Audi scraps branded breakdown cover
Discussion
Got a letter today from Audi to let me know they are doing away with their branded breakdown cover and that they're switching everyone over to the equivalent RAC policy.
I know the Audi cover was always run through the RAC, but they were different branded up vans and they had fantastic customer service ie the one time I've broken down they were there within 5 mins and provided a lovely 3 litre biturbo A6 to tie me over.
Anyway, they've sent me my new RAC membership card with the letter. Seems a shame to me to do away with something I find a perceived value in!
Do other Marques do branded cover or is that run of the mill AA/RAC too?
I know the Audi cover was always run through the RAC, but they were different branded up vans and they had fantastic customer service ie the one time I've broken down they were there within 5 mins and provided a lovely 3 litre biturbo A6 to tie me over.
Anyway, they've sent me my new RAC membership card with the letter. Seems a shame to me to do away with something I find a perceived value in!
Do other Marques do branded cover or is that run of the mill AA/RAC too?
If you look at the brake down statistics of most of the well known surveys you will see most other brands do not brake down nearly as often as Audi , so they don need the services of the AA or RAC nearly as often, so most people wouldn't mind who turned up.
Even the warranty is poor by comparison to other brands ! Which infers Audi do not have much confidence in their products.
In 250,000 mile of Honda ownership called them out once as a result of a flat battery due to lights left on, guy said it was rare to actually attend a Honda Brakedown , shame they do not make any desirable cars at the moment.
One of my suppliers with an A4 was told to get the car away from an Audi dealer as they didn't want An Audi breakdown vehicle or any other on the forecourt after saying they wouldn't look at his car for a week . This was the 2nd failure of the EGR in a week , and followed a visit to his usual dealer to have the problem fixed after the previous Audi assist tech had phoned the dealer told them the fault , the part number required and that he had cleaned the offending EGR and rest the fault code , the dealer refused to replace the EGR as when they plugged no fault was present !!!! Unbelievable but true . Last week they changed it after a huge row
Even the warranty is poor by comparison to other brands ! Which infers Audi do not have much confidence in their products.
In 250,000 mile of Honda ownership called them out once as a result of a flat battery due to lights left on, guy said it was rare to actually attend a Honda Brakedown , shame they do not make any desirable cars at the moment.
One of my suppliers with an A4 was told to get the car away from an Audi dealer as they didn't want An Audi breakdown vehicle or any other on the forecourt after saying they wouldn't look at his car for a week . This was the 2nd failure of the EGR in a week , and followed a visit to his usual dealer to have the problem fixed after the previous Audi assist tech had phoned the dealer told them the fault , the part number required and that he had cleaned the offending EGR and rest the fault code , the dealer refused to replace the EGR as when they plugged no fault was present !!!! Unbelievable but true . Last week they changed it after a huge row
I think warranties and the attitude thereafter of the OEM and your dealer to problems after the warranty is something to be considered if you are buying a car for the long term, as indeed is the cost of OEM routine parts and or the availability of 3rd paty parts for routine servicing
Had a look at the current basic position of car companies and was surprised that RR actually offer one off the a best,, 4 years unlimited mileage. BMW is good too at 3 years unlimited , followed up with most giving 3,4 ,or even 7 but with lots of limitations and restrictions , Audi being inn this bunch with an average offering.
Clearly not offering vans in livery etc is,all,about cost cutting and to be honest I can see the point, it's pretty. Frivolous , and I doubt they actually offered much more,than the average AA or,RAC man in a van. The service will,very much depend on the skills of,the particular man or woman for that fact who,arrives to help you.
I had an experience with a dodgy looking RAC man the other day who in a small way turned out to be a Knight of the road ,,I was,parking nose in to a kerb, I ,glanced at him in the process , he jumped out putting his lunch down knelt down and waved me on , turned out to be a car nut and a friendly guy , although visually he looked like Mike Tysson
The,Audi guy who turned up to my supplier was embarrassed when he was advised of the dealers attitude but confirmed that this was the policy . He did sort the problem in short term
Had a look at the current basic position of car companies and was surprised that RR actually offer one off the a best,, 4 years unlimited mileage. BMW is good too at 3 years unlimited , followed up with most giving 3,4 ,or even 7 but with lots of limitations and restrictions , Audi being inn this bunch with an average offering.
Clearly not offering vans in livery etc is,all,about cost cutting and to be honest I can see the point, it's pretty. Frivolous , and I doubt they actually offered much more,than the average AA or,RAC man in a van. The service will,very much depend on the skills of,the particular man or woman for that fact who,arrives to help you.
I had an experience with a dodgy looking RAC man the other day who in a small way turned out to be a Knight of the road ,,I was,parking nose in to a kerb, I ,glanced at him in the process , he jumped out putting his lunch down knelt down and waved me on , turned out to be a car nut and a friendly guy , although visually he looked like Mike Tysson
The,Audi guy who turned up to my supplier was embarrassed when he was advised of the dealers attitude but confirmed that this was the policy . He did sort the problem in short term
Edited by Chippo1 on Friday 18th April 08:30
Surely there are only so many companies that can deliver roadside assistance, AA/RAC/Greenflag etc which means manufacturer scheme are subcontracted but with different service levels. I have been lucky with breakdowns so have limited experience but at both ends of the scale. One is an Aston Martin and the other in a Chrysler. Both times in France and the provider on the day was Mondial who operated through a network of local garages and recovery services.
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