Audi A3 2010 (DSG Auto) occasional bang noise while changing gear

[Eric555]

Hi there,

I’d like to know members opinion about this case:

I test drove a used Audi A3 (2010 DSG 1.6 Stronic petrol 100k millage) yesterday,the car was is great condition but immediately I noticed an occasional “bang” noise while gear changed both idle to 1 and specially from 2 to 3.

I don’t have any experience with these A3s or any DSG gearbox but I am aware of DSG gearbox issues.

so I decided against further testing and buying the car despite dealer (not Audi dealer!) saying it’s nothing major and should be resolved by transmission oil change!

car had full service history mostly by Audi main dealer and even had clutch replaced 18 months ago,also cambelt and water pump replaced in 2019,with regular service every 2 years/10k miles.MOT history looked good and (payed) history check was also normal.

it had transmission oil changed once at 80k miles (I know recommended interval is 40k)

what do you think? does it sound like DSG was about to die? or could it really be easy fix with trans oil change/resetting gear box?

 

the dealer was offering 9 months warranty and mentioned regular service history by main dealer and independent but I noticed car had 6 owners in its 11 years life.

 

car ticked all boxes for me (price,colour,age,trim,spec,condittion) so a real shame to let it go.

and I keep thinking maybe it was really fixable by oil change/reset?

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Eric555

[Magnet]

Hello Eric, 

Advice is often asked for to confirm a preferred path of action is correct - advising against this is not often favoured! Since you changing your mind, mine is definitely to follow your gut feeling and walk away and don’t look back unless you want to involve yourself in finding out how many loopholes guarantees have. Again my advice, do not (in caps) fall in love with the look (in caps) of this car. 
Something else will turn up, but don’t rush. Sometimes, you don’t get quite what you want, but you will eventually get what you need. 
Happy hunting .

Kind regards,

Gareth, 

[cliffcoggin]

If the dealer was so convinced an oil change would solve the problem he should have done it himself. That he did not do so is evidence that you made the right decision to walk away.

[Eric555]

Dealer contacted me today saying that their mechanic checked the car and said it's nothing to do with gearbox as there was no shaking, and that they put engine cleaners and that he test drove it himself and couldn't hear the clunk/bang.(he saw/hear that happening while we test drove the car initially)

is he really trying to rip me off? since they provide  warranties, shouldn't they be worry about consequences,I thought even without warranty you have protection and right to get your money back (within a time frame) if you buy a car from trade sellers that turns out faulty?

anyone knows how these used car warranties work? are they useful at all?

 

 

Edited December 16, 2021 by Eric555

[Magnet]

Hello Eric, 

My money is on the principle that he is very keen on selling you this car, and it’s my gut feeling this time - you have fallen in love with this, and want to buy it. I’m basing my logic on the fact that you are not dismissing the limitations of so called warranties, as a fall back, and trying to convince yourself that all will be well anyway, because the warranty will give you complete cover of repair costs - so what’s to lose? 
If it were me, I would give the following a good coat of thinking about:- 

Even if (in caps) the warranty will cover all (in caps) expenses, are you really prepared to put up with the potential of all the associated inconvenience? 
Good cars are selling well at the moment, so why is the dealer trying to ‘sell’ you this car? 
 

As an important aside:- Are you intending to buy a 2010 (as your profile shows) or is your current car a 2010? 
If you are intending to buy a 2010, was this the period where some Audi s were suffering from high oil consumption? 
 

Wonder if you could help out with advice on this bit Steve Y.? 
Kind regards, 

Gareth. 

[Eric555]

13 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Eric, 

My money is on the principle that he is very keen on selling you this car, and it’s my gut feeling this time - you have fallen in love with this, and want to buy it. I’m basing my logic on the fact that you are not dismissing the limitations of so called warranties, as a fall back, and trying to convince yourself that all will be well anyway, because the warranty will give you complete cover of repair costs - so what’s to lose? 
If it were me, I would give the following a good coat of thinking about:- 

Even if (in caps) the warranty will cover all (in caps) expenses, are you really prepared to put up with the potential of all the associated inconvenience? 
Good cars are selling well at the moment, so why is the dealer trying to ‘sell’ you this car? 
 

As an important aside:- Are you intending to buy a 2010 (as your profile shows) or is your current car a 2010? 
If you are intending to buy a 2010, was this the period where some Audi s were suffering from high oil consumption? 
 

Wonder if you could help out with advice on this bit Steve Y.? 
Kind regards, 

Gareth. 

I don't own a 2010 or any A3 currently,profile says that because I had to choose one model,so I chose the model I'm intending to buy..

you are right, but the problem is I've been searching almost daily for the past 2 months and this one is the only one that tick ALL boxes.I'm just exhausted and tired of searching,checking histories,calling sellers etc it's a very unpleasant process.

also the dealer had all positive reviews,and the car as I mentioned had full service history,evidence of (expensive and necessary) work done recently (cambelt,water pump,clutch,trans oil). I don't think I can find another example with all these any time soon.and they also agreed on PX my old car.

this is why I'm still thinking about it!

Edited December 16, 2021 by Eric555

[cliffcoggin]

1 hour ago, Eric555 said:

 

is he really trying to rip me off?

 

In a word: YES. How much more clearly can I state it?

Neither engine cleaner nor new oil will rectify a faulty clutch/gearbox. At best they will only mask the fault for a while until the guarantee expires, and then it is your problem.

[Eric555]

37 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

In a word: YES. How much more clearly can I state it?

Neither engine cleaner nor new oil will rectify a faulty clutch/gearbox. At best they will only mask the fault for a while until the guarantee expires, and then it is your problem.

wow calm down..

I'm just asking because of existence of warranty and positive feedback they had.if it was a private seller I wouldn't even think twice.

[cliffcoggin]

You presume too much in thinking I am agitated.

Since you are clearly desperate to believe whatever the dealer tells you I'll withdraw from the discussion. Good luck with your purchase.

[Magnet]

Hello Eric, 

Understandable confusion - and now lack of it - regarding whether you are indeed (still) thinking about buying a 2010 A3. That’s fine, everyone now is clear on what you are wishing to do. 

I too think that I cannot add anymore to whatever debate there now is left, and I am in danger of repeating that already repeated! 
The last bit that can be reinforced Eric:- When someone asks for advice, it is generally to confirm what they intend to do is sound. 
That is proving difficult in this case, so far, but who knows, someone else on here may well fully support what you want to do. 
I think this boils down to a question of you placing your faith in warranties ( of which I guess you have read the small print) and the dealer’s reviews. 
I genuinely wish you luck. 

On a question of ‘ticking ALL ( your caps) the boxes? About 25 years ago I was advised that if I wanted all the boxes ticked, then I had best write out a cheque for a new car! Sound advice, and I bought a car which didn’t tick some of the boxes , and didn’t regret it. 
Compromise can be king. 
In the end Eric, you will make a decision which suits your heart. Let’s hope that decision proves to suit your mind. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Since you really want to buy this car, why don’t you spend some funds and get it inspected by the AA before committing to buy? 

[Eric555]

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

Hello Eric, 

Understandable confusion - and now lack of it - regarding whether you are indeed (still) thinking about buying a 2010 A3. That’s fine, everyone now is clear on what you are wishing to do. 

I too think that I cannot add anymore to whatever debate there now is left, and I am in danger of repeating that already repeated! 
The last bit that can be reinforced Eric:- When someone asks for advice, it is generally to confirm what they intend to do is sound. 
That is proving difficult in this case, so far, but who knows, someone else on here may well fully support what you want to do. 
I think this boils down to a question of you placing your faith in warranties ( of which I guess you have read the small print) and the dealer’s reviews. 
I genuinely wish you luck. 

On a question of ‘ticking ALL ( your caps) the boxes? About 25 years ago I was advised that if I wanted all the boxes ticked, then I had best write out a cheque for a new car! Sound advice, and I bought a car which didn’t tick some of the boxes , and didn’t regret it. 
Compromise can be king. 
In the end Eric, you will make a decision which suits your heart. Let’s hope that decision proves to suit your mind. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Since you really want to buy this car, why don’t you spend some funds and get it inspected by the AA before committing to buy? 

There seems to be some misunderstanding going on.

I primarily wanted some technical opinions about the issue, whether it's likely the DSG gearbox/transmission/mechatronic's typical failing sign or something else,and to get some confirmation whether I did the right thing not going ahead with the purchase.

like I said I never owned an A3 or any car with DSG,so my knowledge of these cars issues is based on YouTube buying guides and other online forums. and I assumed this being an Audi owners forum will be a good place to get some more model specific information.

when I test drove the car and noticed the noise,I immediately made my mind, but next day I kept thinking maybe I was too picky and it was something benign like what dealer was saying  (car being cold,dirty injector,resolved by engine cleaner etc etc) hence why I posted again to know other owners opinion.

like I said the car was otherwise in REALLY nice condition and in the past 2 months of search I haven't even found one that was worth going to test drive.

as for the ticking all boxes,there are things that I can ignore on a used older car such as right colour,seats,trim etc but there are things that are necessary for me such as being 5 door (not 3),being automatic,petrol,1.6 litre engine (as opposed to 1.4/1.8/2L that use timing chain instead of belt).add to that full service history,proof of recent cambelt/water pump/clutch replacement that this one had.

this one had them all that's why I didn't want to let it go unnecessarily and start the boring, endless search again.based on my past 2 months search it's  very unlikely to find another one with all/even most of these good points.

considered RAC and AA inspection but they wanted £260 and to be that's too much to waste on a 11 years old car for inspection.maybe ok if it was a £10k+ car..

anyway I'm not considering that car anymore.

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2021 by Eric555

[Magnet]

Many thanks Eric,

I obviously cannot speak for Cliff, but there hasn’t been any misunderstanding of your situation on my part, and your latest summary simple restates what your individual posts has stated. 

Re. AA/RAC inspection. OK, £260 is not insignificant, but I would look at it like this:- 

Do I know enough about vehicles to form my own comprehensive judgement?
If the asking price was £260 more than I originally thought, would I walk away from it?

I’m sorry you feel the forum has not provided you with the degree of advice you sought, but the bottom line is any car with known faults at a test drive, must either be bought with knowledge of these faults, or the faults corrected by the seller prior to a retest. Again, I cannot over stress the importance of a knowledgeable inspection of any vehicle, if the buyer is not armed with the experience to fully assess it. 

Positively the last bit:- Any stories behind any used vehicle will rest with the last keeper. If that keeper has been short term, then be suspicious. Make all attempts possible to contact the last keeper before committing. Read the boring small print on warrantees, and decide if the warrantee is of any practical use if buying at a distance away from your home. 
Although the forum hasn’t given you what you want, hopefully some of the experience with this potential purchase will  stand you in good stead. 
Good luck, and kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

[Eric555]

3 hours ago, Magnet said:

Many thanks Eric,

I obviously cannot speak for Cliff, but there hasn’t been any misunderstanding of your situation on my part, and your latest summary simple restates what your individual posts has stated. 

Re. AA/RAC inspection. OK, £260 is not insignificant, but I would look at it like this:- 

Do I know enough about vehicles to form my own comprehensive judgement?
If the asking price was £260 more than I originally thought, would I walk away from it?

I’m sorry you feel the forum has not provided you with the degree of advice you sought, but the bottom line is any car with known faults at a test drive, must either be bought with knowledge of these faults, or the faults corrected by the seller prior to a retest. Again, I cannot over stress the importance of a knowledgeable inspection of any vehicle, if the buyer is not armed with the experience to fully assess it. 

Positively the last bit:- Any stories behind any used vehicle will rest with the last keeper. If that keeper has been short term, then be suspicious. Make all attempts possible to contact the last keeper before committing. Read the boring small print on warrantees, and decide if the warrantee is of any practical use if buying at a distance away from your home. 
Although the forum hasn’t given you what you want, hopefully some of the experience with this potential purchase will  stand you in good stead. 
Good luck, and kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

Thanks for your post Gareth,

I think full inspection were around £150 last time I checked and I was surprised by £260 to be honest,I expect to see at least 3 vehicles to choose 1 and if I'm to pay £260 for each inspection that quickly piles up to £780 which is definitely a considerable amount.(some people pay that for their first car!) also many of these trade sellers aren't keen on these inspections..

another problematic issue regarding how long last owner kept the car is whether the last owner on record is the dealer? sometimes they buy these cars and keep them for months even more before they list them etc..so it's not very straightforward..

as an example here is the owners history of the A3 :

 

[Magnet]

Thanks Eric,

So you might have potentially 3 cars which may be of interest. You then select the the one that best suits your gut feeling and pay your £260 to get that inspected. Not an exorbitant pre-purchase insurance premium? 
Kind regards,

Gareth.