8L '04 DOA
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New Member
Joined: Jan 2001
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8L '04 DOA
I just took my 3 week old A8L 2004 into the shop becasue of blinking engine coolant light. They say they have to replace the whole engine. I am thinking they should replace the whole car.
Anyone have an opinion on the matter?
Anyone have an opinion on the matter?
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2003
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I'd demand a new car.
I had the same thing happen to me. In 1984, I bought a brand new Plymouth Voyager. The morons at the dealership neglected to replace the radiator cap when doing the pre-delivery check. The car overheated on the way home, and the engine had to be "rebuilt". I had all manner of problems with the car after that and was sorry that I accepted delivery at all.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Get rid of it if you're smart
Free advice:
Do whatever you can to obtain a factory buyback and get yourself a functional and reliable car. Your best ally will be the selling dealer although you will probably have to be "creative" to get their attention and convince them that they would be better off without you.
I did, and every time I read a post like yours, I give thanks that I am not stuck with one of these magnificent project" cars.
You should be able to search back on this forum read the saga of my 2004 A8L through its initial symptoms to the factory buyback. Some of the attention-getting techniques I was reduced to might still serve you and you will surely benefit from a review of my dealings with the Audi area representative etc.
Do whatever you can to obtain a factory buyback and get yourself a functional and reliable car. Your best ally will be the selling dealer although you will probably have to be "creative" to get their attention and convince them that they would be better off without you.
I did, and every time I read a post like yours, I give thanks that I am not stuck with one of these magnificent project" cars.
You should be able to search back on this forum read the saga of my 2004 A8L through its initial symptoms to the factory buyback. Some of the attention-getting techniques I was reduced to might still serve you and you will surely benefit from a review of my dealings with the Audi area representative etc.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Re: 8L '04 DOA
Replace the whole engine? Gee, isnt that the piece that makes the car GO?? It probably doesnt matter at this point what is going on that would render the engine useless but I would surely like to know. Many of us on this forum, including yours truly, have taken shots at Mercedes and BMW and I, for one, have learned a lesson. I am beginning to see similarities among the German manufacturers in terms of their need to over-engineer these cars. My message to them is to try and get the BASICS FIRST!! I dont mean to go off on a rant, as Dennis Miller says, but I am starting to wonder what we will be saying when our cars have some miles on them. Three weeks takes you WELL BEYOND the launch vehicle production. I dont think demanding a new car, at this point, will work. Audi wants a chance to fix it first and legally they do have that right AT THIS POINT in your particular situation. If you trust the dealer(whatever that means), give them a chance to make good(IMHO). The engine replacement might be the last issue with the car. Its no fun to experience this stuff with any car let alone a vehicle that is three weeks old from a company that portends not to follow. Let them lead you into satisfaction whatever path you choose and best of luck. Let us know.
greenie 6625
04 A8L silver/sabre
greenie 6625
04 A8L silver/sabre
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
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Believe me....
the dealer will never get it right, and you will always have one problem or another. Why? Their experience level with this car is extremely low, and only the factory can get it right (in your case - even the factory screwed up). The dealer will never route wires/hoses correctly, and will band-aid a lot of things. DEMAND A NEW CAR !!! OR A 10 YEAR 150,000 mile bumper to bumper (fully transferable) warranty.
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Whole engine??
I don't understand why the whole engine would need to replaced for a coolant leak. Giant hole in the block? Maybe they meant they had to pull the whole engine out to fix whatever is wrong. Either way, if it needs a whole engine for whatever reason, find out how long it will take to get one. I've only seen one 4.2 go bad. Car had 8,000 miles on it and something let loose on it. Audi pulled one from an A8 they were assembleing to get one to us. I think it took about a week or so to get the engine. I doubt they will replace the whole car for you, while I can understand why you want them to. Try to find out what exactly is wrong and let me know.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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3 weeks / new engine = new car or money back
Forget the dealer, and deal directly with Audi of America. They know your rights, but make sure you know your rights and demand nothing less.
Anyone who would accept a new new engine in their 3 week old $75,000 car is a sucker. There are no suckers on this board.
Anyone who would accept a new new engine in their 3 week old $75,000 car is a sucker. There are no suckers on this board.
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AudiWorld Senior Member
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I don't believe it...
what they (dealer) are saying is that your engine block is cracked. Or is the head cracked? did they do a pressure test on the system to determine this? is the oil milky? or is there oil in the coolant reservoir? did you at least check the coolant reservoir to see if you've lost coolant?
You need to take these matters up with the dealer to determine HOW and WHY they think the engine needs to be replaced.
make sure you call your Audi Advocate to discuss this matter immediately.
You need to take these matters up with the dealer to determine HOW and WHY they think the engine needs to be replaced.
make sure you call your Audi Advocate to discuss this matter immediately.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Wilbur by the Sea
Hard to believe it needs a new engine
I would get the details from the dealer, post them here and we'll help determine if you need a new engine or not.
If you paid 75K for a car, then I would have them put it in writing to you what is wrong, what is the recommended corrective action, and why it will fix it.
And I wouldn't trust an Audi dealer to change the engine. I would trust some of the people on this board to do it, but not the dealer mechanics. That's really sad that I write that, 'cause I would rather see them be able to do it.
Very hard to believe that this would require a new engine. Did the car overheat?
pw
If you paid 75K for a car, then I would have them put it in writing to you what is wrong, what is the recommended corrective action, and why it will fix it.
And I wouldn't trust an Audi dealer to change the engine. I would trust some of the people on this board to do it, but not the dealer mechanics. That's really sad that I write that, 'cause I would rather see them be able to do it.
Very hard to believe that this would require a new engine. Did the car overheat?
pw