clutch worn out at 17,500 miles?

[highlandarx]

I purchased a CPO 2006 A4 2.0T 6MT in Sept. of 2007 and everything was working and fine. I know how to drive a MT and do not ride the clutch. Even if i rode the shit out of the clutch I should be able to GRADUALLY feel the clutch not grabbing over time. But this was not the case, I was merging onto the highway and the clutch just gave out, luckily I was in the side most lane such that I could just veer the car off the highway. No one was hurt, but after taking it to the dealer it seems that the car needs a new clutch. Mind you that the car is still under warranty, yet the Audi dealer quoted me $2700 and won't fix it. I have gotten many mechanics' opinions and they all agree that this shouldn't happen. I even talked to the Audi Service director at my dealership and he agreed that this shouldn't happen to me, but he couldn't do anything about it. So, I am drafting a letter to the President of Audi...any suggestions on how to approach this?

[cmoe]

what is a CPO?

[baaudi]

Tell the dealer that you will park the car outside their dealership and tell every perspective customer your story until they fix it.

[AudiWxGuy]

^^What he said.^^ That is redic. You shouldn't have to pay for damage someone else did. I had a Nissan Xterra MT for 55,000 miles and never once had a problem with my clutch. This is an Audi. Someone who had it before didn't know how to drive.

[cstarky15]

Well, Sorry to tell you this but your Clutch is a wear item and isn't covered under warrenty. When i got my MT that was one of the first things they made sure i knew. I'm sorry to hear that it went out just like that. Maybe there is something esle wrong with it besides the clutch. I hope you get it fixed. Call around and see if anyone quotes you cheaper/ask if they can deal with warrenty cars. So places do.

[ItsThat2.0T]

what is a CPO?

certified pre-owned

[Phrost]

I don't want to say it, but I think you may have to pay it...

It is a wear and tear item, so it's not under warranty usually unless there is a defect. It just sounds like the original buyer couldn't drive stick for shit and she/he did all of the damage

If it was within 30 days or so if the purchase, they would probably cover it... but over half a year ago...

I would try my hardest to convince them to cover it, or else go to a independent shop/tuner shop that knows what they are doing to replace it since they will most likely charge less.

[LampyB]

oh man i'm sorry to hear this! the same thing just happened to me, except my clutch went at 44K...which IMO is still waay too early. Dealer refused to cover it as did AoA. I raised hell though and they budged 10% on labor. I bought the part myself and had the dealer do the installation and after all was said and done it only cost around $1000 for 9 hrs labor, at $112/hr. Now how could it possibly cost $2,700 for a clutch job? thats absolutely INSANE! go somewhere else if they won't cover it under warranty.

[gyroscope]

my clutch is showing signs of wear and my car only has 9800 miles on it. the engine over revs whenever i go into reverse, or when i have to pull up a hill. my car was a cpo with 200 miles on it. somehow i think that there are defective pieces out there, because clutches should last at least 200k. this really isn't right.

[joec500]

my clutch is showing signs of wear and my car only has 9800 miles on it. the engine over revs whenever i go into reverse, or when i have to pull up a hill. my car was a cpo with 200 miles on it. somehow i think that there are defective pieces out there, because clutches should last at least 200k. this really isn't right.

not sure about 200k miles, but 100k miles as long as the car was not abused nor modified heavily.

[TrboPowr]

i hate to say it but this happened to me at 14K on my 20th Anniversary GTI and I had to pay every cent because VWoA would not cover... Its sad but some cars are lemons and you may have been unlucky as I was

[highlandarx]

I don't want to say it, but I think you may have to pay it...

It is a wear and tear item, so it's not under warranty usually unless there is a defect. It just sounds like the original buyer couldn't drive stick for shit and she/he did all of the damage

If it was within 30 days or so if the purchase, they would probably cover it... but over half a year ago...

I would try my hardest to convince them to cover it, or else go to a independent shop/tuner shop that knows what they are doing to replace it since they will most likely charge less.

Even if it was his fault, I would've gotten signs of this GRADUALLY as I had mentioned. The clutch would grab less and less over time, it wouldn't just give out and not grab out of the blue unless it is deffective, in which case i shouldnt have to pay...

[4-tified]

Even if it was his fault, I would've gotten signs of this GRADUALLY as I had mentioned. The clutch would grab less and less over time, it wouldn't just give out and not grab out of the blue unless it is deffective, in which case i shouldnt have to pay...

That's why you need to take your car to an independent mechanic and have them inspect the trans/clutch and give you their assessment of what the problem is and how much it costs.

If the independent shop finds that it's a defect in clutch material, or any other part in the system, then have them put it in writing. Then, take it to an Audi dealer and/or give AOA a call and inform them of the situation.

You're simply assuming a defect because that way you won't have to pay.
However, it might be a defect, but it might not be either.
A clutch is a wear item typically not covered under warranty, unless there is a defect. Check your original Audi warranty and your CPO. Does it include free clutch replacement?

Also, if your clutch just gave out as you describe, it's possible that you may have a defective hydraulic part. Did you as the mechanic to explain why the clutch simply "gave out" and didn't just start slipping badly, as a worn clutch should? You need more info it seems in order to know the truth here.

[R1NSE]

Since it is CPO I would look at your CPO documents and see if it says anything about the clutch wear. If it doesn't, then I would take the approach that they misrepresented the value of the car and you will filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and whoever else will listen. Tell them that when you bought the car that you paid a premium because it was "certified pre-owned" and the clutch should have been disclosed to you.

Not sure if it will work but you should give it a try.

[intonation]

You will have to pay, but think of it as an opportunity to do a clutch upgrade kit. And don't pay the dealer labor rate, that is ridiculous. Find an indie VW/Audi tech that you can trust.

[Phrost]

my clutch is showing signs of wear and my car only has 9800 miles on it. the engine over revs whenever i go into reverse, or when i have to pull up a hill. my car was a cpo with 200 miles on it. somehow i think that there are defective pieces out there, because clutches should last at least 200k. this really isn't right.

CPO with only 200 miles on it? Sounds like they used it as a demo car or something... That would make sense though, tons of people not knowing how to drive stick demoing your car, tons of clutch wear in very little miles

Even if it was his fault, I would've gotten signs of this GRADUALLY as I had mentioned. The clutch would grab less and less over time, it wouldn't just give out and not grab out of the blue unless it is deffective, in which case i shouldnt have to pay...

Good point, I didn't think of that. Out of the 3 manual cars I have owned, I've never had a clutch slip, but I have driven other cars that had horribly worn clutches. But I agree, with such a torquey motor, you should have been feeling it rev up and go nowhere when you'd floor it. Did the dealer actually inspect it or just drive it and say "yup your clutch is toast"?

[greene08]

This is the thing that freaks me out most about my car. While I bought mine new, I still worry.

[davis449]

Now how could it possibly cost $2,700 for a clutch job? thats absolutely INSANE!

This is exactly what my first thought was. $2700 for a clutch is ridiculous. Find an indy shop and get it done for half of that.