2012 Audi A4 clutch gone!

[Mace001]

Hi,

I've got a 2012 A4 Avant with 52000 miles on the clock and have just been told by an Audi Centre they want £1450 for a new clutch! It went in for juddering when pulling off in 1st, initially they said it was the fly wheel.
This seems crazy to me. In the past I've run an 06 A4 avant for nearly 80k miles an never had a problem with the clutch, also a BMW 3 and Merc C and never had clutch issues. I've spoken to Audi UK who have opened a case but wondered if anyone had any useful advice / experience they could share.

Cheers

[lemonslap]

My 2010 S4 is just about to have a new clutch and flywheel at 52k too, same as you judder in 1st and reverse when pulling away. Make sure they replace the flywheel whilst they are in there and check for oil leaks.

[AGK]

Surely 2012 makes it less than 3 years + less than 60k so should be under warranty?

[silentbrown]

AGK said:

Surely 2012 makes it less than 3 years + less than 60k so should be under warranty?

Definitely. Flywheel would be covered, but clutch won't be covered beyond 6 months, as it's a "wear and tear" item.

However, I'd be surprised if they can tell that it's NOT the flywheel without stripping the whole thing down. I'd be doubly surprised if they changed the clutch without changing the flywheel, at which point you can't prove that it was (or wasn't) the clutch.

52K seems very low mileage for clutch replacement. Maybe it's your driving style, OP - or that of a previous owner?

[va1o]

AGK said:

Surely 2012 makes it less than 3 years + less than 60k so should be under warranty?

Clutch is treated a consumable unfortunately

[burwoodman]

va1o said:

AGK said:

Surely 2012 makes it less than 3 years + less than 60k so should be under warranty?

Clutch is treated a consumable unfortunately

Agreed, but it's not good enough is it. Then again, and no slight on the OP, the number of lazy drivers i see riding the clutch! I can see why the garage is baulking

[Jerry Can]

provided you bought your car from a main audi dealer, and that you have adhered to the service schedule also within the main dealer, and provided that you maintain a cordial relationship with your dealer, then there is a better than average chance that audi's goodwill policy will kick in. You will still pay probably around £400 for the repair, but that is better than the original price quoted.

hopefully you will see this as a good result and not rage against the fact that the 'clutch should never have gone at 50k miles.... I have a 1982 metro that went to the moon and back on 1 clutch, it's bloody day light robbery/ audi are wkers/ never buy an audi again" type of customer.

[Dr G]

I agree with Jerry Can entirely

[bigjobbo]

We had a gentleman only last week that picked up his new vehicle and didn't even make it home. The car had done less than 15 miles, the clutch was dust. No defect, just user error.

[silentbrown]

bigjobbo said:

The car had done less than 15 miles, the clutch was dust. No defect, just user error.

That's quite some user error. Had he never driven a manual before?

[Dr G]

Seen similar; young lad with an RS4.

Clutch was scrap in about 30 minutes.

[BorkFactor]

How is that even possible??

[Condi]

I suspect that mine is going the same way. 2010 with 78k. Considering how many of those were, and still are, motorway/distance miles Im not overly impressed.

[chunkythebulldog]

Just been googling clutch problems on A4's and come across this thread.

One of my company cars clutch has just gone. A4 in question is 2 years 5 months old and only done 24k miles. Audi dealer saying wear and tear and driving style are the fault. £2302.92 they have quoted for the repair. When I told them I'll never deal with the dealership or Audi again I got the comment back "what you do after the lease expires is of no concern to me Sir" this came from the After Sales Manager, After Sales Mangler more like.

[va1o]

chunkythebulldog said:

Just been googling clutch problems on A4's and come across this thread.

One of my company cars clutch has just gone. A4 in question is 2 years 5 months old and only done 24k miles. Audi dealer saying wear and tear and driving style are the fault. £2302.92 they have quoted for the repair. When I told them I'll never deal with the dealership or Audi again I got the comment back "what you do after the lease expires is of no concern to me Sir" this came from the After Sales Manager, After Sales Mangler more like.

Unfortunately VAG dealers these days seem to be almost universally poor. There is a certain degree of arrogance particularly from Audi that given their cars currently sell so well they don't need to bother with basic customer care.

[Jonwm]

chunkythebulldog said:

Just been googling clutch problems on A4's and come across this thread.

One of my company cars clutch has just gone. A4 in question is 2 years 5 months old and only done 24k miles. Audi dealer saying wear and tear and driving style are the fault. £2302.92 they have quoted for the repair. When I told them I'll never deal with the dealership or Audi again I got the comment back "what you do after the lease expires is of no concern to me Sir" this came from the After Sales Manager, After Sales Mangler more like.

My colleague had a clutch go at 14k lease company got it done under warranty, that was a 2012 model, maybe they were particularly weak at this time in production

[Steve Baker]

2013 (63) A4 Quattro. Judder when pulling away and vibration through gear lever when crusing. At 35,000 miles (10 months old), DM flywheel failed, replaced plus clutch under warranty. I think I had been living with the initial symptoms for a long time. Only mentioned it as it was in for service.

[oneladyowner]

Hi

I was wondering what the outcome was with audi and the clutch?

I know this is an older discussion but I'm hoping someone can help

2013 A4 S line Audi 30000 mile, had from new, with same symptoms as this post, going to garage on Monday but already pre warned it's not likely to be under warranty. Grew up with a mechanic father so know more about DONT ride the clutch and knock we out of gear! Than I do about make up. Drove minis and Bmw Peugeot to 90000 mile and my first car at 17 drove around the clock ! And never abused a clutch. Find this incredulous!

Any info would be greatly appreciated

[Jerry Can]

it may not be under warranty, but will be under goodwill if it has a full audi sh. You should get something like 70% of the parts paid for and some of the labour. I would anticpate a bill of around £250 once you've argued your case. Just make sure you push for goodwill, and state that you have full sh. Not sure on full price cost but probably close to a grand

[M3mattw]

That is uncanny, my partners car is going in Monday for new clutch and flywheel. 2013 A4 Avant S Line 2.0TDI. Went in with a judder when pulling away. They investigated it, thrashed it, which apparently they do to try and dislodge any random contaminants. it was then worse. They booked it in for tomorrow with my partner along with a quote for £1500 for new clutch. I have a good relationship with the dealer having bought many cars over the years for my family and they are going to make sure it is sorted under warranty. I suspect it is a flywheel issue which would be covered and they have to change the clutch at the same time. I was concerned when she initially brought it home after the first visit with the quote as had they took the car in and spent all day pulling it apart and deemed it the clutch and not warrantable we would have been offered the option of paying up £1500 or the bill for them putting the car back together with the faulty parts.

I think the key with this is just to talk sensibly to the dealer and try to reach an agreement which benefits both.