Big mileage log...
Discussion
Not a lot to tell you lately apart from the TT is running like an absolute dream. I'm using it more and more each week and extending the range of each drive as confident in the machine continues to grow. I've just clocked the '2000 miles since I bought her' mark so the financials continue to look more and more pleasing.
Road Tax is up at the end of the month so a little more expenditure due but no great shakes.
Road Tax is up at the end of the month so a little more expenditure due but no great shakes.
Yeah... But the work I'd like to do would probably cost a good chunk of what I paid for it and - Sod's law - she'd likely call it a day the minute I have anything meaningful done. I have shocking luck most of the time so would expect the worse!
I've asked the good lady to sort a set of gun metal grey 18" alloys next time she wants to spoil me. The current - original - set are tiddlers and do little to improve handling or looks without being particularly offensive. Just got to convince the wife the extra fuel consumption will be worth it in terms of added fun when cornering!
I'm all ears if you have any suggestions Dr. G...?
I've asked the good lady to sort a set of gun metal grey 18" alloys next time she wants to spoil me. The current - original - set are tiddlers and do little to improve handling or looks without being particularly offensive. Just got to convince the wife the extra fuel consumption will be worth it in terms of added fun when cornering!
I'm all ears if you have any suggestions Dr. G...?
MulsanneKinky said:
I've asked the good lady to sort a set of gun metal grey 18" alloys next time she wants to spoil me. The current - original - set are tiddlers and do little to improve handling or looks without being particularly offensive.
My only comment on this front is that, while the 18's look great they really show up the firmness of the suspension if you're regularly on bad road surfaces. That's on my '06 3.2 with concrete-ride (tm) suspension.Unless you really hate the look then keep with 17s for commuting - the handling won't be any better unless the current tyres are really poor but the ride will suffer on 18s.
I'd keep the 17s and put a decent quality set of new dampers and springs on there (replacing anything worn as you go).
It'll either have old worn standard ones on or a mish mash of ages/brands as stuff has been replaced over the years.
If you don't know when/if it last had a diverter valve get that changed too. They're cheap, wear gradually so you don't notice the drop in performance and don't throw any warning lights or fault codes. Once you know it's running 100% (and the oil pump/strainer are fighting fit) a remap is a lot of fun on those....
It'll either have old worn standard ones on or a mish mash of ages/brands as stuff has been replaced over the years.
If you don't know when/if it last had a diverter valve get that changed too. They're cheap, wear gradually so you don't notice the drop in performance and don't throw any warning lights or fault codes. Once you know it's running 100% (and the oil pump/strainer are fighting fit) a remap is a lot of fun on those....
Thanks for the pointers, guys. I honstly prefer the aesthetically pleasing benefits of 18s. That said, you've got me thinking. In the bog-standard 1.8l it occurs to me I'm likely taking something that already looks like a design classic and risk dropping into the Max Power subscriber bracket. Looks like the tips you're providing will do more and cost less than a set of alloys (mapping aside).
Pretty sure the springs were recently changed but don't know if they spent much on them... I'd suspect not given - upon pick-up - I noticed she was running on ditchfinders. The service also uncovered and airfilter that looked like it had been missed/ignored for the last 2-3 cycles.
First things first I've got to get the bloody aircon regassed! This weekend killed me!! £50 notes well spent... although again suspect the problem will likely be more severe and require major surgery.
Pretty sure the springs were recently changed but don't know if they spent much on them... I'd suspect not given - upon pick-up - I noticed she was running on ditchfinders. The service also uncovered and airfilter that looked like it had been missed/ignored for the last 2-3 cycles.
First things first I've got to get the bloody aircon regassed! This weekend killed me!! £50 notes well spent... although again suspect the problem will likely be more severe and require major surgery.
Hi,
Just a quick note to thank you for inspiring me via this thread!
It's resulted in be broadening my horizons and purchasing a 2002 TT 225 last month. My 320d touring was approaching 150k and after three years of dull reliable commuting my feet were well and trully itching, I've always liked the TT and seeing how cheaply they can now be bought via your thread got me thinking.
Mine was £4k at 90k with fsh, leather, bose etc and I love it! After six weeks and 2000mls it's had a thermostat, front discs, an oil change and is returning 35mpg. It's fast enough to be interesting, focussed enough to be fun and refined enough to be a pleasant place to commute, a real "Jack of all trades" car in my eyes.
Anyway thanks again for saving me from commiting to a £250pm pcp on a dull diesel hatch.
Just a quick note to thank you for inspiring me via this thread!
It's resulted in be broadening my horizons and purchasing a 2002 TT 225 last month. My 320d touring was approaching 150k and after three years of dull reliable commuting my feet were well and trully itching, I've always liked the TT and seeing how cheaply they can now be bought via your thread got me thinking.
Mine was £4k at 90k with fsh, leather, bose etc and I love it! After six weeks and 2000mls it's had a thermostat, front discs, an oil change and is returning 35mpg. It's fast enough to be interesting, focussed enough to be fun and refined enough to be a pleasant place to commute, a real "Jack of all trades" car in my eyes.
Anyway thanks again for saving me from commiting to a £250pm pcp on a dull diesel hatch.
Nice looking machine!! Based on my vehicles mileage you are in for a ton of low cost, high fun motoring.
Agree on the commute. Makes it a real pleasure. Cruise control on the long, straight runs and plenty of poke on more curvy trails!
Glad the thread is working for someone other than me! Cheers for the note!
Agree on the commute. Makes it a real pleasure. Cruise control on the long, straight runs and plenty of poke on more curvy trails!
Glad the thread is working for someone other than me! Cheers for the note!
Another decent-sized trip in the TT this weekend as I shadowed a mate in his 911 to Wilton Classic Supercar. Essentially this meant a circa 250 mile round trip. The long and short of it was she was absolutely faultless. Obviously I was slipstreaming a bit of a beast in my mates Carrera but comfortably keeping up the pace didn't feel too big an issue.
Oil levels remain fine suggesting no leaks. Temperature bobs between 70-90 (dropping to 70 when in high speed) which I'm guessing is more about air flow through the front end as opposed to a major problem. I did the run on approx £20 worth of fuel which surprised the hell out of me considering the company I was keeping.
Coming away from Wilton I avoided the queues on the 303 by heading a little further north on the lanes through Larkwood etc. Some lovely stretches of road. Smooth and rich in dips and curvers meaning the new tyres and breaks has a good workout. Again, nothing to report.
First thing this morning I saw the good lady wife off to work and chose the TT over the A4 (again...!) for a little 'next day' drive and listen. Pleased to say not a knock, whir or rattle to be heard. Long may that continue.
Oh... and I had my photo taken three times by teenage snappers as I left Wilton surrounded by true hypercar company...!
I guess that's what a good polish does for you... just a shame they were all laughing as they did it!!
Oil levels remain fine suggesting no leaks. Temperature bobs between 70-90 (dropping to 70 when in high speed) which I'm guessing is more about air flow through the front end as opposed to a major problem. I did the run on approx £20 worth of fuel which surprised the hell out of me considering the company I was keeping.
Coming away from Wilton I avoided the queues on the 303 by heading a little further north on the lanes through Larkwood etc. Some lovely stretches of road. Smooth and rich in dips and curvers meaning the new tyres and breaks has a good workout. Again, nothing to report.
First thing this morning I saw the good lady wife off to work and chose the TT over the A4 (again...!) for a little 'next day' drive and listen. Pleased to say not a knock, whir or rattle to be heard. Long may that continue.
Oh... and I had my photo taken three times by teenage snappers as I left Wilton surrounded by true hypercar company...!
I guess that's what a good polish does for you... just a shame they were all laughing as they did it!!Exactly the symptoms mine was displaying before the thermostat was changed-
You can use the climate control panel to access engine parameters, it's very simple. Search youtube for the method, "Audi TT Climatronic Climate Control Panel codes: Unlocking tt" will get you there or here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU6aiySTHpU
I believe there are two temp sensors in the engine, the value displayed on code 51C is the sensor that drives the coolant temperature indicator needle and the value on code 49C is the non indicated coolant temperature.
If the 49C value changes in sympathy with the dash needle then your thermostat is stuck as the engine temperature is varying but if it is constant whilst the needle moves take a look at value 51C. If this value is fluctuating whilst 49C is constant then it's probably the indicator temperature sensor that has failed rather than the thermostat.
My temp sensor change was about £40 (done by a previous owner)
The thermostat change was about £110 including some coolant (I used the above method to diagnose it myself) and my economy increased by 5-10% afterwards.
I'll be amazed if you managed 250 miles on £20! My commute is 100 miles and it costs me about £17 daily sticking to 70-75mph!
Hope this helps...
Jonny
You can use the climate control panel to access engine parameters, it's very simple. Search youtube for the method, "Audi TT Climatronic Climate Control Panel codes: Unlocking tt" will get you there or here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU6aiySTHpU
I believe there are two temp sensors in the engine, the value displayed on code 51C is the sensor that drives the coolant temperature indicator needle and the value on code 49C is the non indicated coolant temperature.
If the 49C value changes in sympathy with the dash needle then your thermostat is stuck as the engine temperature is varying but if it is constant whilst the needle moves take a look at value 51C. If this value is fluctuating whilst 49C is constant then it's probably the indicator temperature sensor that has failed rather than the thermostat.
My temp sensor change was about £40 (done by a previous owner)
The thermostat change was about £110 including some coolant (I used the above method to diagnose it myself) and my economy increased by 5-10% afterwards.
I'll be amazed if you managed 250 miles on £20! My commute is 100 miles and it costs me about £17 daily sticking to 70-75mph!
Hope this helps...
Jonny
Hi Jonny - Thanks for the pointers. If I drive any significant distance I notice the dip in temp once or twice every 50 or so miles. Most of the time it sits steadily on 90c. I'll definitely have a look / get it looked at.
It cost £50 to fill her up on Sunday morning. Wilton and back (all A-Roads and M/way) was 250m and I had over half a tank left when I pulled back up at home. One thing I have definitely noticed is the benefits of cruise control on longer runs. OK so it takes away a bit of the fun when the roads are busy but it really helps economy. I drove her over to work again this morning and the needle is only just dipping below half a tank. I'm obviously driving like an old woman!!
It cost £50 to fill her up on Sunday morning. Wilton and back (all A-Roads and M/way) was 250m and I had over half a tank left when I pulled back up at home. One thing I have definitely noticed is the benefits of cruise control on longer runs. OK so it takes away a bit of the fun when the roads are busy but it really helps economy. I drove her over to work again this morning and the needle is only just dipping below half a tank. I'm obviously driving like an old woman!!
So, first major drama with the TT today.
As per my previous entries, it's been driving like a dream since we collected it. I took my son to his first football training session of the week which just so happened to be down the road from the local Kwik Fit (you know where this is going...). Having needed to get the air con re-charged since we bought it, I dropped it off with the chirpy service guy reassuring me it'd be all ready to go in an hour for less than £50 and no charge if they can't make any significant difference to the temp.
60mins passes and my son and I made our way back to collect the car. A now ashen-faced service guy quickly tells me the air-con couldn't be fixed because he'd encountered, and I quote "serious problems with the car'. Apparently the brakes are no longer working and as a result he's nearly reversed the car into a wall when trying to remove it from the service bay. Now, given the car just sailed through it's MOT courtesy of new rear brake pads and that my local independent mechanic reassured me the car was in great nick, to say I was a little surprised was an under statement.
I demanded the keys back, jumped in the driver seat and fired her up. The engine was now all over the place too. Revs up and down, car shuddering and spluttering. Clearly a major issue. One he said he'd gladly take a look at once the car was booked in and I'd left it with them for a couple of hours. With the engine still on I jumped back round the front of the car for a snoop around. I immediately encountered a loud hissing sound. Looking around the engine, this clown - for reasons only he'll know - had disconnected the servo pipes and just left them dangling. I went to connect them but found them now split. tracking the pipe back around to the other end this was also . Even when reconnected, the hissing sound was clearly audible although the brakes and shuddering were now clearly in a far better place... although the engine was still too 'up and down' in the revs department.
The technician quickly blamed age of the pipes and got quite defensive when I asked why he'd disconnected them in the first place. He offered some cable ties as a temporary measure and gave me a lecture about driving home safely in the cars 'condition'.
So, the car was going great guns... but a failed aircon recharge later and I'm looking at a relatively substantial bill for replacement servo pipes... and am reflecting on one of the most inept pieces of car maintenance I honestly believe i have experienced in my driving life to date. Utterly bizarre.
I've managed to get the mobile number for the Area Ops Manager for Kwik Fit. He now has a voicemail from me waiting for when he next turns his mobile on.
To be continued...
As per my previous entries, it's been driving like a dream since we collected it. I took my son to his first football training session of the week which just so happened to be down the road from the local Kwik Fit (you know where this is going...). Having needed to get the air con re-charged since we bought it, I dropped it off with the chirpy service guy reassuring me it'd be all ready to go in an hour for less than £50 and no charge if they can't make any significant difference to the temp.
60mins passes and my son and I made our way back to collect the car. A now ashen-faced service guy quickly tells me the air-con couldn't be fixed because he'd encountered, and I quote "serious problems with the car'. Apparently the brakes are no longer working and as a result he's nearly reversed the car into a wall when trying to remove it from the service bay. Now, given the car just sailed through it's MOT courtesy of new rear brake pads and that my local independent mechanic reassured me the car was in great nick, to say I was a little surprised was an under statement.
I demanded the keys back, jumped in the driver seat and fired her up. The engine was now all over the place too. Revs up and down, car shuddering and spluttering. Clearly a major issue. One he said he'd gladly take a look at once the car was booked in and I'd left it with them for a couple of hours. With the engine still on I jumped back round the front of the car for a snoop around. I immediately encountered a loud hissing sound. Looking around the engine, this clown - for reasons only he'll know - had disconnected the servo pipes and just left them dangling. I went to connect them but found them now split. tracking the pipe back around to the other end this was also . Even when reconnected, the hissing sound was clearly audible although the brakes and shuddering were now clearly in a far better place... although the engine was still too 'up and down' in the revs department.
The technician quickly blamed age of the pipes and got quite defensive when I asked why he'd disconnected them in the first place. He offered some cable ties as a temporary measure and gave me a lecture about driving home safely in the cars 'condition'.
So, the car was going great guns... but a failed aircon recharge later and I'm looking at a relatively substantial bill for replacement servo pipes... and am reflecting on one of the most inept pieces of car maintenance I honestly believe i have experienced in my driving life to date. Utterly bizarre.
I've managed to get the mobile number for the Area Ops Manager for Kwik Fit. He now has a voicemail from me waiting for when he next turns his mobile on.
To be continued...
I'm quite lucky as my Local kwik fit isn't too bad but I every time I go to one I find I have to get ready for the hard sell on servicing tyres brakes and shocks.
Hopefully by putting your complaint on here may also give you some ammo as I heard someone complain about a similar problem as yourself and Kwik git soon did something about it.
Have you managed to get it repaired yet
Hopefully by putting your complaint on here may also give you some ammo as I heard someone complain about a similar problem as yourself and Kwik git soon did something about it.
Have you managed to get it repaired yet
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