I hope to read about your most infuriating dealer experience (Audi replacing absolutely everything on your car while you have their loaner doesn't count...looking at you Edzzed), or their best attempt to separate you from the contents of your wallet.

Car's in shop; persistent tiny coolant leak is not hitting ground...can smell the coolant cooking off engine cases; EGR related, surely. I mention an annoying engine whine noise that varies with speed of engine. I suspect it relates to the idler pulleys or alternator pulley not getting replaced when alternator was swapped out by selling dealer...possibly the PCV diaphragm is busted (a TSB item related to engine noise) I didn't tell them it's been making the noise since I picked up the car from dealer a year ago, just to see what they would come up with on their own. Dealer tells me noise is the A/C compressor, they've got one in-stock, and for the low buy-in of only $3500 they'll swap it out and recharge the system. I'm not now, nor have I ever had any A/C problems with the car...red flags started popping up all over. The small leak, they say, is at the EGR coolant bypass valve, and not covered via warranty; that'll be $2300 and we'll get right on it for you. I say, "send me the validation pics of leak and walk-around video of the car with A/C running and then with A/C off. They seemed a bit shocked I would question or ask for proof of the validity of their diagnostics. A prior Audi shop never did find the leak, even when i told them where to look and what tool to use, but they were awfully quick to suggest I pay them $2200 to "go through the 'system' all the way down to the cases to figure it out."

I could feel my anger rising and the "Audi Eye Twitch" manifesting; Nope, so not worth it...I picked my car up. Runs great, everything works fine, I carry a bottle of coolant premix to top off reservoir if needed, and check levels weekly. Cost: $26 for a gallon of concentrated, special-good, violet colored, Euro-style coolant, diluted down w/distilled water in a gallon-sized water jug. A single, full strength gallon of coolant dilutes down to make several gallons, and is a much better value than buying a gallon jug of the 50/50 premix for nearly the same cost. You always pay dearly for convenience.

I wasn't born yesterday, folks. I DIY my own cars, and I know when something is broken or not, and what is a minor concern vs a major concern that requires immediate preventative action or repair. Be careful out there in Audi-dealer land, as they can talk a good game. Go and support your local indie German car repair shop if you need help, or just to get a second opinion, if you don't know much about cars.

 

I've had several Audi Dealer eye-tick moments over the years. We all know about the issues caused by clogged sun roof drains, but years ago when I had a 2005 A8L this was not common knowledge. The passenger's foot well would fill up with water after heavy rain or when going through a carwash. There is an ECU down in the footwell and it would get totally submerged. At the time I thought it might be a leaking windshield cowl / bulkhead but wasn't sure. The idea that it could be clogged sun roof drain tubes didn't occur to me as I always kept the car stored indoors and spotlessly clean. I pulled out the carpet and dried everything and then put down a rubber floor mat with raised edges to collect the water until I could get the issue resolved. I went to the dealer and they looked things over and didn't see anything wrong, they said it was likely the AC core housing drain had maybe plugged up but was clear now so no issues. At the next rain storm I collected nearly a gallon of water out of the rubber floor mat. Back to the dealer I go, this time I asked them specifically to check the sun roof drain tubes, they used compressed air to try and clean them out - but it did not work. They raise the car up, and start looking for the drain tube exits...finally found them above the transmission...could barely see them with a flashlight. These stupid tubes are not open at the bottom, they are sort of folded shut, the idea is that the folded ends act like a one-way valve allowing water to drain down and out, but not allow water in from below. Well the tube folds on my car must have been formed while the rubber tube was hot because they were sealed up. The dealer cut them open and all was good. They then said that will be $220, at which point I said - "no...this is a manufacturing defect and my car is still under warranty". They then said...."well....you didn't buy your car from our dealership" At this point I was boiling red-faced angry....but kept calm...and said..."I am not paying that, and I'm going to contact Audi North America" and walked out. I called and emailed Audi several times about this and told them they owed it to their customers to take care of this issue, and that they needed to add this potential issue into the owner's manual as a preventive maintenance item. I had many phone calls with Audi representatives and pounded on them to do the right thing, eventually they agreed that it was not my issue. A few weeks later, Audi issued a 1-page addendum A8 owners to add to their manuals about this issue. Strike up a win for the little guy.....!