Audi A2.

[Dj_efk]

The FSI is definitely an enthusiast option only now that they have aged - you also forget an additional Achilles heel in the form of the cooling system: they run at a much higher operating temperature than other engines (110 degrees - even though the needle is calibrated to read 90 by the way!!), to help fuel economy. All well and good, but then they ruined the idea by deciding to make several critical (and now obsolete & about to become out of stock in the U.K. from Audi) engine cooling pipes  from plastic - which goes brittle with age and the high temperatures!

One pipe in particular is called the “death pipe” by A2 lickers for good reason.

Many of the FSI issues can be sorted by getting the car’s ECU reflashed by a company in Germany which greatly simplify matters by removing the stratified mode and setting the thermostat (which is electronic) to run at normal temperatures.  You can also then run no NOX sensor without throwing an EML.

I’ve only ever driven the A2s I own (both the more powerful version of the TDi - and both have been remapped before I got them so are very quick and return 55-60mpg), so I’ve no experience of the FSI, but I’m told the drive when they’re working well is a rev-happy grin-inducing riot -  and this modification doesn’t really make any real-world difference to power or economy; therefore because it cures so many inherent weaknesses this is the mod to go for. I’m also told they can easily beat 50mpg on a steady cruise which is impressive even today.

Pic of mine taken yesterday: 

[somewhatfoolish]

  On 24/10/2021 at 22:06, horriblemercedes said:

Aluminium is a godsend for sure, but remember they still have steel subframes

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Indeed, my brother observed after he bought his that the nether regions are steel and still go fizzy in road salt. He was surprised to discover some VAG engineer had sneaked an aluminium jack past the beancounters; good work that man! 🤪

[Sigmund Fraud]

@SiC The engine management system is smart enough to allow 95 octane fuel to be used safely. But the drop in performance and economy is such, that there's absolutely no point in doing that !

@Dj_efk People worry about the plastic parts in the cooling system, but they are pretty common VAG parts bin items so aftermarket versions are widely available and cheap. The electronically-controlled thermostat is an exception, of course, and another example of unnecessary complexity. Trust me, when mine goes it will be replaced by the venerable R5 thermostat in the top hose !

Regarding the Proboost ECU, it's hailed as some sort of panacaea for the FSi engine but I'm not convinced that it is. It also costs 60% of what my entire car cost, which I don't think I can justify.

I'm not sure what people are comparing the A2 FSi with, when they make all sorts of enthusiastic comments about its performance. It's basically a "lukewarm hatch", with similar performance to a Clio II RSi (and without that car's excellent combination or ride and handling). It's probably true you can achieve 50mpg, but I can assure you it's not easy. Mine returns 48mpg if one exercises self-restraint, and a pretty decent 45mpg if one does not !

Lovely TDi's, by the way, especially the cherry red (or merlot red ?) one with the pepperpots !

[SiC]

  On 25/10/2021 at 13:03, Sigmund Fraud said:

@SiC The engine management system is smart enough to allow 95 octane fuel to be used safely. But the drop in performance and economy is such, that there's absolutely no point in doing that !

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It's supposed to be but runs like dog shit if you do from what we found. Lumpy idle and acceleration wasn't smooth at all. Putting super back in on a nearly empty tank brought it back to some form of normality. At least on that Golf we had. Also reckoned its more likely to burn valves if on 95.

[SiC]

  On 25/10/2021 at 13:03, Sigmund Fraud said:

Regarding the Proboost ECU, it's hailed as some sort of panacaea for the FSi engine but I'm not convinced that it is.

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Post 2005 FSI, VAG ditched the stratified mode and only ran as homogenous.  

[SiC]

  On 25/10/2021 at 13:03, Sigmund Fraud said:

VAG parts bin items

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This might be of interest:

https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/found-on-elsawin-rough-engine-explanation-de-stratifying-the-fsi.28318/

I wonder if an A3 ECU post 2005 have an immo off and stuck in an A2 to remove the troublesome stratified injection mode. 

[TrabbieRonnie]

  On 24/10/2021 at 22:06, horriblemercedes said:

Aluminium is a godsend for sure, but remember they still have steel subframes

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Aaaahh... Didn't know that.  The A8's subframes are ally.  

Lots of good info on this thread chaps, very much appreciated (has put me off a bit though!).

[horriblemercedes]

  On 25/10/2021 at 14:13, TrabbieRonnie said:

Aaaahh... Didn't know that.  The A8's subframes are ally.  

Lots of good info on this thread chaps, very much appreciated (has put me off a bit though!).

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I could be wrong! I haven't looked at one for a while but I'm pretty sure they do 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

  On 25/10/2021 at 16:12, horriblemercedes said:

I could be wrong! I haven't looked at one for a while but I'm pretty sure they do 

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There is a sort of Subframe at the front. No Subframe at the back though. The later pressed steel front suspension control arms are known to rot badly. 😎

Here's a thread which shows the thing I'm thinking of... 

Can't post the fucking link... I'll try again later... 

[horriblemercedes]

  On 25/10/2021 at 16:16, Leyland Worldmaster said:

There is a sort of Subframe at the front. No Subframe at the back though. The later pressed steel front suspension control arms are known to rot badly. 😎

Here's a thread which shows the thing I'm thinking of... 

Can't post the fucking link... I'll try again later... 

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Ah yes, it's those control arms I was thinking of! My memory wasn't quite perfect 

[Sigmund Fraud]

@SiCInteresting find about the early A3 FSi's having their stratified mode disabled - didn't realise this was possible ! The problem (and the reason for my scepticism regarding the Proboost ECU) is that the stratified mode is the least of one's worries when it comes to the A2 FSi's reliability issues...

@horriblemercedesA2s do have a steel front subframe (more of a crossmember, actually), at the back they have the usual VAG beam axle which is bolted straight onto the aluminium spaceframe.

@TrabbieRonnieThere's plenty of reasons to be put off A2s if you're looking for "a car". The most important is that a good A2 costs at least double what a conventionally bodied VW/Seat/Skoda using the same running gear would sell for.

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Clean and sort of pre-MOT check today. Alison was fucking caked in salt and mud; ashamed to say she's not been cleaned for about six weeks...

It's been rather too cold\ I've been busy... 

Engine Bay cleaning will take place closer to the MOT date.

Before:

[Leyland Worldmaster]

After:

 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Mileage is about 286,500... 😎

[Dj_efk]

Mine is just coming up to 180k miles and still going very strong!

I find the new Turtlewax Hybrid solutions wash and wax is very good at repelling grime between 6 week intervals (rain water still beads on the windscreen after all that time even if it's been mostly wet weather with much wiper usage). Highly recommended.

[Leyland Worldmaster]

  On 20/01/2025 at 22:02, Dj_efk said:

Mine is just coming up to 180k miles and still going very strong!

I find the new Turtlewax Hybrid solutions wash and wax is very good at repelling grime between 6 week intervals (rain water still beads on the windscreen after all that time even if it's been mostly wet weather with much wiper usage). Highly recommended.

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I use this:

 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Results above. I last polished Alison ten years ago! 🤣

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Wouldn't have happened without this chap:

 

[Dj_efk]

Mine is knocking on 180k miles now and the tank average since September, over the last 10 fills and 6000 miles, has been  65mpg.

This has been with total reliability - albeit some suspension work and a few electrical and interior fixes are now due, I find it’s best not to let jobs linger too long as otherwise they gradually pile up.

[Lord Sterling]

Oddly enough, whilst a but bored at work, I watched this to pass the time a bit:

I've always wanted to try one and see what they are like. I'd love to get a small petrol auto for Ma_Sterling to entice her back behind the wheel.

[Dj_efk]

Unfortunately you’d have to look elsewhere as no RHD A2 - or indeed any petrol A2 - were so equipped. Odd really given they are a small premium car and therefore more likely to be bought by the older generations.

[BorniteIdentity]

  On 18/02/2025 at 22:12, Dj_efk said:

Mine is knocking on 180k miles now and the tank average since September, over the last 10 fills and 6000 miles, has been  65mpg.

This has been with total reliability - albeit some suspension work and a few electrical and interior fixes are now due, I find it’s best not to let jobs linger too long as otherwise they gradually pile up.

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You're doing well - mine never drops below 60mpg in mixed use but I've topped out at about 63 once.

I am slightly happier with it now, albeit the new arm/polybush groans like an old man getting out of a chair at EVERY speed hump. I'm going to take it back to the garage and ask them to grease it up as it's been 1500 miles and should have bedded in and STFU by now!

[Dj_efk]

It’s not a polybush item that’s been put in there is it? They’re known for being “vocal”

 

EDIT: just seen that you stated it was a poly item above.

[BorniteIdentity]

  On 19/02/2025 at 11:52, Dj_efk said:

It’s not a polybush item that’s been put in there is it? They’re known for being “vocal”

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Yes. 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

MOT passed yesterday. One advisory for slightly binding brakes.

Thanks to Faircrouch Garage for getting me out of the shit. I'm on an assignment and wouldn't have been able to make it if they hadn't replaced a spring which shat itself the day before MOT!