My new S4 Avant - rejected

[rodney67]

I think there is the beginnings of a serious problem with the new S4. I've just rejected mine (manual) after three weeks as the delay between applying pressure to the accelerator and the revs kicking in is all over the place, resulting in lurching.

The most cursory search on the 'net throws up a significant amount of customers with the same type of problem. Even allowing for the fact that people are much more likely to moan on the net there does seem to be a high number of problem cars given the small amount in the country (700?). There's even a website in the States where someone is testing the throttle delays and registries of S4s over there seem littered with problems.

http://est.org/S4b6throttle/

The gearbox is patently not up to the engine. Hilariously, the dealership seem to think that I should expect a notchy, thunky gearbox with an engine this powerful. As opposed to Audi developing a gearbox that actually goes with the engine.

BTW the car has been independently tested and the RAC agree with me.

This makes the AutoExpress review kind. I can't believe that something that should have been so great has turned out like this... [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Dave]

Hmm.. very interesting comments..

I too was told that you 'have' to have a heavy clutch to cope with the power/torque, but agree with you in that it is in no way smooth...

Sorry to hear about the engine too, and this is where I have concerns about the next RS4.. Audi, apparantly, want to get 420bhp from that unit.. it is very highly strung as it is..we'll see

Keep us informed
Dave

[wazza]

Not sure the Auto Express thing is needed just yet.
Just look what the wheel saga did for the RS4.
Sorry to hear you are having problems [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

The gearbox is patently not up to the engine.

Seems that Audi haven't learned the lessons of the S4 and RS4. You'd expect a great deal more from Audi and (without wishing to appear smug) makes me glad I made the choice I did.

[TimJMS]

Sorry to hear this.

The S4 I test drove had a sweet shift action, and what I thought was a light clutch pedal!

And Joshie, mate, I wonder how many owners of M3's that paid full list were glad they made the choices they did when their engines blew up on them? [img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

My S4 has a light clutch as Tim also found.

I do find the gearbox change from 1st to second is very "clunky" to say the least. Even blendign the up change doesn't seem to help.

Hope it's not on the way out.... [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

p.s. my car 5k miles on the clock so far.

[Krammer002]

It took a short time to become fully acquainted with the high clutch action of my S4 and as did the accelerator response anomalies / features.

As for the gear change, I have noticed slight resistance when selecting reverse but only when starting from cold! When warm, all gear changes are as slick as a 'greased pig'.
I had a similar condition with my previous 2.5TDI Quattro, but it’s now done 159’0000 miles on both the same gearbox and clutch and still going strong.
My S4 has 18'500 mile to date and just been for its first service without issue.

Interestingly my wife,[img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img] who normally drives our TT225 coupe, usually has some problems driving unusual cars than she's used to. When she drove the S4 for several days I was expecting moans regarding clutch, gearbox, and accelerator operation, but to my surprise, not a murmur, in fact when I quizzed her about her driving experience with the S4, she said that her normal issues regarding gear changing etc. didn't arise and would happily swap cars anytime....! [img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

I will be keeping a ‘close eye’ on these reported gearbox anomalies. [img]images/graemlins/spineyes.gif[/img]

[dog]

I think I have similar problems with my RS4.

[waitey1]

I took delivery of S4 in Sept 03 Clutch pedal was very light as in all new clutches The throttle, fly by wire, suffered from `Runaway`that is kept going for a moment after lift off I`m told this is caused by bad calibration. Gearbox problem about 2000miles couldn`t select reverse called out Audi service back to garage changed gear stick not sure this was problem but didn`t come back swopped for RS4 in December as lack of damping at front end made car lethal.

[rodney67]

Update - for anyone interested. Had to take car back as legal advice felt that because there was an element of subjectivity involved, winning a case was not guaranteed.

Have now done 6,000 miles. Things have softened slightly, but still woeful overall in low gear. Have a friend who recently picked up the saloon version and he is going though exactly the same thing.

Don't know what to do now.

But I do know that my experience with Audi Customer Care means that I won't be buying another Audi.

Cheers

[Bushy]

I think the gearbox issue is one item the other item of odd pick up when depressing the gas peddle is an EU issue

I think I am right in saying that some new inititive that says the ECU cannot allow fuel into the engine if there is insufficient air for it to burn, so saving on emmissions. Soit takes a minute for the ECU to work out you want to give it large and hence the hesitancy/lurchyness

I mean years ago the carbs used to have an acceleration jet to poor in more fuel, getting a bigger initial bang to get the thing moving

Now how they overcome this I have no idea, i mean the revs need to rise to draw in air on a NA engine surely, unless you fit a pressure fan on the inlet?, well Ideally a turbo will do for me, as presumably this will aid pick up by closing the waste gate at the same time as introducing new fuel

Anyone else heard of this or have any comments?????


Bushy