What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?

[boffin486]

And that S4 avant has a sunroof, blast it ,i'd love a sunroof.

Aha Rob! I have a sunroof on my Motor but its actually more than that - its Actually a solar panel & when the car is parked (or just with the ignition off) it powers up the heater fan and blows air into the car to ventilate it & cool it a bit. Factory fitment but I hadn't seen it on anything before I got my Avant.

 

[Greeny233]

Finally got around to replacing the gearbox and rear differential oil in the S4. There is nothing in the history of it being replaced before so it was well worth doing. I was going to use Redline gear oil but even at trade price it was £100 for 5 litres so I opted for Millers 75w90 GL4 - GL5 which was less than half of the Redline. There has been no massive change in the operation but it is definitely smoother shifting and selecting first gear is easier, previously when making slow speed manoeuvres at full lock I would notice some clicks and pops from the front end which i thought was suspension problems but apparently not as it is now very much better in slow speed full lock manoeuvres. A job well worth doing and quite overlooked I think.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Both offside alloys now match both nearside alloys with scuffs of varying degrees of annoyance, so a nice set of 4 Oz alloys ruined , arghhhhhhhhhhh

So a first for me in over 30 years, i had to take the old bus through a car wash in an emergency situation.

I was behind a cement mixer lorry which decided to corner a bit too quick and slung a load of crud all over the old bus.
There is a car wash very closeby that is always busy and seemed like a good solution for quick removal of crud.

The actual wash was fine, with no damage from the brushes etc on paintwork and no scratches.
I got home the noticed scuffs on wheels.

anyway, the car wash was the cause and I'm not happy about it.
I filled out a claim form and waiting on a satisfactory claim.
They have offered me £200 as a goodwill gesture but I'm not accepting as all 4 need doing now as the colour was a specific shade.
They maintain the car wash is a franchise and any damage caused is the liability of the specific site, not the washing machinery owners, that said they have admitted it was the machinery in the wash that caused the damage but it was the responsibility of the site operators to ensure cars were correctly aligned in the wash.
I'll wait to see what occurs before I go to the next stage.

they are not getting off the hook that easily.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Today's hot tip, steer well clear of "IMO" car washes, and if in doubt read their really first-class feedback, I wish I had first.

 

[quattrogone]

That's a real sh1t! you sort of had no choice in using the car wash , quite often you'll see a big spread of concrete around the Devon lanes always on a steep hill with a sharp bend!

 

[Charlie Farley]

It just slew wet slushy concrete all over the place inc the old bus, I wasn't going to risk it staying on the paintwork too long in hot sun hence the dash into what I assumed was a decent wash, so a bit of a big mistake there, I saved the paintwork but wrecked my alloys....not a good day or week for that matter.

 

[quattrogone]

Only positive is it's probably easier to sort the alloy's than the body/paint work!

 

[Charlie Farley]

Agreed

 

[Fully]

Subtle change but better imo.
Before

During

After

 

[B7Tourer]

So my KMB Kit 9 with new hex key arrived, fitting next week together with cambelt/water pump. I'll report back on whether the old one was on it's last legs after 232K!

 

[Charlie Farley]

The tailgate opening switch has decided to become problematic to the point it just doesn't work.
Looks like I'll be ordering a new switch assembly for the tailgate and lock for the glovebox at the same time.

 

[tr7]

So my KMB Kit 9 with new hex key arrived, fitting next week together with cambelt/water pump. I'll report back on whether the old one was on it's last legs after 232K!View attachment 256757

Please post up as many pictures as you can

This is fascinating imo

 

[Rob Avant]

Subtle change but better imo.
Before

During

After

Rear LED clusters look decent, have you got a link to them? Also, did you have to use resistors?
I fitted mega powerful LED bulbs for the reverse lamps and they needed resistors

 

[B7Tourer]

The tailgate opening switch has decided to become problematic to the point it just doesn't work.

Tailgate opening switch! That's very special Rob. What is that I've never seen one on a B7?

 

[B7Tourer]

Please post up as many pictures as you can

This is fascinating imo

To me too tr7! I must be one of the last people to undertake this - these cars are getting very old, very few would spend this money, especially on a a car with such mileage. I can afford it though and I have an attachment to this car that goes way beyond it's value now.

 

[B7Tourer]

Tailgate opening switch! That's very special Rob. What is that I've never seen one on a B7?

Correction! I imagine now you mean the switch on the tailgate itself, doh - I replaced the whole unit with an aftermarket one (since I could not find oem for love nor money) after struggling with getting a number plate bulb fixed, even via an auto electrician. The new unit was 50 quid I think! But it sorted it once and for all, as good as oem, and is simple to fit.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Indeedy, i suspect the microswitch has now failed completely as i have to use the remote function on the keyfob.
Just another age-related wear & tear item really, which is not an issue the glovebox catch is a victim of, that's just a stupid design.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Tailgate opening switch! That's very special Rob. What is that I've never seen one on a B7?

Only found on very special editions..lol

 

[tr7]

To me too tr7! I must be one of the last people to undertake this - these cars are getting very old, very few would spend this money, especially on a a car with such mileage. I can afford it though and I have an attachment to this car that goes way beyond it's value now.

My last B7 I keep for 6 years got the upgrade. I decided to get a July 08 Special Edition and stay with B7s as didn't like the newer shapes. So I am uncertain if this one has been done. So likely on the cards for me again.

That, and now the DPF.. Last car was a 140 so no DPF. All fun and joy..

 

[Charlie Farley]

My last B7 I keep for 6 years got the upgrade. I decided to get a July 08 Special Edition and stay with B7s as didn't like the newer shapes. So I am uncertain if this one has been done. So likely on the cards for me again.

That, and now the DPF.. Last car was a 140 so no DPF. All fun and joy..

It's surprising how many owners buy or stay with the B7 because the newer shapes cars are less than desirable from an aesthetic point of view, that just proves how good the B7 was and still is compared to newer offerings.
That its why I still have mine and will do for the foreseeable future, its ticks all the boxes.

 

[tr7]

Agreed,

I keep meaning to start a thread!

"Why I think the B7 is the best A4"

or

"Why I love the B7 A4"

Will do when I have some more time to flesh out my thoughts

 

[Fully]

Rear LED clusters look decent, have you got a link to them? Also, did you have to use resistors?
I fitted mega powerful LED bulbs for the reverse lamps and they needed resistors

Original Jom Full LED Rear Lights Black Smoke Set for Audi A4 8E B7 Avant | eBay

Original JOM FULL LED taillights black smoke for Audi A4 B7 Avant.

www.ebay.co.uk

Comes with resistors in the box, all just needs plugging into the units.
Be aware that when they arrive in the country, you'll get a letter saying you need to pay customs charge which is about £53

 

[Fully]

Today i finally pulled out the cloth door cards and replaced them with leather ones.
Just little things like the door handle makes it look better imo.

Before

After

Just need to buy Bose speakers now, so that the door cards aren't telling lies , and sell to sets of seats and door cards

 

[Charlie Farley]

Today i finally pulled out the cloth door cards and replaced them with leather ones.
Just little things like the door handle makes it look better imo.

Before

After

Just need to buy Bose speakers now, so that the door cards aren't telling lies , and sell to sets of seats and door cards

where are those handles from?
not seen them in any B7's recently.

 

[Charlie Farley]

All you need now is to replace the fish scale trim with the brushed ally items.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Changing alloys again, the same format though different colour.

 

[Frizzley]

where are those handles from?
not seen them in any B7's recently.

Rs4?

 

[Fully]

where are those handles from?
not seen them in any B7's recently.

I got the door cards from a guy i've bought stuff from before.
I believe they're out of an RS4 or black edition he had.

All you need now is to replace the fish scale trim with the brushed ally items.

Ha, i was thinking of black carbon from an RS4 but funds don't allow at the moment.

Changing alloys again, the same format though different colour.

Which alloys and what colour. The alloys you have are crackers already.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I got the door cards from a guy i've bought stuff from before.
I believe they're out of an RS4 or black edition he had.



Ha, i was thinking of black carbon from an RS4 but funds don't allow at the moment.



Which alloys and what colour. The alloys you have are crackers already.

just ordered a new set of LM's for the old bus in silver , i'll get the antrathcite ones refurbed and sell them on , wont get my outlay back but may get close.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Rs4?

they are indeedy, looks to be 3 options as well looking at parts schematic.

 

[Charlie Farley]

may be next on the to-get list.

 

[B7Tourer]

Well fellow tourers, I dropped the Old Goat off for her new KMB oil kit and cambelt. I also asked them to change the gearbox oil - I reckon at 232K it might be wise ha ha, clean the sump and replace the fixings, I supplied, for the underbody covers. It seems a good place and the owner talked the right language but I never feel 100% with any garage/shop, and I've been through many many of em. The courtesy car was filthy, never inspiring - I washed it for no charge to them! It's a 2014 Passat with no gas in the air con, on the hottest day, oh Lordy. No offence to anyone who has one but there is a world of difference between an Audi and a VW, IMO. The interior is very plastic and cheap; the sound insulation poor; transmission tinny with a cheap gearstick and the CR 2.0TDI noisy and unrefined - they say the PDs are much nosier, but my B7 is almost inaudible from inside and outside has a subdued non agricultural pleasant thrum to me, I hope it still does in a couple of days ha ha. And I'd forgotten about those awful electronic hand brakes! Keep you posted.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Not today, a couple of days ago now but organised the replacement alloys for the old bus.
And yet again items that were stated as in stock when I placed my order just happened to be out of stock 60 seconds after they took my money, arghhhh, why do retailers just mess buyers around.

so a waiting game now.

OZ Racing Superturismo LM Silver.

 

[B7Tourer]

Well all done. I said I'd report back - hate it when people on forums don't. I'm very pleased and they did a brilliant job BUT oh my did it cost! Not the pump but the cambelt had been stuffed in the past (this I know is genuine) and they had to helicoil the tensioner bolt amongst others. I daren't tell you but I spent more than the car is ever worth now, haha. But for that it has a bullet proof engine and gearbox now (at least for the next 70K, hopefully well beyond. The most amazing thing is, as I suspected, being a bog standard repmobile version of the B7, it had the original 77mm hex key, and after 232K it is not badly worn at all - there was still a good few thousand left on it. I know in 60K I have cherished this car but the past owners must have done so too. There are very few people now who would spend this on such an old car and I had to dip into savings for this one but for me it's worth it, and it won't see a scrap yard any time soon, which makes me irrationally happy - YMMV.

 

[B7Tourer]

I might add they said it was a joy to work on and the lads in the workshop (Straightline Performance, Malvern, thoroughly recommended) said it was a very fine example and a good car. Gavin, the owner did point out that it needs some suspension work to be perfect, but I will have to save some pennies for that. Despite my, 'keep it stock' mantra' after talking to him I am going to go with an economy remap, at the same time. Gavin reckons everything is tip top, Turbo, clutch etc. and now with the oil pump sorted it will be nice to breath new life into it.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Well worth doing.

 

[B7Tourer]

Well worth doing.

I've been persuaded Rob!

 

[Charlie Farley]

Had some better news on the new alloys front this afternoon.
Delivery time has shortened a lot so hopefully will have them wed next week.

weather i can sell the current OZ's in the current economic climate remains to be seen, if not i'll keep hold of them for another project.

LM's in silver, best colour for a black bus really.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I might add they said it was a joy to work on and the lads in the workshop (Straightline Performance, Malvern, thoroughly recommended) said it was a very fine example and a good car. Gavin, the owner did point out that it needs some suspension work to be perfect, but I will have to save some pennies for that. Despite my, 'keep it stock' mantra' after talking to him I am going to go with an economy remap, at the same time. Gavin reckons everything is tip top, Turbo, clutch etc. and now with the oil pump sorted it will be nice to breath new life into it.

After all that engine work doing the suspension will be the icing on the cake now.

 

[Charlie Farley]

A few upcoming jobs during august on the old bus.

I need to replace the corroded rear brake line union in the rear offside wheel arch, it is really pretty poor now, not leaking as yet but it does worry me a tad.
A chance to use the brake pipe flaring kit still unopen from earlier in the year.
I'll replace that union and fit new braided lines on the rear at the same time.

I've ordered a new tailgate release button assembly too.
gearbox and diff oil changes to be carried as well when i do the engine filter/oil change.


so much to do on these old wagons.