Audi Feedback -

[Dolby]

I got my feedback - but in a nutshell :

I bought a 2010 Audi S4 with 75,000km a few months ago. He was advertising privately, so we brokered a deal through an Audi dealer for a fee/commission. Car is checked via VIN, taken into their stock and they do the 80 point check before selling it on.

Within a week the clutch wasn't fantastic and it was taken back and - assumed to be replaced nuder maintenance. However they came back to me and said the car has TWO clutches in that time 62,000km and 68,000km - with issue now at 75,000km and they refuse to pay for a 3rd. Almost understandable.

I put through an 'appeal' to Audi SA to ask whether they could recheck as the previous owner 1) Never struck me as a road racer and 2) Two clutches suddenly going under 10,000km when the first last is a little strange.

I asked for some type of proof or diagnostics showing that the previous owner caused driver abuse or was drove incorrectly. They can't (or won't) provide anything and consider the case closed because (and here's the clincher) the car wasn't sourced/purchased through an Audi dealership ...

They're not concerned with the fact that warranty is active nor the car went through Audi checks (both physical and VIN), they're only concerned that it wasn't from a dealer ...

When asked whether result may have been different has I sourced the car, she said it may have. They're not even prepared to go Good Faith as Volvo usually do - not the loss of any sales this may actually impact. As a family we tend to buy quite a few decent cars, but this certainly makes one worry about Audi - where you get it and the warranty actually covers.

Although not happy with the service, the issue is more than simply paying for the clutch. The issue is the fact they're not even looking at the car (not looked at the car initially) to see whether there is in fact an issue causing premature failure

 

[TehStranger]

Eina, that's not ideal feedback. So where to from here? Fix the clutch yourself and keep the car? Or get rid of it afterwards?

Have you tried to contact Audi in Germany for some action?

Some seriously concerning stuff, would've thought the car being in plan was enough to get them to spark.

My offer has dropped to R60,000 btw, I'm just down the road tonight and can collect.

 

[Sinbad]

Motor Industry Ombudsman time?

Also, surely if the Audi dealership took commission then they're a party to the deal?

 

[randy_mj]

I'm in the process of selling my Audi due to the way they deal with their customers actually...

My car went in for a fix last year November, something to do with the steering. When I got the car back my read PDC wasn't working anymore. Initially their response was that its aftermarket and they can't do anything about it. So after some phonecalls (rather heated ones at that) they said I should bring the car in so that they can take it to their 3rd party guys.

When the 3rd party guys said it would cost R1000 to fix, Audi decided that its not their responsibility anymore, even though they broke it, and asked me if I could pay when I got there... I told them where to get off... and now drive without rear PDC...

 

[Chevron]

Well this is the risk you take buying privately.

 

[SauRoNZA]

When asked whether result may have been different has I sourced the car, she said it may have. They're not even prepared to go Good Faith as Volvo usually do - not the loss of any sales this may actually impact. As a family we tend to buy quite a few decent cars, but this certainly makes one worry about Audi - where you get it and the warranty actually covers.

Are you saying you have a pattern of instances with car companies that require "good faith" gestures on their part quite often?

Because in that case I've found the common denominator...

 

[Dolby]

\Fix the clutch yourself and keep the car? Or get rid of it afterwards?

LOL @ offer

I'll fix it myself through them and keep the car - I still love the car and driving her. My main concern is will this fix last 8,000km again because of something Audi has overlooked and wants nothing to do with? Is there a part somewhere that causes these issues?

I'd have accepted driver abuse far easier than this cop out excuse

 

[Badprop_za]

Did you ask for VIN reports before purchasing? Or copy of the 80-point check?

In my view if the dealership took commission, performed said check and was the middleman for the deal they should carry some responsibility. BUT, getting them to do anything will be difficult.

 

[Dolby]

Motor Industry Ombudsman time?

Also, surely if the Audi dealership took commission then they're a party to the deal?

I'll draft a mail - not expecting too much

 

[Dolby]

Well this is the risk you take buying privately.

Brokered through an Audi dealership on a car in plan

ie They took it on their books and I purchased the car through them. They have VIN, warranty and a fee paid.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Motor Industry Ombudsman as a start.
Contact Audi Germany as well and get them involved.

Take the vehicle to an independent mechanic, see if they can diagnose the fault, then get Audi to fix THAT under maintenance plan and then get the clutch fixed yourself.

 

[Dolby]

Are you saying you have a pattern of instances with car companies that require "good faith" gestures on their part quite often?

Because in that case I've found the common denominator...

I picked up the clutch issue in a few days after collecting - it was nothing to do with me.

I've had a single clutch replaced on an older car at 120,000km in my 16 years driving - I know how to drive. However I've been fairly 'in' with Volvo over the past 5 years and know how they operate.

There's no common denominator

 

[ToxicBunny]

Brokered through an Audi dealership on a car in plan

ie They took it on their books and I purchased the car through them. They have VIN, warranty and a fee paid.

They took the car onto their books, and you purchased the car through them?

Legally the deal is between you and the Audi dealership then, they are responsible.

 

[Dolby]

Did you ask for VIN reports before purchasing? Or copy of the 80-point check?

In my view if the dealership took commission, performed said check and was the middleman for the deal they should carry some responsibility. BUT, getting them to do anything will be difficult.

I actually do have a diagnosis in my car from them - never really looked at it but I'll check. As I say, more the excuse they gave and washing hands off their own product for any reason whatsoever. It isn't crashed, it isn't out of plan, there's nothing dodge - it's all Audi histry

 

[Dolby]

They took the car onto their books, and you purchased the car through them?

Correct - for a R5,000.00 fee.

Car was delivered to them by previous owner a few days before, they did all checks and whatever they needed - and then I collected it from their showroom.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Correct - for a R5,000.00 fee.

Car was delivered to them by previous owner a few days before, they did all checks and whatever they needed - and then I collected it from their showroom.

Legally you had nothing to do with the previous owner then other than transferring ownership...

You were legally dealing with them, the CPA will and does apply.

 

[Dolby]

Oh - and slight arrogance that came out as well ....

So you're saying no because it wasn't through the dealer ?

Yes

What about the rest of the maintenance plan?

That's intact

So you'll void the parts that suit you if not through a dealer?

I didn't say that.

Either either everything or nothing. If buying outside the correct channel effects anything people should know

They should be educated, yes

 

[Badprop_za]

I actually do have a diagnosis in my car from them - never really looked at it but I'll check. As I say, more the excuse they gave and washing hands off their own product for any reason whatsoever. It isn't crashed, it isn't out of plan, there's nothing dodge - it's all Audi histry

Agree. Not what you expect from a "Premium"-brand dealership.

These days you need to complete a detailed due diligence audit on 2nd hand vehicles before purchasing them.

 

[rorz0r]

Ouch. Sorry to hear this. Have you contacted the seller to verify Audi's claims about the clutches? Definitely not cool that they are not even willing to diagnose the issues as clearly there is a huge issue with that many clutches, or they *****ed up the replacement last time. Normally when you use an RMI approved type place to repair they at least give you some warranty on that part.

 

[Dolby]

Normally when you use an RMI approved type place to repair they at least give you some warranty on that part.

That's one my issues - the clutch replaced at 68,000km (at Audi, OEM etc) was under warranty and not maintenance plan. That shows me there was an issue.

But they want me to educate people, so will do that.

EDIT : Perhaps it's the group? Didn't VW also have an issue with a guys brand new Scirocco R where they just didn't care?