Stinger testdrive

[Kia Stinger]

I have one scheduled Tuesday morning. They're on sale at my dealer in SoCal this coming week.

We'll be looking out for a full report!

 

[Sportstick]

Any test drives yet in the U.S.? Im going to call two kia dealers tomorrow to see when I can. I just got a really sick offer from Audi on the a5 sportback. Going to go test drive that Saturday.

We fell for the design/performance appeal of Audi and bought a 2016 A6, only to suffer the quality issues and lack of customer support which followed. IMHO, better to see what a BMW dealer is offering on a 4 Gran Coupe if you're not sold on the value of Stinger.

 

[Marko]

We fell for the design/performance appeal of Audi and bought a 2016 A6, only to suffer the quality issues and lack of customer support which followed. IMHO, better to see what a BMW dealer is offering on a 4 Gran Coupe if you're not sold on the value of Stinger.

What quality issues did you have? I am not a fan of BMW. For me it comes down to a stinger or Audi a5. If neither fit my taste ill probably just wait.

 

[Sportstick]

What quality issues did you have? I am not a fan of BMW. For me it comes down to a stinger or Audi a5. If neither fit my taste ill probably just wait.

2016 Audi A6 3.0T Prestige

1. Random ATC behavior not based on my setting. Fan doesn't respond as expected to control head.
2. Random loss of radio volume...intermittent
3. Setting a function in the menu doesn't always result in it being implemented
4. Door handles sometimes activate door lock/sometimes don't.
5. Excessive brake rotor runout with pedal pulsation at 15,000 miles with AoA declaring "wear & tear" despite far beyond spec of remaining rotor and pad thickness and refusing to apply warranty for new, redesigned rotors they more recently launched to prevent warpage.
6. Poor tranmission calibration/shift quality, apparently without resolution

As for the trans, the problem is that Audi stuffed the trans calibration with 3 rapid upshifts before 25 mph under moderate throttle (city driving) to assist with fuel economy. The concept is not necessarily wrong, but the upshifts are all poorly executed....feels like stumble, then surge. I can see it happening along with the sensation by watching the tach. At first, I thought it was a fuel system/hesitation issue, but realized it's the trans. Tech told me they have had several complaints, but there is no update/resolution and dealer reports same condition being reported by other owners. Strongly advise multiple accelerations at low/part throttle if you test drive, although A5 may have a different unit than our 3.0 supercharged V6...not sure.

I have no other issue with the performance of our A6. Interior/exterior design, ride/handling, and engine, itself, are all fine. The larger concern for me was the refusal of AoA to implement a clear warranty repair for the rotors, instead, having the technician alter the repair order with false information to support their position. The tech apologized but said there was nothing he could do. As far as I’m concerned, AoA is dishonest and deceptive and it no longer matters how nice the cars are. One and done for us.

Meanwhile, the two BMWs in our family have proven to be extremely high-quality/reliability. Bringing this back to Stinger, I compared it to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, and Stinger offered more value, more space for people and cargo, and better standard warranty

 

[Marko]

What it sounds like to me is my biggest fear with Germans and their tech. As cool as it is you run into issues from imperfected tech. I have heard alot of complaints throughout the auto community with the electronics of German manufacturers. The brakes are definitely weird issue and the tran issue definitely something I would not be comfortable with. The other issues you had I am not surprised to be honest.

 

[eljay]

2016 Audi A6 3.0T Prestige
I have no other issue with the performance of our A6. Interior/exterior design, ride/handling, and engine, itself, are all fine. The larger concern for me was the refusal of AoA to implement a clear warranty repair for the rotors, instead, having the technician alter the repair order with false information to support their position. The tech apologized but said there was nothing he could do. As far as I’m concerned, AoA is dishonest and deceptive and it no longer matters how nice the cars are. One and done for us.

Meanwhile, the two BMWs in our family have proven to be extremely high-quality/reliability. Bringing this back to Stinger, I compared it to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, and Stinger offered more value, more space for people and cargo, and better standard warranty

This is completely consistent with what 3 other Audi owners have told me--all had initial problems with their Audis, and techs who were unable to solve them. One even went so far as to involve Audi techs in Germany, and still no help.

 

[Kia Stinger]

These transmission issues for Audi - it sounds very similar to the dual clutch transmission issues Ford has had. Is it a DCT transmission?

 

[Marko]

I know the a5 comes with a dct transmission.