A8 Data collection exercise
 

OK, I'm playing at work with some simple databases and web access pages and was thinking about stuff as I often do

anyway would anyone be up for a data collection exercise on 8's?

I'm thinking stuff like

Mileage/fuel used data to get accurate MPGs, Averages per individual car, averages per style/engine, fuel types

Tyres, make, mileage when fitted, cost so we can get accurate life expectancy, cost per mile etc

mechanical replacement costs, e.g. MAF's, cam belts, services, exhausts


The idea such that we build up a general idea of running costs, what to pay for certain types of work, etc...

I'll host it and build the pages and report/queries so you can all get access to the data or if Ian wants it on the A8OC site I'm happy to build it for him to host.

Your commitment would be things like entering how many miles you cover per tank/how many litres used, any costs for work and what type of work it is.

so go-er or no-er?

More than happy to take part. Suggest you make up a little form that we all fill in so that the data is captured in a consistant manner. +++

it will be a set of web pages that you go to and enter the data. I'll try and provide suitable drop down lists to make stuff as consistant as possible

only constraint is that it needs to be Internet explorer V5 or higher to enter teh data as it uses and ActiveX component

Sounds like a cracking idea, and certainly something I would love to see as part of the A8OC website +++

An evil ploy to use IE?

Firefox Rulzzzz (except on spulling)

Trust me, if I could get round it easily without getting into full on php development I would. as it is I can probably knock this thing up in a couple of lunchtimes :D

if of course it takes off I could always 'do it properly' in MySQL with PHP or Java/JSP front end.

I'm up for it
 

+++

Sounds interesting... I could knock it up in ASP quite easily but dont want to rob your idea ?

easy either way mate, it was just an idea, I'm happy for it to be tweaked and improved if it makes it better

you could even do it across all Audi's range in your quest for Audi dismantling domination!!!!!!

Im just having a little fiddle with it now.... +++

Im guessing we need some basic authentication so that we dont end up with a load of duff entries in there from outsiders, whilst the results can be public....

Geeeeeeeeeeks!!!!!

...but i like it! :D

yep, basic authentication could be as simple as emailing the link and having it suitable deep on your hosting with a robots.txt that stops Google etc indexing it.....


I was going to suggest using reg number as 'user id' and password as our username on here?

I'd avoid reg number as some folks would rather keep it less public, as would I...

A free text username works for me, as the 'publically viewable' results would be anonymous anyway for security.... Using the same username as the forum however would make my life easier +++

Password of users choosing...

I sound quite definite about this as I've finished the authentication bit :D

I'm onto designing a few database tables now....

So, the question is, for MPG tracking would everyone be happy enough to just enter 'number of liters', 'total cost', 'fuel type' (for the gas burners)and mileage covered? 3 out of the 4 will be on the receipt from the garage, and mileage is usually tracked on the old oddometer by most folks.... I could take the full mileage and calculate from the last entry, but it would mean you'd have to enter *Every* transaction or it would go badly wrong !

I can calculate the rest on the fly obviously....

number of litres, cost, mileage covered all fine by me, that way doesn't matter if you miss the odd one...

Just remember when you sell the megawebsite " truecardata.com" to the AA/RAC for £200 million where the idea came from :D

think about it though, you are looking to buy a XXXX YYYY and can see teh 'real world averages' and running/repair costs, that woudl be awesome!

Ian, I'd seriously like to integrate this into the A8OC website, as I am hoping that the draw of an owners club will mean that potential buyers would be looking for this kind of info.

Now it would only have to be an enquiry system, allowing users to select the model/engine fuel type (where applicable) etc, such that they can see the results in a single page. +++

A man of many talents!

The whole idea is awesome guys +++

Great idea. Count me in

Jack of all trades.... master of none... Thats me :D

I've knocked up a basic interface, but needs a bit more thought on the interface design.....

We've all probably done spreadsheets in the past to track our MPG, but it usually ends up being a ballache, so the key has got to be simple straightforward data entry.

My intention is to allow each user to store in their profile all their car details, engine code / size, fuel type, transmission etc so it saves a whole load of rekeying each time. This will make the data more accurate, and quicker for folks to type it in. In my experience 'generic' input fields lead to 'generic' data which is almost useless and can't be interpreted well - The data consultant in me says data integrity is key, and all data should be valid and useful, or all the data is contaminated and worthless...

This all leads on neatly to some work I was going to do anyway with the A8 parts 'portal' so getting this working is driving me in the right direction anyway..

Sadly though I'm not around next week so project on hold, but I'm hoping I might be able to sneak the database and code on my laptop and take it with me so 'The kids can watch DVD's' ..... :rolleyes: :D

Sh@t in, sh@t out :D

Is it worthwhile having costs for service items? Cam belt & w/pump service, front pads and disks, oil change service, in 1 and in2 service etc.?

I realise you're walking a fine line between useful and cumbersome crap but especially in the case of the cambelt there is data there that might be considered useful to a newcomer.

Well, I've had a bit of feedback on the app I knocked up, and I really need some more data to make it easy for me to see how to present the data in bulk....

You are all welcome to have a poke around with it here:

http://portal.a8parts.co.uk

Its not finished, consider it a 'beta' :D

Create yourself a user, and then you can enter all your fuel details. Entering details of a 'fill to the brim' entry will make certain non-personal details viewable from the main screen for all to see.

The only data I have so far is from LPG conversions, and its already very interesting just how similar they are....

Sorry it only caters for the D2's at the minute, but I will add engine support for the D3 etc going forward.

Please keep the data 'real' as it will only be of real interest if we have proper figures in there.

If anyone has a spreadsheet or similar with historic data on, I'm more than happy to import it manually for you once you've created a user and at least 1 data entry.

Perhaps with a number of us heading to ADI this weekend, it would be an ideal time to make a few notes on motorway MPG +++

Credit to Ian Entwisi for the original idea, and I'll expand it to encompass other cost items if the fuel usage proves of interest to folks....

I shall be adding some more once I actually get my car back. There is a chance for today ( Fingers crossed!)

I worked out that since I bought the car in Feb I've covered 25% of my mileage in that time in the sodding courtesy car of the garage!

Wahoo, we have our first petrol entry..... +++

I suppose it stands to reason that the LPG converted guys monitor their usage closely, and the ones that can afford to run them on Petrol simply dont care :D

We're bulding up a number of S8 entries, but could really use some A8's and 2.8/3.7s to give us a clue whether or not they are truely more economical, please :)

There are only a few mandatory fields, and the rest is optional....

I've tidied up the public report a little, dropped the engine codes and replaced it with human-readable car types instead.

I've also added a new link directly into our parts database so you can check availability of any part 24x7 using the same system we do....

I guess tyre choices might be the next thing to be putting on there?

see we are now into 2 pages of data....

Couple of notes

the retailer isn't filling in on the global page despite me entering it each time


despite running at 1280 res at work ( 1920 at home so no issue there) the page extends too far to the right so we have to scroll, could we lose either litres or gallons from the columns so its doesn;t push as far over? I'm guessing that whilst I love imperial measures we do buy teh sodding stuff in Litres so probably best to keep that but leave MPG as teh measure of economy.

Could we have a table of free flow 'other expenses'

suggested fields such as
Date
Model of car
Description of expense
Cost


where we can enter stuff like "In 1/2" service, cam belt replacement, tyres, brake pads etc. Nothing fancy, no formatting or searches yet just a basic table where people could look up what a job should cost?

Cheers!

Ian

I dropped the retailer off the front screen last week.... Working from Cache ?? +++

Totally agree on dropping the gallons, and trying to fit it in better...

Thanks mucho for the input, and I'll be happy to sort out the servicing side of things, just hoping for a bit more interest in the fuel figures first....

Come on, There must be some others out there with fuel stats to contribute...

All I need is your car type (eg A8 4.2, 2.8, year or reg will do, I can look it all up), number of liters to fill it up, how many miles it did and the total cost and I'll enter them in for you.... +++

The public stats are available here for all:

http://portal.a8parts.co.uk/viewmpg.aspx

it was on my personal page that teh retailer isn;t showing up, TBH I'm not that bothered about it as a field to track

I'm filling up tonight so may even try a " going for good mpg" couple of days to see if I can beat 18.88 thats been entered. only problem is when Mr BMW driver pulls past me I've not enough self control to not floor it and go after him :D

Just added my last fillup details....

1. How come it only shows stats filled to the brim - I never fill to the brim (not good for fuel economy for one due to weight,,,)
2. Do I have to keep adding my engine and gearbox code everytime I add fule data.
3. According to your gearbox code, mine should be and ECZ (Engine is AQF, but my log book shows 'EUS FBE'

That's it so far.+++

Andy

Just had 2 days of driving like a shandy drinking wuss to see just what I could eek out of her.

so genteel acceleration, 70mph max, tickling teh throttle and generally driving like I've 100 miles to go and 2 gallons of gas to do it with.

the result? over 21mpg! normally get around 17.5 ish so nearly 4mpg better. problem is I was pretty much bored to utter tears the whole time. Normal service to be resumed tomorrow!

2 & 3 noted, i'll check them out....

1 - It only publically shows stats when the tank is filled to the brim as I see it as the only way you can *know* how many liters where used for x number of miles, and hence we can create a record of accurate public interest.

If you have a full tank, drive 300 miles and then only put 10 liters in, I dont see how we can calculate anything meaningful from that.

Yes - If everybody entered every fill up in, then I could start to display a public summary of peoples entire average, but I know people are busy, so I figure if I can get a handful of 'filled to the brim entries' they will provide quicker, more useful data than trying to pursuade everyone to enter every entry...

I'm happy to take any other ideas on how to take the input or present it, but the way its currently setup would seem to work for the majority ??

all thoughts welcomed.... +++

Dam you .... I was top of the leader board and you've wiped me off with no chance of catching you up :D

18.88 was really the very best I was going to get I think.... I might eek a little bit more when Ben sorts out my engine fueling, but I think you're leading on the MPG at the mo....

I too was really bored getting a high MPG... the inside lane of the motorway is a crappy place to be :D

I just filled mine in...

I did 396 miles on a full tank with approx 4/5 of motorway miles and the rest London city driving. I tend to be good on the motorways but treat myself to so serious hard drives when coming off them for a couple of miles. Not sure if that should class me as 'mixed' or 'motorway/mildly conservative'.

I fueled the car for 82.32 litres

My mpg is therefor 21.84mpg....my trip computer says 24 mpg so interesting to see the difference. I know it's trying to make me feel better about it really lol!

I do want to know who on earth got 21.87mpg with a FL S8 with mixed driving...impressive.

Must beat s8...must beat s8!

-Oli

PS - Ian, sorry i didn't have my engine/gearbox code to hand but figured you might know.

Thanks Oli :-)

Your Engine is an AQF, and the gearbox is an ECZ... I've filled them in +++

If its any consolation on the MPG, you obviously paid less per liter for your fuel as you have the lowest pence per mile for petrol on the chart yet :D

ROCK ON!!:snigger:

heh, I didn't spend to much time in that side of the motorway and even had a 10 mile 15 mph stop start crawl in that. I reckon if I could get 2 days of good clear traffic and cold damp mornings I could break the 22mpg line quite easily. dropping to a 65mph cruise and the slowest acceleration I can get away with I'd do it. I might try again soon if I can be bothered. :D

Added mine +++ and I seem to now hold the record for highest p/mile... :rolleyes:

Hi Oli
Just realised that the 21.87 is me! But sadly I've been unable to match it since.
My daily commute is less than a mile to work (doesn't get off cold) Then back in the evening. Again not getting off cold.
You may ask why I do this, but I've figured out that the car then needs a regular proper run to get it warm and then a blast. Hehe. Not good for the MPG! But great fun.

Hi Ian
Just realised that my last two entries have gone in without my engine gearbox data.
Is there any way thess can be called off the database, from my reg as I buggered if I can remember the details. Had to get it from the handbook last time.
Great idea and makes fascinating reading. Thanks