I’m off. Anyone else gone or thinking of going?

AudiA3Newbie

AudiA3Newbie

A3Newbie
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Unfortunately I’ve had enough of my A3 now with all its faults and am off to BMW. Had enough of the error messages such as The SOS fault or Limited Visibility messages on a clear day and certainly had enough of the MMI. Topped it off the other day when I couldn’t change the channel, couldn’t get any channels on the radio to play anything, turned the volume up and nothing so left it then after about 20 seconds the radio came on FULL BLAST. Couldn’t then turn it down or even off without a 10 second delay. This lasted for the whole 10 minute journey. What a nightmare.

This is not how a new Audi should be. Especially when all I get from Audi is that they can’t find any faults.

Has anyone else thought of leaving Audi or even left already due to the faults?
 
This is an all too familiar issue I'm hearing, coming across, bugs, firmware issues, tbh for me it started more from the B9 chassis, it appears the more tech reliant these cars are becoming, vag just dont seem to have a handle on it, never read so many tech issues in the last year than 20 years before, its truly concerning.
 
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NHN said:
Had enough of the error messages such as The SOS fault or Limited Visibility messages on a clear day and certainly had enough of the MMI.
Click to expand...
I think the limited visibility message occurs when someone else on the same road as you has their fog lights on (the message has an icon that suggests it is from the car-to-x comms network). I’ve not come across it on a clear day - only when foggy or raining hard - so I assume you have more idiots driving near you than me :)

Personally, I find the problems happen rarely and I like the car enough to give VAG time to sort them out. It sounds, from posts on another thread, as though we’ll have a software update for the SOS issue later this year, and there have already been others for other niggles, so I am prepared to give them more time. (I won’t, in any case, bother to get the software updated until my cars first service, next year).
 
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well my car has some errors like SOS by i think by the on of the day there is no better looking car , i know if poor quality :) for the price but its really nice and drive well . :D
 
I’ve just had too many issues since collecting it. Yes it does look good but I’d rather have a car that works as it should and not make me look stupid when I have people in the car.
 
I also have a problem with…


Reversing sensors don’t always work

Folding mirrors squeak


Jerk when changing gear sometimes (it’s an auto)

SOS fault

limited Visibility fault

MMI / radio Issues.

Keep having to press the Heater switch up or down loads of times.

Old iPod style control


No internal boot release button. So I can’t open the boot for someone if they have their hands full unless I turn off the ignition & press the boot release button on the fob or get out and open it myself.

All on their own are little things but they all add up.
 
AudiA3Newbie said:
I also have a problem with…


Reversing sensors don’t always work

Folding mirrors squeak


Jerk when changing gear sometimes (it’s an auto)

SOS fault

limited Visibility fault

MMI / radio Issues.

Keep having to press the Heater switch up or down loads of times.

Old iPod style control


No internal boot release button. So I can’t open the boot for someone if they have their hands full unless I turn off the ignition & press the boot release button on the fob or get out and open it myself.

All on their own are little things but they all add up.
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No internal boot release button. So I can’t open the boot for someone if they have their hands full unless I turn off the ignition & press the boot release button on the fob or get out and open it myself -

To be fair none of the previous A3 models have ever had this button and only now those with powered tailgate get it, so it's not really a fault with this car.
 
@AudiA3Newbie , completely understand where you're coming from bud.

All I can say is when we sold the car we felt we would miss it / regret it. In reality not one bit, so much happier having uneventful drives now
 
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On the internal boot release, I recall from a few years back with my 8P A3 this used to infuriate me when I'd drop someone off and they wanted to get their bag out of the boot and I had to turn off the engine and take the key out of the ignition and unlock the boot from the key remote. I found out after about 5 years with car, you could double or triple click the unlock button on the door and that would unlock the boot so someone could open it from outside without having to turn off the engine and fumble about with the key.

I presume there's the same functionality with the 8Y door unlock button, but haven't tried it.
 
DE1975 said:
On the internal boot release, I recall from a few years back with my 8P A3 this used to infuriate me when I'd drop someone off and they wanted to get their bag out of the boot and I had to turn off the engine and take the key out of the ignition and unlock the boot from the key remote. I found out after about 5 years with car, you could double or triple click the unlock button on the door and that would unlock the boot so someone could open it from outside without having to turn off the engine and fumble about with the key.

I presume there's the same functionality with the 8Y door unlock button, but haven't tried it.
Click to expand...
If you press the unlock button on the door it opens the boot as well and then when you drive off they all relock
 
I just sold my A6 C8 after having constant software issues and rattles. Really took the shine off what was otherwise quite a nice car. It was my second Audi, the last being an A6 C7 which was faultless.

I’ve always liked Audi’s and would have bought another if it wasn’t for the experience I’ve had with my latest one. I’ve bought a new BMW M340i and so far so good.
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
Can’t seem to do it on mine unless someone can tell me exactly how to do it.
Click to expand...
There are two versions of voice control:
  • The default uses the cars on board processing and has a limited command set.
  • There is a more advanced, natural language voice control system with a larger set of capabilities, that uses the car’s data connection. This has to be enabled in the settings (sorry I can’t remember where, but it is in the manual and there has been at least one previous thread about it).
Bearing in mind the press review cars were early builds and many of them reviewed the more advanced voice control, I’ll be surprised if you don’t have it as an option.
 
AdamInKent said:
There are two versions of voice control:
  • The default uses the cars on board processing and has a limited command set.
  • There is a more advanced, natural language voice control system with a larger set of capabilities, that uses the car’s data connection. This has to be enabled in the settings (sorry I can’t remember where, but it is in the manual and there has been at least one previous thread about it).
Bearing in mind the press review cars were early builds and many of them reviewed the more advanced voice control, I’ll be surprised if you don’t have it as an option.
Click to expand...
I 100% don’t have this as an option.
 
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Sparks43 said:
Page 30 and 31 of the manual explains a little more in case it's been switched off
Click to expand...
Nope. My software/build doesn’t have this feature. There is absolutely no “Hey Audi” toggle either. I’m actually pretty sure the early (usb a + c) builds have an older microchip!
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
Can’t seem to do it on mine unless someone can tell me exactly how to do it.
Click to expand...
Mine is 2x USB-C. Initially I pressed the voice button on the steering, and commented 'hey Audi' and 'I'm cold, or set temperture to 25 degrees.' Then later I played with the settings and enabled it without needing to press the button. I can just comment out loud 'hey Audi' and it would respond. And it also responds to anything else that sounds like 'hey Audi' which is annoying, as this stops my music and navigation dead while awaiting further instructions.
 
Although it's not much consolidation to anyone, the newer vehicles must definitely being built with new software. Got my car a month ago now and I've not had a single error message, MMI reboot, MMI freeze, SOS fault or any other kind of fault. Maybe it's too early to tell at this point though, so we shall see.
 
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AudiA3Newbie said:
Unfortunately I’ve had enough of my A3 now with all its faults and am off to BMW. Had enough of the error messages such as The SOS fault or Limited Visibility messages on a clear day and certainly had enough of the MMI. Topped it off the other day when I couldn’t change the channel, couldn’t get any channels on the radio to play anything, turned the volume up and nothing so left it then after about 20 seconds the radio came on FULL BLAST. Couldn’t then turn it down or even off without a 10 second delay. This lasted for the whole 10 minute journey. What a nightmare.

This is not how a new Audi should be. Especially when all I get from Audi is that they can’t find any faults.

Has anyone else thought of leaving Audi or even left already due to the faults?
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that but a lot of different manufacturers suffer the same with new releases. The 340i is a cracking car and if your mind is made up then good luck mate, new 340i looks good, neighbours have a black one and he loves his.
 
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I can't fault you at all.

You've managed to hold out longer than I did. I swapped to a Mercedes a couple of months ago and don't regret it one bit.

Sure the design of the A3 was lovely, compared to the Merc, but having a software system that works everytime, not having to worry about yet another warning label and having full voice control makes up for it
 
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audi upgrades
Nothingdoing079 said:
I can't fault you at all.

You've managed to hold out longer than I did. I swapped to a Mercedes a couple of months ago and don't regret it one bit.

Sure the design of the A3 was lovely, compared to the Merc, but having a software system that works everytime, not having to worry about yet another warning label and having full voice control makes up for it
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That's sadly it, you don't want to pay so much to only have to cross your fingers everytime you take the car on a drive.

Glad you're enjoying the Benz!
 
For me, in an ideal world, I'd have the tech packed into the engine for performance and economy balance. I'd have Bluetooth, cruise, NAV and that's it. Remove all the automated systems please and make the car run without all the inter-communicating gizmos. And I'd have a mechanical 2-way limited slip diff please. If you're a good enough driver to appreciate the mechanical interaction, you can feel what's going on underneath you and you don't need all these driver aids. I don't even want Blind-Spot lights - I turn my neck thanks.

My father's 20plate S5 diesel nearly got us rear-ended when it "thought" it had seen a pedestrian close to the kerb (it was a lamp post and a railing). The car slammed on the emergency stop, complete with engine off, hazard warning lights and seatbelt pre-tensioners. The tech just isn't refined enough for all situations.
Hell, in a Eutopia situation, I'd still have a V8 with a manual gearbox... Maybe I'm just a dinosaur.
I can't see me buying anything new in the next 10 years. My S3 8V is even too "assisted" for my liking! I miss the mechanical drivetrain of my B7 RS4 and refuse to sell my B6 A4 Avant (318,000miles and counting, on original engine/box/diff thank you). I can't see any of the 8Y platform achieving that kind of mileage without serious work. They don't make em like they used to.

[\dinosaur]
 
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Scott325SE said:
For me, in an ideal world, I'd have the tech packed into the engine for performance and economy balance. I'd have Bluetooth, cruise, NAV and that's it. Remove all the automated systems please and make the car run without all the inter-communicating gizmos. And I'd have a mechanical 2-way limited slip diff please. If you're a good enough driver to appreciate the mechanical interaction, you can feel what's going on underneath you and you don't need all these driver aids. I don't even want Blind-Spot lights - I turn my neck thanks.

My father's 20plate S5 diesel nearly got us rear-ended when it "thought" it had seen a pedestrian close to the kerb (it was a lamp post and a railing). The car slammed on the emergency stop, complete with engine off, hazard warning lights and seatbelt pre-tensioners. The tech just isn't refined enough for all situations.
Hell, in a Eutopia situation, I'd still have a V8 with a manual gearbox... Maybe I'm just a dinosaur.
I can't see me buying anything new in the next 10 years. My S3 8V is even too "assisted" for my liking! I miss the mechanical drivetrain of my B7 RS4 and refuse to sell my B6 A4 Avant (318,000miles and counting, on original engine/box/diff thank you). I can't see any of the 8Y platform achieving that kind of mileage without serious work. They don't make em like they used to.

[\dinosaur]
Click to expand...
And that's precisely why I love my 90s supra.. something raw and soulful about the older cars.

Funny you mention the s5 situation, happened in my A3 it saw a parked car on the road and freaked the hell out fully slamming the brakes on.

I feel now days they just build a car to last 3 years and then when everything goes wrong it's outside of the warranty period and the second owners problem.

Back in the day (I'm only 30 lol) manufacturers built cars that lasted with no expense spared.

I
 
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auzzam_crd said:
I feel now days they just build a car to last 3 years and then when everything goes wrong it's outside of the warranty period and the second owners problem.
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In the past Volvos could last for decades, my previous car (from new) was a Volvo V40, that one didn't seem to be as bulletproof as their 'ancestors.' This is backed up by forum users with large problems after the 6-7 year mark (still good, but not as good as before). Back in 1994 we had a 12 year old (well my dad did, I'm not THAT old) Volvo 240 with over 280,000kms on the clock in Vienna, Austria. The car had no issues...
 
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Having grown up in the 70’s and 80’s, cars are hugely more reliable and require far less maintenance nowadays. My Dad often spent some of the weekend back then working under his car’s bonnet, whereas the most that I ever expect to do is change the brake pads (very rarely), top up the oil (rarely) or add washer fluid. Modern cars, in my experience also break down less often and are massively less polluting. Oh, and they don’t tend to rust, as they did back then.

It’s true that, as cars have ever increasing amounts of electronics and computerisation, there is more to go wrong (and more chance of nuisance failure) but they are generally pretty reliable and low maintenance (and will become more so as electric cars become the norm over the new decade or so).

I have just replaced a twelve year old, 90k mile Golf that was still on its original clutch and exhaust (remember how often you used to have to replace those?) which had no significant mechanical failures (the only breakdowns were the result of the occasional dying battery). And it replaced a 10 year old Focus which was significantly less reliable. So, unless you are talking about recently manufactured cars, it’s not my experience that cars are becoming more unreliable.
 
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AdamInKent said:
Having grown up in the 70’s and 80’s, cars are hugely more reliable and require far less maintenance nowadays. My Dad often spent some of the weekend back then working under his car’s bonnet, whereas the most that I ever expect to do is change the brake pads (very rarely), top up the oil (rarely) or add washer fluid. Modern cars, in my experience also break down less often and are massively less polluting. Oh, and they don’t tend to rust, as they did back then.

It’s true that, as cars have ever increasing amounts of electronics and computerisation, there is more to go wrong (and more chance of nuisance failure) but they are generally pretty reliable and low maintenance (and will become more so as electric cars become the norm over the new decade or so).

I have just replaced a twelve year old, 90k mile Golf that was still on its original clutch and exhaust (remember how often you used to have to replace those?) which had no significant mechanical failures (the only breakdowns were the result of the occasional dying battery). And it replaced a 10 year old Focus which was significantly less reliable. So, unless you are talking about recently manufactured cars, it’s not my experience that cars are becoming more unreliable.
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Fair enough makes sense I guess.

I've got a 2002 mx5 still on its original clutch and that gets a beating on the track lol.

I guess to my point it was more around the level of electronics they keep putting into cars, the more complex you make something the more issues that will likely arise and specifically issues that need dealer intervention which can become very costly.

I've had subscribers share horror stories of new Audi's with full service history that have had the engine go bang just outside of the warranty. No sympathy from the company.

I just don't feel that would have happened a few years back.
 
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Having had three errors tonight on a 12 mile journey (start/stop failure, lane keeping failure and the SOS failure) I’m off in the new year and away from Audi for good I guess. They’re clearly incapable of fixing the car (12 months old, 5000 miles) and I guess I should get rid while it’s keeping its value.
 
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Yup, I’ve got a mk8 Golf R on order, it’s not so much the issues but the ***** customer service from Audi who clearly think they can treat customers like idiots and be fine as they have “the 4 rings” won’t be considering Audi on any future car purchases.
 
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Moots said:
Yup, I’ve got a mk8 Golf R on order, it’s not so much the issues but the ***** customer service from Audi who clearly think they can treat customers like idiots and be fine as they have “the 4 rings” won’t be considering Audi on any future car purchases.
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Never experienced arrogance like it, sad really but I think eventually it will come back to haunt them.
 
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auzzam_crd said:
Never experienced arrogance like it, sad really but I think eventually it will come back to haunt them.
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Yup, I’ve always wanted an S3 and they’ve completely ruined the experience. Haven’t been on here since I mentioned it in another post as people jumped on my post and said you’ll have same issues with Vw etc, but I’ve never had any issues with customer service with previous Vw’s so I’m not sure what the point was. Tech can fail, that’s fine but don’t treat your customers like ****.
 
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