car trouble (NSR) experts needed

[gh444]

i beg for your advice.

I drive a fully loaded '02 Audi AllRoad. I bought it Certified Pre-Owned 8 months ago. 36k miles.

When i brought it home, i discovered that multiple faults codes in the computer had been tripped. I took it in immediately and had them checked out. the service departments response was that the car had 'no problems'. Ok, I can except that. When i bought the AllRoad, it had a large scratch in the passenger side door. As a condition of sale, this was to be repaired and painted. They painted it the wrong color. So the vehicle needed to be returned to the shop for two additional days. Shortly after that my transmission light came on. The car needed a new torque converter. They replaced it under warranty. A few weeks ago, the rise/lower light in the tack came on solid and the car wouldn't rise. After a few days of letting the car sit (i was six+ hours from the nearest audi dealership at the time) the height adjustment system began to work again. I drove the car home slowly and carefully. I made an appointment for this morning and dropped the car off. The passanger side airbag (suspension) has a large leak and needs to be replaced. They said this would be covered under warranty. But while inspecting the car, they found that the cv boots are cracked, spewing fluid and need to be replaced in the front. This however isn't covered. they quoted me a $520 fix.
So to summerize, the car has had 6 issues in 8 months and it was supposedly Certified. I am yet to see the 300+ point checklist. they keep giving me the run around on that but they have been very pleasant to work with.
I've considered trading in the vehicle but i'm still WAY UPSIDE DOWN. I can't take huge bath on this thing. I worry constantly about the reliablilty of the vehicle because of my consistant long distance travels in primarily bad weather.

suggestions on how to handle this?

-aaron

p.s. I live in CA.

[A-wreck]

My name is Aaron and I live in California too.


Does that help?

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

Buy a Toyota and enjoy it while your attorney takes care of the vehicle situation.

And don't ever buy an Audi again. Or a Volvo. Or a Saab.

[gh444]

i can't afford another car if i still have to pay for this one. and i don't have an attorney.
an no i won't be buying another german car again....

[Joey Bag O' Donuts]

A-

What stealership did you go to? Mission Viejo, Newport Beach? How long is the extended warranty for. IMO, the whole CV boot is bullshit and should be covered. I have a mechanic in Dana Point, who is very good, he works on VW, just don't know if he works on Audi. It's called the Performance Haus

Adam

[gh444]

commonwealth at the 55 and the 5. I think (i have to check) that if i have work done by someone other than the dealership, upholding the warranty becomes a problem. Do you know this guy personally? is it ok to just give him a call to hear his opinion?

-aaron

[warthog]

Can't help you with the rest, but the CV boots are cake. If you have to cover it yourself, then do it yourself. It is a dirty job, but you could do it for under $100(with the right tools).

Or, if that is too much, look into how much two new CV axles will be (right and left side). Make sure they are the right aftermarket ones for your vehicle. Labor on installing an entire CV axle is actually less than replacing just the boot, but a dealer would never tell you that. I think most axles are around $100 each, but this might be a bit more, being an Audi.

The third option is throwing a split boot over it, and hoping for the best. These things usually suck for offroading, but might be fine for daily driving. They are prone to getting dust in there, and screwing up your CV axle. Road driving should be fine, though. Chances are, your CV axle already has some dirt in there killing it, so what the hell. Just cut the old off, zip these on, and grease the living hell out of them and yourself(sorry, it IS a messy process). These will require a periodic check to make sure the grease is staying put. Should buy you some time. Just listen for strange grinding noises and squeeks. That is your CV axle telling you it is time to be changed.

Unfortunately, I think you might have just discovered why the last owner let her go. Sorry.

edit- Don't let them strongarm you. If they don't cover it, they can't void coverage. They won't do the work for free, so you have the right to do it the cheapest way. Plus, if they won't cover CV boots(which most definitely should have been caught in any inspection- Mass quantities of grease in places they shouldn't be, are really noticeable) they won't cover any drivetrain parts that commonly wear out. Would you have them do your brakes too? If so, get used to getting bent over, cause they own you.

[Hutch]

find a reputable non-dealer to do everything but the warranty work. search on the audiworld.com forums for your area.

The CPO inspection is bullshit. It's just an extended warranty.

I have a 2001 CPO allroad and I bet I've had $5k in repairs covered (including torque converter and suspension air compressor), less than $1k in 2 years that I had to pay for myself (brakes, tie rod ends). Don't think I'll ever own a car like this without a warranty!

That said, itsounds like you've only got one issue that you have to pay for? could be worse.

I think the car is reliable - you haven't been left on the side of the road, have you?

[stayalert]

cars are the devil

1) find an audi internet web forum and ask...while you're there ask them about (nar) skiing advice

2) I had a friend that had an audi once, it was very reliable. one day when the sky was blue he said "oh look the sky is blue"

what are the chances? 2 aarons from CA????

[jryoung]

The CV boot issue is BS, that was and probably is in the checklist. All you can do is be extremely firm with them, and elevate the issue to the next superviser. Unfortunately many auto shops will just push the customer into paying for serivice they don't need or get them to pay for something that should be covered by warranty.

Read your warranty very carefully, and try and gain any bit of ground you can stand on, if you push back hard enough they will most likely give, generally it's the threat of small claims court. A pain in the ass, and an unfortunate way of doing things, but you shouldn't be forced into paying for something you had certified/warrantied.

In hindsight, I know this is no help to you now (it may be to others though), but this is the reason I stayed away from the All-Road, reliability reports just weren't there. It's a damn sexy car and looks great on the surface, but when they break, they'll make you broke. I couldn't afford that risk, so I got an ultra hot Lexus RX300, at least all the MILFs in town want to be my friend.

[freshies]

good advice here, fight them tooth and nail...

(and get a Subaru next time, cheaper and more reliable IMO - I have owned both and Suby much more reliable, just not as sexy - well, not anymore, really, the new XT 2.5 is pretty cock )

[Joey Bag O' Donuts]

commonwealth at the 55 and the 5. I think (i have to check) that if i have work done by someone other than the dealership, upholding the warranty becomes a problem. Do you know this guy personally? is it ok to just give him a call to hear his opinion?

-aaron

Don't know him personally, just know that he has always been fair and honest when working on my VR6 (Been servicing my car for 2+ years now). It's worth a shot on giving him a call to see if he works on Audi. Just explain your situation in regards to the dealership bending you over backwards, and what suggestions he might have. Their number is 949-493-3571 ask for Gary

[gh444]

I am definitely listening. I'd get tough with them but i'm worried that it could blow up in my face if the car needs future work. I'm researching fraud and lemon laws in CA.

-aaron

[Cono Este]

This is why I like a stripped down truck with nothing on it but a windshield that can break.


Live and learn, and be glad most of it is being covered by the warranty. Look to dump it when its running well. Audi also has that comprehensive service plan, but i swear that they skip half the items to be checked. Bottom line, the dealership is the last place/mechanic to trust. Thats how they make their dough.

[gh444]

Joey bag O-

I called Gary, super friendly and he had some good advice. He however doesn't work on audi.

I'll let you guys know how it goes, I'm on my way to the dealership now!

THANKS!!!


-aaron

[serge944]

What are you doing wasting your time at this forum? http://forums.audiworld.com/allroad/

[Joey Bag O' Donuts]

Well, was worth a shot. Good luck mang

[Stone-Free]

The CPO inspection is bullshit. It's just an extended warranty.

I will attest to this. Having worked a Ford Dealership for half my life, I will tell you that it's a marketing tool. The inspection process of a CPO car consists of a $10/hr guy walking around the car as fast as he can checking off things he 'inspected'. Thats the certification inspection you get. 20 minutes tops (with a shakedown drive). Its a pretty soy formality really. Then, the dealer pays an 'Aquisition' fee to Ford, Audi, whomever- and they sell you a car with additional warranty coverage at 3 times the $$$ you'd pay in the finance office for a regular extended warranty policy.

The customer gets the illusion that the car is a better buy than the other used cars on the lot, but you are actually getting a car for $3K more than a like used car. But maybe with an Audi, you need that additional coverage.

Quit fucking around and go buy a Subaru....

[Hutch]

What are you doing wasting your time at this forum? http://forums.audiworld.com/allroad/

he found that forum.

http://forums.audiworld.com/allroad/msgs/179076.phtml

cool guys there.

[mrw]

Oh man, this dredges up my BMW nightmares. I drove them for 15 years and never once did they break for less than $1000.

I am now driving a Jetta TDI. This has been the most trouble free car i have ever owned.

I am really over cars.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

I'll let you guys know how it goes, I'm on my way to the dealership now!

No you're not, it says you're still online.

Seriously, though - talk to the sales manager and the customer service supervisor (if the dealership is big enough to have both.) Sit them down and explain exactly what is going on and how you feel about it. You'll probably get told to fuck off, but once in a while they might just suprise you. Worth a shot. If that doesn't work out, a few hundred bucks worth of letter writing skills from a decent attorney should get this moving in the direction you'd like it to go (if not fix it altogether.) Maybe some of our CA legal mags can chime in about it.

[uglymoney]

Oh man, this dredges up my BMW nightmares.

Ford nightmares for me. It took me a few years to actually believe people when they told me tales of Honda's and Toyota's and Subaru's that would run for years without much more than minor maintenance. Now that I own, I now believe. Its actually enjoyable to maintain a car that doesn't always need fixin...

[Jax]

...I drive a fully loaded '02 Audi AllRoad. I bought it Certified Pre-Owned 8 months ago. 36k miles....

Only 36k miles and there are this many issues? Did you run a carfax prior to purchase? While I agree Audi Allroads can certainly have their share of issues, something sounds funky about the types of issues you are having this early in the game. Either you (or the previous owner) drove it like you stole it or you have a lemon. What types of codes are you reading? Did the shop run OBDII or VAG-COM? Did you see the codes personally or did the shop just 'clear' them and send you on your way?
I've got an '01 6-speed Allroad, and just this year alone- actually, since February- I've put 25k miles on it. It does require a lot of necessary maintainence, though, in order to run at it's peak But the end return has been great for me. Audi's are not cheap to maintain, but when given the proper care they are quality cars.
I must say, it is a very reliable car, looks better than any stupid-roo on the road IMO. The seats and interior are comfortable and beautiful; it just *feels* right when I drive it. And with kick ass snow tyres the car is a friggin' sled.

Also, I was broadsided by a stupid person last month while driving it and am alive today because it was an Audi. That said, my next car to replace it will be another Audi. Own a Land Rover for awhile, and the problems you have with your Audi will seem like nothing in comparison.

That said, I still own an old-school F150, just in case the shit hits the fan.

Check your battery terminals, too, seriously. If you visit the Audi forums, you'll read a lot about ppl leaving their car to sit for a few days while they are out of town, only to come back and either A). it doesn't start or B). it runs but all kinds of wierd stuff goes on, especially with electronics. For whatever reason, sometimes the battery connectors loosen themselves up. I read about this and didn't believe it. Then it happened to me. I thought I needed a new battery when it didn't start. I checked the connectors...bingo.

Good luck with it and let us know what you find.

Cheers,

Jax

[4matic]

I am definitely listening. I'd get tough with them but i'm worried that it could blow up in my face if the car needs future work. I'm researching fraud and lemon laws in CA.

-aaron

Lemon law will not apply to a used car. Perhaps contact the area manager for Audi and tell them you are starting an "Audi Sucks" website.

[gh444]

update:

i went to the dealer and through their trying to continually bullshit me, was able to convince them how it was in their best interest to replace the cv boots at no cost, and 're-certify' the car which i understand to mean that they will be going back through the car and redoing their "300 point" inspection.
they also supplied me with a rental car for the next twenty four hours.

when i hear from them tomorrow, I'll make decisions based on what they come to me with.

If anyone has any further suggestions on how to pressure them to get me out of the car, I'm all ears.

-aaron