Audi A3 - from "love of my life" to "great disappointment".

[alexrogozea]

Hello!
I have a 2009 Audi A3 Sportback, 1.8TFSI 160BHP petrol engine, 6-speed manual, 42.000 km (bought new, i'm the only one who drove the car).
All-in-one, until a week ago, it was the car of my life and I loved every inch of it.
A week ago though, one morning, the car wouldn't start. The battery was fine, everything worked, except that the engine didn't start. I took the car to an authorised service.
The next day they said that the timing chain had snapped and they had to check the engine to see if any damage has been done.
3 days later they told me that the pistons, the valves and lots of other parts (which i can't name in english) were damaged and the total repair sums up to more than 5000 euros.
Imagine my shock, considering that the car has 40.000 km and was kept in perfect conditions at all times.
Now I'm trying to find a solution because I can't afford (and don't even want to consider) such a repair bill. But I'm also considering questioning Audi for their products, because I loved Audi and everything it stands for until this unhappy occurence.
No warning sign/light appeared in the dashboard, nothing. I'm very upset and angry at Audi, especially because this is not my fault, and I didn't even have any warning sign that something went/is wrong.
Probably I'll let my frustrations change my point of view and just quit being an Audi fan...

[Guest 2]

Did the car have full Audi service history?

I would be asking for a goodwill contribution (not sure the Romanian transaltion, sorry) since the car has low miles and only 4 years old.

[alexrogozea]

Yes, it does have full Audi service history...
I'm not sure how to apply for a goodwill contribution. I've sent an e-mail to Audi Germany, telling them what happened, but I'm not sure I'd be getting any reply... And the dealer in Romania is full of unpleasant employees which don't even care about your car. They didn't even bother to tell me what lead to this...

[zollaf]

this is bad, very bad. you say its got a full service history. i wonder if this is really the case ? what i mean is, i have no doubt you have taken it to get its service but i wonder if the oil change has been carried out as it should. maybe you need an independent engineer to examine the engine and test the oil to make certain this isn't a contributing factor.

[alexrogozea]

It's very bad indeed. I could do that and then sue the service probably? But I really doubt that. BMW had a similar problem in their history. I'm not by any means comparing AUDI with BMW, but I see problems like these do happen, even to brands like Audi or BMW...
BBC One - Watchdog - BMW deny engine failures are due to manufacturing fault

[alexrogozea]

Fortunately, I finally come to terms with the service and they offered me a big discount on the new parts. Noone could tell me how the timing chain got loose and snapped but I'm happy that they offered me a solution so I can have my car back healthy again.

[NHN]

How much did they offer you discount?