My RS4 Avant journey

[Quinten]

Having recently introduced myself, I thought it was time to start documenting my car ownership. Maintenance, upgrades, fixes, experiences... this will be infrequent but hopefully still entertaining.

It all started back in April, when my trusty Mondeo starting to hint that some expensive bills were coming up. I decided that with a permanent wfh situation that I no longer needed/wanted an evil diesel, and that I could spend enough monthly to drive something nice instead of a shed. I had my heart set on either a Kia Stinger GTS, a Mercedes C63/E63 AMG, a F10 BMW M5 or an Audi RS4 Avant.

Having sold the Mondeo, several weeks of keeping tabs on adverts/the market followed and one car had appeared top of my list. A 2013 RS4 Avant in Sepang Blue, with gorgeous Lunar Silver seats. It was a Japanese import, with just a single UK owner and being sold by a garage in Bradford (yes, I know!). It was also above budget, but I was in no rush to buy anything yet as I had a holiday pending and didn't want to rush into anything.

All that self-imposed discipline went out of the window when 2 weeks before my holiday the seller reduced the price of the car and it now all of a sudden was achievable. I phoned the garage, put a small holding deposit down and went up north to see it.

The car has full Japanese Audi dealership history and was serviced each year in the 10 years on the dot. Generally speaking Japanese cars are clean underneath and this one is no exception. When the car was registered in the UK (Jan 2024) it was dropped off at RS specialists Unit 20 for a full service and they made very positive comments on the condition. With only 62K miles it is barely run in...

The garage was super friendly and the car sold itself on the test drive. Money exchanged hands and I was all of a sudden an Audi owner!

[Quinten]

One of the first things I wanted to do was check for any faults and ensure that the car has a few options enabled using VCDS. The first scan revealed just three fault codes

Code: Select all

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments (J285)       Labels:. 8T0-920-xxx-17.clb
   Part No SW: 8K0 920 982 J    HW: 8K0 920 982 J
   Component: KOMBIINSTR.   H35 0556  
   Revision: 00200000    Serial number: UW465U71E     
   Coding: 338F11008A012600010400
   Shop #: WSC 06325 000 00000
   VCID: 3B285DC53368DA62421-806E

1 Fault Found:
01044 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded 
            000 - -
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 01100000
                    Fault Priority: 4
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 123
                    Mileage: 101236 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2024.06.14
                    Time: 11:07:59
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794)       Labels:. 4E0-035-6xx-5F.clb
   Part No SW: 8R2 035 670 E    HW: 8R2 035 670 E
   Component: H-BNT-EU      H48 0793  
   Revision: --------    Serial number: 208EZ0E7515354
   Coding: 00010101030681EF05808B5E00000403040000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 06325 123 12345
   VCID: 363E4CF1084A070ABDF-8062

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 8R0 060 884 BK
   Component: EUR 2014  1703 

   Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: 8R0 919 604 A    HW: 8R0 919 604 A
   Component: DU7 High  H42 0104 
   Serial number: A130CL0D2676400     

   Subsystem 3 - Part No SW: 8T0 919 611 N    HW: 8T0 919 611 J
   Component: E0380 Bedient  H02 0030 
   Serial number: 00000001436457      

   Subsystem 4 - Part No: 8R0 060 961 F
   Component: CD-Database  5571 

2 Faults Found:
03276 - Please Check Software Version Management 
            000 - -
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 01100000
                    Fault Priority: 6
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 123
                    Mileage: 101236 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2024.06.14
                    Time: 11:08:01

             Freeze Frame:
                    Text: NGTV_JP,H6X,M,0,0,5                     

01524 - Antenna for Telephone 
            011 - Open Circuit
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 01101011
                    Fault Priority: 7
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 123
                    Mileage: 101236 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2024.06.14
                    Time: 11:08:11

             Freeze Frame:
                    Voltage: 12.40 V             

After a bit of googling I was able to resolve 03276, and after I did 'handbook' update using a friends Audi A4 CD the 01044 error also disappeared, leaving just the 01524 behind. I've yet to resolve this, but given that I'm perfectly able to make and receive calls over the bluetooth connection it seems it's not that impactful on the car's operation.

Now the car was all clear, it was time to do some VCDS mods. These had already been done by the previous owner:

- Disable Seatbelt Chime
- Enable Gauge Test/Needle Sweep
- Enable Lap Timer

And I added:

- Enable DRL Selectable via MMI
- Enable Rear Tail Lights on with DRLs
- Enable ‘Tourist’ Mode – Headlight Convertor
- Added 'Efficiency' to the Drive Select Modes options

If anyone has got some more nifty things to suggest, let me know!

[JamesBaby]

Lovely looking car mate. I had a Riviera Blue one like yours before my current Black B7.

[Dubbsley]

Beautiful colour combination .

Definitely agree a Jap import is by far in better shape than its UK version, my B7 is a Jap import also.


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[AWT]

Great car, have a lot of fun

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[Quinten]

Cheers

Whilst I was on holiday I came across this video from PCW Exhaust Mods and knew that I wanted my car to sound the same.

But when I got back home, I discovered that my passenger side exhaust flap was stuck closed. Out came the tools...



It was proper stuck, but using a lot of carb cleaner it eventually became possible to move it. Once it started to move, added some penetrating fluid and just kept on pushing it up and down until it returned by itself using the valve's spring. To finish it off I then used some lithium grease on the moving bits. It's been OK for the past 2 weeks

Paul did the job in a couple of hours. Basically, he removes the mid+end section from the car and then cuts the mufflers open on the top side, removes the wadding, and then welds them up again. With the exhaust fitted back to the car you can not tell it has been modified. But you can definitely tell when you put your foot down!

[Quinten]

In preparation for the latest firmware and maps update, I needed to be able to put the car on a charger. I somehow lost my crocodile clip extension, but discovered that I still had a ringlet extension. So I made it a permanent fixture in the boot.

[Quinten]

Bought a firmware/map update from satnavishop as the reviews and after-sales support seemed to be good. Was asked to provide version numbers and sound configuration and they supplied a custom firmware update that would not touch the B&O stuff.



Printed out the PDF supplied by email and got started. The supplied firmware SD card would not work, so after sending some screenshots to satnavishop, they said they would send out a new SD card. After a few days that arrived and this time it booted up fine. Updating the firmware took less than an hour.

Then after a few days, I continued with the map update as they warned me that it would take several hours. No problems along the way and after a few hours it was done.

I went from HN+EU_AU3G_P0767 8R0060884BK ECE 6.17.3 to HN+EU_AU3G_K0942_3 8R0060884KL ECE 6.36.0 which is the last firmware/map that Audi can supply for my car.

[Quinten]

A small, but useful upgrade. £10.27 incl delivery for a "genuine" Audi part on Aliexpress

[Quinten]

Next on the list is dealing with the front end PPF that had been put on the car by the previous owner. I can only assume it was on there from when it was new as it now started to fail in some places.



I got some quotes from detailers and/or PPF installers to get it removed and possibly new PPF installed, but I couldn't quite stomach the £1.5K - £2K I was getting quoted. So armed with a Youtube video on PPF removal, I gave it a go myself.





The paint underneath still looks like new, so it must have been a quality PPF job back in the days... I've left the PPF on the mirrors, headlamps, bumper and diffuser as that is still intact and does an excellent job at protecting the paint.

Of course I then had to clean the rest of the car, which I think turned out ok

[Quinten]

Finally managed to resolve the last error in the VCDS log.

Code: Select all

Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794)       Labels:. 4E0-035-6xx-5F.clb
   Part No SW: 8R2 035 670 M    HW: 8R2 035 670 E
   Component: H-BNT-EU      H48 1036  
   Revision: --------    Serial number: 208EZ0E7515354
   Coding: 12010101030681EF05808B5E00000403040000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 06325 123 12345
   VCID: 3E2E54D1207ACF4A6DF-806A

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 8R0 060 884 KL
   Component: EUR 2023  3600 

   Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: 8R0 919 604 A    HW: 8R0 919 604 A
   Component: DU7 High  H42 0104 
   Serial number: A130CL0D2676400     

   Subsystem 3 - Part No SW: 8T0 919 611 N    HW: 8T0 919 611 J
   Component: E0380 Bedient  H02 0030 
   Serial number: 00000001436457      

   Subsystem 4 - Part No: 8R0 060 961 F
   Component: CD-Database  5571 

1 Fault Found:
01524 - Antenna for Telephone 
            011 - Open Circuit
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 01101011
                    Fault Priority: 7
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 141
                    Mileage: 101550 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2024.07.25
                    Time: 15:54:57

             Freeze Frame:
                    Voltage: 11.60 V           

Following a post over on a5oc.com by DrGER I disabled NAD activation using the green engineering menu and this has allowed me to clear the above error for good.

[stuartbarriskell]

Bought a firmware/map update from satnavishop as the reviews and after-sales support seemed to be good. Was asked to provide version numbers and sound configuration and they supplied a custom firmware update that would not touch the B&O stuff.



Printed out the PDF supplied by email and got started. The supplied firmware SD card would not work, so after sending some screenshots to satnavishop, they said they would send out a new SD card. After a few days that arrived and this time it booted up fine. Updating the firmware took less than an hour.

Then after a few days, I continued with the map update as they warned me that it would take several hours. No problems along the way and after a few hours it was done.

I went from HN+EU_AU3G_P0767 8R0060884BK ECE 6.17.3 to HN+EU_AU3G_K0942_3 8R0060884KL ECE 6.36.0 which is the last firmware/map that Audi can supply for my car.

How was that to do Quinten, straightforward enough ?..I could be doing with a map update too. I presume it's wise to run a trickle charger onto the battery when updating.

Your fly lead mod is a good idea, I've just sold my mint 2 amp Nocco charger I used for my bikes, typical !...

Think I'll be buying this map update..

The car looks excellent with the upholstery that colour, mine is identical less the upholstery ..


Cheers


Stu

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

[Quinten]

How was that to do Quinten, straightforward enough ?..I could be doing with a map update too. I presume it's wise to run a trickle charger onto the battery when updating.

Your fly lead mod is a good idea, I've just sold my mint 2 amp Nocco charger I used for my bikes, typical !...

Think I'll be buying this map update..

The car looks excellent with the upholstery that colour, mine is identical less the upholstery ..


Cheers


Stu

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

Hi Stu, the update was a little nerve wrecking to start with (given that it failed on the 1st SD card), but once it was going (and making visible progress) it was just like updating Windows .

Definitely do the updates on a trickle charger. One thing I forgot to mention is that when doing the map update, it took so long that the car (ignition on, but not running) went to sleep. The update continued as normal, but when it then goes for a final reboot, it doesn't come back, you have to switch the ignition back on. Not sure how you can prevent the car from falling asleep?

If you've got the exact same car spec (MMI3G+ and B&O), then you can save some £ and take my (proven working) SD cards. I'll be putting them up for sale here shortly... or buy from satnavishop, I've got no problem recommending them.

[stuartbarriskell]

Sounds good man, no I've got the Council Audio in mine not the B and O...does that rule it out then ? that's pretty good you can punt them on, I did wonder about that.. oh meant to ask, how do you get the info that they need, is it on the MMI screen, I think I read how to do that on their website..

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[Quinten]

Sounds good man, no I've got the Council Audio in mine not the B and O...does that rule it out then ? that's pretty good you can punt them on, I did wonder about that.. oh meant to ask, how do you get the info that they need, is it on the MMI screen, I think I read how to do that on their website..

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

The nav update won't matter, but I'm not sure about the firmware upgrade. The reason satnavishop asked me what sound system I had is because they then exclude it from the firmware update (apparently it could potentially break the B&O functions, requiring then a fix again). But by excluding B&O, does it mean it also skips the "normal" sound system? I've honestly got no idea.

You can get to your version information by pressing the Menu button, Setup MMI, Settings and then scroll to Version Information (from memory)