Audi Ownership
Discussion
Anyone here jumped ship from another make. Has it been a good/bad/awful experience. I am contemplating taking the plunge away from BMW as I am a bit peeved with their chocolate components they now fit as standard.
Considering an A4 Avant (current car is a 3 series Tourer). Had a quick skate through the forum and it seems many would take an A6 over the A4.
Any commnets greatly appreciated.
Considering an A4 Avant (current car is a 3 series Tourer). Had a quick skate through the forum and it seems many would take an A6 over the A4.
Any commnets greatly appreciated.
I shopped around BMW, Audi, Merc etc 4 years ago, I settled on a Lexus IS - the service was just so much better than anything else I recieved, and the car was fantastic too.
In all honesty, it wasnt as sporty as the 3-series, or as silky smooth as the C-Class, but it was a good comprimise between the two, and the SE came with so much equipment as standard, it just was the best deal i could find.
In all honesty, it wasnt as sporty as the 3-series, or as silky smooth as the C-Class, but it was a good comprimise between the two, and the SE came with so much equipment as standard, it just was the best deal i could find.
I've had an A6 Avant and 2 A4's.
The A6 is considerably larger but the A4 has the better handling with better fuel economy to go with it.
Both were very well built. Even with 200,000+ on the clock the A6's gearbox and brakes felt like new, the engine was a tad smoky though.
It all depends on how much you want to lug around, if you are migrating from a 3 series purely because of the after sales service then the A4 is the car for you!
The A6 is considerably larger but the A4 has the better handling with better fuel economy to go with it.
Both were very well built. Even with 200,000+ on the clock the A6's gearbox and brakes felt like new, the engine was a tad smoky though.
It all depends on how much you want to lug around, if you are migrating from a 3 series purely because of the after sales service then the A4 is the car for you!
I've owned BMWs for years, but have recently bought a 1999 Audi A6. IMHO the cars are excellent, but I could not recommend the dealers; in particular spares availability for anything over 4-5 years old can mean either a long wait, or it's not available at all. BMW dealers are leagues ahead in making available even the most obscure parts in short lead times. I've had several problems with work carried at Audi main dealers - in the end, I found a local specialist.
So whilst I REALLY like the car, I would not buy another Audi.
So whilst I REALLY like the car, I would not buy another Audi.
I've had my first Audi, an A4 for 2 years now. In my view the car isn't as quick as it should be and it gets through fuel at a fair rate but it is well built and pleasant enough to drive but not really a true drivers car, traction with quattro drivetrain is good though.
My local dealer has been excellent. I will get another Audi based on the dealer experience alone. I think I was just unlucky with timing as there are better cars in the range now. I would now be looking at either the 3.0TDi or the 2.0T
My local dealer has been excellent. I will get another Audi based on the dealer experience alone. I think I was just unlucky with timing as there are better cars in the range now. I would now be looking at either the 3.0TDi or the 2.0T
Hi... Just wanted to share some of my experience...
DO NOT BUY ONE... that is an Audi outside the manufacturers warranty period, the dealers and both Audi UK and Audi's CEO didn't give two shits that the engine failed on my S3 at just over 60,000 mainly motorway miles, also has Full Audi service history.
Just to add insult to serious injury the Audi Specalist AmD had just finished fitting a new Short engine and more after the piston rings let go, £4,500 later better than new, being test driven the day before they were going to hand the car over... what happens, the brand new Audi spark plug in my new engine fails! bits of the end of the plug fell into the engine, so this should be covered by Audis parts warranty, AmD take the car to the Audi garage nearest them to sort it... 10 days later the Audi garage haven't even bothered to look at it.
Audi don't understand customer service once your car is out of warranty, I've heard good things about there attitude with warranty, but I can safely say I don't know anyone with a worse story about a car, and I have a good friend that does a lot of miles in a TVR he has less problems than my Audi.
Rant over, will try and post my whole story on here when I finally get my car back, think I'll be complaining to Audi UK again tomorrow and see what they say about me being without my car for another two weeks because there dealer can't be arsed to have a look and sort it...
ok rant really over now....
DO NOT BUY ONE... that is an Audi outside the manufacturers warranty period, the dealers and both Audi UK and Audi's CEO didn't give two shits that the engine failed on my S3 at just over 60,000 mainly motorway miles, also has Full Audi service history.
Just to add insult to serious injury the Audi Specalist AmD had just finished fitting a new Short engine and more after the piston rings let go, £4,500 later better than new, being test driven the day before they were going to hand the car over... what happens, the brand new Audi spark plug in my new engine fails! bits of the end of the plug fell into the engine, so this should be covered by Audis parts warranty, AmD take the car to the Audi garage nearest them to sort it... 10 days later the Audi garage haven't even bothered to look at it.
Audi don't understand customer service once your car is out of warranty, I've heard good things about there attitude with warranty, but I can safely say I don't know anyone with a worse story about a car, and I have a good friend that does a lot of miles in a TVR he has less problems than my Audi.
Rant over, will try and post my whole story on here when I finally get my car back, think I'll be complaining to Audi UK again tomorrow and see what they say about me being without my car for another two weeks because there dealer can't be arsed to have a look and sort it...
ok rant really over now....
I'm happy with my A8 2.8 Sport, its now 8 years old, I've had it for 6 years and 80k miles, no major problems or costs. Dealers are a bit patchy, there are some good ones but few and far between. Some are downright rogues. I have a local guy do all my maintenence - he's a real petrolhead who restores and races Lotus and Ferraris, and he looks after my TVR as well.
With any marque there will always be someone who has a bad experience and is only too willing to share it!
With any marque there will always be someone who has a bad experience and is only too willing to share it!
As Mr Meldrew knows, I'm one of the less than impressed ones (look at my profile!).
My view is that they are great cars, when they work! As mentioned above the dealership network do not seem to have good reputation for post 3 year service and parts and do charge large sums of money for work as well, and in my mind try it on with 'this part really needs replacing, etc'. You have been warned. (Have a search for the word stealership in the PH archives, funny how it rhymes with Audi dealership!). Find yourself a good specialist if you can, though they are complicated cars (especially the A8).
I wouldn't buy another Audi if I was paying the bills, I certainly would have one if someone else footed the bills!
This is a great shame, because until the recent bad nose job, I thought that they had the styling spot on for their marketplaces and are easily the best looking cars in their class and exude quality. They are also great places to sit, nice cabin environment.
Having gone now though from an Audi to a Saab, I won't be going back, the Saab offers great comfort, and justs gets on with the job without fuss. It also is considerably cheaper to run and the dealers I've been to are great.
At the end of the day its your choice, but like any significant purchase, go in with you eyes open.
davidy
My view is that they are great cars, when they work! As mentioned above the dealership network do not seem to have good reputation for post 3 year service and parts and do charge large sums of money for work as well, and in my mind try it on with 'this part really needs replacing, etc'. You have been warned. (Have a search for the word stealership in the PH archives, funny how it rhymes with Audi dealership!). Find yourself a good specialist if you can, though they are complicated cars (especially the A8).
I wouldn't buy another Audi if I was paying the bills, I certainly would have one if someone else footed the bills!
This is a great shame, because until the recent bad nose job, I thought that they had the styling spot on for their marketplaces and are easily the best looking cars in their class and exude quality. They are also great places to sit, nice cabin environment.
Having gone now though from an Audi to a Saab, I won't be going back, the Saab offers great comfort, and justs gets on with the job without fuss. It also is considerably cheaper to run and the dealers I've been to are great.
At the end of the day its your choice, but like any significant purchase, go in with you eyes open.
davidy
Excellent cars - my S3 had the same problems with the engine, had to get a whole load of new parts after MTM blew it up - however my RS6 has run perfectly for two and a half years, with an upgrade, and Audi have honoured the warranty every time something small like the air flow meter failed. I can't wait for the new RS6 - if they do give it a V10 and the DSG box it'll be amazing. For the moment though that new RS4 looks pretty tempting!
My RS6: [URL]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4548207642&rd=1[/URL]
My RS6: [URL]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4548207642&rd=1[/URL]
Ive had both the S3 and S4 - I purchased a Tuscan after the S3 and went back to the S4 - value for money you cant beat the S4 for build quality and features and most importantly the old S cars with turbos are easily tuned at very little cost. For £600 you have a reliable 320hp estate. For £8k youve got a 450hp monster.
The S3 IMHO is too small for weekends away and the leg room in the rear of both the S3 and S4 is prett bad.
When I try to compare my S4 Avant with anything else at the same price theres little else European that copmpares (sorry being a kiwi I wont drive Japanese any more) same cost.
Without a doubt its not a divers car but thats why Ive got the MK for track days.
So why am I selling the S4 - the RS4 is just too tempting
The S3 IMHO is too small for weekends away and the leg room in the rear of both the S3 and S4 is prett bad.
When I try to compare my S4 Avant with anything else at the same price theres little else European that copmpares (sorry being a kiwi I wont drive Japanese any more) same cost.
Without a doubt its not a divers car but thats why Ive got the MK for track days.
So why am I selling the S4 - the RS4 is just too tempting
Witchfinder said:
Holy smokes, this sounds bad. I'd been thinking about buying a 2000/2001 ish S6 when my finances had perked up, but you lot aren#t half putting me off.
Is it really all that bad, and would it be viable to avoid Audi dealers altogether and go with independents?
People are always going to moan. If you put in any make there's always someone whose car has had trouble.
I've had my 100S4/S6 for 8 years now and it's let me down just once in that time. It's also cost very little on a year by year basis in terms of maintenance - and probably spend more than I need to ie having all the suspension rebuilt "just to be on the safe side". Can't justify replacing it.
My A8 is great and a lot cheaper on parts than my SAAB9000 turbo was which doesn't agree with the post above. The dealers in England are very good at selling cars but a bit too dodgy when it comes to service and repairs.
However the dealers in Germany are the complete opposite. The sales team are a joke and the service dept are great. I have had new tyres and brakes fitted recently and they were really helpfull. Tyres were cheaper than the "kwik fit" type shop.
Called in a couple of weeks later for wiper blades and a bulb and they came out to the car and fitted them free of charge. Never had that in the UK.
I look forward to my next A8.
However the dealers in Germany are the complete opposite. The sales team are a joke and the service dept are great. I have had new tyres and brakes fitted recently and they were really helpfull. Tyres were cheaper than the "kwik fit" type shop.
Called in a couple of weeks later for wiper blades and a bulb and they came out to the car and fitted them free of charge. Never had that in the UK.
I look forward to my next A8.
Witchfinder said:I've had my 2000 S6 for a year now and I love it - it's just had a £950 service but it won't need another for 2 years so not that bad overall.
Holy smokes, this sounds bad. I'd been thinking about buying a 2000/2001 ish S6 when my finances had perked up, but you lot aren#t half putting me off.
Things to look out for:
S6 rear trailing arm bushes go - they're different to normal A6s and the bushes are captive so you have to replace the whole arm. This is actually a good thing - the parts cost increases but labour is cheaper so it's about the same price as replacing the bushes on an A6. Approx £350+VAT including parts and labour (not at a main dealer though!)
The air mass sensor can go funny - apparently mine's not working properly and bringing up fault codes but it feels fine to drive. It's about £150 exchange plus VAT plus labour so I haven't bothered.
Cambelt at 80,000 miles is apparently pricey but mine was done just before I bought the car.
Uses a bit of oil too, so make sure you check regularly and check that the previous owner hasn't run it dry.
And make sure you get rid of the standard fit Pirelli P6000s a.s.a.p. - they're truly cack.
Hi All,
just been having a look around as my car is still not fixed and Wayside Audi have now had it for over two weeks without looking at it, I'm now waiting for Audi UK CS to call me back... doubt that will happen - I wait to be impressed though.
I would suggest for anyone considering a car purchase to have a good long look at the lifers section of the topgear website.
www.topgear.com/content/my_topgear/duffers/
if you look at all the manufacturers I think it's interesting to see what people have to say, some make the effort to say good things about the cars, but I counldn't find a presteige brand with more complaints than Audi.
I really like my car... but as someone said... when it works. I would really hope the more expensive cars would still be built better, but that said the original price for my car was over £27,000 + options.
PS... I am clearly the most unlucky Audi owner ever so my judgement is a bit clouded - all manufacturers have horror stories.
I need a
just been having a look around as my car is still not fixed and Wayside Audi have now had it for over two weeks without looking at it, I'm now waiting for Audi UK CS to call me back... doubt that will happen - I wait to be impressed though.
I would suggest for anyone considering a car purchase to have a good long look at the lifers section of the topgear website.
www.topgear.com/content/my_topgear/duffers/
if you look at all the manufacturers I think it's interesting to see what people have to say, some make the effort to say good things about the cars, but I counldn't find a presteige brand with more complaints than Audi.
I really like my car... but as someone said... when it works. I would really hope the more expensive cars would still be built better, but that said the original price for my car was over £27,000 + options.
PS... I am clearly the most unlucky Audi owner ever so my judgement is a bit clouded - all manufacturers have horror stories.
I need a
Over the past 3 years I've bought 7 Audis, 4 of which were for myself, and I have always found the vehicle quality and especialy the service absolutely impecable.
This is in stark contrast to Mercedes Benz who were shocking on both counts!
I think your view can depend a lot on the dealer.
The only occasion I have had to call upon Audi assistance when I had a wiper problem on an A2 they came out to my work within an hour and since they couldn't fix it there within the hour took the car to the nearest dealer and brought me back a courtesy car. Fantastic service in my book.
This is in stark contrast to Mercedes Benz who were shocking on both counts!
I think your view can depend a lot on the dealer.
The only occasion I have had to call upon Audi assistance when I had a wiper problem on an A2 they came out to my work within an hour and since they couldn't fix it there within the hour took the car to the nearest dealer and brought me back a courtesy car. Fantastic service in my book.
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