Today I.....
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timmus
A2OC Donor
This gearing chart is a little complicated, but shows all the info you're after.
The black line shows the AMF-based A2 as per factory (EWQ gearbox, standard tyre size). At the end of that, the grey line shows standard 5th and the red line shows the 0.659 longer 5th.
Superimposed over that, the blue line shows what the EXB gearbox would do for the A2, if fitted in combination with larger-than-standard 205/50/16 tyres. As you can see, the resultant 5th gear is nearly as long as the 0.659 longer 5th. However, rather than having a gap between 4th and 5th, the gears are spread evenly.
I discussed this option with @trevorswaine a fair bit before he went ahead with it. My one concern was the way 1st gear would feel.
Trevor, I'd be very interested to drive your car and hear your feedback. I'll happily do Wrynose and Hardknot in 2nd, so I can't imagine there's anything in The Lakes that your car won't manage in its longer 1st, but first-hand experience always beats theory.
What's it like doing hill starts?
Cheers,
Tom
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Proghound
Admin Team
Today I ... appear to have finally worked out how to drive my A2 economically 
420 miles of my daily 21-mile commute plus some local running about on this tankful, during which I've been changing up by 2200 revs, keeping a light throttle and a lot of anticipation, and it's come out at 68.1MPG. I filled to the brim using the vent several times just like the previous fill-up, so I'm pretty confident on the accuracy of this figure. Even if I could have squeezed in another litre, that would still have been over 65MPG.
It's only taken me nearly 5 months and 3000 miles since the remap to manage over 60MPG on a tank, but what enjoyable miles
420 miles of my daily 21-mile commute plus some local running about on this tankful, during which I've been changing up by 2200 revs, keeping a light throttle and a lot of anticipation, and it's come out at 68.1MPG. I filled to the brim using the vent several times just like the previous fill-up, so I'm pretty confident on the accuracy of this figure. Even if I could have squeezed in another litre, that would still have been over 65MPG.
It's only taken me nearly 5 months and 3000 miles since the remap to manage over 60MPG on a tank, but what enjoyable miles
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sciroccorrado
A2OC Donor
Thanks Tom, that's a really interesting perspective on things, the chart is very useful as well. I like the idea of a more even spread, as I was concerned that my original plan of .659 5th would feel a long stretch, where as this one seems more stable. The other thing that has always been at the back of mind about the gearbox I have to go in BB is that it is already a bit long in the tooth at ~190k, and there seems to be quite a few EXB gearboxes available on fleabay that have relatively low mileage (often <100k) or even refurbed ones don't cost too much more. I know my EWQ box didn't really cost me anything, but I just need to consider that it is already ancient.
This gearing chart is a little complicated, but shows all the info you're after.
The black line shows the AMF-based A2 as per factory (EWQ gearbox, standard tyre size). At the end of that, the grey line shows standard 5th and the red line shows the 0.659 longer 5th.
Superimposed over that, the blue line shows what the EXB gearbox would do for the A2, if fitted in combination with larger-than-standard 205/50/16 tyres. As you can see, the resultant 5th gear is nearly as long as the 0.659 longer 5th. However, rather than having a gap between 4th and 5th, the gears are spread evenly.
I discussed this option with @trevorswaine a fair bit before he went ahead with it. My one concern was the way 1st gear would feel.
Trevor, I'd be very interested to drive your car and hear your feedback. I'll happily do Wrynose and Hardknot in 2nd, so I can't imagine there's anything in The Lakes that your car won't manage in its longer 1st, but first-hand experience always beats theory.
What's it like doing hill starts?
Cheers,
Tom
Teresa
Social Secretary
Took Mabel out for her first proper run since having her new EGR and Breather pipes fitted. Blimey, that has made a difference. Before, she always seemed to be pushing it a little to get her to 80. This time I set off down the bypass, not really taking much notice, and suddenly realised I was doing nearly 90!
I slowed down (Firefighter's daugter and used to work in A and E), but it made me realise how much small things affect the FSI engine. I dread to think what she will like when she gets her stainless steel exhaust next month!
I slowed down (Firefighter's daugter and used to work in A and E), but it made me realise how much small things affect the FSI engine. I dread to think what she will like when she gets her stainless steel exhaust next month!
Away with the fairys
Member
Today project shed was returned following its rear end repairs ...,
Not massively impressed with the work ..
3 boot trim / fixing covers missing , upper bumper trim , not fitted well , and 4 missing fixing at the bottom of the bumper ,broken trim fixing to wheel arch liner , and the final one , they have totally painted the rear bumper including the unpainted section at the bottom .
On the plus side , they have used a brand new rear bumper shell , and crash beam , with new fixing , along with the bumper trim closure bit , which was date stamped 08/ 17 ...
Overall, Not a happy chap ... phone calls to follow in the morning
Not massively impressed with the work ..
3 boot trim / fixing covers missing , upper bumper trim , not fitted well , and 4 missing fixing at the bottom of the bumper ,broken trim fixing to wheel arch liner , and the final one , they have totally painted the rear bumper including the unpainted section at the bottom .
On the plus side , they have used a brand new rear bumper shell , and crash beam , with new fixing , along with the bumper trim closure bit , which was date stamped 08/ 17 ...
Overall, Not a happy chap ... phone calls to follow in the morning
A2Steve
A2OC Donor
Fixings you could live with and just change yourself, but painting the bottom half of the bumper is ridiculous.
A2Z3
Member
Earlier I have persuaded two of my colleagues to buy A2's. Recently I have "bombarded" my CEO, who also likes cars, with avertisements showing interesting A2's for sale (not that many in Norway). On friday I sent him the latest advertisement, a blue Colour Storm, convenient located in Oslo where I live. At the same time, I just had to go down to the underground parking to doublecheck the blue A2 that parks there - fun fact - it's the same car that was advertised. Quite exited I called my CEO, who was in Portugal at the moment, and told him this. We agreed that I should take it for a test drive, which I did next morning. He thrusted me, so bought the A2 over the phone, sitting in Portugal - so now he is the proud ovner of a beautiful Colour Storm 1.4 with working OSS, low mileage, Audi Consert Bose, 124.000km (78' miles). One ovner since new - always garaged.
First picture from a post I posted in march when I discovered the A2 in underground parking, the two others from saturday.
First picture from a post I posted in march when I discovered the A2 in underground parking, the two others from saturday.
Away with the fairys
Member
Update , project shed is back into paint shop on the 9th Oct ... for further works , after a long conversation with the manger of nation wide repair net works , Tbf they have accepted the “ defects “ and piss poor workmanship ....
Now on route to visit “Basil “ at Wom .....
A2Steve
A2OC Donor
It will be difficult for them to get a match on the black plastic so i'd ask them to colour code the rest as a goodwill gesture
Away with the fairys
Member
Indeed , it would be much better ,,but i l fear this is beyond their skill set ....
It will be difficult for them to get a match on the black plastic so i'd ask them to colour code the rest as a goodwill gesture
trevorswaine
Member
Tom, hope you're enjoying Norway - did you drive the Troll's Staircase?
This gearing chart is a little complicated, but shows all the info you're after.
The black line shows the AMF-based A2 as per factory (EWQ gearbox, standard tyre size). At the end of that, the grey line shows standard 5th and the red line shows the 0.659 longer 5th.
Superimposed over that, the blue line shows what the EXB gearbox would do for the A2, if fitted in combination with larger-than-standard 205/50/16 tyres. As you can see, the resultant 5th gear is nearly as long as the 0.659 longer 5th. However, rather than having a gap between 4th and 5th, the gears are spread evenly.
I discussed this option with @trevorswaine a fair bit before he went ahead with it. My one concern was the way 1st gear would feel.
Trevor, I'd be very interested to drive your car and hear your feedback. I'll happily do Wrynose and Hardknot in 2nd, so I can't imagine there's anything in The Lakes that your car won't manage in its longer 1st, but first-hand experience always beats theory.
What's it like doing hill starts?
Cheers,
Tom
The EXB gearbox's ratios are fine, just about perfect for everyday use, an improvement on the standard ratios for sure. 1st is noticeably higher so I think that Hardknott Pass is very marginal now, but overall the ratios are just great. Got my EXB off ebay for just £90 so a cheap option compared to a 6 speed.
My perfect gearbox? this one has ratios compared to the standard TDi75 of 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.4, and 5.5, as per Tom's graph above. So this one plus I'd add a really short low gear (only for occasional use) at about 0.8, plus a taller 7th gear at say 6.3.
Hope to see you sometime in Oct.
Trevor
Vonnie
A2OC donor
Great little story
A2Steve
A2OC Donor
Congratulations Vonnie. I'll add you to the exclusive club.