B7 - 2 Year Report
04-02-2007, 06:27 PM
#1
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B7 - 2 Year Report
OK, yesterday was the car's 2nd "birthday." Having logged 23,000 miles or so, I thought I should give a "reliability" report, and a description of the relatively mild mods done so far.
Problem: Key Fob issues
This was a well reported issue with the 2005.5's. Not sure if later models also suffered it, but easily fixed by getting new key fobs under warranty. Happened almost immediately after I got the car. There is a TSB on the subject.
Problem: No sound of any kind from Nav/Radio/CD/etc when car is very cold, until interior warms up. Recently I've learned that this may be an issue with Bose Audiopilot, but I haven't had it fixed yet. Discovered about six months into ownership (first time it got really cold).
Problem: Flickering headlight. Right headlight flickers at strange times. Sometimes I get a warning message on the DIS (something to the effect of "headlight dipped"). Clears up if I turn off and turn back on headlights. Started happening a few months ago, seems to be becoming more frequent. I've even seen the headlight come on quickly and go right back off shortly after I've exited the car. Must be a poltergeist. I'll have it checked during the next service call.
Problem: Gas cap access door failure. Luckily, this meant it wouldn't close, not that it wouldn't open. Happened after a particularly cold night this winter. Dealer able to fix by adjusting it somehow.
Problem: Trunk lid failure, wouldn't close. Happened the same bitter cold night that the gas cap door failed. Started working again once car warmed up, and hasn't been a problem since.
Other issues not due to design or build: Two flat tires in six week span due to potholes after our severe winter. Also, someone keyed the car about 10 days after I picked it up. Thanks to SVE doing a bang up job on the repair.
Mods so far:
1) Hard wired iPod using BlitzSafe adapter.
2) Had my iPod colored graphite (old version that didn't come in black) by Colorwarepc.com to better match interior.
3) Tinted windows (legal).
4) Clear bra.
5) Stratmosphere B7 RS4 replica wheels.
6) B7 RS4 pedals.
7) ADR V1 interface (my favorite mod) with, of course, hardwired V1.
Still planning:
1) Supercharger! (2 weeks lol). I seriously want to do this. Waiting on APR.
2) After I get the S/C - full exhaust, ecu, lower, BBK. Until then, I kind of like looking stock stealth.
Some pics for your enjoyment....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10004b.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10014b.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10068b.jpg">
Problem: Key Fob issues
This was a well reported issue with the 2005.5's. Not sure if later models also suffered it, but easily fixed by getting new key fobs under warranty. Happened almost immediately after I got the car. There is a TSB on the subject.
Problem: No sound of any kind from Nav/Radio/CD/etc when car is very cold, until interior warms up. Recently I've learned that this may be an issue with Bose Audiopilot, but I haven't had it fixed yet. Discovered about six months into ownership (first time it got really cold).
Problem: Flickering headlight. Right headlight flickers at strange times. Sometimes I get a warning message on the DIS (something to the effect of "headlight dipped"). Clears up if I turn off and turn back on headlights. Started happening a few months ago, seems to be becoming more frequent. I've even seen the headlight come on quickly and go right back off shortly after I've exited the car. Must be a poltergeist. I'll have it checked during the next service call.
Problem: Gas cap access door failure. Luckily, this meant it wouldn't close, not that it wouldn't open. Happened after a particularly cold night this winter. Dealer able to fix by adjusting it somehow.
Problem: Trunk lid failure, wouldn't close. Happened the same bitter cold night that the gas cap door failed. Started working again once car warmed up, and hasn't been a problem since.
Other issues not due to design or build: Two flat tires in six week span due to potholes after our severe winter. Also, someone keyed the car about 10 days after I picked it up. Thanks to SVE doing a bang up job on the repair.
Mods so far:
1) Hard wired iPod using BlitzSafe adapter.
2) Had my iPod colored graphite (old version that didn't come in black) by Colorwarepc.com to better match interior.
3) Tinted windows (legal).
4) Clear bra.
5) Stratmosphere B7 RS4 replica wheels.
6) B7 RS4 pedals.
7) ADR V1 interface (my favorite mod) with, of course, hardwired V1.
Still planning:
1) Supercharger! (2 weeks lol). I seriously want to do this. Waiting on APR.
2) After I get the S/C - full exhaust, ecu, lower, BBK. Until then, I kind of like looking stock stealth.
Some pics for your enjoyment....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10004b.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10014b.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90078/_pt10068b.jpg">
04-02-2007, 09:59 PM
#3
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Here's my report for comparison
My B7 S4 is now 23 months and 2 weeks old with 40 000 miles on the clock.
Problems:
- minor creaking sound in the dashboard when the car was new. Disappeared by itself after a couple of weeks.
- key fobs. Didn't have any problems with the original key fobs but they were replaced anyway (dealer insisted on it). Both new keys started malfunctioning in one month! Had them replaced again and no problems since.
- flickering headlight. Turned out to be a faulty xenon bulb. Audi Finland now replaces both bulbs if there's any amount of flickering detected. It seems to be quite common with the B7 A4/S4.
That's about it. Everything else has been working perfectly. I've been very happy with my car. The only downside is the horrible fuel economy.
Problems:
- minor creaking sound in the dashboard when the car was new. Disappeared by itself after a couple of weeks.
- key fobs. Didn't have any problems with the original key fobs but they were replaced anyway (dealer insisted on it). Both new keys started malfunctioning in one month! Had them replaced again and no problems since.
- flickering headlight. Turned out to be a faulty xenon bulb. Audi Finland now replaces both bulbs if there's any amount of flickering detected. It seems to be quite common with the B7 A4/S4.
That's about it. Everything else has been working perfectly. I've been very happy with my car. The only downside is the horrible fuel economy.
04-03-2007, 09:57 AM
#4
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B7avant - 2 year
Hmm...
I thought it was just me.
Key fob: same deal. replaced easily.
Headlight issue: I'm losing my mind. I cannot stand it. I take it to the dealer, they cant replicate the problem, the car comes back. twice.
Had a weid clicking while steering at low speeds. Fixed.
other than those, the car's been solid. 25K. 2 years of love.
I thought it was just me.
Key fob: same deal. replaced easily.
Headlight issue: I'm losing my mind. I cannot stand it. I take it to the dealer, they cant replicate the problem, the car comes back. twice.
Had a weid clicking while steering at low speeds. Fixed.
other than those, the car's been solid. 25K. 2 years of love.
