Clutch Is It Covered By Warranty? Are they trying to have one over me?

[Ash B]

Hi all

As title says is my clutch covered by warranty? Have had a few problems with it now...Few times i have not been able to get into 1st or 2nd. Anyway it went into Cardiff Audi last year. To which they said they couldnt find a problem with my gearbox or clutch. But i need to change my clutch? It cost £800 + Vat as its not covered by warranty. Asked her how she worked that out and well she was just started stuttering and didnt give me a reason. Told her i dont want to change my clutch in less they can find a problem.


Took it to Sinclair Audi said it was due to my gear linkage they messed with the car for a bit and didnt have a problem for 6 months. They confirmed at the time my clutch was fine and it still bites. So no need for me to change it. Anyway problem came again in April/May so called out Audi Roadside Assistance problem wasnt there when he came so he pulled up my gear knob surround and was some sort of material disc there which he put some sort of liquid on it and the problem has not came back since. Till the clutch started slipping so contacted my local Audi Dealer to which i got told its down to my driving style! And down to wear and tear. So me being 19 must mean i'm a boy racer.


So because it got so bad been parked on my drive for a while over 3weeks! Called R.A out again. The guy who comes is always the same guy since i've had my car and he said it should be covered and if not whats point in having warranty.
I told him Cardiff Audi said its wear and tear and can be down to my driving. To which he answered they can not prove that and should be done under warranty, wear and tear my ar*e sneaky b*stards they are! Any one like to enlighten me? Has any one been able to get this job done under warranty? Anyway Emissions light, Electro-Mechanical Power Steering light came on and the battery died! Different guy this time who said my clutch should be covered by warranty. And saying that Cardiff Audi are sneaky!

Also warranty running out tomorrow or 48hours. But when i called audi when i had a month left they wanted me to pay for the diagnostic even though i bought the car and collected it on the 11t of July 2008. Do you think they are trying to have one over on me? As they told me to change my tyres on my car within the first 4weeks of me owning the car when i had a few problems with it then. They changed the back tyres for me to brand new ones as old ones had nails in, when i came to collect the car. And the front two had loads of tread left.

Any advice would help as if i can get it down under warranty save me over £600

Thanks

Ashley

 

[h5djr]

The current Audi 'UK Roadside Assistance and Warranty Information' booklet says, about the Three-Year Warranty...

Non-warrantable damage includes (but is not limited to) the following examples:

Fair wear and tear on items such as brake pads and discs, clutch linings, spark plugs, bulbs and fuses, carpets and seat cover.

So the dealer could probably argue that the clutch lining is not covered if it is the clutch lining that is causing the problem.

Personally I've owned manual A3s for 45k and 46k miles with no problems with the clutch at all, but clutch wear can be down to driving style.

How many miles has your A3 done?

 

[S3KVN]

When i went on a VW warranty course about a month ago they said for wearing items such as clutch/brakes etc warranty would cover any premature wear as long as the car is no more than 6 months old and has covered no more than 6250 miles, they will only do this once so if it happens again in this period it is up to the customer to sort it out as VW see it as the customers driving style is causing the problem.
After 6 months or 6250 miles the warranty does not cover these parts and it is up to the customer to pay for the repair.
I hae slept since they told me this but i am pretty sure that is accurate.
Thats the way VW are i am guessing the Audi would be the same?

 

[warren_S5]

My clutch / DMF / rear diff was replaced at 11k miles under warranty, but then the car had suffered a catalogue of other issues ahead of this so I guess it was partly out of sympathy. I've done 15k on the new clutch and no issues to report. Very often it can be around the way you approach the issue as to how far the goodwill stretches. I had an expensive suit on that day and I even got the 'Sir' treatment which in my part of the road is rare.

 

[bluequattro]

pmed u ashley

 

[S3KVN]

My clutch / DMF / rear diff was replaced at 11k miles under warranty.

Surely this was covered under warranty due to the fact is was a fault rather than it had premature wear?

 

[Flibble]

I can't see an 09 plate having enough miles on it to have worn out a clutch... They should last for ages unless you're really ragging it. My old A3 was on 70k on its first clutch with no probs whatsoever.

 

[kaz219]

Ashleys A3 isnt a 09 - it jut has the 09 lights lol

I doubt it wil be under warranty tbh - it will probs be down to wear and tear (or thats what they will say anyway).

£600s too much for a clutch and labour anyway - find a mehanic - should be around £150 labour at the max.

 

[Broken Byzan]

Ahsley, get a clutch kit and fetch the car to me. I will sort it mate, no worries. All it will cost you is a clutch then

 

[Ash B]

First of all i'd like to thank every one, who took time out to comment on my whole situation! My uncle works in a garage he can get a clutch and do it all for £400 maybe £350 depending what mood his boss is in!

The current Audi 'UK Roadside Assistance and Warranty Information' booklet says, about the Three-Year Warranty...

Non-warrantable damage includes (but is not limited to) the following examples:

Fair wear and tear on items such as brake pads and discs, clutch linings, spark plugs, bulbs and fuses, carpets and seat cover.

So the dealer could probably argue that the clutch lining is not covered if it is the clutch lining that is causing the problem.

Personally I've owned manual A3s for 45k and 46k miles with no problems with the clutch at all, but clutch wear can be down to driving style.

How many miles has your A3 done?

Hi Dave

Thanks for the reply mate. Car currently on 59,350 miles at the moment! Normally when my car get between 50k-55k i get a new one. But i like my A3 and have some big plans so its here to stay. Yes Cardiff Audi will argue clutch lining is not covered. I should really go Sinclair Audi as there services are miles better than Cardiff. And plus they dont bring my age into it aswell.
Thanks for the information and advise Dave

Ashley

When i went on a VW warranty course about a month ago they said for wearing items such as clutch/brakes etc warranty would cover any premature wear as long as the car is no more than 6 months old and has covered no more than 6250 miles, they will only do this once so if it happens again in this period it is up to the customer to sort it out as VW see it as the customers driving style is causing the problem.
After 6 months or 6250 miles the warranty does not cover these parts and it is up to the customer to pay for the repair.
I hae slept since they told me this but i am pretty sure that is accurate.
Thats the way VW are i am guessing the Audi would be the same?

Hi mate

Thanks for that information. Based on that i'll be paying for the clutch! And yes im guessing with VW be the same with Audi.
Thanks for your help and advise

Ashley

My clutch / DMF / rear diff was replaced at 11k miles under warranty, but then the car had suffered a catalogue of other issues ahead of this so I guess it was partly out of sympathy. I've done 15k on the new clutch and no issues to report. Very often it can be around the way you approach the issue as to how far the goodwill stretches. I had an expensive suit on that day and I even got the 'Sir' treatment which in my part of the road is rare.

Hi Warren

Thanks for that. I do try and approach them in a polite manner. Well i think i have a polite manner anyway. It's just when they bring my age up like they always do! Is when i get a bit annoyed. I'll go down there and speak to them next week or try Sinclair Audi. Also your car a lot newer and less miles than me so that could be another reason why they decided to cover it. And due to all the other problems you had so sympathy aswell. Bet you enjoyed the 'sir' treatment! Ha i had a nice suit on the other day as i went for a interview ahhh i do miss wearing suit! Felt good and they way people treat you a lot different aswell.

One more question Warren I'm having a full engine conversion as im trying to keep my car for another 2-3years! Plans was to get a new car next year. But decided against it till 2011, nothing catching my eye. After the conversion car will be seeing 330bhp maybe 350 with a few more bolt on goods and stage 2 and thats the max due to my car being FWD!
Do you think i should go for the heavy duty Sach clutch? Spoke to a few members who have been helpful and recommended clutchs. Engine wont be started till October. So due to your knowledge what would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Ash B]

pmed u ashley

Thanks for that will read it now and get back to you!

Ashleys A3 isnt a 09 - it jut has the 09 lights lol

I doubt it wil be under warranty tbh - it will probs be down to wear and tear (or thats what they will say anyway).

£600s too much for a clutch and labour anyway - find a mehanic - should be around £150 labour at the max.

Hi Kaz
Long time no speak, Hope every thing going good. Na i've out over the fact that it wont be covered so i'll pay for it. My uncle said he have to charge me £100 for labour because of his boss which is understandable.
Thansk for the information

Ashley

Ahsley, get a clutch kit and fetch the car to me. I will sort it mate, no worries. All it will cost you is a clutch then

Hi Mark

Thanks for that mate. I'll find out about a clutch and every thing. I'll send you a pm over then and see what we can do! Thanks

Ashley

 

[warren_S5]

One more question Warren I'm having a full engine conversion as im trying to keep my car for another 2-3years! Plans was to get a new car next year. But decided against it till 2011, nothing catching my eye. After the conversion car will be seeing 330bhp maybe 350 with a few more bolt on goods and stage 2 and thats the max due to my car being FWD!
Do you think i should go for the heavy duty Sach clutch? Spoke to a few members who have been helpful and recommended clutchs. Engine wont be started till October. So due to your knowledge what would you recommend?

Thanks

To ensure you keep some longevity you want to look at a clutch. It will reap the best benefits from the other mods that you have done. Cutting corners can cost dear in the long run. Get a decent clutch and take the offer above for subsidised fitting!

A bigger question which I'm not qualified to answer is whether to look at a dual or single mass flywheel. Some have gone for SMF but there appear to be some side effects. Tough call.

Shame you can't put a Quiafe or Peloquin diff in as with a 2wd platform it would help no end in the twisties.

 

[Ash B]

To ensure you keep some longevity you want to look at a clutch. It will reap the best benefits from the other mods that you have done. Cutting corners can cost dear in the long run. Get a decent clutch and take the offer above for subsidised fitting!

I 100% dont want to cut any corner. As i'll be spending quite a bit on the conversion to have it done professionally so i can still use vag.com to get fault codes or to change any thing. And it comes with warranty bonus. So it be like the engine was always in this car from factory!
Thanks for the advise Warren appreciated

Ashley

 

[warren_S5]

I 100% dont want to cut any corner. As i'll be spending quite a bit on the conversion to have it done professionally so i can still use vag.com to get fault codes or to change any thing. And it comes with warranty bonus. So it be like the engine was always in this car from factory!
Thanks for the advise Warren appreciated

Ashley

Nice one, be interested to see the build. Do you think you'll go DMF / SMF.

 

[10blazin]

Ahsley, get a clutch kit and fetch the car to me. I will sort it mate, no worries. All it will cost you is a clutch then

wow that's nice of you mate ....still good guys about its good to see