TFSI Problems

[ScottishA4B9]

It seems that like the previous B8 models, that the new B9 models are having problems with their TFSI units.

Honest John reports that the B9 TFSI models are suffering from camshaft failures, with Audi unsure of how to fix, prompting a recall of TFSI models in the US. Like the previous debacle surrounding the B8 models oil consumption where Audi USA recalled all of the units and Audi UK didn't, there has been no word from Audi UK if they are going to recall B9 TFSI models.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/a4-b9-2015/?section=good

 

[Simonb1975]

Problems already. I'm waiting to drop my s3 asap because of poor reliability and crap build quality in areas. I did consider the b9 avant tfsi quattro. Might make my audi experience as short as possible.
I know it's early on but audi appear to be very so so nowadays. All show and no substance.

 

[A4B9]

Is the B9 even available in the US yet?

 

[ScottishA4B9]

There seems to be a lot of comments regarding woeful A3 build quality. I wonder if that has anything to do with them being built in Hungary rather than the main Audi plant in Germany.

I have to say my A4 B8 is amazingly built and even with 111k miles in the clock, it feels as tight as the day it left the factory.
The engine problems with the B8 were due to poor engine design rather than reliability. This looks also to be the case at first glance with the B9.

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Is the B9 even available in the US yet?

I've read plenty of reports of the B9 in the US.

 

[A4B9]

Build quality on the A3 is lower than the A4/5. The build quality of the A4/5 will be lower than that of the A6/7 - you get what you pay for.

Other than the pop up screen, I found the A3 a bit rubbish to sit in, wasn't that impressed

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Build quality on the A3 is lower than the A4/5. The build quality of the A4/5 will be lower than that of the A6/7 - you get what you pay for.

Other than the pop up screen, I found the A3 a bit rubbish to sit in, wasn't that impressed

Really?
I had a 2007 S3 a few years ago and I found it very well made. I don't believe the higher models are any better than the lower models.
I did consider the current S3 saloon before deciding on the B9.

 

[Simonb1975]

The s3 interior looks goodish to start but the rattles have started to appear with no real progress in resolving them. Then we get to other quality issues. I gather the a3 model is further down the food chain but where does the extra cost go to. These badges must cost alot to make (maybe it's the special glue holding them on)

 

[A4B9]

I had an 8V 1.6 tdi as a loaner for a weekend and I found the interior a bit cheap and lightweight. The older B8 A5 I had felt a lot more solid and the interior quality was superior IMO

Also the cloth seats with the patterns were something I expected to find in a Vauxhall Astra not an Audi. It's a shame really because if the interior was as good as the A4, I'd have gone for an A3 saloon

But that's just my opinion, don't take it as gospel

 

[cuke2u]

Nothing wrong with the build quality of my a3, the quality is far higher than any other mass produced car in the same class. As far as I understand it is only the saloon that's made in hungary and the rest are built at Ingolstadt....

 

[Simonb1975]

Really?
I had a 2007 S3 a few years ago and I found it very well made. I don't believe the higher models are any better than the lower models.
I did consider the current S3 saloon before deciding on the B9.

I would guess that the newer Audi models are more show than solid, they need to shift them quicker and in greater quantities than before.
I would say this applies to BMW and Mercedes aswell. They are still premium brands in peoples eyes but exclusive, no.
Audi/BMW/Merc are two a penny on the roads nowadays. Components need to be cheaper to produce and putting them in a nice suit justifies the price. Lets be honest, many people will buy the badge anyway. If I'd read the 8v forum now, I'd put my money elsewhere.

 

[cuke2u]

Well the new a4 hits a new high in interior quality and a bar that many other, so-called, prestige cars fail to reach. But I certainly didn't rate the b8 at all as I felt it was all rather ageing and a terrible car to drive so basing it upon that audi couldn't have really made it any more worse...

 

[Simonb1975]

True but the interior quality is perceived. How many of the reviewers have had the car for 6+ months. My car was superb for a couple of months before things went south. It's now more annoying than any of the fords I've owned. I'd say the A4 is a premium brand but not prestige. Don't forget its a massed produced car from a mass producing manufacturer, nothing more.

 

[cuke2u]

Don't forget its a massed produced car from a mass producing manufacturer, nothing more.

Did I not already say this, and aren't they all these days, however to compare the current A4 B9 to the A3 8V is not entirely the way to go as one is older than the other and, as I already stated, the A4 had a alot of catching up to do and has now set the bar, however you have to pay for it.
Now obviously our experiences of Fords must be entirely different because in no way does the interior of a Ford match anything Audi have currently to offer. I have owned several Ford models since 1993, mostly Mondeos, Escorts, Foci's and our current car is a Fiesta, no way are the interior materials used anything as good as inside an Audi and they rattle like hell and things also break after a while. Even the current Mk5 Mondeo can't park its wipers correctly when you switch off the engine and owners are complaining about a number of issues ranging from the performance of the air con to drive shafts failing to unresponsive touchscreens. Sit in one and you are greeted by a huge expanse of dull grey plastic.
But then you can pick a brand new Mondeo up for nearly half the price of an A4, so rattles seem to be an accepted price to pay and Ford will not fix any after one year either. My Mk3 Focus was full of rattles from the door trims to the dashboard, fun and a better drive maybe but my A3 doesn't have any issues with the interior trim and is a far nicer place to sit it but not drive.
I am expecting Audi to raise the level higher in the facelifted A3 and this might be one of the few times I actually purchase the same car again.

 

[Simonb1975]

Nail hit on the head, For the price of the S3 I expected much better. I was thinking about the A4 Avant but not sure if audi would give me 5K off if I ask them to leave the badges of.

All cars have a raft of issues, just that some Marques charge more for the goods without the increase in customer service quality and longer term (6 months+) build quality to match.

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Sometimes you just get s bad car no matter what car!
Although premium brands do seem to be better built as opposed to budget brands like Vauxhall and Ford.

 

[Simonb1975]

Long term, i'm not so sure, maybe 5-10 years ago

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Well I've had Ford's, Vauxhall's, Honda's, Suzuki's, Subaru's, Peugeot's, BMW's and Audi's.
By far and away the most reliable and best built car's I have ever owned have been Audi's.

 

[Simonb1975]

Of course that's fair enough, we can only go by our own experiences (That's really all that counts to the individual)
The question is whether I want to give them another chance with the increased cost involved.

To follow your example, I've had 1 Escort (Yeah I know but it was my first car), 5 Focus (Inc 2 ST's), 1 fiesta, 3 Mondeos
with no dealership/garage visits other than Services/MOT's over 22 years
1 Audi with 6 warranty issues, and also 3 other niggles (Unresolved)

My opinion is based on my experience not anyone elses. The Audi police can rest easy tonight

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Mind you I certainly don't blame you feeling the way you do if you have had that many issues with your Audi. It's enough to put anyone off a brand!

I still believe that you can have that one 'bad' car. My e90 BMW was meant to be the most reliable car going at the time and yet I had no end of troubles and yet my supposedly terribly made Citroen never had anything go wrong!

 

[Tfsi gone]

The only great TFSI engines are those that have been hand built/repaired. This engine saga continues..

 

[ScottishA4B9]

The only great TFSI engines are those that have been hand built/repaired. This engine saga continues..

So true!

 

[cuke2u]

I wish my audi was anymore reliable than any other mass produced car though, as previously stated, the actual build quality is very good, new passenger door mirror at first service because it was making a nasty noise when unfolding, now the drivers one is doing the same. New dmf and clutch after less than 5000 miles and now a really horrible noise when going over humps from the rear suspension. As stated, no different from any other car though...

 

[Simonb1975]

I hope Audi sort the 2.0 TFSI issues out, unlikely as there now in production. I don't really fancy the diesel route again, too many short journeys.
Any views on the other VW 2.0 petrols ? I assume there all the same but Audi see to be blighted in ways the others aren't

 

[cuke2u]

I thought it only affected engines made from a certain factory in mexico or south america and that they'd identified it was just a batch of camshafts...

 

[Simonb1975]

lets hope so

 

[scotty76]

Yeah it's a pain. With DPFs now the norm you're heading for trouble with a diesel for mainly short journeys. :-( I really liked my B7 2.0T FSI but I'll never know if I had a lucky escape. Oil pick up pipe seems to be the B7 killer.

 

[Simonb1975]

yeah, I'm still keeping the 2.0 TFSI as a possible option, but really fancy the Quattro. I have always found the clutch to be the most important pedal for proper control at junctions and slippery conditions, the gas pedal is a blunt object in comparison. If I'm staying in an auto (Which I prefer) then AWD is a must for me.