These cars are perfect

LED DRLs
Originally uploaded by homeychan

For all those people that say this problem is'nt real, why are there so many posts with people having short blocks replaced?

"My short block was replaced a couple of months ago under CPO warranty.

Cost me $100 deductible...they said it was a ~$20k job.

I was always kind of sceptical about extended warranties. Not any more!"

Read the extended blog here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/319856-Oil-Consumption?p=5857971#post5857971

Audis For Saudis

Annual auto reliability survey

2010 Cadillac SRX AWD
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Consumer Reports released the results of its annual auto reliability survey on Tuesday and made special note of the improvement in General Motors vehicles.
“While some G.M. nameplates had been among the least reliable brands in past years, they now
rank above some major European competitors such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz,” said Consumer Reports in a news release.
Out of all the G.M. brands, Cadillac improved the most, moving up seven places from last year’s ranking to 19 (out of 27 brands). At 17, Chevrolet ranked the highest of all G.M. brands. Still, G.M. models have not yet reached the level of most reliable, where Honda and Toyota dominate.
Conducted in the spring, the 2010 Annual Car Reliability Survey covers 1.3 million 2001-10 model year vehicles leased or owned by Consumer Reports subscribers. The results apply to the predicted reliability of new cars, and vehicles are rated on a scale of Much Better Than Average, Better Than Average, Average, Worse Than Average and Much Worse Than Average.
Over all, Japanese automakers had the most reliable vehicles, occupying five of the top six slots. The top brand was Scion, surprisingly followed by Porsche, which jumped six spots since last year. In fact, all of Porsche’s cars and S.U.V.’s were rated Average or Better.
The Porsche Boxster also had the best predicted reliability score in the survey, but it was based on one year of data. The other German automakers were among the bottom six automakers in terms of reliability. Consumer Reports slapped the Not Recommended label on three Audis — the A3, the A6 with the 3-liter supercharged engine and the Q5.
(from NYT blog)

The Audi Kool-Aid

B8 A4
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Every now and then I post on the Audi forums to somebody who has oil consumption issues, people take this personally it seems. Seems like many just want to deny the problem because it didn't happen to them. My reply to one is below including the link to the thread on audizine.

Originally Posted by Retsujou
You do realise that at full RPM the pistons in the RS4 move faster than the ones in a Formula One engine. Don't you think that will burn some oil?

Originally Posted by homeychan
So your RS4 pistons move at over 16,000RPMs, are you saying the stroke is so short in the 4.2 it spins faster than an F1 car? Either way I'm sorry a F1 engine and our engines don't compare, pneumatic valves and an engine designed to run pinned for a few races is a lot different than a car designed to drive around on public roads. Guys don't get me wrong, I am not saying the cars suck, and I love my car when it runs. Let’s be reasonable, with a little bit of research these cars use oil, Audi says 1/2 litre every 1500km's is acceptable, but many burn more than that including mine. All I want is for Audi to acknowledge and fix the cars that do have a problem. Is that unreasonable? My car used a litre every 1200kms, the cylinders were fouled with oil and it had low compression because of the continuous excessive oil leak. It was a manufacturing fault; my problem started well within warranty but was denied in the end because Audi and the dealer had clerical issues. This a recurring issue why does everybody get so offended when it comes up?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/300719-RS4-Low-OIL-again?p=5789396#post5789396

Audi B6 S4

Audi B6 S4
Originally uploaded by homeychan

I received the following request from someone on Audizine, funny in the thread another guy responded that S4's do not have an oil consumption issue, not sure how he can legitimately say that. Have a read and follow the link for the entire thread.

Dear homeychan,

styleew1 has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - RS4 Low OIL again - in the B6/B7 S4/RS4 forum of Audizine Forums.

This thread is located at:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/300719-RS4-Low-OIL-again?goto=n
ewpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
HOMEYCHAN,

I have the exact same problem you are describing above with my B7 AUDI RS4.
My car is now two months past the warranty period. I just had the oil consumption test performed. In the last 5 months my car has been in the shop for an engine light. The car also broke down on me on the highway two months later. The oil light has come on twice. I have had to add two quarts of oil every 1500 miles. I just had the oil consumption test performed yesterday after noticing the inside of my tailpipes were coated with wet oil. Audi wants me to drive the car an additional 600 miles before going any further. They also said my car will most likely need to have an engine rebuild or an new engine!!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?! The car has been babied and has never been modified, redlined, or tracked. How did you make out with the lawyer? I am debating about getting an M3 and trading this car away. 2007 with only 32000 miles and needs a new engine? Audi was also kind enough to let me know the car is out of warranty by 2 months.
Terrible product and service for such a rare car. This is my third and last AUDI.
***************


There may also be other replies, but you will not receive any more notifications until you visit the forum again.

All the best,
Audizine Forums

Something Positive

SRP-Sept-2010
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Well at least the attached picture was a positive part of my trip to Spokane, because the car certainly wasn’t. Just as I left Calgary the oil light came on and I had to add a litre of oil, and then as we drove through the rain the car developed a terrible vibration, it was so bad the radar detector looked like it was going to fall off the windshield. On my gas stop in Cranbrook the vibration went away and the car was smooth again, I have no idea why when I was driving in the rain the car vibrated so badly. The oil light has come back on again but it is probably within Audi spec. Every time I think this car is fixed something else goes wrong…

Smoke Show Resolution?

Audi August 2010
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Another bill for the car and this was only half the repair, it may need to go back in to have the valve cover gaskets replaced if leak persists. I knew the leak was crankcase pressure related! When I was driving back from Banff the pressure in the crankcase could not vent and built up until it forced its way out the easiest spot, the rubber valve cover gaskets.

I was speaking today with a 2010 2.0 B8 A4 owner today and he was telling me that his car has 16,000km’s and has used 2 litres of oil, when he called Audi they said it was normal and not to worry! My civic, Cadillac, Mitsubishi, or Ford cars I’ve owned in the past have never required the addition of oil between oil changes. The only time I see oil consumption is when the engine has a problem.

Also another person was telling me the new A5 in Europe has very poor reliability and is known to be one of the worst. Some quick research and in North America it seems to be average to poor:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Audi_A5/Reliability/
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Audi/A5/2008/Coupe/ratings

People seem to love these cars and live under the misconception they are good cars, they are great cars to drive but have poor reliability and support from Audi. Might not be so bad if Audi seemed to care about customers.

Summer Smoke Show

LED-Dark
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Well I haven’t blogged for a while, I have not driven the car a lot and my wife just had a baby, so I have been extremely busy. I’ve been getting some grief for not putting up any news, but in this case no news is good news..until yesterday. Took the car to Banff with my dad and uncle from Jamaica, that is one of the fastest highways in Canada on the way back to Calgary. People consistently drive over 140/kmph which is rare for Canada, people generally want to drive side by side 10 below the limit on the highway. Anyways on the way back I was in a group that included an Audi TTs, a Mustang GT, and a random Dodge ½ ton, we were all moving about 140 to 160 consistently, when suddenly my car starts billowing smoke, huge smoke and it stinks in the car. We pull over and find no evidence of a problem, no leaks, no alarms, nothing; the only thing I noted was a bit of smoke coming out of the centre of the car right at the back of the engine. This is going to be another gong-show getting these guys to troubleshoot, if this car is designed for the German Autobahn, it seems every time I drive it at high speeds it blows smoke. There is a design flaw in this car, maybe crankcase ventilation/pressurization?

Hot leather in the summer

Audi Final_0005
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Here is another common problem with these cars, the Air Conditioning fails. My Car has had a failed compressor, pressure switch, and had debris in the dryer. Searching around on the forums you find threads like the one below. My AC was fixed twice last summer and then failed again this spring, so all you people that ask me if they should buy an Audi, figure it out for yourself. If you enjoy trips to the service department and constant failures – yes, just sell it before the warranty expires... If reliability and customer service is important, then this is not the brand for you.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?366568-A-C-not-blowing-cold-air&p=5329820#post5329820

Audi Customer Service - N/A

LED DRLs
Originally uploaded by homeychan

I haven’t posted in awhile again but been on the forums and found an interesting thread posted by a guy with motor problems. While the original post seems to be more of a dealer issue, the sentiment in many of the posts seems to indicate Audi has a customer service problem, yeah they make a great product but it is problematic with no support. Have a read:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?366345-Audi-Sucks

What else can break?

Summer
Originally uploaded by homeychan

Well the S4 is back again, looks like the high pressure switch for the AC had failed and was leaking, dealer replaced the switch and completed a service on the car, boy I love the $400 oil change. Interestingly the Cadillac had some issues and I had to bring it in for service, the service experience with my Audi dealer was better, from service writer to driver the Audi service was better. I think that’s just a local dealer issue though, either way Audi corporate are still a$$holes.

Still Going...

2010 Cadillac SRX AWD
Originally uploaded by homeychan

The never ending saga continues, air conditioning has stopped working on the S4 again, the “econ” light just stays on. At least the dealer is friendly, got a wonderful greeting from all of them today; it’s nice to go where everybody knows your name. I just prefer it not to a result of the frequency my car comes in for service. Car also needed regular maintenance; hopefully I don’t go broke on this visit.
I put a nice picture of the SRX up on the blog, at least this vehicle makes me happy.

2010 SRX

IMG_1467
Originally uploaded by .joel

I should have bought domestic instead of this Audi. My wife and I just picked up a fully loaded 2010 Cadillac SRX, because she is expecting our second child. This is a very well designed vehicle, very nice to drive, it would have been an Audi if they didn't screw me over. I have also confirmed my blog has talked 5 people out of buying Audi's, friends have refered their friends and it has made a difference. Every little bit helps, since sales are finally down for Audi, maybe they won't be so arrogant. Eitherway this blog is a great example of why to never buy an Audi, buy domestic!

Works like a car

Audi S4 B6
Originally uploaded by homeychan

I got the car back on December 23rd and it still runs! I am very excited that my car works like a car, it hasn’t needed oil, hasn’t thrown any codes, it has just run like a car should. Funny how excited I am that my car runs like a car, lowered expectations I guess after everything I have gone through. I am very thankful that my dealer helped me out and put the car back together, even though Audi told me to pound sand. I am now looking for another vehicle for my wife and until Audi Canada told me to go away it most certainly would have been an Audi, instead I am looking for a Cadillac, probably an SRX I have had my fill of German cars. I still love my car and think it sounds and looks really sexy, but I wish I never had this experience with Audi Corporate.

Misery loves company!

CaR
Originally uploaded by homeychan

People find my blog and posts on the forums, I just recieved another question from another guy with issues, it is below:

"I took the car in for oil consumption issues. Audi tried to fix car while under warranty. After my warraty expired oil consumption grew worse. Now they want to replace the short block. I hope it is not at my expense. waiting to here if it will be. I have a lawyer and filed suit for breach of warranty. Any help from your experience would be great.

Thanks,"

This isn't the only engine with oil consumption problems either, the 2.0 is probably the most popular and suffers from the same issue, one local dealer has 4 of them with issues and Audi has not been much help.

The Report

2005 B6 S4
Originally uploaded by homeychan

I haven’t posted for awhile since getting my car back, the holidays, school and my annual trip to the consumer electronics show have all contributed. I have been driving my car now for a few weeks without any problems or check engine lights. I have noticed some difference between the 2009/10 and my 2005. The new B8 actually has some positive features, now that it’s winter the fact that the trunk pops all the way open on the new Audi is great, I keep getting my hands dirty when opening my trunk because I have to lift it up. The drawback to the new trunk design though is that the covers for the arms on the trunk break, and if you fill the trunk the arms won’t let the trunk close. While they added a benefit they took away another. I like the adjustment for the heated seats a lot better in the old Audi, it is simple to use and just involves one action (turning), unlike the new one that requires button pushing, turning and is not as intuitive. I still stand behind my statement that the previous model Audis are built better and have better overall fit and finish. Hopefully all the problems are over with the car now, if I could only find someone that knew how to bleed brakes!