Power Steering

teejaybee said:
Thanks to everyone who replied to my query, Audi UK have offered me the next service free and the dealer where we bought it from is going to confirm what needs doing and then discount the repair "as much as they can". I think we will wait and see what the final price is before I accept so watch this space......
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Hiya
Well the local dealer had looked at the car and the "normal" price to repair would be £1333! they are offering to do it for £876 and Audi UK as i have previously said will pay for the next service so I think we're going to accept. Whilst I still think we shouldn't be saddled with this bill in the first place I believe that the offers are the best we are going to get and whatever happens the repair still needs to be done. Thanks to everyone, if there is one lesson learnt from this it is just because you have bought an Audi it's maybe not as reliable as you think it may be! If you have the opportunity of extending the warranty perhaps it might be money well spent...Whatever we still love the A2 and hope that this was just a hiccup! safe motoring to you all, kind regards Tom
 
Get it in writing that the repairs are only going to cost you £867. I may be a bit paranoid but it's probably worth covering all bases.
 
Maybe you should bring the 'mileage' argument into the negotiations now. Since Audi have designed the power steering system to be a non-serviceable item, it is reasonable to expect it to last over 100,000 miles. As yours has only lasted 28k, it must be faulty, so a fair contribution to the bill is 28% of £1333. On this basis you should only pay £373 and not the £867. As compensation, Audi have already started the ball rolling by offering a free service as a goodwill gesture. If this is worth £250, what you want is a few more freebies to build the total up to around £503. Think of as many options as possible - a brake fluid change and air con service, a big discount on a timing belt replacement (after 6 years I think) radio upgrade, new mats and mudflaps etc etc and bombard the Dealer with the suggestions. Hopefully there are things on the list they will agree to. If you still don't get a deal which is acceptable, consider writing to Auto Express.
This all seems a little complicated but I hope you get the drift.

Cheers Spike
 
My wifes A2 has just started to experience the symptoms described in this thread, heavy steering reversing out and intermittent heaviness as she is driving along. It has been plagued with problems since we bought it second hand 6 months ago from a garage that disposes of Audi's that exceed their shelf life and cannot any longer be displayed on the forecourt. They have so far been very good with the niggling problems up until now. Only really noticed the steering prob in the last couple of days. Have a warranty with the car so would expect the steering rack will be covered. Only done 34k as well.
 
spike said:
Maybe you should bring the 'mileage' argument into the negotiations now. Since Audi have designed the power steering system to be a non-serviceable item, it is reasonable to expect it to last over 100,000 miles. As yours has only lasted 28k, it must be faulty, so a fair contribution to the bill is 28% of £1333. On this basis you should only pay £373 and not the £867. As compensation, Audi have already started the ball rolling by offering a free service as a goodwill gesture. If this is worth £250, what you want is a few more freebies to build the total up to around £503. Think of as many options as possible - a brake fluid change and air con service, a big discount on a timing belt replacement (after 6 years I think) radio upgrade, new mats and mudflaps etc etc and bombard the Dealer with the suggestions. Hopefully there are things on the list they will agree to. If you still don't get a deal which is acceptable, consider writing to Auto Express.
This all seems a little complicated but I hope you get the drift.

Cheers Spike
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We have already tried the mileage card, I don't think Audi will budge and as we now intend to keep the A2 the free service will be useful as the next service should be a major one (£350/£400). I think if the car was just out of warranty it would be a much stronger case but it's 2 years off so there you go! thanks again to you and everyone else for their support and suggestions.
 
Can I just ask if this was a problem that got progressively worse or was intermittent. Ours seems to be intermittent so until we can show concrete evidence of it failing we will have to hang on until it gives up the ghost I suppose.
 
Hi, can anyone give me an idea where I stand with my wifes A2. We bought it 5 months ago during which time they have had it back twice for various problems for a duration of about 3 weeks. We have had it 5 months and 3000 miles. We now suspect it will need the steering sorted out and with the engine management light also coming on recently diagnosed as needing a new EGR valve, whatever that is. We bought it for 5.5k. The warranty that came with it covers neither problem. Car only has 34k and the bills are going to make the car worthless to us. HELP.
 
Powersteer problem

I have a power steer problem which ended up diagnosed as a slow leak in the system. I have now booked my car in for a new steering rack, realignment, etc. My quote was £825 (including parts and labour) Since my A2 is over 3 years old, which in normal case I would have to pay the full cost myself. But thanks to a lot of you here, I took your advise and contacted Audi UK complaining that the steering system should be made to last a lot longer than 50000 miles. They have now agreed to pay 50% of the total repair cost as goodwill. So thank you for all your help.
 
realitybites said:
Can I just ask if this was a problem that got progressively worse or was intermittent. Ours seems to be intermittent so until we can show concrete evidence of it failing we will have to hang on until it gives up the ghost I suppose.
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It is intermittent, the p/s light keeps coming on and the steering makes a noise!
 
vinnyk said:
I have a power steer problem which ended up diagnosed as a slow leak in the system. I have now booked my car in for a new steering rack, realignment, etc. My quote was £825 (including parts and labour) Since my A2 is over 3 years old, which in normal case I would have to pay the full cost myself. But thanks to a lot of you here, I took your advise and contacted Audi UK complaining that the steering system should be made to last a lot longer than 50000 miles. They have now agreed to pay 50% of the total repair cost as goodwill. So thank you for all your help.
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Exactly how old is your car? Audi Uk were adamant that as ours was 5 years old all they would give would be a free service. it seems they are not consistent in their decisions!
 
why don't you take it to a dealer and have it checked out?

Teejaybee, why don't you take your car to the service centre and have it checked out? If it is making noise and intermitent stiffness, you could have the similar problem to mine - fluid leak. Ridgeway Audi in Newbury did not charge me a penny to have my car checked out.

I initially took my car in just before christmas and thought it was a slow leak, they top up the fluid and I took it in again for a full diagnostic couple of weeks ago. On both visits, they did not cost me a penny courtesy car and a free car wash. They provide me with an estimate afterward and leave it to me to decide what and when to do it. I took the estimate and contacted Audi UK for help, e.g. goodwill, which was accepted and Audi UK will pay 50% of the repair cost. My car is going in on wednesday to have my steering rack , valves, etc replaced. All it will cost me is £423. It is still a lot of money but it will be done for me then.
 
Ridgeway

Vinnyk,

Your experience of Ridgeway is a positive one then? I have just bought one 2nd hand, and I'm in Newbury too. Be good to have a local dealer who is reputable and by the sounds of what you're saying, they are. Although I hope I never have a power steering problem, of course!
 
vinnyk said:
Teejaybee, why don't you take your car to the service centre and have it checked out? If it is making noise and intermitent stiffness, you could have the similar problem to mine - fluid leak. Ridgeway Audi in Newbury did not charge me a penny to have my car checked out.

I initially took my car in just before christmas and thought it was a slow leak, they top up the fluid and I took it in again for a full diagnostic couple of weeks ago. On both visits, they did not cost me a penny courtesy car and a free car wash. They provide me with an estimate afterward and leave it to me to decide what and when to do it. I took the estimate and contacted Audi UK for help, e.g. goodwill, which was accepted and Audi UK will pay 50% of the repair cost. My car is going in on wednesday to have my steering rack , valves, etc replaced. All it will cost me is £423. It is still a lot of money but it will be done for me then.
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So how old is your A2?
 
I work in Newbury, and Ridgeway seem helpful, but got dang they have expensive labour rates (£87/hour)! My A2 service was over £100 cheaper in Bath. I never understand how Newbury dealers can justify London prices. I guess that they assume everyone is a Thames-Valley-company-car-owning driver that doesn't care about servicing costs. Same problem at the Saab garage over the road.
 
Ridgeway Audi

My experience with Ridgeway is very possive. They always return calls, friendly and when my car goes in, always come out nice and clean inside and out. Even the loan car is clean inside and out. Also like I mentioned in my previous post, I took my car in twice before I decid on the repair. First was just before christmas when I noticed problem with my steering which turned out to be low fluid level. They put some steering fluid to make sure I am ok until I bring my car in for a full diagnostics in mid January. After the checkup it was identified as a problem with the steering rack. I was then given an estimate on how much it will cost to get it fixed, but no bill. They did not charge me for all the work and fluid they've done and used in my car.
They left it all up to me what I want to do, I could easily take my car to be fixed elsewhere.

But I must agree that their labour cost is very expensive, but you pay what you get. I could not say I have a good experience with Leicester Audi, I am far from happy with them and would advise people to avoid them at all cost. They are very stuckup and quality of work is rubbish. My prime example was asking them to replace my light bulb and they did not even put the cover back on properly afterward and I ended up with a steamed up headlight where they charged me £20 for parts and labour.

Regarding the age of my A2, it is coming up to 4 years old in March and I am still happy with the quality and build of the car.
 
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