Leaderboard

We were caught out with a 2009 A5 about 6 years ago that was using 1 litre of oil every 150 miles. Purchased 1 week before BBC watchdog highlighted the issue. We called Audi uk and explained that as an 'Audi customer', we were 'very concerned' about the watchdog report, and we had also been experiencing these issues. Anyway, they booked us into a local Audi dealer, where long story short, they carried out a 5 grand engine rebuild under warranty. Good result for us!

Global payments reduced my debit card rate from 0.9% (!!!) to 0.2 when I mentioned I will switch to Barclays. Do the same with Worldpay.

I only have anecdotal evidence from the driver who subcontracts to BCA. I suppose the whole issue is that the car was left out in very heavy rain for a prolonged period, presumably with the windows not fully closed. I checked the drain channels and they are fine. Essentially BCA have cost me at least 1k due to not taking reasonable care after purchase. But its not something I will get anywhere with. Its just very frustrating. I know I will get little sympathy in some quarters as I can probably still turn a profit on the car, but thats not the point. Who here would not be extremely pissed off about dropping 1k through no fault of their own ?

I agree Pip- but I widen it to all German cars. Did about 2 and a half years ago. We are not alone. When I was a kid in the 80’s and into the early 90’s I loved them and sold plenty. I still have a few, but mostly when they come in PX. The older they are, the more headaches 3-5 years seem OK after that, I’m not so confident. Also, often cheap people aspire to own one and don’t look after them properly- and unlike in the old days- they are no longer ‘bulletproof or built to last’ especially if they’re not looked after. Stress levels have been miles lower- although, of course, the sales numbers are lower too, as many still aspire to Germany’s ‘ahem’ finest. The ones doing big numbers a month sell plenty. For me, and I know a few on here, agree, VW/Audi is just one step above Vauxhall junk. Bmw and Mercedes are a bit better, but the W123 was the last decent Merc IMHO. It’s a personal thing maybe but you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. I’ve not been impressed by any VW/Audi, Merc or BMW for many a year. (I do like the BMW i3 but whether that’ll be a good older second hand product or not I don’t know.) Looks, build quality , driving experience or anything except a V8 petrol engine or Bi-turbo monster- but I wouldn’t want one myself. Kia and Hyundai a much better product I think by far. Love the looks of the Kia Sportage etc especially. Anyway: Us dealers are like customers luckily in that we all like and buy different things and have different levels of perceived risk-aversion. How long a warranty do you get when you buy a new VW car? 3 years? Makes you wonder how much confidence the manufacturer has in the product. Or maybe they just want you to buy a new one. After all, it’s a bad business model making an indestructible car.

EVERY modern car is built cheaper, less durable and much more complicated than it’s 80s and 90s counterpart. Having said that parts are cheaper and plentiful and anything can be fixed. You can always have a yard-full of 3-4 year old Hyundai and Kia still in the warranty period but then we only live one life. I personally love German cars and will not go back to selling rubbish built in Ellesmere Port, the home of the Astra.

I’d be asking your local guy for a bit more info on this one. Putting used engines off eBay in is a lottery with that engine. That engine can be overhauled in half a day for less than £400 unless it’s been totally destroyed.