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RS4 (B7) Saloon production apparently has ended.

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:02 pm
by Bigpockets
I have had a call from my local Audi dealer to say that i can buy their RS4 Saloon demo in May as the production of saloons has finished. I have purchased the car as i feel it will hold its value and i fear that my new Avant will not arrive on time.

Has anyone else heard anything.

:?:

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:54 pm
by Simon_M
methinks you have just been sh@fted...

Hope I am wrong.

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:55 pm
by Bradders
I was told (when I got my build date) that the current production run was full. The next production run was not due to be started until May/June. Reason, I thought about adding the tv option, not originally spec'd, but decided against the further delay in getting the car. That could well be what the dealer meant. Mines due in build week 6 (mid Feb).

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:21 pm
by Simon_M
I take it back, seems the current production run is indeed closed.

No doubt a further production run will be only a few days away....

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 7:00 pm
by Bigpockets
Hmm i hope i have not been told a story as i have ordered 3 new cars from them now.

I will try and find out more information.

Please let me know if you find out anymore.

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:10 pm
by simple1
Think you will find current right hand drive production run has finished..... this involves closing down the plant for a week while they re-tool for left hand drive......... once they have forfilled the order book for LHD, they will re-tool and start another production run for RHD which is scheduled for May 16th. Hope this helps.

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:43 pm
by Merlot
So the story is typical dealer mis-information?

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:36 pm
by simple1
Not exactly, kind of manipulated to make it sound worse than it is........ more a sales push... was the last day of the month today and the sales bod obviously needed another sale or two to make his bonus for next month :audibash: :bigwave:

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:50 pm
by Bigpockets
Thanks for the information. I will get in touch with my dealer tomorrow and see what they have to say.

Although It's the dealers demo (at full list) i can get a car for may 1st.

I am not sure what the waiting list is for a saloon at the moment ?

I also have a strong feeling my Avant will not be here for September 1st either.

Either way its a nice problem to have.

Thanks again

Simon

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:02 pm
by simple1
As things stand, if a dealer puts a car on order for demo, they have to keep it for three months registered in their name, it may well be that they get the car 1st May.... highly unlikely they will part with until August if they want to keep the franchise.... if they have spec ordered a car thats another matter, but will get even bigger slap on the wrist for that, the cars were supposed to be order only for the first six months......

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:22 am
by skodaw
RS4 ordering has now been closed, the only way a dealer will be able to obtain a car now is via negotiation from the sales office. If anyone cancels an order that vehicle is released to the sales office they will then offer the car to the next customer in line, it should be noted that production will continue, however most dealers have now filled there allocation for the 2006 Model year - unless Audi UK manage to secure more allocation you are not likely to be able to obtain before July / Aug.

Currently we have now FIRM confirmation, but I'm told we will be able to order RS4 Avant from July.

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:40 am
by Bigpockets
Ok just to clear things up here.

I was told the car was ordered by the dealership with spec, so that probably clears that up.

The car is apparently due any day now for March registration so i guess its feasible i might get it.

They are a very professional setup and i would very much doubt they would go against Audi's strict criteria.

Skodaw appears to know what he is talking about so it looks as if the real truth is that there are no more right hand drive saloons allocated for 2006.

Simon
Bigpockets

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:49 am
by skodaw
Bigpockets wrote:Ok just to clear things up here.

I was told the car was ordered by the dealership with spec, so that probably clears that up.

The car is apparently due any day now for March registration so i guess its feasible i might get it.

They are a very professional setup and i would very much doubt they would go against Audi's strict criteria.

Skodaw appears to know what he is talking about so it looks as if the real truth is that there are no more right hand drive saloons allocated for 2006.

Simon
Bigpockets
There are apparently a small number of dealers who have not sold there full allocation for 2006, however as we've been told that ordering has been closed, we can only assume that Audi UK will place the remaining orders to there own spec to fulfill any outstanding waiting list issues, other than that its down to cancelled orders being filtered down the system, plus hopefully if they can get more allocation - however with the avant on the horizon I would think this unlikely.

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:47 am
by kam100
Spoke to my dealer this evening before he left for the day, our kid seems to change his story every five minutes but what he was saying meets the above stories.

RHD orders are now closed, they have 3 more cars allocated for which they are receiving final spec confirmations this week, now telling prospective customers 2007 earliest for their cars.

Customers car that was supposed to be landing at the dealership as a showpiece (to be handed to owner on march 1st) has been halted by audi and they are keeping it stored with the rest of the UK RHD models till march 1st strictly. Good to see production is being kept limited and seems me and my brother in law got in just in time with our orders!

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:29 am
by Simon_M
So you are commited to buy a used* RS4 at full list price? I thought only Porsche did this unscrupulous practice. Why pay through the nose for a saloon for only a few months when you really want an Avant. You will get slaughtered on the trade-in of the saloon.

Anyway, your choice and we will all be jealous when you post some pics anyway :lol:

*No doubt driven pretty hard