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I got a feeling my battery is on its way out, my car get used most evenings and for the past 2 weeks when I first start it in the evening it's as if the battery just has enough power to turn over, but after I drive and leave the car for what ever time it's been its starts no probs. The alternator was changed around 20k ago so don't think it's that plus while driving its fine. But it's just the initial start after it's been sat overnight that it's now starting to struggle a bit. I will call audi assist out tomorrow to get them to check the car out, so if it is the battery is it just a matter of take out old one, put new one in and away you go or does anything have to be programmed again?
Oh and I think it's still on its original battery.

Yeah, should be straight swap plus enter radio code (depending on what ICE you're running).
Take it you've been keeping an eye on the volts via the dash to ensure decent 12V prior to turning over and around 14V when running?

How old is the battery ?, check on the battery for any manufacturer Stickers , it usually give a manufacture date

I've had the car for 8 years and never needed to change the battery, and I bought it when it was 3 years old so battery probably is 11 years old.
When my alternator went 2 years ago it just happened out the blue, lights came on the dash and volt meter dropped to 12, and one I turned car off that was it it died.
This is different no lights on the dash but if I use the air con or anything that takes power the volt meter does go below 14 volts, and after a drive the car starts again.

Sounds like the battery to me, but could be a drain on the battery when left. My parasitic drain is 26 miliamps after 15 mins and that's with RNSE and tracker.

Really like my small battery, 50lbs less, less cost, will drain if left sitting for a month I've heard....

Two years now using PC925T.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteri ... series.htm

Is the dealer the best place to buy a battery or does anyone have another place they can advise?
For the record my local dealer want £180.

johnny11 wrote: This is different no lights on the dash but if I use the air con or anything that takes power the volt meter does go below 14 volts, and after a drive the car starts again.

Air con shouldn't put any significant load on the alternator.

The alternator is a pretty big one, and should easily be able to provide enough power for the drain.

Still, 8 years is a long time for a battery, so it's the most likely cause.

johnny11 wrote:Is the dealer the best place to buy a battery or does anyone have another place they can advise?
For the record my local dealer want £180.

I got a Varta correct spec for circa £100 a couple of years ago for mine. Just do a search online.

Something like this,
http://www.battery4cars.co.uk/manufactu ... ttery.html

Just check the spec against what you have.

Bargain. Really like Varta batteries.

Audi assist have turned up and confirmed battery fecked, he has gone and got a better spec one from euro car parts(audi didn't have one in stock) £50 cheaper and 5year warranty.

gingertoss wrote:

johnny11 wrote:Is the dealer the best place to buy a battery or does anyone have another place they can advise?
For the record my local dealer want £180.

I got a Varta correct spec for circa £100 a couple of years ago for mine. Just do a search online.

Got the same for mine a few months ago, £110 fitted.

It was a bit strange as to how the battery died; I'd been using the 6 as usual which is probably 2-3 times a week, 100ish miles with no problems, starting fine, 14 volts always showing.

One morning last October (not particularly cold) I opened her up off the fob and noticed that the courtesy lights were a little dim, the battery wouldn't turn the engine over at all. Nothing had been left on to drain the battery so I JUST managed to get her started from the booster pack and went to get the battery tested. It was one dead battery, not even holding any charge.

Got the Varta fitted & it's been fine since; seems strange for a battery to go from being fine with no cold starting issues to dead in such a short space of time; it was 6 years old though

Dark at Tea Time, slightly colder , so lights and heater on more than normal , only 100 miles a week = 2-3 starts and not enough miles to charge it back up , it all adds up
Batteries are like humans , work fine one minute then dead without warning

If a car is sat for long periods (especially if theres a constant drain from Sat nav, tracker, immobiliser/alarm etc) without starting to top the charge up it'll fur up the plates reducing its efficiency so I was told after the replacement battery in mine lasted only a couple of years.

The manufacturer (Varta) at first refused to replace it even though it was under warranty and I had to argue to get a goodwill payment towards the replacement.

They advised I get a trickle charger (£15.00 ish) which I did and it's been fine ever since.

So if your battery goes tits up and is still under warranty don't tell them the car isn't used much.