Help Please New owner of A4 B8 - Couple of questions

[JamesRyder]

Hello,

I've never owned an Audi before but I bought a 2011 A4 Dynamik 2.0 TFSI this week with 29,800 on the clock. It's a very nice car, although I'm still on the fence regarding the alloys. Anyway, it's asking for a service in a month. It's only had main Audi dealership servicing to date (Aberdeen Audi).

Couple of questions... I'm concerned that, at some point, I might get the oil consumption problem that plagues these engines. The oil level is just under half-way at the moment, and the last oil change was done just over 2000 miles ago. I've hardly driven the car so I've not been keeping tabs, but does that sound right? I don't know if the level shows full after an oil change, but if so, that seems like a lot of oil in a short distance. Would it be worth me sticking with main dealer servicing in case the oil consumption problem arises, or am I OK to use an Audi indie specialist to save money? I don't want to put up too much of a fight to get Audi to fix the problem if it comes up, but I've read that as long as the servicing is done to spec, then it should be OK. Just wondering if I should err on the side of caution for a bit, just in case. Basically, what would you do in my situation?

Second question relates to the rust problem with the wheel arches. Touch wood they seem OK at the moment, but is it worth protecting them now? Is it just a case of getting some vinyl to protect the paintwork? I don't fancy my chances of Audi offering to pay to fix both problems, so I'm looking to mitigate one of the issues if possible, and I'd rather they pay for the engine rebuild if it's needed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[MuPPeT_ON_TouR]

I am not aware these cars suffer any inherent rust problems with the arches. I had a 2008 A4 and had no rust. If you have rust I would say it's probably due to badly repaired accident damage.

As for the oil consumption. You already have the problem. No measurable amount of oil should have be used in just 2000 miles. I think it's obvious why the previous owner sold the car on.

Take it to Audi and get the oil consumption test carried out asap.

Good luck.

 

[JamesRyder]

Good news on the wheel arches, thanks for confirming Muppet. I had a bad feeling about the oil consumption problem when I saw the level. I have 6 months of gold-level warranty from the non-Audi garage I bought the car from, and they seem pretty nice there, and they have their own garage. It says they cover all major internal moving parts of the cylinder block, including pistons.

Thanks for the advice! I'll book the service in with Audi and ask for an oil consumption test at the same time, and then try my luck with getting Audi to do the work for free when it fails. At least I've got two avenues to pursue to fix the problem, and I think I can return the car to the dealer under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

 

[JamesRyder]

I'll keep this updated with my progress. It's now booked in on Monday with Audi to do the oil consumption test. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Not really what I expected to be doing in my first week of owning an Audi, but hey ho!

 

[Mike B]

Don't panic yet.You don't know the car well enough to worry about oil consumption and hopefully the test will be good.Every Audi I have owned over the last 20 years has had something in the handbook about normal consumption and if its had none added since the service I don't think that's bad as long as its stable.We can all afford a little a little oil from time to time.I don't think you have much hope of returning the car to the vendor unless the engine is seriously bad such as you could see signs of oil burning and many so called warranties are worthless for anything that could be regarded as normal wear and tear.Unfortunately very low mileage can indicate that the car has only been used for frequent short trips which can increase the wear rate on engine parts

 

[JamesRyder]

Thanks for your reassurance, Mike. I've just driven it and I was wondering if there's an element of me being hypersensitive, knowing there's an issue with these engines. You're right, I don't know how it was used prior to me picking it up on Monday, and it's perhaps too early to make a judgement. I suppose if I knew that I was getting rid of a car after a final service, I might not worry about burning some extra oil. I'll go for the test and see what they say. I'm hoping it's only £80ish, as I've previously read, so a small price to pay to find out. It doesn't help that I've never spent this kind of money on a car either, so I'm all a bit nervy. And you're right about returning it; it's not a showstopper so I'm sure they wouldn't even entertain a return. Thanks for planting my feet back on the ground.

 

[Mike B]

Glad to hear that helped.Unless theres anything nasty in the test you just need to keep a check on the oil level after your service and if it seems to be about the same usage all would be well.We have all read about the troubles with this engine and you cant eliminate risk whenever you buy any used car.I always like to buy privately so you can ask questions and get some idea of how the previous owner looked after the car but the trade is dominated by dealers and there are pitfalls.Hope it all goes well

 

[666markyboy]

There's a full thread in here somewhere about wheel arch rust.....If they are good now then I personally would do all can to protect them, you can get mudflaps that cover and protect the lower rear edge of the arch lip and also a plastic strip that Audi fitted to later B8.5 models, get plenty of Waxoil up around the lip too , All A4's seem to suffer rusting front arches at some point

 

[JamesRyder]

Thanks markyboy. I'll try to find that thread and then purchase the necessary parts to prevent the rust problem. That will be one less problem to worry about.

 

[satis]

Hi, for the last 2 and a bit years I've owned an Dynamik. I love it. When i got the car i did a oil consumption test at my local Audi dealer as i noticed the in car oil gauge dropping quickly. I was convinced it would fail the test but it amazingly it passed. The way they read the oil level in the sump is via a laptop. The car gauge i was told isn't that accurate. Although the car is using oil, it's still within Audi's guide lines so Audi UK won't pay for the work to be done even if the dealer wanted too. I need to top up about every 2000 miles and it's been like that from day one. I have a FSH with Audi and they still service/mot the car to this day.

Hope you're enjoying yours.

Keith.

 

[JamesRyder]

Hi, for the last 2 and a bit years I've owned an Dynamik. I love it. When i got the car i did a oil consumption test at my local Audi dealer as i noticed the in car oil gauge dropping quickly. I was convinced it would fail the test but it amazingly it passed. The way they read the oil level in the sump is via a laptop. The car gauge i was told isn't that accurate. Although the car is using oil, it's still within Audi's guide lines so Audi UK won't pay for the work to be done even if the dealer wanted too. I need to top up about every 2000 miles and it's been like that from day one. I have a FSH with Audi and they still service/mot the car to this day.

Hope you're enjoying yours.

Keith.

Hi Keith,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. The car's done 2600 miles since the last service and the oil gauge is now on the quarter mark. However, as you've mentioned, and from what I've subsequently read in other threads, the gauge shouldn't be relied on. I'm going to leave it for now and just enjoy the car. It's got a major service with Audi in a couple of weeks and then I'll just monitor it from there. I'm going to keep up the service history with Audi so I should be OK.

As for enjoying the car... If I could marry a car then I'd marry this one. I love everything about it. The only gripe I have (and it's only a small one) is that you can't permanently turn off the stop-start system, and I always forget to turn it off. Apart from that though, it drives like a dream, and the MPG seems to be a bit better than my previous BMW 330i.

Thanks again for your reply!

 

[MuPPeT_ON_TouR]

Get ready to buy a ring...

OBDeleven will disable the start stop so you have to turn it on .....

If only they had an OBDeleven device for my wife....... We all have a dream I guess.

 

[JamesRyder]

Get ready to buy a ring...

OBDeleven will disable the start stop so you have to turn it on .....

If only they had an OBDeleven device for my wife....... We all have a dream I guess.

Haha. I know what you mean. My girlfriend keeps banging on about buying her an engagement ring. She's even organised an engagement party for June. An app to disable a few girlfriend 'functions' would be great, and the first thing I'd disable is the 'Marriage' function. I haven't drummed up the confidence to tell her that the money I'd saved for a ring has now gone into buying a new car. Four rings instead of one. Anyway, I'm a Dead Man Walking right now!

Thanks for the tip on the OBDeleven. Just had a look at it, so that will be my next purchase when I get paid (if I'm still alive).

 

[rum4mo]

I think that I probably stupidly thought that after an oil change, correct level confirmed using the VAG workshop tool, that they reset/recal'd the "oil level gauge" - maybe I'm wrong there - anyway I have a dipstick in my engine, purchased just before the car! (2011 S4 6MT)

 

[Marky007]

The carista app can also turn off stop start ( other features also )it's free for a week too I turned mine off so it only works now if I want it on which is never.

 

[satis]

Hi Keith,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. The car's done 2600 miles since the last service and the oil gauge is now on the quarter mark. However, as you've mentioned, and from what I've subsequently read in other threads, the gauge shouldn't be relied on. I'm going to leave it for now and just enjoy the car. It's got a major service with Audi in a couple of weeks and then I'll just monitor it from there. I'm going to keep up the service history with Audi so I should be OK.

As for enjoying the car... If I could marry a car then I'd marry this one. I love everything about it. The only gripe I have (and it's only a small one) is that you can't permanently turn off the stop-start system, and I always forget to turn it off. Apart from that though, it drives like a dream, and the MPG seems to be a bit better than my previous BMW 330i.

Thanks again for your reply!

Hi, glad you love the car. I love mine to bits. This is my 4th A4 in a row (2 from new) and this is the best by far. As you probably know only 200 saloon versions (400 in all) Dynamiks were made. Still to this day I haven't seen another one on the road. They're quite rare. As far as the oil level the Audi tech told me the car will tell you when it needs topping up (1L). It's done it a few times now. You can still drive it a fair distance before topping up though.

This is also the 1st quattro I've ever owned and I'm well impressed. There's so much grip, especially in the wet that I'm still not used to it. Also it maybe because of the Dynamik aero pack, sports suspension and that it's 20mm lower than a standard A4 that the faster you go it seems to stick to the road like glue. I haven't any intentions of changing it for a long time. My is red by the way (see avatar).

Thanks Keith.

 

[JamesRyder]

Hi, glad you love the car. I love mine to bits. This is my 4th A4 in a row (2 from new) and this is the best by far. As you probably know only 200 saloon versions (400 in all) Dynamiks were made. Still to this day I haven't seen another one on the road. They're quite rare. As far as the oil level the Audi tech told me the car will tell you when it needs topping up (1L). It's done it a few times now. You can still drive it a fair distance before topping up though.

This is also the 1st quattro I've ever owned and I'm well impressed. There's so much grip, especially in the wet that I'm still not used to it. Also it maybe because of the Dynamik aero pack, sports suspension and that it's 20mm lower than a standard A4 that the faster you go it seems to stick to the road like glue. I haven't any intentions of changing it for a long time. My is red by the way (see avatar).

Thanks Keith.

It's funny you should say how rare they are as I looked at two for sale in the same week (both phantom black, but the red looks really nice too). I presumed they were a common variant, until a quick Google search told me that Audi only made a handful of Dynamiks for the UK market. I was about to pull the trigger on a local one that didn't have a FASH when another one came up on AutoTrader with half the mileage and a FASH on the day I was about to do the purchase. I lost the deposit on the first one but it was a small price to pay for peace of mind and a couple of years of extra driving. Unfortunately someone gave me a nice present within the first week of owning it - a dent and a couple of chips on the front wheel arch where they'd obviously slammed their car door into it. I've always been paranoid about public parking but even more so now. I had Dent Devils out this morning and he said he'll be able to fix it up for £70.

As you say, the Quattro system is something else. I took it out for a good test drive before I bought it and I was in awe at how the car owned the bends at speed. I didn't feel like I could do anything wrong. I've yet to drive it in the wet but I'm looking forward to testing it out as I appreciate it comes into its own in 'less than desirable' conditions. Like you, I think I'll be keeping this car for a long time to come. My BMW 330i was a really nice car but I feel like I've upgraded with this one as the driving feels effortless, and the comfort factor is definitely an improvement. I don't plan on getting it remapped, just in case I get the problem with oil consumption. It feels more than fast enough as it is anyway.

 

[JamesRyder]

The carista app can also turn off stop start ( other features also )it's free for a week too I turned mine off so it only works now if I want it on which is never.

Brilliant, thanks for this. I think I'll go down the free route to start with, just to disable that annoying feature. I'm finding it a big distraction to my driving and I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

 

[satis]

It's funny you should say how rare they are as I looked at two for sale in the same week (both phantom black, but the red looks really nice too). I presumed they were a common variant, until a quick Google search told me that Audi only made a handful of Dynamiks for the UK market. I was about to pull the trigger on a local one that didn't have a FASH when another one came up on AutoTrader with half the mileage and a FASH on the day I was about to do the purchase. I lost the deposit on the first one but it was a small price to pay for peace of mind and a couple of years of extra driving. Unfortunately someone gave me a nice present within the first week of owning it - a dent and a couple of chips on the front wheel arch where they'd obviously slammed their car door into it. I've always been paranoid about public parking but even more so now. I had Dent Devils out this morning and he said he'll be able to fix it up for £70.

As you say, the Quattro system is something else. I took it out for a good test drive before I bought it and I was in awe at how the car owned the bends at speed. I didn't feel like I could do anything wrong. I've yet to drive it in the wet but I'm looking forward to testing it out as I appreciate it comes into its own in 'less than desirable' conditions. Like you, I think I'll be keeping this car for a long time to come. My BMW 330i was a really nice car but I feel like I've upgraded with this one as the driving feels effortless, and the comfort factor is definitely an improvement. I don't plan on getting it remapped, just in case I get the problem with oil consumption. It feels more than fast enough as it is anyway.

Yes for me it's plenty fast enough and i too didn't want to remap it in case I get engine (oil) problems. Remapping TBH doesn't interest me as it's only about acceleration anyway. I can tell you I've had the car well over the legal limit and it's solid as a rock at high speed (just to test it).

Keith.

 

[Marky007]

Brilliant, thanks for this. I think I'll go down the free route to start with, just to disable that annoying feature. I'm finding it a big distraction to my driving and I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

You can also enable needle sweep on start up which is a good feature and oil temps & auto dip mirror when you put it in reverse.
You can also make car beep when locking and unlocking but sounds bit cheap so switched it back off.