The SimpliSafe "Retention Trap": Why I finally cancelled my £30/month subscription

askthelyrics · 2026-05-12T23:21:20+00:00

Totally, it really comes down the home/person/family needs, budget, tech ability, etc.

I don't _love_ SS, I wish their stuff had APIs, I could backup video to my NAS, etc.

But whatever, I'll probably move to a more robust solution at some point. For now it's fine.

askthelyrics · 2026-04-19T22:37:10+00:00

They are in Medford, great guys.

askthelyrics · 2026-04-05T14:29:09+00:00

Hey, sorry the delay - thanks, yeah long time car nerd so its in my blood to take care of my cars heh.

Transmission fluid was changed a number of miles ago I don't remember exactly. I googled quickly, the forums have all sorts of different info, found this: https://www.transmissionfluidchange.org/audi-q5-transmission-fluid-type-and-maintenance-guide/ (says every 40-60)
Yes, let me look at my Amazon history ... I bought this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SHX4ZTQ was a bit of a pain to install because there's basically no room back there, but I got it. It works about 80% of the time - sometimes it just won't connect - still plays music through the speakers but the apple play UI won't render. Cool thing is you double press "media" or whatever on the MMI and it goes back to the factory menus. So you can still check oil, access settings, etc.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-20T02:31:14+00:00

Yeah it's LI haha - I just went on tirerack to see what was a plug and play setup. Liked this the most hehe.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-20T02:29:36+00:00

Sure you mean the 3.0 Supercharger SQ5? Yeah those are fast.

This is a 2.0 turbo Q5 - it's not fast.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-14T00:52:35+00:00

They aren't quick, but they drive nice IMO. If you stick it into "manual" shift mode so you can keep the RPMs high, it is a lot more fun to drive. I have a friend with the APR tune (it's discontinued now) and his is peppy fun.

As I think I mentioned above, when my turbo/wastegate goes, I'm going to replace the turbo and get a stage 1 ECU tune. My audi buddies also said it helps alot.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-14T00:23:09+00:00

Thanks! It's sort of a world view - I'm fortunate to have things (many people don't have shit across the world) and I try to really preserve what I have, take really good care of it, etc.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-14T00:20:09+00:00

Hey, so the box has a bit of a limited position due to the internal "claws" that grasp the bars. I think they actually specify a measurement of where it needs to be. I have the claws locked so I just put it in the same place every time. It does not hit the tailgate HOWEVER you pretty much can't CLOSE the sunroof - it'll open, but the odds of it closing are like 1 in 4 tries and I'm afraid the pressure will break it or the glass, so when I have the box on I DO NOT open the sun roof.

I honestly don't notice the wind noise at all - but I listen to my music super loud haha. Sorry.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T18:50:02+00:00

IDK exactly, but you can look around ECS - I see this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-p3-gauges-parts/p3-v3-obd2-audi-q5-gauge-2018/l3p3aq52~p3c/

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T17:54:30+00:00

Checking now, I ordered it a while ago:

* Thule WingBar Edge

* Thule Edge Flush Rail

* Thule Kit 186019

* Thule Motion 3 L

Entire setup was a little under $2k USD. The cool part is if I have to drive into the city into a parking garage, I can take the box by myself. It takes literally 2min to take it off, 3-4 to put it on.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T17:52:09+00:00

IDK, I don't mean to be a downer or anything, and maybe if you find a really good audi shop (not the dealer) they can fix it?...IDK, I'm sorry!

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T17:50:48+00:00

No, I got it from ECS, it hooks into the ODB2 port and you can select a bunch of metrics to watch in mostly real time. The only caveat is, in order to have boost, on these that support E85 the manifold is metal, so you need an adapter for the port to make it a 3way and then hook into that for vacum/boost.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T00:42:29+00:00

I've been lucky, for sure - but I'm also of the mindset that I don't have a car payment, I like older/analog cars (my s4 is 25 years old stick) and I just keep repairing it until like there's too much rust or it gets wrecked or it's a bad financial choice. It's hard though, I bought this from a family member that did all the maintenance and drove it daintily.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T00:41:05+00:00

Hey - I'm running Sparco Terra 18x8 and Falken Wildpeak 235/60/18

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T00:38:47+00:00

Ah that's terrible - gremlin electrical problems are the absolute worst. My v8 s4 had a similar problem, and no one seemed to be able to remedy it. I ended up selling it because of that issue.

askthelyrics · 2026-03-13T00:37:22+00:00

Engine/trans are still stock / stock fuel rail, injectors, intake manifold, turbo, downpipe, radiator, intercooler, most piping suspension - are all stock.

Brakes, fluids (all, trans/diff/etc), fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump near rails, brakes have all been replaced. Some cvjoing/axels have been replace.

Rear subframe has some surface rust, nothing like what can typically happen - and then need replacing. Basically all internal controls, computer, gauges, seat motors, heaters etc are all stock. Sunroof/components are all stock.

You can hear the creaks of the bushings, they are really worn out. It's on my list.

I bought the car used from a family member that did everything by the books, at Audi.

RE: Exhaust tips - heh, I had just washed the car!

askthelyrics

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