Stevereddy

Hello all, on cold start up there is either one or two loud metallic snap noises from rear of car, almost sounds like the ping metal makes when it gets hot except this noise occurs within ten seconds of engine starting....any ideas? could it be the muffler flap? ALSO, when driving I occasionally hear a very faint sound like a soft cymbal, it makes five "cymbal" noises and thats it............I would like to know what these noises are and get them fixed. Thanks for your input, it is valued and appreciated.

derfA8L

Have no idea about the metallic ping you hear from the rear on cold start up, but the the repeating “cymbal” like sound is likely a computer hard drive thing. I have it on my present A8 and also had that sound on the prior D4 I had (2011 model). It sounds like it’s from the upper center instrument panel. I sometimes get it 1 minute after I initially get going after the car has sat for a day or more, and also on long drives where it may happen sporadically (about every 45 to 60 minutes). I recall there was another post here on this subject a while ago. It’s apparently “normal.”

Allzwell

Can't help with the snap noise but my car has the cymbal noise frequently and the dealer can't hear it
I don't hear it all the time but once I hear it the first time, I hear it every 15 minutes or so.

turaboy

I have the snap noise on cold starts as well. Sounds like a quick hammer rapon the rear exhaust. 2013 A8L

Stevereddy

i am removing both rear mufflers this weekend as I am installing an S8 rear valence, vibrant resonators and new dual black tips. If the noise is never heard again I'll know it was muffler related. It doesn't do it every time, every tenth cold start maybe.
I'll post back about that