In addition to my flat, I went to have some warranty work done last week (failed NAV and glove box rattle) and the dealership (robert larson in tacoma) told me that the warranty only covers car rentals when repairs are for something that makes the car unable to drive safely. This seemed like BS to me, but want others opinions. I mean if you take me car away for a moment it should be covered, IMHO, when a part clearly fails.

 

After a few (dissatisfied) service calls at the dealer I bought my car from, I called another. . . Valley Motors in Timonium, MD. I asked the service manager if they gave loaners. His response, "if you bought the car from us, sure." I told him I had not bought it from them, but the dealer I bought from had the same policy. I let him know I was looking to build a relationship w/ a new dealer, but I did not want to loose the loaner. I was told, "if it means getting your business, we'll have a loaner for you."

Shop around, it costs nothing to ask.

 

I have been told that even though we purchase an Audi because of the engineering, design, manufacturing, warranty, etc. that are Audi GMBH and therefore AOA issues, the free rental car decision is a local dealer decision. It seems that Audi GMBH and AOA are willing to let local dealers upset owners over a $20 per day rental car that results in owners changing their next $40,000 car purchase to another manufactuer. How do you say penny wise and pound foolish in German?

 

mine was being fixed .. a new rim, fix the console door flying off and painting a scuff on the butt .. *each* time, I got a car to drive .. now, it wasn't a great car, but, at least I had some wheels to get to work in .. anytime your car has to be put inthe shop - you should get another to drive .. period.

 

A VP at AoA told me this over a year ago.

 

I agree with you 1000% btw

 

I should have seen that coming, lol

 

A pfennig for your thoughts...haha yeah I want free rentals to.. the A8 gets one

 

...which is NOT totally up to the dealer. first, we need to seperate to words: a) loaner car and b) rental car. that's for audi 2 things!!!

the loaner car is usally a car owned by the dealer, part of there own fleet. some dealers have just audi, some others may cars out of there second franchise. however, the only different between audis and "non-audi" is the possible reimbursment from audi to the dealer. the audi "BRINGS MORE MONEY".

the rental car is a vehicle not owned by the dealer. that means somebody needs to pay for it: either you (the customer) or the dealer.

generally you can say: saftey issue (grinding brakes or noisy dv - "oh god, i am sooooo scared to drive and i neeeeed to go to the doctor/office etc.) will allways help to get you in the free rental car - and audi will pay!

warranty and no parts in stock - audi will pay 1 day (24h)for rental if the part gets "overnight".

a8 - code a8sl (audi a8 service loaner courtesy) - anytime, anywhere

brake down, help through roadside assistance - rental car (and more) covered.

repair over 8h after scheduled appointment - audi pays for one night.

all rental cars longer than 2 days need to be authorized by the manufacturer rep - normaly. doesnt mean anything. as long as your car is not ready, who's care? audi pays!

the service loaner: the word says it. this loaners usally for people who bought the car from the dealership. most of them have even a pick up & delivery program (office/home). ask before the purchase for there policy. they try to keep the costs down and promise you this stuff at last when it's goes really close to the deal!

just for service an no complains and not bought the car there? you are on your own!

 

I believe, except for maybe Lexus, all loaner/rentals are paid for by your <i>dealer</i>, <b>not</b> the mfr (except, as was mentioned for some ultra high-end vehicles like the A8...)

Silly? Perhaps, but in today's world a TT is almost an economy car when SUVs are $40K+ and don't even come with free maintenance...