audi problems

[twisted2fit]

Hi all,

Bought a 2005 a6 3.2fsi quattro autobox from a main dealer a little over a year ago....the warranty just ran out. Its only done 30k miles. It started running rough and rattling and a warning light came on. Took it to the dealer and he says the timing chain needs to be replaced and its an engine out job so its going to cost in the region of £3000.00 pounds. I nearly fell off my chair!!!

I have read of probs with the vw r32 unit but my understanding is the 3.2fsi is a different engine. Im not happy about paying that kind of money for the failure of what should be a non-serviceable item particularly at such a low mileage. Just looking for any info or tips on progressing things and if this is a known problem.
My wife is using the Exige for work:-(...women drivers dont know if i trust them;-)

K

[Victor Meldrew]

Phone Edinburgh Audi for a fixed price service including timing chin.. they sometimes do discounts for older cars. I am assuming when you say dealer you mean Aberdeen Audi? shop around, I don't think all the Audi garages are the same franchise.

Also try Star performance in Glenrothes, that is the Audi specialist that did the timing chain on my S6. I wasn't cheap but it was half the price you have been quoted, and that's a front end of the car off job for an S6.

If you go the start performance route, you might as well get it chipped at the same time, it will still be cheaper probably... best of luck.

[CSK_423]

Did you post this on Pistonheads aswell ? If not someone else has the same probs !

What was the reason given for replacing the chain, stretched ???

I would be contacting Audi and pointing out that the car has only 30k miles on the clock and it's 1yr AUC warranty has only just expired. You've paid a premium for an Audi car and expect audi quality, if that wasn't the case you would have saved your pennies and looked at the ford and Vauxhalls in the market.

I don't know if this is a serviceable item or if it lasts the life of the car, 75k miles/5yrs has been spoken about (based on the age this may go against you) if it's a non serviceable item you've got a better case.

I think you're always going to pay something for the repair but highlighting that you've paid for quality and not got it may help in the form of a discount.

[twisted2fit]

thanks guys for the tips. Ive posted on pistonheads as well. Its my wife's car...shes really upset about the whole thing. Shes been struggling with the exige a wee bit as its come as a rude shock to the system after an A6 autobox:-) Ive also written to whatcar and emailed audi directly. My understanding is the timing chain is a non-serviceable item.

[twisted2fit]

thanks guys for the tips. Ive posted on pistonheads as well. Its my wife's car...shes really upset about the whole thing. Shes been struggling with the exige a wee bit as its come as a rude shock to the system after an A6 autobox:-) Ive also written to whatcar and emailed audi directly. My understanding is the timing chain is a non-serviceable item.Will be interesting to see how audi respond....if it were a kia it would be still under warranty:-)

[DavieK]

have you tried to price it at any other places rather than the main dealer ?

Specialist cars were going to be £800 or so to do the belt on my audi as it required the front end to be dismantled. Old local garage in Stuartfield did it for £470 i think it was.

[tonyg]

Try Aberdeen Volkscentre (in Kingswells) - very knowledgeable with VW and Audi's.

Told my boss about them and he takes his Audi there all the time now - first time he took it there they pointed out that Specialist Cars had fitted the wrong rear discs during a service

[ClarkyBoy]

you might want to try Elliot Walker at Walker motors in oldmeldrum, i use him for all my audi stuff - he specialises in all Audi/VW group etc, good guy very knowledgable and handy! PM me if you want his number

[Andy G]

I know Josh, who works with Ali at SLS is X-Audi. Maybe he could help?

[twisted2fit]

Thanks guys:-) Will let u know what audi say and get back to u guys:-) Spoke to the volks centre....they sounded a lot cheaper:-)

[GregR]

Odd - my 54 plate RS6 had to have the front end off for a timing belt service and that came to £2,100 - that was with it on the ramps for three days thanks to a leaky water pump that had corroded one of the tensioner bolts - so £3k seems a touch steep for that car. Audi are well into applying an 'RS tax' too which shouldn't apply to your car. Audi dealers are all different franchises, with Edin, Glasgow and I think Stirling all part of the Lomond Group for example.

I'm interested to know more about the point CSK makes in relation to it being non-servicable item and having a better chance. If you had a warranty then I can see the relevance (interestingly my all component warranty excluded non-servicables) but otherwise not sure what the story is here.

Sorry I can't help more. I remember Audi telling me that timing chains (unlike belts) are in there for life so I'd be well miffed if it had failed

[Mike Scib]

I remember Audi telling me that timing chains (unlike belts) are in there for life so I'd be well miffed if it had failed

Not sure if they fail Greg (sure they could) but they do stretch over time so will need replaced sometimes.

Another for Star Performance, they carried out all the work on my S3.

[Chris G]

Have you spoken to audi yet about the fact that this component has failed early and has not met it's design life? If the car has a FASH then this will put you in a better place.

They may be willing to contribute to the cost of the repair - maximum I have ever received for a repair on a car out of warranty was 40% of a gearbox replacement that cost £1700. They can do this and at also at VW as well - but it is at their discretion. I would be writing to Audi as well!

[dlogan]

Thanks guys:-) Will let u know what audi say and get back to u guys:-) Spoke to the volks centre....they sounded a lot cheaper:-)

Try Bavaria Auto Werke as well. I like to use Volks Centre for my Mk5 golf, but when they quoted main dealer money for a timing belt change on my golf gti, I went to Bavaria for over £100 cheaper.

[twisted2fit]

thought id give u guys an update. Audi are saying that they will contribute to 40% of the cost and the dealer will reduce their labour charges to 70-75 pounds an hour. I have asked for that in writing but said I think they should pay for everything;-)

What do u guys think is their offer fair?...not sure what to do