[Biturbos4] Audi

[Ti Kan]

ken kgrant writes:
> also why does audi not cover
> scheduled maintenance like the bmw?  

Audi used to have such coverage, but not any more.  The truth is that
the coverage is not free.  The dealer bills Audi for any such work,
and Ausi builds the cost into the price of the car.  With increased
market competition and higher cost of the program, Audi is faced with
a choice of raising the price of the car, or let customers pay for
their own scheduled maintenance.  Either way, the owner pays.

Audi was the first in the business to offer such a maintenance program
(which started in the late 80s, when Audi sales were in a slump thanks to
"60 minutes").  The program gave buyers a certain warm fuzzy feeling
about after sales support, and was useful as a sales tool.  Now, Audi
reputation is much better and it becomes unclear whether such a program
(which results in higher new car prices) is a net win.  I am sure
the higher ups within Audi have done their homework and determined
that it makes more sense to discontinue the program.  Mercedes did
the same too...

-Ti