Camberley now refuse to fit customer supplied parts

[Dom81]

I made a booking for AVS2 today, and planned to provide my own oil as I did with AVS1 (Fuchs Titan). I also requested a plug change, and was going to provide my own OEM plugs (having already bought both the plugs and oil)

Camberley have just advised me that Audi have instructed all garages to only fit parts supplied by themselves, or bought directly from TPS. Apparently this is not a new initiative, so they can't explain why it was OK for me to provide oil the time before - nor why Victoria Audi allowed me to do the same at 1500 miles, nor why many on here have done the same

Apparently fitting any customer supplied parts invalidates the warranty, and the fact that I no longer have one wasn't relevant. As well as having to supply oil themselves, Audi apparently insist on only using Castrol, so the fact that Titan is 504.00/507.00 compliant (therefore perfectly suitable for me to use under the terms of the driver handbook) has no bearing

Regrettably I've cancelled my service and will have to go elsewhere, which is especially disappointing since I've been one of their most vocal supporters over the last three years. Since my notes show that I provided oil last time, I can only think this is a margin decision, but it's one they are sticking to. Rob, incidentally, is on holiday...

I think the plan will be MRC, and whilst there's talk of non FASH invalidating the extended DRC warranty, Jeremy Hick's letter to me makes no mention of it so I take him at his word - maybe I'll be back at Camberley for suspension work at least!

[neckarsulm]

I am surprised any Audi Centre fits customer parts even those from TPS.
It makes liability for any problems post service potentially more hassle than they would be anyway.

[Dom81]

I understand the logic, just not the inconsistency. I'm not having a go at them (Claire was very kind & thorough in her explanation) but don't want anyone else to be in the same boat as me in assuming that what's been done before will be done again - wherever they go

[Nib]

I did mention this in a post some time ago. I was told that it was Camberley's Service Manager's decision..........

Presumably not selling as much expensive oil as they're supposed to.

[approved]

good profit in their own stuff.

they are obviously of the opinion that people will just stump up to maintain the service history.

a bit <beep> really, as its got absoultey nothing to do with warranty, its just another example of corporate greed at work.

tossers.

[lengster1]

I think they will price themselves out of the market for cars over 3 years old,Do we really need to be paying £120 an hour for oil changes and OTT prices for the actual oil aswelll? Bmw used to operate 4+ cheaper rates to keep the bussiness maybe audi should take note? I can understand there position but when you here on here of £1200 front discs and pads failing way before they should and yet no warranty goodwill or discount on replacement they cant have it both ways,im currently working in germany and local audi rates are a third cheaper than in the UK.This stance makes my blood boil regarding only using castrol after finding out after a full price service on my b5 was done using synta not castrol,they all seem to make up there own rules as and when it suits,Hope this castrol only stance is correct when they carry out my next service which is complimentary

[Dom81]

good profit in their own stuff.

they are obviously of the opinion that people will just stump up to maintain the service history.

a bit <beep> really, as its got absoultey nothing to do with warranty, its just another example of corporate greed at work.

tossers.

To be fair, I don't think they're tossers. They're (probably) the best Audi service operation in the country with good people - hence my recommendations to all and sundry. I would say that one person (i.e. whoever made and enforced this decision) is naive and has little concept of the precedent already set by allowing customers to provide their own OEM products, nor little regard for losing them to this trivial rule

Had I been told today that the policy had changed, but understanding that I had already bought oil and plugs in advance of the service (in line with previous visits) they would use them one last time, then I would have stayed. As it is, it will be a long time before I need another 10L & 8 plugs, so off I reluctantly go...

[^Qwerty^]

Out of all the Audi's you see driving on the UK roads, I doubt more than 1% of owners would want to supply their own parts, so profit wise it will make FA difference to the dealers. (IMO of course)

[PetrolDave]

Bmw used to operate 4+ cheaper rates to keep the business maybe audi should take note?

There used to be a similar 4+ year old car scheme run by Audi - I saw the notice about it in Camberley Audi a few years ago.

Don't know if it's still running, or has been disciontinued.

[Nib]

As we know, Colbornes (who own Camberley) do operate their "4 Life" scheme ( http://www.colbornes.co.uk/colbornes4life.aspx ), which gives some benefits. Haven't heard of it being cancelled. However, Rob did tell me that they give most of the benefits to RS4 owners automatically..........

[PetrolDave]

Do other Audi dealers operate a similar scheme?

[P_G]

Colebrook & Burgess (Tyneside Audi) allow you to supply your own oil but only is if it Castrol Edge 5W-30 and you have the receipt for it to verify source.

[HYFR]

just had my RS6 plus in Camberley and they had me on the 4+ scheme

[scottie1979]

Do other Audi dealers operate a similar scheme?

My local does - brings the labour rate to around £70 to £80 /h

[Dave_M]

Five Oaks Audi do a 10% labour (think it's only labour) discount on cars over 3 years old, and also a free MoT as long as you have the car serviced by them. Brings the labout rate down to £88 +VAT. Also spoke to Crawley Audi - they wouldn't offer a discount (they do have some "service plan" scheme which gives a discount on older cars, but if you're not already in it, it sounds like you can't join now), and their labour rate was £110 +VAT. No prizes for guessing which dealer I've booked the car in at!

Dave