Audi S3 8v manual clutch replacement

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Jp Batault

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Hello Chaps

I hate to ask for help on my first post but this is a bit of a desperate matter.

My car went in to the dealers about a month and a half ago. I was told I needed a full clutch and flywheel replacement. Audi also added they would not be covering this, even though it is under Freeway Plan - warranty. It has been deemed by their expert that is it my fault.

I just wanted to enquire if any other owners have had any problems with their clutch?
I do understand the manuals aren't as popular as the STronic so this might be a long shot.

Will update the thread as new information comes up

Thanks in advance
JP
 
I have done 12k miles in my manual and it gets properly used but not from every junction or set of traffic lights.....I'm in my 40s don't you know.
No issues at all with the clutch.

Presumably Audi can prove the 'blueing' on the plates if they are claiming it is your fault?
 
ive been searching and cant find a replacement, how can they say its your fault after 12k miles??
 
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Cor that's ridiculous mileage for a clutch to need replacement. Has the car been taken apart yet? Is the clutch plate worn out completely or has bits of it broken off, etc?
 
100% throw this back at them ....ask them to prove it!! Like stated above ....12K and the clutch has gone ......its a £30K premium car .....

STAND YOUR GROUND
 
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Forgive me if I'm wrong but it wasn't the OP that has stated 12k miles... it was msdmmjb

So to the OP, what is the age, mileage, mods if any(?)
 
Surely must be modded for this to be not covered... Unless an early 2012 car?
 
My car is booked in for potential clutch issues at end of the month. Not tuned..not thrashed..and only covered 19k. Also a manual.

Audi are going to have it in a few days and run diagnostics etc but might turn out to be something completely different, I was getting the feeling of clutch slip when accelerating in 4th/5th/6th gear from say 30mph when heading to national speed limits etc.. Master tech took it out last saturday and said that it might be clutch but might be something else as if clutch was goosed then the fault would happen more often.. We shall see what they say in couple weeks.
 
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The car is a 2014 model. Its just over a year old.
The car has just under 11K Miles on the clock. I would say 1.5K miles of those have been done on long distance drives (straight roads with no shifting)

The car has no mods whatsoever, completely standard.

Furthermore, in my country (South Africa) we got a detuned version that has "only" 206kwh.

The clutch was apparently completely worn out with pieces that did break off.

AndyB-S3, would love to hear about the outcome to see if it is clutch or not. Sounds like a very similar situation to mine.
 
Have they accused you of driving while resting your foot on the left pedal ;)
 
From the Audi Warranty terms and conditions, clutch release bearings, clutch pressure plates and clutch centre plates are deemed to be "wear and tear" items, and as such, only carry a warranty period of six months or 6,250 miles.

Ask your dealer for a written detailed explanation of the reason for failure, get them to be absolutely specific.

If they don't use any of the words above (release bearings, pressure/centre plates) then, as others have said, stand your ground.

http://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/a...nties/audi-warranty-terms-and-conditions.html
 
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Considering the chocolate clutch that was fitted to the S3 8P, you might have thought that Audi would fit a better one to the new model but the cynics amongst us may see it as a way to either cut costs or dissuade people from remapping the car....
 
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My 2009 TTS had slipping clutch at 22k miles in the summer 2 years ago. Likewise no excessive punishment from me since I'd bought it a 9k miles and many motorway miles.
The strange thing was that, after I'd booked it in with Audi, the problem totally disappeared after a hard blast over the North Yorks moors to the coast. I cancelled the appointment and all was well for months, until spring last year when the problem came back.
When the clutch was taken out there were no visible problems - no excessive wear, etc - and the technician agreed with me the issue was probably down to weak springs not wear. Unfortunately the car was well out of warranty so I had to pay up.
If I get a re-occurrence on the S3 I'll not be fobbed off with the 6 month clause for what is clearly a long-standing and known design or manufacturing problem making the item not fit for purpose.
BTW Exactly the same slipping at max torque problem occurred on my Honda CRV a few years ago at 64k miles. Warped clutch plate, reducing the effective area, replaced under warranty without question. What a difference in attitude.
 
AndyB-S3 said:
My car is booked in for potential clutch issues at end of the month. Not tuned..not thrashed..and only covered 19k. Also a manual.

Audi are going to have it in a few days and run diagnostics etc but might turn out to be something completely different, I was getting the feeling of clutch slip when accelerating in 4th/5th/6th gear from say 30mph when heading to national speed limits etc.. Master tech took it out last saturday and said that it might be clutch but might be something else as if clutch was goosed then the fault would happen more often.. We shall see what they say in couple weeks.
Click to expand...

I echo this... I've done 45k miles in mine and seem to get what feels like no gear during hard acceleration... The revs climb without the proportionate power to accompany it! It then eventually seems to bite but without any surge of power or anything... Thought it was just mine! Apparently not!
 
I have an 2013 8v and my clutch slipped at 9k (with some hard beating ) . A friend of mine works with Don Octane (germany) he helped us out with the clutch because there were no aftermarket clutches yet. He made me a kind of hybrid with ttrs lightweight flywheel and kevlar pressure plates. With stage 1 and the new clutch the car is crazy of the line ...
 
Lacho1914 said:
I have an 2013 8v and my clutch slipped at 9k (with some hard beating ) . A friend of mine works with Don Octane (germany) he helped us out with the clutch because there were no aftermarket clutches yet. He made me a kind of hybrid with ttrs lightweight flywheel and kevlar pressure plates. With stage 1 and the new clutch the car is crazy of the line ...
Click to expand...
What was the cost all in
 
Did that involve a new clutch? I have know idea about clutches... How would i go about doing that if mine goes? Or would it be better to do before that happens
 
Dobby said:
Did that involve a new clutch? I have know idea about clutches... How would i go about doing that if mine goes? Or would it be better to do before that happens
Click to expand...
If you are going for more power you will need a new clutch for sure . I don t know if anyone hade the same issue like me, delay when launching( like car has no boost and losses rpm) with the stock clutch which disappeared after i changed it ...
 
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Jp Batault said:
Hello Chaps

I hate to ask for help on my first post but this is a bit of a desperate matter.

My car went in to the dealers about a month and a half ago. I was told I needed a full clutch and flywheel replacement. Audi also added they would not be covering this, even though it is under Freeway Plan - warranty. It has been deemed by their expert that is it my fault.

I just wanted to enquire if any other owners have had any problems with their clutch?
I do understand the manuals aren't as popular as the STronic so this might be a long shot.

Will update the thread as new information comes up

Thanks in advance
JP
Click to expand...

hey mate.
I'm having the same problem. inconsistent slip, only on freeeways, etc. Audi won't cover it, they haven't said it's my fault or anything, they just said the clutch isn't covered.

It seems like it's an extremely weak clutch, they say that they have found nothing faulty at all with the car, however it shouldn't start slipping and then stop
 
Per my earlier post I had this issue with my previous TTS but as 2nd owner, 24k miles and 5 years old was not going to fight Audi so had to pay up even though they agreed the likely problem was weak springs, not wear. I had assumed (clearly wrongly) that Audi would have upgraded the clutch to take the additional 10% available power on the 8V S3.

If I were any of the people posting on here, I would be speaking to Trading Standards as well as taking legal advice about whether Audi can hide behind their 6 month clause. I'd also be getting in touch with other owners who have had the same problem and making a fuss through the Motoring Press, Watchdog, etc. Unless you've been driving like a 90yr old and smoking the clutch every time you park or set off you can be confident the problem is not wear related at low mileage, and that is what the 6 month clause (should be) all about.

I would see the common sense route being that the clutch is stripped down in the presence of an independent specialist. If the clutch failure is due to wear then the owner is responsible and pays, otherwise it is a design / manufacturing / materials fault and the cost of replacement falls to Audi. Once there has been a test case the genie is out of the bottle and Audi have to accept there is a problem with the clutch.
 
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Jp Batault said:
Hello Chaps

I hate to ask for help on my first post but this is a bit of a desperate matter.

My car went in to the dealers about a month and a half ago. I was told I needed a full clutch and flywheel replacement. Audi also added they would not be covering this, even though it is under Freeway Plan - warranty. It has been deemed by their expert that is it my fault.

I just wanted to enquire if any other owners have had any problems with their clutch?
I do understand the manuals aren't as popular as the STronic so this might be a long shot.

Will update the thread as new information comes up

Thanks in advance
JP
Click to expand...
 
Exactly the same full clutch flywheel 2014 manual s3 26000 miles. Audi state mis_use but offered to fit at cost £2000. I cannot see me keeping the vehicle lost all confidence which is very disappointing because I love the car but cannot afford to keep paying out that kind of money
I have owned 3 TT 's and 4 Golf GTI and never had a clutch. Clearly the clutch cannot cope with the HP. We all can't be mis using the clutch
 
I was 70% sure I would choose manual over S-tronic but after looking at this thread I might reconsider. Is this a common problem? I know in the Golf forums they said the clutch is too weak for stage 1 but fine for stock.
 
I'm stage 2 and 7500 miles and suffering clutch slip but getting uprated one in the new year.
 
Unfortunately the clutch is made of Stilton. I had the same thing at 8k miles and couldn't find an aftermarket replacement either. Audi wouldn't cover the cost so I traded it in (to another Audi Dealer) - only cost me £12K in depreciation.
 
nervus said:
Unfortunately the clutch is made of Stilton. I had the same thing at 8k miles and couldn't find an aftermarket replacement either. Audi wouldn't cover the cost so I traded it in (to another Audi Dealer) - only cost me £12K in depreciation.
Click to expand...

Not good for me as I was looking to get one used, I doubt the Audi Dealer would have fixed it before selling it. Guess it will be ok for Golf GTi's but not R's and S3.
 
Get a Sachs 4 paddle clutch and it will be awesome.
 
audi upgrades
I've got the same problem on my S3. 2.5 years old and only 6,200 miles. Clutch & flywheel replaced under warranty 4 weeks ago but clutch is still slipping.
 
so is this a common fault? ie dodgy batch of clutches or is the entire set up not up to the job ? slightly off topic but is the stronic still ok ?
 
I believe there is too much bhp combined with the 4 wheel drive system. Look at all new performance audi's they are auto. I believe audi don't give you the option of a manual in a 3 ltr and above anymore.
Just for the record my clutch was not worn out it had hot spots on the fly wheel and clutch which caused it to slip
 
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th1991 said:
so is this a common fault? ie dodgy batch of clutches or is the entire set up not up to the job ? slightly off topic but is the stronic still ok ?
Click to expand...

No problems with the S-Tronic here and I haven't heard of any common issues with them either.
 
Hi guys, My clutch has just started slipping on my S3 at 14000 miles. Would be interested to hear the outcome of your situation? Did you have to pay & how much did it cost?
 
Should replace under warranty. I had two replacements on mine. Common issue. Audi cant deny it's a mechanical issue not driver error, just too many cases now.
 
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Yes considering the amount of manual S3's are sold there seems to be a lot of cases. Just out of interested, where did you go to have it replaced?
 
Hull and York. Had flywheel at same time both times aswel.
 
I've just had the Sachs 4 paddle clutch kit fitted and it's really good.

You need to get used to it as it's slightly firmer than stock but it's breaking in nicely.

I should be able to fully load the clutch soon but from how it feels now it's great.
 
Dobby said:
ive been searching and cant find a replacement, how can they say its your fault after 12k miles??
Click to expand...
My 2016 polo gti had to have a new clutch at 7k !!
The ******** didnt want to warranty it, I ended up in a very large argument at the dealers and then they decided to warranty it!
 
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