Thanks for all the posts guys....calmed me down before I burned my bridges!
I brought the code in and showed the fault, and spoke with the actual tech who will fix my car next week while I'm in the States. They certainly have a helpful attitude towards fixing the problem and allayed my concerns that they just don't care. Now, we'll see if they can fix it!!
Speaking of which, I have a pretty amazing road trip(s) lined up for Southern California, New England, and then back to the Bay Area. Too bad it's for work and even more so...too bad it will be with a rental car, and not my A3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can I bother the Americans here? What's a rough driving time (leaving LAX area around 8) down to San Diego? No speeding either, I'm really afraid of the California Highway Patrol...too many episode of CHiPs when I was a kid!!