Faults:

Window motor regulator passengers side broke down.

Coil failed.

Thermostat broke, causing the turbo to glow bright red hot (temp gauge in car never moved off 90, I was very luck the car didn't burst into flames).

Cam gasket cracked and leaking oil.

Vario seal cracked and leaking oil.

R and L suspension arms need replacing.

Engine mount cracked and leaked its fluid (didn't know engine mounts had fluid).

All this happened in less than 8,000 kms traveled, and it had 4 different seasons with the dealer, who added insult to injury with the last service, and charged me $28.00 to top up the window washer!

I have been to scared to total up what I have spent on repairs so far.

General Comments:

I was looking for a good, reliable and some what practical car, as reducing down to one vehicle from two (bye bye to the Jag).

To me this car is mostly sizzle and not a lot of sausage, if you will forgive the German pun. The sizzle is a smart looking wagon that has a nicely finished interior.

But it bits keep breaking, leaking or failing.

Front seats become hard and a bit uncomfortable on anything over a couple of hours drive.

The more I drive a CVT transmission linked up to a 1.8 turbo, the more it disturbs me. It's like the car is attached to a bungy cord when ever you try and accelerate from a standing start.

Things get worse should you touch the brake before trying to move off. All hell breaks loose, and car will only creep off the line. Not great if you are trying to get across an intersection in one piece.

It is very economical fuel wise, but so what if you are dishing up thousands to keep it on the road.

I haven't sold my beaten up old Pathfinder yet, as I am too nervous about relying on this 1 car.

Go buy a late model Mazda 6. May not be as cool to own as a European car, but it won't screw you round like an Audi.

Faults:

* Needed to top up engine oil every 3,000 to 4,000km.

* CVT transmission is delightful WHEN IT WORKS, will become the worst nightmare when it plays up:

** All segments showing the gear position on the dash started to flash at 80,000km, cost $200 to reset the computer and was told it needed a new transmission computer that costs $4,000 fitted.

** Being told by the dealer the transmission oil needs to be replaced, cost $400.

** Car started to jolt when accelerated, being told by the dealer it needed a transmission assembly, cost $6,000 to $10,000 for a refurbished one, or up to $20,000 for a new one. The car was hardly worth $20,000 at 100K.

* Centre console stops handbrake from being fully deployed, caused an accident when the car slipped, not sure if this is common, probably my copy was fitted by a retarded Audi worker.

General Comments:

The car is nicely screwed together, nice paint work, nice interior and really stylish design inside and outside. Sweet small engine, CVT quite comfortable when it works.

The car is frugal, consumes around 9L per 100km around town, yet you may need to spend 100 times the saving from fuel at the dealership when fixing up the major problems.

I understand I'm not the first owner of this rubbish, and that doesn't mean Audi has an excuse to deny their CVT is problematic.

These cars won't last, and are time bombs after the warranty expired. Get a Lexus if you want something that lasts a lot longer.