Extended test drives?

[Ceveman73]

Quick question for the audience - what conditions are normally attached to requesting an extended test drive? I got a short test drive on crowded and straight Milton Keynes roads, which didn’t give me much of a feel for the car in mixed situations. MK are expecting a £1000 deposit and an intention to buy before allowing a 2-day test drive. Is this normal?

What have other experienced when requesting an extended drive, and which dealers in the North London area have been generally receptive to providing them?

Any help/advice gratefully received.

[doodlebug]

Depends on dealer relationship. If you've got a good one then I'd expect they'd do what they can. If you haven't then unfortunately you're just another punter. What they've proposed sounds reasonable.

[Paulm]

Not sure what the norm is. I had an hours drive then went back a few days later and had around a 2 hour drive, other than my driving license I needed nothing.

[S4WON]

Tell em youll do the 1k down if its refundable
Tbh, they wont give it away, i wouldnt, unless youd bought before

[Gullwing]

I took an all road for a drive to judge the size, just needed license. Bought it without seeing one, arriving end of the month

[W8PMC]

Interestingly enough i've been told that to get an extended test drive of the new R8 V10+ i need to take out specific insurance cover for the day. This is with a dealer i know very well & i've been told it's a fairly new ruling on the R8's.

I wonder if a certain persons deer incident could have lead to this? No idea if i'll be required to pay a premium as that would seem weird, but i'll let you know once i get hold of said car. Was also told prospects are forbidden from having them overnight so it's either a full day with specified insurance or a quick blast at one of the Audi Sport events they often hold.

Back to the o/p, i think a full days test drive would be the best you'd get with little or no commitment on a C7 RS6. As above though if a dealer you've dealt with for years i guess a longer drive may be negotiable.

[drgav2005]

I took an all road for a drive to judge the size, just needed license. Bought it without seeing one, arriving end of the month

^^^ This! Although I just popped into the local Audi garage and checked out the size of an A6 Avant in the car park.
My arm was in a sling anyway and I couldn't drive so I bought it without a test drive... the first time I'd ever driven an RS6 was picking mine up from the dealers on Saturday

[Ceveman73]

I've had two Pluses, C5 and C6, and want to be sure that the C7 is enough improved to warrant the change. My car is like new and only has 20k miles. Still not sure, but an extended drive should help. Unfortunately I have no dealer relationship as such.

[audi_driver79]

I've had two Pluses, C5 and C6, and want to be sure that the C7 is enough improved to warrant the change. My car is like new and only has 20k miles. Still not sure, but an extended drive should help. Unfortunately I have no dealer relationship as such.

Sounds like you should be their perfect customer and its not like your going to abuse the car if yours are kept pristine. I got a days test drive on my own when they first came out, I cant believe they are that tight when they have good potential buyers there at the door.

[S4WON]

Try a couple of different dealers if you can. Be open, tell them about your history, one should bite

[jamesRS]

Audi Nottingham gave me one for 24 hours, but i've had a few cars from them, so i guess this shows I was a serious buyer?

Maybe contact Audi UK direct and see if they can pull some strings with your dealer. If you've had the C5 and C6 then i'm sure they'll help you into a C7

[doodlebug]

Audi UK will do diddly squat other than put you in touch with a dealer.

[3v3ntus]

I had the RS6 for the weekend before I placed an order and have just handed back the R8 V10+ which I had for 4 days at Doncaster Audi. Agree with the previous comments, it's all down to the relationships you've got with the dealerships and ultimately how much money you've spent with them historically

[jimmckay9999]

Phone up with your deposit.If you are not actually on site when you put a deposit down they can not keep it if order is cancelled.
2 days is a bit excessive though-surely one would do.

[SteveH]

I took an all road for a drive to judge the size, just needed license. Bought it without seeing one, arriving end of the month

^^^ This! Although I just popped into the local Audi garage and checked out the size of an A6 Avant in the car park.
My arm was in a sling anyway and I couldn't drive so I bought it without a test drive... the first time I'd ever driven an RS6 was picking mine up from the dealers on Saturday

^^^^ First time I ever drove an RS6 was after I'd purchased also. Best thing I did, it was an epic feeling when I fired it up!