RS4 and dealership experiences

[wolfgang]

Any comments from RS4 owners about West London Audi (Brentford), Slough or Camberley?

I'm dealing with all three to see if they can source me a decent RS4. So far Slough and Camberley don't seem that interested in selling me a car. West London showed initial interest but didn't bother contacting me over the weekend.

I can only presume they've been busy with the A1 launch this weekend? I'm a cash buyer and all three know that i'm looking to buy before the end of this month so I was just hoping for more interest from Audi dealerships in selling me a car!

Any other nearby Audi dealerships that I could contact?

[wolfgang]

I forgot to mention, Watford seemed the least interested in selling a car! I discounted them within a day or two. The salesman I was dealing with there just didn't seem interested and even replying to my emails, the response was just a few words. All in all, a very negative experience with Watford Audi.

[neckarsulm]

I think many main dealers have this archaic view that genuine enquiries will come by phone and not by email.
Also many sales people aren't very good at writing emails, they are better with their verbal patter.

Do those dealers have a suitable car for sale? Have you seen it on the Audi Approved Used Car Selector? Or are you just enquiring on spec, if the latter I can't say I'd be surprised if their response was rather curt.

I notice all those dealers are close to M25, you may want to consider travelling further afield as it seems that lower mileage town bound cars are the worst for carbon fouling.
You'll probably get better service too.

[HYFR]

perhaps they are more interested in selling the cars they have on their forecourt ... I.e. The bundles of cash sitting there depreciating!

They don't provide a nationwide search service

[wolfgang]

Apologies, I should have mentioned that I have enquired about real cars that I found on the Audi UK used car search. I always phone up to enquire about the car (mentioning the registration niumber and where I spotted the advert) and then, subsequently, correspond via email.

Watford Audi even suggested I cancel the test drive as they may not be able to get me a decent price for my p/x! I have enough cash on top of my p/x to buy any of the cars i've enquired about, even if I get a very low value for my p/x.

[neckarsulm]

what's your px?

You need to make it clear you can deal with or without a px

I think market sentiment is very low at the moment and the sales people maybe get a lot of enquiries about RS4s before they find someone who can get the required finance and/or is realistic abour their px.
However if things are slow why not seize every opportunity, keep ringing!

[ChrisCSL]

It's almost unbelievable hearing this. I can't understand why this unfortunately is such a common story from potential buyers. How Audi can get this so wrong is embarrassing considering their brand values and quality product. Unfortunately I also had the same problems when I was looking to buy. If the RS4 wasnt such a good car I would have gone elsewhere! When I eventually replace my RS4 it won't be with another Audi I'm sure. Meanwhile I'll continue to enjoy my fantastic car and try not to think about the next time I have speak to a dealer again!

[Timster]

To be fair, I actually had a very good experience dealing with Watford Audi. Mind you, I did all my dealings over the phone And in person.

Bought mine about three weeks ago and the salesman there was generally very attentive (though always busy).

If you're looking at the Daytona Avant, I can tell you, it's a lovely car.

I happened to meet the chap who traded it in (for an RS6), when I was at the dealership one day.

He even took me out for a spin BEFORE I signed the dotted line, for mine.

Only downside, is that I believe it's had 4 owners !!!

The chap who sold it however, had rarely used it as he works abroad and mostly it sat in his garage.

If you're tempted to meet them in person, my salesman's name was David Page (I think).

Good luck.

[ChrisCSL]

Sorry. Got carried away with a rant. I would not recommend Slough Audi. I've call them 3 times in the past about 3 specific vehicles advertised and never had a call back. Service is also disappointing, not calling back. Some owners on the forum recommend Camberley which I plan to use next time. I understand they service more RS4's than any other dealer. On the sales side I asked them to call me when they got an RS4 avant in. I had the call back 2 years later asking me if I was still looking. Errr no, I ended up buying a saloon a week after I originally spoke to them. I got fed up trying to find an Avant.

Best of luck with your search. The car more than makes up for the "lack of enthusiasm" from the dealers.

[stefano]

Had a bit of dealing with brentford in late summer - salesman was called martin - made an effort (in person and via email subsequently) and certainly felt better than bmw as i was also looking at an M3 too (genuinely poor/arrogant service). Key prob with brentford was their cars seemed so expensive compared to ex london dealers - bought from audi stratford in the end who did a much better deal and were good on fixing a couple of probs afterwards...sent a trailer to pick up car and make good

[RS-4-Me]

I've had similar experiences buying new from Audi - Turn up, request test-drive on specific model/engine combination, explain no px only for the sales guy to look completely disinterested and to never be called back. Needless to say that specific dealer didn't get my business.

Was kinda hoping for a better experience this time round. Don't look like I'm gonna get it.

[wolfgang]

Don't get me wrong guys, i'm sold on the RS4 and i've had rubbish experiences with other marques too. I'm just surprised that car dealerships are not falling over themselves to sell me a car. My p/x has been valued by several dealers and i've accepted the value (obviously it was extremely low, LOL!). Also, none of them will knock a penny of the price of any RS4 so i've just told them what my cost-to-change figure is and am prepared to walk away.

[neckarsulm]

So what IS your px?

[wolfgang]

I've got a BMW 5-Series as my p/x.

[MB2]

Well I called up, made an appointment came down on time & then looked at the car. Salesman then spent ages trying to get a part-ex value on my car & have me agree to buy if testdrive was satisfactory & then told me a test drive was impossible as didn't have my driving licence with me - I said they could check with the DVLA but he said I would have to come back on a different day with my DL at which point I walked out never to hear from them again.

Non-Audi garage I bought my car from took me out for a drive (DL not asked for) & valued the part-ex whilst on the test drive & called back that afternoon to finalise the deal.

Audi dealer is really helpful on servicing & parts & used to notice the salesman there bbut he seems to have left now...