A Case for Compensation?
 

Hi there,
Just wondering if anyone has experienced a low level of satisfaction with their respective service department...
I have a 2010 A5, and keep in mind, it's an awesome vehicle...but after the initial 5Km, I had the oil changed...
2 weeks later, I noticed an oil puddle; took it in, and they said that it was a 'warped gasket' on the new filter...so they changed it out, problem solved.
1 year later, I go for my 25 Km/Year maintenance (no issues at all beforehand), everything checks out (fluid levels are good, etc.) and again, 2 weeks later, I'm driving home on the highway, and boom, my heater cuts out in -25C weather...Luckily, I get to my parkade, and the Engine light goes on, "Turn off engine and check coolant level"....
After parking my car, I open up the hood, a whole bunch of smoke comes out and I manage to look at the level of the coolant container...empty...bone dry...I notice that the cap of the container wasn't properly closed...
So I made a call to the service dept., made arrangements with 24-hr Roadside Assistance (which, was quick and efficient) to tow my car back to the dealership...which the tow truck driver forcibly put the light cables under the windshield wipers, so they may be bent as well...

Man, I like the vehicle a lot, but I just don't know about the skill of their service department, or lack of it...pretty much, it's that saying, 'Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me'...first, the oil filter, now the coolant...what next after the 45Km checkup, my brakes don't work?

What would be the next step? Can/should I ask WTF is going on?


Much apprecieated,
Newbie

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

It's not likely a loose cap on the coolant reservoir would cause this. The 3.2 family of engines, including the 3.0T and the 3.0 TDI are notorious for water pump failures. Just a guess.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Thanks Clyde for the quick response, after 'googling' failed water pumps A5, there was a shwack full of posts with the same symptoms...oh well...at least it's under warranty and I made it home safely when it happened...some of the guys were stuck out there for over 3 hours...brutal...
My biggest grief is that I just had my yearly maintenance 2 weeks ago, at least they could've been 'proactive' and replaced it...

Much appreciated...

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Unfortunatley no two dealerships are created equal. Try another dealership. You are not obligated to one dealership. \

I have heard far too many complaints like yours regarding lack of customer satisfaction with dealerships. When Toyota was going through the recall scandall they bent over backwards to the customers with superior customer satisfaction. I believe some Audi dealers are just too cocky since Audi sales numbers are up. Maybe they need to be reminded that the good times come and go.

Keep us informed. Feel free to name the dealership. If they correct the problem and do a good job to your satisfaction then let us know. If on the other hand if they are not responding to your satisfaction tell us as well. This is an open public forum of enthusiasts, remind them of that.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Thanks for the tips mikeh,
And you're right, it is an open forum so I shouldn't be afraid to post the dealership...lol...
When you mentioned to go to another dealership, unfortunately the closest ones are in Calgary...the only one in Edmonton is Southgate Audi...I gave them a shout this afternoon, and they haven't gotten back to me on the status...
That was my biggest fear when thinking about buying an Audi...since they're the only ones in the city, they can/could do whatever they wanted...For the other brands (BMW, Mercedes) at least there are 2 of each so you had some options....

But I loved the car, so that took precedent....haha...

Regards,
NewbieAudi

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Oops,
Forgot to add, will keep you up on what's going on....

Lates...

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

They make a great car but rest assured you are not alone in your dealings with the dealership.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

If you want a road trip, the guys at Saskatoon audi are awesome! I didn't like the guys at glenmore audi in Calgary.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Hey Jordon,
Yeah, I heard that Saskatoon Audi is awesome as well...actually, I work with a guy who's cousin owns (or works) it there...

Just an update:
Got my vehicle back last night; I was actually surprised that I'd even get it back the same day...reading other posts, some owners had to wait days for the part to come it...I guess they had it in stock...
Anyhow, my car was dirty when it was dropped off, so I went to the car wash (usually, the dealership does it, but mind you, it is -25 right now, so I kind of expected it not to be cleaned...).
During the wash, I found some damage to the passenger side door (scratches) and rocker panel (5 cm chunck taken out), where the tow truck attached the smaller wheels to lift the car up...
Who would I have to contact to get this fixed, if anybody? I have a survey with Audi in a couple of days (to have my input on the 24hr roadside assisstance experience), do I mention it to them? Or go straight to the dealership?

Much appreciated,

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Newbie Audi,
I too have suffered at Southgate. Some of their techs have actually come over from Germany and are really good, but lots of their techs are borderline retarded. After a particularly bad experience which almost resulted in me getting killed, I threw a giant fit and said I wanted to return my car. They got pretty concerned now we have a deal where the service manager checks any work they do and test drives the car before I pick it up. I probably came off as an a**hole but at least they haven't buggered up my car lately.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Raise hell with anybody and anybody.

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Hey PS7,
Thanks for your post, I'm feeling fortunate that I didn't have to experience a near-death situation to get better service from a dealership...no one's too much of an a-hole when a life is at stake, and I like that deal that you have with the Service Manager....will keep that in mind if the service deteriorates to that level...

I forgot to mention in my previous post, Clyde was correct in his assessment that it was a faulty water pump causing the issue, not a loose coolant cap after the yearly maintenace check...thanks man...

So at the end of the day, the 24hr Roadside Assistance was good (I'm a little biased 'cause my car made it home when it happened, rather than waiting 4hrs out in the cold), the repairs to my vehicle was a day (so they had the parts in stock), they did repair the windshield wiper blade when the tow truck tucked in the cables from the magnetic tail lights.

I just received an email from the dealership about the transportation damage; they're figuring out a solution right now and will get back to me asap...

Would all of this could have been avoided if Audi knew about the water pump failure was consistent among the 3.2 family engines and they were proactive in the maintenace check?...probably...

Will keep you updated...

Lates,

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Read through this thread on faulty water pump for the 3.2.

https://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7/59158...mp-recall.html

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Well, I guess that answers my question...lol...thanks mikeh for the link...it was a good read...
Man, that p$$$es me off that they couldn't be somewhat thorough to check the water pump when they had my car in for servicing...5-15 minutes to do a quick look would've saved sooo much headache...

Should've taken your advice mikeh and driven the car 'til the block cracked....lol....but then I'm pretty much hooped for 2 months or so 'til a new vehicle arrives...haha....

Quick question, I was looking in the forums and there isn't one specifically for the A5/S5, so I don't know if I would've found the link for the Q5 Water Pump Recall...will there be a A5/S5 forum created in the near future?

Much appreciated,

Re: A Case for Compensation?
 

Good question......will have to create one for the A5/S5 since a good number of you are out there. Reason for not having a specific R8 section is the numbers.