old. I think I prefer the back end of the B6 to the B7 but still - they both look pretty timeless! Stick a plate on it and I think unless you knew them you'd struggle to tell the age of it. I am looking at getting VCDS but I am a bit unsure as to the best way to go. Do the cheap leads for sale on eBay give full access to everything?
Mines a genuine lead through Gendan - cost £225 but its certainly worth it. A friend of mine has a cracked lead and its done some pretty spurious things when hes tried to code over the years - often to our amusement lol
Very nice car! Definitely has aged very well and still looks like a premium car IMO.
The 2.0 TFSI is a great engine, but PCV is a known weak spot so at least that's been sorted. If there is no record of it being done recently, I'd recommend getting a genuine cam follower kit. Not majorly expensive and from the looks of the other work you've done you'd have no problem fitting it yourself.
Cheers!
The 2.0 TFSI is a great engine, but PCV is a known weak spot so at least that's been sorted. If there is no record of it being done recently, I'd recommend getting a genuine cam follower kit. Not majorly expensive and from the looks of the other work you've done you'd have no problem fitting it yourself.
Cheers!
Spantney said:
Very nice car! Definitely has aged very well and still looks like a premium car IMO.
The 2.0 TFSI is a great engine, but PCV is a known weak spot so at least that's been sorted. If there is no record of it being done recently, I'd recommend getting a genuine cam follower kit. Not majorly expensive and from the looks of the other work you've done you'd have no problem fitting it yourself.
Cheers!
Thank you! Yeah I think considering I bought it relatively blind with no prior knowledge of what to check I got lucky. I spoke to the garage that's looked after it for 12 years who confirms it was maintained with absolutely no expense spared and he said he'd done a cam follower - but I did one when I done the service anyway. It didn't look that worn but I think I'll get used to doing it on every service. Mines the earlier rigid pipe fitting though so I think I'm going to retrofit the later rubber hose fittings onto it for ease of removal. The 2.0 TFSI is a great engine, but PCV is a known weak spot so at least that's been sorted. If there is no record of it being done recently, I'd recommend getting a genuine cam follower kit. Not majorly expensive and from the looks of the other work you've done you'd have no problem fitting it yourself.
Cheers!
Ill bear that in mind thank you!
For my next task I'm turning to the interior. As you can see the interior is in a rare and very marmite colour. Personally I like it - but most others I've spoke to do not. Picture for clarity (yes im aware its in desperate need of a clean)
Not knowing what trim colour it is I turned to the service sticker which is really handy for telling whats fitted!
N5D = Valcona leather seat covering
NQ = Trim code but no idea what this corresponds to
The leather is upgraded from what I can tell, seems like its brilliant quality! A bit of googling suggests that NQ is Agate Grey - looks more beige to me but I'm basing this on guesswork as noone seems to know.
I wanted the upgraded MFSW so turned to eBay. Found a wheel and off we go. My wheels already an S-Line so the airbag should fit.
Except it doesnt. This is my original wheel:
A bit more googling tells me that the new MFSW is from a A3 8P series which hasn't got dual stage airbags. Once again eBay sellers not knowing what they're selling causing issues (had exactly the same issue with a set of wheels listed for an A4 upon inspection turning out to be an A3 and were a lot thinner and the wrong offset).
So I'm back to the drawing board. The only wheel I can find is a 4 spoke wheel from a B8 which fits/works and is the right colour, but its not the right one for an S-Line and its in Germany. I could fit a black one, but then I'd have to change the steering column surround and I really don't think it would match.
In other news - the wheels are back from refurb and now been fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's so thats sorted the 2 messed up tyres, 1 mud and snow and one ling long or something or other. Wheels arent perfect - but they cost very little and once I can decide formally what colour I want I'll get them powdercoated next year. Total cost including tyres was £500 so cant really complain or argue about the few little bits I'm not happy with on them.
And lastly for this week I've stripped the front end down to fit some new headlights only to find they're smashed inside, the plastic fixings holding the lens on are all damaged. So I've cannibalised the new lens, and clear repeaters, fitted them to my headlight carcasses and we have 1 decent set of headlights from 2 iffy ones.
Plans next are sorting the MFSW out and seeing what else I can do thats OEM+.
Onto eBay!
For my next task I'm turning to the interior. As you can see the interior is in a rare and very marmite colour. Personally I like it - but most others I've spoke to do not. Picture for clarity (yes im aware its in desperate need of a clean)
Not knowing what trim colour it is I turned to the service sticker which is really handy for telling whats fitted!
N5D = Valcona leather seat covering
NQ = Trim code but no idea what this corresponds to
The leather is upgraded from what I can tell, seems like its brilliant quality! A bit of googling suggests that NQ is Agate Grey - looks more beige to me but I'm basing this on guesswork as noone seems to know.
I wanted the upgraded MFSW so turned to eBay. Found a wheel and off we go. My wheels already an S-Line so the airbag should fit.
Except it doesnt. This is my original wheel:
A bit more googling tells me that the new MFSW is from a A3 8P series which hasn't got dual stage airbags. Once again eBay sellers not knowing what they're selling causing issues (had exactly the same issue with a set of wheels listed for an A4 upon inspection turning out to be an A3 and were a lot thinner and the wrong offset).
So I'm back to the drawing board. The only wheel I can find is a 4 spoke wheel from a B8 which fits/works and is the right colour, but its not the right one for an S-Line and its in Germany. I could fit a black one, but then I'd have to change the steering column surround and I really don't think it would match.
In other news - the wheels are back from refurb and now been fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's so thats sorted the 2 messed up tyres, 1 mud and snow and one ling long or something or other. Wheels arent perfect - but they cost very little and once I can decide formally what colour I want I'll get them powdercoated next year. Total cost including tyres was £500 so cant really complain or argue about the few little bits I'm not happy with on them.
And lastly for this week I've stripped the front end down to fit some new headlights only to find they're smashed inside, the plastic fixings holding the lens on are all damaged. So I've cannibalised the new lens, and clear repeaters, fitted them to my headlight carcasses and we have 1 decent set of headlights from 2 iffy ones.
Plans next are sorting the MFSW out and seeing what else I can do thats OEM+.
Onto eBay!
Well...
As stated before trim parts in this colour are difficult to find. I searched eBay high and low and found a steering wheel in the USA and Germany but both 4 spokes. Too much money to gamble in case it turned up, I fitted it and hated it. Found out through trawling forums that the B8 wheel on a prefacelift is identical... Searched eBay and found a UK 4 spoke one, submitted a low offer and unexpectedly won!
So this weekend I ended up outside...
Safety first!
Old wheel off, clock spring changed and ready for the new wheel...
Only to find that the steering wheel loom has the lugs on the clock spring connector in the wrong position. So I broke apart the B8 loom, found all the MFSW buttons were on the top part of the connector and the airbag on the bottom. Checked my loom, all pins matched up! Stripped the old connector down and removed the MFSW pins one by one, adding them into the same position in the B7 loom (missing on the non MFSW), leaving the old original airbag connectors intact) and then finally fitted the wheel
Lit up straight away, and doesnt look too out of place. I'll keep my old airbag, and if a MFSW 3 spoke wheel comes up for either a B7 or B8 I'm ready to go really. No airbag warning lights. Refitted the OE Radio, out with VCDS, reprogrammed both the radio and the steering wheel for MFSW and boom - works a charm. Also noted how much better the OE radio sounds than the aftermarket.
Now looking at options...
Also found out that the garage didnt change the PCV valve, they did the N80 valve which is also a common issue.
Stay tuned for the next episode of - what can I change to make it better/worse next?
As stated before trim parts in this colour are difficult to find. I searched eBay high and low and found a steering wheel in the USA and Germany but both 4 spokes. Too much money to gamble in case it turned up, I fitted it and hated it. Found out through trawling forums that the B8 wheel on a prefacelift is identical... Searched eBay and found a UK 4 spoke one, submitted a low offer and unexpectedly won!
So this weekend I ended up outside...
Safety first!
Old wheel off, clock spring changed and ready for the new wheel...
Only to find that the steering wheel loom has the lugs on the clock spring connector in the wrong position. So I broke apart the B8 loom, found all the MFSW buttons were on the top part of the connector and the airbag on the bottom. Checked my loom, all pins matched up! Stripped the old connector down and removed the MFSW pins one by one, adding them into the same position in the B7 loom (missing on the non MFSW), leaving the old original airbag connectors intact) and then finally fitted the wheel
Lit up straight away, and doesnt look too out of place. I'll keep my old airbag, and if a MFSW 3 spoke wheel comes up for either a B7 or B8 I'm ready to go really. No airbag warning lights. Refitted the OE Radio, out with VCDS, reprogrammed both the radio and the steering wheel for MFSW and boom - works a charm. Also noted how much better the OE radio sounds than the aftermarket.
Now looking at options...
Also found out that the garage didnt change the PCV valve, they did the N80 valve which is also a common issue.
Stay tuned for the next episode of - what can I change to make it better/worse next?
paradigital said:
I’d buy the cheapest 3-spoke MFSW you can find, regardless of colour or condition (of the leather, you clearly want the buttons to be in good nick) and send it off for a retrim.
You have the luxury of sending your old wheel woth it so you can hopefully get a good colour match.
I did think of this, but then the middle of the steering wheel and the back of the spokes are grey. You can get refurbished ones from Germany, I'll just wait for the right one to come up.You have the luxury of sending your old wheel woth it so you can hopefully get a good colour match.
I'll end up with a houseful of B7 steering wheels before long! haha
Pic spam time - gave it its first wash of the year, along with a damn good interior clean. Also fitted some audio bits and pieces...
As I mentioned previously the stereo annoyed me. The aftermarket one needed 7000 adaptors to make it work which then damped the sound right down and distorted the standard sub. At anything below 90% volume the standard sounds better - but it was CD/FM only.
I've spent hours on the internet researching whats the best iPod adaptor, from standard Audi OE to this - the Dension Pro BT. Connects in place of the non existent CD player and gives you bluetooth and a USB connection - along with Track ID in the dash display. Whats not to like...
Sounds fantastic, uses the OE MFSW as its controls, however 2 points -
I cant get the phone button to work (yet - work in progress) and the instructions are useless. You need VCDS - you have to program the standard radio to turn the CD changer port on, and you have to connect a cable to ground or it will flatly refuse to work. Also bluetooth streaming will not work unless you enable it through the DIS, then power the unit down completely - i.e disconnect it - not just turn it off and on.
Other than that it works a charm!
Power next me thinks!
As I mentioned previously the stereo annoyed me. The aftermarket one needed 7000 adaptors to make it work which then damped the sound right down and distorted the standard sub. At anything below 90% volume the standard sounds better - but it was CD/FM only.
I've spent hours on the internet researching whats the best iPod adaptor, from standard Audi OE to this - the Dension Pro BT. Connects in place of the non existent CD player and gives you bluetooth and a USB connection - along with Track ID in the dash display. Whats not to like...
Sounds fantastic, uses the OE MFSW as its controls, however 2 points -
I cant get the phone button to work (yet - work in progress) and the instructions are useless. You need VCDS - you have to program the standard radio to turn the CD changer port on, and you have to connect a cable to ground or it will flatly refuse to work. Also bluetooth streaming will not work unless you enable it through the DIS, then power the unit down completely - i.e disconnect it - not just turn it off and on.
Other than that it works a charm!
Power next me thinks!
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