The Audi Thread

Enigma_ said:
I doubt it would still be under warranty, so I'd stay away from it. Maintenance would most likely be pricey, go for a newer model A3.
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Would a Golf 6 GTI of a similar age and mileage cost me less in maintenance than the S3 assuming both are out of warrant?
 
Galactica said:
Would a Golf 6 GTI of a similar age and mileage cost me less in maintenance than the S3 assuming both are out of warrant?
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Could be a little cheaper, although I think the biggest thing to worry about (depending on age) would be the DSG/S-tronic gearboxes and the turbo.

Unfortunately I can't give you any figures/proof, as I've only owned 2 cars, neither of them being S3/GTI's. Perhaps someone who owns one currently has some info to add.

It might be worthwhile checking out which components are expected to fail at around 100,000KM and compare the costing of the replacement components for each car.
 
Enigma_ said:
Could be a little cheaper, although I think the biggest thing to worry about (depending on age) would be the DSG/S-tronic gearboxes and the turbo.

Unfortunately I can't give you any figures/proof, as I've only owned 2 cars, neither of them being S3/GTI's. Perhaps someone who owns one currently has some info to add.

It might be worthwhile checking out which components are expected to fail at around 100,000KM and compare the costing of the replacement components for each car.
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A colleagues friend has a GTI Polo with DSG out of warantee. When it broke, VWs quote to replace with new and labour was R75k.
 
Enigma_ said:
Could be a little cheaper, although I think the biggest thing to worry about (depending on age) would be the DSG/S-tronic gearboxes and the turbo.

Unfortunately I can't give you any figures/proof, as I've only owned 2 cars, neither of them being S3/GTI's. Perhaps someone who owns one currently has some info to add.

It might be worthwhile checking out which components are expected to fail at around 100,000KM and compare the costing of the replacement components for each car.
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You're talking about all cars, not S3s. Basically scaring people off looking for something specific, with thumb-sucks and generalisations. You are not accounting for general maintenance of the vehicle which was your initial point, you're only stating the extremes.

Yes, S-tronic/DSG would be the biggest concern. Turbo is hardly a concern. One of the most common scare tactics by naysayers throwing around stealership prices.

Personally I would only go manual. If I was to go DSG, I would take out a third party warranty for ±R10k.

OP, I would advise speaking to the plenty of S3 owners on the local Audi Forum.
 
AdrianH said:
A colleagues friend has a GTI Polo with DSG out of warantee. When it broke, VWs quote to replace with new and labour was R75k.
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See above. I also sense there is more to this story. He had a warranty, he got it much cheaper elsewhere? Tell us the rest, please.
 
@PP - I know somebody who is interested in this 2013 model... :p

$_20.JPG
 
MickeyD said:
@PP - I know somebody who is interested in this 2013 model... :p
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Beauty! Please tell him to look for a silver one. Black is a bit too gangster, gets hot and dirt shows easily. :p

The person who will take over in a few years does not like black! :D
 
PostmanPot said:
You're talking about all cars, not S3s. Basically scaring people off looking for something specific, with thumb-sucks and generalisations. You are not accounting for general maintenance of the vehicle which was your initial point, you're only stating the extremes.

Yes, S-tronic/DSG would be the biggest concern. Turbo is hardly a concern. One of the most common scare tactics by naysayers throwing around stealership prices.

Personally I would only go manual. If I was to go DSG, I would take out a third party warranty for ±R10k.

OP, I would advise speaking to the plenty of S3 owners on the local Audi Forum.
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Err, that's kind of why I stated I had no proof :P

Of course it's a generalisation. I still think that one is better off buying a cheaper vehicle that is still under warranty, than purchasing something that isn't even though it may be slightly snazzier.
MickeyD said:
@PP - I know somebody who is interested in this 2013 model... :p

$_20.JPG
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That is an awesome car, I want that as my upgrade :D
 
Supersonicbaron said:
Warning bit of a long story

So I have a 2011 A4 1.8T, automatic,bought new, currently with 73K on the clock.

A few weeks ago driving home, on the fast lane about 130km/h a VW Caravelle pulls behind me and try's to show me the way to the centre lane. Needless to say I won't move for a Caravelle , so I accelerate from 130 to about 160 and create a nice gap between the Caravelle and me.

Suddenly the engine starts "missing" and losing compression, EPC light comes on and the other orange "engine light"I slow down get off the freeway and manage to get to a garage, call Audi assistance for help.

the only tech in my region is on another call 60km away, anyway I start the car again and everything seems fine and I get home.

Next day I take the car to Audi Centre Durban and diagnostics come out clear, nothing wrong with the car they say, but anyway want to do an oil consumption test, they fiddle with some settings and tell me that I should drive 1000kms and bring it back for an assessment.

Yesterday I went back, 1000kms completed, second stage oil test done and the report is that the engine is damaged, replacement engine needed.

While the car runs "normally" the only difference I can feel is a lack(not significant) of power.

I'm not stressing as it's covered under the Freeway Plan, but strange nonetheless that the engines caves early

It's my first Audi, love the car and am not a "performance" driver lol. It's strange that the engine goes and 73K.
Anyone else had early engine failure ?
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Can sort of relate...my 2010 A4 1.8T Multitronic (58,000km) started using excessive oil recently. It's a well documented issue with a certain series of 1.8T and 2.0T engines due to the pistons being made of an alloy that’s not suited to our climate.

So got the oil test done and took it to Audi last week for replacement pistons. Got a call on Friday that they need to get an engineer out to do measurements on the engine block. Worst case scenario they need to replace engine block (i.e. virtually a new engine) - waiting to hear what the outcome is. Other than the oil consumption, I never had any problem with the car - now this.

(Wife's 2010 Q5 2.0T (99,000km) is going next week for the same thing...if they replace the pistons then literally half of the car has been replaced...)
 
Enigma_ said:
Err, that's kind of why I stated I had no proof :P
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I know I know, I just wanted to clear the air when there is an overwhelming sense of scepticism and negativity based on rumours, without bringing facts or experience/understanding to the discussion.

Of course it's a generalisation. I still think that one is better off buying a cheaper vehicle that is still under warranty, than purchasing something that isn't even though it may be slightly snazzier.
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Many people feel that way, and most of those people do not understand cars. Nor are they aware of cheaper specialist mechanics.

Did you read through the thread I linked?
 
Kolmogorov said:
Can sort of relate...my 2010 A4 1.8T Multitronic (58,000km) started using excessive oil recently. It's a well documented issue with a certain series of 1.8T and 2.0T engines due to the pistons being made of an alloy that’s not suited to our climate.

So got the oil test done and took it to Audi last week for replacement pistons. Got a call on Friday that they need to get an engineer out to do measurements on the engine block. Worst case scenario they need to replace engine block (i.e. virtually a new engine) - waiting to hear what the outcome is. Other than the oil consumption, I never had any problem with the car - now this.

(Wife's 2010 Q5 2.0T (99,000km) is going next week for the same thing...if they replace the pistons then literally half of the car has been replaced...)
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Indeed, common issue on the B8. IIRC some Audi invoices I've seen are in the region of R30k for the job.
 
Kolmogorov said:
Can sort of relate...my 2010 A4 1.8T Multitronic (58,000km) started using excessive oil recently. It's a well documented issue with a certain series of 1.8T and 2.0T engines due to the pistons being made of an alloy that’s not suited to our climate.

So got the oil test done and took it to Audi last week for replacement pistons. Got a call on Friday that they need to get an engineer out to do measurements on the engine block. Worst case scenario they need to replace engine block (i.e. virtually a new engine) - waiting to hear what the outcome is. Other than the oil consumption, I never had any problem with the car - now this.

(Wife's 2010 Q5 2.0T (99,000km) is going next week for the same thing...if they replace the pistons then literally half of the car has been replaced...)
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Thanks for sharing, I didn't really realize that this was a well documented problem on the B8. When I took the car of the show room floor the salesman told me not to be concerned if the car used oil every now and then as it was normal.

A few of my friends confirmed that their VW Gti's also used oil every now and then so I didn't give it a thought when filling oil.

I was also surprised that Audi would change Pistons, rings etc, I always thought these type of problems warranted and engine replacement - I thought they wouldn't have time for being real mechanic and just replace.... Anyway hope it turns out well for you, I'll keep you guys updated on my repair
 
Thank you for the advice guys, I do plan to take a 3rd party warranty as a precaution for the S3/GTI. And yes manual would save me from the DSG failure issue but how much is a clutch replacement on these cars? I unfortunately do drive in traffic in the mornings.
 
StrontiumDog said:
Silly question, the okes with DSG, how do you use the paddles when taking a corner? Since their orientation is tied to the position of the steering wheel... No, I havent asked Google :o
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Correct holding of the steering wheel.

As per advanced driver instruction you should be holding the wheel at 9 and 3 and doing 90-degree turns without letting go of the wheel.

Most people struggle with this because they sit too far from the wheel and therefore can't turn their arms properly.

If operating the vehicle correctly like this you can use the paddles as much as you like while cornering, short of a hairpin that is.

All of that being said in most cases you should have selected your gear correctly beforehand and need only shift up when powering out of the corner.

And all of that being said...I almost never use the paddles any more because I don't see a significant advantage and just drop it in sport and focus on the road instead.

If I was on a track smashing the same corners over and over I would probably prefer manual with the paddles so that I can control my speed selecting particular gear per corner and changing lap after lap.
 
Dolby said:
Manual is more exciting to drive and you do have better control. I would outlaunch S Tronics / DSG every single time ... That initial lag is irritating. Downshifts aren't accurate either and around a track, the manual constantly comes out a corner faster. Manual mode is a joke too.

That said, for various reasons I'd take dual clutch over manual any day.
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I can't disagree more.

Manual is boring now and nothing but a chore.

You don't have more control. As someone said about having to take your hand off the wheel during spirited driving is a much bigger issue on full manual cars.

If you are out launching them then they don't know how to launch a DSG. DSG's are faster than any manual, fact. Especially cars like the TTRS when it scores a whole almost 2 seconds with launch control.

Initial lag?

Downshifts not accurate?

Manual mode is a joke?

Also would love to see your stats on how you figure one comes out of the corner faster than the other? Seat of the pants stats? Gear ratios aside I don't see how either will make any real difference exiting corners. No two cars are alike so comparing this kind of thing purely on gearbox is very hard to do.

But more than anything. Why is everyone switching to dual clutch automatics in their sport/super/hyper cars if it's so rubbish?
 
PostmanPot said:
You're talking about all cars, not S3s. Basically scaring people off looking for something specific, with thumb-sucks and generalisations. You are not accounting for general maintenance of the vehicle which was your initial point, you're only stating the extremes.

Yes, S-tronic/DSG would be the biggest concern. Turbo is hardly a concern. One of the most common scare tactics by naysayers throwing around stealership prices.

Personally I would only go manual. If I was to go DSG, I would take out a third party warranty for ±R10k.

OP, I would advise speaking to the plenty of S3 owners on the local Audi Forum.
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10k warranty that probably only pays 6k for the gearbox.

Better off saving your money just to have the DSG repaired by a specialist.

I can't tell you the finer details with any accuracy but I know the common issues especially related to the Mechatronics unit are actually fixable for less than 18k which is generally the most it will cost you if it goes really wrong.

But yes some models are more prone to failure and should be avoided outside of warranty. However newer ones (and much older ones oddly enough) are fine.

My DSG has 150 000km on today with no drama.
 
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