Introducing Hermann - no really...

[Arragonis]

Added 2 tanks, one I forgot to add as I left the note with my figures on in the car in January just before I had my birthday and found it this PM when I filled up again and noted the stats.

The first tank is quite good especially as I didn't drive much over Christmas, and certainly not out of town - so this is a totally urban tank. The second included my grill block which might have helped, but also a trip to Aberdeen which is why I had to fillup today instead of next weekend.

It is kind of ironic and annoying - when I had my Fabia VRS I ended up driving very few miles so it seemed to be a waste of money. Then I get my 1.0 Aygo and end up driving something like 30K in 2 years or much more than before. And then I get a big car suited to long trips and I'm back to not driving very far again.

Must put a video of the sound when warm though, sounds like an Inter city 125...

[Arragonis]

Long time and no update, work has been busy.

Hermann has continued to confound and annoy and be very nice on a long journey at the same time. I need to update the fuel history at some point but in warmer weather it has gone up by about 5-10% depending on the journey. I used and abused him by getting him to carry rocks, soil, drain pipes and gravel which he has done fine - this is a working car after all.

Also from other sources I have discovered that Hermann does indeed have that disaster known as the DPF. On the A6 a DPF was specified as an option on most models until 2010 except for the Allroad. It was an option which was rarely chosen but it looks like Hermann's first owner cared enough to specify it, but not enough to do anything more than the basic "long life" servicing - oil change in 18K miles ? Muppet.

Normally I would just look to ensure that the DPF could be bypassed but the EU has dictated (ahem - bit of politics) that DPFs are now part of the emissions test which is part also of the annual safety (aka MOT) test for vehicles over 3 years old. Basically like catalysts if it was fitted when the car was sold it must be fitted when the test is done and be working - not sure how they confirm the last bit though...

I found this out at the start of July but Hermann passed an MOT in June so I assume his DPF is OK which is a relief, or the tester had no clue about how to test it.

Otherwise he is fine, 70 MPH remains superb at under 2K RPM and a steady 48 MPG, the gearbox is a dumb as any auto box can be and the SLine suspension and 19 inch wheels are reorganising my spine on a daily basis.

[Arragonis]

Small update - we decided to take Hermann for our trip down South (all the way to the south coast of England) as Mrs A's new car is almost too new to take on such a long trip.

Hermann likes these longer journeys both are well above the govt. average. We didn't drive in eco mode for them either, mostly set a cruise for 70 (the limit here) and relaxed.

Expect the average to drop again now that he is back in Edinburgh and the carp traffic here.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

DPFs are now part of the emissions test which is part also of the annual safety (aka MOT) test for vehicles over 3 years old. Basically like catalysts if it was fitted when the car was sold it must be fitted when the test is done and be working - not sure how they confirm the last bit though..

Exhaust soot test.

On Hägar, the MOT usually repeated the soot test because it showed 0 on their equipment.
Many cars with DPF will still show some very low soot readings - right at the lower detection limit. But not Hägar ...

But then, I'd drive around until it had completed a DPF burn-off cycle, before going thru MOT.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Exhaust soot test.

Don't think so.

Firstly all the new regulations state is that if a DPF was fitted originally then it must still be fitted and working now.

Not sure how they know this with a visual inspection as they can't check the ECU or take anything apart. I suspect this is mere words only.

Secondly even with or without a DPF any car will only be tested against the regulations in force when it was made.

At the time Hermann was made DPFs were optional so the emission limits at the time did not include a DPF requirement. Hermann would be tested against those limits.

So he will pass even if the DPF isn't reducing emissions any more ?

Either way he passed despite a few regens so I'm happy with that, less happy now the EU wants to tax Diesels more - muppets.

[320touring]

So whit is the script wi this thing the now?

[Arragonis]

It's on the slow slide to trade-in-ism when I can pursuade Mrs A...

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

It's on the slow slide to trade-in-ism when I can pursuade Mrs A...

Never really bonded with it then?

[Arragonis]

Everything is fine except for the gearbox which is total sh|te.

According to auto gb experts it is working perfectly so it must be that way by design...

[Arragonis]

Small update, Mrs A and I have decided Hermann will stay for another year as the dog is also staying - no this is a real dog we inhereted and the reason for the larger and older car (dogs shed hairs, she has bad breath etc etc.).

In the light of that Hermann has had a full service and software updates (quite a few apparently) and is much quieter than before, and a little smoother.

The DPO ( (C) MG Owners - Dreaded Previous Owner) has tried to repair the wheels in the past and the paint is peeling, but a fabrication supplier to work will powder coat them for me for little money - will be booked in.

Had a small problem with an injector (I think) which dropped the MPG quite a lot and caused a week or so of bad running. I booked it in to a specialist I use but a few days before it cured itself which was great as new injectors are spendy. It's been fine since although the MPG took a nose dive, a really big one.

Interestingly a scan of the car for faults didn't reveal anything. But thanks to that scan I do know a glow plug needs replacing and I have done this before on some engines but not a TDI and definitely not a V6! Youtube has some videos on it though so I will try and DIY it.