Aston Martin Courtesy Cars

[W12GT]

The issue for me is that I am going on a nice little road trip for a couple of days with some interesting roads.

This now means that I’ll have to use either the very boring BMW or one of my other cars. I was hoping to do it in an Aston having only bought it recently. I’m also considering a DBX so was hoping I would have the opportunity to see if it would suit our needs.

Instead I have a diesel BMW.

Now that I’ve typed all that I’m not sure sure why I’m having to explain myself.

[Simpo Two]

Minglar said:

Lol. Indeed. Hence my comment about perception earlier, but how do you know I am not both?

True; you could be a student (albeit mature dare I suggest) and also crushingly poor due to having spent all your money on Astons

Reminds me of the saying 'A stockbroker is a man who invests your money until it's all gone'.

[geresey]

Simpo Two said:

Minglar said:

I usually get a bus after I’ve dropped mine off at my local AM MD

Now that is going too far. Buses are for students and poor people!

And usually people with lots of spare time too. Mine is in for service 7 miles away..,would probably take me half a day to get back by bus, and the rest of the day to get back again to pick it up!

Actually, BMW Mini dealer does WFH desks so when I use them I just take the laptop and work there for the half day or whatever

Edited by geresey on Wednesday 31st May 19:41

[Minglar]

W12GT said:

The issue for me is that I am going on a nice little road trip for a couple of days with some interesting roads.

This now means that I’ll have to use either the very boring BMW or one of my other cars. I was hoping to do it in an Aston having only bought it recently. I’m also considering a DBX so was hoping I would have the opportunity to see if it would suit our needs.

Instead I have a diesel BMW.

Now that I’ve typed all that I’m not sure sure why I’m having to explain myself.

No need to explain, but your disappointment makes more sense now. But two things spring to mind. Could you have scheduled the work on your car for after your trip? If not, perhaps you should have mentioned it to them when you booked it in. I would assume that the more notice they have, combined with perhaps a specific request, the likelihood of receiving something less offensive would improve?

Best Regards

Minglar

[reddiesel]

I must admit to being surprised that nobody so far has has mentioned the HWM " Flying Technician " Service . Has anyone had any experience of using this resource ? It certainly negates the need for a Courtesy Car at least where routine scheduled maintenance is concerned .

[W12GT]

reddiesel said:

I must admit to being surprised that nobody so far has has mentioned the HWM " Flying Technician " Service . Has anyone had any experience of using this resource ? It certainly negates the need for a Courtesy Car at least where routine scheduled maintenance is concerned .

It’s gone in for paintwork and some other little bits. I will almost certainly be using the Flying Technician!

The car was booked in before the trip was planned and tbh I completely forgot it was going in and that I wouldn’t have it. Having had a lot of Porsches, the Bentley and Range Rover in recent years I’ve just got used to having at least a straight replacement. Hence my disappointment. Oh well, first world problems as they say.

[-Cappo-]

Given the atrocious level of service, and staff abilities, of certain well-known AM dealers, they ought to be giving you a chauffeur-driven Maybach for as long as you want it, as compensation for their ineptitude and their inability to carry out the most basic of quality control.

[LPH]

As I'm very much don the lower end of the AM food chain with my old and cheap V8V I don't get AM courtesy cars. I've used a main dealer twice (this year and last) for service.

First time I got a high spec Audi A6. Not my bag but a nice car to be in and had a bit of oomph (but not a lot).

This year the cost of living crisis has clearly made it to AM dealers, I got a Audi A1 25tfsi. Looked quite purposeful and even a bit powerful. However I checked the specs and it was a 999cc 3 cyl with 94 hp. Did the job and I don't want to be ungrateful but whoever mated a 7 speed DSG box to such a tiny engine with no power needs to be talked to. It was awful, Not enough power and the gearbox was really ponderous.

[AMV93]

LPH said:

As I'm very much don the lower end of the AM food chain with my old and cheap V8V I don't get AM courtesy cars. I've used a main dealer twice (this year and last) for service.

First time I got a high spec Audi A6. Not my bag but a nice car to be in and had a bit of oomph (but not a lot).

This year the cost of living crisis has clearly made it to AM dealers, I got a Audi A1 25tfsi. Looked quite purposeful and even a bit powerful. However I checked the specs and it was a 999cc 3 cyl with 94 hp. Did the job and I don't want to be ungrateful but whoever mated a 7 speed DSG box to such a tiny engine with no power needs to be talked to. It was awful, Not enough power and the gearbox was really ponderous.

If you use AM Nottingham, I reckon I've currently got the A1 you're talking about sat on my driveway...you're absolutely right about the lack of power and box!

The Audi courtesy cars are good for me, my AM never goes anywhere near my work carpark whereas if I'm dropping it off for service/repair it's normally part of my working day so I need something I can then head back to work or visit customers in afterwards. I probably talked myself into the A1 by always saying I'm not bothered what they give me!

[Jon39]

LPH said:

... This year the cost of living crisis has clearly made it to AM dealers. I got an Audi A1 ...

When reading your post, I first pictured this car.



However, I now see that Audi's small car has adopted their standard Russian Doll, Q design philosophy.


Using the phrase 'Audi courtesy car', does seem somewhat of a contradiction.

Did you immediately become an Audi driver, when behind the wheel ?
Tailgating - Permitted.
Thanking other motorists - Not Allowed.

[huntsen]

FOR SALE
Set of Audi turn indicators - never used.

[alscar]

Jon39 said:

Did you immediately become an Audi driver, when behind the wheel ?
Tailgating - Permitted.
Thanking other motorists - Not Allowed.

I've been doing it all wrong when out in my R8 V10 then as have never tailgated and am happy to thank anyone if deserved
I also like to think I behave the same in my Aston/s.

[Jon39]

alscar said:

I've been doing it all wrong when out in my R8 V10 then as have never tailgated and am happy to thank anyone if deserved
I also like to think I behave the same in my Aston/s.

Well done Sir.
I have never encountered an impolite Audi R8 driver.

In my experience, the main ones who probably created the stereotype, are those driving (usually large) Audi SUVs.
Seeing that giant Audi grille in my mirrors, I keep out of their way, rather than wait to discover where they are on the scale of rudeness.

Years ago, BMW drivers had an inconsiderate group reputation, but that accolade has now clearly been passed to Audi.

[alscar]

Jon39 said:

Well done Sir.
I have never encountered an impolite Audi R8 driver.

In my experience, the main ones who probably created the stereotype, are those driving (usually large) Audi SUVs.
Seeing that giant Audi grille in my mirrors, I keep out of their way, rather than wait to discover where they are on the scale of rudeness.

Years ago, BMW drivers had an inconsiderate group reputation, but that accolade has now clearly been passed to Audi.

Possible not just Audi SUV's though.
I think the original stereotypes were also based around careers chosen so perhaps estate agents ( as an example only ) driving SUV's should be definitely avoided.

[Longy00000]

W12GT said:

The issue for me is that I am going on a nice little road trip for a couple of days with some interesting roads.

This now means that I’ll have to use either the very boring BMW or one of my other cars. I was hoping to do it in an Aston having only bought it recently. I’m also considering a DBX so was hoping I would have the opportunity to see if it would suit our needs.

Instead I have a diesel BMW.

Now that I’ve typed all that I’m not sure sure why I’m having to explain myself.

If you are genuinely considering a DBX then a call to your local dealer principal should help with your mini road trip fir a couple of days. I've always found them very accommodating as soon as they appreciate your seriously interested.

[Calinours]

We are such a funny old bunch. Moan like billy-o about MD prices until they come down to be competitive with the Indies (as they now largely are), then we continue to loudly complain when we aren’t given a top spec DBSS as a courtesy car….

[ReformedPistonhead]

I have given up on courtesy cars since 3 years ago when I had a Dodge Ram Truck as a loaner whilst my Morgan was in being done. A 17 year old in a tractor crashed into me on a country road when I was stationary waiting for him to pass.

Issue 1 is doing a claim via the garage insurance policy when you are not really aware of what is going on but still impacted by the outcome. Hence it went 50:50 despite witnesses saying I was stationary in a hedge on the left when he passed me coming the other way at 40 taking off the side and rear axle of the brand new Ram.

Issue 2 is the permanent embarrassment every time I turn up there, in the end not my fault but I was in charge of their truck and chose to drive it down a narrow lane.

Now I just arrange collection (thanks Works who do this for free with my Aston) or get one of the kids to follow me over and drive me home...

[raceboy]

LPH said:

This year the cost of living crisis has clearly made it to AM dealers, I got a Audi A1 25tfsi. Looked quite purposeful and even a bit powerful. However I checked the specs and it was a 999cc 3 cyl with 94 hp. Did the job and I don't want to be ungrateful but whoever mated a 7 speed DSG box to such a tiny engine with no power needs to be talked to. It was awful, Not enough power and the gearbox was really ponderous.

If this is the primer one from AM Notts I couldn't agree with you more, I actually had to google what engine was in it as I thought it was a diesel
I like small 'nippy' cars, and size wise the A1 is spot on but that engine/gearbox combo needs killing with fire, an S1 would be interesting.....or if they made one an RS1

Edited by raceboy on Monday 5th June 12:14

[Jon39]

I love the 'Russian Doll' designs of the Audi Q range
Think of the design economy benefits. Just alter the dimensions.

Your Audi A1 courtesy car looks more like their standard Q SUV shape, rather than the A4 saloon.
Surely it ought to be named Q1, then that would only leave gaps for Q4 and Q6.

Audi A1 (2010–present)
Audi A3 (2003–present)
Audi A4 (2007–present)
Audi A5 (2003–present)
Audi A6 (2011–present)
Audi A7 (2010–present)
Audi A8 (2010–present)

Audi Q2 (2017–present)
Audi Q3 (2011–present)
Audi Q5 (2008–present)
Audi Q7 (2005–present)
Audi Q8 (2008–present)

What fun the Audi apprentices could have, building a motor show exhibit of every Q model, fitted inside the next size up.

I understand that a larger model is due (Audi Q9), athough apparently it may not be sold in Europe. I wonder why?
Combine harvesters use country lanes, so an Audi Q9 might just fit.

Very clever marketing, because although we cannot tell the difference between (say) an Audi Q5 and an Audi Q7, the Q5 owner certainly can and as intended by Audi, feels inferior to a Q7 owner, so has the incentive to trade up. He then discovers he is inferior to a Q8 owner, so has the incentive to trade up again.



( If you own an Audi, as well as your Aston Martin, please don't take this seriously. No offence intended.)

[Octavarium]

Jon39 said:

I love the 'Russian Doll' designs of the Audi Q range
Think of the design economy benefits. Just alter the dimensions.

Your Audi A1 courtesy car looks more like their standard Q SUV shape, rather than the A4 saloon.
Surely it ought to be named Q1, then that would only leave gaps for Q4 and Q6.

Audi A1 (2010–present)
Audi A3 (2003–present)
Audi A4 (2007–present)
Audi A5 (2003–present)
Audi A6 (2011–present)
Audi A7 (2010–present)
Audi A8 (2010–present)

Audi Q2 (2017–present)
Audi Q3 (2011–present)
Audi Q5 (2008–present)
Audi Q7 (2005–present)
Audi Q8 (2008–present)

What fun the Audi apprentices could have, building a motor show exhibit of every Q model, fitted inside the next size up.

I understand that a larger model is due (Audi Q9), athough apparently it may not be sold in Europe. I wonder why?
Combine harvesters use country lanes, so an Audi Q9 might just fit.

Very clever marketing, because although we cannot tell the difference between (say) an Audi Q5 and an Audi Q7, the Q5 owner certainly can and as intended by Audi, feels inferior to a Q7 owner, so has the incentive to trade up. He then discovers he is inferior to a Q8 owner, so has the incentive to trade up again.



( If you own an Audi, as well as your Aston Martin, please don't take this seriously. No offence intended.)

I have an Audi (A6 Avant) as well as my DB11, and each time I take my A6 in for service/recall, I am always amazed at how similar all the Q models look (size excepted, although sometimes that's not even obvious) when seen in close proximity to one another. I'm perfectly happy with my A6, even though it looks virtually identical to an A4 Avant, at least there are only 2 x Avant models in the range if you discount all the engine and trim variations.