TVRs are cheap to run
Discussion
compared with Audis anyway. The clutch pedal on my mate's 5 yr old bog standard 1.8 A3 went straight to the floor the other day (hydraulic clutch - didn't know that). He takes it to the Audi dealer, as he thinks he'll take a wee bit of a hit, but they'll know what they're doing and have the parts in stock. Wrong on both counts. the jist of what they said is "well, we'll have to change the master & slave cylinders and the clutch pedal, then if it still doesn't go, we'll change the clutch too. Oh, and we won't have the parts until the end of next week and it'll cost about a grand" 
He also tells me they quoted £800 to have new discs and pads all round a couple of months ago.
He'll probably buy a Cerbera next to save money on running costs.
He also tells me they quoted £800 to have new discs and pads all round a couple of months ago.
He'll probably buy a Cerbera next to save money on running costs.
I suggest he takes it to another garage. If that dealer cannot identify the cause of a hydraulic leak they cannot be trusted. CLutch pedal to floor is 99% sure to be a leaking master OR slave cylinder, not both and for sure is unlikely to be the clutch itself. Cylinder overhaul kit from Halfords, a couple of hours and its fixed.
VW/Audi garages are notorious for this.
When I had a Golf, I would have any work done elsewhere, but using genuine parts on which my garage got a 10% trade discount from the VW place, which they passed on to me. saved a fortune when it came to discs etc
I'd take it elsewhere for a second opinion, if it is driveable.
R
When I had a Golf, I would have any work done elsewhere, but using genuine parts on which my garage got a 10% trade discount from the VW place, which they passed on to me. saved a fortune when it came to discs etc
I'd take it elsewhere for a second opinion, if it is driveable.
R
Don't know what the clutch is like in the A3, but I used to have a Rover 800 :shudder:
Pedal went straight to the floor with no warning - no problem thinks I, must be the cable. Quick look in Haines = hydraulic clutch. Bugger - must be a leak.
Anyway, the AA came to pick me up & the driver explained that the design of this particular clutch meant that it would wear out and 'go' with no warning; no slipping first.
Maybe its a similar type?
Pedal went straight to the floor with no warning - no problem thinks I, must be the cable. Quick look in Haines = hydraulic clutch. Bugger - must be a leak.
Anyway, the AA came to pick me up & the driver explained that the design of this particular clutch meant that it would wear out and 'go' with no warning; no slipping first.
Maybe its a similar type?
I used to have an audi coupe.
if he wants to keep the service history going then he should find another dealer. the guys who sold me my car were shysters
and clearly didn't expect me to continue getting work done there ( that's the only conclusion i could draw ).
they weren't in exeter, or plymouth, but somewhere in-between. ( no names, no pack drill, eh ted? ).
i took the car to vincent audi in exeter who are superb.
he should also ask about audis' 4plus discount on servicing for older audis, although this is at the garage's discretion.
otherwise a specialist - but these can take time, and bitter experience, to track down.
when he's done all that, he can sell it, and buy a tiv
if he wants to keep the service history going then he should find another dealer. the guys who sold me my car were shysters
and clearly didn't expect me to continue getting work done there ( that's the only conclusion i could draw ). they weren't in exeter, or plymouth, but somewhere in-between. ( no names, no pack drill, eh ted? ).
i took the car to vincent audi in exeter who are superb.
he should also ask about audis' 4plus discount on servicing for older audis, although this is at the garage's discretion.
otherwise a specialist - but these can take time, and bitter experience, to track down.
when he's done all that, he can sell it, and buy a tiv
My A8 just had £450 of front discs and calipers - the only items found wanting at the last service 1000 miles ago.
Went in, had the brakes done, failed the MoT. Suspension failure, top link bushes and track rod ends. Additional bill to be £500.
Flipping 'eck.
I'm a bit surprised this was not picked up by the service, but it was done by a different dealer. I have had bad experiences with this dealer previously - trying to charge for £400 bodyshop labour to refit a trim which needed a 50p grommet to secure it. B'stids.
I had to take it to the nearest dealer as the MoT is out (don't ask, its been in and out of bodyshops for 3 months - any I suspect they bolloxed the suspension when they crashed the car whie delivering it after the repairs!!!!) ... otherwise I wouldn't have taken it back there.
I think I may be looking for a non-franchise outfit to take a butchers at the suspension.
I love the way they go through the bill with you when you pick the car up ... "and thats fours hours labour at £62 per hour, £200 for parts". Not an eyelid batted! £62 an hour!
Went in, had the brakes done, failed the MoT. Suspension failure, top link bushes and track rod ends. Additional bill to be £500.
Flipping 'eck.
I'm a bit surprised this was not picked up by the service, but it was done by a different dealer. I have had bad experiences with this dealer previously - trying to charge for £400 bodyshop labour to refit a trim which needed a 50p grommet to secure it. B'stids.
I had to take it to the nearest dealer as the MoT is out (don't ask, its been in and out of bodyshops for 3 months - any I suspect they bolloxed the suspension when they crashed the car whie delivering it after the repairs!!!!) ... otherwise I wouldn't have taken it back there.
I think I may be looking for a non-franchise outfit to take a butchers at the suspension.
I love the way they go through the bill with you when you pick the car up ... "and thats fours hours labour at £62 per hour, £200 for parts". Not an eyelid batted! £62 an hour!
if you're anywhere near, i found that TSR performance of bridgewater were good with my old scirroco, can't testify to his ablilities with the newer stuff - but he says he works on seat/vw/audi ( and presumably skoda too! )
reasonable labor rate and i had confidence in his work.
he re-built the suspenders on the vw and it hung on like a tagnut round the corners afterwards!
>> Edited by chimburt on Wednesday 23 October 09:30
reasonable labor rate and i had confidence in his work.
he re-built the suspenders on the vw and it hung on like a tagnut round the corners afterwards!
>> Edited by chimburt on Wednesday 23 October 09:30
The Audi dealer in Cambridge is quite good too - but same group has the monopoly on VW dealers, and they will rip you blind, sell your grandmother and take your life savings..... Funny how one is good and the others crap - from the same company....
But in general get a good VW / Audi dealer and stick to them - they are few and far between.
Cheers,
Paul
But in general get a good VW / Audi dealer and stick to them - they are few and far between.
Cheers,
Paul
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