if u think these threads are downbeat mate, check out the beemer and merc forums!

btw - I have a 6.5 year old Audi A4 20vT sport quattro (new shape -ish ), the steering is wooden as a coppers truncheon, it guzzles petrol worse than the VR6, and a year ago the engine sludged up despite full dealer services and only 54k on the clock.....the top end went bang and they want up to £3000 for a good recon engine. Did I mention its a barge? lol.
It was nearly £40,000 new.
And....i'm not the only one on the AudiForums that its happened to - one guy only got to 18k miles. They wont extend the engine warranty in the UK, only the good ol' US of A.....
Nothing is immune from problems mate

Hello - old VW
