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Last month we popped down to Fontain to have a look at and eventually buy the RS4(B5). Unfortunately on the way home we found a few niggly things wrong with it which was a pain in the arse as we were heading back up to Scotland with it so wasnt really convienient to go back and have a chat!!

However I phoned and spoke to Keith the next morning after collection to tell him of these defects and since we were at the other end of the country how could we resolve these issues?

As a result of further deficencies I found it was decided to take the car to Ingrams, our local dealer for a closer look and give it a health check which was duly done. I wont embarrass Fontain as to how many faults were found but lets just say their very strict pdi on cars wasnt up to much this time round for whatever reason?

Fortunately by coincidence my girlfriend was going to be back in London for a few days this week so the car was collected and returned to Fontain for another look at it and as a curtesy car was given a wee A2 which was great as I understand it although it was only used for a few miles over the course of 3 days.

True to their word Fontain replaced all the items on the pick up list and gave the car another thouough going over to make sure EVERYTHING was as it should have been first time round. Even the M.D e'mailed me with a appology which I thought was a nice gesture and stated that they would like the opportunity of rectifying the faults and gave his sincerest word it would be followed personally by him.

Today the car was collected again by Helen to find it shiny and fuelled ready to go.

I although wasnt there as I am up in Scotland I have spoken to Keith a few times and I would like to say that I dont hold grudges nor does Helen and would like to thank Keith and Marcus for their efforts in preparing the car and replacing parts that are quite expensive at their cost and as a result Helen and I are looking forward to a happy relationship with Fontain even though we wont be popping in as passing for a coffee but I as a customer I would like to say well done to Fontain for their excellent service and look forward to the Audi Driver dealer of the year awards so we can put our vote of confidence in their box.

Fontain has its reputation from dedicated sales and service to their customers and over the past few weeks they certainly have proved that to us.

So to Marcus and Keith and staff a big BZ (Navy talk for well done)

Nice to hear a good report

Dave

i didnt mean to send it twice honest!! then the computer froze on my then had to shut it down, by the time i got back here i find out 30 mins has expired so i cant delete a copy... good plan eh?

I am glad to hear there are people out there willing to resolve issues and take personal care in keeping a customer happy. We all know things can go wrong in a business, as long as those up in the ranks are willing to do what is fair to resolve the issue. I was never sure on Fontain... heard mixed reports, having read this it has given me some hope in them.

Fontain was just one of the independants that I called back in the summer when I needed my cam tensioner oil seal replaced. They gave me a ridiculously cheap quote for a belt service. Price wasn’t a primary concern of mine, so I wanted to discuss it further, just to make sure they knew what they were doing. I tried 6 times to speak to the main guy who gave me the quote, each time I left a message and was told he would call me back. He never did. Maybe he realised he messed up the quote and didn’t want me insisting on the work being done for that price, which I wouldn’t have done because they may have cut corners.

I will be steering a wide berth, purely on the poor experience I have had with them.

I get both Audi Driver and Total Audi mags as well as a member of the quattroforum, I suggested we try Fontain because a few years ago we were visiting the area so popped in for a test drive of an RS4.... fast forward to last month, there are other places to get RS4's ie Glasgow Audi you would think would be a good start being the major franchaise up here... in fact Glasgow Audi are a shower of sh'te!! their service dept is has a deplorable service as we found out when we bought an S3 off them, they did 1 service, bodged that up so havent been back since and with an hourly rate of about 90 quid plus we wont be either and especially not with the RS4, their eyes must look like cash registers when you turn up with these higher performance cars. NOPE, we go to Ingrams which have known me/us for years and look after us like friends and give me cheaper rates for older cars ( I had the UrS4 and occasionally my WR quattro has paid a visit to them),Helen bought a new Audi cabrio from them, had that serviced by them and then the S3 which replaced the cabrio... now theyre entrusted with the RS4.

Their hourly rate is about 50 quid an hour for me and Fontain being 55 quid plus vat goes to show that they are not greedy money grabbing cash machines only interested in swelling bank balances.They are interested in the well being of the customer and the service of your vehicle.Probably why they keep winning these awards.With London dealers charging nearly TWICE what Fontain does it does make me wonder who is daft enough to pay nearly 100 quid an HOUR for a guy to change one component for another... anyone can do that! They dont even fix anything anymore.

With Fontain winning the specialist non franchise dealer of the year for the past few years in Audi Driver.. that gave me the confidence to go to them. Jary I also have had the experience as you say with Fontain a few times in the last month or so, theyre extremely busy and yes perhaps they should employ another receptionist to help with the workload but at the end of the day we are pleased with them so for now get my praise.Keith did his utmost be keep me and Helen in the picture with regards to the progress of the intention of repairs to the car which should have been done before we collected the car. No business is perfect but theyre doing theyre best to be so.

What was wrong with it at purchase ?

Thought I'd chip in - Fontain do not do any of the mechanical work themselves, but rely on a local specialist to do it on their behalf. I think they are called T.a.p. Audi, also based in Iver.

I was more than happy with the attention to detail from Fontain on my previous S4, however their so called specialist garage didn't do a great job aligning the new cambelt they fitted before I bought the car, and as a result was restricting top end power (MRC spotted this when it went in for a remap).

Just my 2p.

I think they are sales over service, not sure how specilaist they really are, but don't think they are too bad, certainly not as bad as some.

I think you have to command service from them, but if you do, they can deliver (but you are best to check afterwards).

Fontain has been selling cars for about 14 years and servicing them for about 2 years. I was speaking with Keith yesterday and was told that one of the servicing dept guys had left and as a result it was discovered he hadnt been doing his job, so cars coming in for service, repair etc hadnt got the parts waiting because this guy hadnt bothered to order them!!

As just mentioned Fontain I believe sub contracts out servicing so that side of the business is still developing..there are car lifts at the premises so it looks like they do at least some of the servicing there.

Alastair the few things wrong was:
the ashtray wouldnt open ( we dont smoke but not the point)
the centre armrest lid hinge was broken/missing
the cruise control didnt work- the clutch swith was defective

Just niggly things but should have been found before release.

Anyway its back now and we're smiling like cheshire cats!!!