Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

well, Edmunds buying service deal does the same thing as Truecar (getting a quote/certificate), except Edmunds is on a specific car in stock (I thought Truecar was more generic?)

so I found one I liked, and requested/immediately got a certificate back, with set price, on that exact car. All I had to do was talk to the salesman (who called/emailed within a few minutes) and tell him I wanted it, and boom, deal set. Just had to go in and do paperwork.

I have only used Truecar to get an idea of what prices to shoot for, but never took the final step to send to the dealer.

ab348

robr2 said:

ab348 said:

If a MARATHONER became a vegan, which would they have to tell everyone about first?

Fixed that for you!!

Thanks, but I find either equally tiresome. Before I retired, there was a pack of them at work and all they talked about was running, the races they were thinking of entering, their injuries, you name it. Lots of work time wasted. Maybe that was part of what pushed me to retire.

I always wondered what was chasing all those runners.

robr2

ab348 said:

I always wondered what was chasing all those runners.

The grim reaper is what is chasing us. We like to try and extend our lives a bit.

driver100

OK, you gear heads...I need some information. My wife's 2013 AudiA4 just became 2 years old this month. My wife noticed the tachometer (it is a standard) would race ahead when she shifted gears.

Our daughter used the car for one day and she found it doing that, so she took the car into the service department.

They say it was wear and tear on the clutch and would cost $2000 to repair. Now, my wife has had almost all manual transmission cars and has driven them for decades with no problems. This car is only driven half the year and has 10K miles on it. I have never heard of a clutch wearing out that quickly. I have driven all kinds of old cars and never had to replace a clutch.

Part of my email to the sales manager says:

Our daughter took the car in to your service department and they say the clutch is gone, and will cost $2000 to repair - wear and tear! This is ridiculous. ________ has driven standards for decades and we have never had a problem with a clutch.

It is totally impossible that the clutch wore out through wear and tear! I'll be writing to every consumer association I know of if I don't get a satisfactory answer. I can also assure you it will be our last VW/Audi product we will ever buy.

Let me know what you find out,

Any other thoughts......................?

Mr_Shiftright

Well no one can really say what the problem is until they examine the clutch and pressure plate. If something fell apart in there, that should be Audi's dime. I think that if a) they find no defect, and b) if you engage them firmly and often, you might get a 50/50 compromise on it.

I mean, you CAN burn out a clutch in 10,000 miles. It is not inconceivable, but you'd have to be a pretty careless driver. I'd imagine that your wife doesn't do too many burnouts, which leaves only the habit of riding the clutch, very aggressive downshifting, or using the clutch to hold the car on hills. Even then, you have to wonder.

I wonder if you can put a spacer on the clutch slave and take up the slack/wear on the clutch disc?

Also have you driven the car to verify the problem? Easy test---drive up to about 25 mph, then dump it into high gear and step on the gas--this will load the engine and if the clutch is bad, it will surely slip.

venture

I haven't had a manual transmission car in a long, long time, but aren't there any adjustments anymore?

Mr_Shiftright

Not really but you can fudge the slave cylinder a bit to change the point of engagement.

explorerx4

@driver100, Your email is only going to cut off any possible cooperation from the dealer.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well no one can really say what the problem is until they examine the clutch and pressure plate. If something fell apart in there, that should be Audi's dime. I think that if a) they find no defect, and b) if you engage them firmly and often, you might get a 50/50 compromise on it.

I mean, you CAN burn out a clutch in 10,000 miles. It is not inconceivable, but you'd have to be a pretty careless driver. I'd imagine that your wife doesn't do too many burnouts, which leaves only the habit of riding the clutch, very aggressive downshifting, or using the clutch to hold the car on hills. Even then, you have to wonder.

I wonder if you can put a spacer on the clutch slave and take up the slack/wear on the clutch disc?

Also have you driven the car to verify the problem? Easy test---drive up to about 25 mph, then dump it into high gear and step on the gas--this will load the engine and if the clutch is bad, it will surely slip.

Unfortunately, we are in Florida, so I can't do much from here. Remember, my wife has driven 100,000s of miles with no problems in manual cars. I think you would have to have your foot on the clutch almost all the time to wear it out that quickly.

It would have been good if she told me about the problem before we came to Florida. It is a hard thing to prove either way. I will take the parts though.....but, is it possible that if they built it wrong maybe the parts were rubbing together and wearing out?.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100, Your email is only going to cut off any possible cooperation from the dealer.

Possible, maybe I should wait and calm down before actually sending an email. But, I don't think it is too bad. I am just stating the facts. I want them to know it sounds strange that she waore out a clutch in 10K miles....when she has never done it before.

I probably should be more businesslike...but, sometimes I just like to state the facts and let the chips fall where they may. If I said what I really wanted to, it would have been a lot worse.

stickguy

I got a clutch replaced under warranty once. 1998 maxima that I got in 2001 with about 30K on it. Not long after, it started slipping a bit. Took it in, and they actually decided it was defective and replaced it gratis.

not sure if the fact that my neighbor was the GSM and the service writer (maybe manager) turned out to be married to my daughter's kindergarten teacher was the deciding factor. But I was happy to get it, especially since I had not proof that the person that put on the first 30K knew how to drive a manual!

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

@driver100, Your email is only going to cut off any possible cooperation from the dealer.

I agree that step one should be a direct call (since you are in Fla and the car is in Canada) to talk to them. In a polite way give them that message and concern, and see what they say. Go up the chain if needed. Only if you get stonewalled do you pull out the defcon threats.

ab348

robr2 said:

ab348 said:

I always wondered what was chasing all those runners.

The grim reaper is what is chasing us. We like to try and extend our lives a bit.

Dementia is so much fun.

Sandman6472

"You get more with honey than with vinegar"...an old Jewish proverb my grandmother always told me. Some folks in this thread would do well to heed that advice without huffing and puffing...it just makes you look foolish the other way and will insure that you won't get the desired outcome! Sometimes "being nice and acting like an adult" will work best besides using a threatening tone. Works 90% of the time!!!

The Sandman

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, good. I thought he already SENT the e-mail. It's a bit harsh for the first round.

$2K hah? Well if you really want your socks to roll up and down, price out a clutch job on a Mini Cooper. That'll make your Audi seem like a bargain. I think it's up to $2650 now. And my GF wonders why I don't let her "practice" on my car?

The problem with cars like yours ( and mine) that require a great deal of labor to dig the clutch out of the bowels of the car is that the job becomes one of those "while we're in there" type of things. On the one hand, you want to replace EVERYTHING associated with the clutch--every bolt, washer, part, anything--because you do NOT want to go in there 2X. On the other hand, you are probably, in the name of caution, replacing some parts that are perfectly reusable.

Compare to the clutch on a '65 Mustang. If it takes you an hour, you're loafing.

driver100

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@driver100, Your email is only going to cut off any possible cooperation from the dealer.

I agree that step one should be a direct call (since you are in Fla and the car is in Canada) to talk to them. In a polite way give them that message and concern, and see what they say. Go up the chain if needed. Only if you get stonewalled do you pull out the defcon threats.

Well, it's probably best to talk to the Service Manager first. It's a little aggravating too, because they can say what they want and what do I know, and what can I do. How do I know it is wear and tear....kind of my word against theres. The car we traded in was a 2008 335 with 24K miles on it...with no problems. Did my wife change her driving habits that much?

stickguy

you would have to be racing it, or one hell of a bad driver to burn out a good clutch in only 10K.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh, good. I thought he already SENT the e-mail. It's a bit harsh for the first round.

$2K hah? Well if you really want your socks to roll up and down, price out a clutch job on a Mini Cooper. That'll make your Audi seem like a bargain. I think it's up to $2650 now. And my GF wonders why I don't let her "practice" on my car?

The problem with cars like yours ( and mine) that require a great deal of labor to dig the clutch out of the bowels of the car is that the job becomes one of those "while we're in there" type of things. On the one hand, you want to replace EVERYTHING associated with the clutch--every bolt, washer, part, anything--because you do NOT want to go in there 2X. On the other hand, you are probably, in the name of caution, replacing some parts that are perfectly reusable.

Compare to the clutch on a '65 Mustang. If it takes you an hour, you're loafing.

Clutch jobs used to be fairly cheap repairs. It would have been cheaper to have bought an automatic. There's no way a clutch should be hard to get at. That's another thing, the car should be built so that parts can be replaced easily.

I am not mechanically inclined, but it would seem to me that if the engine was reving after a gear change, the electronics could be acting up. Also, if they have to dig deep into the car to get at the clutch, how do they know it failed due to wear and tear? Wouldn't you have to examine it to know that?

I think my wife's next car will be an automatic...and, not an Audi.

driver100

stickguy said:

you would have to be racing it, or one hell of a bad driver to burn out a good clutch in only 10K.

That's what I would think. You would have to be riding the clutch constantly. Even driver training cars with manuals last a lot longer than 10K miles. I have taught driving in manuals and the students made them buck and bronc, and the transmissions never broke down.

Mr_Shiftright

This would be similar to proving, or trying to prove, that your brakes wore out in 10000 miles because of a defect. It would be equally hard to get brake pads and rotors replaced under warranty---but it has happened, certainly.

stickguy

driver, once they turned the engine sideways it got exponentially harder. then jam in the center diff for the Quatro, and you get a 2K clutch job.

cdnpinhead

henryn said:

I am genuinely puzzled, and would appreciate some elucidation.

S & I is the phrase used earlier: silly and irrelevant.

Edmunds, or at least the forums, are a mere shadow of what they were a decade or so ago.

That's pretty much it.

cdnpinhead

driver100 said:

I think my wife's next car will be an automatic...and, not an Audi.

Are you 100% sure that your wife is the only person who has ever driven the car?

Someone who doesn't know how to drive a manual, or worse yet, doesn't care if it's abused, can take a clutch out in a day.

driver100

cdnpinhead said:

driver100 said:

I think my wife's next car will be an automatic...and, not an Audi.

Are you 100% sure that your wife is the only person who has ever driven the car?

Someone who doesn't know how to drive a manual, or worse yet, doesn't care if it's abused, can take a clutch out in a day.

Our daughter uses the car when we aren't there. She drives it to work on the highway, she knows how to drive manuals. btw, she is pretty responsible.......a doctor. Keep in mind, it was acting up a few days before we went away while my wife was still driving it.

I think you would have to be the worst driver in the world to wear out a clutch at 10K miles. I may enter this in the Guiness book of world records.

graphicguy

I know you don't necessarily buy a Caddy, Mercedes, BMW, etc for fuel economy (at least not in the U.S.), but filled up again last night at Costco, PUG. Can't remember the last time I got out of the aisle for less than $50, let alone $45, but I did last night. $2.97/US Gal.

First time I had a car that had a MPG computer that was accurate, too. Manually figuring MPG netted 23.6 in mostly city driving, with everything set up for "Sport" driving. Car computer threw out 23.4 MPG.....cllose enough for government work. Quite pleased.

driver100

I called and talked to the service manager...had a calm intelligent conversation. He says he would like to put it under warranty but can't because clutch is burned out.

He says the car is tested when inspected. But, I say it drove fine for almost 10k miles and we thought it was fine too. I think it wasn't right from the factory.

It's kind of an I said and they said situation. I did ask for the parts and they gave me a big story how they would have to charge for them as they would get returned to rebuild a new clutch. I said I would just need it temporarily. We do have a local guy on the radio and one in the local newspaper who answer car consumer problems.

The clutch may be burned out....but, the car has the same drivers as other manuals we have owned...with no problems. As Judge Judy says, If it doesn't sound right than it isn't right. The only factor that is different is the actual car.

ab348

Doesn't Audi have a bit of a reputation as a difficult company to deal with on such matters? I seem to recall some chatter about them being rather unreceptive to consumer complaints. No personal experience, all hearsay mind you. Anyone have direct experience with them?

driver100

ab348 said:

Doesn't Audi have a bit of a reputation as a difficult company to deal with on such matters? I seem to recall some chatter about them being rather unreceptive to consumer complaints. No personal experience, all hearsay mind you. Anyone have direct experience with them?

Just my opinion but all car companies are hard to deal with. In fact, most companies are hard to deal with these days. They don't care....just interested in immediate sales so the execs can keep their jobs until the next quarter. There is no income from paying to resolve a consumer complaint. By the time we buy our next car these execs will be gone. All that matters is the report to stockholders.

Some companies do car, like Apple and Amazon to name two. But, most companies don't want to solve customer complaints....it doesn't help the bottom line.

Yes, GG had major problems with Audi. Audi seems worse than average, but, I don't know of any car company that tries to solve customer problems.

ray80

driver100 said:

I called and talked to the service manager...had a calm intelligent conversation. He says he would like to put it under warranty but can't because clutch is burned out.

He says the car is tested when inspected. But, I say it drove fine for almost 10k miles and we thought it was fine too. I think it wasn't right from the factory.

It's kind of an I said and they said situation. I did ask for the parts and they gave me a big story how they would have to charge for them as they would get returned to rebuild a new clutch. I said I would just need it temporarily. We do have a local guy on the radio and one in the local newspaper who answer car consumer problems.

The clutch may be burned out....but, the car has the same drivers as other manuals we have owned...with no problems. As Judge Judy says, If it doesn't sound right than it isn't right. The only factor that is different is the actual car.

I did a google search on

'2013 Audi A4 clutch slip' and there is some stuff out there you may want to look at

isellhondas

I agree with the others. Don't sent that email or any other email at this point. Ask for a sit down meeting with the Service Manager and/or the General Manager.

fezo

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Just my opinion but all car companies are hard to deal with. In fact, most companies are hard to deal with these days. They don't care....just interested in immediate sales so the execs can keep their jobs until the next quarter. There is no income from paying to resolve a consumer complaint. By the time we buy our next car these execs will be gone. All that matters is the report to stockholders.

I'd disagree on the everybody. Whenever I deal with Honda they were very good. What's the problem? What would you like us to do to satisfy you? They pretty much always then did that.

This opposed to Ford and VW who treated us a lepers. Fortunately a free offer of a lawsuit against VW (My brother the attorney) made quick work of that,

Clutches used to be cheap but those days are gone. I spent more than $2K on the Mazda but that was because they had a whole rack to remove, That did also include the two lower control arms it needed and a motor mount. It's a different car in a very good way and it was already a fun car.

If I were crazy I could go low end luxury but the appeal isn't enough to shake the money out of other things that I either need or want to get done. Two pairs of braces for instance....

ab348

ray80 said:

I did a google search on

'2013 Audi A4 clutch slip' and there is some stuff out there you may want to look at

Very interesting indeed. Looks like there are a number of things that can cause these symptoms and not all of them are due to user actions.

From the number of things found it would suggest that the diagnosis of a burned-out clutch may either not be totally accurate or may be die to other problems. Either way it strikes me that the dealer should be doing more on your behalf.

graphicguy

ab348 said:

Doesn't Audi have a bit of a reputation as a difficult company to deal with on such matters? I seem to recall some chatter about them being rather unreceptive to consumer complaints. No personal experience, all hearsay mind you. Anyone have direct experience with them?

AB....as Driver mentioned, yes I had issues with Audi. And yes, they were very unreceptive to a wealth of ongoing problems and criticisms I had with an S4.

They reminded me of the 3 monkeys.....see no evil, hear no evil. They didn't quite get that speak no evil monkey down, though.

The dealership(s) weren't the most helpful, either. I believe Audi tries to play the deny, deny, deny game until the customer gives up. They stubbornly and finally admitted the problems with my car (which, by the way, had similar issues reported by some big name trade rags). If it weren't for my selling dealer (in Chicago, I live in Cincinnati), I would have escalated the problems further up the ladder past Audi regional reps.

mako1a

Driver, the problem (not of your making) should be handled by the producer of the product. I would ask for a "buy bid" from the selling store. If it's acceptable, get the dough and let them have their problem. When you get back to Canada it will be shopping day for your wife. Although probably not an Audi.

robr2

driver - other than the tach bumping up a bit when clutching, are there any other signs of a slipping clutch?

If not, then just leave it alone. In reality, it may be nothing.

driver100

ray80 said:

driver100 said:

I called and talked to the service manager...had a calm intelligent conversation. He says he would like to put it under warranty but can't because clutch is burned out.

He says the car is tested when inspected. But, I say it drove fine for almost 10k miles and we thought it was fine too. I think it wasn't right from the factory.

It's kind of an I said and they said situation. I did ask for the parts and they gave me a big story how they would have to charge for them as they would get returned to rebuild a new clutch. I said I would just need it temporarily. We do have a local guy on the radio and one in the local newspaper who answer car consumer problems.

The clutch may be burned out....but, the car has the same drivers as other manuals we have owned...with no problems. As Judge Judy says, If it doesn't sound right than it isn't right. The only factor that is different is the actual car.

I did a google search on

'2013 Audi A4 clutch slip' and there is some stuff out there you may want to look at

I defitely will check that out...thanks for the tip ray.

driver100

isellhondas said:

I agree with the others. Don't sent that email or any other email at this point. Ask for a sit down meeting with the Service Manager and/or the General Manager.

That's hard to do from Florida. I have talked to the service rep and he sounded very sympathetic. Couldn't really answer how the same people have driven other cars for 100000s of miles without a problem......and this one the clutch is burned out at 10K miles. Says the car is checked and all....but, what if it wasn't assembled quite right and it had been rubbing since it was built...that could burn a clutch after 10k miles. He said they would notice a damaged clutch during preinspection. I asked if they take it apart and look, how do they know. He said they drive it. I said we drove it too, and it was fine for 9,990 miles.

I wrote my letter to the sales manager. I want them to know I am serious. The car was $11k less than a comparable 328 so still not too bad. If I was back home I'd be looking to trade it on a Mercedes C Class, automatic.

I have emailed head office as well. I can still submit a claim to a mediation agency but I think that is a long drawn out affair with lots of pages to fill in. But, if not too difficult I will do that. I wrote to the mechanic Q&A at the local paper back home, and I have two radio shows I could call on Saturday.

They get to call the shots even though it defies logic....that's what is infuriating. Guess I should call the sales manager too...he didn't respond to my email.

driver100

mako1a said:

Driver, the problem (not of your making) should be handled by the producer of the product. I would ask for a "buy bid" from the selling store. If it's acceptable, get the dough and let them have their problem. When you get back to Canada it will be shopping day for your wife. Although probably not an Audi.

That's actually a good idea. If I get the sales manager I can ask him about that. He may get the hint that I'm not too interested in another Audi.

driver100

robr2 said:

driver - other than the tach bumping up a bit when clutching, are there any other signs of a slipping clutch?

If not, then just leave it alone. In reality, it may be nothing.

It wasn't running right, motor was racing. Service manager said because the clutch was burned out, it can't grab, that makes the engine rev Good thought though.

driver100

ab348 said:

ray80 said:

I did a google search on

'2013 Audi A4 clutch slip' and there is some stuff out there you may want to look at

Very interesting indeed. Looks like there are a number of things that can cause these symptoms and not all of them are due to user actions.

From the number of things found it would suggest that the diagnosis of a burned-out clutch may either not be totally accurate or may be die to other problems. Either way it strikes me that the dealer should be doing more on your behalf.

Excellent info ab. I am going to try to call the sales manager too. Mako suggested a "buy bid" which would be interesting to throw in. The fact others have reported this problem makes me think it is at least 50% possible it is the cars fault (in my mind it is 95% certain, since it is the only variable).

driver100

graphicguy said:

ab348 said:

Doesn't Audi have a bit of a reputation as a difficult company to deal with on such matters? I seem to recall some chatter about them being rather unreceptive to consumer complaints. No personal experience, all hearsay mind you. Anyone have direct experience with them?

AB....as Driver mentioned, yes I had issues with Audi. And yes, they were very unreceptive to a wealth of ongoing problems and criticisms I had with an S4.

They reminded me of the 3 monkeys.....see no evil, hear no evil. They didn't quite get that speak no evil monkey down, though.

The dealership(s) weren't the most helpful, either. I believe Audi tries to play the deny, deny, deny game until the customer gives up. They stubbornly and finally admitted the problems with my car (which, by the way, had similar issues reported by some big name trade rags). If it weren't for my selling dealer (in Chicago, I live in Cincinnati), I would have escalated the problems further up the ladder past Audi regional reps.

Very informative GG. That is the exact impression I got. The sales manager knows mystory makes sense. He even said he tried but head office wouldn't put it through under warranty. The customer should be given the benefit of the doubt in a situation that makes sense. He was stonewalled by corporate, so he has to stonewall me.

It's odd too, when I tested the A6 they told me they were building a much bigger facility and they are. I often find when the new guys take over, or if the dealer builds a new facility, they have to find extra ways to bring in capital to pay for the new expansion.

Your experience is very helpful....I got a better idea of what I am dealing with here.

stickguy

A complete failure sounds odd. Usually slipping starts and builds. To go from perfect to shot with massive slipping makes no sense just normal wearing out.

driver100

stickguy said:

A complete failure sounds odd. Usually slipping starts and builds. To go from perfect to shot with massive slipping makes no sense just normal wearing out.

That's a good point....funny it would go suddenly.

I tried calling the sales manager using the 1-800 number online.

After going through the monitoring your call crap they asked me to spell his first or last name.
(not easy to do and listen on a hand held phone)

G-R-A.....oh, I'll put you through to service!%$#&*
I hangup...try again.

Go thru the same spiel and enter the first name;
D-A-V......Do you want to start over?

So, I call the local number, press "0", and ask for him by name. It's his day off.

I think I am facing the wall....................and am about to beat my head against it.

driver100

So, the I email the General Manager...I use the same formula as the other adresses in my contact list, first initial, last name, @ name of dealership, .com.

It comes back. So I phone receptionist and ask for the GMs email address. In his case it is his first name and last first initial, @ dealership .com

So, I send the email again. Very polite, I took out threats and stuff about never buying another Audi....even though true. Did say I would do whatever I could to get this resolved, to my satisfaction.

I wait and then I get a confirmation type email that I have to verify the sender before my email can go through. OK, I get it, guy is real busy and doesn't need riff raff bothering him. More of a wall.

This time, I get an email back that he is out of town until Nov 17th, and if I have a problem contact the first guy I emailed.....who is away until tomorrow.

So, the stonewalling goes on........................., oh, and of course no reply from head office.

graphicguy

Snail Mail. Actually, I sent an overnight letter to the Audi U.S. VP succinctly stating my issues, who was involved in rectifying those issues. how they failed, and what I expected as resolution.

I didn't hear back from him, but from his exec assistant. That's what got the ball rolling. Phone calls from dealers (3 of them....2 local ones who did service, and the selling dealer in Chicago) service depts, their sales depts, managers, etc. Some were helpful (finally), some obviously considered me little more than a burden.

Can't remember the VP's name. And, Audi doesn't make it easy to track down their exec staff. But, a little sleuth work on Google should pay dividends.

houdini1

driver100 said:

So, the I email the General Manager...I use the same formula as the other adresses in my contact list, first initial, last name, @ name of dealership, .com.

It comes back. So I phone receptionist and ask for the GMs email address. In his case it is his first name and last first initial, @ dealership .com

So, I send the email again. Very polite, I took out threats and stuff about never buying another Audi....even though true. Did say I would do whatever I could to get this resolved, to my satisfaction.

I wait and then I get a confirmation type email that I have to verify the sender before my email can go through. OK, I get it, guy is real busy and doesn't need riff raff bothering him. More of a wall.

This time, I get an email back that he is out of town until Nov 17th, and if I have a problem contact the first guy I emailed.....who is away until tomorrow.

So, the stonewalling goes on........................., oh, and of course no reply from head office.

I will probably trade cars some time next year. Audi is on my suspect list for now, but if you can't get any satisfaction as dogged as you can be, they will be coming off my list. Sounds like Audi can stonewall like a cell phone carrier and I don't need that hassle.

jayrider

driver100 said:

So, the I email the General Manager...I use the same formula as the other adresses in my contact list, first initial, last name, @ name of dealership, .com.

It comes back. So I phone receptionist and ask for the GMs email address. In his case it is his first name and last first initial, @ dealership .com

So, I send the email again. Very polite, I took out threats and stuff about never buying another Audi....even though true. Did say I would do whatever I could to get this resolved, to my satisfaction.

I wait and then I get a confirmation type email that I have to verify the sender before my email can go through. OK, I get it, guy is real busy and doesn't need riff raff bothering him. More of a wall.

This time, I get an email back that he is out of town until Nov 17th, and if I have a problem contact the first guy I emailed.....who is away until tomorrow.

So, the stonewalling goes on........................., oh, and of course no reply from head office.

I did a search looking for other clutch failures in 2013 Audi A4's and came up empty. No recalls or service bulletins. Sounds like you got a defective system. You could approach them with the fact that you have been driving sticks for years and never had a problem. There was no abuse on your end. At worst, get them to do the repair at a discounted rate. For Audi to fix it would cost them virtually nothing in their overall operation. Try to get them to work with you and good luck.

abacomike

@driver100‌

One of the major disadvantages confronting you, driver, is the fact that you are in Florida and are not able to physically confront this issue with Audi on a continuing basis, day-by-day.  Furthermore, the A4 is in Canada.  I am sure a friend or family member can bring the car to Audi, if necessary.

If there have been reported issues with the clutch in A4's, you should try to document those issues as you build your case.  Walking into Audi (or addressing a letter to the VP of Audi USA) with documentation of the clutch issues others have experienced, will strengthen your case.

There is no way a clutch in a new car should present problems you and your wife are experiencing.  I am sure your wife does not ride the clutch, especially considering the fact she has driven manual transmission vehicles for many, many years.  I could understand a clutch wearing out before 75,000 - 100,000 miles with a younger driver who abuses the clutch.

So my recommendation is that you begin gathering articles and and consumer complaints regarding the clutch issue.  That is if you do not want to lay out $1500+ on a new clutch that could fail if Audi uses the same parts used at the factory.

stickguy

Is Audi Canada separate from Audi USA.? If so GGs contacts may not be useful.

I would fight this a long way. Other than not being there in person, perfect situation for driver. He can leave it with them for 5 months since no one is using it!

I think that is a big part of the stonewall theory. People give up because they need their cars back.

fezo

Underneath it all Audi is Volkswagen. They don't do customer service.