First time back at dealers

[Scott Nevett]

I’ve not heard from my selling dealer since contacting them. Probably ignoring.
The main thing that is annoying me is the software version situation. August 20 build with an Oct19 flash whilst a May 20 version in out in the wild. The mind boggles. I know lacking features like controlling my aircon with my voice is a first world problem, but it was all over the marketing and YouTube previews last year when I was deciding to buy.

 

[Billy Shears]

Why would you have to suck it up? You are paying the lease company for a product, if that product is faulty or not for for purpose it is their responsibility to sort it out or replace it.

Yup, you'd sill have consumer rights. Just not directly with Audi. Ultimately it all comes down to contract law and, as a consumer, you're entitled to get what you pay for. If the Leasing co can't provide that, they've breached contract. Likely Audi has breached their contract with the Leasing co. Ultimately, just another party involved but the principle remains the same. Always worth making sure that at least a deposit or something goes on Credit Card too, as this give you the right to claim against your credit card company under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if goods are not provided 'as described'. This can be a simpler process, and leaves the Leasing co or whoever to seek recovery from the manufacturer.

Section 75

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act offers protection to people who make purchases with a credit card. Here we look at the requirements, and how you can make a claim.

www.experian.co.uk

 

[Nothingdoing079]

I’ve not heard from my selling dealer since contacting them. Probably ignoring.
The main thing that is annoying me is the software version situation. August 20 build with an Oct19 flash whilst a May 20 version in out in the wild. The mind boggles. I know lacking features like controlling my aircon with my voice is a first world problem, but it was all over the marketing and YouTube previews last year when I was deciding to buy.

I fully agree.

When I manage to take the car out, I'm really enjoying the drive and the responsiveness etc. Its just infuriating that this is then dampened by random warning lights, and the MMI system going haywire, which makes me worried to drive for long distances as not sure what issues I'm going to suddenly see.

These type issues aren't what you'd expect from a brand new car, and the fact that Audi seem to know about them, but won't/can't fix them just makes me concerned about what the car is going be like in 2-3 years time.

 

[KXL]

Yup, you'd sill have consumer rights. Just not directly with Audi. Ultimately it all comes down to contract law and, as a consumer, you're entitled to get what you pay for. If the Leasing co can't provide that, they've breached contract. Likely Audi has breached their contract with the Leasing co. Ultimately, just another party involved but the principle remains the same. Always worth making sure that at least a deposit or something goes on Credit Card too, as this give you the right to claim against your credit card company under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if goods are not provided 'as described'. This can be a simpler process, and leaves the Leasing co or whoever to seek recovery from the manufacturer.

Section 75

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act offers protection to people who make purchases with a credit card. Here we look at the requirements, and how you can make a claim.

www.experian.co.uk

I hear you, although my previous leases (VWFS, VolvoSantander) and I'm asure with the A3 (LEXAutolease) the deposit is taken out from your bank account as part of a Direct Debit. So sadly no credit card use possible. When I had my first car on PCP, yes I could pay the intitial deposit with a CC.

 

[Scott Nevett]

I’m now in what I would call a ‘minor ding ding’ with Audi Customer Services. Trying to push me back to my selling dealer. Trying to suggest i’m complaining about the dealer suggesting at the point of sale that I would have features that I don’t have e.g Wireless CarPlay and 2x Usb C. I’m obviously not. Would be nice if wired CarPlay actually worked!

They keep telling me over and over that these features were only available from week 39 last year and my car was built in week 35/36. Talk about rubbing it in

They can’t see the irony that my software is also ancient because of this and I’ve lost out my purchasing the car 3 weeks too early basically.

I also raised lack of traffic sign recognition for a laugh and waiting to see how they react to that!

 

[SamB2020]

I’m now in what I would call a ‘minor ding ding’ with Audi Customer Services. Trying to push me back to my selling dealer. Trying to suggest i’m complaining about the dealer suggesting at the point of sale that I would have features that I don’t have e.g Wireless CarPlay and 2x Usb C. I’m obviously not. Would be nice if wired CarPlay actually worked!

They keep telling me over and over that these features were only available from week 39 last year and my car was built in week 35/36. Talk about rubbing it in

They can’t see the irony that my software is also ancient because of this and I’ve lost out my purchasing the car 3 weeks too early basically.

I also raised lack of traffic sign recognition for a laugh and waiting to see how they react to that!

Mine was started at the end of build week 38, Audi. Audi UK . Audi Digital and even the dealer say mine has the wrong software for the build week and should have the later one, but it hasn’t and nobody can at present rectify it.
I feel your pain but even with the missing software, now it’s all working and not crashing I’m happy with the car.

 

[Scott Nevett]

Mine was started at the end of build week 38, Audi. Audi UK . Audi Digital and even the dealer say mine has the wrong software for the build week and should have the later one, but it hasn’t and nobody can at present rectify it.
I feel your pain but even with the missing software, now it’s all working and not crashing I’m happy with the car.

Don’t get me wrong, the car is great to drive and really comfortable. I’m very happy with it overall. I just get like a dog with a bone over things like tech or if I feel I’ve been short changed. Even if I’m wrong unfortunately

As alluded to earlier (despite how happy I am), driving that A4 Avant Quattro has given me a bit of envy though.

 

[Scott Nevett]

Dealer finally got back to me and basically said he has sent the detail on to the Audi technical team to look into for any answers in Germany. Not a total fob off, but a bit vague.

 

[NIKLDN]

Initiated procedures to return our car back to the dealer, dealer says it’s abit of a long process so will be a while yet till it’s out of our hands. They will first work on finding a replacement without the issues and with the missing functions.. fingers crossed something comes up, otherwise it’s back to the corsa

 

[Moots]

Initiated procedures to return our car back to the dealer, dealer says it’s abit of a long process so will be a while yet till it’s out of our hands. They will first work on finding a replacement without the issues and with the missing functions.. fingers crossed something comes up, otherwise it’s back to the corsa

Hopefully they get you a replacement with the additional kit, it’s so frustrating that things like this happen, buying a new car is exciting but this just makes it a total disappointment, fingers crossed it gets sorted properly.

 

[NIKLDN]

Dealer finally got back to me and basically said he has sent the detail on to the Audi technical team to look into for any answers in Germany. Not a total fob off, but a bit vague.

I was told pretty much the same by the selling dealership that the local Audi garage I took it to had identified the fault, documented the fault, but didn’t raise the case with Audi UK and/or whoever it is across the pond

Hopefully they get you a replacement with the additional kit, it’s so frustrating that things like this happen, buying a new car is exciting but this just makes it a total disappointment, fingers crossed it gets sorted properly.

Fingers crossed. Love everything else about the car, drives perfect and cannot fault the design inside and outside.

 

[driver_tim]

Those who read the A4 forum will know that I need to swap my 3 door 8V (which I’ve owned from new in 2013, and have generally been very happy with) for something a little more family friendly over the next few months. Still pondering the 5 door hatch / saloon / SUV question, but with all these reports of 8Y issues if I do go down the route of another hatch I don’t think it will be an A3.

 

[Santiago]

Those who read the A4 forum will know that I need to swap my 3 door 8V (which I’ve owned from new in 2013, and have generally been very happy with) for something a little more family friendly over the next few months. Still pondering the 5 door hatch / saloon / SUV question, but with all these reports of 8Y issues if I do go down the route of another hatch I don’t think it will be an A3.

I think the negative reports are unsettling quite a few who have ordered or are thinking of ordering. Maybe the problems (especially with the MMI) are reducing with recently built cars, but this is far from clear right now, and it has obviously taken Audi "forever" to get to grips with the issues. I prefer the looks of the A3 over the Golf, A-class and 1-series, but not by that much that I would risk buying a car that was going to be back and forth to the dealers. I ruled out the Golf on its naff interior alone, but the 1-series looks "OK" and arguably has a nicer interior than the A3 (even if it all worked). It was a close call between them when I started my search but the BMW's superior reliability might yet swing it.

Back to your main point, if you widen your search to also include small SUVs from non-German brands (e.g. Honda, Hyundai, Suzuki) your choices are endless.

 

[Frizzley]

Those who read the A4 forum will know that I need to swap my 3 door 8V (which I’ve owned from new in 2013, and have generally been very happy with) for something a little more family friendly over the next few months. Still pondering the 5 door hatch / saloon / SUV question, but with all these reports of 8Y issues if I do go down the route of another hatch I don’t think it will be an A3.

Budget permitting well worth looking at an A5 Sportback - plenty Of room in the back and the extra doors make it a doddle to use a baby seat. Decent size boot - wasn’t a lot smaller than my A4 Avant - so you can get loads of stuff in it especially if you remove the parcel shelf and could get a lot more in it than my wife’s Q3. Hatchback is pretty useful for other stuff too - trips to the dump etc.

in addition there is a good choice of engines / tech and overall very comfortable car to drive

 

[driver_tim]

I have ruled out the Mk. 8 Golf. I don't particularly like it, and the cost cutting is ridiculous. If I go down the hatch route I think it will be an A Class or a 1 Series, although not test driven either yet due to lockdown.

Thanks for the A5 Sportback suggestion, this seems to be a popular option.

 

[Moots]

I have ruled out the Mk. 8 Golf. I don't particularly like it, and the cost cutting is ridiculous. If I go down the hatch route I think it will be an A Class or a 1 Series, although not test driven either yet due to lockdown.

Thanks for the A5 Sportback suggestion, this seems to be a popular option.

I test drove a BMW m135i and placed an order prior to test driving the S3, the bmw is nice and the interior is nice too. But the drive in the S3 is better IMO, and the bmw was more expensive. I really wanted to remain under £40k and that wasn’t possible with the bmw.

 

[AdamInKent]

Those who read the A4 forum will know that I need to swap my 3 door 8V (which I’ve owned from new in 2013, and have generally been very happy with) for something a little more family friendly over the next few months. Still pondering the 5 door hatch / saloon / SUV question, but with all these reports of 8Y issues if I do go down the route of another hatch I don’t think it will be an A3.

I wouldn’t be so quick to rule out the A3 based on what you read here, at least not without giving it a test drive. If you do, you’re potentially missing out on a very good car. Other than the early cars, the glitches aren’t as common as it seems here (forums give emphasis to the problem cars, you don’t really get to hear much from those without issues) and they are mostly software glitches in non-critical systems. Even for those with problems, a common refrain is that they still enjoy the car (for example, Auzzam swapped his for another, even more expensive A3 ).

PS: the poll on problem cars, whilst seemingly damning, didn’t allow owners to share the extent of their problems. I voted to say that I had problems: but the only two glitches that I have had in over 250 miles of driving thus far are one incident of the auto-cruise refusing to restart in stop-start traffic (which most cars don’t even have) and one incident of the weather radar being unavailable (which is somewhat of a bonus feature and was probably caused by a server side issue affecting all Audi’s using the service at that time).

 

[NIKLDN]

I wouldn’t be so quick to rule out the A3 based on what you read here, at least not without giving it a test drive. If you do, you’re potentially missing out on a very good car. Other than the early cars, the glitches aren’t as common as it seems here (forums give emphasis to the problem cars, you don’t really get to hear much from those without issues) and they are mostly software glitches in non-critical systems. Even for those with problems, a common refrain is that they still enjoy the car (for example, Auzzam swapped his for another, even more expensive A3 ).

PS: the poll on problem cars, whilst seemingly damning, didn’t allow owners to share the extent of their problems. I voted to say that I had problems: but the only two glitches that I have had in over 250 miles of driving thus far are one incident of the auto-cruise refusing to restart in stop-start traffic (which most cars don’t even have) and one incident of the weather radar being unavailable (which is somewhat of a bonus feature and was probably caused by a server side issue affecting all Audi’s using the service at that time).

I echo Adam here, the A3 is an amazing car. Besides the software issues we are having, the size of the A3 saloon, the drive/comfort and fuel consumption is perfect. Coming from a 16 plate corsa, it’s a major upgrade for me and my wife.


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[Nothingdoing079]

I fully agree.

When I manage to take the car out, I'm really enjoying the drive and the responsiveness etc. Its just infuriating that this is then dampened by random warning lights, and the MMI system going haywire, which makes me worried to drive for long distances as not sure what issues I'm going to suddenly see.

These type issues aren't what you'd expect from a brand new car, and the fact that Audi seem to know about them, but won't/can't fix them just makes me concerned about what the car is going be like in 2-3 years time.

Mine went back in yesterday and got a call today to say that they found some sort of random fault in the system.

Apparently when they spoke to Audi Germany the dealers have been told it's a known issue but there is no fix yet for it.

Some of the other issues I've been having around the MMI and the cruise control they can't seems to replicate.

Its now in for at least a week while they test it.