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D2 - Body and Exterior Bumpers, bonnets, glass, trims - Everything outside |
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#1
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Towbar fitment: fouling LPG tank in spare wheel well??
Hi All,
Thanks for following what may be the most boring posts on the forum. Other folks are fettling V10s, sorting gearboxes, surgically cleaning paintwork... And I want advice on towbars.... But hey! That is my take on the A8, a towcar that isn't a truck with a diesel engine, something that I want to drive when I am not dragging a caravan! Soooooo, I have the offer of two towbars, one from our Sponsors at a very reasonable but still £££ (£200 as it "just needs a bit of work", genuine AUDI), or £50 from a forum user (copy, not tasty quick detach). Before I decide I would appreciate the experience / knowledge of forum members:- does the towbar fitment goes anywhere near the spare-wheel well (and my toroidal LPG tank)?? If it does that might just delay my purchase: would have to go to an LPG specialist to get the tank off then they may as well fit the towbar. Place in Doncaster seemed very capable but they do need paying.... Thoughts please? Want to get this towbar thing off the Forum so I can talk about overtaking the two cars and a bus as I knew they would slow for my favourite corner on the A169 coming back from Robin Hoods Bay.... Robert
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3.7 to the stars... D2, LPG kit, March 2000(road tax...) |
#2
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The beauty of the genuine one is that it should slide right in with no cutting anywhere, so your spare wheel well is safe.
The aftermarket one is a bit more of a lottery. They usually need the bumper cutting, but shouldn't need to go into the wheel well. The genuine one is fully removable and invisible when removed. I'd never fit non genuine personally, and I'd never buy a car that's had a none genuine one fitted as it shows clear signs of budget spend on a flagship car
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For parts enquiries and Forum User Administration please contact customer services directly, not me - enquiry@a8parts.co.uk, www.a8parts.co.uk, or call 01642 783537 The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones. The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff...... The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous..... The First 20 Audis: 2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey, 2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue, 2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue, 2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey, 2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6, The Second 20 Audis: 2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster, 2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black, 2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi) 2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black Most Recent Audis: 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8 Everything Else 1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance |
#3
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I would agree with IT over the oem vs aftermarket from a fitting point of view.
I would also add in a point about liability, if an aftermarket bar fails allowing the prized caravan to detatch and cause goodness what carnage, you're likely to be on your own. At least with oem from a reputable source like our forum sponsor, you should have a chance should the unforseen occur.
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Daily drive: 2016 Infiniti QX70.....a car that's even more complicated than my last Infiniti FX to modify Current 'Project': VW Crafter CR50 4 berth camper van Previous 'Projects': 2006 Subaru Legacy Spec 'B' 3.0R, 1994 Ex-MOD Land Rover Defender, now "civilianised". 2000 Audi S8 FL www.whall.co.uk |
#4
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You do have to cut the rear undertray to clear the socket for the swan neck and the electrics, but certainly not the wheel well.
I have noticed there is a difference between the swan neck on early and late versions, I think changing at the point where the bumpers became two-piece. I had a factory bar on my '99, and I have just put the same bar on my 02 but the swan neck doesn't clear the bottom of the bumper. I'm going to have to cut a slot about 2" deep to clear it properly. Having also seen a proper 02 factory bar, the swan neck is a different shape, obviously to clear the later bumper. So, having waited a year for the unobtanium towbar in the first place I now have to find a new swan neck for it, or hack up my bumper which will be visible when the bar isn't in If there is a genuine bar available, buy it, especially if its that cheap. Having fitted many different bars in my time, the factory (Westfalia) bar for the D2 is a no-brainer for ease of fitment and quality. Last edited by MikkiJayne; 3rd January 2017 at 08:26 PM. |
#5
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Quote:
Now, with regard to which one to go for, I'm afraid that's still your decision. If you check out the following link, it will show some photos of the westfalia towbar. The post after that, by Dezzy, shows the A8 with the bumper removed: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost....22&postcount=5 Just below the corner of the boot, you'll see three bolt holes. This is where the bumper piston attaches. This is part of the main chassis, onto which the towbar is secured. Mine wasn't OEM, but is secured by three bolts on either side. Would assume the OEM one was secured the same way. I didn't have to cut the bottom of the bumper, although there is a large piece of plastic underneath, to the right of the spare wheel well that needed trimmed to allow for the neck of the towbar. Since fitting it, I have towed several tons of concrete up lanes and through building sites and not had any issues. Even had to tow my brother home in his BMW (spit) recently, and still not managed to take the shins off myself walking past.
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2001 A8 D2 FL 3.7 Q - LPG Conversion, Engine: AKC, Gearbox:FBB, Colour:LY5X Aqua Blue pearl effect, Interior:WJ light beige/dark beige valcona leather with burr walnut inserts My DIY jobs - Replaced alarm horn, Replaced Coolant Temp sensor, Updated RNS-D firmware, Installed Reversing Camera and Digital TV, Dashcam Installation, Retrofitted Rear Blinds, Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror, Chrome Boot Struts Sold! 2008 S8 D3 5.2 V10 - Engine: BSM, Gearbox:KLW, Colour:LY7F Suzuka Grey Pearl Effect, Interior:Black/Black with Silver/Black valcona leather with carbon atlas inserts, Bang & Olufsen, Heated windscreen, Soft-close doors, TV, DAB, AMI, Quad Zone, Auto Boot, Auto dim Mirrors, Keyless entry, PDC with rearview camera, AFS II Headlights My DIY jobs - Fan Jet Windscreen Washers, Retrofitted Electric Side Blinds |
#6
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Depends what you want for sure. Personally I think 200 notes for a tow bar that needs work is over priced, 50 sounds much more like it and you can buy another bumper with the change even if you have to cut yours.
The tow bar I fitted to the "Traders 8" wasn't removable but that said it was only 2 bolts that held the bar to the bracket under the car, so if you did want to take it off its 10 mins max. I lost the plastic under tray at speed as I had to cut it to fit the kit, it was about 2 months after fitting and I didn't worry about it. But if you spend a lot of time looking under the back bumper you might want to have a better fix.
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1996 A8 4.2 QS. Bose, Solar roof, um...um... rally sport towbar. Now gone to a new home as the Traders 8. Bright yellow bus o love. |
#7
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I fitted my AutoHak bar myself.
Very straight forward, very strong build and strong mounting points on the car. No cuts or intrusions into the boot space. Quote:
Quote:
I bought AutoHak as it was the only viable option here at the time. The hitch receiver is a bit of a pain hanging down in the breeze (hits curbs on occasion in the S8), but the construction of the bar is excellent and plenty strong enough to rescue vehicles that get stuck on our steep gravel driveway. It is rated to the factory spec of 2400kg, but the ball down load is only about 120kg though (5% instead of 10% - but so is the factory bar), so if you're towing a caravan get either a light one, or a tandem. Quote:
So what's the difference between a FL and PFL rear bar? Quote:
So the liability is the same factory, or non-factory...
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Cheers Marty ____________________ Current: 2001 Audi S8 - Brilliant Black with Black interior, C5 RS6 rims (whenever I actually put them on...), Solar Sunroof, Tinted side and rear glass, RNS-D, Grom, Bose, clunky old phone in arm rest! 2002 Audi S8 - Project Replacement head coming arrived thanks to MJ Silver with Black interior. All features as the '01, with the 'S' mode auto shifter. Dodgey rear tint (need to find a way to get rid of that). Family: 2009 Volvo XC90 V8 R Design - has a louder more obnoxious exhaust than the S8, sounds great! Love this thing - Q7 was double the price, and certainly not double the car! Sold: 1997 Audi A4 - Hamilton's Club Sport, Achat Grey (will miss the old girl) Last edited by 27litres; 7th January 2017 at 01:06 AM. |
#8
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If I need to tow something I'd go and buy towing vehicle. The one which is disposable.
There are multiple issues by towing something with rare & premium car.
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I'd rather drive on left |
#9
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And Fonally Folks!
Hi,
I bought the copy towbar and saved enough to buy 60 % of a Mackies gearbox oil change or lots of Autogas! Thanks for honest comments, I guess my 3.7 will never be one of the Concours examples that are so amazing but I can afford to drive it 500 miles in 2 days and still eat! (Grimsby to Leeds desk job tomorrow...). Robert
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3.7 to the stars... D2, LPG kit, March 2000(road tax...) |
Tags |
foul, lpg, obstruct, toroidal |
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