Audi, most annoying car manufacturer?

[silverc4s]

A few years back, I was really cranked when Audi's new super distance maintaining cruise control used a radar frequency right in the police radar bandwidth, rendering my V1 useless whenever I was on the road around one of their luxobarges...
NOW, last night I happened upon a real gent in a brand new Q7 with two super bright (brake light level) red lights on constantly in his rear bumper!
I passed him after a while before I was permanently blinded by them, and when I got in front I could see that he was running with head & fog lamps on... Purely for his own driving enjoyment, perfectly clear night.
So I guess the Germans are back to requiring a red warning lamp in the rear when driving in fog? Anyone know if that is all German cars, or just an Audi 'feature'?

PS. on this same trip down I35 Dallas - Austin, I saw a convoy of those jokers with the two crash cars, one in tow, once again tying up all kinds of traffic. This group had one with three! Cars bolted together with two tow bars. Never knew that was legal, but I guess it is. Kinda scary when all three cars have obvious body damage...

[Neilk]

I just love it when tools/d-bags feel the need to not only turn on their front fog lights on totally clear evenings, but also their rear fog lights. Biggest pet peeve.

[NY65912]

The light switch has a fog and rear fog button directly over each other. The rear fog light has to be intentionally depressed. I guess the guy felt safer with it on, or not. I've seen BMW''s with the rear fog on when not needed. I think it must be a German requirement. I've never used it on my Q

[Gogar]

In America it's not even called "Fog Lights."

It's called "More Lights."

[Noah930]

Like the Family Truckster.

[sketchers356]

Everyone uses fog lights all the time, get used to it or get used to complaining. Rear fogs are quite annoying.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Gogar

In America it's not even called "Fog Lights."

It's called "More Lights."

L. O. L.

[bell]

I think alot of modern car led brake lights are dangerously bright........ It's getting rediculous. ...

[MRM]

Yes, Audi is the most annoying car manufacturer in the world. But if you think it's annoying to be around one, you can't imagine the pain of actually owning one. All I can say is, never again.

[sc_rufctr]

Audi, most annoying car manufacturer? ... no.

Bentley is because they're the only manufacturer who builds a car I'd like to own but I can't see myself wearing a bow tie or cravat so it will have to wait another ten years.
Followed closely by Toyota for building reliable appliance cars that are almost faultless but lack that "I want one" factor.
They need to influence of some Italian styling and design IMO but without the FIAT factor (Fix It Again Tony)

Audi... Unfortunately is but a shadow of its former self.

That's what happens when a big company like VW decides it actually needs to make a profit and not just exist.

[Geronimo '74]

I fail to see how installing a fog light on your cars would make a car brand annoying.
I also fail to see how a douchebag that turns on said foglight when not needed, would make a car brand annoying...
Same as I fail to see how if the driver was an American, would that make all Americans douchebags???

The foglight has nothing to do with it. The car brand has nothing to do with it. It's the prick behind the wheel.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

I fail to see how installing a fog light on your cars would make a car brand annoying.
I also fail to see how a douchebag that turns on said foglight when not needed, would make a car brand annoying...
Same as I fail to see how if the driver was an American, would that make all Americans douchebags???

The foglight has nothing to do with it. The car brand has nothing to do with it. It's the prick behind the wheel.

Yeah, I didn't get it either....

[zipinitaly]

Rear fog lights are an European requirement...in Europe, if you have you have them on when not needed, it's a ticket. What Geronimo said...

[recycled sixtie]

Most annoying car manufacturer? Well you could have a different category for each.

Audi - lit up like a Xmas tree

Nissan - does not honour its warranty. Rust issues, delamination of paint etc

German cars- cost of parts . Ridiculous at the stealership. Acceptable at Pelican Parts.

Toyota - as said above lacks soul. To its credit totally reliable Camry.

If I had another cup of tea I could add more .....G.

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by zipinitaly

Rear fog lights are an European requirement...in Europe, if you have you have them on when not needed, it's a ticket. What Geronimo said...

In US of America these days, I would guess about 5% of drivers would even know there was a red rear fog lamp if their car had one...

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by silverc4s

In US of America these days, I would guess about 5% of drivers would even know there was a red rear fog lamp if their car had one...

Probably true.

[RF5BPilot]

I think the stupidity of drivers who don't know their car controls and can't bother to read the manual should be kept distinct from the car itself. I would like to stooge slap drivers who turn on their rear fog lights. I'm sure they're out there, but I've never seen a car where the rear light is not a separate button or a separate detent on the same switch.

However, about 6 months ago I bought a lightly optioned 2012 A6 which may be the best all round car I've ever owned. The supercharged V6 and the 8 speed transmission are outstanding. They're fast, responsive and provide surprisingly good mileage. The suspension is a nice blend of comfort and performance, even doing a nice job on the local Porsche club autocross course (beating a number of sports cars).

It is true that the automatic cruise control is problematic for radar detectors, but Audi isn't the only one broadcasting on X band (which can be selectively turned off in most detectors).

[pksystems]

Weird.

I get really annoyed when I'm driving at night, and people have NO lights on.

It's not a rarity. I see them all the time.

[rick-l]

In the mountains in southern Germany those lights do have a purpose. If the weather clears and you have them on local residents will flash their brights at you from behind. They are not supposed to be on if visibility is greater than a quarter mile.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by RF5BPilot

...drivers who don't know their car controls...

That's the crux of the issue right there. I'm always surprised at the number of people who don't seem to understand how their cars work. They'll have their wipers going at warp-speed in the lightest drizzle (a rain so light that it might require an intermittent wipe every 30 seconds or so to keep the windshield clear). They'll run the A/C on a 70° day...AND have the windows down at the same time (you can hear the compressor clicking on & off while stopped at a light). And then there's the people who'll have their window down a few inches for some fresh air while driving in a torrential downpour. And no, they're not smoking a cigarette either (seemingly unbeknownst to them, most cars have decent ventilation systems these days).

I'll bet the vast majority of those who drive with fog lights on are not even aware of it, despite an indicator light being on.