2011 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDi Quattro Special Edition

[jones_g]

I have noticed an issue with AMI, that when I have my iPhone connected, and somebody calls me, it will ring through the speakers but the MMI doesn't show that there is a call, and I cannot answer the call at all.

If I have my phone on silent, and someone calls, then the sound via AMI will cutout completely, and I cannot get it to come back on.

[jones_g]

I paired the phone with my bluetooth again and now it works fine.

I still have an issue where my AMI will randomly cut out unless my iPhone battery is above a certain level. DAB works fine most of the time unless I drive between tall buildings when it will cut out. I still wonder whether I have connected the DAB antenna amplifier correctly.

Other than that the car has now turned over 112k miles, still seems to drive perfectly. It will be having an oil and filter change in the next 1000 miles.

[jones_g]

The AMI cutting out seems to be caused by the phone rather than the AMI itself. If it's happening, and I reset my phone, quite often it doesn't happen again during that journey.

The car was serviced yesterday. Major service, so oil & filter, fuel filter, air filter and pollen filter. On inspection, it looks like the drivers side upper rear control arm bush is starting to perish, so I need to look into how I want to proceed with that. I am thinking of replacing the fronts all together, although the service tech said only one side was necessary.

Also, it was recommended that I look at replacing the fuel pump belt soon. Although I have read they are under little stress, and if they go cause no damage, so I may leave that for now.

Other than that, everything looks good underneath.

Cost of the service was £329 if anyone is interested.

[MarkTM]

Hi Jones

I'll assume you want to preserve some sort of service history, hence paying for your service

Using OEM/audi original parts fluids I can DIY for well under £80 on what youve had done.

On the side of phone issues have you tried anyone else's (not apple) phone and see if it's repeated?

With regards suspension arms I think I've replaced 5 in my 4.5yrs of ownership, whereas my profile pic car is on it's original arms, although I replaced all the bushes with poly type in 2001

Some posters swear by buying a good brand e.g Mayle HD, but others will say they're rubbish.

It's actually a good idea you thinking of replacing all of them as typically if you (for example) want to replace your front upper rear, you may well find that the pinch bolt is so seized that it will have to be heated. This means that the front upper front will have the rubber damaged as to require that arm is replaced too. My mobile mechanic replaced my two uppers for a total price of £20!

I guess the long term view would be to just replace the bushes rather than the whole arms, but a main dealer won't offer this facility.

[jones_g]

Thanks Mark,

Where are you getting all of the parts for under £80? 8 litres of oil is around that price alone isn't it?

I do want to preserve service history yes, and as well as that I don't want to sacrifice the time / or have the tools etc, so I don't begrudge it too much paying for someone to do it for me.

Meyle HD are the ones I have been looking at so far, I haven't seen any bad stories yet but then I haven't spent too long looking either.

[MarkTM]

Clearly you don't shop on a budget, I paid £18.99 for 5l of quantum longlife delivered, since it takes 7.5 I bought 6x5l so enough for 4 services

But works out at £28.50 inc for the oil per change. OEM carbon pollen filters £20 from Chris (mod on this site) OEM fuel/oil filter off ebay £20/£10 = £78.50

In fact I also change my air filter each year regardless but use aftermarket that weighs the same as the audi one, with the same number of pleats for £5 each

None of the above requires special tools, and think all of the above I can do in under an hour (allowing for you doing most whilst the oil drains). I always assess 'value' as the hourly rate in relation to how much I get paid per hour. But I'll not begrudge anyone that pays dealer prices, albeit they must be earning well over £100 per hour!

If I don't want to DIY my mobile mechanic will happily do it all for £25...although of course I don't get that valuable car valet thrown in.

There are bargains to be had out there, for example I bought a pair of track road ends (new/old stock) for £12 delivered still in their Audi boxes, the price from dealer was £121.64 for a pair. I didn't actually need a new set but the bargain couldn't be missed!

[jones_g]

Clearly you don't shop on a budget, I paid £18.99 for 5l of quantum longlife delivered, since it takes 7.5 I bought 6x5l so enough for 4 services

But works out at £28.50 inc for the oil per change. OEM carbon pollen filters £20 from Chris (mod on this site) OEM fuel/oil filter off ebay £20/£10 = £78.50

In fact I also change my air filter each year regardless but use aftermarket that weighs the same as the audi one, with the same number of pleats for £5 each

None of the above requires special tools, and think all of the above I can do in under an hour (allowing for you doing most whilst the oil drains). I always assess 'value' as the hourly rate in relation to how much I get paid per hour. But I'll not begrudge anyone that pays dealer prices, albeit they must be earning well over £100 per hour!

If I don't want to DIY my mobile mechanic will happily do it all for £25...although of course I don't get that valuable car valet thrown in.

There are bargains to be had out there, for example I bought a pair of track road ends (new/old stock) for £12 delivered still in their Audi boxes, the price from dealer was £121.64 for a pair. I didn't actually need a new set but the bargain couldn't be missed!

This was at a specialist - Audi wanted £429!

And they or Audi don't use Quantum oil on my car, I can't remember if it's Castrol or Shell, but I have a bottle in the car so I'll check.

And I always turn the valet down, only I clean my car.

[jones_g]

The car is now on 133k, and recently had the first breakdown; the crank pulley failed meaning I lost power steering and alternator. This cost me just under £600 to repair. The car is due an oil change which is happening next Monday. A couple of weeks back it had a gearbox oil service, including oil flush.

Today the suspension started creaking at the front. The garage warned me a while back that they noticed the front suspension arm bushes deteriorating. Have been looking at costs for replacing all the suspension arms, shocks etc this afternoon. Haven't decided what to do, but full Lemforder suspension arm kit, Koni FSD shocks, and Eibach Pro Spring kit is the best part of £1300 without labour. So I'm to think about whether I want that hassle or if I want to change the car.

I'm still averaging 34mpg overall. I have changed to a different office now, so my mileage has reduced slightly - probably to less than 20k per year overall.