edo Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 as posted in PH. I'm getting a company car via leaseplan. I ordered 3 test drives. 2 BMW's and an Audi. Within 24 hours the bmw test drives (4 days each) where arranged by telephone, confirmed by email and letters in the post arrived a couple of days later. A 3rd BMW I decided I wanted to try was added within an hour of me requesting it. Letters confirmed spec and details of the exact cars that I was being sent (which are brand new) from BMW uk, and that I could change drop off and collection addresses. An audi dealer called after a week to offer me the A4 but with a different engine. When I said I'd really like to try the car I would order they passed it to Audi UK, from whom I am now waiting for a call... I can see this losing them a sale.. In addition, I walked into Audi basingstoke the other morning. Sat in 2 cars in the showroom, picked up a brochure walked past 2 salesmen, looked at stock outside and left - without anyone asking me if they could help... It certainly seems (as you would expect in the current climate) that BMW are making an effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Good to see they want to sell you the car. You make an intreasting point, when i go to test drive cars why do they always want to fob me off with a model im not buying for the test drive? Of course i just give them back the line that there wasting my time, but different engine, different spec its a different car! Edo, of all the cars which one do you want? Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Tone_ Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Geoff One of the law of sales is "sell what you have". I have had the same experience with both these dealers - although when I actually got in front of the BMW salesman he was arrogant as F**K and put me off so I still purchased the Audi. Ed had much luck on the Porker? Cheers Tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson_R32 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 I always seem to read bad things about Basingstoke, perhaps it's just one of those crap dealers like Bexleyheath Audi? Interestingly, after years of people criticising Audi Aftersales Departments. It now seems to have shifted onto the Sales Departments of Audi Centres. I think it's the attitude of "We'll sell the cars anyway, we don't need your business" which is a very dangerous attitude to have, this is the reason why BMW are now so desperate for Business aside from having nothing new to offer in a credit crunch obviously. This is the reason why Audi are still keeping there head above water in the current market; in the last 6 months we've had the RS6, TTS, TT Diesel, facelift A3, Tiptronic A4/A5, facelift A6 and facelift A8 and maybe the Salespeople are getting a little over confident? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Steelwind, list so far, probably in order of pref: 1. 325d SE, Prof Media, Heated Seats, Hi-fi 2. 320d M Sport, Prof Media, Logic 7, Heated Seats, Metalic 3. 123d M Sport, Nav, Logic, loads of bits 4. A4 TDI S-Line 170, B&O, DVD Nav, 19"s Any thoughts welcome - dont worry about suggesting anything else.... This IS the final list. period!!! Tone, quite a bit of interest in the Cayman - some chancers as usual, a few potential part-ex's. However, having driven it for a few laps around beford autodrome yesterday I'm thinking I may keep it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Tone_ Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Ed I dont have an "S" but I'd imagine having run a Boxster S that its a bloody marvel on a track! Its all down to money I suppose I wouldn't blame anyone for playing safe but if you don't have to shed it I wouldn't blame you for keeping it - its sucha stupendous motor. Good luck narrowing down the old company car. Cheers Tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks. Will keep you posted on the outcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 I'll get shot for this, but I'd be more interested in the 325d - due to the 6 cylinder engine above anything else (like interior), but it would be a chuffing hard choice to turn down the Audi interior. I'd have to check I could live with the BMW interior and exterior as I do not consider it a 'looker' like the A4. now, if the A4 2.7TDi was on the list.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks. I could just get into the 2.7 tdi - but it would be poverty spec, and only comes with the cvt auto. I want a manual. Also, the c02 (and thus the tax BIK) of the 2.7 are not very good. Out of my list the A4 is definately the nicer looking car. Interiors are close IMO, with the BMW 3 being less cluttered than the A4. The 123d wins on pace, the 325d on smoothness, 320d on overall package, low BIK rate (18% as 123d), and great performance and rear wheel drive of course. My fiancee presently has a 130i, so thats a negative on the 1 series (having 2 on the drive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irnbrukid Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 I always seem to read bad things about Basingstoke, perhaps it's just one of those crap dealers like Bexleyheath Audi?Interestingly, after years of people criticising Audi Aftersales Departments. It now seems to have shifted onto the Sales Departments of Audi Centres. I think it's the attitude of "We'll sell the cars anyway, we don't need your business" which is a very dangerous attitude to have, this is the reason why BMW are now so desperate for Business aside from having nothing new to offer in a credit crunch obviously. This is the reason why Audi are still keeping there head above water in the current market; in the last 6 months we've had the RS6, TTS, TT Diesel, facelift A3, Tiptronic A4/A5, facelift A6 and facelift A8 and maybe the Salespeople are getting a little over confident? Add Glasgow to the list, they are shockingly bad... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 And Norwich, 3 times I have tried to buy a car they have in stock and just not been called back. It was after spending an hour in there without being spoken to when trying to buy an allroad they had at £35k that I popped into BMW, was shown the 535d sport touring and was sold. Had 7 BMW's since then. Dad tried to buy an A8 off them, went down and discussed it with them, asked for a test drive and they couldn't let him take it out as it had been valeted and someone had asked for it as their loaner the next day, he only wanted it for an hour. They would call him that week and re arrange a test, no call. He called them, but all sales guys were busy, they would call back within the hour. No call. He called back the following week, spoke to the sales guy who was apologetic, and promised he would call back before the end of the day. No call. No sale, he bought a 730d sport. It's not just certain brands, the Merc dealer here is useless and so to are BMW now it is Coopers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Add Glasgow to the list, they are shockingly bad... Add Chingford Audi to the list! My family has not had an Audi since the 80 and first A4 ('96?), though not for trying they just cant sell cars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Oh dear, Audi dealers not doing well out of this thread. Audi - I hope you are reading this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 And Norwich, I had a shocking experience at Norwich all those years ago when i had the RS.. some light came on the dash and I was up seeing the in-laws, so i popped in for some advice... just wish i hadn't really saying that.. Truro Audi (Carr's) are absolutely first class.. run by guys (and girls) who enjoy cars and have a passion for the brand.. I know it's a long way out of the way for you guys but they are really good... I'm now on my 5 or 6th Audi.. always from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nordberg Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 as posted in PH. I'm getting a company car via leaseplan. I ordered 3 test drives. 2 BMW's and an Audi. Within 24 hours the bmw test drives (4 days each) where arranged by telephone, confirmed by email and letters in the post arrived a couple of days later. A 3rd BMW I decided I wanted to try was added within an hour of me requesting it. Letters confirmed spec and details of the exact cars that I was being sent (which are brand new) from BMW uk, and that I could change drop off and collection addresses. An audi dealer called after a week to offer me the A4 but with a different engine. When I said I'd really like to try the car I would order they passed it to Audi UK, from whom I am now waiting for a call... I can see this losing them a sale.. In addition, I walked into Audi basingstoke the other morning. Sat in 2 cars in the showroom, picked up a brochure walked past 2 salesmen, looked at stock outside and left - without anyone asking me if they could help... It certainly seems (as you would expect in the current climate) that BMW are making an effort. How did you go about ordering multi-day test drives? I've asked for these in the past and never managed to actually get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Via Leaseplan - corporate purchase so I guess it has more weight. I should add for balance that I had a great sales experience at Stratford Audi via Alistair Lee/Cunningham who posts on here (apart from thinking it was Stratford, East London!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Basingstoke Audi sales are bloody useless. I've tried my hardest to buy two cars from them in the past - like edo, got feck all response from any of the salesmen in the showroom, even though I'd called before and made an appointment to see one of the reps who was "out with a customer" when I got there and didn't come back for 20 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I've emailed a link to this thread to Basingstoke Audi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 :ha: I'm sure that'll make a load of difference to them. I think they're a bit late now - surely to hell the sales director at Basingstoke Audi (if he/she was doing his/her job properly) would be monitoring the sales guys and how they interact with prospects. Or would that be too much to ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Basingstoke Audi sales are bloody useless. I've tried my hardest to buy two cars from them in the past - like edo, got feck all response from any of the salesmen in the showroom, even though I'd called before and made an appointment to see one of the reps who was "out with a customer" when I got there and didn't come back for 20 minutes. More mindless time and money wasting that i hate from dealers. I nearly always book in advance when im serious about buying. Why do they take walk-ins or double book!? UGH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullett Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Camberley Audi - Useless, Mrs booked to see an S3 when the mk2 came out (she already has an 02 plate). Guy was there, chatted about the car, went to go for a test drive and they had a 2.0turbo thing. Drove it anyway. Would you like to place an order - no we want to drive the S3, never heard from them again. Nissan - Aldershot - Wanted to look at a 350z, on spec this time 4-5 salesmen about showing us no interest at all. Eventually cornered 1 and he was not interested, no we don't have a brochure, no mention of a test drive. Mrs B asked about what Ins group it was in and he said quite high it's X to which she replied the same as my current car then. Dealer then asked what we drove (S3 and a Mini Cooper S) he was then interested - too late pal. Alfa Romeo - At goodwood loved the look of the GT Spyder. Details were taken by Girl and local dealer will contact you, never heard from the dealer despite HQ calling me twice. Recently - Aston Martin Reading - Arrogant attitude, I booked an appointment with them and the guy had no notice of me coming did seem to want to sell me a car. Mercedes - Ascot - Wasn't interested in selling me a car. Porsche Guildford - Excellent service, promptly reply to calls and emails offered me a car to test drive very keen and full of information and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 What have you bought then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Have to say I havent bought a car from Porsche Guildford, but I bought a few spares and got some help with a few questions, and they where excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullett Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I had a GT-R on order but have now cancelled partly due to the current financial situation but mostly because I wasn't getting a delivery until 2010 Q2/Q3 and my deposit was no longer refundable after I signed the contract (end of Oct 2008). Also looking at the plummeting values of big engined cars there are some bargins for the same or less money (£55k)- Aston Vantage (see above, not that impressed by the size inside either), Massa Gran Turismo (not studied in detail), Fezza 360 (nice idea, crippling servicing and lack of practicallity can't turn up to council customers in a fezza!), Various Mercs, R8? (seem to be holding right now), XKR (too old man, pointless back seats)and currently leading the pack a 997Turbo. Have I missed anything 2+2 prefered (or that will take a baby seat) and £50k or less projected price in a year or so. Alternatively 2 cars, 1 practical and one trackday friendly (Caterham/Elise etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 2 cars (one practical and one track toy) is the answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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