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Guest 4123
Guest
1.2Tdi ownership will become a thing of the past for me in the next few months. I reserved an ID3 on Sunday; I've been looking for one for sometime. I wanted the longer range model but Wifey insisted on five seats (for once in a blue moon use), so that was that. Spotted an ex-demo ID3 locally with 500 miles and a good price.
The main reason for changing is that most of the use for the A2 is now in France, so if it's going to break down, it will be in France. I don't mind that if I'm on my own but with family? I've given up taking the cats with me because breaking down with the cats would be a nightmare! The last time I took it to France, the freewheeling pulley on the alternator disintegrated just after arrival; it took the local garage about a week to find a replacement pulley and fit it. The time before that, I was returning to our house from Limoges and stopped at some lights in Chalus. The lights changed and no start. Fortunately there was a downhill exit to the right and I was able to freewheel out. Also, I'd left VCDS at the house! Never travel abroad in a 1.2Tdi without VCDS! After walking around trying to think what to do, I tried to restart. Success! Switched off Eco mode and drove home without incident. I was out testing the car a few days later and the the same thing happened but I had VCDS with me. Quickly diagnosed as a loose plug on the gearbox actuator. I went to France in the Lupo in December and just after I returned, the alternator failed - one of the brushes had parted company with its lead.
Breaking down in the UK is fine if you have breakdown cover but European breakdown is usually limited to 15 years. There's a reason for that!
I'll miss the range of the A2 - 1100km against 400 for the ID3. I can fill up in Eastbourne and arrive in Perigord with fuel to spare! Range anxiety will replace A2 anxiety but the former is easier to manage. The only thing I won't miss on the A2 is the wooden suspension!
RAB
The main reason for changing is that most of the use for the A2 is now in France, so if it's going to break down, it will be in France. I don't mind that if I'm on my own but with family? I've given up taking the cats with me because breaking down with the cats would be a nightmare! The last time I took it to France, the freewheeling pulley on the alternator disintegrated just after arrival; it took the local garage about a week to find a replacement pulley and fit it. The time before that, I was returning to our house from Limoges and stopped at some lights in Chalus. The lights changed and no start. Fortunately there was a downhill exit to the right and I was able to freewheel out. Also, I'd left VCDS at the house! Never travel abroad in a 1.2Tdi without VCDS! After walking around trying to think what to do, I tried to restart. Success! Switched off Eco mode and drove home without incident. I was out testing the car a few days later and the the same thing happened but I had VCDS with me. Quickly diagnosed as a loose plug on the gearbox actuator. I went to France in the Lupo in December and just after I returned, the alternator failed - one of the brushes had parted company with its lead.
Breaking down in the UK is fine if you have breakdown cover but European breakdown is usually limited to 15 years. There's a reason for that!
I'll miss the range of the A2 - 1100km against 400 for the ID3. I can fill up in Eastbourne and arrive in Perigord with fuel to spare! Range anxiety will replace A2 anxiety but the former is easier to manage. The only thing I won't miss on the A2 is the wooden suspension!
RAB
