I think we may be forgetting this from earlier in the thread:
It would be useful nonetheless to know...
1. What, if anything, BBA Reman said about the fault, for instance they may be able to move relevant parts across from a spare/used unit (from our sponsors?)
2. What exact model/vintage car we're talking about; lots of speculation about PF vs FL....

Agree on point 1, car while not mentioned in this post is 2000 so FL based on other posts by owner.

Hi. Yes it's a 2000 facelift. BBA Reman said they had located a fault but it wasn't repairable and when I asked if parts from a donor unit could repair it they said no. That's all I know at the moment, I've just tried calling for more info if they have it but they're closed til Monday, I'll try again then.

I also spoke to an Audi main dealer this week who said they were "reluctant" to reprogram the existing keys and a replacement cluster. They told me that a new cluster would have been available up until 4 months ago but is now obsolete.

Also, if I did want to go ahead and supply them with a replacement used cluster, it would cost around £350 for two new keys and an estimated three hours labour, £360, to replace and reprogramme everything. They said even if they did this, they couldn't guarantee it would work, and if it didn't, I could be left with two unuseable clusters (and still a large bill of course!). I understand if they need cover their backs, but I have no handle on how risky this really is? Their parting advice to me was "Don't do it"!

Are Audi main dealers the only option to get reprogramming done?? What I really would like to do is take a replacement cluster to a specialist for reprogramming (and reprogramme my existing keys etc). Mattylondon thanks for the earlier link about this. Is there anyone I can go to other than a main dealer to do this though?

Thanks.

Not that expert with a soldering iron, but the fault may have been in the actual electronics or even the PCB, hence not being able to repair it. I know others here have transplanted the displays between clusters without issue.

When I made enquiries about this, a new cluster was costing over a grand. Not worth it when it's almost half the price of the car.

To put it frankly, they are ripping you off! I just went through my spreadhseet and it cost me £117 to have the cluster replaced and 5 keys coded to the car; two Bentley style keys, two original keys and the plastic one. Time taken to do the entire job was one hour, and that was taking it into the workshop, scanning the old cluster and saving whatever information they need, replace the cluster, rewrite whatever relevant information back and programme all the keys. Also, there was no requirement to have new keys.

As to them being 'reluctant', 'no guarantees' and 'Don't do it', I suspect they just couldn't be bothered. When I contacted the Audi dealership about it, the 'only' requirement was that both clusters had to have the same part number. If not, there was a chance it wouldn't work, but no dire warnings of ending up with two knackered clusters (and an undriveable car). They would just put the old one back in, but I would still have to pay the bill.

Thanks again Steamship. Yes indeed, I got the distinct impression they couldn't be bothered and were just trying to put me off!
I should try a few more main dealers and see what others say, maybe I'll find one more willing...
Could I ask who did yours?

It,s not really the dealer job and you will get similar answer from most of them or just plain refuse to do it. I don't think dealer can reuse old keys on another cluster cluster anyway with their kit. You need to find good indy garage who can and will do it for you.

Ok thanks, I'll ask around. If anyone can recommend or suggest an indy that might be able to do this, preferably in Sussex or anywhere in the South East I'd be grateful :-)

I got mine done in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal as it was closer than the other two Audi dealers at the other end of the country, but it's a bit far for you to travel.

Not correct. Like I said previously, I had 5 keys done by the Audi dealer in Letterkenny. Three were original keys that came with the car and the other two were Bentley style keys that I bought and got coded at the North Wales annual meet.

Buy a FL used cluster.
Greenaway auto electrics in Belfast can lift immobiliser info and mileage from your current cluster and program it into the replacement.
Doesnt even have to be an s8 cluster as they can swap clock faces over too.

Just to add to a comment I made earlier.

"When I contacted the Audi dealership about it, the 'only' requirement was that both clusters had to have the same part number."

I decided to look through my photos and I took photos of the part numbers of my cluster and the replacement one. One was 4D0919035AQ and the other was 4D0919931KX, so even their 'only' requirement wasn't definite.

That bodes well for you, especially if you follow up on Chris' suggestion of Greenaway Auto Electrics.