Phabulous Phaeton (hopefully)

Phabulous Phaeton (hopefully)

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Discussion

MrC986

3,481 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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Given the amount of tech on these, they'll be a bit like a Bentley & Mercedes etc with 2 batteries.....make sure you keep an eye on the battery levels as they will throw up all sorts of weird errors if the levels drop, or the battery is knackered (leave it on a battery conditioner if not driving it).

It looks a great car (it's a pity they didn't do an estate otherwise I'd have tried one by now).

milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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^^ possibly the case.
Mine will get regular use though. It’s had the accessory battery replaced already.
I think when you get a car that’s had little use for a while there is a bit of ‘waking up’ to be done. Hopefully that won’t go on too long.

A little fillip over the weekend. I discovered that the stainless door sills weren’t a little scuffed but actually had the original plastic covers still on. Removed and a bit of 14 year old glue wiped off.....nice new sills!

milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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So we now have: Movjng stuff


Moving people


Moving me

andy97

4,691 posts

221 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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Paul S4 said:
I have always liked the Phaeton, ever since it was launched. I understand that it was over engineered just to prove a point, and it did not sell that well due to badge snobbery more than anything....although I also seem to recall that the cars had a few problems ?

I reckon that your 3.0 diesel is probably the best option, I assume it has been fitted to many other Audi models as well.
Of course it would be tempting to get a remap on that as well...!!

I recall one locally that I passed every Sunday en route to the pub ( a couple of years ago...!!) and it looked so cool and reserved.
If you put a private plate on it, and removed all the badges...that would look quite good.

The interiors are something special as I understand it as well.

andy97

4,691 posts

221 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
quotequote all
Paul S4 said:
I reckon that your 3.0 diesel is probably the best option, I assume it has been fitted to many other Audi models as well.
Of course it would be tempting to get a remap on that as well...!!

.
I am fairly sure that engine is used in numerous Audis, Porsches, etc etc. It does have a tendency to spit out injectors, my wife’s Touareg had that happen twice.

Austin_Metro

1,196 posts

47 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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Good practical fleet milu. Covers the bases.

Fink-Nottle

387 posts

41 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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I actually find the Phaeton more handsome than most offerings by MB or Audi.

I have no practical reason to own a vast saloon, but should I ever need one I'd be scared off by this video in which a nerdy number cruncher spends 15 agonizing minutes walking you through the expenses of 4 years of W12 ownership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzImp-p0QPc

Now the quoted prices are Swiss, but even so.

Countdown

39,691 posts

195 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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That's a gorgeous car OP.

I remember it getting a bit of flak for supposedly "looking like a pumped-up Passat" when it was launched. ignoring the fact that the Passat itself was a very nice looking car.

Sporky

6,089 posts

63 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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I always thought these looked jolly handsome. There's something about the proportions that is very "right", but they're also quite understated.

QBee

20,906 posts

143 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
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I had an A8 3.0 TDI a few years ago. Engine and gearbox superb. Fuel economy decent.
Electrical problems killed mine - the boot leaked water, and there is a mass of ECUs that live under the battery in the boot.
By the time I discovered the problem they were fried.
But I did get to 175,000 miles before scrapping it.

milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Sunday 6th June 2021
quotequote all
Thanks all.
It’s strange because I find the car handsome too,but then I’ve always like a big saloon. However most wouldn’t give a second look.
It does have a feel good factor when driving due to the general feeling of quality and mass. Flying under the radar can be a bonus too.

Would be nice if it sounded like the W12 though.

milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Little update
1000 miles covered now. Looks like 30mpg is where it’s at overall which is fine.
Had the wheels balanced yesterday which has cured a slight wobble through the car. £20 well spent
One of the air vent blinds has stopped opening and closing. I’ve tried a few different settings but no joy. Apparently these can just fix themselves but it’s unlikely for me!
Need to do more investigation

Other than that,all good.

I need to tackle the paintwork to remove swirls etc. Seems quite hard paint with the little try I’ve had. Any VW paint specific tips welcome.
I’ve done plenty of amateur detailing in the past but this is a big car in a dark colour so a big job.

ChocolateFrog

24,869 posts

172 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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milu said:
A little fillip over the weekend. I discovered that the stainless door sills weren’t a little scuffed but actually had the original plastic covers still on. Removed and a bit of 14 year old glue wiped off.....nice new sills!
That must have been satisfying.

Alzy

49 posts

149 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Great fleet OP. Love the Vantage.

milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
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Bit of an issue this week
Couldn’t get in the car yesterday. No central locking and no flashing led markers in the doors.
I gained access with the key,alarm promptly went off and car started fine. I also noticed that the clock had stopped overnight.
Seemed like the accessory battery. Checked this evening and showing 11.6V,so now on charge.

Not sure what to make of this really. The battery is only 2 years old but the car was used rarely since then until I bought it. I’ve done 1600 miles in 6 weeks so would have thought plenty of charge time. Especially since it’s summer with less demand

Anyway only time will tell I guess

I decided to check the scuttle drains just in case there was any water ingress causing trouble. Seems not. However I’ve not usually seen so many cobwebs and associated trapped muck under a panel. I suppose more evidence of a lightly used car


milu

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

265 months

Saturday 31st July 2021
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Service and check over time
I did a quick oil change after purchasing but wanted my local guy to do a proper once over
So engine oil change,auto trans oil change,rear diff and front transaxle oil change too. Brake fluid change and coolant checked.
Fuel filter and pollen filters also.

What a difference a service makes! I suppose it could be my imagination but the car feels much keener when moving off and then smoother overall whilst driving. So money well spent.

Couple of bits identified….bit of misting round rear diff and engine rear seal. Something to keep an eye on. The mechanic also sorted out some broken fixings on the undertray to make removal easier next time.
No corrosion to speak of. A couple of anti roll bar links getting ready for changing.

Interestingly he did comment on various components being badged up as ‘Bentley’ ,steering rack was mentioned. I thought Bentleys might have parts labelled VW but not the other way round!

67Dino

3,581 posts

104 months

Saturday 7th August 2021
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Came across this ad and thought suitable for this thread….


CarPrintGuy

1,340 posts

99 months

Sunday 8th August 2021
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Paul S4 said:
I understand that it was over engineered
What I don't understand is that they were over-engineered.. but break lots.

They do look amazing though, so classy. One of these with a remapped V10 TDI lump cool

MercedesClassic

865 posts

96 months

Friday 27th August 2021
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CarPrintGuy said:
Paul S4 said:
I understand that it was over engineered
What I don't understand is that they were over-engineered.. but break lots.

They do look amazing though, so classy. One of these with a remapped V10 TDI lump cool
Yeah the impression I get rightly or wrongly is they are trouble especially the V10 TDI engine you're lusting after. Haven't seen one for sale lately until this one today and looks like it's had £40,000 in maintenance keeping it going since 2004! Pretty scary when the first few years were under warranty. Looks like the troublesome engine has been rebuilt too for £14k. Although it was on 180,000 miles so impressive going.

Time for you to get tuning it up biggrin

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021082465...

bolidemichael

13,723 posts

200 months

Friday 27th August 2021
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MercedesClassic said:
CarPrintGuy said:
Paul S4 said:
I understand that it was over engineered
What I don't understand is that they were over-engineered.. but break lots.

They do look amazing though, so classy. One of these with a remapped V10 TDI lump cool
Yeah the impression I get rightly or wrongly is they are trouble especially the V10 TDI engine you're lusting after. Haven't seen one for sale lately until this one today and looks like it's had £40,000 in maintenance keeping it going since 2004! Pretty scary when the first few years were under warranty. Looks like the troublesome engine has been rebuilt too for £14k. Although it was on 180,000 miles so impressive going.

Time for you to get tuning it up biggrin

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021082465...
Cor blimey MC, that needs sharing on the barge thread.