gearbox whine - all gears

toby1

Member
hi all, I'm after some advice and/or information. My A2 developed a gear whine in all gears about 4 weeks ago. I had bought it from a non-Audi dealer (Jeep in fact) who took in part exchange. I like the car a lot and I'd been looking for some time.
Anyway, it was sold to me with a three month dealer warranty, not underwritten by a 3rd party. Naturally I took it back but the service was a joke. On the telephone they said they had no experience of this car so perhaps I should take it to an Audi dealer and ask them to diagnose. I agreed, but then they changed their mind and asked to look at it one Saturday morning (a 100 mile round trip from me).
The technician had a drive after I explained the best speed to hear it at its worst (should have gone with him in hindsight). He came back and said "no fault found", it's a characteristic, which of course prompted me to ask why the hell did you want me to bring it in if you had no experience. The whine is not unique to this car.
So on my own back I took it to Newbury Audi who charged me £52 for a diagnosis of differential whine and/or 5th gear problem. New gearbox, for which Audi UK would contribute 50% as it was low mileage, full Audi service history, and under 4 years old. I'd have to pay £1098, fair enough.
Spoke to the dealer where it was purchased and they do not want to know. No answer to calls, nor to a letter which I sent recorded delivery.
So, now what? Do I involve trading standards now, or pay for the repair and try to recover my costs through the small claims court?
I agreed in my letter that perhaps the supplying dealer would want a 2nd opinion. I thought this was a reasonable and sensible suggestion but alas, no response.
Any support/information/ideas welcome. Fortunately the car is not off the road and I use it daily, but the whine is now more pronounced so one day, I may not be able to drive it.
Dealers hey, don't you just love 'em. And I worked in the franchised dealer trade for 15 years! Not good being the other side of the desk now. :(
 
cheers for that. I rang them today to chase them up, and I think they're making some movement. They won't pay for the customer share of the contribution with Audi UK, but they're looking to source a gearbox themselves. We shall see...tbc
 
progress

After much disagreement, and eventually a letter to the general manager, they have at last agreed to pay the customer share of the Audi contribution. So it's booked in next week for a new gearbox with Ridgeway Audi of Newbury.
Here's hoping for a successful job, and that their diagnosis is correct!
 
sorted!

Car back yesterday afternoon, and now all nice and quiet, as it was when I first bought it.
They even carried out a 4 wheel alignment which I wasn't expecting but they say they do when replacing a gearbox.
And the girl on service reception is very nice! :D

Hooray for 3 month's preserverance! Now I can crack on with the mods I want. Didn't want to throw any money at the car until I knew I was keeping it.
 
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