timmus
A2OC Donor
Right then folks, my trip to Rinner...
This has been such a massive success. Rinner are a seriously professional setup. Anyone who is in two minds about going should just go. I think, however, that my experience will be slightly different to others’ for the simple reason that I speak German!
When I arrived, Herr Thomas (or Herr OpenSky, as he might as well be called!) came out to meet me. I showed him the problem with my roof and he explained precisely how he’d fix it, which bits would be re-used and which bits would be new.
We then spoke a little about the LongLife service and what I’d get with that before I explained a few other bits of work that I wanted doing, such as new SE springs on the back as well as new CV joint grease, etc. It became clear to Herr Thomas that I was interested in my car and knew exactly what I wanted and he, and the rest of the Rinner team, quickly adapted their service accordingly. I was invited into their workshop, was shown ‘round their parts department, the rolling road, etc. I was also allowed to watch the work being done, hence the photos.
My car was in for 2 days, as the springs had to be ordered. I was staying about 6km away in a small village called Arzbach, but was chauffeured back and forth by the secretary in Herr Rinner’s A8L.
Herr Thomas did all the work on my car, including the service, and communicated with me directly, rather than going through the people on the front desk. I appreciated being able to talk directly with the mechanic. He is a hugely knowledgeable guy, who understands the A8’s complex electronics as well as he understand the OpenSky System.
I bought my A2 about 2 years ago and it hadn’t been to a genuine Audi garage in a few years. As part of the LongLife service, Herr Thomas replaced all the non-Audi small parts with genuine Audi bits, from screws to clips and straps. His inspection was thorough in the extreme and I feel I have come away having had more than just a service and a new roof. I have absolute peace of mind about my car and its condition.
Before going to Germany, I bought a second key for my car on eBay for £30. Herr Thomas programmed my immobiliser to work with the new key absolutely free of charge.
My car is so much better for their attention. It runs much smoother when cold; it’s quieter and less throaty. The ride is much improved for the new rear springs (my old ones were seriously rotten), I have a working OpenSky System and I have a second key, which certainly adds to the peace of mind.
Although my experience was positive in part due to being a German speaker, I think my bringing them work also helped. I asked for work to be done beyond the bare minimum service. I wasn't made to buy tyre gunk that I'll never use nor was I charged silly money for a few new plasters in the 1st aid kit. Rinner are obliged to do warranty repair work on the condition that you have a service done with them. If you expect to pay the bare minimum in order to get the roof repair, expect the bare minimum in return. I have no doubt that my request to have the springs changed in addition to the service was money very well spent. I am a seriously happy chappy!
Tom
This has been such a massive success. Rinner are a seriously professional setup. Anyone who is in two minds about going should just go. I think, however, that my experience will be slightly different to others’ for the simple reason that I speak German!
When I arrived, Herr Thomas (or Herr OpenSky, as he might as well be called!) came out to meet me. I showed him the problem with my roof and he explained precisely how he’d fix it, which bits would be re-used and which bits would be new.
We then spoke a little about the LongLife service and what I’d get with that before I explained a few other bits of work that I wanted doing, such as new SE springs on the back as well as new CV joint grease, etc. It became clear to Herr Thomas that I was interested in my car and knew exactly what I wanted and he, and the rest of the Rinner team, quickly adapted their service accordingly. I was invited into their workshop, was shown ‘round their parts department, the rolling road, etc. I was also allowed to watch the work being done, hence the photos.
My car was in for 2 days, as the springs had to be ordered. I was staying about 6km away in a small village called Arzbach, but was chauffeured back and forth by the secretary in Herr Rinner’s A8L.
Herr Thomas did all the work on my car, including the service, and communicated with me directly, rather than going through the people on the front desk. I appreciated being able to talk directly with the mechanic. He is a hugely knowledgeable guy, who understands the A8’s complex electronics as well as he understand the OpenSky System.
I bought my A2 about 2 years ago and it hadn’t been to a genuine Audi garage in a few years. As part of the LongLife service, Herr Thomas replaced all the non-Audi small parts with genuine Audi bits, from screws to clips and straps. His inspection was thorough in the extreme and I feel I have come away having had more than just a service and a new roof. I have absolute peace of mind about my car and its condition.
Before going to Germany, I bought a second key for my car on eBay for £30. Herr Thomas programmed my immobiliser to work with the new key absolutely free of charge.
My car is so much better for their attention. It runs much smoother when cold; it’s quieter and less throaty. The ride is much improved for the new rear springs (my old ones were seriously rotten), I have a working OpenSky System and I have a second key, which certainly adds to the peace of mind.
Although my experience was positive in part due to being a German speaker, I think my bringing them work also helped. I asked for work to be done beyond the bare minimum service. I wasn't made to buy tyre gunk that I'll never use nor was I charged silly money for a few new plasters in the 1st aid kit. Rinner are obliged to do warranty repair work on the condition that you have a service done with them. If you expect to pay the bare minimum in order to get the roof repair, expect the bare minimum in return. I have no doubt that my request to have the springs changed in addition to the service was money very well spent. I am a seriously happy chappy!
Tom
