S3 Knocking from rear - who else?

Chrislake90

Chrislake90

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Afternoon boys and girls

So the car is due to back to the dealer tomorrow to have the dodgy paint work rectified.

I have a knocking from the near side rear and have since I picked it up. I have seen a thread on here where someone had the same and it was a shock absorber. I'm just curious as to how many other people have had a similar issue? Would be nice to know if this is a common thing so I can stand firm against the dealer if they try to fob me off.

Thanks in advance.
 
I had one from new as well , then I found the bottle of oil in the boot nearside pocket ?
 
Y26 AUG said:
I had one from new as well , then I found the bottle of oil in the boot nearside pocket ?
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I had a good dig around the boot. Found the spare wheel had not been secured but did that. Then removed the jack and tools but still there. Frustrating , especially with so many speed bumps round here!
 
Chrislake90 said:
I had a good dig around the boot. Found the spare wheel had not been secured but did that. Then removed the jack and tools but still there. Frustrating , especially with so many speed bumps round here!
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nope no further problems with mine sorry can't help
 
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I had a similar knocking sound from the rear which turned out to be the center exhaust bracket. All replaced under warranty
 
Jonno225 said:
I had a similar knocking sound from the rear which turned out to be the center exhaust bracket. All replaced under warranty
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Hopefully something that simple. Just want my new car to be right!
 
had a knocking from the rear on ours (58 plate sportback a3) and it turned out to be just the plastic cover that protects the suspension from road muck. was rattling against the suspension but sounded like a dull thud in the back over bumps when inside the car
 
My saloon isn't knocking but when I first drive off in the car and go over any bumbs it sounds like an old iron sprung bedstead. Second service due in a few weeks and I will have them look into it...
 
Chrislake, we use the same dealer and I've had no issue with them either with my S3 or my wife's A1. Sometimes there has been a bit of a misunderstanding, in that what I have told the service guy is not quite how the technician has been advised, so now I write it down and leave my explanation with them, indicating if there are any queries to call me. What I would suggest is maybe suggest that you "demo" the problem to them when you drop it off and get them to agree it, as there can be no dispute then.

I've had pretty good service overall from the service department, they are pretty up front and honest and trust me I am particular with my cars, they are either right or wrong, end of. If I didn't trust them then I'd be getting both my Audi's serviced elsewhere.

Hope your experience is as good as mine :)

(PS: I've never had the knocking issue so can't help there, sorry)
 
I had this and the dealer had failed to remove the transport lug from the rear spring when it was delivered from the factory. Solved my knocking / squeaking sound.
 
Mag ride? Some RS3s are clunking and or thudding over bumps. There is a TPI out on it to replace suspension mounts or something like that.

TX.
 
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I'm currently waiting for a mag ride shock absorber for mine after complaining 3 times of a knocking sound. The first time they blamed it on a trapped stone rattling about and didn't even look over the car!!

It's only 3 months old so there's no argument with warranty. It's spent most of that time waiting for one spare part or another. Starting to think I got a friday afternoon car!
 
I have a loud crunch/thud from the rear that i noticed a week after picking the car up. Audi agreed that the suspension mounts needed replaced...that was in october when they ordered the parts and i still haven't had them replaced, 5 phone calls to them with the promise of someone ''getting back to me'' which they never did. Its now in next week to have them replaced along with other issues.
 
HawkeyeS3 said:
Chrislake, we use the same dealer and I've had no issue with them either with my S3 or my wife's A1. Sometimes there has been a bit of a misunderstanding, in that what I have told the service guy is not quite how the technician has been advised, so now I write it down and leave my explanation with them, indicating if there are any queries to call me. What I would suggest is maybe suggest that you "demo" the problem to them when you drop it off and get them to agree it, as there can be no dispute then.

I've had pretty good service overall from the service department, they are pretty up front and honest and trust me I am particular with my cars, they are either right or wrong, end of. If I didn't trust them then I'd be getting both my Audi's serviced elsewhere.

Hope your experience is as good as mine :)

(PS: I've never had the knocking issue so can't help there, sorry)
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Someone I used to work with is on the service desk (Kerry Keane) and also a tech I used to work with at Volkswagen has just started in the workshop so I have high hopes.
To be honest I cannot fault the dealer as of yet. Yes a few teething issues but we will just see how it pans out.


Thanks for all the responses!
 
cuke2u said:
My saloon isn't knocking but when I first drive off in the car and go over any bumbs it sounds like an old iron sprung bedstead. Second service due in a few weeks and I will have them look into it...
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That's exactly how I would describe the sound coming from the front right suspension strut top-bearing on my A3 from new. It was replaced under warranty and no problems since.
 
Car is on its way back after a mop ready for the moment of truth.

They had a quick 5 min check of the knocking and agreed that it is definatley there which is a good start. But alas it needs to be booked in with the service department for further investigation.
They also didn't order a replacement iPod lead which now means I have to wait and collect one when it turns up. Surely they should have these things in stock. Ah well.
I will let you know the results with the paintwork!
 
Given the price of the iPOD lead I'm not surprised they are not kept in stock - about £42 each - I know as having just updated my iPhone4S to a 6, I needed to purchase a new lead to connect it (yellow lead). Although they had one in stock then.....of course!
Hope the paintwork is sorted
 
Right. Car back.

The marks on the boot are gone. Great.
Swirl marks all over the car? Worse! They have actually made it worse. I cannot believe it.
The car has clearly not been washed properly before polishing - windows are filthy as are the wheels. Why not make a proper job of it? It looks to me as they have given it a quick jet wash then a polish (badly).

I spoke to the dealer and asked what they are going to do about it. They have offered to get it done again. By the same guy.

Now. Would you let them? I'm not sure I want the same person touching the car again. I want a good job not a mediocre job.
I can assure you this isn't just me being fussy as the swirls are highly visible.

What would people do in my shoes? I'm going to write them a polite email stating the facts but should I leave it to them to offer something else?
 
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I would have gone mental had they done that to mine.
Personally, no I wouldn't want the same guy to do it. Point out to them that clearly if he hasn't done it right the first time - in fact has made it worse - then clearly he has no pride in what he does, and you have absolutely zero confidence in him correcting it to an acceptable standard this time.
I would "gently suggest" to them that they get Offset Detailing in from Rayleigh to do a proper job, as if it has swirls as you suggest, then you want a proper detailer sorting it, who will need to do a paint depth check and then a new car correction on the paintwork. If the bloke who did it before screws it up again, then you won't have much paint for anyone to play with. On a new car. Unacceptable.

(Offset Detailing did the grey S3 featured earlier in this thread by musicegbf who I believe bought his S3 from the same dealer you and I did, and what a top job they did).
 
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HawkeyeS3 said:
I would have gone mental had they done that to mine.
Personally, no I wouldn't want the same guy to do it. Point out to them that clearly if he hasn't done it right the first time - in fact has made it worse - then clearly he has no pride in what he does, and you have absolutely zero confidence in him correcting it to an acceptable standard this time.
I would "gently suggest" to them that they get Offset Detailing in from Rayleigh to do a proper job, as if it has swirls as you suggest, then you want a proper detailer sorting it, who will need to do a paint depth check and then a new car correction on the paintwork. If the bloke who did it before screws it up again, then you won't have much paint for anyone to play with. On a new car. Unacceptable.

(Offset Detailing did the grey S3 featured earlier in this thread by musicegbf who I believe bought his S3 from the same dealer you and I did, and what a top job they did).
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Well the email has been sent. I was polite but still made my point. I did ask that a professional detailer correct the paint from here on to save further grief and to prevent me having to contact Audi directly.

I saw the video of offsets work and was very impressed so if that does happen then that's great! If not, I'll hopefully get a form of compensation financially and pay offset myself.
 
The one thing I would do before they do anything else is get some good photos of the paintwork damage before you go back down there. Of course they are quite within their rights to refuse using Offset, but deploy an alternate person to correct the paintwork. Before they do anything though, I think you would be well advised to see the Sales Manager in person and have the discussion. Personally I'd request (demand) that they get a bodywork and paint specialist down from Audi UK to examine your car and agree next steps, as you are now seriously concerned about their ability to correct the paintwork, given that it was worse coming out than when it went in, and clearly they have failed to quality check it. That way I think you would cover yourself in the eventuality that it still isn't right after their next go, as the Audi UK guy would have "seen it" before and after.
Just a thought
 
Ok so, paint still not sorted. Actually told them to forget that issue and ill deal with it myself as I want it done properly.
But they still have not fixed the knocking noise at the rear. They have had it 3 days and the master tech has came back and said its a characteristic of the car. What a load of tosh. I was a VW mechanic for 5 years, I know that a loud thud from the NSR is not normal. I would say top mount or shock.
They tried fobbing me off with the "characteristic of the car" comment until I told them I was a mechanic. They are now going to speak to audi technical, but I have asked for the car back for the weekend as they have plonked me in an audi a3 diesel in place of my S3.

Since picking up on the 6th January I have so far had nothing but trouble with the dealership.

Would people recommend that its now time to contact Audi Uk?

Oh also, 4th time in without getting me a replacement AMI cable.
 
If you are that p***ed off with them then yes If I were you I would be contacting Audi Uk at this point...
Good luck and let us all know how you get on...:yes:
 
Yes I would write a factual detailed bulleted letter to AUDI UK giving dates actions and outcomes of this disaster. This is terrible service, especially trying to fob you off about the thudding - and no as you say they don't do that!!
 
Not that encouraging.
If you use offset ,ask Daryl to do his usual youtube video. He will show the damage done by the dealer and correct it.
Then i would send a link to audi uk to show them the quality of care (lack of) and by all means show mine with the marks on a brand new one.
Nothing like video evidence. You may find Audi Uk will then intervene.
I am sorry to hear of the problems as i always had good service in the past. The problem for us in this area all the audi dealers are the same group....
 
Reading from sources in the U.S that Audi have a revised front upper suspension mount and rear mag ride shock absorbers to address some of the knocking, squeak and bounce issues.
 
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The mounts are on back order so take time to get hold of plus it seems a lot of vehicles need this so demand is high! I'm having to wait 2 weeks for mine to arrive.

TX.
 
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terminator x said:
The mounts are on back order so take time to get hold of plus it seems a lot of vehicles need this so demand is high! I'm having to wait 2 weeks for mine to arrive.

TX.
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That's crazy ! Take it it's for the RS3 as well then. Is this some sort of service bulletin that they only tell you about if you complain of any noises ?
 
Should probably be a recall although it doesn't effect all cars so yes if you complain they will sort it, if not they won't!

TX.
 
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terminator x said:
Mag ride? Some RS3s are clunking and or thudding over bumps. There is a TPI out on it to replace suspension mounts or something like that.

TX.
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yes, our RS3 also has that clunk :)

regards
 
Well a little update. I spoke with Audi UK who in turn spoke with the dealership. The car has since been in and replaced the shock absorber and hey presto the noise is gone. Its just a shame that they didn't listen the first time and had to wait for Audi to get involved but at least its sorted. With regards to the paint issue, I went round the car with the sales manager today and to be fair he was very honest and admitted its not possible to get each car perfect and I understand that. He has however, told me to get a quote from a detailer and they will cover the costs if they deem it acceptable. So I am going to get a quote tomorrow from Daryl @offset detailing and hopefully get him to work his magic.
 
At least they came good in the end - well hopefully (assuming they agree Daryl's quote of course). Shame though that you had to get Audi UK involved and that they didn't do the right thing in the first place.
Just remember when you book your car in for work/service next time to tell them NOT to wash it. I make a point of it every time, once bitten and all that......as part of the service schedule is to wash and clean your car.

Look forward to some piccies when its all good again :)
 
I've had to wait 3 weeks for the parts, and a further 2 weeks for a courtesy car to become available. Goes in next week, so hopefully the knocking noise will be a thing of the past.
 
HawkeyeS3 said:
At least they came good in the end - well hopefully (assuming they agree Daryl's quote of course). Shame though that you had to get Audi UK involved and that they didn't do the right thing in the first place.
Just remember when you book your car in for work/service next time to tell them NOT to wash it. I make a point of it every time, once bitten and all that......as part of the service schedule is to wash and clean your car.

Look forward to some piccies when its all good again :)
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They agreed to the quote now, after a bit of discussion on the phone. So as long as they transfer the money to Daryl soon, it should be going in on Thursday :) And don't worry - I will be putting plenty of do not wash signs in the car come service time :)
 
I've had a few issues with my S3 (2016)
The major problem though is clonking/knocking noise from the rear suspension. The car has been back to Audi about 4 times so for. It's had new suspension mounts (or so they tell me). It is better.. But certainly not right.. I'm still in the process of battling with the dealer.
 
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I get a knocking sound from mine, only when on rough roads/cobblestones etc.

Its done it since new, but as my dealer is over 30 miles away, Ive never bothered to do anything about it.
 
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Kugaman1 said:
I get a knocking sound from mine, only when on rough roads/cobblestones etc.

Its done it since new, but as my dealer is over 30 miles away, Ive never bothered to do anything about it.
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If you have 'mag ride' on your car then the chances are you can get it sorted...There is a technical bulletin for this issue and they will only consider doing this if the customer complains of an issue with knocking from the rear....If the knocking bothers you then I would arrange for the dealer to take a look at it even if you haven't got 'mag ride'..You pay a lot of money for these cars so you shouldn't put up with faulty gear..:friends:
 
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Kugaman1 said:
I get a knocking sound from mine, only when on rough roads/cobblestones etc.

Its done it since new, but as my dealer is over 30 miles away, Ive never bothered to do anything about it.
Click to expand...


Yeah get it looked at.... Audi are admitting there's something wrong with these s3's and TTs apparently.

As I say... Mine is 70% better after the changed the mounts. Still not right though!!! I'm having a nightmare with this car. I've only had it a few months.... From new and it has had about 5 separate faults.
 
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