[urq] urq Digest, Vol 34, Issue 1

[Wylie Bean]

Marc wrote:
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 23:28:42 -0400
> From:
> Subject: Re: [urq] What is everyone's opinion about Audi's parts
> To: urq at audifans.com
> Message-ID: <8C88331B928E21D-174-14594 at mblkn-m13.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Steve wrote:
>
> > FWIW, I think that I also talked a neighbor out of getting a new
A6 yesterday.  He came over to ask about maintenance
> > costs, etc., with Audis.  I told him about the fact that Audi has
just stopped covering maintenance items on new '07
> > cars, and that with what the local dealers charge for those kinds
of things, it will likely make a BIG difference during his
> > ownership of the car.  He was under the impression that Audi still
had the bumper to bumper coverage.  Another
> > neighbor had thousands of dollars of repairs covered by Audi (lots
of brake and suspension issues) that would likely no
> > longer be covered.  He loves the car, but won't buy another for
fear of having to pay for the same issues. I doubt
> > that those sales will ever come back.
>
> I pretty much agree that maintaining Audi's new or old is not an
inexpensive proposition, but just wanted to clarify that the inclusive
maintenance part of the bumper-to-bumper warranty is going to be an
"option" starting in '07.  From what I have been told by a couple of
the local ACNA dealership sponsors, adding maintenance to the 4 yr/50k
warranty is going to be something like $450.  I still think it will
have a negative impact on sales and perception, but it's not
completely gone.
>
> Marc
>

I'm not here to blow Audi's horn, but I'd have to strongly agree with
Marc here.  Firstly, the maintenance program WILL be offered as an
option on all Audis for '07.  The price of the plan will be
vehicle-dependent.  In fact, Audi gave it away to the first 500 people
that bought/ordered Q7s if I recall.  I don't think it's more than
$550 on any vehicle, with A3s and A4s possibly being $450 as Marc so
pointed out.  It's a cost-cutting issue for sure, but the additional
cost of the program will surely still put the Audi at a lower
price-position than competitors from BMW and Mercedes.  BMW is still
touting theirs, but they are still in a position to offer it as their
sales have continued to grow while Audi had an off year last year and
parent-company VWAG is in the red like many makers.  Mercedes dropped
their maintence 2 or 3 years ago if I recall.  Secondly, with regard
to what Steve wrote about Audi covering the cost of brake and
suspension issues going away....that's flat-out incorrect with regard
to the maintenance program.  Those are warranty issues, not
maintenance, and that warranty is not going away.  It's still a
bumper-to-bumper protection plan/warranty...it simply will not include
scheduled maintenance as part of the coverage at no cost.

Wylie Bean
TheRingmeister at triad.rr.com
90 Cq
99.5 A4 Avant 1.8Tq
01 allroad q 2.7T