414bhp or ???bhp

[VARSITY]

My baby has gone.

Audi and I have come to an agreement over the car and both parties are happy.

We move on and I am looking forward to the RS6 arriving next year.

Never be afraid of defending what you believe to be true. Even the big guys give way sometimes.

[Andyuk911]

Does it still have a TDi badge

[SR71]

And does the agreement have a gagging clause?

[t_urbo]

So whats the story Varsity?

[audijohn]

and what cha got now?.

[VARSITY]

All I will I say is if your not happy with your car, prove its not right and take that info to your dealer first, if your not happy with their response take it to a solicitor, i know a good one.

You will be suprised as to your rights and Audi's response.

I never got to a court, however I was very much prepared to take it all the way as I knew I was right and wanted to challenge them in a public arena.

My outcome is individual to me and yours maybe different.

I still stand by my comment that there isn't a tested un-mollested RS4 in this country that has been run on 3 different dynos, to prove this, in similar conditions running a true 414bhp at the crank. Using the correct calculations etc etc.

[VARSITY]

and what cha got now?.

The value of an RS4 less £400 in the bank!

With the memories of 8 months free motoring.

[alex_123_fra]

I can't be specific but will tell a story of a friend of mine and the tribulations he recently went through!

My friend paid a hefty deposit to have a very special car delivered from a far away country. The car was delayed by some months and as a consequence my friend had a very large discount applied to the car as way of an apology. Once the car was delivered it was all it was suposed to be and more, however the car never seemed poorly, but something was amiss, just not as feisty as others had been This cleared up but the car seemd to still be suffering from something and was most definately still not right. As a curiosity the car was taken to have a run on the local dyno, bad news was awaiting, the car was 20% down on the official power figures. This was not good news and the information was passed to the makers of this fine German automobile. An email came back to say this was normal and to leave the car alone as it needed time to age, grow strong and be able to meet those expected figures we all came to believe in (414bhp).

Well, as my friend was worried about this he kept a keen eye on his beloved car and took it to a dyno, sometimes different ones evry 1000 miles from then on. Low and behold, nothing changed, the car still refused to get any more muster than 365bhp. Even with the help of a mad Belgian scientist it wasn't going to get to the expected and magical figures that the men in white coats write about (414bhp).

A quick call to arms from fellow men and owners found that this magical figure of 414bhp was just that, magical and probably just fantasy in fact as to date there hasn't been a genuine case of an RS4 showing on 2 or more dynos this figure, without fettling of course. Although my friend was happy with car he felt somewhat cheated out of his dream and the behaviour of the makers of this fine car were showing signs of arrogance and contempt.

A quick visit to a solicitor and an introduction to a barrister who knew his potatos, expensive but worth it, saw the evil makers sit up and listen to what was being said. After some conversations and further letters, on expensive paper, it was decided that my friend should by rights be entitled to his money back in full, less a small consideration for the mileage used upto and including the first report of a problem.

He did tell me more about other RS4s that had had problems including Audi's own cars.

So, a happy ending for all.

I would say the moral of the story is clear, and for all to take note. There is either a problem with just one car, this one or maybe all of them. Like I said though, there isn't a car that has been seen to date producing the BHP it advertises in the brochure to. And more interstingly, if Audi were right why didn't they allow it to go to all the way to a court?

It is good to hear your friend's *ahem* result varsity. There may be something here or there may not.

The VAST majority of RS4 owners just wouldn't bother putting their cars on a dyno. I think there are some poor examples out there but I'd like to give audi the benefit of the doubt. Based on my experience of timed performance, I have no reason to doubt my own car.

I suspect audi would have made a loss whether they had won this in court or not. The most likely reason why they didn't bother is to avoid the high court costs and the hassle. They chose the option that would have lost them the least money.

[VARSITY]

I can't be specific but will tell a story of a friend of mine and the tribulations he recently went through!

My friend paid a hefty deposit to have a very special car delivered from a far away country. The car was delayed by some months and as a consequence my friend had a very large discount applied to the car as way of an apology. Once the car was delivered it was all it was suposed to be and more, however the car never seemed poorly, but something was amiss, just not as feisty as others had been This cleared up but the car seemd to still be suffering from something and was most definately still not right. As a curiosity the car was taken to have a run on the local dyno, bad news was awaiting, the car was 20% down on the official power figures. This was not good news and the information was passed to the makers of this fine German automobile. An email came back to say this was normal and to leave the car alone as it needed time to age, grow strong and be able to meet those expected figures we all came to believe in (414bhp).

Well, as my friend was worried about this he kept a keen eye on his beloved car and took it to a dyno, sometimes different ones evry 1000 miles from then on. Low and behold, nothing changed, the car still refused to get any more muster than 365bhp. Even with the help of a mad Belgian scientist it wasn't going to get to the expected and magical figures that the men in white coats write about (414bhp).

A quick call to arms from fellow men and owners found that this magical figure of 414bhp was just that, magical and probably just fantasy in fact as to date there hasn't been a genuine case of an RS4 showing on 2 or more dynos this figure, without fettling of course. Although my friend was happy with car he felt somewhat cheated out of his dream and the behaviour of the makers of this fine car were showing signs of arrogance and contempt.

A quick visit to a solicitor and an introduction to a barrister who knew his potatos, expensive but worth it, saw the evil makers sit up and listen to what was being said. After some conversations and further letters, on expensive paper, it was decided that my friend should by rights be entitled to his money back in full, less a small consideration for the mileage used upto and including the first report of a problem.

He did tell me more about other RS4s that had had problems including Audi's own cars.

So, a happy ending for all.

I would say the moral of the story is clear, and for all to take note. There is either a problem with just one car, this one or maybe all of them. Like I said though, there isn't a car that has been seen to date producing the BHP it advertises in the brochure to. And more interstingly, if Audi were right why didn't they allow it to go to all the way to a court?

It is good to hear your friend's *ahem* result varsity. There may be something here or there may not.

The VAST majority of RS4 owners just wouldn't bother putting their cars on a dyno. I think there are some poor examples out there but I'd like to give audi the benefit of the doubt. Based on my experience of timed performance, I have no reason to doubt my own car.

I suspect audi would have made a loss whether they had won this in court or not. The most likely reason why they didn't bother is to avoid the high court costs and the hassle. They chose the option that would have lost them the least money.

However only he, the dealer and the manufacturer will ever know the truth. Unfortuneately it never went the full distance and as I said, this is a story of one person. Yours will be different, as would anyone elses. Although I know of at least 2 other cases being presented, 1 of which is being agreed as we write in a similar manner to the above. Audi spend more money on the marketing than we could ever imagine and a court case like this, win or lose would cost them dearly. Whether they go into a court or not, its the result that matters for the individual isn't it?

I know if it were my £50k I would want clarification it was doing what it said on the tin.

[t_urbo]

I can't be specific but will tell a story of a friend of mine and the tribulations he recently went through!

My friend paid a hefty deposit to have a very special car delivered from a far away country. The car was delayed by some months and as a consequence my friend had a very large discount applied to the car as way of an apology. Once the car was delivered it was all it was suposed to be and more, however the car never seemed poorly, but something was amiss, just not as feisty as others had been This cleared up but the car seemd to still be suffering from something and was most definately still not right. As a curiosity the car was taken to have a run on the local dyno, bad news was awaiting, the car was 20% down on the official power figures. This was not good news and the information was passed to the makers of this fine German automobile. An email came back to say this was normal and to leave the car alone as it needed time to age, grow strong and be able to meet those expected figures we all came to believe in (414bhp).

Well, as my friend was worried about this he kept a keen eye on his beloved car and took it to a dyno, sometimes different ones evry 1000 miles from then on. Low and behold, nothing changed, the car still refused to get any more muster than 365bhp. Even with the help of a mad Belgian scientist it wasn't going to get to the expected and magical figures that the men in white coats write about (414bhp).

A quick call to arms from fellow men and owners found that this magical figure of 414bhp was just that, magical and probably just fantasy in fact as to date there hasn't been a genuine case of an RS4 showing on 2 or more dynos this figure, without fettling of course. Although my friend was happy with car he felt somewhat cheated out of his dream and the behaviour of the makers of this fine car were showing signs of arrogance and contempt.

A quick visit to a solicitor and an introduction to a barrister who knew his potatos, expensive but worth it, saw the evil makers sit up and listen to what was being said. After some conversations and further letters, on expensive paper, it was decided that my friend should by rights be entitled to his money back in full, less a small consideration for the mileage used upto and including the first report of a problem.

He did tell me more about other RS4s that had had problems including Audi's own cars.

So, a happy ending for all.

I would say the moral of the story is clear, and for all to take note. There is either a problem with just one car, this one or maybe all of them. Like I said though, there isn't a car that has been seen to date producing the BHP it advertises in the brochure to. And more interstingly, if Audi were right why didn't they allow it to go to all the way to a court?

It is good to hear your friend's *ahem* result varsity. There may be something here or there may not.

The VAST majority of RS4 owners just wouldn't bother putting their cars on a dyno. I think there are some poor examples out there but I'd like to give audi the benefit of the doubt. Based on my experience of timed performance, I have no reason to doubt my own car.

I suspect audi would have made a loss whether they had won this in court or not. The most likely reason why they didn't bother is to avoid the high court costs and the hassle. They chose the option that would have lost them the least money.

If the RS4 produced a true 414hp/420bhp then Audi would not back down over such a claim, they would have gone to court with a hard on. Court costs are a drop in the ocean to a dealer/manufacturer, so mean nothing.

I took Renault to court over something similar with two different cars and it cost me sh*t loads of money and my pride was dented somewhat when i had to pick the bast*rd car up from them 6 months later.
I knew i was right but proving it turned out to be somewhat costly, so dont think a dealer/manufacturer will back down that easily.

[t_urbo]

All I will I say is if your not happy with your car, prove its not right and take that info to your dealer first, if your not happy with their response take it to a solicitor, i know a good one.

You will be suprised as to your rights and Audi's response.

I never got to a court, however I was very much prepared to take it all the way as I knew I was right and wanted to challenge them in a public arena.

My outcome is individual to me and yours maybe different.

I still stand by my comment that there isn't a tested un-mollested RS4 in this country that has been run on 3 different dynos, to prove this, in similar conditions running a true 414bhp at the crank. Using the correct calculations etc etc.

Glad it worked out for you Varsity, it's good to hear when someone follows through on a belief and does'nt get shafted.

[VARSITY]

Thanks T, but I am now somewhat concerned as I have had at least 6 approaches from others worried about their situation. Especially as another RS4 today failed to produce anywhere near the expected BHP at the Thorney day out.

I fear the sleeping giant has been woken and it will start to roar.

My beliefs that my car isnt right was founded on fact and proof and see that there ARE other cars out there with the same or similar problems. Its whether those owners are willing to do something about it. Even if it is to prove that what they have got is right, most dynos are £50-60 for a good 3 run average.

I will not and can not assist in their situations other than confirm you should gather as much intel as possible and have a good if not solid case before putting your cahunas on the block.

And for those who love their cars and do not want to know the truth, good on you as I wish I could have ignored the possibility I was being mislead in someway.

[s4woody]

i can bear witness to this..i was very sad to see this beautifull car not produce the goods..

another RS4 today failed to produce anywhere near the expected BHP at the Thorney day out.

the owner must feel gutted...

[SR71]

I'm staggered!

Good on you VARSITY.

Wait till the R8 owners get hold of this! They spent twice what an RS4 owner did on the same motor!

I'm off to the dyno when I next get a chance as I hate having the wool pulled over my eyes.

[mixja]

RRI has just dyno'ed the R8 (see here) with same power at the wheels as the E92 M3 (277KW for the R8 vs 278KW for the M3)

Now Automobile Mag did a dyno comparison of the RS4 vs R8 - R8 only made 7HP more at the wheels:


So if R8 = M3 and R8 = RS4 then M3 = RS4 and looks like a true 414BHP...[/url]