Hi All,
Thought I would give you an update on where things have finally gone. Due to growing list of problems and total lack of success in getting them resolved, the car is going back for a refund.
The S4 is a very quick car but seemingly too complex for the dealers to fix.
Only problem is what now?
Pete
S for Stress!!
maybe you just got a bad one, that could happen whatever the engine size ? what year is the s4 your sending back ?
B7 RS4 saloon Black with black optics pack
previous
C5 RS6 avus silver Milltek with remap 493bhp
E46 M3 ( had to give it a go, hated every minute )
B6 S4 saloon Black
B5 S4 silver MRC tuned stage 1
previous
C5 RS6 avus silver Milltek with remap 493bhp
E46 M3 ( had to give it a go, hated every minute )
B6 S4 saloon Black
B5 S4 silver MRC tuned stage 1
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BlingBling
- 4th Gear
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:59 am
- Location: Bremen, Germany
Hi All,
Thought I would give you an update on where things have got to. Basically car has been returned and got all my money back including the road tax.
I tested another S4, avant this time and I really do like the V8 sound but am seriously wary of potential problems. The gearchange on the six speed box does (to me anyway) appear to be pretty poor, felt like there was some roughness changing into second and third gears. Has anyone else noticed/suffered this.
Anyway here's the list of problems.
1. The new tyres fitted were the wrong size 225 instead of 235/45/18 ended up kerbing the wheel because of it.
2. Paint defect in panel, re-sprayed and looked awful due to swirling scratches all over rear quarter panel and other scratches where trim put back, they looked at it again and polished some bits. It needed to be repainted but they would not. Love the excuse - its a 3 year old car!!!
3. Clutch replaced due to baulking when changing 1st to 2nd and onto 3rd. Had more crunches after clutch changed but NFF was the result. Wanted gearbox replaced but got nowhere.
4. Drivers door window rattling over bumps - never got fixed.
5. Broke the glovebox, just by opening - they fixed this one.....
6. Cam chain tensioners - rattle on startup - gave up at this point and returned it.
I do like the brand but hate the service experience...renting a Ford Focus at the moment, you know they're not brilliant so do not expect too much but a lot less stress and hassle.
Pete
Thought I would give you an update on where things have got to. Basically car has been returned and got all my money back including the road tax.
I tested another S4, avant this time and I really do like the V8 sound but am seriously wary of potential problems. The gearchange on the six speed box does (to me anyway) appear to be pretty poor, felt like there was some roughness changing into second and third gears. Has anyone else noticed/suffered this.
Anyway here's the list of problems.
1. The new tyres fitted were the wrong size 225 instead of 235/45/18 ended up kerbing the wheel because of it.
2. Paint defect in panel, re-sprayed and looked awful due to swirling scratches all over rear quarter panel and other scratches where trim put back, they looked at it again and polished some bits. It needed to be repainted but they would not. Love the excuse - its a 3 year old car!!!
3. Clutch replaced due to baulking when changing 1st to 2nd and onto 3rd. Had more crunches after clutch changed but NFF was the result. Wanted gearbox replaced but got nowhere.
4. Drivers door window rattling over bumps - never got fixed.
5. Broke the glovebox, just by opening - they fixed this one.....
6. Cam chain tensioners - rattle on startup - gave up at this point and returned it.
I do like the brand but hate the service experience...renting a Ford Focus at the moment, you know they're not brilliant so do not expect too much but a lot less stress and hassle.
Pete
Tweek, are these problems on your old car or the one you have just test driven? What year and reg was it?
I had a B6 S4 saloon for just under three years and the car was bombproof. Ity had two niggles, the cam tensioners on cold starts did rattle upon start up and there is a tecnical bulletin you can provide to a dealer for them to fix this. The other was replacing the auxilliary radiators as the ducting on the B6 was not sufficent and rads could corrode. Not a problem with the B7 as bumper ducting was better and replacement was under warranty
Other than that the car was brilliant; don't give up on it as they are excellent cars. As for the throw on the gearbox, you could alleviate this if you still think it is an issue with a Stratmosphere short shifter, more precise and smoother operation.
I had a B6 S4 saloon for just under three years and the car was bombproof. Ity had two niggles, the cam tensioners on cold starts did rattle upon start up and there is a tecnical bulletin you can provide to a dealer for them to fix this. The other was replacing the auxilliary radiators as the ducting on the B6 was not sufficent and rads could corrode. Not a problem with the B7 as bumper ducting was better and replacement was under warranty
Other than that the car was brilliant; don't give up on it as they are excellent cars. As for the throw on the gearbox, you could alleviate this if you still think it is an issue with a Stratmosphere short shifter, more precise and smoother operation.
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kaisersolsay
- 3rd Gear
- Posts: 484
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:32 pm
Hi there,
I posted a thread a few weeks back highlighting an issue I had with my B6 S4's clutch.....slipping in 4th, 5th & 6th. I contacted the dealership (Stockport Audi) I bought her from only 5 weeks back to report this issue and they arranged for a courtesy car to be driven to me here in Perthshire, Scotland. My car was then driven back to Stockport for repairs. In advance of its pick up, I took her into my local Audi dealership (Perth Audi) for inspection and to confirm that the clutch had indeed failed. They confirmed its failure and advised me due to warranty conditions, that I needed to arrange its repair with the dealership where it was purchased. I found their service to be of an extremely high standard. My car has now been with Stockport Audi for nearly 2 weeks!!!!!!
I went on holiday for a week the day the car went in and upon my return expected to have a voicemail message on my mobile advising me that the car was ready for delivery, however, there was no such message.
I telephoned Stockport Audi and spoke to the salesman who sold me the car, only to be advised that his Sales Manager was now dealing with my car. I requested to speak to his manager and was told that he would call me back within the next few hours......no call was received. I tried to speak to the manager again the next morning and was told that he would return my call when he was free.....I received a call at 5pm later that night to tell me that his technicians could not get the clutch to slip therefore he could not authorise its replacement.
I explained that it was very easy to make it slip, all you had to do was slip the clutch when in 4th, 5th or 6th....give it a bit of a rev to 3-4k and drop the clutch....she would then slip and rev away as if in neutral. He said that he would get his technician working on my car to call me to discuss the problem.
I did not receive a call that day.
It was now Saturday morning and as you can imagine, my blood was begining to boil!!!! I received a call on Saturday afternoon around midday from the technician who told me that he had been out in the car now 3-4 times and could not get the clutch to slip. I explained how easy it was to replicate and he said he would try again Monday morning as he was about to knock off for the day.
Monday came and I received no call....I telephoned the dealership at 5pm requesting an update from the sales manager and was told that he would call me back. I finally got a call from him at 7pm explaining that they were still willing to replace the clutch but they could not get it to slip. He said that he had been stalling contacting me until he had heard from his service manager as it was his responsibility to sign off the replacement clutch repair. He told me not to worry as he had over-heard the technician order in the clutch kit from his parts manager earlier that day.
I was told that I would receive a call today (Tuesday) advising me when I would receive my repaired car back. I left it till 3pm this afternoon and telephoned them myself. I was told that the sales manager was not available so I asked to speak to the service manager instead. He came on and told me that there was no fault found with the clutch, therefore it was not to be replaced and he would arrange for my car to be returned ASAP. I told him that I would not accept the cars return until it was repaired to my satisfaction. I gave him the name and number of the technician at Perth Audi whom had confirmed that the clutch was on its way out (I'm so glad now I took her in for a second opinion!!), so that he could talk to him directly......he told me he would be in touch later this afternoon before close of play.....I'm still waiting for his call!!!
I spoke to the very helpful technician at Perth Audi to advise him that he would be getting a phone call, and he said that he would call them directly himself and confirm that the clutch was knackered.
I paid 25k for this car, which only has 26k on the clock. I have only had her for 5 weeks and have only put 3,000 miles on her during that time.
I'm going to give them a call first thing tomorrow morning and demand my car is repaired immediately or else refund me in full.
Where do I stand legally on this guys? Anyone got any legal advice?
I posted a thread a few weeks back highlighting an issue I had with my B6 S4's clutch.....slipping in 4th, 5th & 6th. I contacted the dealership (Stockport Audi) I bought her from only 5 weeks back to report this issue and they arranged for a courtesy car to be driven to me here in Perthshire, Scotland. My car was then driven back to Stockport for repairs. In advance of its pick up, I took her into my local Audi dealership (Perth Audi) for inspection and to confirm that the clutch had indeed failed. They confirmed its failure and advised me due to warranty conditions, that I needed to arrange its repair with the dealership where it was purchased. I found their service to be of an extremely high standard. My car has now been with Stockport Audi for nearly 2 weeks!!!!!!
I went on holiday for a week the day the car went in and upon my return expected to have a voicemail message on my mobile advising me that the car was ready for delivery, however, there was no such message.
I telephoned Stockport Audi and spoke to the salesman who sold me the car, only to be advised that his Sales Manager was now dealing with my car. I requested to speak to his manager and was told that he would call me back within the next few hours......no call was received. I tried to speak to the manager again the next morning and was told that he would return my call when he was free.....I received a call at 5pm later that night to tell me that his technicians could not get the clutch to slip therefore he could not authorise its replacement.
I explained that it was very easy to make it slip, all you had to do was slip the clutch when in 4th, 5th or 6th....give it a bit of a rev to 3-4k and drop the clutch....she would then slip and rev away as if in neutral. He said that he would get his technician working on my car to call me to discuss the problem.
I did not receive a call that day.
It was now Saturday morning and as you can imagine, my blood was begining to boil!!!! I received a call on Saturday afternoon around midday from the technician who told me that he had been out in the car now 3-4 times and could not get the clutch to slip. I explained how easy it was to replicate and he said he would try again Monday morning as he was about to knock off for the day.
Monday came and I received no call....I telephoned the dealership at 5pm requesting an update from the sales manager and was told that he would call me back. I finally got a call from him at 7pm explaining that they were still willing to replace the clutch but they could not get it to slip. He said that he had been stalling contacting me until he had heard from his service manager as it was his responsibility to sign off the replacement clutch repair. He told me not to worry as he had over-heard the technician order in the clutch kit from his parts manager earlier that day.
I was told that I would receive a call today (Tuesday) advising me when I would receive my repaired car back. I left it till 3pm this afternoon and telephoned them myself. I was told that the sales manager was not available so I asked to speak to the service manager instead. He came on and told me that there was no fault found with the clutch, therefore it was not to be replaced and he would arrange for my car to be returned ASAP. I told him that I would not accept the cars return until it was repaired to my satisfaction. I gave him the name and number of the technician at Perth Audi whom had confirmed that the clutch was on its way out (I'm so glad now I took her in for a second opinion!!), so that he could talk to him directly......he told me he would be in touch later this afternoon before close of play.....I'm still waiting for his call!!!
I spoke to the very helpful technician at Perth Audi to advise him that he would be getting a phone call, and he said that he would call them directly himself and confirm that the clutch was knackered.
I paid 25k for this car, which only has 26k on the clock. I have only had her for 5 weeks and have only put 3,000 miles on her during that time.
I'm going to give them a call first thing tomorrow morning and demand my car is repaired immediately or else refund me in full.
Where do I stand legally on this guys? Anyone got any legal advice?
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BlingBling
- 4th Gear
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:59 am
- Location: Bremen, Germany
Kaiser I understand your frustration. This may sound childish but feck it they has messed you around long enough. When they return the car. Let whoever it is wait around for a good part of the day. My blood would be boiling by now.
If they are still have not fixed the clutch inform them you are formally rejecting the vehicle and seek legal advice. Either contact citzens advice or the office of fair trading.
If they are still have not fixed the clutch inform them you are formally rejecting the vehicle and seek legal advice. Either contact citzens advice or the office of fair trading.
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kaisersolsay
- 3rd Gear
- Posts: 484
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:32 pm
Had to chase them again this morning...was told that the service manager and sales manager were not available!! ARRGGHH!! I explained to the receptionist that if I didnt receive a call back from one of them in the next 5-10mins they could just keep the car and forward my refund to me via cheque! Low and behold...I got a call back straight away! The sales manager said that he was embarressed that nobdy had called me back yesterday as promised (blah blah blah) and that their 'Master tech' technician was going to take me car out and assess the slipping clutch issue as they still could not get it to slip. He assured me that I would get a call back by 2pm this afternoon....tick tock tick tock....still waiting!!! ARRGGHHH!! The very kind techinician at Perth Audi told me this morning that he had tried to ge tin contact with the service manager to confirm the clutch was slipping when he inspected it originally, but again, low and behold the service manager was unavailable. He left a message for a call back, but it never came. I'm not going to call them back tonight, instead I'm now going to investigate my legal rights. This is just unreal!
I would kep a note of the time's you have called and also what has been said to you. I know it's obvious but it does help in the long run.
Could you get the guy from Penrith Audi to send you a letter stating the clutch has gone pear-shaped and then forward it to the other dealer. Something in writting is better than a phone call cause they can just say that you haven't stated clearly what the fault is.
Also, did you get any warranty off them when you brought the car from them and how long is it for?
Could you get the guy from Penrith Audi to send you a letter stating the clutch has gone pear-shaped and then forward it to the other dealer. Something in writting is better than a phone call cause they can just say that you haven't stated clearly what the fault is.
Also, did you get any warranty off them when you brought the car from them and how long is it for?
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kaisersolsay
- 3rd Gear
- Posts: 484
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:32 pm
Ok heres the latest guys -
I heard nothing again the past few days so I called them up for an update. I got the service manager on telling me that they were still unable to get the clutch to slip. I asked him if he had inspected the assembly internally for tell tale signs of wear or misalignment and he said that they had only conducted road tests. I explained to him that under no circumstances was I willing to take the car back without a new clutch being fitted as the slipping was extremely bad before, as verified by the Perth Audi technician. I also explained that if I agreed to take the car back and the clutch started to slip once more 4-5 weeks later I knew that they would most likely tell me that this was now due to wear and tear and that I would be liable for the £1400 repair bill. The service manager actually had the cheek to suggest I pay 50% of the repair bill now as a comprimise!!! GGrrrrrrr He also had the cheek to say 'you must have been trying to do wheelspins and that would have caused the clutch plates to overheat'!! Cheeky fukcer!! He then told me that it is perfectly normal for an S4 & RS4's clutches to slip if you manual slip the clutch on purpose!!!
He told me that his sales manager was not willing to sign off a new clutch therefore he could not fit it. I asked for him to get the sales manager to call me....surprise suprise...no call!
I telephoned Audi's main customer service number and explained my situation and they have logged my complaint. They said they would contact Stockport Audi on my behalf and see if they can reslove this for me.
As per my previous post, trading standards advised me to give them a further 7 days to repair the car or reject it. They told me to contact them after the 7 dayd had expired so that they my discuss the situation with Stockport Audi direct. They way I'm feeling just now, I just want my cash back! Guess now I;m not going to hear anymore from them till Monday.
I hope to get this sorted soon...so much for the 12 month approved used Audi warranty. I hope Audi UK do something to help also or else I will extremely disapointed!
The moral of the story is DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM STOCKPORT AUDI! THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR CASH!!!
I heard nothing again the past few days so I called them up for an update. I got the service manager on telling me that they were still unable to get the clutch to slip. I asked him if he had inspected the assembly internally for tell tale signs of wear or misalignment and he said that they had only conducted road tests. I explained to him that under no circumstances was I willing to take the car back without a new clutch being fitted as the slipping was extremely bad before, as verified by the Perth Audi technician. I also explained that if I agreed to take the car back and the clutch started to slip once more 4-5 weeks later I knew that they would most likely tell me that this was now due to wear and tear and that I would be liable for the £1400 repair bill. The service manager actually had the cheek to suggest I pay 50% of the repair bill now as a comprimise!!! GGrrrrrrr He also had the cheek to say 'you must have been trying to do wheelspins and that would have caused the clutch plates to overheat'!! Cheeky fukcer!! He then told me that it is perfectly normal for an S4 & RS4's clutches to slip if you manual slip the clutch on purpose!!!
He told me that his sales manager was not willing to sign off a new clutch therefore he could not fit it. I asked for him to get the sales manager to call me....surprise suprise...no call!
I telephoned Audi's main customer service number and explained my situation and they have logged my complaint. They said they would contact Stockport Audi on my behalf and see if they can reslove this for me.
As per my previous post, trading standards advised me to give them a further 7 days to repair the car or reject it. They told me to contact them after the 7 dayd had expired so that they my discuss the situation with Stockport Audi direct. They way I'm feeling just now, I just want my cash back! Guess now I;m not going to hear anymore from them till Monday.
I hope to get this sorted soon...so much for the 12 month approved used Audi warranty. I hope Audi UK do something to help also or else I will extremely disapointed!
The moral of the story is DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM STOCKPORT AUDI! THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR CASH!!!
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