Is my '02 A4q an unusual piece of junk, or just a piece of junk?

[George Tur]

On Saturday 22 January 2005 12:47 am, Jonathan Monetti wrote:
> I've been less than active on this list lately, and one of the reasons
> outside of a busy life is I've been stewing about my A4Q (1.8t).
>
snipped stuff....
My sister in law had a similar experience with her 00 A4Q. A constant list of 
items failing every few months. She got rid of the car when the interior wood 
trim started to delaminate and the dealer said that it wasn't a product 
default but more likely user abuse.

Anyway, one item in your list you should take a look at soon is the motor 
sound at idle and when it revs. Make sure it's not coming from the front of 
the engine where the timing belt is, if it's the pulleys for the timing belt, 
and they let go then you'll have bigger problems with the engine. Also the 
uneven heat could be a heater flap motor going bad. I've had similar problems 
on my V8 and the wife's A6Q and replacing the flap motor took care of it. If 
it's the heater flap motor that's acting up it should be generating an error 
code which the dealer should be picking up.

> -Heat is flaky.  Sometimes just adequate, sometimes melts the change in
> your pocket.  Dealer(s) say everything's fine.
> -The motor has gotten progressively rougher and louder at both idle and
> revs, to the point that I can hear it idle from twenty feet and can often
> hear the motor over the stereo while driving.  Sounds both mechanical and
> exhaust.

By the way, write a letter to Audi listing your problems and tell them that 
based on the dealer reaction you are never going to buy another Audi again. 
If enough people complain about the dealer service maybe Audi will push for 
better service.

George Tur
91 V8