Day 7 Austria to Prague

Thursday 11 September 2008 part one

Awoke to a gloriously sunny late summer day in Altmunster with the lake looking absolutely stunning. Started the day early, popping out before breakfast for postcards and a shot glass for my son's ever expanding collection (and he is not 18 yet!).

After breakfast we headed into the old town and paid an obligatory visit to an excellent Kondetorei for chocolate cake and coffee to fortify us for the journey.

We headed north towards the border with the Czech Republic, which we reached shortly before midday.

The border itself was nonexistent and we sailed straight through, our first sights once over the border being a number of seedy brothels and sex shops which were already open. Resisting the temptation at such an early hour, we continued through beautiful rolling countryside with the Beast not missing a beat. The contrast with the smart primness of Austria was noticeable, with everywhere being just that bit more scruffy and poorly maintained. An alarming number of large Tesco stores though - we peeked inside one to find it even had a Clubcard just as back at home!

We found our hotel in Prague (the very good value Union Hotel) with ease and parked right outside like the nomadic royalty we believed ourselves to be. It being already 3.30pm we immediately opted for a couple of large beers before a well earned snooze - with a big night ahead good planning. Total distance covered in the day 203 miles.

RS4 - running in the new engine

I queried with Audi at what point it would be good to dyno the new engine to ensure its power outputs are at the expected level. Having checked back with Audi UK their comments were that although the ‘bedding in’ period is 500-1000 miles their recommendation is to refrain from carrying out a rolling road test for at least 3,000 miles and that optimum output is likely not achievable for approximately 6,000 miles - so it seems as though I will have to be patient and that performance should just get better and better!

RS4 is back!

Yes it is true, I returned the A4 cabriolet to Worthing Audi this afternoon to collect the RS4 with its new heart. Seeing the beast gleaming in the car park I could have almost kissed it in anticipation of the reunion. The invoice was £13,700. Had I been paying rather than the work being under warranty would have been enough to cause major palpitations. In addition, the new clutch came to £246 including VAT.

With instructions not to rev her too high for the first 500 miles, I set off for home. I had forgotten how intoxicating that v8 rumble is, how the car feel as though it is hewn from solid granite and how taut and controlled the handling is. Without a full on blast once the engine is fully loosened up it is difficult to tell how much of a difference over the old engine there is, but early signs are that the throttle and engine response are much sharper with no flat spots to speak of. More updates after I have some miles under the belt.

When the cat's away....

After spotting this immaculate old Aston Martin V8 in the village this afternoon, I had a bit of fun teasing 'er indoors by saying I had made another car purchase! She fell for the ruse for a while - well you have to get a bit of revenge when she has disappeared off to Florida for a week with a friend leaving me to run the house (or not).

RS 4 - New engine arrives!

I have just been informed that the new engine and parts have arrived and are in the process of being fitted etc. Whilst doing this, Audi have noticed that the clutch plate is around 50% worn. I have agreed to have a new one fitted at a cost of around £260, no labour. This is much easier to do whilst the engine is out - normally the charge with labour is an eye watering £1,500!

With a following wind the car may be back in my hands quicker than expected, even as soon as this weekend.

Audi update of the day

Was pleasantly surprised on Friday afternoon around 4.30pm when the the promised Audi courtesy car appeared without prior warning - a very passable new 3.0tdi Quattro A4 cabriolet with a very fancy power hood and all the toys, including working blue tooth and Sat Nav. Should do the job nicely until the RS4 comes back.

Early this evening a further update was received from the ever reliable Mike at Worthing Audi:

"I have further progressive news for you with regards to the RS4. The new pictures have been sent to Audi, who have reviewed them and confirmed that the only course of action is to replace the engine. We have ordered all relevant parts, all of which appear to be available and will hopefully be with us in the coming days".

Watch this space!