luxury1

So I bought an 2013 A8 last summer and LOVE it!!!! This is my very first Audi ever. With that said, I feel like their service and general dealer friendliness isn't that great. Both times I was in for warranty work and I feel like it is more like a Ford dealer. Like they will get the work done but you are just a part of their workload.

I have or have owned Porsche, Range Rover, Lexus, BMW (and a honda and ford) and all of the other luxury brands have been great.

Anyone else feel like this or is it totally dealer independent? My guess is that it depends on the dealer...

kobanna

I have experience with the service departments for Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover and now Audi. Land Rover has been far and away the best, from my experience, with Audi second. Land Rover treated me like I was part of the club, they were passionate about their product. Audi treats me like a valued customer, probably because my family all drives Audi. BMW and Mercedes were just upscale dealerships with the normal perks but nothing special.

I think with any service department, your service will only be as good as your rapport with the people who work there. Some people are more concerned with their relationship with a trusted service manager than the car brand. I know people who have switched brands in order to follow their service guy to a new dealership.

Seaclav

Pretty sure it's dealer specific.

I'm in the Seattle area and have had nothing but great things to say about the Audi dealer I work with here.
Have also had several BMWs and their local dealer was apparently run by retarded clowns - the litany of idiotic maneuvers and poor customer service by them over a ten year or so period finally drove me away from the brand.

If you're open to sharing what part of the world you're in, maybe someone on here has a trusted dealer or service advisor nearby?

jakematic

This is critical.

luxury1

...

Redd

" their local dealer was apparently run by retarded clowns"
I wish my local Ow! Dee! dealership was run by clowns. Any kind of clowns. At least they'd be dressed a little sharper, and I might get a laugh out of each needless trip. Tell your friend I'm jealous.(G)

Lazydog

I think is is dealer dependent. My SA who has moved to SM always sees that I am taken care of.
I also have to add that I have been with this dealer for many many years and just about everyone there knows me.

jakematic

I think it definitely is dealer dependent, but also hinges on the customer interaction.
In the 4 years of working with my dealership, everyone knows me too.

When they see the D4 pull up with the Euro tag they all make a beeline to say hello.
I talk to and circulate among everyone from the security guys to the GM.

Last time I was there my SA was getting coffee and jokingly pointed to the manicure station and said "You can get your nails done if you want Jake !"
He was smart enough to do that out of arms reach while my Brand Specialist was distracting me asking if I wanted to go out back and smoke a cigarette.

Meanwhile the rest of the customers were sitting there looking bothered with frowns on their faces as if they were waiting for a custom headstone to be engraved.

Another Audi dealership opened recently that is closer to me.
There is very little they could possibly do to lure me away from the good relationship I have.

luxury1

My experience with the other dealerships is the same way, I know them. But at this one, I am definitely a stranger. Heck, the guy that sold the car to me last summer doesn't even recognize me! LOL

BigBoy11

I am quite certain a request to speak to the owner might help develop a better rapport. Then again, my experience has been that an organization reflects the values of its leader so it just might be owned by someone who doesn't care! I am very fortunate as my dealership treats me with the utmost respect and degree of attention. My Porsche has been serviced there for the past 7 years and the 2013 A8L for the past year. And they have the accolades from Audi to validate their treatment of all customers as they were the first dealer to be awarded the Audi Magna Award 3 years in a row! Very happy.