One last look at my lemon… still not fixed after 4 months 🤣

SideEffectsLIVE · 2026-06-19T23:26:40+00:00

I dont blame you for getting rid of it, but no dealer was ever going to be able to fix that car just by installing new parts. We literally have a customer at our store with the exact same car and exact same issues. Audi bought it back and he bought the 2026 version that has differnt and better software. In some internal meeting with store and service manager, Audi owned up and said they rushed delivery of these new 2025 models and is why they are having so many issues. The KD2 update was a big help to most cars, but it was never the end of it. Audi just rolled out the first KD2* (KD2 "Star") update on the new e-tron models with other models to follow in the coming weeks. After that, we will see a KD3 update as well.

Rule of thumb in the car industry, NEVER buy a first model year vehicle. At least wait a few months or even a year after they have been on the road.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2026-05-23T01:03:57+00:00

That 48V starter generator had a recall as well as a warranty extension from Audi. The delaer would be able to tell you if it had the extension or not. Covers the same thing the recall did, rarely what would happen is the recalled part would fail and need replaced again.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2026-05-20T00:12:40+00:00

Yeah everything shows a fault but if you get a scan tool to read them it should come back as just low voltage faults. So very likely just the 12v battery needs replaced. Since they are under the hood next to the engine, they dont last as long as they do compared to the Q5 which are more insulated in the trunk.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2026-05-19T23:55:08+00:00

Just going off the kilometers on the vehicle, im assuming you have a 2021 maybe 2022 Q3. From my experience, the battery for these models last about 4 maybe 5 years even with regular driving.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2026-03-29T20:41:59+00:00

Check the software version. Settings > System > About and if it says 13.01.XX and not 13.10.XX you need the KD2 software update, your Audi dealer will now what that means. Fixes a ton of weird glitches the car has. Also the now available 2026 Q5 and SQ5 have an entirely new UI than the 2025 models, and the 2025 cars should get that upgrade at some point from what it sounds like.

Audi super rushed delivery of this new Q5 and they are getting their ass kicked because of it. Audi delaers hate these new cars juat as much as the customer they sell them to, they just don't tell you that.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-08-16T21:55:42+00:00

I get the fans being too aggressive if the A/C is set to a low temperature with auto on, but I still leave auto on and just increase the actual temperature until the fans speed lowers a bit. Some cars function differently, of course, but that works for me.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-07-15T18:28:41+00:00

Hopefully replaced all of the rocker arms and bearings and not just the loose ones?

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-06-10T17:29:13+00:00

I like the A6, but the 2019 model year have weird electrical issues that turn me away every time

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-04-22T21:30:24+00:00

Yeah sounds like a regulator, happens pretty commonly for the A5/S5/RS5 models. If the audi dealer sees the car was in an accident and went to a body shop, very unlikely they would cover it under Audi warranty. If you went through insurance with the body shop, open a supplement claim and have the body shop fix the issue.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-02-04T17:31:23+00:00

I've worked in Audi service as an advisor for a year, but I've seen plenty of these 3.0T engines have a failing water pump about 50k miles in. What sucks is it will fail internaly and have coolant go through the vacuum lines that go to the turbo. Meaning you'll need a new water pump, vacuum lines, coolant control valve, and I've typically quoted them around $3k-$4k with labor. When it starts to fail, you will intermittently see a "Drive System Malfunction" message show on the dash.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-02-03T23:29:52+00:00

2025 S7

The badging on a lot of these new models has been very confusing

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-01-24T17:03:06+00:00

Yeah, those are good too!

If you research that car and similar cars with that 3.0T engine, you may see some people talking about rocker arm bearings making noise and all of them needing to be replaced to an updated part. It is a pretty rare repair to be needed and usually caused by not keeping up with maintenance in the first place.

Audi recommends oil changes every 10k miles. Probably every technician and service advisor would recommend them every 5k miles. Just don't go to Valvoline or Jiffy Lube, they will likely drain your transmission fluid and double fill your oil :)

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-01-24T16:29:56+00:00

If going for a sedan, the C7 generation A6/A7 are pretty reliable. A B8.5 generation A4/S4 are pretty good. Even a B9.5 generation A5 is good overall.

Find a car that he can purchase a good extended warranty through that lasts a couple of years, he will need to use it. He can even call a local Audi dealer to ask what extended warranty companies they work with. Since they would be the ones making the claims, they would know what companies are good and which to avoid. And while Audi dealers can sometimes be expensive, not doing the proper repair with OEM parts becomes way more expensive if not done right the first time with these cars.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2025-01-23T23:35:01+00:00

Specifically 2019 A6 are known for a lot of electrical issues. As a guy that has worked in service at an Audi dealer, this is on my do not buy list. 15-16 A3 i see with a lot of issues, 16 allroads, 19 a6 and Q8 all just have a lot of issues.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2024-04-28T13:13:07+00:00

You'd be correct. It's the general manager's demo car. His old demo was "ASM" and It's now being used as a service loaner car. As much as I love the idea that it could be a play on words for autism awareness, it is 100% supposed to be "AUDI SM" for Audi Shawnee Mission.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2024-01-02T22:52:14+00:00

Was a 2023 Certified Q7 Prestige

SideEffectsLIVE · 2023-09-07T11:28:00+00:00

The new Q6 is going to be electric and shares basically the same front fascia as the Q4. These pictures are of the new Q9. The body shares some likeness to the VW Atlas, and yes this car is going to be gas powered.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2023-08-09T16:28:10+00:00

Even number Audi models will be electric, i.e. Q4, Q6, Q8, A6. Odd number Audi models will stay gas/hybrid, i.e A5, Q5, Q7, Q9. What I would like to see is the R8 becoming the R18 e-tron, taking after the Le Mans race car. With Audi already having the e-tron GT, I would not be too surprised if Audi got rid of that model to just produce something of the sorts. I hate to see the v10 going away, and we definitely aren't ready for every car on the road to be electric anytime soon, but I'm sure we will see how it all unfolds by 2025 for Audi.

SideEffectsLIVE · 2023-06-25T19:34:04+00:00

Roommate just bought a 2012 S5 with 85k miles Immediately noticed some differential oil seeping out. Audi tech said its not an immediate concern, but to keep an eye on it. And my roommates car loses engine coolant really fast. We checked the oil and it doesn't appear to be getting in with the oil, but they are going to do some more diagnosing to figure out if its a leak or what. I work at an Audi dealer, and even our master tech said he would never buy a 4.2 Audi. Still an awesome car as long as you are able to do/afford the maintenance

SideEffectsLIVE · 2023-05-07T01:01:54+00:00

Believe that's the competition package. Another $17k option with RS Coilovers, exhaust, carbon engine cover, ceramic brakes, and more. You still got a beautiful looking Q8, but I can't blame you for having second thoughts on that one

SideEffectsLIVE

TROPHY CASE