Spoke to the service manager at my dealer today and he was very nice, the car is scheduled to go back in on Wednesday to have the CEL issues looked at.

I had brought the car to a local German car specialist when I couldn't get a hold of the dealer and they said after very complete testing the Oxygen sensors are connected up reversed. Glenmore Audi will fix the issue if this is really the problem next week. I was also told the AC needed a valve replaced, the total charge for all these parts and diagnosis is $1200. After the valve replacement the car still blows hot so it needs a compressor now too, I am told the old valve was no good. I think I am quickly getting up to the $2000 guess except this is just for the AC.

I am not sure I have enough money to operate this car.

More Problems

Well costs are adding up, it seems it will cost about $500 to figure out why the AC is not working and the following codes are coming on:
P2097
Description:
Post catalyst fuel trim system too rich

P2098
Description:
Post catalyst fuel trim system too lean

Searching all the threads seems like a collection of people with S4’s with failed AC, codes and oil consumption. I have included some links but I am not sure how Audi gets away with it!

Build Quality

My third 2009 loaner 2.0 A4 had air conditioning and was considerably faster than the previous 2.0. It was so much faster I thought it was a 3.2! I guess the previous car had some issues, I feel sorry for whomever buys that car. The new car however also had problems, the transmission was very “lumpy” and at times I thought it was going to fall out, the button to turn off ESP also did not work, it only did “ASR/ESP on” or “ASR off”, out of the three loaners two had problems, hopefully sooner than later this all catches up with Audi. Out of the 3 cars both 2.0 had issue, the single 3.2 seemed very good and I liked it much better than the 2.0, it was quieter, less buzzy and had consistent power and good fuel mileage.

I dropped my car at a private garage to have the AC and CEL codes repaired, hopefully this is not another $2000 job. Sadly my dealer is not calling me back, maybe I'll stop in and see what is happening, I am sure the explanation is legit.

23-July-2009

The saga continues, I can’t get the dealer to phone me back for some reason, must be a good reason as they have been great to me so far. I really would like to get the AC and check engine light fixed and wrap this all up. The insurance company is in the process of finalizing the replacement stereo, it has now come in from Pioneer, but my settlement is reduced by 10% for depreciation, hope to have it all installed next weekend. The insurance representative and the guys from Mobile sounds have all been great. Seems everybody but Audi has been great, funny whenever I tell this story people are amazed at what poor customer service and disregard for the customer that exists within Audi. Odd I never thought buying a luxury car would mean poor service, I always thought you get what you pay for, not in this case. A friend of mine had a luxury car that spent most of its time in the shop too; he traded it on a Hyundai and has no problems since! I don’t know if I could buy a Hyundai though, maybe a Cadillac is in my future, support North American.

16-Jul-2009

So I finally got my car back and I sure am happy that it runs! Not to sound ungrateful but I get a Check Engine Light (CEL) for the catalytic converters that says:
P2096 Post CAT Fuel Trim too lean
P2099 Post CAT Fuel Trim too rich
Also my air conditioning no longer works and these are the hottest months here. I have been told I need a new condenser for the AC and that cost $1500, no reason for the CEL has been given yet but every time it has been cleared it comes back in a day or so. I don’t understand why the AC would suddenly break, but I guess it has, it did work when the car was dropped off though.

This car is a money pit.

No Warranty

No Warranty
Originally uploaded by homeychan

The continuing saga, after I called them to tell them I got a letter saying I had warranty, this letter followed shortly after. Audi sounds like a group of people that have no idea what is going on or how to treat customers.