New Arrival - Audi uk result

[Graeme4130]

Cheers, yeah keep me posted on the oil change
The shift through the lever is nice and clean, it's just getting the gear change silky smooth is proving tough (might also have something to do with I've driven a DSG for the last 6months )
It's not too bad, but it's hard to make smooth progress when the clutch disengages with a bump if I'm too quick with the pedal.
My mrs said she hadn't event noticed and she's normall very critical of my 'such a bloke' driving style
I'll see what Audi say tomorrow, but if I can wangle a new clutch out if them, then that saves me a few quid down the road.

[Ian_C]

Graeme don't forget you can hand the car back - always used to be within a month or 1000 miles, whichever came sooner. Might be your best approach.... ie

"I'm handing the car back as the clutch is on the way out and I know you [Audi] won't change it under warranty."

Sit back with a cup of tea and see what they make of that

[RS4XS]

Having recently purchased our RS4 i too find the low gears a challenge having previously owned the RS6 and a Focus RS the RS4 is taking some getting used to with gear changes,
The car had a new gearbox and also new clutch @ 20k and she now has 44k on her so i wouldn't think the clutch needs replacing i think its more a case of getting used to the clutch and sensitive throttle,

[PetrolDave]

It's often been suggested on here that the first to second change can be made a lot smoother by turning ESP off, as it can intervene unwantedly.

[Dave7]

There is no doubt that the clutch can take some getting used to on an RS4. I came from an M3 where you could gun it in 1st and the change to 2nd would be easy and seem-less, not so in the RS4. I'm much more careful the RS4 drive-train anyway, I don't know why but gunning it in 1st just doesn't seem right. I've had a lot of fast cars now and the RS4 is about the most stubborn gearbox I have had when cold. I always miss 2nd out if I can until the gearbox is up to temp. Once everything is warm though, its a peach of a shift, like a well oiled rifle bolt...

[Graeme4130]

Graeme don't forget you can hand the car back - always used to be within a month or 1000 miles, whichever came sooner. Might be your best approach.... ie

"I'm handing the car back as the clutch is on the way out and I know you [Audi] won't change it under warranty."

Sit back with a cup of tea and see what they make of that

I'll bear that in mind should it turn out that the clutch is on the way out.
I'm getting used to it now, and pulling away is no probs at all, just hard to be super smooth between 1/2 and 2/3.
To be honest, it's not a major problem and I'm totally happy with the car just wanted to check if that was normal..

Just to touch on an earlier question again, should the sport button inflate the passenger seat as well as the drivers seat ?
Mine doesn't, but the buttons on the seat to inflate in manually work fine, is that normal ?

Had a nice long blast on some quiet country lanes today, and came away grinning from ear to ear

[PetrolDave]

should the sport button inflate the passenger seat as well as the drivers seat ?

No, drivers seat only.

[Graeme4130]

should the sport button inflate the passenger seat as well as the drivers seat ?

No, drivers seat only.

Great, cheers for letting me know

[Graeme4130]

Quick update on the clutch issue
I had the car booked into Swindon Audi today, who were very friendly and helpful.
They've had a good look over the car and not only have diagnosed that the clutch is on it's way out, but have said they'll take issue with Harrogate Audi about getting them to replace it as an Audi approved used car shoudn't be sold with a dying clutch (duh ?)
Not only that, but it seems one of the exhaust valves was sticking, so they've ordered two new tail boxes (in chrome too as mine are black and I'd wanted them changed to chrome anyway) and also are going to take up with Harrogate why they also didn't do an oil and filter change and try to arrange this through Swindon FOC.
They had a check over everything else, and said the DRC systems are fine and have had a damper change under warranty recently anyway, and other little things like recent discs, pads and having the coil pack recall has all been done.
Another thing they noticed was the on the underside of the car, one of the (plastic?) panels had a large crack in it, and should've been replaced before sale, This is another issue they'll take up with HA, and hopefully that'll get replaced too.
As much as I'm genuinely very happy with the car, I'm really starting to wonder if Harrogate Audi actually checked it over at all ??
I'll keep you all posted

[lengster1]

Glad your getting it tip top,as ive always said though used approved means bugger all you still have to check everything yourself,they cut corners if they can because its profit at the end of the day.Sounds like theyve done what audi uk pick the tab up for and shirked the stuff that they would have to cover.Youve done ok getting back boxes though and hopefully a clutch ,fingers crossed for you.

[Graeme4130]

Glad your getting it tip top,as ive always said though used approved means bugger all you still have to check everything yourself,they cut corners if they can because its profit at the end of the day.Sounds like theyve done what audi uk pick the tab up for and shirked the stuff that they would have to cover.Youve done ok getting back boxes though and hopefully a clutch ,fingers crossed for you.

Yeah, it certainly seems that way.
I did look at half a dozen or so private cars, but there seemed to be such a potential minefield out there I just decided it would be easier to opt to pay a few K more and get an immaculate and fully functional car from Audi.
I still like the car a lot, but I will certainly need them to rectify these issues without me having to dig into my pocket or I'm just going to threaten, and maybe action, rejecting the car within 1 month / 1000 miles as the policy says.

Swindon Audi have been very helpful though, and the parts manager there is a good friend of mine, so having him help push the buttons I think has helped a lot.

I'll keep you all posted

[Ian_C]

Just make sure the dual mass flywheel is replaced as part of the deal. HAS to be done with the clutch, I'm sure they would do it default but worth double checking

[adsgreen]

The key giveaway here I think is the comment about the clutch engaging with a bump - shouldn't be doing that so makes sense it's on it's way out.
As on the other threads, the recent very cold weather made the first 5 mins or so a bit jerky and the gearbox was a little tricky to engage but once "not cold" (so not even up to temp) it just slots in nicely. Never miss a shift and full power 1st gear to 2nd gear changes are fine.
Getting the exhaust is a major plus as it's not generally covered as a wear n tear item. Just be thankful you found it in the first 1k miles as this is where I think you've got the most power.

[klauster]

Quick update on the clutch issue
I had the car booked into Swindon Audi today, who were very friendly and helpful.
They've had a good look over the car and not only have diagnosed that the clutch is on it's way out, but have said they'll take issue with Harrogate Audi about getting them to replace it as an Audi approved used car shoudn't be sold with a dying clutch (duh ?)
Not only that, but it seems one of the exhaust valves was sticking, so they've ordered two new tail boxes (in chrome too as mine are black and I'd wanted them changed to chrome anyway) and also are going to take up with Harrogate why they also didn't do an oil and filter change and try to arrange this through Swindon FOC.
They had a check over everything else, and said the DRC systems are fine and have had a damper change under warranty recently anyway, and other little things like recent discs, pads and having the coil pack recall has all been done.
Another thing they noticed was the on the underside of the car, one of the (plastic?) panels had a large crack in it, and should've been replaced before sale, This is another issue they'll take up with HA, and hopefully that'll get replaced too.
As much as I'm genuinely very happy with the car, I'm really starting to wonder if Harrogate Audi actually checked it over at all ??
I'll keep you all posted

My advice, don't use Harrogate Audi for any work at all, and I certainly would not buy a car from them, they are shocking

[Graeme4130]

Quick update

List of items (and approx costs) picked up between myself and Audi Swindon is pretty exhaustive (bear in mind I picked the car up last thursday and was 'fuly checked' by Harrogate Audi) ;

1) Clutch worn to point of needing replacement
2) Exhaust valves sticking both sides
3) Steering Wheel off centre by around 10 deg
4) Ipod dock does not recognise Iphone or various Ipods
5) Light Switch comes away from dash if you pull it to turn on fogs
6) Passenger side engine cover missing (noticed by eagle eyed RS246 poster - Thanks)
7) Bumper not reset by Harrogate Audi although they confirmed they would before delivery (shut lines along edge of grill large as bumber has 'dropped')
Undertray on underside of car has large crack
9) Oil / filter change that's done as matter of course on Approved cars not apparent on mileage check for service on dash (Harrogate Audi have since claimed they did it, but didn't possibly reset system)

Audi Warranty have since declined to replace exhaust as not classed as wear and tear and so far. Audi Harrogate are claiming the car passed all it's pre delivery checks (apparently exhaust vales are classed as sound issues and not checked???) and will not front any of the bill (currently looks like around £4k - Main being Clutch/flywheel £2k / Exhausts £1480)

Audi Swindon have been very helpful and are taking this up with Audi Harrogate directly as they should not have released a car in this condition and have very kindly offered to lend me a car so I don't take it over my 1000mile / 1 month reject period.
I really like the car, and if they can resolve these issues, then I'm sure I'm going to be very happy with it. However, if Harrogate Audi will not front the bill for Swindon Audi to fix it, first I will go to Audi uk to see what they can do, and then simply reject the car back to them... Hopefully the Golf I'd PX'd with them has not gone out through Auction / changed registered owners or they'll be refunding me the full PX value..

Like I said, not all garage experiences are the same as Audi Swindon have really bent over backwards to sort this out, so hopefully the supplying dealer will come good and clear their name...

An audi RS4 avant has been a dream car of mine for years, and this is turning into a nightmare....

I'll keep this thread posted