Why taking my car to the dealership makes me cringe...

[MFT]

Just wanted to get something off my chest and see if maybe my expectations of dealership/garage service are off the mark...

This morning I took my RS4 into my local dealership to get an O+F change. Now, to preface this, I usually do as much of my own maintenance as possible (O+F, brakes, fluids, etc.), so the only reason I was taking it in was because the car is under extended warranty from Audi and they require that a Shop does the required maintenance in order to maintain the warranty (which I understand).

Now, like many of you, I am very particular about my cars, and I spend a considerable amount of time and energy maintaining them, cleaning/detailing, etc. Because of this, I always cringe when I have to take them to a dealership or garage because I know there is a 95% chance that the person who is going to be working on it won't treat it as I would...there will be dirty fingerprints and smudges all over the paintwork, a bit of spilled oil wiped (smeared) off the engine cover, scuffs on the door sills, swirls in the paint if the dealer "washes" it after servicing (which I specifically ask them not to do), etc.

BUT, I accept this because I know it is one of the realities of having my car serviced by a dealership.

Well, the latest trip to the dealership was no exception. It did not get off to a great start when I saw the mechanic walk out to the car, put it in gear and aggresively accelerate it out of the lot (presumably around the block to warm up the oil, which she could have seen was unnecessary if she had just looked at the oil temp reading). It went downhill from there...

I had brought my own oil (Motul) as I am not a big fan of the semi-synthetic (in Canada) Castrol Syntec that the dealer uses, particularly for the carbon-monster 4.2 FSI in the RS4. Unfortunately, even though the workorder clearly said to use customer's oil, the technician went ahead and put in the Syntec. And, as per usual, there were fingerprints all over the edge of the hood and door, dirty footprints on the carpet beside the floormat, oil drops spilled inside the engine compartment, overspray from lubing the hinges/latches, etc. So, tonight I will go home and spend a few hours washing the car, detailing the interior and wiping down the engine bay, and I'll end up changing out the Syntec oil sooner than normal.

To be fair, the dealership willingly refunded me for the service after they realized their mistake of not using my oil, which I give them full credit for, but it still reinforces the idea that if you are a car guy/girl that cares about your ride, getting maintenance done at most dealerships or garages is not likely to be a painless experience.

/rant

Now, a question to the other board members: are my expectations for service reasonable, or am I being overly particular??

[MB2]

I know where you are coming from and this sort of thing + the additional attention to detail I didn't mind spending was the reason I started maintaining my own bikes & then cars.

I later started taking them to recognised specialists but must say I have been lucky with Poole Audi who always seem to have looked after the car very well on the service side of things over several years. It was a pity their sales dept wasn't a bit more switched on or they might have sold me a car in the first place but for parts, service & MOT testing they have been consistently good for me although test may be when I finally need new discs.

[guffy]

Twice running my local dealer didn't remove all the oil, so It was still black on the dipstick and they also massively over filled it. I guess it's one of the mongs who do the oil changes, not mine anymore.

Fed up being let down when paying for any service and i try and do as much as I can, be it house or car.

[jaysrs4]

I'm yet to experience my local Audi dealer as I've only had my car since March, but I am about to get it in for a service.

I can only compare it to Leeds VW who I used for my old MkV R32 from new, I have to say, they were amazing, went over an above the call of duty for me on every occasion.

I won't go into the finer detail, but it'll be interesting to see how they treat me, and more importantly my car!!!

[E10EAN]

In the Midlands I use Birmingham Audi service in Bordsley Green, <beep> great guys and recently oil & filter MOT £300.00 and replaces both rear springs under warranty and Dave my engineer picks the car up and has treated all my cars with care.

Halesowen Audi Sales are fantastic and service is not the best example, engineers are great, but the department is huddling old owners

A3 2.0TDI S Line Sportback 2006 1 elderly owner FASH and the only reason he took it there, it was local and is waiting for a brand new A3

Halesowen Audi Turbo gone 52k £1500.00

Birmingham Audi boost pipe £280.00 an rear brakes done.

Just watch out for them

[RichT128]

Agree completely about Audi Birmingham service centre - fantastic team led by Dave

[alex020869]

MFT,

I do not think your expectations are excessive at all. If you were to do the maintenance yourself at home, then you would make sure everything was how you would want it to be for you to be happy.
So why would you not expect the same from trained technicians with arguably better facilities than what you would have, and having to pay in excess for the 'service' they provide. It's just down to the technicians personal pride in his work.

I have been a technician in a few dealerships, not Audi though, and i would always ensure the car was left as if i had never been there with no reminders, i.e oily footprints or handprints etc.

Remember, it is just another job to these guys.

Alex

[TonyHayers]

There's a pretty simple solution to this problem!