Chitchat The Poor Man's AUDI has arrived !

[555]

they swear they’ll never get a lexus or toyota again.

In singapore, lexus and toyota are held hostage by Borneo, overpriced, arrogant salesmen and poor service.
What car brand are u driving now?

 

[555]

not all Audis are that mechanically/electronically unstable. you must choose the correct model with the most reliable engine and transmission.

let me elaborate on each point.

1. The DSG 7-speed "dry clutch" DQ200 mechatronics (i.e. the transmission's "brain") issue has not been totally resolved yet. Only the 6-speed "wet clutch" DQ250 and DQ500 have proven to be the more durable transmission units.
2. This is an engine bay design flaw by VW/Audi. the battery is placed just beside the exhaust manifold of the engine and the extreme heat causes degradation of the battery. VW/Audi models with its battery situated in the boot/trunk will not have battery longevity issues.
3. Engine mountings are recommended to be replaced every 5 years or 100,000km (major servicing interval; for VW/Audi, it would be 120,000km). However it is not a "must do" replacement. You can get along with the increased vibrations coming from the engine area and the vibes won't be that pronounced. There is no point "repairing" any engine mounting because once worn it cannot "regenerate" itself. Just treat it as a wear-and-tear item.
4. The fuel flap actuator's solenoid has failed. Just need to press the key fob's unlock button twice and it should work. workaround would be to manually pull the red cord from the boot/trunk. permanent fix would be to replace the actuator for 30 bucks.

I only know A3 and A4. Looks that they fall into dry clutch category?
What Audi model is safe from point 1 and 2?

 

[eatshitndie]

In singapore, lexus and toyota are held hostage by Borneo, overpriced, arrogant salesmen and poor service.
What car brand are u driving now?

my trusty hyundai. i’m low ses.

 

[555]

my trusty hyundai. i’m low ses.

Korean cars are more expensive in Singapore.
Kia and Hyundai SUV are priced like $150K, Nissan, Subaru are cheaper.
The cheapest Nissan and Mitsubshi are also cheaper than the cheapest Hyundai

 

[Froggy]

1. Replace Gear Mechatron unit twice - once was free as it was during warranty period, and once 2 months ago at cost of about $4K plus (ouch!).
2. Replace car battery 3 times - I'm now into the 4th battery. First battery died 9 months after i bought it. I have a small front facing garmin camera facing forward but agent tested and said it was not causing any electricity bleed/leak.
3. Repair the engine mounting
4. Repair the fuel flap lock as it stopped working all of a sudden

This is not counting all the usual things u need changed like blown lightbulbs, brake pads, wipers etc. I had an accident 1 year ago and it was agent repaired. Accident was not major and engine not affected. Just body work to the front grill.

This guy should have gotten a Lexus instead. All these complains are foreign to Lexus owners, unheard of.

 

[eatshitndie]

Korean cars are more expensive in Singapore.
Kia and Hyundai SUV are priced like $150K, Nissan, Subaru are cheaper.
The cheapest Nissan and Mitsubshi are also cheaper than the cheapest Hyundai

swee boh? this will cost quite a bit in sg.

 

[Froggy]

None of the German brands rank highly and the French cars are even worse. At the bottom of the heap are the Italians. Buy a Fiat or an Alfa and be prepared to take a taxi to work at least 60 days a year while the car is in the workshop.

Alternatively you can buy two of the same so when one breaks down you can drive the other.

Also take note that most of the time the workshop doesn't have a clue what is wrong.

May I seek your opinion on the Maserati cars the new Ghibli and Quattroporte looks interesting

 

[555]

swee boh? this will cost quite a bit in sg.

The first version was priced extremely high, almost $280K because of COE $80K plus back then. Then ended up only the towkay and wife of Komoco drives it in Singapore.

Then 2 years ago, they start to offload in resale market. I was one of the few sinkies who went to view it's four-doors version in Komoco but resale price was still high because they fear that a lower resale price will crash their new Genesis price. Anyway the facelift came in and Komoco offloaded cheaply to second hand dealers.

 

[Froggy]

all my buddies who own lexus sedans almost give up on them as they are required to send their cars in for takata airbag recalls. unfortunately replacement parts are not available and they have to mothball their lexus sedans for almost a year in their garages. toyota (lexus) give them vouchers for auto rentals for the entire duration when their cars are stuck in garages. they swear they’ll never get a lexus or toyota again.

Heng ah I don’t face this problem so far in Thailand with my 4th and 5th now.

 

[eatshitndie]

Heng ah I don’t face this problem so far in Thailand with my 4th and 5th now.

perhaps in thailand dealerships ignore the factory recall.

 

[Froggy]

Okay, if there is a new unused Toyota Crown manufactured 25 years ago versus a spanking new Mercedes E200, which one will you choose?

Please note that the condition is you can't sell the car, so there is no issue of resale value.

My dream Toyota is the Century

 

[555]

Heng ah I don’t face this problem so far in Thailand with my 4th and 5th now.

This baby is the most reliable luxury car ever made in recent memory

 

[555]

My dream Toyota is the Century

Century is a bit like funeral car. Maybe a premium Alphard or Vellfire will be fun.

 

[eatshitndie]

May I seek your opinion on the Maserati cars the new Ghibli and Quattroporte looks interesting

i've only seen one lousy maserati levante at high ses santana row. it didn't turn heads like a porsche.

 

[Froggy]

perhaps in thailand dealerships ignore the factory recall.

Thai Lexus dealerships are very on the ball has only one importer and it’s non other than the giant Mitsui Corp.

I had a factory recall before took half a day only.

 

[Bonut]

swee boh? this will cost quite a bit in sg.

New Hyundai sports car ?

 

[eatshitndie]

ugly suv but it's showing up at high ses santana row.

 

[555]

i've only seen one lousy maserati levante at high ses santana row. it didn't turn heads like a porsche.

Your Genesis wins, especially the new facelift.

 

[eatshitndie]

Thai Lexus dealerships are very on the ball has only one importer and it’s non other than the giant Mitsui Corp.

I had a factory recall before took half a day only.

surely lexus use takata airbags like toyotas do. only the skin (and badge) is different.

 

[Froggy]

New Hyundai sports car ?

Looks like Aston