Today I.....
- Thread starter sco
- Start date
Jeetesh
Member
Today I replaced the electric window switch bezel for a brand new one that came from Audi Tradition. The original had a lot of the soft touch scratched off so the perfectionist that I am needed it changing.
Thanks to @Rickmeister for help with getting the part and @Sarge for the perfect instructions. No injuries, damage or problems so very happy. Before and after below.
Before - with scuffed soft touch bezel.
Switches out. Surprised how dirty the old one looks, I’ve cleaned this numerous times. Clearly you can’t clean age.
Switches back in.
All back together in reverse order. Perfection ?
Nobody other than myself are allowed to touch ever again! Nutcase I know but what can you do.
Thanks to @Rickmeister for help with getting the part and @Sarge for the perfect instructions. No injuries, damage or problems so very happy. Before and after below.
Before - with scuffed soft touch bezel.
Switches out. Surprised how dirty the old one looks, I’ve cleaned this numerous times. Clearly you can’t clean age.
Switches back in.
All back together in reverse order. Perfection ?
Nobody other than myself are allowed to touch ever again! Nutcase I know but what can you do.
TYP 8Z
Member
I completely share your attention/ obsession for details....What I found out through many orders from AT is that many new interior trims parts are coated with the soft touch paint, which inevitably deteriorated with age and, sadly, they get scratched just by looking at them despite being new.
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Why not put them on your A2? 215 35 18 tyres will fit and be the right rolling radius, they could quite possibly clear the arches too. mine did but they are close. it is a subtle mod that just makes the car look nicer (in my view) and yet people will not necessarily spot why!
Steve B
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Hi Paul, not wishing to contradict you, many people think that and it is down to the individual.
To me the ride is not too harsh on 17s (or even taller). Remember that 17" tyres are just half an inch smaller sidewall and tyre pressures are more likely to affect the ride more than half an inch of rubber.
As I say, there is no right or wrong here, MANY people would say that the ride would be more harsh, but it is a personal perception. If it feels that way to them then they are right of course, but some people like the slightly more responsive steering and can put up with a slightly firmer ride (after all even with 15" wheels on an A2 they can hardly be classed as a soft ride, A2s give a firm ride anyway) One of the reasons for the firmer ride on an A2 is the light weight of them, hit a bump and the car has less mass to be able to soak up the bump. The heavier the car the less likely it will be deflected by the bump. Suspension quality / design obviously helps too, but put the softest tyre size on a "soap box cart" and when you hit a bump, you will feel it.
I used to have 19" wheels and very skinny tyres on my A2 project car and I enjoyed the drive, it was not (in my view) a harsh ride.
Remember it is the shock absorber that absorbs the shock (they do what it says on the tin
), the tyre might absorb some, but unlike a shock absorber it will spring back instantly and so you will feel the rebound. There is less rebound on lower profile tyres.If I could find a scaffolding platform and some waste ground I would drop a 14" A2 wheel/tyre and a 17" A2 wheel/tyre and I would bet that the 14" would rebound MUCH higher than the 17" one would.
This is a debate I have lots of times (especially on here).
For clarification I am not disagreeing with anyone, either way, all I am trying to say is that the difference is smaller than people think.
Having said that, if someone says that by changing from 17" wheels to 16" wheels they notice a significant difference in the ride, then they are right, if that is the difference they feel, but remember that by changing from 17" to 16" not only are you now using a different brand of tyre, but also a different tyre pressure and that MAY be contributing to the softer ride.
But as I say, it is a question of perception so I am not doubting anyone or calling them "wrong".
Steve B
(I suspect that this may well open a debate again with opposing views!)
Last edited:
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
My favourite wheels, somehow they suit a black A2 exceptionally well!!!Fitted some s3 alloys... was cheaper than having my sport ones referbed
Very pleased with them
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve B
cheechy
A2OC Donor
Hi Paul, not wishing to contradict you, many people think that and it is down to the individual.
To me the ride is not too harsh on 17s (or even taller). Remember that 17" tyres are just half an inch smaller sidewall and tyre pressures are more likely to affect the ride more than half an inch of rubber.
As I say, there is no right or wrong here, MANY people would say that the ride would be more harsh, but it is a personal perception. If it feels that way to them then they are right of course, but some people like the slightly more responsive steering and can put up with a slightly firmer ride (after all even with 15" wheels on an A2 they can hardly be classed as a soft ride, A2s give a firm ride anyway) One of the reasons for the firmer ride on an A2 is the light weight of them, hit a bump and the car has less mass to be able to soak up the bump. The heavier the car the less likely it will be deflected by the bump. Suspension quality / design obviously helps too, but put the softest tyre size on a "soap box cart" and when you hit a bump, you will feel it.
I used to have 19" wheels and very skinny tyres on my A2 project car and I enjoyed the drive, it was not (in my view) a harsh ride.
Remember it is the shock absorber that absorbs the shock (they do what it says on the tin
If I could find a scaffolding platform and some waste ground I would drop a 14" A2 wheel/tyre and a 17" A2 wheel/tyre and I would bet that the 14" would rebound MUCH higher than the 17" one would.
This is a debate I have lots of times (especially on here).
For clarification I am not disagreeing with anyone, either way, all I am trying to say is that the difference is smaller than people think.
Having said that, if someone says that by changing from 17" wheels to 16" wheels they notice a significant difference in the ride, then they are right, if that is the difference they feel, but remember that by changing from 17" to 16" not only are you now using a different brand of tyre, but also a different tyre pressure and that MAY be contributing to the softer ride.
But as I say, it is a question of perception so I am not doubting anyone or calling them "wrong".
Steve B
(I suspect that this may well open a debate again with opposing views!)
Much as a I try to disagree with Paul I have to agree here - but also agree everyone has a preference to what they like. I like a firm yet comfortable ride quality so sport suspension with 15" pepper pots work well for me. I've taken these guys twice to Italy and back (wanted to do it again this year before it gets harder next year but COVID sorted that out) and I would have returned with buckled wheels from Italian motorways in my opinion with 17" alloys. You do wonder where the road toll money goes
I'm not going to disagree that the s3 style wheels dont look fab by the way - I do think big wheels look good on a car (i have 20s on my TT!) but I just dont think the A2 was built for bigger wheels.
depronman
A2OC Donor
everyone to there own regarding wheels and tyres combos,
however on the same car over a period of 8 months I have had 15" 5.5J alloys (the ones with the seven triangles), then 17" 9 spoke sports wheel, then 16" SE wheels. then finally back to 15" A1 wheels
On my car and the roads around Lancashire and motorway into Cumbria and Yorkshire the 15" win hands down on comfort, but do trade a little on steering response and cornering ability
Would I go back to 17", for the look yes but not a chance on comfort.
I have recently (during lock down) refreshed the suspension with a full set of B4's, new top mounts Drop links and ARB bushes and thinking this may have improved things bolted on the 17" again, 50 miles latter the 15" A1 wheels are back on and my back is so so appreciative
Again no disagreeing with anyones views as ride quality is very subjective and differes from person to person, but I don't think the A2 and 17" wheels and skinny tyres is a match made in heaven
I have recently bought an A5 Cab S line and was initially put off by the 19" wheels and 35 series tyres, but nearly everyone that I was interested in had this wheel tyre combo, so I took the A5 for a test drive. All I can say is Audi got thier act together on the suspension some 15 years after they designed the A2. The A5 Cab glides over bumps and pot holes and sticks to the road very well, the steering is some what dead, but not uncomfortably so and you can place the car exactly where you want to on a bend, and all this without my back complaining. I've done 1200 miles in the A5 now and not once have I thought those tyres are too skinny / wheels too big, so it can be done but I suspect the extra weight of the A5 is what makes the difference, more mass to absorb the bumps.
In summary to each thier own
Cheers,
Paul
however on the same car over a period of 8 months I have had 15" 5.5J alloys (the ones with the seven triangles), then 17" 9 spoke sports wheel, then 16" SE wheels. then finally back to 15" A1 wheels
On my car and the roads around Lancashire and motorway into Cumbria and Yorkshire the 15" win hands down on comfort, but do trade a little on steering response and cornering ability
Would I go back to 17", for the look yes but not a chance on comfort.
I have recently (during lock down) refreshed the suspension with a full set of B4's, new top mounts Drop links and ARB bushes and thinking this may have improved things bolted on the 17" again, 50 miles latter the 15" A1 wheels are back on and my back is so so appreciative
Again no disagreeing with anyones views as ride quality is very subjective and differes from person to person, but I don't think the A2 and 17" wheels and skinny tyres is a match made in heaven
I have recently bought an A5 Cab S line and was initially put off by the 19" wheels and 35 series tyres, but nearly everyone that I was interested in had this wheel tyre combo, so I took the A5 for a test drive. All I can say is Audi got thier act together on the suspension some 15 years after they designed the A2. The A5 Cab glides over bumps and pot holes and sticks to the road very well, the steering is some what dead, but not uncomfortably so and you can place the car exactly where you want to on a bend, and all this without my back complaining. I've done 1200 miles in the A5 now and not once have I thought those tyres are too skinny / wheels too big, so it can be done but I suspect the extra weight of the A5 is what makes the difference, more mass to absorb the bumps.
In summary to each thier own
Cheers,
Paul
A2Steve
A2OC Donor
An alternative to sort the issue is to clean the soft touch off with nail varnish remover. It’s just hard plastic underneath in the right colour?
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Yes Paul we can agree to differ and respect both sides of the discussion.
as for the A5, the fact that it is a heavier car as well as a more modern set up does illustrate my point about the car’s weight being an important factor.
It is nice to have a healthy debate and respect each other’s views.
cheers
Steve B
Vorsprung durch Technik
A2OC Donor
Just noticed my question read wrong, i meant to say or was it autocorrected?, are these speakers compatible ie; will they work with the A2 Bose system?
Dave M
Admin Team
In respect of comfort, slightly better MPG, lighter steering and perceived quicker acceleration its Pepperpots all the way Steve ?
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
I totally agree, they are so light !!! I nearly hit myself in the face with one the first time I lifted a pepperpot wheel.
I have fitted them to an occasional A2 in the past (which is unusual for someone who prefers 17" plus wheels.)
the weight difference between a pepperpot and a 9 spoke 17" is HUGE !!!!
Steve B
I have fitted them to an occasional A2 in the past (which is unusual for someone who prefers 17" plus wheels.)
the weight difference between a pepperpot and a 9 spoke 17" is HUGE !!!!
Steve B
Today I got my car back on the road after having fit my replacement oil filler pipe yesterday and then today fitting my reconditioned alternator with new pulley, new auxiliary belt and new tensioner, so hopefully will be good to go in that department for another 17 years.
I finally carried out a Longlife oil and filter change and now have a happy lovely running and sweet sounding little A2 TDi again ?
Just needs a good clean now ?
I finally carried out a Longlife oil and filter change and now have a happy lovely running and sweet sounding little A2 TDi again ?
Just needs a good clean now ?
Vorsprung durch Technik
A2OC Donor
That's why i'll be putting the 16" Se wheels back on at some point and a decent compromise between the 2 ( pepperpots and sports ) for looks. It's a shame they didn't make a wider version of the se wheel as that would have supported wider rubber to give the extra grip and handling the sports alloys provide.
When it comes to looks, handling and that focused drive i'm with Steve, the 17" is the kiddy and they do look fab on these cars. Incidentally if tyre pressure is set right on the sports wheels they feel ok to me. Steve, how about a group buy of Magnesium Sports alloys?
My sentiments exactly and why we run ours on the SE alloys
But they did!
The same wheels were available for the A3 in the same 16" size but 7J width ?
I can hear you searching ebay already ?
Dave M
Admin Team
I fitted some of these to my A2 and they came off again very quickly. They were far too heavy and rubbed against the front inner wheel linings on full lock. Coincidentally the power steering warning light also came on as well......the car was in effect telling me to take them off. ?
Last edited: