A4 B7 electrics

[Petemate]

Having read through a lot of previous posts in this section, I am mow suffering seriously-fried brain....
Intending very shortly to get an A4 Avant about '56 reg. As an ex-mechanic, and having fitted tow-bars to many of my cars previously, I am confident with the Audi - until it gets to the electrics (although I am also OK with most vehicle electrics - eg, design and complete rewire of our old Model 'A' roadster replica)
It looks like it will be a vehicle-specific kit, as we tow a caravan and although it is only a small one (max weight 1000 kg) I naturally want the car to be OK. I have read horror stories on here regarding heavier duty fans and re-programming of the electrics for warning lights & reverse sensors etc - Scott of PFJ - are you out there??!!
I do not mind the pain of stripping half the car out; with some of my others - been there, done that. Is it possible for an Audi specialist (we have a good one less than 5 miles from me, run by a couple of mates now for years) to do the programming? (they have all the diagnostic stuff for the VW/Audi cars) or does it HAVE to be a main dealer?
Edited to add the following:-
How about the Skodas? Octavia from 2007 - Canbus wiring? Towbar prep from factory? (eg - cooling fan) Sorry for all the questions but we are struggling to make a decision within our budget & the Audis are a bit pricey.....

[martin1810]

If you fit a towbar kit to a can-bus car using genuine or oem spec kit, it can be coded with VCDS (vag-com). So you don't need a dealer to do it.

[Petemate]

Cheers Martin - that is very useful; we have a very good VA-Audi specialist less than 5 miles away, him & a mate also have an MOT facility. They used to be mechanics at a dealership when I was Service Manager there and they sure know their stuff, so they could have done the programming. But there is still the question of cooling fans etc - the car we would have got would have been a '56 or '56.
I say 'would have' - sad to say (in a way) we have defected from our original choice of either an A4 or A3 and gone for a Saab. However, I will always be a fan of the VW/Audi and will continue to frequent this forum - it is a mine of info and some great contributors. (who knows - the OH may one day get rid of her Sportka and get an A3?)

[PFJones]

- Scott of PFJ - are you out there??!!

*FAN FARE PLAYS*

I am always lurking around these forums, Sorry about my late response it's busy, busy, busy these days.

The things you have read about Audi A4s does not really apply to the 2006 model, it applies to the 2007 onwards or rather the A4 B8 models.

As an experienced machanic I would imagine you wouldn't have any trouble at all really. As for the dedicated kits, you would be required to take it into your local dealership, I dunno how much they will charge you but in manchester the audi dealership that we are contracted with usually rush you about £50 for the download. If you are confident that your mates know what they are doing and you can get it done cheaper then by all means, but personally I would just take it to audi because then your back is covered if anything does go wrong.

If you want to discuss things further you can Private message me your contact details and either myself or my collegue Brian(who is my go to guy when I can't answer) will give you a call back.

Scott
P.F.Jones Support Team