S4Alex

First, a quick background. I am in the Bay Area (Palo Alto/Milpitas), my car is in Van Nuys (Keyes Audi). Ordered from CarsDirect.Com.

I am getting my S4 delivered finally (maybe wednesday or thursday, depending on my schedule). However, I was told by the dealership that my car was shipped that the reason I had a big hold up on my car is that on the vertical side molding on the B-Pillar, there were two cracks. The parts are in the process of being ordered, however, they could only get one with a delivery time of two weeks, and the other will have to be made by audi and shipped with a delivery time of 3 weeks. So, if I wanted to get the car in complete pristene condition, I would have to wait an additional month for delivery. I said screw that, and gave the okay to deliver the car.

Now, here is the deal, the parts are still on order, and when they come in he will ship the parts to a dealer of my choice and the work will be completed under warranty with no cost to me. That is no problem for me at all. But, I have to now find a dealership. I have heard good and bad from about Carlsen. Anderson-Behl, same type of comments. But mainly about the sales. I have had my own experience with their sales people, but have not had any experience at all with the service departments. I would like to go to Carlsen because it is only right down the road from my work and would make things very easy for me.

My question, what is everyones experience out there with Carlsen and/or A-Behl? Or, is it worth the drive to a different dealership?

Thanks for any and all input. You may now resume your reading. Well, after you contribute to the responses of my question.<p>AlexM
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=4592">'00 S4 Black w/BlackNBlue</a>

00' 323ci - Steptronic
Stage I Dinan - Egine
Stage I Dinan - Tranny

internets

I have not had a good expierence with either Steven's Creek or Palo Alto Audi sales people. When I was trying to put in an order for an s4 and asked for a test drive both were very rude and even denied me a test drive for a a4 so that I could see if I liked the body style. So I ended up buying my s4 from Idaho who's sales people are very nice. I'm hoping that their sales people won't reflect on their servive dept. because they are the 2 closest audi dealers near me.<p>Lifes wierd, deal with it.

Cameron

... I'd say is the best service in your area, but have not heard anything remarkable in the area over several years on the board. Heard more good experiences than bad, but rarely heard about particularly good experiences - perhaps one for every four positive sales experiences, which are rare in themselves.

Cameron

Meant even fewer good service than sales experiences.

Taner Halicioglu

Going to have my car serviced at Carlsen on July 5th - I'll report on it :-)

Cameron

I'd like a form system to be added to the registry so owners can list all of the dealerships the car has gotten service at and rate the dealership on service from one to five... and that this could be updated as ongoing service from the dealership goes up or down in quality and the registry entry grows in size.

Opinions? Yeah, I know, someone is going to whine that a Bob Bobby's dealership somewhere in Boogle, Arkansas will be sh!tlisted by the collective S4 ownership, but that's life in the big city.

I see a history in the registry, but it's very seldom that I hear how good the service was - or how long it took the techs to diagnose a problem...

Cameron

S4Del

Carlsen is 2 miles from my office and I don't go there for service. Nuff said.

S 4 Paul

I live in Miami, FL so I can't give advice specific to your area but I will say that it has been my experience (with my A4 first and now my S4) that while your warranty more or less guarantees certain repairs, it does not guarantee the attitude the service dept will have. Also, I have noticed some dealerships will go above and beyond what is asked of them. Make sure to ask about their "loaner" policy for example (some require you to have bought the car from them). Also ask about their stance on chipping and other mods (some will even do it for you). I would suggest you post this same question in the other Audi forums (TT, A4, etc..) about your part of the world. If your dealer carries other makes of car (VW, Mercedes, Porche, etc) you make consider posting on those forums as well. Ultimately, it is best to stay with one so choose wisely. GOOD LUCK!!<p>2000 Silver & Onyx w/ Silver Alcantara (Miami, FL)
*Chipping in July!!!

s4wood

Carlsen is the most convenient dealer for me as well...but I don't go there. Lots of reasons...if you got an hour or two I can tell you "some" of them. :-)

Nuff said.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4sig1.jpg"<br><br>
Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org

Sander

I test drove and ordered an S4 with them late '99. When it became clear that it would take about 7 months to get my S4 I cancelled my order and bought one through carsdirect. Coincidentally I also got my car from Keyes. Anyway, I later brought the car in for service (busted shock) and was treated quite well. The sales guy (Bob, really a Porsche guy) recognized me and congratulated me on my tenacity in getting an S4. No hard feelings or anything. Hell, they can sell each S4 they get in.

Then again when I wanted a re-allignment I had to wait for 3 weeks. I heard that by now the delay is more like 7 weeks. Nuts.

I happen to live a few blocks from A-B so that helps too of course :-)

Regards,

Sander<p>--
2000 S4 Silver/Silver Tip/Conv/Cold/Bose
SF-Bay Area