Today I took my 99.5 1.8TQM in for the 5,000 mile scheduled service (actual miles ~5,500 because I had to wait 10 days for service after calling). I took it to International Autos in Milwaukee, where I bought the car. I've heard good things from other people on this board about the scheduled service, so I guess I got a little disappointed when they brought me back an unwashed car with light blue stuff on the tire sidewalls (I assume from rotating the wheels). The service people did not stamp the service log book; I will bring this up at 10K miles.

I also requested that they reprogram the control module to lock the doors at 15 MPH and to enable the remote control windows. They enabled the automatic door locks, but said they are not authorized by AoA to program the windows, and also suggested that "there's a lot of stuff on the Internet that doesn't work" (paraphrased). They charged me ~$17 for this.

Anyway, while I'm not really truly disappointed, I can't say I'm impressed either. International Autos is, by the way, the only Audi dealer in town.

99.5 1.8TQM

Took my '99.5 2.8 QM in for minor service--unstick lighter and re-aim headlights--but also asked for code changes to implement 15-mph door locking; one button-push unlocking of all four doors; and opening/closing windows and sunroof with remote. The tech told me the only code for which he had access through Audi was for the 15-mph door-locking change. He went on to say that the two button-push unlocking was a safety feature. I.e., driver has option of unlocking only driver's door in situation where he/she is concerned about safety. We didn't discuss why he didn't have the code for opening/closing windows and sunroof.

I had the tech implement the auto-locking feature; decided the safety issue was valid, however unlikely it is that a stranger would try entry through one of the other doors; decided that the window/sunroof open-and-close feature wasn't important since the key does the same thing the rare times it might be used.

No charge on the recoding, by the way.

Might also note that I have been extremely happy with the service at my local dealer; they worked on my previous A4 (a '97}, too. The dealer is Valley Imports in Fargo, ND. I also was extremely happy with the service at my previous dealer in central Illinois, Midtown Imports in Pekin near Peoria.

I just picked mine up. The car was freshly washed and vacuumed. They performed the 5,000 mile service. I complained about creaking seats, both were removed and disassembled, lubed and re-installed (we'll see how long this lasts). Washer fluid filled, rear seatback not locking to place was fixed. All was covered under warranty. In addition I did not have to make an appointment, just brought the car in unannounced. They paid for a rental. This was at Rusnak Westlake where I bought the car. This was surprising seeing as how when I had a Porsche serviced there I was never treated this well. Different service team I guess.

Window up/down with remote removes pinch protection. AoA isn't willing to do that in the litigation-crazy US market. Opening just the driver's door with the first button-push is a legitimate and commonplace keyless entry feature on many cars. Many women, my wife among them, REALLY like that feature. Now, having said all that, if you really want the window codes they're in the FAQ (if you can find someone who will program them for you) and the TSB for the free one-time auto-lock/unlock programming is at tech.vw.com. I had to fax that document to my dealer when I took delivery, otherwise they would have charged me $70.00!

I took my 2.8 in for the 7500 mile service awhile back at Momentum Audi in Houston. Inittially they only reporgrammed the control unit to lock doors at 15 mph. Roy Mann, the service writer, told me that they didn't have the code to do the remote window open/close that I requested. When I told him I could supply him with the code he said great, let's do it. They successfully reprogrammed the control unit for the remote window open/close with the printout I gave them of the F.A.Q. The reprogramming was done at no charge.

Kevin Craig
98.5 2.8 QTip Avant

since the windows up feature is there if you turn the key for 3 secs. What's the diff if you keep the remote depressed?

No that I expect much sense from AoA

The pinch protection is still there. That's just a BS line that they are feeding you.

Here's the test: On a car that has had the coding changed to enable the remote open/close just stannd next the car and lock the doors and start closing the windows with the remote. Stick your hand (or a towel, etc.) in the window as it's closing and you'll see that the pinch protection is still there - the window will back off as the rest of them continue to close.
Try it. I have. It works.

Please, Stop spreading rumors.

John

Had problems similar to Phillip's --- stuck lighter, badly aimed right headlamps --- plus a bad display on the climate control on my 99.5. Several central pixels in the display have never been functional. Scheduled the warranty-based maintenance at Criswell in Annapolis about a week ahead to take care of these problems and to do an interim oil change --- targeted at 2500 miles, performed at 3000 because of the delays in getting an appointment. They changed the oil, fixed the lighter (although I don't know if they did it to the TSB), did nothing to fix the headlight alignment, and said that they'd order a head unit for the climate control. (Not sure why it didn't occur to them to order one a week ago, 'cause it's a pretty simple and straightforward gripe. Had it been more critical I would have complained.) And, had I not come down with Taco Belly from lunch the previous day, I might have been a little concerned that they hadn't hosed down the car, too, but I just wanted to get out of there. If "two out of four" is good, I guess they did an okay job, but I wasn't impressed. Hope things get better.

Jack

And on top of that, they didn't even know you could modify the computer for those features. I gave them the FAQ on how to do it (that's probably why they didn't charge me. They weren't even sure if they should charge me or not!).

Anyway, my locks and windows have been re-programmed since 4 months ago on my 1.8T and haven't run into any problems.

Only downfall of always using the remote windows up/down feature is that battery life is less. But dealer will replace it free of charge.

I heard the pinch-protection story from a Master Audi Technician in the service bay of Don McGill Audi during a Houston area Audi owners meeting with the AoA Area Representative for service standing right next to him. It was in response to a direct question from an Audi owner about why the dealers were refusing to recode the remote. It very well may be BS, as your empirical experience seems to indicate. It also may be that AoA is just unsupportive of the reprogramming in general because of nebulous "liability" or "warranty" concerns and this guy was trying to defend their position. It will be somewhat difficult to duplicate your convincing test if no dealer will do the programming because of what AoA tells them. I apologize for passing on inaccurate information although I had every reason (except general mistrust of the Audi party line on certain issues) to believe what I heard.
But your "stop spreading rumors" last line hits a little too hard and a little too low for the offense committed.

Peace,

Marty
99.5 2.8 Avant Qtip, Casablanca/Ecru/Royal Blue

I apologized earlier for passing on incorrect info about this, but I have to wonder: Pinch protection works only on the first two attempts to close, I think. On the third try the window becomes a guillotine for those rare times when a window channel is clogged with ice or snow. (Yes, I know, hard to imagine!) I think AoA wants to be sure that an accidental extended press of the button doesn't cut off Rover's tail, or worse. True, you'd have to be incredibly oblivious to do that, but isn't that what product-liability lawsuits are all about?

I tried www.tech.vw.com to no avail. What gives?

Stan

nt

Thank you for naming location of dealerships. It helps me in planning stops along some of my roadtrips. My '99.5 1.8T will roll thru 5K while on the road between NY & AZ and although I'll probably wait until Scottsdale Audi, it's nice to think of alternatives along the route.

nt