Old topic now, but that sounds like vcu support bearing rubbers have delaminated. Look fine but are damaged.
Earlier you said genuine parts but now you say good quality. None last like oe.
Sorry to bring up an old post, but the easiest thing to do with the EAS timer relay is to replace it with a yellow one from the engine bay fuse box.
To run diagnostics, just put the timer relay back in.
..and some info that might be of use to Diesel P38 Auto owners.
Dont rely 100% on this info, but the D P38 Auto uses a different propshaft to all the other models in the P38 range.
For the D Auto TVB000130
Dimensions:9cm x 9cm x 82cm
FTC4140 for the rest
Dimensions:10cm x 11cm x 79cm
Seems the Auto is 3cm longer than the rest.