clutch judder in first gear on take off

**johnsimcox** · 21-04-2015,04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Forkit

I reported my '12 plate 2.0 Avant with this problem at 33k miles, Poole Audi removed the gearbox, inspected the DMF and replaced the clutch and DMF. No if's or buts.
12k miles later, the issue is rearing its head again and the car is out of warranty by a few months.
Going to try my luck at the old "Goodwill Gesture" and see if they are prepared to repair the car seeing as it has lasted a third of the mileage of the last assembly.
Any tips on the best way to approach it?
Audi UK or back to Poole?

In the first instance definitely back to Poole. They did the work and all Audi repairs come with a 24 month warranty on parts fitted so if there is a problem (and as your car is out of its original warranty) then there is that to fall back on. If they do not agree to that then have goodwill from Audi to fall back on

Tripletrouble · 22-04-2015,07:35 AM

I'll approach my dealer Friday whilst it's I for a service and see what they say.

Tripletrouble · 24-04-2015,12:39 PM

Car was in for the (£298) 38k service today. Explained the symptoms. Service guy most helpful. "It shouldn't be doing that, we will fix it for you, the car is under warranty". Booked in May 15th for 3 days for them to diagnose (replicate) the problem and it will be fixed under warranty. He seems to think it may be a failed oil seal in the back of the engine contaminating the clutch.
It was refreshing to talk to someone who was a mechanic at the dealer and has progressed onto service reception. He knew exactly what I was trying to describe.
My faith in dealers has been restored after Ford and Vauxhall were hopeless to deal with.

**fat controller** · 26-04-2015,11:01 PM

Hmmmmm.... I am really not chuffed to read this thread. I am at the point of starting to consider my next purchase, and my heart was set on an A6 Avant - however, reading this, I don't think I want to know one now (unless maybe an auto); I had the same problem with my A4 Avant just after buying it, and 16k onwards the problem has returned (hence me considering my options), so it appears that the VAG range all have the same inherent fault. Suddenly, I am beginning to see the appeal of a BMW 5-Series......

**Dave fitch** · 27-04-2015,08:57 PM

Originally Posted by fat controller

Hmmmmm.... I am really not chuffed to read this thread. I am at the point of starting to consider my next purchase, and my heart was set on an A6 Avant - however, reading this, I don't think I want to know one now (unless maybe an auto); I had the same problem with my A4 Avant just after buying it, and 16k onwards the problem has returned (hence me considering my options), so it appears that the VAG range all have the same inherent fault. Suddenly, I am beginning to see the appeal of a BMW 5-Series......

You will get a lot less for your money my friend, I currently drive a 5 series and would be looking at an SE for more than I am paying for a black edition A6 with extras.
This problem is well documented and you always have Audi warranty, good will and of course the holy grail the sale of goods act on your side.

I have a friend (he started this thread as it happens) and since his initial problem back in 2011 he had no problems up until he changed it for another A6 at the end of last year and it was initially an oil seal not the clutch itself that caused the problem.

There has of course been the face lift since then when the problem may have been addressed.

**fat controller** · 28-04-2015,07:47 PM

Sadly, I will be buying second hand, probably around the 3 year old mark, so warranty is likely to be fairly short lived. Autos appear to be less popular than the manuals for some reason, although that could simply be due to the price bracket I am looking in. I can't say that I have ever really liked BMW to be honest, and the A6 C7 has pretty comprehensively stolen my heart.

I did come dangerously close to making enquiries on a 5-series a couple of weeks ago, purely on the spec (twin panoramic sunroofs, Professional Widescreen Nav, 12-speaker upgrade, voice control etc etc etc) - - - then I saw the interior, and it was utterly hideous (a sort of slightly light turd brown - just looked so wrong).

The odd thing I am finding so far with the A6 though is that they seem to have some odd omissions spec wise (heated seats, and folding mirrors seem scarce - no idea why?)

Having been 'caught' with a Passat with the BKP engine before the A4, and then the A4 needing a clutch and flywheel shortly after purchase, and now 16k down the line slipping and juddering again, it kinda ruins things a bit. Indeed, if it wasn't for the judder and cruddy second gear, I would keep the A4 as it is otherwise a fantastic car. I am just fed up having to continually adjust how I drive depending on the 'mood' the clutch and gearbox are in.

Tripletrouble · 28-04-2015,10:23 PM

I can empathise with "the mood". My car has been faultless since I've booked it in for 3 days diagnosis! I just hope it starts playing up again and soon, before it goes in.

Tripletrouble · 18-05-2015,09:57 AM

Today's the day. It's into the dealers for 3 days to allow them to "experience" the fault and to fix an intermittently poor parking sensor at the same time. Fingers crossed that it "judders" for them.
They've given me a 64 plate BE A4, damn, I thought the steering on an A6 lacks feel! This is like stirring a bowl of porridge, it's utterly dead and devoid of any feel.