Hiya old but new member - faith lost in A2

M

MUM L A2

Member
Hello, I bought my first A2 in 2009 and although it was a great car I sold it when I was 8 months pregnant as it was a Y reg and was going to start costing me and I wanted a newer A2 which would be more reliable! Ha Ha. I bought a 2004 petrol 1.6 and nothing but trouble! It had a flat battery the first time I went to drive it. It needed the cam belt and pump done just in case... then something I don't know what it was went wrong with a valve two days before I was due to give birth! Luckily a fabulous mechanic in Writtle, essex fixed it and held it for me until I could collect it. then... the alternator went the day before I was flying out on holiday.. then the brakes needed work after I drove through road works and loose gravel, then the underside of the front wheel arch broke and then... a few weeks ago after loading baby and husband into car the (new) battery was DEAD! I only bought this car in September 2013! Now, my front wiper arm has sheared off! and I won't mention that the day after the mot the brake alarm on the dash screams at me intermitently. So... my current motto is NEVER AGAIN. No more A2s... I'm seriously considering selling! I'm a stay at home mum who needs a reliable car, one i can trust! Maybe this forum can restore my faith in my A2?? Because I do love them really.
 
Hmmm not a good experience at all. I'm from Chelmsford and now live in Maldon. Can I ask who did the repairs in Writtle? The issues your telling us are from what I read signs of poor repair in the hands of the last owner. The arch liner is probably due to the under tray either missing or not fitted back properly as it's that part that secures the arch liners. The brake warning is probably pad warning sensor as the wire has probably been damaged or age related break(simple repair) the battery going flat - may be harder to fault find but it could be a faulty door module that is pulling currant when it should be shut off. (Or the interior lights are left on?) I'm happy to come and look it over if you want. Cheers Mike
 
HI,

That is a dreadful experience and it is no surprise that you have lost your faith in that A2.

I hope that you realise that what you had was a bad car, rather than a bad make and model of car.

Even the most expensive of cars and the most respected makes of car do have problems and sometimes it seems that you just get the odd "rogue" car that seems to have one problem after another (even happens to Rolls Royces and the like)

But you said yourself that you thought that your Y reg A2 was a great car. So why not sell the 1.6 and try a diesel A2?

I am not saying that petrol A2s have problems, all I am saying that if you have had your confidence knocked then a diesel A2 might be more reliable for you?

The other thing to consider is that your experience is one that we rarely see on here, other forums have much more of a mix of good and bad comments, the A2s seem to have much more positive comments than bad, so I really think tat it is just that you have been very unlucky with that specific A2.

But I know how you must feel and it sounds like your confidence in the A2 has been severely damaged and perhaps beyond repair.

All I can do is to hope that your next car (whether it is an A2 or not) gives you years of hassle free motoring.

Best wishes
Steve B
 
If the alternator needed changing after the new battery was fitted then it was likely that it wasn't charging the new battery properly especially in the winter months. A cambelt and waterpump is just routine servicing that any car would need. As for the brakes work was probably needed due to gravel finding its way into the caliper and may have also caused premature wear to the wiring causing the warning light.

Whilst you have had an expensive time of it, a lot of the work is just routine/unfortunate and not necessarily A2 related.
 
Thank you so much to the replies and comments. Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I am still torn as to what to do. I was adamant I was going to sell now i'm wondering if I should spend the money and get a total once over and get it up to a more reliable state of play. mmmm.... thing is I don't like any other small cars as much as I do the A2, it was love at first sight. I will keep you posted.
 
mechanic in Writtle

Hiya, sorry I have only just seen your question. The mechanic was Auto Techniker Boyton Cross Chelmsford. Robyn was the man I dealt with, I am pretty sure he is the owner. Really, really good bloke.

Do you know someone you can recommend? I'm in two minds as to whether sell or repair.

cheers Leanne
 
Hi, My name is Lee and I have always loved the A2, being in the design industry I have always appreciated the simple but beautifully designed car and I'm sorry to hear you have had a bad experience with yours. In the past I have had bad experiences with a 2yr old Renault Megan which just had one thing go wrong after another and then again with a 4yr old diesel Ford Focus which again just kept going wrong and ended up costing a lot of money and time to keep it on the road. Both cars were well looked after and very low mileage... But just bad luck that these cars were not as reliable as I had hoped!

If I was you, I would take up the offer to have one of the members here take a look at the car and have a chat with you about how best to get the car sorted should you wish to keep it. They may also be able to recommend a decent mechanic with experience with workng on an A2.

I can understand your reservations with keeping the car, especially with the negative experience you have had, and the need for a more reliable family car. But if it's worth anything, I do really enjoy mine, it's one of those cars that make you smile and it's great to see them on the road, on the rare occasion that you spot another one!

Good luck with the decision and I hope it all works out for you

Lee
 
leehallum said:
Hi, My name is Lee and I have always loved the A2, being in the design industry I have always appreciated the simple but beautifully designed car and I'm sorry to hear you have had a bad experience with yours. In the past I have had bad experiences with a 2yr old Renault Megan which just had one thing go wrong after another and then again with a 4yr old diesel Ford Focus which again just kept going wrong and ended up costing a lot of money and time to keep it on the road. Both cars were well looked after and very low mileage... But just bad luck that these cars were not as reliable as I had hoped!

If I was you, I would take up the offer to have one of the members here take a look at the car and have a chat with you about how best to get the car sorted should you wish to keep it. They may also be able to recommend a decent mechanic with experience with workng on an A2.

I can understand your reservations with keeping the car, especially with the negative experience you have had, and the need for a more reliable family car. But if it's worth anything, I do really enjoy mine, it's one of those cars that make you smile and it's great to see them on the road, on the rare occasion that you spot another one!

Good luck with the decision and I hope it all works out for you

Lee
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Sorry I did mean to type 'Renault Megane' but my auto correct kicked in
 
MUM L A2 said:
Thank you so much to the replies and comments. Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I am still torn as to what to do. I was adamant I was going to sell now i'm wondering if I should spend the money and get a total once over and get it up to a more reliable state of play. mmmm.... thing is I don't like any other small cars as much as I do the A2, it was love at first sight. I will keep you posted.
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Keep the faith! It'll be worth the outlay I'm certain, + can't afford another Essex A2 off the road!!
Cheers jeff
 
I would advise to talk to A2Cars in Milton Keynes, from experience they are the best place to go as they are A2 specialists and would be able to advise you. I know it's a long journey but Tony is the man to sort your A2 out .
 
leehallum said:
Sorry I did mean to type 'Renault Megane' but my auto correct kicked in ��
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dont get me started on renaults...an absolute joke of a car, if you can even call them that.

by the looks of where you stay your not too far away from a2cars and im sure tony will do a sublime job on your car should it require a major overhaul.

should you sell your a2 and get another then please test drive a tdi before you decide to settle on another petrol...you wont be disappointed :)

you will not find another friendly forum that offers as help as quick as the guys on here!

cammy
 
redbull_a2 said:
I would advise to talk to A2Cars in Milton Keynes, from experience they are the best place to go as they are A2 specialists and would be able to advise you. I know it's a long journey but Tony is the man to sort your A2 out .
Click to expand...

you beat me to it paul....your typing must be faster than mine lol

cammy
 
I have had three A2s. First was a 1.4 petrol which was and still is lovely (sold it to a mate). I sold it as it was a four seater and the third child was on its way. I then a few years later bought another 1.4 petrol which was terrible, misfiring all the time and could not be fixed. I walked away for a couple of years, but the A2 runs in my blood, it's like a forbidden fruit that can't be ignored!!
This time, in August last year I bought a 1.4 tdi and it's great! My point is, you might have a lemon, or you just need someone like Tony at A2 cars to sort it out. Whatever the case, the A2... Once you have experienced them, no other car will hit the mark and if you are like me, will just keep coming back. I'm starting to fill up.......
 
Thanks Lee for your very encouraging reply. After a long chat with my partner we decided that we both love the A2 and don't want just a run of the mill small car. My partner is from a creative/design background so he shares your view of the A2. We agreed we should just take to a specialist and get them to quote on sorting it out. Then... the mechanic I was recommended has ceased trading... my local mechanic is great for services but he isn't an audi specialists and always admits when we need to take our cars (other is a VW Passat) to someone with specialist skill. So, I think i'm on the search for a good audi A2 mechanic. I will ask for advice on this forum.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my post.

Leanne
 
Yes, another member suggested him too but what do I do, where do i go while i'm waiting? It is a long way with an 18month old. Is it centrally located so could walk or get bus to somewhere to entertain the child.
 
I have not been to A2 cars as it is quite a trek from north durham, however I have spoken to Tony over the phone when I bought mine and he was very helpful. Milton Keynes has plenty to do, big shopping centre if I recall, and it's indoors. Good luck and don't forget the members on here will keep you right
 
MUM L A2 said:
Yes, another member suggested him too but what do I do, where do i go while i'm waiting? It is a long way with an 18month old. Is it centrally located so could walk or get bus to somewhere to entertain the child.
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Tony has a number of courtesy A2's.
 
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