2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

On 6/10/03 I took delivery of a 2004 Audi A8 (USA model).

In the 6 weeks since I purchased this car, I have had nothing but trouble
and disappointment with this vehicle. I am posting this in the hope that my
experiences will be of cautionary value to potential buyers of this model.

I will not comment in this article on the actual design and operation of the
vehicle, although I plan to review some of its more troubling idiosyncrasies
in a future post. I shall confine my comments to the rich history of actual
defects to date in my $75,000+ lemon.

1. As delivered there was a noisy rattle on the driver's side when driving
over any kind of uneven pavement. Dealer made an attempt to repair and
reported it cured. Unfortunately, this was untrue.

2. On 6/18/03 I parked in daylight with the headlight control set on
Automatic operation.

After withdrawing key and opening driver door an alarm sounded and
headlights remained on. This in daylight. 20 minutes later when I returned
to the car, they were still on. I tried several times to see what issue
might be (no warning or other message given). After restarting the vehicle
and turning the headlamps "off" and then back on to Automatic, the problem
cleared itself up.

This has reoccurred at random intervals but I have been unable to
demonstrate it to anyone at the selling dealership.

3. On 7/2/03 This morning I (as usual) opened the trunk with the remote
control (I keep the trunk "locked" with the key to prevent valet access
etc.) and placed some items inside.

When I arrived at my destination, I was unable to re-open the trunk using
the remote. The green LED on the remote did light up indicating that it was
transmitting and the remote did function to open the doors, lock them etc.,
but repeated efforts to open the trunk gave no result.

I had to use the key to open it and remove my briefcase. I re-locked the
trunk using the key.

On returning to the car, I had to open the trunk with the key to replace the
item in the trunk as the trunk would still not open using the remote. I
drove to the next stop and the result was unchanged. The remote would not
operate the trunk release. However, after re-starting the car the second
time, I drove to my dealer. When I arrived there the trunk was operating
correctly. I have driven a bit further and opened the trunk several times
but have been unable to duplicate this problem. I asked the dealer service
department to check any trouble codes etc., but they claimed they could not
locate any problems.

4. 7/8/03: While driving two warning signals activated simultaneously and
remained on, one for the suspension, the other for a headlight problem. Took
car to dealer. After a 3 hour wait they informed me that the issue was a
defective sensor in the headlamp circuit and that there would be a 10-day
delay while the required part was obtained.

The dealer DID manage to cure the rattle (see item #1 above) which was found
to be a fuse-panel cover that fit poorly and was rattling. Apparently an "S"
hook is attached to it which is used to operate the sunroof in case the
electric motor does not function. This hook was placed in the glove box as
it was in some way part of the problem. The part was ordered, again with a
lengthy delay for delivery.

5. On the way home from dealer, the tire pressure warning light went on. The
tire-pressure indicator was showing left (driver) side rear tire at 33 lbs
(all others shown at 44). This was untrue, examination with an accurate
gauge showed 44 lbs on this tire.

Later the entire tire-pressure monitoring system simply failed, giving
repeated "warnings" while driving. The dealer deactivated it pending an
opportunity to service it which was scheduled for 7/17/03.


6. 7/17/03: I took time off from work etc. and brought the vehicle to
Prestige Imports for service on the 5 issues outstanding. They were:

(a) The headlamp level sensor failure

(b) The warning on the suspension system

(c) The failure of the tire pressure monitoring system

(d) The rattle on the driver's side

7. 7/18/03: I received a call informing me that the car was ready, all
defects resolved etc. I drove to the dealer and picked up my vehicle. I
drove home, maybe 10 miles. Before getting out of the car I decided to view
the tire pressures one more time to determine if system was still
operational. It has failed again and is now not operational.

8. 7/21/03: This morning I got in the vehicle to deliver it to back to
Prestige Imports for second attempt to repair the tire-pressure monitoring
system. Immediately upon startup the windshield and headlamp washer system
came on, full blast, and emptied the entire (full) reservoir onto the car. I
had no means of stopping it. I turned the car off and re-started the car in
hopes that this would possibly re-set the system, but the washers and wipers
continued to operate until the reservoir was completely depleted. The wipers
remained on and could not be stopped by operating the controls. On the drive
to Prestige Imports the wipers shut off briefly twice but immediately
resumed operation.

So again, I am back to driving a loaner car and have a new (and this time
safety-related) "concern" about the reliability and safety of this vehicle.
Had this happened to me on the Interstate etc., I could have been blinded by
the spray (not to mention the potential for damage to the interior if the
sunroof had been open!). In the past week, this car has been in the sop for
4 full days. Since I dropped it off on 7/21/03, I have not even had a phone
call from the dealer informing me of the status of my A8. My repeated emails
to the "Audi Advocate" requesting a contact with senior management at Audi
of America have failed to produce any result. The salesman who sold me this
car does not answer calls placed from my home phone although if I call from
a number he does not recognize he answers at once.I am now a pariah because
I own this lemon and expect Audi to make good on it.

I will post further information on the 2004 A8 and its reliability issues as
they occur.

David deForrest
Miami Beach, Florida
USA

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

Sounds like you have a gremlin in there with a set of jumper wires.
I wouldn't say that a rattling fusebox cover/sunroof crank contributes to a
"lemon" designation. There's quite a lot of complex electronic systems in
the car - heck, tire pressure display? Automatic headlights? - anybody who
has experienced a malfunction with their office/home computer knows how
frustrating it can be to trace down a fault in the system - it's common to
fix the symptoms (electrical glitches) and not the root problem (faulty
voltage regulator on the alternator causing voltage spikes?). Just
replacing the control units (the dealer is not going to open those "black
boxes") would be a waste of money (admittedly, the dealer's) and time (with
the number of control units in your car - automatic headlights? - I doubt
that a dealer would carry spares of all of them, unless they're contained in
another '04 A8 on the lot - Germany is a long way from Miami Beach.) Maybe,
if all of these glitches are not resolved during this visit, you should
change service facilities - get Audi to recommend to whom you should take
the car other than the present facility. Maybe you should discuss with the
dealer or AoA about a switch to another '04 A8. Wait and see what the
result of this servicing is and what AoA responds - I'm sure they will.
All that said, your car went in on the 21st, you make "repeated e-mails" to
AoA by the time you post to the Usenet on the 22nd, you have made enough
calls to the salesman direct that you have determined that he can
differentiate your number from all the others he has to deal with? Maybe
it's not surprising that you consider a rattle as a "reliability issue"
(re-read your posting - rattle "cured" on 7/8/03, on 7/17/03 you take the
car to the dealership for "5 issues outstanding" - I count a list of 4, one
of which is the "cured" rattle - don't they have to just drop in a fairly
non-essential part that was on order?). "Rich history of actual
defects"??? - maybe you should talk to the A4 owners who have had to deal
with coilpack failures, suspension problems and "premature" (according to
the Audi owner's manual in the US) timing belt failures (and ensuing engine
destruction) about what, exactly, is "rich".
My 2c (Canadian = 0.0000001c US)
Steve Sears (wrapped in the warm comfort of low-tech devices, such as:)
1987 Audi 5kTQ (manual headlight control - if ya call 'em headLIGHTs)
1980 Audi 5k (manual climate control, but, occasionally, power windows!!!)
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes (7 moving engine parts....ooh,
sweet Luddite bliss...)
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
"David deForrest" <buybeach@buybeach.com> wrote in message
news:%diTa.385$R27.88@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> On 6/10/03 I took delivery of a 2004 Audi A8 (USA model).
>
> In the 6 weeks since I purchased this car, I have had nothing but trouble
> and disappointment with this vehicle. I am posting this in the hope that
my
> experiences will be of cautionary value to potential buyers of this model.
>
> I will not comment in this article on the actual design and operation of
the
> vehicle, although I plan to review some of its more troubling
idiosyncrasies
> in a future post. I shall confine my comments to the rich history of
actual
> defects to date in my $75,000+ lemon.
>
> 1. As delivered there was a noisy rattle on the driver's side when driving
> over any kind of uneven pavement. Dealer made an attempt to repair and
> reported it cured. Unfortunately, this was untrue.
>
> 2. On 6/18/03 I parked in daylight with the headlight control set on
> Automatic operation.
>
> After withdrawing key and opening driver door an alarm sounded and
> headlights remained on. This in daylight. 20 minutes later when I returned
> to the car, they were still on. I tried several times to see what issue
> might be (no warning or other message given). After restarting the vehicle
> and turning the headlamps "off" and then back on to Automatic, the problem
> cleared itself up.
>
> This has reoccurred at random intervals but I have been unable to
> demonstrate it to anyone at the selling dealership.
>
> 3. On 7/2/03 This morning I (as usual) opened the trunk with the remote
> control (I keep the trunk "locked" with the key to prevent valet access
> etc.) and placed some items inside.
>
> When I arrived at my destination, I was unable to re-open the trunk using
> the remote. The green LED on the remote did light up indicating that it
was
> transmitting and the remote did function to open the doors, lock them
etc.,
> but repeated efforts to open the trunk gave no result.
>
> I had to use the key to open it and remove my briefcase. I re-locked the
> trunk using the key.
>
> On returning to the car, I had to open the trunk with the key to replace
the
> item in the trunk as the trunk would still not open using the remote. I
> drove to the next stop and the result was unchanged. The remote would not
> operate the trunk release. However, after re-starting the car the second
> time, I drove to my dealer. When I arrived there the trunk was operating
> correctly. I have driven a bit further and opened the trunk several times
> but have been unable to duplicate this problem. I asked the dealer service
> department to check any trouble codes etc., but they claimed they could
not
> locate any problems.
>
> 4. 7/8/03: While driving two warning signals activated simultaneously and
> remained on, one for the suspension, the other for a headlight problem.
Took
> car to dealer. After a 3 hour wait they informed me that the issue was a
> defective sensor in the headlamp circuit and that there would be a 10-day
> delay while the required part was obtained.
>
> The dealer DID manage to cure the rattle (see item #1 above) which was
found
> to be a fuse-panel cover that fit poorly and was rattling. Apparently an
"S"
> hook is attached to it which is used to operate the sunroof in case the
> electric motor does not function. This hook was placed in the glove box as
> it was in some way part of the problem. The part was ordered, again with a
> lengthy delay for delivery.
>
> 5. On the way home from dealer, the tire pressure warning light went on.
The
> tire-pressure indicator was showing left (driver) side rear tire at 33 lbs
> (all others shown at 44). This was untrue, examination with an accurate
> gauge showed 44 lbs on this tire.
>
> Later the entire tire-pressure monitoring system simply failed, giving
> repeated "warnings" while driving. The dealer deactivated it pending an
> opportunity to service it which was scheduled for 7/17/03.
>
>
> 6. 7/17/03: I took time off from work etc. and brought the vehicle to
> Prestige Imports for service on the 5 issues outstanding. They were:
>
> (a) The headlamp level sensor failure
>
> (b) The warning on the suspension system
>
> (c) The failure of the tire pressure monitoring system
>
> (d) The rattle on the driver's side
>
> 7. 7/18/03: I received a call informing me that the car was ready, all
> defects resolved etc. I drove to the dealer and picked up my vehicle. I
> drove home, maybe 10 miles. Before getting out of the car I decided to
view
> the tire pressures one more time to determine if system was still
> operational. It has failed again and is now not operational.
>
> 8. 7/21/03: This morning I got in the vehicle to deliver it to back to
> Prestige Imports for second attempt to repair the tire-pressure monitoring
> system. Immediately upon startup the windshield and headlamp washer system
> came on, full blast, and emptied the entire (full) reservoir onto the car.
I
> had no means of stopping it. I turned the car off and re-started the car
in
> hopes that this would possibly re-set the system, but the washers and
wipers
> continued to operate until the reservoir was completely depleted. The
wipers
> remained on and could not be stopped by operating the controls. On the
drive
> to Prestige Imports the wipers shut off briefly twice but immediately
> resumed operation.
>
> So again, I am back to driving a loaner car and have a new (and this time
> safety-related) "concern" about the reliability and safety of this
vehicle.
> Had this happened to me on the Interstate etc., I could have been blinded
by
> the spray (not to mention the potential for damage to the interior if the
> sunroof had been open!). In the past week, this car has been in the sop
for
> 4 full days. Since I dropped it off on 7/21/03, I have not even had a
phone
> call from the dealer informing me of the status of my A8. My repeated
emails
> to the "Audi Advocate" requesting a contact with senior management at Audi
> of America have failed to produce any result. The salesman who sold me
this
> car does not answer calls placed from my home phone although if I call
from
> a number he does not recognize he answers at once.I am now a pariah
because
> I own this lemon and expect Audi to make good on it.
>
> I will post further information on the 2004 A8 and its reliability issues
as
> they occur.
>
> David deForrest
> Miami Beach, Florida
> USA
>
>
>
>

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

David deForrest wrote:

[content snipped]

> I will post further information on the 2004 A8 and its reliability
> issues as they occur.

Not to try to excuse the problems you've found, because there really isn't
any excuse for that sort of thing, but major bugs of this sort aren't
uncommon for ANY car from ANY maker for the first model year and especially
on the first units out the door. Regardless of how much effort expended to
iron out these bugs before release, it's inevitable that some (sometimes
many) surface when the first cars get to the consumer. It's simply not
possible to catch EVERYTHING before release. I seriously doubt I'd ever
consider purchasing a first-model-year car from any carmaker. Probably even
Honda.

-Dirt-

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

Have you explored your state's lemon law statutes?


DFE



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------
"David deForrest" <buybeach@buybeach.com> wrote in message
news:%diTa.385$R27.88@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> On 6/10/03 I took delivery of a 2004 Audi A8 (USA model).
>
> In the 6 weeks since I purchased this car, I have had nothing but trouble
> and disappointment with this vehicle. I am posting this in the hope that
my
> experiences will be of cautionary value to potential buyers of this model.
>
> I will not comment in this article on the actual design and operation of
the
> vehicle, although I plan to review some of its more troubling
idiosyncrasies
> in a future post. I shall confine my comments to the rich history of
actual
> defects to date in my $75,000+ lemon.
>
> 1. As delivered there was a noisy rattle on the driver's side when driving
> over any kind of uneven pavement. Dealer made an attempt to repair and
> reported it cured. Unfortunately, this was untrue.
>
> 2. On 6/18/03 I parked in daylight with the headlight control set on
> Automatic operation.
>
> After withdrawing key and opening driver door an alarm sounded and
> headlights remained on. This in daylight. 20 minutes later when I returned
> to the car, they were still on. I tried several times to see what issue
> might be (no warning or other message given). After restarting the vehicle
> and turning the headlamps "off" and then back on to Automatic, the problem
> cleared itself up.
>
> This has reoccurred at random intervals but I have been unable to
> demonstrate it to anyone at the selling dealership.
>
> 3. On 7/2/03 This morning I (as usual) opened the trunk with the remote
> control (I keep the trunk "locked" with the key to prevent valet access
> etc.) and placed some items inside.
>
> When I arrived at my destination, I was unable to re-open the trunk using
> the remote. The green LED on the remote did light up indicating that it
was
> transmitting and the remote did function to open the doors, lock them
etc.,
> but repeated efforts to open the trunk gave no result.
>
> I had to use the key to open it and remove my briefcase. I re-locked the
> trunk using the key.
>
> On returning to the car, I had to open the trunk with the key to replace
the
> item in the trunk as the trunk would still not open using the remote. I
> drove to the next stop and the result was unchanged. The remote would not
> operate the trunk release. However, after re-starting the car the second
> time, I drove to my dealer. When I arrived there the trunk was operating
> correctly. I have driven a bit further and opened the trunk several times
> but have been unable to duplicate this problem. I asked the dealer service
> department to check any trouble codes etc., but they claimed they could
not
> locate any problems.
>
> 4. 7/8/03: While driving two warning signals activated simultaneously and
> remained on, one for the suspension, the other for a headlight problem.
Took
> car to dealer. After a 3 hour wait they informed me that the issue was a
> defective sensor in the headlamp circuit and that there would be a 10-day
> delay while the required part was obtained.
>
> The dealer DID manage to cure the rattle (see item #1 above) which was
found
> to be a fuse-panel cover that fit poorly and was rattling. Apparently an
"S"
> hook is attached to it which is used to operate the sunroof in case the
> electric motor does not function. This hook was placed in the glove box as
> it was in some way part of the problem. The part was ordered, again with a
> lengthy delay for delivery.
>
> 5. On the way home from dealer, the tire pressure warning light went on.
The
> tire-pressure indicator was showing left (driver) side rear tire at 33 lbs
> (all others shown at 44). This was untrue, examination with an accurate
> gauge showed 44 lbs on this tire.
>
> Later the entire tire-pressure monitoring system simply failed, giving
> repeated "warnings" while driving. The dealer deactivated it pending an
> opportunity to service it which was scheduled for 7/17/03.
>
>
> 6. 7/17/03: I took time off from work etc. and brought the vehicle to
> Prestige Imports for service on the 5 issues outstanding. They were:
>
> (a) The headlamp level sensor failure
>
> (b) The warning on the suspension system
>
> (c) The failure of the tire pressure monitoring system
>
> (d) The rattle on the driver's side
>
> 7. 7/18/03: I received a call informing me that the car was ready, all
> defects resolved etc. I drove to the dealer and picked up my vehicle. I
> drove home, maybe 10 miles. Before getting out of the car I decided to
view
> the tire pressures one more time to determine if system was still
> operational. It has failed again and is now not operational.
>
> 8. 7/21/03: This morning I got in the vehicle to deliver it to back to
> Prestige Imports for second attempt to repair the tire-pressure monitoring
> system. Immediately upon startup the windshield and headlamp washer system
> came on, full blast, and emptied the entire (full) reservoir onto the car.
I
> had no means of stopping it. I turned the car off and re-started the car
in
> hopes that this would possibly re-set the system, but the washers and
wipers
> continued to operate until the reservoir was completely depleted. The
wipers
> remained on and could not be stopped by operating the controls. On the
drive
> to Prestige Imports the wipers shut off briefly twice but immediately
> resumed operation.
>
> So again, I am back to driving a loaner car and have a new (and this time
> safety-related) "concern" about the reliability and safety of this
vehicle.
> Had this happened to me on the Interstate etc., I could have been blinded
by
> the spray (not to mention the potential for damage to the interior if the
> sunroof had been open!). In the past week, this car has been in the sop
for
> 4 full days. Since I dropped it off on 7/21/03, I have not even had a
phone
> call from the dealer informing me of the status of my A8. My repeated
emails
> to the "Audi Advocate" requesting a contact with senior management at Audi
> of America have failed to produce any result. The salesman who sold me
this
> car does not answer calls placed from my home phone although if I call
from
> a number he does not recognize he answers at once.I am now a pariah
because
> I own this lemon and expect Audi to make good on it.
>
> I will post further information on the 2004 A8 and its reliability issues
as
> they occur.
>
> David deForrest
> Miami Beach, Florida
> USA
>
>
>
>

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

David,
thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hope problems get solved finally.

--
Best regards.
G. Tarantino
Bevaix (NE)
Switzerland
1997 BMW 535i 198,000 km (123,000 miles)
1997 Audi A4 2.8 Q 207,000 km (128,000 miles)

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

Some of the bizarre design flaws in this car that is being touted as: "a car
so intelligent, so adaptive to your needs it will conform to your own unique
way of driving. It's a car that feels as if it were created for one
individual."

Odd features such as:

1. No "pause" function for CDs (try reading an audio book this way). You can
"stop" the play by shutting down the MMI interface, but this will also turn
off many other functions, such as navigation and mapping etc. So if you are
driving and want to stop a CD in place while taking a phone call you have to
turn the whole MMI system off or (if you prefer) switch to radio first, then
use the mute switch. This is absurd.

2. There are 5 complicated (and needless) settings for configuring which
interior lights are on and at what intensity when driving, but no way to
control the too-bright dome lights on the door-open circuit.

3. The parking-radar system that beeps at you in both directions at once
without regard to gear selection (so if you are parallel parking space you
get both signals beeping at you at the same time.)

4. The rear-window mounted rear brake light that casts so much glare on the
rear windshield that one is unable to see clearly when backing at night.

5. Inability to sufficiently adjust the volume of the audio output on the
navigation system in relation to audio program level (it is adjustable, but
not over a wide enough range).

6. Climate control settings are supposed to be "memorized" and tracked to
the user's key. However, the passenger seat ventilation will shut off if no
passenger is in seat for 20 minutes or so (why?). If it shuts off, the "off"
position is remembered, so the next time you use the car, with a passenger
even, the ventilation on that side is "off."

7. Location of the CD changer in the glove box means it is impossible to
change/load CDs while driving. A nuisance on a long drive.

I am working out a complete list. When I mentioned items #1, 3 and 6 to the
"Audi Advocate" he was unaware that these were the "normal" operating
parameters for the vehicle as they are illogical not only to me, but
apparently to my Audi representative. This for a car that is adaptive to
your needs???


"GT" <Tarantino@111.com> wrote in message
news:3f2013c2@news.swissonline.ch...
> David,
> thanks for sharing your thoughts.
> Hope problems get solved finally.
>
> --
> Best regards.
> G. Tarantino
> Bevaix (NE)
> Switzerland
> 1997 BMW 535i 198,000 km (123,000 miles)
> 1997 Audi A4 2.8 Q 207,000 km (128,000 miles)
>
>

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

In message <hGUTa.1528$jW.810@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com>
"David deForrest" <buybeach@buybeach.com> wrote:

[Snip]

I haven't driven the A8, but a coupe of comments from experience of my
Audis (currently an RS6 and A2).

> 1. No "pause" function for CDs (try reading an audio book this way). You can
> "stop" the play by shutting down the MMI interface, but this will also turn
> off many other functions, such as navigation and mapping etc. So if you are
> driving and want to stop a CD in place while taking a phone call you have to
> turn the whole MMI system off or (if you prefer) switch to radio first, then
> use the mute switch. This is absurd.

Doesn't the CD player pause when the phone mute kicks in? It did on my
A6 (haven't got the car kit fitted in the RS yet, but I expect it will
behave the same).

> 3. The parking-radar system that beeps at you in both directions at once
> without regard to gear selection (so if you are parallel parking space you
> get both signals beeping at you at the same time.)

I find it useful that the front sensors in my RS6 are active whilst I
reverse - the area of coverage wraps round to the side so I get warning
as the front end of the car swings round.

[Snip]

> 7. Location of the CD changer in the glove box means it is impossible to
> change/load CDs while driving. A nuisance on a long drive.

Umm - I'd rather you weren't changing CDs in the changer whilst
driving. Wouldn't it be safer to pull up for a couple of minutes to do
this? With the changer mounted in the boot I've never been tempted to
try changing discs whilst on the move. However, having installed a
PhatBox in my RS, I can now have 300 hours of audio on line!

--
Peter Bell - peter@bellfamily.org.uk

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

"David deForrest" <buybeach@buybeach.com> writes:

>Today's "Report from intensive care"

>I went to visit my comatose defective 2004 Audi A8 at the dealer's service
>department today.

>Since I am paying for this brand-new expensive car and have not seen it in
>1-1/2 weeks, I decided to pay it a visit before I wrote the lease payment
>due at the end of this month.


You should check into your state's lemon laws -- even if you don't plan to
exercise your rights, merely mentioning it might get you something. I
just found out about a friend who leased a new Jaguar X Type that has had
major problems with the AC, she's had it in 4 or 5 times and it is one of
those intermittent problems that's hard to pin down. She told them she'd
be invoking her state's lemon law and they begged her for one more chance,
gave her a brand new X Type as a loaner, kept it over the weekend to try
to exercise the intermittent problem and had her car fully detailed when
she picked it up. They also refunded her TWO lease payments. As for
whether the problem is fixed, she's only had it back a couple days so the
jury is still out, but forgiving two payments at least takes some of the
sting out of it.

--
Douglas Siebert dsiebert@excisethis.khamsin.net

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress.
But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

"David deForrest" <buybeach@buybeach.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:%diTa.385$R27.88@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> On 6/10/03 I took delivery of a 2004 Audi A8 (USA model).
>
>> 3. On 7/2/03 This morning I (as usual) opened the trunk with the remote
> control (I keep the trunk "locked" with the key to prevent valet access
> etc.) and placed some items inside.
>
> When I arrived at my destination, I was unable to re-open the trunk using
> the remote. The green LED on the remote did light up indicating that it
was
> transmitting and the remote did function to open the doors, lock them
etc.,
> but repeated efforts to open the trunk gave no result.
>
> I had to use the key to open it and remove my briefcase. I re-locked the
> trunk using the key.
>
> On returning to the car, I had to open the trunk with the key to replace
the
> item in the trunk as the trunk would still not open using the remote. I
> drove to the next stop and the result was unchanged. The remote would not
> operate the trunk release. However, after re-starting the car the second
> time, I drove to my dealer. When I arrived there the trunk was operating
> correctly. I have driven a bit further and opened the trunk several times
> but have been unable to duplicate this problem. I asked the dealer service
> department to check any trouble codes etc., but they claimed they could
not
> locate any problems.
>
>
> David deForrest
> Miami Beach, Florida
> USA
>
>



Are you shure that the trunk lock is defecive?

On my A6 the key can be turned both clock- and anticlockwise, in one of the
positions the remote control can unlock the trunk, in the other I need to
use the key.

Greetings Aksel

Re: 2004 Audi A8 Reliability Problems
 

This will hopefully be my last posting on this topic, but I am astonished
and gratified to have this last occasion to write.

Today, without any prior word from either my Audi dealer or from Audi of
America, I received a fair and generous written buyback offer for my 2004
Audi A8L. As far as I am concerned, I am grateful for this consideration and
will, of course, take advantage of the offer.

As anyone following this correspondence knows, I had become pretty desperate
for help with my vehicle and my situation. At times, I felt abused by Audi
of America, the local field representative and everyone else that got in my
path connected in any way with this product. Now that I am set free from
this particular and apparently unusually trouble-prone specimen of what I
believe is a fine automobile, I want to write to express my gratitude to the
folks at Prestige Imports in North Miami, Florida. In marketing they say the
key is to exceed customer's expectations. As far as I am concerned, these
folks do so on a daily basis.

At all times throughout this process and in my every encounter with the
personnel at Prestige Imports I have been treated with exceptional patience,
courtesy, consideration and kindness. I am sure that all of the dealer
personnel were as concerned about my situation as I could possibly ask. It
must be frustrating to have a voluble and dissatisfied customer hanging
around a salesroom during a product launch. All I can say is that I feel
that everyone I met and spoke to on their staff, various service writers,
salespeople, clerical folks, warranty administrators and even the dealership
President, were unfailingly helpful and kind to me.

I would especially like to thank the following Prestige Imports personnel
for their unceasing courtesy and patience:

Sabrina Burrow, service consultant. She has been unfailingly pleasant,
generous with her time and has gone beyond the "norm" in trying to
coordinate and expedite repairs to my car and to keep me informed, even in
the face of my increasingly aggrieved and impatient demeanor.

Robbie Feiffer: General Sales Manager. As with Ms. Burrow, an exceptional
individual. It is rare for the average car buyer to even meet the GSM. Mr.
Feiffer runs a hands-on shop, is always around and available to customers
and has always treated me with exceptional courtesy and candor.

Lisa Chmela: Business Office (Finance): Lisa effectively sold me this car in
the first place, having so ably assisted me with my previous Audi purchase.
As with Mr. Feiffer, Ms. Chmela is always available to discuss maters with
customers despite the burdens of her very busy job. She is a fine asset to a
fine organization. Her ability to remember the precise state of dozens of
transactions in the air at one time and get them processed is remarkable.
She certainly always knew, to the penny, the calculations relating to mine.
Beyond this, she is savvy, knowledgeable and humane.

Yuri Schvartsman: Salesman. A very nice man. I will surely make another
purchase from Mr. Schvartsman.

Joel: (shop foreman and A8 specialist mechanic): Another treasure, an
articulate, pleasant and dedicated technician. Actually took phone calls
from me on several occasions when "issues" we were trying to resolve would
crop up while driving. Again, I mean that this man has gone far beyond what
I expect from shop personnel in a new car dealership.

Prestige Imports as a whole: I have written to this effect in the past and
reaffirm my comments regarding this dealership. They are a pleasure to do
business with and bring a level of civility, courtesy and fair-dealing
beyond what I have come to expect. As one can see from the comments about
the individuals named above, what differentiates this company is the level
of personal contact between the customer and senior personnel with actual
authority. They provide a "small town" experience in a big-town marketplace.
I would buy from them again without hesitation.

I am giving serous thought to purchasing a replacement A8 L. I am obviously
concerned that having escaped from an unfortunate situation I do not thrust
myself back into the same place again. I am not sure how I will work this
out at present. Any input from other owners about their 2004 A8 Ls would be
gratefully appreciated. I have no idea if my car was a rare aberration or if
it was typical. I obviously liked it well enough to make the purchase. A
quick trip around the local "luxury car" dealers has not shown me anything
in this vehicle class that is nearly as comfortable, spacious and
sure-footed.

I am assured by the folks at Prestige Imports that I would be welcome as a
return customer. I trust that Audi of America will also welcome me back if I
decide to buy from them again. Finally, I want to thank everyone who wrote
me and shared their experiences with me in this forum. I learned a lot from
all of you and will do my best to retain the good and obliterate the bad.