By any chance has this been addressed or fixed on the 2012's FSI? Can't believe they are still selling these cars with such a widespread issue. Gives me doubts on buying a new 2012 S-Line.

I'm sorry to ask this dumb question, but how would you know that you got a carbon built up in your engine? is that when the engine lights come on? and usually the dealership will tell you that you got a carbon built up in your engine?

I'm just curious, cause I have 36k in my 2010 Q5 3.2, and it gets serviced every time its due, but I never encountered the dealer telling me anything about carbon build up in my engine. Or does this happened only on a 2.0T?

The CEL will come on and stay on. Then the dealer breaks the news to you. Then you cry. :(

This is one of the main reason why I switched to the Lexus.

Very sad to see all the negative replies. If you love the Q you will keep it and do what you have to to maintain it. No other crossover is like the Q which, is why I chose it. I have 46,000 on my 09 3.2. If I need to do a carbon clean every 40-50k I am ok with that.

If you can afford to replace your Q every 3 years go for it. The 09 Q is one of a kind and the newer years seem to have more rattling issues and I do not like servotronic steering either.

Thank you!

I miss my 2009. Wish I kept it. The interior materials are better and the heated seats work much better too!

you have to consider one thing before switching... carbon build up are caused by the gasoline you use and the driving condition.
I'm not a sales rep for Chevron, but I've been using that brand for a long time and never had issues with carbon build up... always use a top tier gasoline to prevent carbon build up.

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

Here's what Audi recommends:

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/o...uirements.html

Mine is as solid as ever!
 

+ 1

I have 40+k miles on my 2010 3.2 and it drives as solid as ever. I drive an average of 350 miles on highway/winding road/secondary road and dirt, only on week-ends, mixing driving styles and never get tired, so much I enjoy driving it.

When the time comes I will just deal with it, in the meantime I will continue loving everything about it!

Yes, but were all your other cars Direct Injection? DI is a very different beast to port injection - fuel quality is not what causes carbon on the back of the inlet valves.