S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 So I picked up my S3 today from a certain Audi dealership in North London, (just between Barnet and Finchley), where I purchased it 3 months ago as it was having some warranty work carried out on it after a decrease in performance and a diagnostic check by AMD 3 weeks ago as I did not trust Audi to tell the whole truth. Turns out my faulty MAF was actually a faulty timing chain tensioner and Audi's solution was to clear the ECU a few times and tell me that the mechanical fault might not come back as it was sporadic, right then!?! Anyway, after battling with the service department for some-time, they agreed to carry out the work under the warranty, £900 worth, so I gently mentioned the fact that the nearside heated glass isn't working and the drivers door lock thinks it is always open. To my surprise they agreed to do all of this under the warranty except the cost of the mirror glass, so I thought....Why not. I usually like to do minor delicate work myself as in the past technicians have always managed to destroy my interiors or break other components in the process of fixing a minor part and I've been tinkering with cars since I was knee-high. What a fool I was to think that this time would be any different! I've acquired a two inch scratch up along the inside of the black door frame where they have taken off my panel and I'm fuming! In the first week of owning the vehicle, it went in to have a pin-dent in the bonnet fixed which turned out great, only downside is I inherited a new one on the wing. I decided to overlook this as a kind-of trade off, large for small, but then today!!! Far enough, went back in and complained, "Can't see how that has happened"......I know every little nick and scrape on that car and give it a once over every couple of days if I can, so the patronising is getting me madder. After Audi questioning the tech, "Do you remember any scratches there?", of course they bloody don't, they wouldn't would they!!! Finally they agree to repair the scratch by calling in the body shop guy they use, my concern is that it is in such a delicate area, it will look $h1te, and they're gonna cover my interior and windows in black paint, (had that done before). I know that I'm fussy, imperfections bother me, I do all my stone chips myself because I don't trust anyone else, (chips away guy damaged my windscreen seal with "solution" as they call it. I think you mean cellulose thinners and no! stop!, you're not supposed to put it on rubb......oh dear to late!) Also I was a graphic designer and now a TV editor so I notice everything. Anyway, I know there are alot of good body repair people out there, but I've yet to find one. I believe Audi should fix this but I don't want to sacrifice the rest of the car to prove a point. What would you guys do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 You're not being pedantic imho! Dealers sometimes need a kick up the backside! As S3 is an expensive car mate, you deserve to have it to be as perfect as you wish! Just remember to do my tactic when complaining: ALWAYS complain in the main sales area and NEVER go into an office for a chat. They tend to be more attentive if potential customers are listening to your rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h5djr Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 I don't think you can expect everything to be 'perfect' when you are buying a second-hand car but anything that was not there when you agreed to buy the car, or anything that they agreed to fix as part of the sale should be done and done properly. One thing to remember that when you are buying a second hand car you are not buying from Audi but from the dealer. Audi themselves will not be interested unless it's a warranty item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 I've owned the car for about three months now and expected the condition to be that of a second hand car, stone chips n' all. My point is that the car went into the dealership today for warranty work, in better condition than I bought it due to the copious quantity of elbow grease I have put into it, only to discover some cack-handed tech with a screwdriver has gouged out my door frame. Just don't know whether to let them fix it for free and run the risk of more damage or use a recommended repair shop and pay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 Who do you edit for Envy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 Endemol UK......yes I know, we make Big Brother that plagues your televisions 15 weeks out of they year. Shoot me now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Endemol UK......yes I know, we make Big Brother that plagues your televisions 15 weeks out of they year. Shoot me now! [/ QUOTE ] That's cool man, i am a Big Brother fan no i'm not gay pussy all the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 I used to quite like B until I worked here. When it airs all you can hear throughout the building is BB, it's on the reception plasmas and if youy can't see it, everyones talking about it! They edit on location in Borehamwood though, would be convenient for me in Potters Bar but I'm based at HQ in sunny Shepherds Bush, North Circular every-damn-day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 Cheers Stevie, I made sure that there was ample volume when chatting to the staff. I always end up talking to this one service guy who is obviously reasonably knowledgable, but when the car had it's diagnostics check he really tried to beat me down and blind me with science. Shut-up pretty quick when I told him I have an honours in physics, makes me wonder how many poor folk get charged bucket loads of cash just because the staff bull5h1t! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexf Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 Is it on the frame or the main panel and is your paint metalic or flat paint and has the scratch actually gone to the primer or the metal? Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillihead Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 Hey you are in TV, you therefore have access to many "Watchdog" type progs, a name drop here and there does no harm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 It's on the frame, tucked away in the door shut but when I open the door I know it's there. Here's a photo so you can see what I'm grumbling about...... As for the watchdog comment.....? It has gone through my mind in the past with other companies, it's a shame to deal such a dirty hand just yet. The sales guy who sold me the car from is always happy to help if I have a problem, and does his best to rectify it, seems honest. It's the service dept I've got issue with, practically shouting at an old-boy today about something. After the tensioner change the car does feel great, power's back, technician is obviously good, just not careful with my door. If my car isn't A-ok when it's been sprayed, maybe watchdog will be the way. You can all air any rants you guys have concerning certain services and I'll twist my company's arm to commission a show, they're alway scouting for new formats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 To be honest. Is it worth the hassle and heart ache. IMO no. Its a tiny scratch on a part of the car that neither you nor anyone else will really ever see. I'm not trying to be funny but yout post starts am I being pedantic and I would caution to say yes. The garage or someone may have knocked it, but it looks like a strong bit of t-cuting will get most of that scratch off, and it will be a lot less hassle for you and a lot less pain. Now breath out, relax and just enjoy the rest of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 ENVY, i know it sucks, but like car mad said, is it really worth the hassle. Get one of those new thin 'Audi' touch up sticks from Halfords, that will disguise that perfectly. Give the garage a b*llocking and deal with the damage yourself. PS: Think how i feel, i'm still locked in a court battle with a couple of builder fuks, who peppered my car with hot sparks from an angle grinder!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeDesmo Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 My opinion FWIW is I would insist that the dealer replaced or repaired the door. First I would ask them nice and politely but if neccessary I'd go in and make a real stink in front of as many customers as possible. If that still didn't work I'd contact Audi UK and if that failed I'd burn the place down (OK the burning down bit is a joke!) I had a few issues, in the past, with a BMW dealer over warranty work, and found that they usually respond to a polite but firm request but when, on one occasion, that failed a letter to BMW UK brought about a complete transformation in attitude. That said I have an ongoing issue over tyre wear with a particularly patronising (they all do that sir!) service 'assistant' at my local Audi dealer that is still ongoing and that once (if) I can be certain that they are feeding me will be adressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h5djr Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 All Audi UK would do, particularly as it's a second-hand car, is to say it's between you and the dealer. I think the best that you will get as far as the door scratch is concerned is for either you or the dealer to touch it up. You will probably make a better job yourself as it's your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 [ QUOTE ] All Audi UK would do, particularly as it's a second-hand car, is to say it's between you and the dealer. [/ QUOTE ] not nescesarily, if a dealer is acting out of line, they can and often do get involved and put pressure on them. Customer satisfaction is a big deal for Audi UK, second hand or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomk Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 they should def sort that scratch out thats awful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Thanks for your input guys. As it stands, the car is going back to HR Owen on Thursday for the bodyshop guy to touch up. I figure the least they can do is attempt a decent repair. I wouldn't be so annoyed about it but the attitude from the service staff made me exponentially mad. Am I right in assuming that the top section of the door frame can be removed if necessary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Yeah LeMan, know what you're saying. Feel for you with that court case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomk Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 i would def ask for compensation for your time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Really? What do you think they're likely to give me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Really? What do you think they're likely to give me? [/ QUOTE ] a cup of manky coffee in a plastic cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h5djr Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 I bought a second-hand A3 1.8T in Silver from H R Owen a few years ago and it had some damage to the near-side rear bumper. They repaired it before I collected the car and made an excellent job of it, so hopefully they will do a good job on yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3ENVY Posted September 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Yeah, saying that......when I test-drove the car it had a few cuts to the top of the bumper which they repaired before I collected it. Did a very good job too so hopefully it will be the same spray guy. Just concerned about the positioning of the scratch. It's deep right down to the metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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