S5 Sportback European Delivery Experience (Pre-delivery w/ some pics)
 

Thought I’d write a little piece documenting my ED experience as there’s not much Audi ED material around the web (particularly compared to other manufacturers, i.e. BMW via bimmerpost or bimmerfest). Perhaps this can be insightful to others contemplating the experience.

Dealer:
Audi Minneapolis

Summary Timeline:
Order Placed: 1/19/2017
Mailed Package from Audi of America: 3/10/2017
Production Complete: 4/20/2017
Sign Out: 4/24/2017
Ingolstadt Delivery Date: 5/23/2017
Vehicle Drop-off (Amsterdam): 5/31/2017
U.S. Dealer Pick-up: 8/5/2017

Car:
S5 Sportback - Prestige
Tango Red / Rotor Gray interior
Most all the bells and whistles


Mods:
I plan to put the OEM summer times on 19” black wheels and put winters on the OEM wheels. An amatuer rendering of the final look is below. Personally love how I expect the red/black/alu-optic will play off one another.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...44984b3687.jpg


Details of the Process:

1. Order Process
Called the dealer and inquired about potentially ordering a car via European delivery. I specifically requested to work with someone who has ED experience. The receptionist said they would call back once they found someone with the requisite experience to discuss a potential purchase. Received a call within the hour from a client advisor, Mark Landy (who has been great to work with if you’re in MPLS area). We first cleared the air of all the particular nuances associated with ED to ensure it would be feasible in my situation, such as 1) the typical 4-month lead time (or more given the S5 Sportback was not yet in US-destined production), 2) post-ED redelivery timing (~8 week gap), 3) any trade-in vehicle is required at sign out prior to traveling to Europe (hence you would need to make vehicle arrangements for period between then and US redelivery.


Since these were non-issues for myself, we briefly discussed pricing and agreed upon on the standard 5% MSRP ED discount, and then immediately proceeded to spec the order and enter it into the system. Once order placement was complete, he asked me to email him a list of preferred dates to provide Audi of America. I placed the order on a Saturday (1/19), submitted my preferred dates on Monday (1/21), and by Tuesday (1/22) had a commission number and preliminary delivery date (May 23) from Audi of America. In all, this was a quick process with prompt responses from my client advisor and sales manager.

2. Mailed Package from Audi of America
Once my build date was scheduled at the Ingolstadt factory in March 2017, I received a nice package from Audi of America with a few forms I needed to sign and return a few weeks prior to Ingolstadt delivery (delivery day preferences, overview of insurance policy, etc.), and other marketing materials. I was provided a nice Audi-branded travel tag and a gift card to the Audi USA merchandise store.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...2b29b224b6.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...d420fb406b.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...7306a5df76.jpg


3. Financing
I chose to finance over lease. To obtain a competing offers, I applied for an auto loan through Pentagon Federal Credit Union and obtained the preapproval a week or two before anticipated sign out. Ultimately, the dealership’s business team countered with a better financing offer, so decided to finance through a dealer’s partner. If choosing to finance your ED, I would highly recommend obtaining your own independent finance offer (Penfed is a credit union that WILL finance ED) as negotiating leverage, especially since you place the ED order months before signing out.


4. Sign out
Once production was complete, a VIN # was provided and it was time to sign out. I went in a few days later to finalize the financing situation and signed all the paperwork per the standard ~30 minute process - the only difference is there were no keys to hand over nor a car to drive off into the sunset!


5. Delivery Experience
Coming soon! I do know that I will be the first US customer to take ED of the new S5 Sportback. Coincidentally, the first US A5 Sportback (Matador Red) ED is scheduled for the EXACT same date and time! Audi is placing them next to each other in the delivery area (two reds likely in a sea of whites/greys/blacks), which will be cool to see and meet the other owners. I’ll get a pic.


Overall ED Experience to date:
Fantastic. My dealer and client advisor were prompt in addressing any periodic questions about my car’s status or the ED process in general. I also need to give a huge shout out to Brad Boyer, the ED Marketing Coordinator with Audi of America. He was very transparent and always quick to answer any questions and work with me to coordinate the planned delivery date. Perhaps Audi’s ED program might not be as prominent as BMW’s, yet, but Brad certainly has his stuff in order and will make it a great experience. Very impressed with his high level of customer service.





***I will add to this post documenting the Ingolstadt delivery day experience and other European adventures. Perhaps a video as well. If you have any questions, feel free. Cheers!! EDIT: Thought I'd include a map of our tentative route. We plan to stop by Hockenheimring between Rothenburg and Baden-Baden (unfortunately, not a track day!) and hit the track at Nurburgring when traveling between Cochem and Cologne.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...dc9924352b.jpg

UPDATE 6/4:

Yesterday, we returned from our two-week European adventure. I tried something new by carrying a GoPro in my pocket to capture some moments (when I remembered to use it!). I spliced those moments together into a short edit. If you're interested, check it out! Also - have a look at our (but really Jaimie's) blog that provides some cool photo highlights. https://vettervacation.wordpress.com/

Is that an add-on carbon fiber rear spoiler? If so do you have a part number? I haven't been able to locate one for the Sportback.

Thanks

No, that's just amateur photoshopped. I have no knowledge of it becoming available for Sportback. If it does and looks good, I'm getting it.


I plan to black out the inner sections of the front grille (keeping the alu-optic outline trim). So the black pieces would be the inner grille, roof, wheels, and spoiler.

I'm anxiously following your thread. I got my S5 SB build and ED pick-up dates confirmed this morning!

I, too, am interested to follow your ED experiences. There is no ED program offered by Audi for the Canadian market. The only thing we can do is to read the ED experience of others who have done it.

I am jealous. I wanted to do ED but I had too much unpredictability with work at the time to schedule it (but usually I just blame the wife to annoy her).

raceboy, what's in Cochem?

Cochem is in the Mosel River Valley - sort of like the little, more sleepier brother to the Rhine. Instead of staying a few nights in St. Goar or Bacharach along the Rhine River, we decided to take an exit off the river "superhighway" and stay about 20 minutes away in what we've heard/read as the more quaint, picturesque and quiet river valley of the two (with some decent wine!) Still easily accessible to do a Rhine River castle cruise or tour the Burg Eltz castle. Seemed more low key and relaxing, which is what we're going for on this stretch.

https://luxuryescapes.com/magazine/r...-mosel-valley/

Thanks very much for that. I need to check it out.

can't wait to see pics of the entire experience