This could all be avoided if people did a little research before buying cars. This problem has been known for years. I agree that the design shouldn't have been wheeled out in the first place, but the answer is not to buy Audi's with 2.0PD engines, get one with the 1.9 PD. A little less powerful, but inherently more reliable.

I've heard that Audi don't even sell cars with this engine in America - probably because they know they would have their pants pulled down by consumers rights.

Could you let us know, V Disappointed (I can't bring myself to spell it the way you did!) which engine your A4 has?

Okay so I've come to this late!

Bought an 07 plate A4 2.0 TDi with 18,000 on the clock in 2011. Full Audi service history since. Three weeks ago, I lost all power on the M4 and the oil pressure light came on. Had it towed to an Audi dealership. New turbo, new pump, new balance shafts £2800 to fix (with discounts because I'm such a loyal customer). They opened her up and have stated engine is damaged, so have backed off their £2800 quote and stated it needs a new engine block - £5500. It took 8 or 9 days to get to the £2800 quote! When they backed off that deal and stated £5500, I took it to Audi UK customer service and that's taken a further 12 days to get to a "£5500 is the best we can do" response. Audi UK customer service just add insult to injury - case officer refused to speak to me for 9 days!! Three weeks for, (as I now know), an issue that's well known to them and general industry knowledge.

If it was a "perishable" or "consumable" item like a fan belt or cambelt that had failed it would be different. If it was a part that expereinced ware such as camshaft or follower that had worn out - maybe. But this is a non-wareing, non-perishable item that was badly designed and badly manufactured. Are Audi not culpable? Warranty or not, is it unreasonable to expect a well maintained diesel engine to last longer than 60,000miles?

V annoyed at Audi - if they'd disclosed without admitting liability I could have got a mod for £300, load of VAG specialists advertising it.

Audi "quality" reputation is undeserved in my case. Their attitude on this one has been scurilous, and their customer service obstructive, useless and timewasting.

I'll not be buying another VAG car needless to say.

V interesting thread. Is 659FBE still around? I wonder what his next car was/is? I hope it isn't the Morris Minor wreck which can be found on googling 659FBE!