To BBC or not to go to BBC?

I've had enough with the 'mechatronic' problems I have encountered with VAG cars over the last 5 years.

The issues started with a lease car, VW Polo - the mechatronic would shunt/jerk it was like being back-ended by a van. Dragged that case out for a year or so, took it to the Financial Services Ombudsman+Independent Engineering report to get the box sorted but they declined to replace the box and kept faffing around with software. The car was still under warranty but the dealer was not interested. In fact none of the VW dealers I went to were gave a monkey. So we handed it back in.

Fast forward, skipping a few lease cars (same problems i.e. mechatronic going at 12k, 16k and 33k on 3 different models) in between and on to the Audi A3 8P2 (2007) S-tronic, that I have. I found out that Audi of America were offering their customers a 100,000KM (10 year) warranty for the following parts: high pressure fuel pump, cam follower and IIRC piston rings. I queried this with Audi UK who turned around said they do not have to follow America's decisions... recently I read an article about how VW apologized to China for the DSG box faults.

VW Officials Apologize for Faulty DSG Gearbox in China - autoevolution

So why are we any different in the UK? I'm not going to take this issue to local papers this time. VOSA don't want to know as they have allegedly not had enough complaints about the mechatronic... so I e-mailed the BBC... and I have two programs interested in my story... finally!!!

66,000 miles in on the A3 and the mechatronic has become faulty... I see no reason why we the customers should have to foot a £2000+ bill when out of warranty / let alone pay the remaining amount out some "good will." This is a well established problem. Mechatronic units go at anytime from 6k-70k miles (sometimes more than twice!) or so and you just never know when you will be a victim... its just poor design. The DSG is supposedly bullet-proof and it does the job and its good at what it does but recurring faults with a mechatronic?? Come on... PLEASE!!!

So apparently a Senior Manager from Audi UK will contact me today at some point to discuss this issue (for the 5th time)... let's see what he says and if he doesn't then I will take all their letters and e-mails on to TV.

I won't touch another VW again... having said that I have an old 6n2 Polo for a twice weekly drive - as I would never take a new car to that area. However... I feel like giving up on Audi... I keep getting the same b/s every time I contact customer services... first I was thinking of getting an Audi A5... then the wife got one as a company car and 3k into use the mechatronic has gone... to me that says it all and it says that you never know when the mech. is going to go on you. It's dangerous and not embarassing to say the least... it happens to people on motorways, busy junctions, mid-way through a busy roundabout... I think the lemon laws should apply in the UK. People have way too many rights in the USA - which is a blessing as well as a curse but we get pushed around in the UK... with Audi UK saying: "Sorry but we cannot help." Sick of it! Absolutely sick of it... near death experience because of some part a manufacturer won't admit to has ongoing teething problems?! Makes me mad as hell. It's now 4pm... no response from this so called person at Audi UK... if they don't respond by the end of the week I will get rid of both the Audi's - the S4 included.

Just to update. Thank you ASN! For allowing me to post a thread of this nature. The thread was read by Audi UK (I sent them a link) who have agreed to help. I did not threaten them in anyway. I did not say to them that if they did not sort things out for me then I would go on TV. I simply expressed how fed up I was. I received a letter in the post yesterday. Audi UK have agreed to meet 60% parts costs and labour costs to replace my faulty mechatronic.

In my opinion. The 7 speed DSG is rubbish - hey China feels the same way. The 6 speed is good but no car should need to have a major gearbox component replaced under 100k miles. That is just poor design and manufacturing but thank you Audi UK for meeting me half way on this one. I now have to turn Rogue Traders down... darn it I wanted to be famous! So what did it take? 2 visits from independent engineer recommended by Honest John for specialist report, 12 e-mails, 6 letters, 5 phone calls and 6 dealership visits! Thank you Stratford Upon Avon Audi!

Such a shame that they have more rights in the USA than us: 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the HPFP/Cam Follower but they must take us British as a nation of mugs or something. In China the DSG now has an extended warranty too.

Ps. car has always been maintained by Audi main dealer!!!