update:
I have done about 4000 miles now in the car since October when i bought it.
got a quote for an audi service (which is done by apprentices as far as i can see)..its in the ball park of £300 before unexpected costs. It has a variable service interval whichh is nice though. I am considering getting it done at a reputable independant..i know a good
garage that might fit the bill. I have the service lists and know what needs checked, grease nipples etc, bushing checks etc.
When i was looking at the bushings I couldnt help but admire how the front subframe and suspension linkages are so cleverly formed to be structural and elegant..i will post some pics later but this car has so much interesting parts under the skin. I have also noticed that with the torsen diffential (centre diff), rear prop shaft, second exhaust assembly (inc 2 rear cats), rear diff and prop shafts under my A4, that there must be a few underbody cavities/spaces on non-quattro / single exhaust path models...
I am still very impressed with the qiuet cabin. I have noticed there is a fan like sound in traffic at idle..ok i know...radiator fan..its not that, its a differnt sort of whining noise that sounds like the AC system - but that could be off..its no big deal though, just because everything else is so suppressed. Also an AC vent cover thats located on the side of the transmission tunnel has come lose, because its in the way of drivers feet it probably gets a bit of a beating..still it just needs screwed back on. Embaressingly the boot has a habit of freezing shut in cold wet weather..can be a little awkward as you heave the boot lid up
As Tom might have pointed out, blowing bulbs are apparently a problem. I read that some audis have needed entire looms inspected..wow. Anyway im glad for me its one of the least important bulbs (sidelight)...changing this bulb takes around 25 minutes due to 4 fiddly screws and the intake assembly. To do any work on the car front you have to slide things forward. I recently discovered that there is a "service position" for the front assembly where without dismantling everything seperatly, the front slides out to allow timing belt change etc. I have some sevice manual pages detailing this process.
Also Its tyre time! As my car wears all 4 tyres at the same rate it makes changing a little simpler, especially if you get a deal on 4 tyres. My tyres are 235/45 R17 Y (not the usual 215 A4 width) so prices are a tad higher also. I will go through an online process with a local dealer to get a better choice.
current options (through black circles, price per tyre):
1) Michelin Primacy HP (121.87): I currently have these, plus my spare has this. As with many michelns a bit pricier, i guess this quite similar to the pilot sport, just the little brother. These tyres in my experience make better dry weather than wet weather tyres; perhaps the opposite of goodyear eagles.
2) Bridgestone RE050A XL (£113.38): Autocar seemed to like this tyre and while it has no great strengths is an ok allrounder.
3) Continental Sport Contact 3 (£114.99): i dont like the write ups for this tyre, while hard wearing, lack of comfort isnt too apealing, liked by germans apparently !?!
4) Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 (£102.49): A common choice for my car with 235s, they get good reviews (wear rate,noise, dry/wet grip), look great but there must be some flaws? a real contender right now anyway at the current deal price.
5) Dunlop SP9000 (101.93): these have softer side walls meaning better comfort i assume, plus the need more psi for this reason. apparently a bit unpredictable in the wet but still gets good reviews.
6) Pirelli Pzero Rosso (£110.98): reports of short life, seems below par on performance compared to a micheln pilot sport according to reviews.
7) Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (£123.70): more expensive but is it that much better? again not good on wear/comfort.
So has anyone got any reccomendations, other tyres i should cosider etc? I am thinking either to go for eagle F1s or the primacy HPs.
over and out