Audi

[McDonald]

I don't have any experience of Audi cars, but their TV advertising is first rate. Better sound design than any of their competitors.

 

[kid-jensen]

I've been waiting more than 25 years for an Audi that has decent, adjustable handling on the limit.

Still waiting....

 

[LostKiwi]

Audi really did pull off the greatest brand engineering there's been, making people think their fwd Polo/Golf/Passat based car is better than all the other Polo/Golf/Passat based cars available at half the money.

Fixed that for you.

 

[JBell]

It all seems to be the luck of the draw with almost any car old or new. My mate has an Audi TT mk 1. The build is first rate but unfortunately he has problems with the DSG auto box, with only 60k odd miles on the clock. That box seems to be a major weak point with VAG cars.

It is the Mechatronic unit that goes in the early cars, later ones seem to be OK

 

[MalcQV]

Newer cars have much electrickery which usually means a sensor fails and not the system itself. Having owned lots of brands (even French for my sins) mostly I believe it comes down to care. Includes past owners, current owners, past mechanics and present. Sure they all have some design faults but these are mostly picked up a couple of years after release.

 

[coventryslk]

Newer cars have much electrickery which usually means a sensor fails and not the system itself. Having owned lots of brands (even French for my sins) mostly I believe it comes down to care. Includes past owners, current owners, past mechanics and present. Sure they all have some design faults but these are mostly picked up a couple of years after release.

Phase2 Renault models are always the best

 

[Uncle Benz]

I've been waiting more than 25 years for an Audi that has decent, adjustable handling on the limit.

Still waiting....

It must cost a fortune to engineer the soul out of an automobile, but Audi have it licked.

 

[Yugguy]

And yet they sell in droves. You could put an Audi badge on a wheelie bin and it would sell at a premium.

The new Focus I've ordered is objectively a better car than its Audi equivalent but it will never have the same status in the suburban pecking order.

 

[kid-jensen]

And that is Marketing in a nutshell...

 

[LostKiwi]

It's all about perceived quality and exclusivity.
Even in the world of watches - Rolex are perceived as exclusive yet are the largest Swiss manufacturer churning out more watches than all other brands. There's a crazy situation at present with Rolex where if you wand certain models you have to "go on the list" but the only way the dealers will put you on "the list" is if you buy something else first! You can buy used but will probably pay over list yet people buy into this madness.

 

[400ixl]

Audi's are as reliable as other brands, you always run the risk of getting any car with an issue. SOme cars do have systemic problems with certain components, but that's why anyone sensible will do their research. Buying a first year release of a new model is one of those you pay your money and take the risk.

Over the last 6 months, the most common cars I have seen on the hard shoulder of roads with their hazards flashing have been Mercedes with the 350 D badges on the back. BMW's have also been fairly high up there, harder to tell which model engines as a lot more are debadged.

 

[JBell]

I don't have any experience of Audi cars, but their TV advertising is first rate.

Not sure 2 cars in an empty swimming pool is good advertising

 

[dry run]

Not sure 2 cars in an empty swimming pool is good advertising

Nothing new - Rock stars were driving cars into swimming pools years ago

 

[JBell]

Nothing new - Rock stars were driving cars into swimming pools years ago

I rode my Raleigh Extra Burner into one once

 

[McDonald]

Not sure 2 cars in an empty swimming pool is good advertising

It's quite balletic, but my least favourite of the last 10 years. The raging bull, evoked in darkness and with roaring engine was a superb commercial.

 

[jp williams]

Audi's are as reliable as other brands, you always run the risk of getting any car with an issue. SOme cars do have systemic problems with certain components, but that's why anyone sensible will do their research. Buying a first year release of a new model is one of those you pay your money and take the risk.

Over the last 6 months, the most common cars I have seen on the hard shoulder of roads with their hazards flashing have been Mercedes with the 350 D badges on the back. BMW's have also been fairly high up there, harder to tell which model engines as a lot more are debadged.

"Audi's are as reliable as other brands",..I have NEVER seen Audi appear in the upper quartile of ANY reliability survey.
Where is the evidence for your statement Mr MCD ?

 

[coventryslk]

If i was to buy another car (not got the funds at this moment but in a couple if years) be a BMW or Merc as be RWD.

BMW cos of the economy, but then you see reviews complaining about timing chain failures on both petrol and diesel, then you see the efficient dynamics models for sale with over 150k so either poor ownership leads to issues or design or both?

I could be sitting in one as a company car if i was to change jobs and wouldnt be an issue in terms of defects, I'd prefer to purchase privately and keep for years so want something that can take 18k a year, RWD possible auto.

Audi/VAG have done what Austin Rover did 35 years ago with badge engineering yet they were crucified by the motoring journalists unlike in modern times, those journalists praise the shite that Audi/VAG sell. Nothing special to drive, unless a R8 or expensive out of reach, interior manufacturer was contracted out to PSA for many years (PSA sold that function to a chinese firm a couple of years ago)

Be good to compare a Audi A3 for example over 100k to a megane or 308 and look at reliability over similar useage like having them as staff cars for motoring magazines

 

[flowrider]

To be fair there will always be fans of all marques whether Audi, BMW or Mercedes. I have owned BMW's, Audi's and Mercedes over time and at the moment have an Audi and an MB and both have different characteristics and foibles, I like both but in different ways.

 

[400ixl]

"Audi's are as reliable as other brands",..I have NEVER seen Audi appear in the upper quartile of ANY reliability survey.
Where is the evidence for your statement Mr MCD ?

Family sized cars (Audi second, BMW 11th, Mercedes 19th) https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17799

Prestige cars (BMW 4th, Audi 7th, Mercedes 14th) https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17810

There are other surveys which show the complete opposite. All of them are subjective as manufacturers do not release defect rates and costs per repair for warranty. One of the 3rd party warranty companies did a couple of years ago for their policies and Audi, like BMW and Mercedes were all fairly similar.

Are they at Lexus ratings, not from what I have seen, but neither are the others.

If you disagree then fair enough, as I say its subjective without the absolute figures which are not published.

 

[bob 6600]

Nothing special to drive, unless a R8 or expensive out of reach,

I think my S8 is a good drive and not expensive. It's cheaper than the equivalent S63 too.

Everyone likes different cars, which is good as if we all liked the same then life would be boring. For example, the W204 does nothing for me in any guise but there are a lot of fans out there and I respect their choice but not for me.