Dealer Recommendations please!

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kit lewis

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OK - so months of reading about how you all wish you had bought a Seat or a Fiat hasn't put me off. I'm about to put my money where you've been mouthing off - and actually (God help me) buy an A2.

Question is - as I am most likely to be returning the car to the dealer to have the huge number of faults fixed and windscreen wipers replaced it makes sense to get the best dealer I can. Therefore can any of you in the Farnham/Basingstoke/Reading/Camberley area give me some kind of feedback on White's in Camberley, Martins in Basingstoke or Guildford Audi.

Would be nice to know which of these is best....

Hope you can help - unless you are too busy fixing the faults that is!

;)
 
This interests me as well as I live in that kind of area. Perhaps I go to all of them if/when I look for an A2 next year.
 
Kit,

Don’t laugh, but I would tend to choose the dealer that is nearest. Preferably a walk away, or a short bus trip. The reason I say this is that from my experience (and observations of comments by others) it would appear that if a courtesy car is required, then this will mean having to wait 4 weeks to book the car in for any work. Of course if you can walk home then the dealer has no excuse for not attending to the car a bit more promptly.

If you have time on your side you could also try “protecting yourself” by writing to each dealer in question explaining that you are about to purchase an A2, and that you have heard numerous unfavourable reports on the levels of Audi dealer services after the car has been purchased. You can then ask them that with this in mind could they reply in writing with some words of reassurance. Obviously if they fail to reply the writing in on the wall, but if they reply with conviction, then thereafter you have a letter to wave in front of their nose if things go wrong later.

Regards
John Disdale
 
John - thanks for your reply and there are some interesting points there about pre-loading the dealer. I shall be speaking to them both on the matter soon.

Unfortunately for me White's at Camberley are closest to my work..... and Martins are closest to home. Unless I get the sack for goofing off and sending emails to the A2 forum during work time then I'm faced with a decision between them.

I've put the ball back in their court anyway. I want sweeteners and freebies and want to be 'seduced' into buying from them. I await their replies with interest.

I take it you live somewhere relatively urban if you mentioned taking the bus.... The lesser spotted autobus don't live round these 'ere parts no more!

Kit
 
Kit,

For the record my past dealer (Whitehouse Audi) had an immense problem in remembering or agreeing over what was verbally said by them. Stick to putting everything in writing, and should you enter into a verbal conversation, then confirm the conversation in writing. Trust me, this is the only way of trying to protect your interests.

Regards
John Disdale
 
I know its not exactly close to where you are, but as I have been singing their praises in other posts I feel I should say that we have been really pleased with the dealer service at Wayside Audi at Milton Keynes. They were happy to negotiate on price, the car was well prepared, and they have reacted well to the 2 faults we have had. They seem to have no problem suppying courtesy cars, and will happily collect and return my car from home if I prefer.

- Alex




A2 1.6 FSE SE
 
Try Lindbrooke in Tonbridge or Whitehouse in Dartford (even though JD will probably disapprove vehemently). In some ways the best bet is to visit several dealers before buying - but remember the service you receive at sale may not reflect the post-sales.
 
I'm afraid a consensus view will be hard to reach. It's like the old Jewish joke - two rabbis, three synagogues.

But FWIW when I lived in E London I bought my TT from Harold Wood Audi in Essex, who were fine on the sales side (they all are...) and sorted out the (very minor) warranty niggles quite competently.

Having moved to Guildford I fairly recently had the TT serviced at Aston Green in Slough, who were fine for this routine task (and were more competent than some in that they didn't have to be reminded to change the oil in the "Haldex" centre differential unit).

And on Saturday I ordered my new A4 cabriolet from Guildford Audi, who I thought were pretty decent because they:
- offered me a (quite long) test drive straight away, despite my being rather scruffily dressed (although they might have seen me park the TT)
- volunteered the fact that they had just been allocated 3 extra build slots, so I can have the car in Jan rather than Oct
- offered decent PX price on the TT (subject to confirmation when new car ready for delivery, so I might yet be stung)

So no probelem with any of them, but I haven't had a major warranty claim yet. Touch wood etc.

You might want to have a look at the TT forum http://www2.ttforum.co.uk You'll find loads of dealer rants there (including someone whose car was rather nastily damaged when in for a service at White's in Camberley).

But I'd go along with JD - whichever is easiest to get to. Just in case...

viffer
 
So you could take an A2 to White’s In Camberly for an oil change, and when the owner goes to pick it up they are told to have a seat in the waiting area for a few days whilst a bit of panel beating and paint spraying takes place.

Presumably then we should give 9 points to White’s. Eight points for providing comfortable seating, and one point for providing service with a smile.
 
OK - the deed is done and I am to be the owner of a A2 FSI SE with a delivery date for late December. Ordered from a very nice man at Martins Audi in Basingstoke and even got a good deal on the finance!

I just hope it's not built after the factory Christmas party!

Now for that wonderful period of anticipation and the worry of reading all your moans and groans about the car of my dreams..... be gentle with me please [8)]

Kit



Soon to be the owner of a Dolphin Grey 1.6 FSI SE with Red Leather, ECC, DIS & Symphony 6 CD! Can't wait to tell everyone about the faults!
 
Good luck Kit, and remember when your friends are playing with their Christmas squeakers you will be able to join in with a few notes on the A2’s hooter.
 
Thanks John - yes I was reading about the 'poop poop' horns on A2's. It's my own fault really for not testing every possible function on the car - unfortunately we're getting rid of a car (Peugeot 206) with a severely naff Gallic 'parp parp' and had hoped for something more .... 'Wagnerian' somehow. Perhaps someone might like to suggest a suitable upgrade - Fiamm double airhorns sound a bit meaty apparently [:0]!

Take Care

Kit

Soon to be the owner of a Dolphin Grey 1.6 FSI SE with Red Leather, ECC, DIS & Symphony 6 CD! Can't wait to tell everyone about the faults!
 
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