[Viraje]

I've never paid Audi for any work on my cars. APS in Brackley have done all my servicing, upgrades and repair work. I've found, (like most specialists I suspect), that they're far more experienced in S and RS Audi's, and actually give a crap. Mainly because they're not underwritten by a multi-national corporation - they actually have to make money and this only happens if they're any good.

 

Hell, when I bought my car, the Audi service department told me there was no such thing as a 47i6 upgrade when I asked about the work that had been done on my car. (Despite the fact that the car has actually had the upgrade).

 

I trust Audi for exactly as long as their warranty is paying the bills, and not a second longer.

[FletchRS3]

Just had Audi on the phone the lad who rang is a friend of a friend who had been told about the car and to try to cover it so it was done on warranty..

He told me that it said nothing on there computers has shown the car was mapped and all of the data has been sent to Audi and now Audi UK have replied saying the want to see photos of the ECU, they want tyre sizes and other daft things (his words)

My reply to him was so basically Audi are looking for anyway possible to get out of it and his reply was "basically Yes"

He said thd fuel tank definitely needs replaced and they will get back to me soon about the bill

[Kelza]

Hi fletch statllers have a s3 fuel tank which is the same as the RS3 one for £100 ..

Edited by RS3-KEL, 30 September 2014 - 12:24 PM.

[Kelza]

Ttrs also share some parts so that's an option of what's needed ..from brakers ..

[Nobber]

Just had Audi on the phone the lad who rang is a friend of a friend who had been told about the car and to try to cover it so it was done on warranty..

He told me that it said nothing on there computers has shown the car was mapped and all of the data has been sent to Audi and now Audi UK have replied saying the want to see photos of the ECU, they want tyre sizes and other daft things (his words)

My reply to him was so basically Audi are looking for anyway possible to get out of it and his reply was "basically Yes"

He said thd fuel tank definitely needs replaced and they will get back to me soon about the bill

Does mapping for the RS3 happen via OBD port or by cracking open the ECU?  Assume that's why they are asking for ECU photos.

 

I'd personally get it done at a reputable Indy such as APS Brackley, MRC, etc.

 

I've never trusted main dealers with my cars as I honestly don't believe they could care less and will try to do the job as quickly and cheaply as possible.  A proper Indy is all about quality and repeat business rather than quantity/turn around.

Edited by Nobber, 30 September 2014 - 12:42 PM.

[Klauster]

Was reading on a TTRS forum this morning of modded TTRS's being fixed under warranty which just seems unfair to me, if they are going to duck out of the warranty, then it needs to be consistent!

[Klauster]

And this was August 2014!

[MacD]

Firstly if they come back saying it won't be fixed under warranty then I wouldn't be giving them a penny of my hard earned! Take it elsewhere.

Secondly those bolts are still in place aren't they? Hard to see on the iPhone.

Interesting they are even looking at tyre sizes especially as so many have changed wheels.

[Nobber]

Somewhat concerning for someone like me who is about to enter in to the world of RS3 ownership at just how bloody fragile these things are!

[FletchRS3]

Somewhat concerning for someone like me who is about to enter in to the world of RS3 ownership at just how bloody fragile these things are!

When i get it back I certainly will NOT be using the Launch Control on it again.

I never ever thought i would want to sell this car ive loved it from the day i got it and it saddens me to say this but after what has happened i am not sure what to do with it now.

[Klauster]

Anymore news from the garage?

[FletchRS3]

Just had Audi back on the phone apparently the bolts have snapped in the diff and they said they do not have the tools to remove them they have told me to take it to the lad i know who has the Audi/VW specialist and get them to do it as they will be a lot cheaper as well + they have the tools to remove the bolts...

[MacD]

So they're not paying out for it then under warranty?

[Viraje]

Before you worry anymore about how ruined the car is, I'd take it to a reputable independent and get a verdict from them. It's entirely possible that the damage is very superficial, and apart from a new diff coupling, (and uprated bolts), you may just be looking at a bit of cosmetic damage that isn't actually that serious.

 

Remember that Audi employs "technicians", (mechanics), in its dealerships, not engineers. They're not interested in fixing any damage, they'll just replace any parts that are at all compromised with new to avoid any future issues, (and associated labour costs). It's easy to see how the warranty claim can run into thousands when you're just swapping parts out for new. Personally, I wouldn't place too much value in their judgement.

 

This is where an independent shines. They're not using a predetermined approach from Audi procedure manual that removes decision making from the hands of the mechanic. They're using experience and skill to decide the best way to fix the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole debacle ends up costing just hundreds, (rather than thousands), and you end up with a car that won't suffer the same problem again.

[Uncle Fester]

Before you worry anymore about how ruined the car is, I'd take it to a reputable independent and get a verdict from them. It's entirely possible that the damage is very superficial, and apart from a new diff coupling, (and uprated bolts), you may just be looking at a bit of cosmetic damage that isn't actually that serious.

 

Remember that Audi employs "technicians", (mechanics), in its dealerships, not engineers. They're not interested in fixing any damage, they'll just replace any parts that are at all compromised with new to avoid any future issues, (and associated labour costs). It's easy to see how the warranty claim can run into thousands when you're just swapping parts out for new. Personally, I wouldn't place too much value in their judgement.

 

This is where an independent shines. They're not using a predetermined approach from Audi procedure manual that removes decision making from the hands of the mechanic. They're using experience and skill to decide the best way to fix the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole debacle ends up costing just hundreds, (rather than thousands), and you end up with a car that won't suffer the same problem again.

 

Viraje you hit the nail on the head, an excellent bit of advice .

[P_G]

Somewhat concerning for someone like me who is about to enter in to the world of RS3 ownership at just how bloody fragile these things are!

 

I wouldn't say that, there are many an instance where RS3's run and work very well but as ever with forums the problems tend to get shared to get help on and negative issues always stick in the mind more.

 

Coming up to 31k miles on mine in just under 2 years and bar a change of brakes and a diff which were all done on warranty it has served me well and has been no more warranty work than what I have had on previous Audi's or other marques and cost me less servicing and keeping it on the road / fuelled. Probably jinxed it now!

 

Good luck Fletch and stick with it! I had the same gut wrenching experience when I thought my RS4 has ingested a core plug which Audi suggested would be at least a new manifold and possibly new engine if it had been ingested and scored / damaged pistons and chambers. I flat bedded it to Revolution for £40, bore-scoping there showed the core plug had blown out rather than in and £12 for new core plugs and a few hours of hours Revolution's time my car was back to new so in total less than £200 as opposed to £10k from Audi.

Edited by P_G, 30 September 2014 - 05:08 PM.

[FletchRS3]

So they're not paying out for it then under warranty?

No. Not covered under my warranty

[FletchRS3]

Before you worry anymore about how ruined the car is, I'd take it to a reputable independent and get a verdict from them. It's entirely possible that the damage is very superficial, and apart from a new diff coupling, (and uprated bolts), you may just be looking at a bit of cosmetic damage that isn't actually that serious. Remember that Audi employs "technicians", (mechanics), in its dealerships, not engineers. They're not interested in fixing any damage, they'll just replace any parts that are at all compromised with new to avoid any future issues, (and associated labour costs). It's easy to see how the warranty claim can run into thousands when you're just swapping parts out for new. Personally, I wouldn't place too much value in their judgement. This is where an independent shines. They're not using a predetermined approach from Audi procedure manual that removes decision making from the hands of the mechanic. They're using experience and skill to decide the best way to fix the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole debacle ends up costing just hundreds, (rather than thousands), and you end up with a car that won't suffer the same problem again.

Virage you have been a big help and Thank you to all of you for your input and advice

i will let you know the outcome when i get it out of the stealers exactly what is damaged and needs replaced

[Roy]

As it was just said , we only worry when the bad stuff happens,,, we all have got endless hours of great times and fun from our cars so lets remember that to............

[Viraje]

Virage you have been a big help and Thank you to all of you for your input and advice

i will let you know the outcome when i get it out of the stealers exactly what is damaged and needs replaced

 

S'ok, it's why we're all here. And I think everyone can sympathise with that sinking feeling when your pride and joy goes pop. I'm sure it'll all be forgotten in a couple of weeks when you're blatting down some A road in it!