New TT delivered, catalogue of woes...
Discussion
Good luck with this OP!
I don't get how anyone can sell a brand new car at this price and not be absolutely perfect in every way, or fall over backwards to make it right immediately.
Weeks to fix? If you can spot all these issues in 23hrs and 700mls that is all the time it should take to fix them by a competent Audi engineer.
And if they can't, return it.
Dave
I don't get how anyone can sell a brand new car at this price and not be absolutely perfect in every way, or fall over backwards to make it right immediately.
Weeks to fix? If you can spot all these issues in 23hrs and 700mls that is all the time it should take to fix them by a competent Audi engineer.
And if they can't, return it.
Dave
It's obvious the MMI does not work. But that seat is shocking. If that's the accepted build quality of a modern Audi, I can't see the rest of the car holding together for long.
I was asking my wife about a new car for her, one of these with the DSG/S-Tronic box was at the top of the list. With this in mind does anyone know if the BMW Z4 or Mercedes SLK are due to be updated?
Good Luck.
I was asking my wife about a new car for her, one of these with the DSG/S-Tronic box was at the top of the list. With this in mind does anyone know if the BMW Z4 or Mercedes SLK are due to be updated?
Good Luck.
Around 15 years ago I had an old 80 V6 Avant, the local dealer was friendly and helpful. I have a 10 year old A4 Avant quattro now, the dealers look down their nose at it. I wouldn't buy a new car from them now, I've seen them taking the piss out of their customers behind their backs.
blade7 said:
Around 15 years ago I had an old 80 V6 Avant, the local dealer was friendly and helpful. I have a 10 year old A4 Avant quattro now, the dealers look down their nose at it. I wouldn't buy a new car from them now, I've seen them taking the piss out of their customers behind their backs.
It would appear from this thread that they're happy to take the piss out of you to your face as well. My experience of audi customer service isn't great but nothing compared to the OPThe last time I went to Audi in Leeds I wasn't impressed. A quite aloof and hostile feeling was projected by their staff, and I was just looking at a used 2.0 tfsi TT for the wife.
I assume this is part of their brand image.
Maybe if they were selling nice cars then fine, but 99% of their stuff is fed 4 banger diesels.
Why people buy them when they're apparently so useless is beyond me.
Treat them mean keep em keen approach? The cars must be good if they treat me with such contempt?
I assume this is part of their brand image.
Maybe if they were selling nice cars then fine, but 99% of their stuff is fed 4 banger diesels.
Why people buy them when they're apparently so useless is beyond me.
Treat them mean keep em keen approach? The cars must be good if they treat me with such contempt?
Mr Whippy said:
The last time I went to Audi in Leeds I wasn't impressed. A quite aloof and hostile feeling was projected by their staff, and I was just looking at a used 2.0 tfsi TT for the wife.
I assume this is part of their brand image.
Maybe if they were selling nice cars then fine, but 99% of their stuff is fed 4 banger diesels.
Why people buy them when they're apparently so useless is beyond me.
Treat them mean keep em keen approach? The cars must be good if they treat me with such contempt?
I think it's because their brand is aspirational, same as most German manufacturers. You could buy the equivalent ford or other less 'prestigious' brand car that's probably better for less money but instead get a gutless 4 pot diesel that sounds like a tractor from Audi/BMW/Merc so your neighbours think you're doing well for yourself. As such their cars don't require a great deal of selling and the sleek aluminium and glass, everyone wearing sharp suits look is in keeping with this.I assume this is part of their brand image.
Maybe if they were selling nice cars then fine, but 99% of their stuff is fed 4 banger diesels.
Why people buy them when they're apparently so useless is beyond me.
Treat them mean keep em keen approach? The cars must be good if they treat me with such contempt?
It's why whenever I go to my local Audi dealership I don shorts and flip flops or grubby dog walking jeans and a hoodie. The staff can't contain their looks of contempt and the other punters look at me like I'm lost.
djc206 said:
It's why whenever I go to my local Audi dealership I don shorts and flip flops or grubby dog walking jeans and a hoodie. The staff can't contain their looks of contempt and the other punters look at me like I'm lost.
I do this. Imagine a baby-faced 24 year old in joggers, hoodie and scruffy trainers booking his RS3 in for a service. It's a good feeling 
Mr Whippy said:
The last time I went to Audi in Leeds I wasn't impressed. A quite aloof and hostile feeling was projected by their staff, and I was just looking at a used 2.0 tfsi TT for the wife.
I assume this is part of their brand image.
It's not a brand thing though, it's a staff (or possibly dealership) thing. I had a similar "on yer bike" experience once at a local BMW dealers and I won't darken their doors again. Also abominable after-sales "care" from a Midlands Audi dealer.I assume this is part of their brand image.
But my nearest Audi dealer has always been welcoming and helpful, no matter how much of a unkempt timewasting scumbag I happen to be resembling at the time. And it works, because I've just ordered my first ever new car from them. Not a TT, though...
I have said it before , my experience of their cars and the comments here and in other forums is that Audi are supported by a group of acolytes , who see not much further than the nice plastic on the dash and will brook no criticism of the brand , the brand it's self is a triumph of marketing over substance !
The telling stats can be seen in any reliability survey you care to mention. Although recently the Q3 has faired much better but generally Audi have the worst reliability record of any major brand, although in historical terms cars are streets ahead of products just few years ago. The Japanese and Korean manufactures have this area of car production sown up , of course the acolytes will always come up with survey sample of one , showing their car has done 100k miles with out so much as a new lamp , LOL I have experience of 3 Hondas that between them have covered in excess of 300k mile none of them has had a single new lamp ! But that is nonsense in this context.
But yes the dealers are a total let down , lots of shiny steel and glass but very little beyond that, in my experience so far.
The telling stats can be seen in any reliability survey you care to mention. Although recently the Q3 has faired much better but generally Audi have the worst reliability record of any major brand, although in historical terms cars are streets ahead of products just few years ago. The Japanese and Korean manufactures have this area of car production sown up , of course the acolytes will always come up with survey sample of one , showing their car has done 100k miles with out so much as a new lamp , LOL I have experience of 3 Hondas that between them have covered in excess of 300k mile none of them has had a single new lamp ! But that is nonsense in this context.
But yes the dealers are a total let down , lots of shiny steel and glass but very little beyond that, in my experience so far.
Looks like Audi customer service has gone downhill. I had similar issues with MMI and the car failing to start when I bought my A6 in 2007. Same day the issues occurred Audi took the car away and Audi Uk gave me a new Q7. My car was gone for 2 weeks and came back fixed. Parkland Audi gave me good service.
If I was the OP, I would definately be going in all guns blazing, but not to the dealer, I would go to Audi UK as he has now done.
I think he should formally reject the car with a proper solicitors letter quoting the relevant part of SOGA.
Also keep going with the social media
If I was the OP, I would definately be going in all guns blazing, but not to the dealer, I would go to Audi UK as he has now done.
I think he should formally reject the car with a proper solicitors letter quoting the relevant part of SOGA.
Also keep going with the social media
Its interesting isn't it ? Audi generated an Apple-like aura of being the item to have, better than the rest etc.
This was all part of a plan to become a volume manufacturer and make lots of money. Their "mission statement" a few years ago was to beat BMW. They have succeeded.
The cost of that is a drop in quality. About 12-13 years ago a mate joined a dealer as a tech. They rarely had enough warranty work for 1 guy in the workshop full time, engines simply didn't need to be taken apart.
Now ? the yard is strewn with cars with problems, engines out or in bits, gearboxes the same. He reckons its as bad as when he was at Vauxhall in the mid 90s with the Vectra B, which was not a great car.
Worse still there are problems that are very hard (or impossible) to fix, like the OP's.
Or Audi make his life difficult, his aim is to repair the car and return it to the customer in perfect condition. For example a wiring defect that required the headlining to be removed for access, which requires the removal of the grab handles. Previously, grab handles can be removed by unscrewing them. Now, they are held in with plastic push clips - cheaper manufacture and easier to fit in the factory. The only way to remove the handles is to pry them out with a screwdriver, potentially marking the handle and/or headliner around the handle.
He has scores of issues and problems that would put you off the brand for life. Sure, he sees the worst of it, but these things were not happening 10 years ago.
The other thing he sees is the impact of the brand PR. Two groups in particular confuse him
1) Those desperate to own the brand. They take horrendously expensive finance deals to get in a base spec car, then book it in for service and ask not for it to be washed (fine - the Eastern European sponge monkeys may not take care with your P&J) but they actually ask for a cheaper service due to no wash, then when they drop the car off casually ask if someone can "chuck a bucket of water over it". Reality is they're up to their eyeballs to fit in and attract admiring glances whilst they drive their white TDI around.
2) Those who have believed the PR and see Audi as the finest vehicles on the road. They buy because they truly believe they are buying the highest quality possible. Of course, they suffer problems with the cars and assume that this is rare and seeing as they paid so much that Audi will back their product and help them out. Of course they don't, leading to the most heard expression at the service desk "I don't expect this of an Audi". You can understand their point of view, but sadly Audi are no different to any other volume manufacturer - Ford, Vauxhall, Renault - whichever.
Apologies for the stereotypes, I don't wish to offend, its just a general impression of the Audi driving public.
My guess is the fashion will move on to Mercedes, who appear to be looking to increase their market share. Audi can they go one of two ways - either get back to the high quality of 20 or so years ago or continue to cost cut in order to maintain their profit.
Far as the OP goes, its clear that he's not the only one with these issues. If the dealer and Audi continue to suggest that its his individual vehicle, then maybe they'd like to explain all the other people with the same problems ? Which point to a more fundamental issue with the design/manufacture of the model. Either way, I don't see the car as being acceptable until the issues are fixed. Good luck!
This was all part of a plan to become a volume manufacturer and make lots of money. Their "mission statement" a few years ago was to beat BMW. They have succeeded.
The cost of that is a drop in quality. About 12-13 years ago a mate joined a dealer as a tech. They rarely had enough warranty work for 1 guy in the workshop full time, engines simply didn't need to be taken apart.
Now ? the yard is strewn with cars with problems, engines out or in bits, gearboxes the same. He reckons its as bad as when he was at Vauxhall in the mid 90s with the Vectra B, which was not a great car.
Worse still there are problems that are very hard (or impossible) to fix, like the OP's.
Or Audi make his life difficult, his aim is to repair the car and return it to the customer in perfect condition. For example a wiring defect that required the headlining to be removed for access, which requires the removal of the grab handles. Previously, grab handles can be removed by unscrewing them. Now, they are held in with plastic push clips - cheaper manufacture and easier to fit in the factory. The only way to remove the handles is to pry them out with a screwdriver, potentially marking the handle and/or headliner around the handle.
He has scores of issues and problems that would put you off the brand for life. Sure, he sees the worst of it, but these things were not happening 10 years ago.
The other thing he sees is the impact of the brand PR. Two groups in particular confuse him
1) Those desperate to own the brand. They take horrendously expensive finance deals to get in a base spec car, then book it in for service and ask not for it to be washed (fine - the Eastern European sponge monkeys may not take care with your P&J) but they actually ask for a cheaper service due to no wash, then when they drop the car off casually ask if someone can "chuck a bucket of water over it". Reality is they're up to their eyeballs to fit in and attract admiring glances whilst they drive their white TDI around.
2) Those who have believed the PR and see Audi as the finest vehicles on the road. They buy because they truly believe they are buying the highest quality possible. Of course, they suffer problems with the cars and assume that this is rare and seeing as they paid so much that Audi will back their product and help them out. Of course they don't, leading to the most heard expression at the service desk "I don't expect this of an Audi". You can understand their point of view, but sadly Audi are no different to any other volume manufacturer - Ford, Vauxhall, Renault - whichever.
Apologies for the stereotypes, I don't wish to offend, its just a general impression of the Audi driving public.
My guess is the fashion will move on to Mercedes, who appear to be looking to increase their market share. Audi can they go one of two ways - either get back to the high quality of 20 or so years ago or continue to cost cut in order to maintain their profit.
Far as the OP goes, its clear that he's not the only one with these issues. If the dealer and Audi continue to suggest that its his individual vehicle, then maybe they'd like to explain all the other people with the same problems ? Which point to a more fundamental issue with the design/manufacture of the model. Either way, I don't see the car as being acceptable until the issues are fixed. Good luck!
djc206 said:
It's why whenever I go to my local Audi dealership I don shorts and flip flops or grubby dog walking jeans and a hoodie.
I didn't realise I had to dress up . When I bought my A4 it was a one owner full Audi history car, it was due a minor service so I thought I'd get another dealer stamp. Half an hour waiting for an audience with the service advisor and then his attitude changed my mind. That and the realisation full history meant little chance of any goodwill from Audi in the future.
Edited by blade7 on Sunday 1st March 13:03
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