Think I've broken it?

[MikeFish]

I agree with your approach Sam - give the dealer a chance to put it right. Especially as it is such a great colour, and the car has all the spec you want.

Surely a good sign that the dealer has been apologetic.

+1

[PSB1]

I admire your patience and pragmatism, but that's a jumbo size f&ck-up that they need to reverse...

[Surrey Sam]

Update 4

The plot thickens...

Apparently the replacement gearbox, was in fact a new one and I was misinformed by the Service Advisor.

Audi's initial request was to source a reconditioned gearbox but as one was not available, a new one was dispatched to the dealer instead - this was unbeknown to the Service Advisor. I'm a little dubious of this statement considering the demeanour of the alleged 'new' gearbox. I was then given the classic spiel of how these are complex items which need to 'learn' and 'adapt' to your individual driving style over a period of time. "Ok" I said, "ask Audi how long? Because my understanding is that these systems are always adapting".

So my fault list as of right now is:

Steering out of alignment (right hand down). Fixed
Car wonders left. No fault found - may have been fixed with the above
Experienced a massive jolt/clunk with it going into first gear. Can't replicate fault
An audible chatter/whine noise at low speed, crawling around in heavy traffic with no throttle. A pipe found to be not routed quite right, causing resonance
Gear lever mechanism feels odd changing between D/S - not very positive in its action, almost sticky. Wasn't mentioned in the telephone call, I will ask again
Feint transmission whirring at tick over. Previous pipe fault believed to the cause

I also added in that the Hill Hold Assist feature was not remembering the last user selected position as a 'fault'. I felt it would get more attention under this job card rather than raising it at a later date. So that is the last item currently under investigation and once Audi have a solution, then it looks like they shall be handing the car back to me. I have politely told them, they need to be very sure that it's fixed as I've been very patient and compliant in this process so far. However, should the car come back and these faults still be evident, the car will be coming straight back to them without hesitation and a very un-happy customer to deal with.

My gut feeling is that I'm being fobbed off. Time will tell, as will my patience.

[Shinobi675]

Good luck mate, I really hope they're not fobbing you off and that it is spot on when you get it back

[MikeFish]

Good luck mate, I really hope they're not fobbing you off and that it is spot on when you get it back

+1

That's my 2nd +1 on this page now. I must be very agreeable.

[Surrey Sam]

Update 5

So last Friday I picked the car up, I was told despite my concerns that I needed to put mileage onto the new gearbox (approx. 200 miles) so that everything can settle in and adapt to my driving style…blah…blah…blah. Just as well, I had a busy weekend to go and prove them wrong then. I had an Air Show down in Dorset and a Williams F1 event at their conference centre in Oxford, so a great weekend and I managed to put just under 500 miles of mixed a varied driving on the new gearbox.

So my thoughts after all of that - It’s going back.

Steering out of alignment (right hand down). Fixed
Car wonders left. Fixed
Experienced a massive jolt/clunk with it going into first gear. Fixed – I think this was an adaption fix as it happened only within the very first 10 miles of the new gearbox
An audible chatter/whine noise at low speed, crawling around in heavy traffic with no throttle. Not fixed
Gear lever mechanism feels odd changing between D/S - not very positive in its action, almost sticky. Not fixed – exactly as before
Feint transmission whirring at tick over when hot. Intermittent – sounds a bit like a lightweight flywheel type of noise but quieter

I have also added a new fault, which I managed to pin down over the weekend when I let my father drive the car. The Panoramic Sunroof rattles when closed but stops if you tilt it up slightly.

With all this in mind, I decided to drive around near where the dealership is located, to try and find roads and situations where I could replicate these things on demand. Once that was done, I then paid a visit yesterday afternoon and handed the list of faults over to the service advisor. He was disappointed, as he’s always been very keen to get this sorted for me and kept me up to date along the way.

So with a bit of discussion, it was decided that I should go take the Master Technician out for a drive to show him what I meant. Just as well I was prepared then! The only fault I couldn’t replicate was the chatter at idle but it was accepted that generally there was still an audible noise that shouldn’t be there. To put this into context, the radio must be off and the fan speed below 3 for you to hear them.

Back at the dealership I made it clear, that I was not going to accept the usual service loan cars as a replacement. Considering the length of time this fiasco was taking to resolve, I wanted something equal to or better than my own car. My plan was to go on the forums Scotland drive/meet next weekend, so doing that in a Rep Spec diesel A4 holds no appeal.

The Service Advisor has to now try and work something out with the Service Manager and Sales Manager. I should hopefully find out what that is within the next 48hrs. Chance would have it, that I spied a ’16 plate RS6 which I think was added to the sales fleet a couple of days back. I’m guessing that I may potentially get that, but we’ll see.

[innercry666]

If they have had the RS6 added to their sales fleet then push for that as your loan car. You can also 'suggest' that if the RS4 doesn't work out then you would seriously consider a new RS6 to ensure Audi are suitably enthusiastic about loaning it to you...

[TobyRS4]

You have the patience of a saint Sam, hope you can get this sorted!