Today I.....

[dj_efk]

Yes it's difficult to know exactly what to do tbh as with the provenance and low mileage I feel I should keep everything completely standard as it left the factory.

It's still got absolutely everything it came with from new, even the original invoice and spec sheet and every invoice and receipt too.

I've never been one for spec really but there are always certain things that you like and I was fortunate when I went to see it that it had the electric lumbar support seats which I wasn't aware of and really like, and also has the double din Symphony sound system which has always been my favourite in an A2 having had all of the different varieties in previous A2's and to my ears sounds the best so that's good too.

The air con is like ice and the inside pretty much like new as it's only really had the one occupant the majority of the time and the boot and rear seats looks like they've never been used

I’d say keep it as it is and enjoy it then. Nice!

 

[2work]

In advance of meeting @2work at my house tomorrow evening I had a long overdue tidy up of the front part of the garage so we have a dry and well lit spot to sort out the CCCU on the project Silver FSI and more importantly make a plan for some upgrades on Betty

Pulled the project car out the garage after months of sitting

Oil leak has been added to the list….

Morning Jon,

Now back home after the southbound trip. A complete pleasure to meet you Sir.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[A2Z]

Today I had an advisory free MOT pass maintaining the 100% 20 year MOT pass history and also keeping the same 27th September MOT expiry date that it's had from it's first one back in 2005!

Happy days!

 

[CrispyEdd]

Today I had an advisory free MOT pass maintaining the 100% 20 year MOT pass history and also keeping the same 27th September MOT expiry date that it's had from it's first one back in 2005!

Happy days!

Now that's both anal and impressive dedication

 

[A2Z]

Now that's both anal and impressive dedication

Thank you..... I think

I also forgot to mention that the car was registered on the 27th September too so it's a proper 100% ocd history

I actually feel guilty that I've had to register it in my name and take away the original 1 owner from new title

 

[datsundrew]

Not today but yesterday, drove 400 mile round trip to a funeral in Sheffield. News said M5 was shut due to flooding.
Got away at 8.30 am and headed up to the M4 at Bath, planning to go A46 to Stroud. As we hit the M4 Junction, Wayz showed the M5 now open, so my sister checked google maps and google to confirm as I did a couple of laps of the roundabout…..it’s open! Get to the M5 junction to see it coned off, dive right back to the M4, Chepstow, Gloucester….
More and more minutes were added at every single set of traffic lights, hold ups etc to the point that we were going to miss the 1.15 funeral. Let’s just say that I drove Chad tdi harder and faster than ever, and somehow we managed to stop on the M1 for a rapid pee stop, and arrive at the cremation with 12 minutes to spare!!! Amazing car.
So stressful.
Home trip was far more relaxed on cruise. Amazingly it still got 57mpg, and that’s on shell v power which definitely helps.
This morning on start up I could definitely hear the chain rattle, so I need to do this soon.
My Brother and Sister were really impressed with the (fast) road trip,

 

[dj_efk]

I’m not sure if I’ve understood but just in case - If you can hear the oil pump chain rattling then stop driving the car immediately!

It’s not a case of “it needs doing”, more of a strong warning of imminent failure Andrew - and if it lets go that’s the engine wrecked.

 

[CrispyEdd]

Not today but yesterday, drove 400 mile round trip to a funeral in Sheffield. News said M5 was shut due to flooding.
Got away at 8.30 am and headed up to the M4 at Bath, planning to go A46 to Stroud. As we hit the M4 Junction, Wayz showed the M5 now open, so my sister checked google maps and google to confirm as I did a couple of laps of the roundabout…..it’s open! Get to the M5 junction to see it coned off, dive right back to the M4, Chepstow, Gloucester….
More and more minutes were added at every single set of traffic lights, hold ups etc to the point that we were going to miss the 1.15 funeral. Let’s just say that I drove Chad tdi harder and faster than ever, and somehow we managed to stop on the M1 for a rapid pee stop, and arrive at the cremation with 12 minutes to spare!!! Amazing car.
So stressful.
Home trip was far more relaxed on cruise. Amazingly it still got 57mpg, and that’s on shell v power which definitely helps.
This morning on start up I could definitely hear the chain rattle, so I need to do this soon.
My Brother and Sister were really impressed with the (fast) road trip,

Nice one drew, we would have crossed paths on that journey. Was a mess on the roads. I find they like to be opened up now and then and can surprise you with mpg even at high-speed.

 

[sixerj]

Stripped out and cleaned the PDC part of the wiring loom that I bought from @Fallan in preparation for PDC install with @2work along with RNSE etc. Sticky messy job removing the fabric tape and then cleaning all loom wires with brake cleaner. Maybe the wrong stuff but was working just fine

Coiled up and saved the remaining wires for future mods or err ‘just in case’ I need some

After lunch, turned the A2 into van mode (some trouble getting the seats out, so hopefully they will go back in).

Packed up my eldest and moved him into post unit rented accommodation in London. Very impressed by the amount of stuff the A2 swallows. As it turns out 10min walk from where my Grandfathers bike shop used to be in Morning Lane Hackney

 

[2work]

Evening all,

Today I… Had a spotter/anorak moment and purchased a tie pin which I understand to be from the Audi A2 launch:

Was anyone reading this one of the other 8 viewers?

Nabbed it with a couple of £s off:

This can take resident next to my other lapel badge/pin:

Quite happy with my little geeky purchase. That’s all for now, I’ll grab my coat and exit the stage…

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[L162LZ]

Paid a visit to @timmus today for cruise control and G263 sensor replacement.
Trip back down the M6 to Liverpool with cruise control active was much more relaxed , cheers Tom, was great to chat and thanks for the excellent work

 

[dj_efk]

Today I took Audrey for a wheel alignment check - as wear on the inner edges of the two tyres that have just been rotated to the rear were noted on the MOT. Strange as a small adjustment was needed but no more than 3/4 of a turn according to the chap!

While the car was on a ramp he helpfully finally found the source of the occasional clonk that I get on rough roads - I was suspecting either the top mounts or the ARB bushes, but he confirmed there to be no issue with either. Instead, the steering rack has a smidge of internal play, but in his words "I really wouldn't change it based on that, it's only slightly worn and has a lot of life left in it, so I would leave it and monitor for now as it's a fair amount of work to change". The problem is, now I know, I can't un-know....

He is sending me a quote.

Also, I have experimented with lowering the tyre pressures - Since fitting the A3 Pepper Pot alloys, I have always used the full-load pressures of 35 PSI front / 38 PSI rear noted on the fuel cap flap sticker in the interests of economy, BUT these pressures are for 175/60/15 tyres, not the 185/60/15's that Audrey now wears. I had just assumed the difference was negligible, but have just discovered that really this means the pressures should be reduced by 3 PSI all round to compensate - so 32 front / 35 rear - which I was not aware of. I have noticed in the past that traction under heavy braking is less than ideal, not to mention that the ride is very firm over bad / bumpier lanes typical of those locally to me!

Interestingly, the 3 PSI reduction definitely seems to make a decent ride improvement, with noticeably improved handling of holes and ridged bumps in the road that are common with fairly broken and worn Devon lanes - so my conclusion is our aluminum friends are surprisingly sensitive to tyre pressure changes. I may reduce by the same again and see what difference that makes - but then again, I'm pretty happy with how it is now.

 

[PlasticMac]

Today I took Audrey for a wheel alignment check - as wear on the inner edges of the two tyres that have just been rotated to the rear were noted on the MOT. Strange as a small adjustment was needed but no more than 3/4 of a turn according to the chap!

While the car was on a ramp he helpfully finally found the source of the occasional clonk that I get on rough roads - I was suspecting either the top mounts or the ARB bushes, but he confirmed there to be no issue with either. Instead, the steering rack has a smidge of internal play, but in his words "I really wouldn't change it based on that, it's only slightly worn and has a lot of life left in it, so I would leave it and monitor for now as it's a fair amount of work to change". The problem is, now I know, I can't un-know....

He is sending me a quote.

Also, I have experimented with lowering the tyre pressures - I have always used the full-load pressures of 35 PSI front / 38 PSI rear as noted on the fuel cap flap sticker in the interests of economy, but these are for 175/60/15 tyres, not the 185/60/15's that Audrey now wears. I have just found out that this means I should reduce the pressures by 3 PSI all round to compensate - so 32 / 35 - which I was not aware of. I have noticed in the past that traction under heavy braking is less than ideal, not to mention that the ride is pretty firm!

Interestingly, the 3 PSI reduction definitely seems to make a decent ride improvement, with noticably improved handling of minor holes and ridged bumps in the road - so it seems our aluminum friends are surprisingly sensitive to tyre pressure changes I may reduce by the same again and see what difference that makes - but then again, I'm pretty happy with how it is now.

Lowering the pressure can result in a larger contact area, which might be good for grip, but might also mean the tyre runs hot, (increased friction etc), not so good for tyre life, and, perversely may increase tyre pressure, especially at speed!
Mac.

 

[L162LZ]

Today I took Audrey for a wheel alignment check - as wear on the inner edges of the two tyres that have just been rotated to the rear were noted on the MOT. Strange as a small adjustment was needed but no more than 3/4 of a turn according to the chap!

While the car was on a ramp he helpfully finally found the source of the occasional clonk that I get on rough roads - I was suspecting either the top mounts or the ARB bushes, but he confirmed there to be no issue with either. Instead, the steering rack has a smidge of internal play, but in his words "I really wouldn't change it based on that, it's only slightly worn and has a lot of life left in it, so I would leave it and monitor for now as it's a fair amount of work to change". The problem is, now I know, I can't un-know....

He is sending me a quote.

Also, I have experimented with lowering the tyre pressures - Since fitting the A3 Pepper Pot alloys, I have always used the full-load pressures of 35 PSI front / 38 PSI rear noted on the fuel cap flap sticker in the interests of economy, BUT these pressures are for 175/60/15 tyres, not the 185/60/15's that Audrey now wears. I had just assumed the difference was negligible, but have just discovered that really this means the pressures should be reduced by 3 PSI all round to compensate - so 32 front / 35 rear - which I was not aware of. I have noticed in the past that traction under heavy braking is less than ideal, not to mention that the ride is very firm over bad / bumpier lanes typical of those locally to me!

Interestingly, the 3 PSI reduction definitely seems to make a decent ride improvement, with noticeably improved handling of holes and ridged bumps in the road that are common with fairly broken and worn Devon lanes - so my conclusion is our aluminum friends are surprisingly sensitive to tyre pressure changes. I may reduce by the same again and see what difference that makes - but then again, I'm pretty happy with how it is now.

You can use this calculator to input new/old tyre sizes and calculate required pressure in new sized tyres

Tire Pressure Calculator

Easy to use tire pressure calculator. Use our tire pressure calculator to calculate the new tire pressure needed when changing tire sizes.

tiresize.com

 

[dj_efk]

Lowering the pressure can result in a larger contact area, which might be good for grip, but might also mean the tyre runs hot, (increased friction etc), not so good for tyre life, and, perversely may increase tyre pressure, especially at speed!
Mac.

Yes but you’d have to go some way further than I have gone to start experiencing those effects - remember my starting point is the full load pressures specified for the 175 size.

 

[dj_efk]

You can use this calculator to input new/old tyre sizes and calculate required pressure in new sized tyres

Tire Pressure Calculator

Easy to use tire pressure calculator. Use our tire pressure calculator to calculate the new tire pressure needed when changing tire sizes.

tiresize.com

View attachment 129464

That’s very useful indeed - thanks. It confirms I should be running 32 psi on the front. Interestingly it says I should be running 33 psi on the back so I may reduce them from the 35psi setting where they are now.

Update: I took the car on a fast country road drive this evening and there is definitely more communication of the road surface through the wheel which is a nice surprise. The car definitely rides better over lumpy surfaces too - so a definite improvement all round.

Also, @rotifer II kindly sent me a page from the workshop manual that states play in the rack can be adjusted out, so next time I have the car on ramps I shall give this a go!

Sadly, I’m pretty sure that the occasional clonk is top mount related though, as the sound is too “heavy” to be coming from the rack - I’m willing to eliminate this play first though and then see, but if not then there isn’t anything else that could be the source - and I do distinctly remember a “twang” from the left suspension when turning the wheel at near-standstill a few weeks back.

Got a weekend in Bournemouth this weekend so another long trip beckons. In preparation I filled up today and recorded a tank average of 68mpg which considering my wife has driven most of that on a journey to Essex and back, I was frankly amazed at!

 

[A2Z]

Today I took Audrey for a wheel alignment check - as wear on the inner edges of the two tyres that have just been rotated to the rear were noted on the MOT. Strange as a small adjustment was needed but no more than 3/4 of a turn according to the chap!

While the car was on a ramp he helpfully finally found the source of the occasional clonk that I get on rough roads - I was suspecting either the top mounts or the ARB bushes, but he confirmed there to be no issue with either. Instead, the steering rack has a smidge of internal play, but in his words "I really wouldn't change it based on that, it's only slightly worn and has a lot of life left in it, so I would leave it and monitor for now as it's a fair amount of work to change". The problem is, now I know, I can't un-know....

He is sending me a quote.

Also, I have experimented with lowering the tyre pressures - Since fitting the A3 Pepper Pot alloys, I have always used the full-load pressures of 35 PSI front / 38 PSI rear noted on the fuel cap flap sticker in the interests of economy, BUT these pressures are for 175/60/15 tyres, not the 185/60/15's that Audrey now wears. I had just assumed the difference was negligible, but have just discovered that really this means the pressures should be reduced by 3 PSI all round to compensate - so 32 front / 35 rear - which I was not aware of. I have noticed in the past that traction under heavy braking is less than ideal, not to mention that the ride is very firm over bad / bumpier lanes typical of those locally to me!

Interestingly, the 3 PSI reduction definitely seems to make a decent ride improvement, with noticeably improved handling of holes and ridged bumps in the road that are common with fairly broken and worn Devon lanes - so my conclusion is our aluminum friends are surprisingly sensitive to tyre pressure changes. I may reduce by the same again and see what difference that makes - but then again, I'm pretty happy with how it is now.

I agree with you that the A2 is very sensitive to tyre pressure changes but you should only be running very high pressures if the vehicle is fully laden as it will greatly effect wet weather grip, comfort and suspension component wear.
Also with the TDI being a little front heavy due to the weight of the engine, unless you are carrying lots of weight in the rear (passengers and luggage etc) then the front tyre pressures should be slightly higher than the rears not the other way around.
When driving alone or with just one other front passenger I personally use 32-34 psi front and 30-32psi rear but different tyres require different pressures and some tyres I used felt best at 35psi all round so a little experimenting is a good idea to judge what feels best for your personal requirements and journey conditions

 

[Phil_B]

Today, I bought a ProBoost ECU. Amongst other things. Can't wait to fit it. Spotted a post on Facebook. Started to type a message, work got in the way. Steve saw my post, and I paid within the hour I think. May have been longer, work issues. Trying to get a replacement 2022+ Mercedes V class for a chauffeur who broke down last night on a job while the clients were in the restaurant. None available, so I had to ask very nicely for the dealership the car is at to fix it today if at all possible, or tomorrow latest.
I collect it tomorrow late morning before he collects the clients at 1pm. Today I had to get one of our spare V classes to him, a 2024 one. But, that got a cracked windscreen outside my house on the drive the night before when I brought it home.
That's another whole randomly busy day that involved 2 BMW i7's, the V class, a Range Rover LWB 1st edition, 2 level 6 armoured BMW X5's, and a Rolls Royce Phantom 8.

 

[dj_efk]

I agree with you that the A2 is very sensitive to tyre pressure changes but you should only be running very high pressures if the vehicle is fully laden as it will greatly effect wet weather grip, comfort and suspension component wear.
Also with the TDI being a little front heavy due to the weight of the engine, unless you are carrying lots of weight in the rear (passengers and luggage etc) then the front tyre pressures should be slightly higher than the rears not the other way around.
When driving alone or with just one other front passenger I personally use 32-34 psi front and 30-32psi rear but different tyres require different pressures and some tyres I used felt best at 35psi all round so a little experimenting is a good idea to judge what feels best for your personal requirements and journey conditions

Audi's own recommendation - Indeed, when lightly laden, it says to run slightly higher pressures on the front, when more heavily laden, to increase these so that the rear is higher:

According to the pressure calculator above - the 175/60/15 settings when converted to suit 185/60/15 and a 84 load rating (the lower of the two possibilities) look like this:

Light load Front: 29 PSI Rear: 28 PSI
Full Load Front: 32 PSI Rear: 33 PSI

For 88 load rated tyres, they convert as follows:

Light load Front: 30 PSI Rear: 28 PSI
Full Load Front: 32 PSI Rear: 34 PSI

I think running the pressures on the full load setting (in my case, as I've got the higher load rating, 32 front / 34 rear) is acceptable given the car is mostly used on longer, faster journeys - But nonetheless taking your view into account @A2Z I will now adopt 32 PSI all round to cover all eventualities - I will raise the rears if I am going to be doing a longer journey with a heavy load, but that is very rare.

Hope this all helps others running this tyre size - the bottom line is, if you've strayed from the OEM tyre size, you definitely need to look up the correct tyre pressure to realise the full benefit of the change.

 

[66Beetle]

T`other day I was filling up with Petrol. On the Pumps behind me was the Pharmacist from the Chemists we go to putting Fuel in her A2 Diesel. Never would have known she had an A2. Had a conversation. She loves her A2 but knew nothing about A2OC. I told her to have a look.