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Urban Sports

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I picked up my new 2.0 TFSI black edition in December 2017 with the intention of keeping it for 3 years but unfortunately I’ve caved in after around 18 months.

I posted this thread a few months in and my sentiments have grown stronger

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a-very-frustrating-car-to-own.367417/

I just can’t live with it anymore the S Tronic gearbox is just awful and can be at best frustrating and at worst bordering on dangerous. It’s our only car and it’s got to the point where my wife doesn’t want to drive it.

That aside stuff just doesn’t work all of the time, some of the technology decides to work most of the time but then all of a sudden decides not to such as google maps.

The air vents decided not to work on Tuesday until I got to my destination switched off and on again and then they decided to work!

A bizarre car that will cost me to get out of early but I just hate the damn thing.

As a positive it looks nice.

Hopefully the rest of you have had a better experience, anyway bring on September.
 
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Shame that you have not had a more positive experience with your A4 but what are you getting instead?
 
May I ask what you so actively dislike about the S Tronic gearbox? I have the same box on my 2.0 A4 TFSi Quattro and my wife's 1.0 litre A3 likewise. Both of us love the way our cars drive, with their respective gearboxes doing their jobs admirably. I hardly ever notice a change occurring, my wife likewise. I have heard others complaining like yourself and find it all a bit mystifying.
 
mjcairney said:
May I ask what you so actively dislike about the S Tronic gearbox? I have the same box on my 2.0 A4 TFSi Quattro and my wife's 1.0 litre A3 likewise. Both of us love the way our cars drive, with their respective gearboxes doing their jobs admirably. I hardly ever notice a change occurring, my wife likewise. I have heard others complaining like yourself and find it all a bit mystifying.
Click to expand...
Because the lag / hesitation when approaching things like junctions or roundabouts is horrendous, see a gap foot on throttle and abort manoeuvre.

Go for an overtake foot down nothing, nothing, nothing, abort manoeuvre.

Then actual manoeuvring around, drive forwards, select reverse nothing for like 3 long seconds until it engages gear.

Not to mention the horrible clunky noise they make.

There’s a huge thread on here somewhere about it.
 
3 seconds before reverse gear select & Clunky noise... I think something is wrong with your gearbox. Yes the lag is a known issue on some boxes (not all) but the other two I would say are faults.
 
B5NUT said:
3 seconds before reverse gear select & Clunky noise... I think something is wrong with your gearbox. Yes the lag is a known issue on some boxes (not all) but the other two I would say are faults.
Click to expand...

It’s not a fault it’s just rubbish.
 
Urban Sports said:
It’s not a fault it’s just rubbish.
Click to expand...

Nope that is a bad box, I've got 2 Audi's (A3 & A6) with stronic boxes and they don't make any noises and don't take 3 seconds to go into reverse, and none of the loan cars (A4, A5, A6, A3 and Q3) I've had over the last 3 years which again have been stronic have never had the two issues. I've had the lag issue on the A6 and it went in last month and they fixed the issue, and so far it's been lag free. The A3 on the other hand is a little too aggressive when accelerating away.
 
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B5NUT said:
Nope that is a bad box, I've got 2 Audi's (A3 & A6) with stronic boxes and they don't make any noises and don't take 3 seconds to go into reverse, and none of the loan cars (A4, A5, A6, A3 and Q3) I've had over the last 3 years which again have been stronic have never had the two issues. I've had the lag issue on the A6 and it went in last month and they fixed the issue, and so far it's been lag free. The A3 on the other hand is a little too aggressive when accelerating away.
Click to expand...
Nope it’s just the way they are, unfortunately I’ve had the loathsome experience of driving a few including the latest A6 which can mask the lack of refinement more than the b9 but it’s still there.

Out of the thousands of cars I’ve driven this one isn’t the worst but it’s by far the most disappointing.
 
I have to say I agree with B5NUT as neither of our cars show any of the faults that Urban Sports mentions, not that that's any consolation to him. If my car was like his, I'd be moving it on as well and I wish him all the best with his new Merc.
 
Well a very quick google for those key words brings up endless similar issues that I have, on this forum and others so either the gearbox is what it is or you boys are more easily pleased ;)
 
mjcairney said:
I have to say I agree with B5NUT as neither of our cars show any of the faults that Urban Sports mentions, not that that's any consolation to him. If my car was like his, I'd be moving it on as well and I wish him all the best with his new Merc.
Click to expand...

Same here, and I'm not sure why the OP believe all the stronic boxes have the same issues when they don't. Anyway this thread is going a bit Mark Twain so I'm done.:icon thumright:
 
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B5NUT said:
Same here, and I'm not sure why the OP believe all the stronic boxes have the same issues when they don't. Anyway this thread is going a bit Mark Twain so I'm done.:icon thumright:
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I'm inclined to agree with you so, whilst wishing the OP all the best, I too will bow out.
 
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I was hoping this thread wasn't going to degenerate into yet another dsg gearbox moan and let Urban Sport move on with his decision he has made.

Let's all keep it this way...
 
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cuke2u said:
I was hoping this thread wasn't going to degenerate into yet another dsg gearbox moan and let Urban Sport move on with his decision he has made.

Let's all keep it this way...
Click to expand...
I agree and that's why I have bowed out and wished Urban Sport all the best with his new Merc. :thumbs up:
 
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The problem with googling "issues" is that you only get negatives. Very few people go onto forums and such sites to report a gearbox just working properly as they'd expect. They only mention them when something goes wrong, therefore the overwhelming impression is that they're all rubbish.
 
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The lag on the stronic gearbox is horrendous on the A4, it’s the main reason why I got rid. Absolutely ruined the car for me
 
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A4B9 said:
The lag on the stronic gearbox is horrendous on the A4, it’s the main reason why I got rid. Absolutely ruined the car for me
Click to expand...

Yep it’s as you say horrendous yet some on here think it’s fine!

More worrying is that somebody signed it off as acceptable!
 
As mentioned above, there must be something wrong with your car or you are just exaggerating the problems. I do get lag but it's in economy mode. If you don't want lag the drive in Dynamic mode. Never had a single second delay in selecting revers. My gearbox couldn't be any smoother, the only way I know it has changed gear is by looking at the display.
 
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The lag is there even in dynamic

The delay when selecting reverse is a well known “characteristic” of VW group dsg gearboxes, just do a search on this very forum or google to see the numerous people who have noticed this
 
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MOA4B9 said:
As mentioned above, there must be something wrong with your car or you are just exaggerating the problems. I do get lag but it's in economy mode. If you don't want lag the drive in Dynamic mode. Never had a single second delay in selecting revers. My gearbox couldn't be any smoother, the only way I know it has changed gear is by looking at the display.
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Nope nothing wrong with it apart from the fact it’s just a dreadful gearbox.

In fact there’s a thread 2 posts down as I post about the same :D
 
A4B9 said:
The lag is there even in dynamic

The delay when selecting reverse is a well known “characteristic” of VW group dsg gearboxes, just do a search on this very forum or google to see the numerous people who have noticed this
Click to expand...
This.
 
It is a shame that some can't just move on with dignity and feel the need to slag off a product, but then some cannot see reason it seems.

The foibles of a dsg gearbox are well known but some seem to be motivated by having to use emotive words to exaggerate any issues they might have themselves with this gearbox.

Having come from driving manual gearboxes for some 45+ years I was quite reticent myself having read all the scare stories about the VAG gearbox. It took test drive to change my mind, one very short test drive.

So there are those who feel they need to overstate the issues they are having, probably to justify it. It is those who are more than likely to post up in a forum, thus giving rise to a bias, as those who don't usually have nothing to complain about.

Out of all the ten of thousands owners of VAG dsg gearboxes they that point to a small handful of forum posts and state, there told you so, there is an issue to justify their complaint.

If you don't like the dsg gearbox don't go down the route of trying to make things up, if it's not for you simply just move on and leave us dsg owners who relish in the sweetness of the gear changes, the smoothness and how this gearbox compliments their driving to enjoy ourselves...
 
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cuke2u said:
It is a shame that some can't just move on with dignity and feel the need to slag off a product, but then some cannot see reason it seems.

The foibles of a dsg gearbox are well known but some seem to be motivated by having to use emotive words to exaggerate any issues they might have themselves with this gearbox.

Having come from driving manual gearboxes for some 45+ years I was quite reticent myself having read all the scare stories about the VAG gearbox. It took test drive to change my mind, one very short test drive.

So there are those who feel they need to overstate the issues they are having, probably to justify it. It is those who are more than likely to post up in a forum, thus giving rise to a bias, as those who don't usually have nothing to complain about.

Out of all the ten of thousands owners of VAG dsg gearboxes they that point to a small handful of forum posts and state, there told you so, there is an issue to justify their complaint.

If you don't like the dsg gearbox don't go down the route of trying to make things up, if it's not for you simply just move on and leave us dsg owners who relish in the sweetness of the gear changes, the smoothness and how this gearbox compliments their driving to enjoy ourselves...
Click to expand...


Then there are those who have justify their purchase no matter what.

;)
 
Tosh mate, my car is a dream, just leave and take your distorted opinions with you...
 
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cuke2u said:
If you don't like the dsg gearbox don't go down the route of trying to make things up
Click to expand...
But I’m not making things up and neither are the numerous people who complain about the dsg lag in a wide variety of VW group products

Didn’t Thomas from Autogefuhl do a video about this very issue? But I guess he’s a liar as well in your eyes
 
A4B9 said:
But I’m not making things up and neither are the numerous people who complain about the dsg lag in a wide variety of VW group products

Didn’t Thomas from Autogefuhl do a video about this very issue? But I guess he’s a liar as well in your eyes
Click to expand...

Maybe, he is a good reviewer and I have watched many of his reviews and respect what he says, however I have never once called anyone a liar so please do not put words into my mouth.

As stated before all dsg gearboxes have their foibles but to describe them as being dangerous is in itself incorrect and far from the truth. Some may have issues with a dsg gearbox, but you also have to also accept that many do not. Some may be confusing turbo lag with hesitation with the gearbox. It may also be due to start stop system that some also seem to struggle with as well. Some it seems wouldn't know a dsg gearbox from a automatic such as the ZF HP as fitted to the 'S' cars. However, as there are many complaints from BMW owners about lag from that gearbox, should we also describe this as being flawed as well? I can see how that would go down.

I don't know, all I know is that I do not have a issue with mine at all and, for some it seems, they struggle with this and refuse to accept it. But I am also not alone in stating they are happy with their gearbox as well. Of course this might be a variation from vehicle to vehicle but I don't know the answer to this.

I am happy to beg to differ, as are many, as everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I will defend mine against those who wish to use over emotional statements when they simply aren't true and then refuse to accept my point of view and attack me instead of having a adult debate about it..
 
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A4B9 said:
The lag is there even in dynamic

The delay when selecting reverse is a well known “characteristic” of VW group dsg gearboxes, just do a search on this very forum or google to see the numerous people who have noticed this
Click to expand...

Guess I should consider myself lucky not to have these issues. Shame you were not so lucky. I probably would have done the same thing and gone with a different make if I had issues like that.
 
cuke2u said:
Maybe, he is a good reviewer and I have watched many of his reviews and respect what he says, however I have never once called anyone a liar so please do not put words into my mouth.

As stated before all dsg gearboxes have their foibles but to describe them as being dangerous is in itself incorrect and far from the truth. Some may have issues with a dsg gearbox, but you also have to also accept that many do not. Some may be confusing turbo lag with hesitation with the gearbox. It may also be due to start stop system that some also seem to struggle with as well. Some it seems wouldn't know a dsg gearbox from a automatic such as the ZF HP as fitted to the 'S' cars. However, as there are many complaints from BMW owners about lag from that gearbox, should we also describe this as being flawed as well? I can see how that would go down.

I don't know, all I know is that I do not have a issue with mine at all and, for some it seems, they struggle with this and refuse to accept it. But I am also not alone in stating they are happy with their gearbox as well. Of course this might be a variation from vehicle to vehicle but I don't know the answer to this.

I am happy to beg to differ, as are many, as everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I will defend mine against those who wish to use over emotional statements when they simply aren't true and then refuse to accept my point of view and attack me instead of having a adult debate about it..
Click to expand...
Who has attacked you sunshine?
 
cuke2u said:
Maybe, he is a good reviewer and I have watched many of his reviews and respect what he says, however I have never once called anyone a liar so please do not put words into my mouth.

As stated before all dsg gearboxes have their foibles but to describe them as being dangerous is in itself incorrect and far from the truth. Some may have issues with a dsg gearbox, but you also have to also accept that many do not. Some may be confusing turbo lag with hesitation with the gearbox. It may also be due to start stop system that some also seem to struggle with as well. Some it seems wouldn't know a dsg gearbox from a automatic such as the ZF HP as fitted to the 'S' cars. However, as there are many complaints from BMW owners about lag from that gearbox, should we also describe this as being flawed as well? I can see how that would go down.

I don't know, all I know is that I do not have a issue with mine at all and, for some it seems, they struggle with this and refuse to accept it. But I am also not alone in stating they are happy with their gearbox as well. Of course this might be a variation from vehicle to vehicle but I don't know the answer to this.

I am happy to beg to differ, as are many, as everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I will defend mine against those who wish to use over emotional statements when they simply aren't true and then refuse to accept my point of view and attack me instead of having a adult debate about it..
Click to expand...
I mean you literally accused us of making things up, which in my books means you’re calling someone a liar.
 
Like it or not there's issues with this gearbox which border on dangerous in daily use, the amount of lag is unacceptable for a car of this price point weather its turbo lag or not. Even if it doesn't affect your car the problem still exists and Audi haven't found a fix for it so I don't see an issue with people wanting to vent about it.

For me it's one of the reasons why I won't be getting another one when the time comes to hand the keys back to the Lease company.

To the OP: Enjoy your new ride.

Sent from my SM-T719 using Tapatalk
 
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The thing is pretty much all of us A4 stronic users know the DSG can a bit laggy compared with what we had all come from. It was certainly a 'feature' which took me a bit of getting used to. So first lesson I learned was don't go for gaps that will either cause an oncoming driver to miss a heart beat and certainly not a 'gap' which might cause them to sh1t themselves. Second, if one MUST then anticipate the fact and shift into Sport ratio first. It's not hard is it (and it certainly not lagging) :chuncky:.

However, I guess everyone needs a justification to change an 18mth old car. Some probably need a bigger justification than others and therefore reach out in the faint hope of togetherness to soothe the nagging monkey on the shoulder saying :sadlike: .
 
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Gingertom said:
The thing is pretty much all of us A4 stronic users know the DSG can a bit laggy compared with what we had all come from. It was certainly a 'feature' which took me a bit of getting used to. So first lesson I learned was don't go for gaps that will either cause an oncoming driver to miss a heart beat and certainly not a 'gap' which might cause them to sh1t themselves. Second, if one MUST then anticipate the fact and shift into Sport ratio first. It's not hard is it (and it certainly not lagging) :chuncky:.

However, I guess everyone needs a justification to change an 18mth old car. Some probably need a bigger justification than others and therefore reach out in the faint hope of togetherness to soothe the nagging monkey on the shoulder saying :sadlike: .
Click to expand...
The only justification needed is that it’s a poor car and I can’t stand it.

Thankfully it was cheap, you get what you pay for I suppose ;)
 
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