[Biturbos4] Audi screws up

[Quincy Chiang]

> I currently have a 2000 S4 and a 2004 A4 (and a 911 for special summer
> days and track). 
> 
> I've owned four Audis, 2 Porsches and 1 bug recently.

Nice lineup!

> 
> I've convinced at least half dozen others to buy Audi's over the past
> few years.
> 
> You'd think that Audi would value customers like me - perhaps they do
> but they've got some incredibly incompetent dealers out there 
> (case in
> point Owasco Audi in Whitby, Canada) that don't seem to understand 
> thatAudi was on the brink of failure not too long ago and can 
> easily get
> back there.
> 
> After replacing 3 wheel bearings after 3 trips to the dealer they
> insisted that I didn't need the 4rth. Finally after listening to it
> scream on the highway (fortunately near my Porsche mechanic) I had him
> take a look at it - he confirmed that it had been in need of 
> replacementfor some time and did a wheel alignment 'gratis' that 
> he said the dealer
> should have done. This explained the two bald tires in the rear. 
> 
> When I went back to the dealer (Owasco) they refused to pay for the
> wheel bearing part under emergency warranty terms outlined in the
> extended warranty. They also refused to do anything about the 
> tires they
> ruined by not doing a wheel alignment. 
> 
Sorry to hear about crap service like that.

> I've gone to them twice now about a problem with the front 
> differential- not sure if others have had this problem but when 
> it's cold it seems
> to engage and disengage sporadically through initial sharp turns. They
> seem clueless on this one as well. Then again these are the same 

The front diff is a simple open type, I don't think it engages/disengages like you say.  Perhaps it's the CV joints or other problems?

> moronsthat refuse to include the spare into the rotation during tire
> rotations.

If your stock tires are directional then they will NOT include them in the rotation.  It's standard practice.

> 
> Have to go back there to for the recall notice but the warranty is 
> up in
> February so won't be seeing this dealer again. I will be sending a
> demand letter though and if Audi doesn't step in and make it right 
> I'llsue - just for fun.
> 

Unless your control arms are making noise and failing, they probably won't replace them.  That seems to be what other people are experiencing with their dealers.

> The timing is interesting as well since I was just got the appointment
> to the top job at my firm. Guess which auto maker isn't going to make
> the list of eligible company cars. Right now it looks like Benz, 
> BMW and
> some Japanese competitors will round out our new list. 
> 
> Anyone have any suggestions for non-Audis that should go on the 
> list. I
> want my staff driving, quality cars, that provide saftey and a bit of
> fun and want to support car companies that still believe in customer
> service.
> 

Depending on where you are and how much you read into various car forums, BMW and M-B can have equally bad or worse dealer services across North America.  If you want tp[ notch customer service, then you're better off with Lexus and Infiniti, they are bar none the best in the business.  Acura is pretty good too.  However I personally have a hard time going back to Japanese cars after having a few German cars (Audis).

Congrats and good luck with your new job!

Quincy