Sort of today (flexi-time applies) I collected a 205,000 mile 2004 TDi75 SE, bone stock and option free other than a very effective eBay parking sensor kit, which I have to say looks neater on the bumper than the factory ones (which I have on PYXi, the project FSi).
Anyway, it came via a chap that looked at my TT last year. Although we didn't do a deal we had a good old natter and A2's naturally cropped up. He mentioned his one and that was that.
A week or so he phoned, 'remember me' etc etc. Long and short was he'd just replaced the A2 as they needed an auto. He didn't want to advertise it as it has a collection of things to sort. At the price it would be it just wasn't worth having strangers rocking up, with all the misery that can bring. So he called me.
It's a 2004 and will be on a 53 once his plate is removed. Long MOT, good tyres, very quiet engine which has been fed Slick 50 all the time he had it. It does seem notably happier than either of the other TDi's I've had, despite being the most mile-wealthy.
It falls into the criteria that usually tempts me: it would be a shame to scrap it, I don't want to sell it on the open market, but when you tot up all the work commercially, it's just not viable. I love these as I can spend a few weekends saving an A2 (and all sorts of other things), have all the fun of getting a 'new' car, the satisfaction of turning it around and don't really have to price any time commercially. More importantly, it stops me running off and buying something stupid, like another 996.
All being well, this one will replace the Cobalt TDi. Jury remains out on PYXi, hence my possible interest in the FSi Sport in Marketplace at moment. Ultimately I'd like to end up with a pair of A2's, one petrol, one diesel, both silver over black.
List of jobs so far (and there will be more I'm sure):
Timing belt, serp belt, water pump, G13, thermostat.
bought
Interior fan inop.
lube?
Tailgate microswitch (??) inop (display on dash all the time).
no idea .. yet
A of the A2 badge deleted in preference to RS (as in RS2) badge: will go back to stock.
bought
Stiff gearchange (very).
will strip and lube as per Cobalt car, worked well.
Bonnet hatch catch doesn't.
seized, will strip, clean, reassemble
Rear shock shrouds around the ankles.
bought
Undertray missing.
wanted
Will paint suspension as just beginning to get some rust: best one so far though other than LASi, my first A2 (my, that seems a very long time ago, 18 months).
Spray front pressed arms with cavity wax.
Club sticker set (naturally).
Repaint original Audi dealer plate holders.
Poss delete a lot of soft-touch which I did before and looked much better.
Interior wet valet (when it warms up again)
Refurb wheels and hubcaps, replace
missing cap.
Replace
missing first aid kit.
Wiper arm refurb.
Door check strap refurb x2
After that it'll be my faux flaps, I've got a Parrot kit that needs using, might do cruise, will deffo do Baby DIS, fancy trying
@depronman 's cruise kit (which I can code here) possibly.
Oh yes, and this is the first vehicle I've ever owned that has seen military action: it has actually been under fire, albeit from an air rifle (confiscated there and then by a rather cross A2 owner). Turns out a .22 can make a really nasty (but perfectly formed) dent in an A2 door. My dent rod skills are definitely not going to be able to rescue it, but I might reduce the secondary damage. After that I might literally get my next door neighbour to cut me a little silver disc on his vinyl cutter. I reckon it'll just take the eye off it.
It's remarkably clean externally although has had paint to NSF wing and door, which the camera picks up around the blend (rear 3/4 of door) but oddly the eye really doesn't. It's a nice job. Third picture shows the brutal damage wrought by the weapon.
It's had my usual up-in-air, wheels off, truck-wash fluid and scrub, jet-wash, door-shuts, engine bay and exterior first clean. All nice and spangly for the workshop, which is where it's sitting tonight. Had a monster week sending a 911 out (74 RS rep out of interest), so not sure how much I'll achieve this weekend: will just potter and see where I end up.
Here's what low single hundreds buys you these days if you're prepared to invest 50 or so hours of graft thereafter:
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