V8 R8 Coupe - Problem after problem - My consumer rights?

[jamesnoony]

Hi

I've had pretty much continual problems with my October 2008 UK R8 V8 Coupe, bought from new, factory order with my spec.

Starting just a few months after purchase with suspension failure. I have only done app 20k miles and over the past 2 1/2 years I have been without my car, due to it being in the Audi workshop for around a 2 1/2 month period.

The first time audi replaced the front suspension, after just one week the suspension again failed. Since then both front and rear suspension have again been replaced due to being faulty. Its is of the opinion of several people I've spoken to that there is an underlying problem with the vehicle that is causing these faults.

Without going into extensive detail, here is a list of the faults that have occurred.

• 4 sets of suspension have now been replaced (3 separate occasions)
• Even when replaced, car still has minor knocking on day to day roads
• Creaks and squeeks from suspension & engine bay
• Grating noise on hard steering at slow speeds (not tyre squab), feels like steering column
• Intermittent noisy air con
• Buzzing from speakers due to poor fitting/loose covers (Bang & Olufsen), front door and rear
• Coolant leak, replacement pipe needed
• Electrics failure

My car is currently back with Audi having the coolant leak fixed and the electrics investigated. I turned off the ignition last week only to hear a ticking noise coming from behind the passenger seat, lasted 15 seconds, I then tried to start ignition, nothing. Tried again in a few minutes, started up but all the electrics, clock etc had reset. For the next few days, intermittently the same, windows were not closing fully and at times got to my car to start up.. nothing.. then try again and it starts, clock reset again.

I cannot stress enough my disappointment at spending 90k on Audi's flagship car and having such major & frequent problems and inconvenience. Its been in and out of the audi workshop several times since new, each time a hassle.

I'll also mention that a couple of times Audi gave me an R8 courtesy car, on each occasion the courtesy car just "felt" so much better, tighter, more solid etc etc, like you expect an Audi should be. I have spoken to a work client who had the same spec car as me, from new, same year, for 2 years, more mileage and he did not have a single fault.

Needless to say it's the my opinion and that of several other experienced drivers/prestigious car owners that I have a "lemon" vehicle. Even my local Audi guys have stated that this is unheard of, especially with an R8 and that seems to be the general opinion from my web searches.

I am currently taking up my issue with Audi UK, although they say it is an issue I need to take up with the business manager from where I bought it.

Can anyone offer me advice on what are my actual consumer rights and what I can do about this situation. The car has been in and out of the workshop so many times and never feels right / again has issues, that I have no confidence whatsoever that it will ever drive as it should, etc etc

Many Thanks, James

[timborama]

Sorry to hear. But this is 2011, I'm pretty sure any statute of limitations have run out, although your warranty hasn't. Usually lemon laws require X number of issues with Y amount of time. Ask your solicitor, your laws may be different.

[drifting]

Hey james Welcome to R8talk.
Where are you based if you don't mind me asking?

I think you may have problems getting a refund or replacement car as you have had your car going on 3 years. But here in england we have "not as advertised" or "fit for purpose" laws but wether you get anywhere with them I don't know.

Its worth having a chat with a lawyer and a serious chat with the top man at the dealership you got the car from as that will be who your contract is with they will be more help than audi uk.

Failing all that I know a man who parked his S class out side the entrance to a flagship Mercedes dealership that had been sign written with all the faults it had. Iirc it got sorted extremely quickly

Good luck.

[baradona]

James

If your car is financed you should explore the issue with your finance provider too, as unless you've met certain thresholds the car will be owned by them.

What outcome are you hoping for - refund / minimum trade in value / exchange for a new or used vehicle...?

[jamesnoony]

Thanks for your comments guys... I'm based in Yorkshire, Audi UK mentioned something about "car rejection" and yeh I've heard of the "fit for purpose" law. Its part financed yeh so I'll have a word with them too, hadn't thought of that. Audi UK also mentioned that the dealership I bought it from (Leeds Audi) have already made their profit out of me and so it is they who should come up with a compromise agreement.

If I wasn't having all these problems I would have no intention of changing the car just yet, would keep for another year. However as obviously the car is flawed, I want rid of it and to be compensated for all the inconvenience/disappointment etc etc.

Its not like I have completely lost faith in the Audi brand, my general feel is that I've got Friday afternoon/lemon vehicle (it happens!!). I could me tempted to move back to Porsche, probably Turbo/Turbo S however I do prefer the looks of the R8. At the moment it seems the only real solution would be a compromise agreement on a trade for a new R8, proferrably V10 spyder but it would all boil down to how much I will be compensated by Leeds Audi. Audi UK have said that they would get involved but to what extent remains to be seen.

James

[mngolfer]

I had a similar situation with my A8L. It was in the shop so much I knew all of the service personnel's children's names. I showed them a photo-shopped picture of how I was going to plaster my car with lemons and park it in front of the dealership. See attached.

They asked me not to and they approached AOA. AOA made me an offer for a significant discount on a new A8L. I ended up keeping my A8L after the dealer replaced my engine. My problems disappeared after the engine replacement. The car is great now and I have no maintenance issues, even with over 164K miles. My dealer is great.

[StuM]

Sorry to hear of your reported problems. I've now owned two R8's (V8 coupe and V10 spyder). Neither has had single problem of any type and are two of the best, all around and high quality cars I have ever owned. And I've owned over 70 auto's in my lifetime, including Ferrari, BMW, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc.
I hope you can either get things straightened out or some suitable remedy from Audi and/or the dealer.
Good luck.

[ADV.1 Matt]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Seems to be very unlike the normal build quality on the R8's.

[Spooner]

Even when replaced, car still has minor knocking on day to day roads

Hi James

Interestingly, I have this same issue. I just had it back from Audi after having the front left suspension unit changed. This improved the knocking ALOT, but driving on certain roads I still get a slight knock over certain road surfaces.

I have about 2 months warranty remaining so think I will end up having it looked at again.

I worry that its a steering fault or something as the technicians went over everything before they changed the suspension unit.

I know its not right as a family member also has a R8 V8, and that feels so much more solid over the same roads...

[jamesnoony]

Hi Spooner

Yeh sounds very similar, yeh each time mine improved a lot, as the suspension had completely failed. However yes, still you can hear minor knocking, I described it as like having a box of gold balls in the bonet. Then the recurring problem got worse and new suspension again. I too have driven other R8's and several other audi courtesy cars and they all feel more solid, like you'd expect from an Audi. I've had these issues from new so its def not wear and tear, plus Ive only done app 20k over 2 1/3 years.....