cruiser647

Well, it still makes me smile when I start it up. The previous (one of) owner had the engine flaps removed from the intake, as these are a PITA and can break very easily from my research beforehand. He also had it remapped to take that into account. Not sure if it has meant anything else in terms of power though. The difference I have found, and they mentioned this in the ad, is that the engine is very lumpy when starting when cold, for the first 30 seconds or so. Once the secondary air pump stops, then the engine is smooth. Gearbox is smooth, the ride is fantastic on the 20's with the suspension in auto. Hardly any cornering lean and if in Dynamic mode (lowers suspension by 10-20 mm) then it is possibly a wee bit too hard on normal roads unless pressing on on a country lane. . I remember the S6 got slated for not having air suspension and I can understand why. It would be way too hard for many in normal use. Back to the engine.... the sound it makes is intoxicating, even small throttle increases make it sing. It doesn't burble as such, but you can hear something very different in it. Bloody quiet when off throttle and when cruising. However, just the one niggle - the gearing is very low for such a fast car. Just shy of 30 mph per 1000. Not a problem, as the engine is quiet at motorway speeds with just a hint of sound. You lot will laugh at this, but I have not needed to use Sport mode yet, the thing flies if you only half floor it! Adaptive Cruise is damn good with different 'Audi driver tailgating' settings. MPG - on a cruise including motorway, A & B road with traffic and the odd overtake, gave me 22 mpg using the brim to brim technique. I am still playing with the settings as it has the fingerprint recognition start (or I can use the key). And for some reason, the previous owner had turned off the Main Beam in the MMI... which I found out at night down a lane. Any regrets? Only that I am gathering too many Shell points. But I did get a free drink flask thing from Shell after filling with V Power. Would I buy another one? Yes.

The pump (which was properly FUBAR'ed!), the pump fuse and the relay (the relay is the part that dies - stuck ON, to the pump just runs itself to death and the car then goes into JACKING MODE where the air bags stiffen to avoid damage) Front and rear upper suspension bushes (front) Brake Fluid change. Mercs, Range Rovers use the same pump....

Sounds like you have badly soldered joints somewhere along the the cable from screen to MMI unit. You could always try reseating the cables IF you don't have to remove it. Just to try that first. Then get the unit. If you fibre optics, then it will need coding.

Just had the first major (non-service) work done on my S8. The suspension pump gave up the ghost, so I was stuck in low, rock hard suspension. So, that is how a 'bad boy' Nova driver feels..... bloody uncomfortable! I drove down to Welwyn and my old VAG man to sort it and a few other bits and pieces (some suspension bushes and brake fluid) as my local Audi dealer wanted over £2K just to do the pump. I got a lovely Nissan Note (auto) as a courtesy car. Seemed OK, sat at 60-70 fine, very economical too. (but then again, most things are compared to a V10) Car back after 2 days, as they had to order some extra pipes. Feels good to have some suspension give.

Yeah, good luck with the pump timing!

And a proper Aston Martin too!!

He rode off like that? Jesus!!!!

Did he hurt himself? As riding into the bike place could hurt.... That bloke must have been trying to do a few stunts!

Ah, well done. How do you plan on removing the rest of the centre bolt?

Hi, I don't think the engine mountings will affect the car starting. They are usually designed to counter vibration. Even utterly knackered ones shouldn't stop an engine from starting. The 01376 issue is a more important one, but did you only use VAG-Com on the engine? Were there any other codes reported? When you turn the key (not to fire it up) do you hear the fuel pump prime? Has the car had ANY history of petrol in the tank instead of diesel?

Love that! Many times, the newer designs could do with an older body on them, as the older bodies have shape, style and looks about them. The new ones are too.... meh...

Diesel.... Go well, don't they!

Will see if I can make this one. In the S8.

Have you bought a 'sensible' estate or have you gone for some faster?

Yeah, I know, not to everyone's tastes, but I have always prefered saloons. And I think the A3 saloon is a better looking car than the hatch. This makes the RS3 more desirable for me. RS3 Saloon!

Yep, buttons and I drive is a better combo, like the Audi MMI. Just an I drive knob and button is too complicated. Although, probably get used to it. The new 8, does it replace the 6 or sit above it, slightly longer, wider and quicker?

I do like those original 8's. More character and individuality about them. You can't mistake the shape for anything else.

I see BMW have stuck buttons back in their cars, and not just the idrive jobbie. That 8 was full of buttons. The display seemed a bit small.

In what way?

Great, the Tiff and Plato show is back on!

About time too. The amount of drivers that just sit in the middle lane..... This will hopefully educate them about what to do.

Jesus!! That is 45-48%....

Not sure if to like that or not. What is the damage?

How close does that signal boosting thing need to be to the keys?

What the? what do you have the back of them?