Been for a run to Portsmouth and back today from Blandford, car feels a whole lot better than ever. Who knows how long those old spark plugs had been in there, but she started better than ever and seems to have a lot more getup and go.

Will see how things go over the coming months, the track rod ends and CV boot are being sorted next Thursday leaving just the exhaust to sort. I agree with the springs and rollbar, the springs were perfectly fine when delivered from A8parts and have not been on the car that long although I have no idea how old the car they come from was.

I had a similar observation about my Focus rear springs when it had its last MOT.
A mate of mine (retired from the motor trade) had a look and basically said "they're having a larf!" - just covering their rear ends. :tuttut:

Funny thing is he has a Merc E-class and one of the front springs just snapped one day quite recently while his wife was driving it. Not doing anything abnormal either.

I agree with the above comment.

My Sisters 1998 Corsa has picked up the very same comments Re: corrosion on the springs, for the last three MOT's ! But then it's a Corsa and I know I shouldn't say it, but what a heap of junk! Even when it was new a Golf could knock the spots off this Vauxhall lightweight. The Corsa's only done 28,000 miles from new. It's owner has refused to get rid of it, having said that she's only just woken up to the fact that she's paying way more VED than she needs to. Dear Sister is now looking very interested in either a new A1 or A3 TDi both sportbacks, or the new Golf 5 door but it must be either road tax free or in bands A-C.

Back on topic, I've even known some MOT staff feel the need to point out that the plastic engine covers are missing! Even though that's nothing to do with the MOT (at the moment:D) I was once cautioned that the power hood on my Fathers Bentley Azure was taking a long time to open and close. What the blazes that had to do with the MOT I can only imagine:ROFL: They were probably trying to flog him a new motor.

Got my A8 back this evening from the garage, the car is now all sorted except for the exhaust sleeves. Today she had the CV boot replaced and both track rod ends and a wheel alignment. She has cost me £500 in the last week, and I still have the exhaust to sort before the MOT.

Had a really nice drive yesterday evening from Dorset to Hertfordshire. The car feels a whole lot better than it did a couple of weeks ago, engine smoother, steering better and generally quieter as a result. Driving up the M3 and then the M25 was a much nicer experience despite the rain, that reminds me must get wiper blades.

Get the proper Audi wiper blades from TPS Manny if you can or anywhere with discount - they are such a ton better than any others I have tried and come in the proper 2 sizes and with an aero foil on the driver one, it was an awesome difference when I changed mine +++

If you have the Audi arms and blade holders the rubbers are a seperate item and can be bought on their own for around £8 from TPS.
Shout me Manno if you are wanting some.

I know they are the original wiper arms, but the blades certainly don't seem to be OEM. I may well just bite the bullet and get a decent set of Bosch ones, never had any problems with those in the past.

Ok mate.

If the passenger blade is curved chances are it's OEM

Well, I took your advice and bought the blades from TPS. £28.56 including VAT - and they do seem much better (but yet to put them to the test).

BUT - I expected the passenger side to be shorter. Can anyone check the part numbers for me?

S 4BO 955 425 (with aerofoil or whatever it;s called)
4AO 955 425B

Thanks