Audi - decline in material quality
Discussion
I’ve got a 2020 Q7 and I echo the prior criticism of quality; plastics in particular are poor, trim fitment - insulated electrical wiring protruding into cabin (tucked this back into the trim myself but same issue was also on my partner’s 2021 A5) and cabin rattles aplenty. Engineering doesn’t seem to be par with the BMWs I’ve had as well, example that comes to mind is; tire pressure is monitored via ESC monitoring wheel rotations, a less reliable (and cheaper) solution than the in tire sensors other German brands use.
I’ve also gone through 3 different service centres looking for a properly done job, including the one mentioned above which scratched my Q7 very obviously and refused blame, replaced only 2 bolts of 9 on the under tray of my partners prior A3 and didn’t do a PDI on a prior Q2 which we found out when the wipers wouldn’t clear the windscreen when a sudden rainstorm hit us at motorway speeds - that one genuinely scared me. I now travel to Carlisle to avoid the dealerships in the newcastle area.
Audi UK have been very good in my experience though, provided a Q5 free of charge for 3 months during delivery delays.
I’ve also gone through 3 different service centres looking for a properly done job, including the one mentioned above which scratched my Q7 very obviously and refused blame, replaced only 2 bolts of 9 on the under tray of my partners prior A3 and didn’t do a PDI on a prior Q2 which we found out when the wipers wouldn’t clear the windscreen when a sudden rainstorm hit us at motorway speeds - that one genuinely scared me. I now travel to Carlisle to avoid the dealerships in the newcastle area.
Audi UK have been very good in my experience though, provided a Q5 free of charge for 3 months during delivery delays.
I would have to agree with some of the comments on here. Also it is the little things where I feel Audi do not invest. The shift paddles on my RS5 were terrible cheap plastic items, which they clearly used across the whole range. Even when you get up to the R8, without extended leather, those interiors do not hold up to likes of Aston, Porsche etc..
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I had my first Audi in 1977, it was a Audi Super 90 , column change, mates had Ford Cortinas, capris etc everyone loved the Audi , the build was lovely. Then I had a A6 2.4 Manual, Okish not such difference to Fords then , Suspension bushes squeaked for a past time but it was reliable & comfortable enough. I've had a TTRS Mk 2 for the past 21/2 years, Engine is really good but trim is appalling, you have to be so careful when opening (or attempting ) the Bonnet as the handle just shears off 3 on mine so far, apparently the Glove box lid is the same fate but is a dash out to refit, hardly use the glove box or the car for that matter. No the interior "Looks the part" but its no wher near as good as they were , steady downward slope as far as VFM . Wont be getting another VAG group car...
(Small phone, old eyes lol)
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(Small phone, old eyes lol)
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Edited by Gerradi on Tuesday 18th May 18:15
Don’t forget Porsche owned by VAG too and even Bentley!
My 2008 Audi TT got through a bonnet lever and assembly once a year, I bought a 2011 Cayenne same part number and within a month of buying it snapped.
My Cayenne in 2 years has got through 2 sets of window drivers door buttons all plastic.
After 6 years the plastic nob on the speedo which no one ever uses broke.
The plastic fuel cap on my TT Broke, plastic parts on mirror broke, various plastic parts of the interior.
The cheap plastic ruins VAG I honestly believe that’s why they relatively cheap after a few years old.
I would never buy a VAG car over 5 years plastic braking all the time just ruins the car and feel like you are driving a heap of sh@t
My 2008 Audi TT got through a bonnet lever and assembly once a year, I bought a 2011 Cayenne same part number and within a month of buying it snapped.
My Cayenne in 2 years has got through 2 sets of window drivers door buttons all plastic.
After 6 years the plastic nob on the speedo which no one ever uses broke.
The plastic fuel cap on my TT Broke, plastic parts on mirror broke, various plastic parts of the interior.
The cheap plastic ruins VAG I honestly believe that’s why they relatively cheap after a few years old.
I would never buy a VAG car over 5 years plastic braking all the time just ruins the car and feel like you are driving a heap of sh@t
fourstardan said:
Is it me or are cars in general now all overpriced and of s
te quality.
I recently had an MG4 and would put it along par with an A3.
The badge is beginning to mean fk all now it really is.
Yup. I had an 2021 MG 3 on loan whilst my car was in for repair and that thing had steering feel and standard equipment that embarrasses anything from Germany.te quality.I recently had an MG4 and would put it along par with an A3.
The badge is beginning to mean fk all now it really is.
It's not just Audi who've slipped in quality (Chinese made chain gear failing at 40K anyone?) you should get in a modern BMW!
I don't know what the Germans are playing at. Terrible aesthetics (BMW especially) and low rent interiors.
I know of 1990s Audis, Mercs and BMWs that creak and rattle less than the current stuff.
I don't think we are being 1st world whiney b1tches, far from it. German cars have always been marketed as "The ultimate driving machine" and "If only everything in life was as reliable as a VW" so we have certain expectations for the money they charge.
And the less said about main dealers, the better. I think it's about time consumers had the option of buying direct from the manufacturer and cut out the dealership farce. So long as genuine parts are used, independent servicing ought to be good enough to maintain the warranty.
Having said all that, German cars annoyingly have a certain something about them, which creates a love/hate relationship. For all their faults, I love them, foolishly. I am sucked into their ecosystem like Apple have sucked me into theirs. Shame on me!
I've always been a BMW fancier, and I still am. But only if you discount anything made in the last 10 years. I'm not even 50 yet, but in "my day" BMW stood for sporty chassis setup, classic lines, highly functional and solid interiors, RWD, natural aspiration and the famous straight-six engine. Now BMW stands for oversized grilles and making as many models as they can possibly find potential buys for. Forget any of the driving dynamics, the classic lines and the focus on RWD. I understand why they have embraced forced induction but it's still a terrible shame.
Audi is now all about bling and not about solid dependability that it used to stand for. I happen to own 2006 A4 Avant 2.0T which I wouldn't have bought for myself. I bought it for my mother who no longer needs it due to being in a better place now. But it's useful as the proverbial "tip run" car, it's relatively low mileage at about 69k and it has very little value to sell so why not run it? It's boring. But it goes and it stops and it also fits my golf clubs. But one thing I can definitely tell you is that there's no "imagine". I don't know if it could be ordered as an option. I wouldn't fancy a car with a pasticky interior and that's what nearly every modern car comes with now. Shiny plastics. Wraparound screens or ipads glued to the dash. Sound Symposers. Which is why all of my cars are more than 10 years old. The instrument clusters actually have instruments in them.
Do modern Audis come with imagine from the factory? I bet they don't!
Audi is now all about bling and not about solid dependability that it used to stand for. I happen to own 2006 A4 Avant 2.0T which I wouldn't have bought for myself. I bought it for my mother who no longer needs it due to being in a better place now. But it's useful as the proverbial "tip run" car, it's relatively low mileage at about 69k and it has very little value to sell so why not run it? It's boring. But it goes and it stops and it also fits my golf clubs. But one thing I can definitely tell you is that there's no "imagine". I don't know if it could be ordered as an option. I wouldn't fancy a car with a pasticky interior and that's what nearly every modern car comes with now. Shiny plastics. Wraparound screens or ipads glued to the dash. Sound Symposers. Which is why all of my cars are more than 10 years old. The instrument clusters actually have instruments in them.
Do modern Audis come with imagine from the factory? I bet they don't!
LunarOne said:
I've always been a BMW fancier, and I still am. But only if you discount anything made in the last 10 years. I'm not even 50 yet, but in "my day" BMW stood for sporty chassis setup, classic lines, highly functional and solid interiors, RWD, natural aspiration and the famous straight-six engine. Now BMW stands for oversized grilles and making as many models as they can possibly find potential buys for. Forget any of the driving dynamics, the classic lines and the focus on RWD. I understand why they have embraced forced induction but it's still a terrible shame.
Audi is now all about bling and not about solid dependability that it used to stand for. I happen to own 2006 A4 Avant 2.0T which I wouldn't have bought for myself. I bought it for my mother who no longer needs it due to being in a better place now. But it's useful as the proverbial "tip run" car, it's relatively low mileage at about 69k and it has very little value to sell so why not run it? It's boring. But it goes and it stops and it also fits my golf clubs. But one thing I can definitely tell you is that there's no "imagine". I don't know if it could be ordered as an option. I wouldn't fancy a car with a pasticky interior and that's what nearly every modern car comes with now. Shiny plastics. Wraparound screens or ipads glued to the dash. Sound Symposers. Which is why all of my cars are more than 10 years old. The instrument clusters actually have instruments in them.
Do modern Audis come with imagine from the factory? I bet they don't!
I'm 51 and have owned many VAGs and BMWs from the early 90s to current.Audi is now all about bling and not about solid dependability that it used to stand for. I happen to own 2006 A4 Avant 2.0T which I wouldn't have bought for myself. I bought it for my mother who no longer needs it due to being in a better place now. But it's useful as the proverbial "tip run" car, it's relatively low mileage at about 69k and it has very little value to sell so why not run it? It's boring. But it goes and it stops and it also fits my golf clubs. But one thing I can definitely tell you is that there's no "imagine". I don't know if it could be ordered as an option. I wouldn't fancy a car with a pasticky interior and that's what nearly every modern car comes with now. Shiny plastics. Wraparound screens or ipads glued to the dash. Sound Symposers. Which is why all of my cars are more than 10 years old. The instrument clusters actually have instruments in them.
Do modern Audis come with imagine from the factory? I bet they don't!
Objectively, the newer cars are much better to drive than the old stuff, but subjectively speaking, the current stuff just isn't in the same league in terms of emotion, perceived quality and ownership experience.
The E39 M5 is arguably one of the finest all round cars ever made. Similarly, the UR Quattro and the 80 Quattro Sport, Audi 90 from that era were just leagues ahead of the Vauxhalls and Fords of the time. Built like tanks. But now, the same cannot be said. The Germans vs the others gap has closed massively. It's all homogenised stuff now and complete dilution of the M and RS heritage by sticking M and R & S line badges onto everything.
Dynamically, BMW still have the edge over VAG imo. You can't beat RWD and uncorrupted steering for a purer driving experience and to this day, all of their cars (apart from their cr@ppy EVs) are still 50/50 weight distribution.
Audi still win on interiors though. The RS6 and R8 interiors are gorgeous. BMW and Mercedes, meh.
For me personally, it's the main dealerships that ruin the German car ownership experience.
From BMW dealers wrecking my brake calipers from shoddy brake fluid changes and leaving oily finger prints on my seats and steering wheel, to VAG dealers charging me £1000 for a rear brake job when it just needed pads, it just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Not what you want or expect when paying £700 for a BMW 24 month service.
That is why I do my own interim maintenance and just let the dealers only do the scheduled stuff to keep the history going.
Are we too demanding as consumers now, or have standards just slipped so much that incompetence and over pricing is the norm?
rottenegg said:
Are we too demanding as consumers now, or have standards just slipped so much that incompetence and over pricing is the norm?
Definitely incompetence and over-pricing, the push to extract profit from every part of the organisation had led to dealers losing focus on doing a good job.Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff