Just picked up my car from the dealership since AOA won't pick up the tab on replacing my blown steering rack. For clarification, my car has been out of warranty for 3 months now. I have 44,900 miles on the car. This problem started while it was still in warranty, but I never had the time to bring it into the dealership and it wasn't nearly as serious as it is now. I was told my the dealership that since my warranty expired recently, I could most likely get it fixed on a goodwill warranty basis from AOA. The dealership that I take my car to has always been great with mods. They are across the street from the school I went to for undergrad, and a great number of cars that they work on are from the students at the university. A LOT of the cars are modified. Lately though, it appears that Audi is breathing down their necks. Anyways, my car is lowered on Bilsteins and Neuspeed sport springs. The ones with a 1.3" drop. AOA told me that their policy is ANY modification to a car, even with Audi Boutique parts, voids the warranty. Totally contradictory to the Magnusson-Moss Act, but oh well. They also claim that lowering the car changes the angle of the tie rods, and that caused the failure of my steering rack. $787 for a new steering rack, $22 for steering fluid, $368 for labor. My car has been lowered for about 8 months now.
Well, I'm definitely never buying a VAG car again. Both my dealership service manager and my independent Audi mechanic have told me that AOA is jerking my chain. The lowering and the angle of the tie rods has nothing to do with a steering rack failure. Both of the dealerships that I go to regularly tell me that AOA is breathing down their necks on mods. The one closer to my parents' home says that Audi is pressuring them to not work on modified cars at all. Even if I pay out of pocket, they will not repair my car. I don't see how a company that puts out an image of having sporty cars for enthusiasts can put forth these policies. They've definitely lost a customer here. I'm a 22 year old medical school student that has been a huge Audi enthusiast and was looking forward to owning many Audis in the future. AOA can bet now that not only will I not buy another Audi, but I will also recommend against Audis to my friends and colleagues. The reliability on this car has been terrible. Failures have ranged from blown turbos to broken door handles, broken B pillars, failed instrument clusters, failed water pump, and MANY other things. The repair history has been extensive. This is NOT what I expected from a higher end German sports sedan.

 

and we would still buy another one.

 

but DANG IT, it is ridiculous how many things have broken in this car. I take REALLY good care of it too and I don't drive hard often. The car has never seen the track. My family has had MUCH better experiences with our Mercs and BMW. The Lexus has so far been bulletproof.

 

that really sucks.What are the symptoms of a blown steering rack?I think I might have this problem

 

Popping noises as you steer while driving at slow speeds.

 

Totally Agree!!! No more Audis for me, either.

 

For the amount you are paying for Audi. You should expect more.

I could really care less about how nice the car looks (well not totally true, I will never buy an asstek.) But if the car breaks down left and right. You got to wonder why you spent so much money on that unreliable POS! Dealer service is nothing to brag about among lux makers. All you got is a car that's unreliable, expensive to fix (if you can get them to fix at all) but looks good.

Bad deal if you ask me.

I will check out 540i for my next car...

 

Say that again!!! Even if YOU pay them they won't repair it??????

 

Exactly. They want the car reverted to stock suspension.

 

so many long-time enthusiasts saying they will never own Audi again and will recommend against Audi to anyone that asks. Definitely not the way to treat your most vocal customer base.