A4 Cabriolet Problem ...Any advice?
Discussion
I've got a Audi A4 2.0 tdi Cabriolet - It's a 2007 model purchased via contract hire - got it delivered 30th May 2007.
The car is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), something that removes soot from the exhaust fumes and then burns it off cleanly.
My car seems to have a dodgy particulate filter.
Over the last few weeks (car has only done 3000 miles) I have been getting the warning symbol on my dash, then the engine management light/coil light - then the car goes into limp home mode, i.e. no turbo and reduced power output.
I've driven it in to Audi like that once - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...2 days later the light was back on...a few days after it falls into limp home mode.
I've then had it recovered again - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...few days later the light is back on...few days later back into limp home mode.
Today I've had it recovered back to dealer.. now they say that they will regenerate the DPF but have run tests on it and there is 'no fault' with the filter...but the way I drive! Due to this they will no longer regenerate the filter for me free of charge. If the filter subsequently fails I am to be charged for a new filter - regardless of warranty!
Apparently I do not do enough motorway driving to enable the filter to clean itself out (I use the motorway once a week, otherwise mainly city driving).
Any ideas on what I should do? I've already spoken to the supplying dealership to request that the car gets a proper look at...waiting for them to call me back on Monday.
Can I reject the car?
The car is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), something that removes soot from the exhaust fumes and then burns it off cleanly.
My car seems to have a dodgy particulate filter.
Over the last few weeks (car has only done 3000 miles) I have been getting the warning symbol on my dash, then the engine management light/coil light - then the car goes into limp home mode, i.e. no turbo and reduced power output.
I've driven it in to Audi like that once - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...2 days later the light was back on...a few days after it falls into limp home mode.
I've then had it recovered again - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...few days later the light is back on...few days later back into limp home mode.
Today I've had it recovered back to dealer.. now they say that they will regenerate the DPF but have run tests on it and there is 'no fault' with the filter...but the way I drive! Due to this they will no longer regenerate the filter for me free of charge. If the filter subsequently fails I am to be charged for a new filter - regardless of warranty!
Apparently I do not do enough motorway driving to enable the filter to clean itself out (I use the motorway once a week, otherwise mainly city driving).
Any ideas on what I should do? I've already spoken to the supplying dealership to request that the car gets a proper look at...waiting for them to call me back on Monday.
Can I reject the car?
Just had a read through this...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
As 'burnunit' said:
Just had this very problem myself on a new VW Crafter van
As we work in london the filter warning light would come on every couple of days meaning that we had to drive at 50mph for 20 mins to clear it!
Ever tryed to do 50 for a whole 20 mins in london? Its just not possible so we left it a bit but then the engine manegement light comes on and your then in limp home mode!!
Lucky for us the vans were on hire so we gave them back but we did have 2 ordered for march so we cancelled them, sorry VW but we`re now getting good old Transits
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
As 'burnunit' said:
Just had this very problem myself on a new VW Crafter van
As we work in london the filter warning light would come on every couple of days meaning that we had to drive at 50mph for 20 mins to clear it!
Ever tryed to do 50 for a whole 20 mins in london? Its just not possible so we left it a bit but then the engine manegement light comes on and your then in limp home mode!!
Lucky for us the vans were on hire so we gave them back but we did have 2 ordered for march so we cancelled them, sorry VW but we`re now getting good old Transits
RayArm said:
Apparently I do not do enough motorway driving to enable the filter to clean itself out (I use the motorway once a week, otherwise mainly city driving).
What a load of crap you have been fed!Astonishing!!
INSIST their Master Tech looks at it immediately.
INSIST they provide a replacement vehicle of equal quality.
PHONE Audi Customer Line and report this cowboy dealership.
Thanks for replying mate.
I've spoken to the supplying dealership this morning, Basingstoke Audi. Will call them again on Monday.
The dealership that told me that i'm not driving it properly is Birmingham Audi, aka the largest dealership in Europe!
The replacement vehicle I got this morning was a Citroen Xsara Picasso in Red.... I promptly dropped this back to Audi and got my keys back. (nothing wrong with Citroens but it's not what I pay for monthly).
They wouldn't give me an Audi as courtesy because i'm 24... not old enough to have an Audi courtesy according to them! Will be speaking to Audi Customer Services about this on Monday.
Thanks again for your help
I've spoken to the supplying dealership this morning, Basingstoke Audi. Will call them again on Monday.
The dealership that told me that i'm not driving it properly is Birmingham Audi, aka the largest dealership in Europe!
The replacement vehicle I got this morning was a Citroen Xsara Picasso in Red.... I promptly dropped this back to Audi and got my keys back. (nothing wrong with Citroens but it's not what I pay for monthly).
They wouldn't give me an Audi as courtesy because i'm 24... not old enough to have an Audi courtesy according to them! Will be speaking to Audi Customer Services about this on Monday.
Thanks again for your help
RayArm said:
I've got a Audi A4 2.0 tdi Cabriolet - It's a 2007 model purchased via contract hire - got it delivered 30th May 2007.
The car is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), something that removes soot from the exhaust fumes and then burns it off cleanly.
My car seems to have a dodgy particulate filter.
Over the last few weeks (car has only done 3000 miles) I have been getting the warning symbol on my dash, then the engine management light/coil light - then the car goes into limp home mode, i.e. no turbo and reduced power output.
I've driven it in to Audi like that once - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...2 days later the light was back on...a few days after it falls into limp home mode.
I've then had it recovered again - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...few days later the light is back on...few days later back into limp home mode.
Today I've had it recovered back to dealer.. now they say that they will regenerate the DPF but have run tests on it and there is 'no fault' with the filter...but the way I drive! Due to this they will no longer regenerate the filter for me free of charge. If the filter subsequently fails I am to be charged for a new filter - regardless of warranty!
Apparently I do not do enough motorway driving to enable the filter to clean itself out (I use the motorway once a week, otherwise mainly city driving).
Any ideas on what I should do? I've already spoken to the supplying dealership to request that the car gets a proper look at...waiting for them to call me back on Monday.
Can I reject the car?
Well the story you've been given by the Audi dealer is in fact correct.The car is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), something that removes soot from the exhaust fumes and then burns it off cleanly.
My car seems to have a dodgy particulate filter.
Over the last few weeks (car has only done 3000 miles) I have been getting the warning symbol on my dash, then the engine management light/coil light - then the car goes into limp home mode, i.e. no turbo and reduced power output.
I've driven it in to Audi like that once - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...2 days later the light was back on...a few days after it falls into limp home mode.
I've then had it recovered again - they regenerated the DPF and returned the car to me...few days later the light is back on...few days later back into limp home mode.
Today I've had it recovered back to dealer.. now they say that they will regenerate the DPF but have run tests on it and there is 'no fault' with the filter...but the way I drive! Due to this they will no longer regenerate the filter for me free of charge. If the filter subsequently fails I am to be charged for a new filter - regardless of warranty!
Apparently I do not do enough motorway driving to enable the filter to clean itself out (I use the motorway once a week, otherwise mainly city driving).
Any ideas on what I should do? I've already spoken to the supplying dealership to request that the car gets a proper look at...waiting for them to call me back on Monday.
Can I reject the car?
The filter will block unless you operate the engine as described...
A few decent runs on an evening and day off should ensure no future problems, but let's see what happens when they run some tests - if the filter is a faulty unit then they will sort it for you.
I do not think it is grounds for rejecting the vehicle, inconvenient as it has been for you the dealer will do their best to have you up and running properly asap.
AD.
I'll phone basingstoke tomorrow...if they aren't helpful then will give wolverhampton a shout mate. Will let you know what happens.
Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
RayArm said:
I'll phone basingstoke tomorrow...if they aren't helpful then will give wolverhampton a shout mate. Will let you know what happens.
Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
Got same car, also on contract hire. I had the light come on too, I read the manual and it pretty much said what the dealer said, so took it on to the ring road, gave it some welly for 10 mins and problem solved.Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
I'll keep an eye out to see if it's a recurring problem.
RayArm said:
I'll phone basingstoke tomorrow...if they aren't helpful then will give wolverhampton a shout mate. Will let you know what happens.
Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
If no joy and you're to be in the north, I'm in Carlisle Audi. We'll look if you're passing by although I understand if you're nowhere close!Drybeer, the problem I have is that i've been told to take it on a motorway run for a constant 30 minutes, at 50 mph once a week or the car will have problems again. This is fine if I had the time, but it's not practical for me.
I think it is a dodgy filter as the warning light was back on after only 30 miles of additional driving since the last regeneration of the filter. The problem is Audi who are saying that they have run tests on the filter and it is working perfectly fine.
Lets see what Basingstoke says.
No sweat RayArm, do it at soon as you can to get a technical answer to feed back to Audi.
But pleased the damn light is not back on, to date!
Frankly, to expect you to drive the car onto the motorway, once a week at a certain speed is ludicrous.
I have strange visions of Audi drivers with your engine type, clogging up the motorways to keep their filters clear
But pleased the damn light is not back on, to date!
Frankly, to expect you to drive the car onto the motorway, once a week at a certain speed is ludicrous.
I have strange visions of Audi drivers with your engine type, clogging up the motorways to keep their filters clear
RayArm said:
They wouldn't give me an Audi as courtesy because i'm 24... not old enough to have an Audi courtesy according to them! Will be speaking to Audi Customer Services about this on Monday.
Frankly, that's a load of rubbish. One of my best friends has a 2004 A3 2.0TDI, he's 21 and regularly gets Audi courtesy cars (last one he got was A4 Avant 2.0 TDI). On one occasion the dealership said they didn't have any courtesy cars, so he kicked up a fuss and ended up with a 1.8 TT for over a week - and this is when he was 20. Just put your foot down, they're just feeding you rubbish at the moment.Well the warning light is back on as of 3 hours ago! (Tuesday 9pm)
Well it's broken again...this is the timeline:
- went to dealers on Saturday afternoon with limp home mode and ecu warning lamp - dealer regenerated DPF
- I actually took the car on the motorway on Sunday evening for 10 miles around 60 mph constant
- Monday, I drove to and from my office (8 mile there and 8 mile back)
- Tuesday, I drove to and from my office (16 miles) and another 8 miles to my folks.
So that's 60 or so miles of driving, including 10 miles of motorway driving then. and 4 days. The car is now asking me to take it for a joyride on the motorway so it can clean itself...this is a joke.
Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday i'm pretty much on my office and back schedule...and am too busy for any other kind of driving really...so am expecting another limp home mode drama.
Will be contacting Basingstoke Audi in the morning to collect the car, within the next 3 days...provide me with an same model replacement whilst they figure out that it is 'actually' faulty!
If they come back and tell me to go on maintenance drives every 4 days i'm going to go to basingstoke and hand the keys back.
Will let you know what happens.
Well it's broken again...this is the timeline:
- went to dealers on Saturday afternoon with limp home mode and ecu warning lamp - dealer regenerated DPF
- I actually took the car on the motorway on Sunday evening for 10 miles around 60 mph constant
- Monday, I drove to and from my office (8 mile there and 8 mile back)
- Tuesday, I drove to and from my office (16 miles) and another 8 miles to my folks.
So that's 60 or so miles of driving, including 10 miles of motorway driving then. and 4 days. The car is now asking me to take it for a joyride on the motorway so it can clean itself...this is a joke.
Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday i'm pretty much on my office and back schedule...and am too busy for any other kind of driving really...so am expecting another limp home mode drama.
Will be contacting Basingstoke Audi in the morning to collect the car, within the next 3 days...provide me with an same model replacement whilst they figure out that it is 'actually' faulty!
If they come back and tell me to go on maintenance drives every 4 days i'm going to go to basingstoke and hand the keys back.
Will let you know what happens.
Hi guys,
Car has now broken down as of 11:30 pm - is in limp home mode with lights flashing for ECU on dash.
I've been speaking to Audi all day as had anticipated this would happen. Have just checked my email and received a response from supplying dealer:
DEALERS RESPONSE
.....I have just spoken with my head of business and wanted to report back the next steps of action.
As we have only been a third party with regards to the supply of the vehicle, we never had the opportunity to qualify your needs and requirements. On this basis we are unable to “buy back” your vehicle. What we will do however is arrange for one of our drivers to bring a loan vehicle (this will be an Audi) up to you and swap vehicles over.
Once your vehicle is back at our retailer, we will REPLACE the DPF (not regenerate). This will effectively reset the vehicle to as it was on delivery, our technicians will run all appropriate checks before delivering it back with you. After this point it will be up to you to run and maintain the vehicle to the manufactures recommendations.
I will contact you tomorrow to arrange a suitable date and time to swap the vehicles over. I foresee us having the car for 2-3 days as the job is quite labour intensive.........
To which I replied the following
MY RESPONSE
Thank you for getting back to me.
The vehicle as of 30 minutes ago is in limp home mode with the coil and engine management lights flashing - I have just returned home for the night. Please phone me in the morning ASAP... I have been urgently trying to get a solution today to avoid being caught in this situation but it's already happened now.
With regards to your comments, I do not find your solution to be satisfactory at all - especially your comments regarding it being up to me to 'maintain the vehicle to the manufacturers recommendations' once you have returned the car to me.
This comment to me is an admission on your part that you understand that when the car gets back to me it will continue to have problems!! Driving the vehicle at 40 mph sustained for 15 minutes whenever the light comes on is noted as a fault in the manual and not as part of 'normal' driving or 'maintenance'.
You were not a '3rd party' in relation to the supply of the vehicle but in fact are both the supplier and financier. Basingstoke Audi supplied the vehicle and Audi Finance (VWFS) are the financiers. Wessex just put me in touch with you - they are brokers - they are the 3rd party! I spoke with you prior to delivery and with regards to confirmation of the specification. At neither point was any suggestion made of 'qualifying my needs and requirements'.
Taking note of what I have said this time, what solution do you propose???
I have shown a lot of patience with you, your Birmingham dealership, your roadside assistance and your customer services. I have been told that I have been mis-sold by your dealership and roadside but have remained calm but I have now had enough.
I am happy for you to take my car away for 3 days and replace the DPF as long as whilst my car is gone you leave me with as bare minimum an identical vehicle - cabriolet with same specification. I don't care what it takes but considering the amount of hassle I have been through already by you i'm sure you can understand my point of view.
If my car returns and has the same problems you will agree to take the vehicle back...its not a 'buy back' but a rejection with a refund or swap onto a petrol or diesel vehicle that is not a lemon.
I will be phoning you first thing in the morning as I am without a roadworthy vehicle again.
I'm happy for them to replace the filter but am worried that if problems continue afterwards Audi might try some maintenance based argument considering their email from today.
Any thoughts?
Car has now broken down as of 11:30 pm - is in limp home mode with lights flashing for ECU on dash.
I've been speaking to Audi all day as had anticipated this would happen. Have just checked my email and received a response from supplying dealer:
DEALERS RESPONSE
.....I have just spoken with my head of business and wanted to report back the next steps of action.
As we have only been a third party with regards to the supply of the vehicle, we never had the opportunity to qualify your needs and requirements. On this basis we are unable to “buy back” your vehicle. What we will do however is arrange for one of our drivers to bring a loan vehicle (this will be an Audi) up to you and swap vehicles over.
Once your vehicle is back at our retailer, we will REPLACE the DPF (not regenerate). This will effectively reset the vehicle to as it was on delivery, our technicians will run all appropriate checks before delivering it back with you. After this point it will be up to you to run and maintain the vehicle to the manufactures recommendations.
I will contact you tomorrow to arrange a suitable date and time to swap the vehicles over. I foresee us having the car for 2-3 days as the job is quite labour intensive.........
To which I replied the following
MY RESPONSE
Thank you for getting back to me.
The vehicle as of 30 minutes ago is in limp home mode with the coil and engine management lights flashing - I have just returned home for the night. Please phone me in the morning ASAP... I have been urgently trying to get a solution today to avoid being caught in this situation but it's already happened now.
With regards to your comments, I do not find your solution to be satisfactory at all - especially your comments regarding it being up to me to 'maintain the vehicle to the manufacturers recommendations' once you have returned the car to me.
This comment to me is an admission on your part that you understand that when the car gets back to me it will continue to have problems!! Driving the vehicle at 40 mph sustained for 15 minutes whenever the light comes on is noted as a fault in the manual and not as part of 'normal' driving or 'maintenance'.
You were not a '3rd party' in relation to the supply of the vehicle but in fact are both the supplier and financier. Basingstoke Audi supplied the vehicle and Audi Finance (VWFS) are the financiers. Wessex just put me in touch with you - they are brokers - they are the 3rd party! I spoke with you prior to delivery and with regards to confirmation of the specification. At neither point was any suggestion made of 'qualifying my needs and requirements'.
Taking note of what I have said this time, what solution do you propose???
I have shown a lot of patience with you, your Birmingham dealership, your roadside assistance and your customer services. I have been told that I have been mis-sold by your dealership and roadside but have remained calm but I have now had enough.
I am happy for you to take my car away for 3 days and replace the DPF as long as whilst my car is gone you leave me with as bare minimum an identical vehicle - cabriolet with same specification. I don't care what it takes but considering the amount of hassle I have been through already by you i'm sure you can understand my point of view.
If my car returns and has the same problems you will agree to take the vehicle back...its not a 'buy back' but a rejection with a refund or swap onto a petrol or diesel vehicle that is not a lemon.
I will be phoning you first thing in the morning as I am without a roadworthy vehicle again.
I'm happy for them to replace the filter but am worried that if problems continue afterwards Audi might try some maintenance based argument considering their email from today.
Any thoughts?
Edited by RayArm on Friday 24th August 00:30
Well it does sound as though you've been thoroughly unlucky with that particular particulate (ahem) filter.
In fairness to the dealer they've done the correct initial proceedure and regenerated the filter, and as you rightly say this has not proved to be a permanent fix. The next option is as they are doing to replace the unit.
There is no reason to suspect that the new replaced filter should be faulty - so although you've had a bad experience it does sound like the dealer is doing the right thing for you...
I've not had any DPF cars back with problems, so it's not an epidemic across the range. Don't lose faith -
Hope it's all OK for you when you get it back.
AD.
In fairness to the dealer they've done the correct initial proceedure and regenerated the filter, and as you rightly say this has not proved to be a permanent fix. The next option is as they are doing to replace the unit.
There is no reason to suspect that the new replaced filter should be faulty - so although you've had a bad experience it does sound like the dealer is doing the right thing for you...
I've not had any DPF cars back with problems, so it's not an epidemic across the range. Don't lose faith -
Hope it's all OK for you when you get it back.
AD.
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but.... This is a really interesting thread, I'll watch it with interest.
Our 170 Golf GT's DPF keeps throwing its' toys out out of the pram. We live in the country, and the car gets more than its fair share of use (16K miles PA, long and short journeys, A and B roads mostly) (We've been told that there's a pressure sensor at fault in the exhaust, and that replacing that will sort the problem) VW assist bloke attended today and took the car away for nearly 2 hours and when he returned it he said that the DPF was still partly blocked, and needed regenerating...
Just had a bit of a rant at the service dept, as they had the car all day on Friday to sort this out, they're ringing me when the sensor arrives...
Our 170 Golf GT's DPF keeps throwing its' toys out out of the pram. We live in the country, and the car gets more than its fair share of use (16K miles PA, long and short journeys, A and B roads mostly) (We've been told that there's a pressure sensor at fault in the exhaust, and that replacing that will sort the problem) VW assist bloke attended today and took the car away for nearly 2 hours and when he returned it he said that the DPF was still partly blocked, and needed regenerating...
Just had a bit of a rant at the service dept, as they had the car all day on Friday to sort this out, they're ringing me when the sensor arrives...
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