GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: remlapeel on 31 March 2015, 23:26
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As I was struggling to source the R I wanted I have spent the day test driving other cars to find something to fill the gap my golf would leave.
First popped to the Audi garage to tryout an S3.....nothing except a 1.6d A3 available, had a blast and not a bad little car, but the interior is a bit clunky and looks a bit cheap, although build quality is excellent.
Next onto the Merc garage to try out a A45 AMG. This I was looking forward to, being a AWD 360bhp hatchback.
Turns out it's not very good.....extremely disappointed. The exhaust note is beautiful being an AMG but the throttle response is poor. More like a nothing/everything peddle. 0-60 is quick but cruising pickup didn't seem to feel even as quick as a GTI.
Now a random car at the wife request. Jag XF. Test drove 2 cars from Jag a 2.2d and a 3.0l v6 diesel. I must say both excellent cars and outstanding kit included, just a shame in not 50, because I felt like I was in my dads car.
So, I now have a golf R in order and will be with my youthful loutish self in 2-3 weeks.
Anyone else try anything before opting for their GTD/GTI/R?
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Walked into the Audi & BMW dealers right next to the VW one and was totally ignored in both, I drive a 3 series at the moment so it wasn't as if I was driving in with some cheap French car and couldn't really afford anything they had on offer.
Needless to say VW got my business as I wasn't interested in any other make.
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have to admit I am looking forward to getting my hands on a RS3 demo, in order to avoid the dealer bs, the salesman who has sold me all the VWs (now alas at Skoda) forwarded my details to his Audi contact and doors opened
People naively think dealers have S3 etc lying around on fleet, normally they have them in group and can arrange if big enough and serious enough
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As I was struggling to source the R I wanted I have spent the day test driving other cars to find something to fill the gap my golf would leave.
First popped to the Audi garage to tryout an S3.....nothing except a 1.6d A3 available, had a blast and not a bad little car, but the interior is a bit clunky and looks a bit cheap, although build quality is excellent.
Next onto the Merc garage to try out a A45 AMG. This I was looking forward to, being a AWD 360bhp hatchback.
Turns out it's not very good.....extremely disappointed. The exhaust note is beautiful being an AMG but the throttle response is poor. More like a nothing/everything peddle. 0-60 is quick but cruising pickup didn't seem to feel even as quick as a GTI.
Now a random car at the wife request. Jag XF. Test drove 2 cars from Jag a 2.2d and a 3.0l v6 diesel. I must say both excellent cars and outstanding kit included, just a shame in not 50, because I felt like I was in my dads car.
So, I now have a golf R in order and will be with my youthful loutish self in 2-3 weeks.
Anyone else try anything before opting for their GTD/GTI/R?
Hey I am 52 :smiley:
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When I was looking 18 months ago to replace my Scirocco, I tried a few different dealerships and marques, and here were my findings.
Audi
Looked at A3 Sportback S-Line - Totally apathy from the Audi dealers, completely ignored me on 3 separate visits to 3 dealers. When I did get to speak to a sales person, it seems I knew more about the car than he did (wouldn't have been hard really), and when he asked what I was currently driving, said "oh, a VW, you know most people start with a VW and then aspire to a Audi you know, after all Audi is all about quality, and VW is sort of....entry level". When I explained that 80% of the engine, electrical and running gear parts were sourced from Wolfsburg, he was in total denial and said all parts on an Audi were 100% designed for an Audi and not shared with VW, Skoda or Seat - which he all rated as entry level - yeah right - dream on my friend.
Offered the worst trade in price and the smallest discount off list. If I never set foot inside a UK Audi dealership in my life it will be too soon. Shame, as I really liked the A3.
Mercedes Benz
Looked at the then new A class. TBH, the dealer was pretty good and very knowledgeable. Came over straight away and offered me a test drive within 10 minutes. Average trade in price, and not enough discount but much better than Audi, and to be honest the whole experience was a lesson to Audi in customer service. Unfortunately I just didn't like the A class (as much as I wanted to), and the playstation add on screen on the dash, and the clunky C Pillars and poor rear visibility just didn't do it for me.
BMW
Went in to look at the 3 series and 1 series Coupe (now the 2 series). Pretty good experience overall, quite knowledgeable about their products, and plenty of choices on display and in the forecourt (one of the larger UK BMW dealers). Quite liked the 1 series but knew that a brand new 1 series would be coming along in 2015 (which it has), and the 3 series was also due a major refresh. Trouble with both was at first compared to the opposition, they looked quite good value. However, once you start adding the toys that come as standard on other models, the prices start to climb worryingly.
Offered equal best trade in price (with VW), and a substantial discount off list, but still (for my spec) just too expensive. Once thing though, they said they could get a factory build with what ever options I wanted in 6-8 weeks from order. I think now the line has been refreshed, BMW might be a serious contender for me next time (sorry guys).
VW
Bit unfair to compare this one as I know the dealership well (having purchased 6 VW's from them before). TBH, it was a bit of a standing joke with the salesman that I knew more than him, so he never tried to "sell" me the car. Good trade in price, and even though the GTD had just been launched in the UK (March 2013), still secured a decent discount, and also got a fixed trade in price for the Scirocco (which I purchased from them).
That was the good part, now the bad, such was VW UK's incompetence, that upon selecting my options for the GTD and having it all entered nicely in the computer and accepted, I was contacted 5 weeks later to say there had been a screw up on the configurations and some options were not available on the GTD and had to be removed, and the car had then gone in again as a new build. At this point, both I and the dealer had no real idea as to the price of the car, as VW UK, were still finalising prices and options ! In comparison to BMW's promise of 6-8 weeks, I was quoted initially 15-16 weeks for the GTD which turned into 23 weeks - for a bloody Golf ! VW customer services (or rather non customer services) got involved, but it still didn't change the fact that that despite ordering 1st week March, it was delivered last week in September.
As I seen recent posts (from MH amongst others) that seems to indicate VW UK are still up to their old tricks with monstrous delivery times to the UK, I seriously doubt if my next car is a new factory build it will be a VW. As I said most likely a BMW. VW, great cars, let down by abysmal UK agent and absurd delivery times (especially considering that the UK is one of VW's biggest European markets).
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Sootchucker:
Your experiences almost completely mirror my own:-
Audi Garage: Looked into the S3 after the GFVs on the R fell £3k. The Audi salesman was polite but condescending, in a sleazeball American Lawyer you see on TV kind of way. The Audi is a whole new driving experience apparently, the S3 is the best car you can get under £50k etc, and will be far better than an R (I told him I had considered the R, hadn't told him I already had one on order). I put it to him that asides the Aluminium doors (which felt very light on their hinges) and interior changes, the car is essentially the same as the R but with leather seats in lieu of equipment. He pretty much told me I didn't know what I was on about (in a nice way). I asked about GFVs and his attitude was pretty much "if you have to ask then you can't afford it". I put it to him that the main reason for going German was residuals and that I didn't mind paying more to see more back at p/x time. Very reluctant to talk more than 3% discount and a crap p/x offered on the GTD. Although the materials used are of a slightly higher quality than the MK7, there is almost nothing in it these days, and the uncluttered interior looks too uncluttered, spartan even.
BMW Garage: A short while ago, when predicted BW for my R started getting ridiculous, I looked into a BMW 335D X-drive, considering the 24.5% broker discounts available.
Spoke to the used car sales manager as I knew the new sales didn't have anything close to a 335D to test drive, but they had a 330D used. Nice car, bigger than I need, softish ride though, had similar grunt to my DTUK'd GTD (which has around 240ps), the 335D would be even quicker. The BMW lot are a great bunch, no pretentions. They know their place now - they make great cars quickly, but going in heavy on fleet has given the retail side a real kicking without heavy discount...and they know it. I liked their honesty, and if the handling was likely to be a lot sharper than reality I would probably go for one.
Merc: TBH, never considered them, my mate has an A200 CDI and it has an interior quality on a par with a Seat Leon (last gen) and a very crashy ride. I'm sure most of the trading is on the badge and not the car itself.
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I have to agree with Sootchuckers comments about VW's long delivery times but overall I can look past that as the product always hits the spot :smiley:
I have looked at other manufacturers products Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz but always walked away as there is something which drives me back to VW every time.
I think with Audi it is the dealer staff. Cars are great and interior is different class but if the level of arrogance and incompetence is a sign of things to come with ownership it's time to walk away. I did have an A3 and probably got away with it. Car was great but each trip to the dealer was a distinctly unpleasant experience !!
BMW:
Like the cars from a distance but it all goes pear shaped when you get up close. Seriously the inside of a 1 series and 3 series is like a reverse tardis. They are so cramped. Add in the cost when you spec them up to VW standard levels and it gets quite frightening. Add in the arrogant sales people ( it must be a certain company thing as the BMW and Audi dealer in my area are both the same group) and it becomes a "No" from me !!
Mercedes Benz:
Salesman I had a chat with to be fair was brilliant. Knew his product very well and offered a test drive within 5 minutes........
Next !! C Class I went out in although it drove very well the interior was very cheap poor quality plastics that I couldn't live with for much longer than the test drive. Shame really as there is definitely a Mercedes Benz in me fighting to get out :cry:
So back to VW. It's like putting on your favourite shirt. Coming home to your own bed when you have been away. It fits and that's why for all the steam and piss that happens between ordering and taking delivery I can't see anything other than Volkswagen No:7 sitting in my garage in 3 years time :grin:
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Exact same experiences above as regards Audi dealers. Their sales people are arrogant condesending twits but here in Scotland they know they can get away with it as all the dealerships in the west of the country are owned by the same company. You do get the feeling that they judge you as soon as you walk through the doors and have already made up their mind whether they are even going to bother speaking to you. Heaven help you if you start asking about potential discounts. I was almost dismissed out of hand immediately and basically told by them that i couldn't afford this car (TT). Very next day they phone me and ask me to come in and discuss the car as if the day before conversation hadn't even taken place.
And yet, after saying all of this, if they were decent sales people, im afraid to say it would be Audi every time for me over VW. Call it badge snobbery or whatever but my own personal view is that Audi is a class above VW as is BMW and Merc.
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JB GTI: Aye, there's a hell of a pull back to VW for me. I was not a fan of the MK6, but the Scirocco pulled me in a different direction, and the MK7 has pulled me back again, everything about it is great except the wait and the thickness of the bodywork - I would've happily lived with the car being 23kg heavier to feel a bit more solid (I haven't had any dings yet, but I park like Sheldon Cooper would if he drove - park on the end of a row to halve the possibility of getting someone else clattering me with their door, park well away from everything else, try to park next to something not only more expensive than mine, but looks like it would have been privately bought rather than a company car etc.).
The product is good (hope we never have another MK3 moment), the equipment is generous (for a German car), the high RRP is countered by generous discount availability and decent residuals, and it is a respected car on the road - people will actually slow to let you out of a sideroad, but they generally won't do that for Audi drivers. :grin:
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And yet, after saying all of this, if they were decent sales people, im afraid to say it would be Audi every time for me over VW. Call it badge snobbery or whatever but my own personal view is that Audi is a class above VW as is BMW and Merc.
I do have to disagree with badge holdings there (but that's what makes a good debate!), BMW have cheapened themselves recently by becoming the new Mondeo repmobile (they still make good cars, but everyone has one as a company car or privately bought 1 series), Merc build quality/refinement is quite poor below E class these days. Audi is on top out of the 4 marques, but for me the gap is the smallest it has ever been, VWs aren't cheap any more (look at the price differences between the S3 and R, about £700 in it, and the S3 gets leather in lieu of £2700-worth of equipment on the R), their interiors have surpassed Merc, matched BMW and are almost there with Audi.
There has been a lot of meeting in the middle IMO between the 4 marques, the Audi has just about held it's head above the crowd. The VW range has a few bum cars - the Beetle and Touran, but the Golf and Tiguan are very well respected.
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What's more telling in the responses so far is that all Marques mentioned are German.
To be honest, I did (for a brief moment also consider a Focus ST3, but I didn't even test drive it. As I'm not from the playstation generation, the dash looked like a cluttered mess with buttons everywhere, and I knew after sitting in it for 3 minutes that no matter how good it was (and to be fair it's probably an excellent car), I knew I couldn't live with that interior (especially as the interior is where you will be spending most of your time).
After having a few French cars for the wife before our VW days, all plagued with issues, there was nothing in the Golf size from Peugeot, Citroen or Renault that shook my tree so they were out.
Quite liked the Range Rover Evoke, but a quick look at the price list ruled that one out.
Did actually have a new shape Astra for a week as a company car a short while ago. Liked the interior although like the Focus, just a few too many buttons, and to be honest it drove very well. The only thing that put me off was reliability. I have at least 3 friends with Vauxhalls, and all 3 have had their cars back in multiple times for problems, some of which are still not sorted, then of course there's the image. Sorry to say, but if it's the choice of driving a VW or a Vauxhall for similar money, the VW would win everytime !
Am I a badge snob, probably :grin:
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Drove and looked at quite a few cars before I got my GTI and the missus got her GTD. Totally agree with everyone's experience of Audi dealers, really think that they're selling Ferrari's - one particular salesman tried to tell me that the A3 2.0 TDI S-Line that we test drove was quicker and far superior than my (then) brand new Mk7 GTI - I of course took the bait, and hit him with a load of stats etc - he soon stfu. Utter t0ssers. And whilst the interior of an A3 is very nice, the car itself (and the petrol version) was dull to drive. I haven't driven an S3 to be fair though.
BMW, totally different experience - drove a 125d and a M135i - both great cars, but just too samey looking for me. Dealers were really good though, and knowledgable.
VW - whilst going for the R, I had mixed experiences of their dealerships - but the one I bought from was great.
Seat - also drove the new Leon FR, that was very nice but just a cheap Golf at the end of the day, and the interior shows. Nice motor though, drove really well.
In summary, I'd only buy an Audi if I could spend as little time as possible with the dealer. The new TT interests me as the interior is lovely, but I'm yet to drive one. For me, the best dealer experience is at BMW (based on my experience over the years), and their cars, although 'fleet minded' as has been pointed out, are great to drive, and the interior is a step up. But I'm still over the moon with the R, IMO nothing comes near it for the money & over package - and the same goes for the GTI and GTD - compare the same cars in all their classes and its a VW win for me.
PS. I wouldn't consider a Focus ST/RS cause I'm not a chav, and I'd rather chew my own arm off than drive a French car :laugh:
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When I was looking to trade in my MK5 GT TDI, I decided I didn't want anything less than a VW, From VW Audi, MB and BMW,
Ideally cost wise, I wanted a VW, good quality for not that much money.
VW:- I went back to the dealer I got my Golf from, Breeze in Poole, spoke with the salesman I dealt with then, and he tried to get me into a 12 plate Passat, can't remember the price, it had 46k on it, but wasn't as well spec'd as my Golf, I didn't really want to downgrade on equipment as such, took a test drive anyway, we went around the block, literally a mile, most sitting in Bank Holiday traffic stop start, wasn't that Impressed. Then it came to money, they offered me £1500 for my Golf, FVWSH, admittedly it had 164k on it, I kindly told them their offer wasn't want I was after, we shook hands and walked away..I had 3 missed calls on my phone in a hour, pestering me to come in and reconsider, they never upped there offer on px..quite pushy towards the end
BMW:- Was ignored for the 30mins I was there, it wasn't even busy, sat in a few 3s and 1s...walked out
Mercedes:- now I walked in here at 15:50 on Sunday before August Bank Hols, but didn't realise the time, yet I was still shown around the car, and offered a test drive on a C class, liked the car, so the salesman advised me to come back the next day to talk figures. It was at this point I realised the time. I had excellent service at MB, wouldn't hesitate to go back, they offered me 2700 for my Golf, which was an excellent offer, ended up not getting the car, as the wife couldn't get insured on the car, as she had only passed her test 4mths before.
Audi:- went in on the thursday after August Bank Holiday, I expected much of the same as BMW if I'm honest, I've always liked the A4 B8, ever since I had a drive in my Transport managers a few mths before, anyways, I had a look about, was there about 15-20mins browsing, but seen a salesman eyeing me up, he came out, asked if I was ok, told him what I wanted, could afford, and what px I had and what I had been offered at MB. Spent about 2hours with the guy, he got an 2010 A4 that he had just took in as a px, which he had sold to the previous owner 3 yrs before, I looked at the car, noticed a few blemishes which he confirmed would be sorted before I took delivery, took the car for a decent test drive, about 30-35 miles or so, spoke figures, offered me 2500 for the Golf, and took £200 off the purchase price of the Audi, to get the same deal as MB. Drove away in it the following Saturday, I've had a few issues with the car in the last few months, but it's all been sorted quickly and efficiently, sounds like they must be the only decent Audi dealership lol...for your records...Poole Audi...
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Always do my due diligence its part of the fun of getting a new car as well as assuring that hopefully you do not have to live with something you grow to dislike over next few years.
Had 3 door Audi A3 S line previously and obviously looked at Audi again but my test drive in the new Audi Sportsback pretty much convinced me straight away that would be more open to other models (wanted 5 door) as does look more estate in that guise and the new interior never really grabbed me.
BMW was next and not a test drive here as pretty much disliked them completely in style and interior as had the full showroom walk around and sit. (Quite like the look of new 1 series from what seen from images so will go and have a look next time around at least)
Mercedes was same as above in that was ok with the exterior style but inside?! awful media unit and such narrow windows and views, just felt nasty and claustrophobic
Walked in and out of Lexus as again nothing grabbed me and actually did look at Ford and those interiors?!
This was about time that MK7 was being released and to that point had not really considered a Golf but it was love at first sight in 5 door form as retained the hatchback shape so well.
Trouble was there was no GTi/GTD available to test drive just standard but loved the ride and feel but was little underwhelmed by interior and performance in base model (as would expect) but based on specification and this forum took the decision based on how underwhelmed was by other makes that would take a punt with thinking that could not be worse.
So mine was a half informed selection more by elimination at time than the MK7 turning my head.
Think test drives are essential if get beyond actually liking the car in showroom, as looks are not enough the drive and ride is more important.
Next time around will be easier as expect to be able to get myself a test drive in an S3 and an R which unless the new I series BMW wholly surprises me is the choice between. (looking 3 door next time as be more for personal use than family next time out)
The new Type R will be out by then but think too overstated for me so one way or another it will be German Tech be driving around in.
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Sootchucker: Always looking at a German car? For me, yes. I like getting value for money when i'm willing to drop £400-450 a month on a car. The Germans provide that in spades with their high RRP, high residuals, low (relative to the car on offer) monthly costs. If I was set on a car with poor depreciation because I liked it that much, i'd be buying a nearly new one where someone has taken the hit.
German cars might not be able to sell themselves on impeccable reliability any more, but they still feel like they're built like a tank, are generally modestly handsome long-term (they age well), well equipped on the safety front, economical relative to their output etc. For me they are the whole package.
If I threw all that out of the window, there's not a lot else out there to tempt me. Not interested in offroaders or faux-by-faux, something Fiesta/Polo sized is just a little too small as an every day car for a (currently) one car family, and for similar reasons, something like an Audi TT (or non-German coupe) is just a little impractical for the headroom in the back.
The Golf does everything. If I won the lottery, i'd probably have a Lambo/High end 911 for the seriously fun stuff and an Audi RS6 as my "sensible" car. I guess i'm just drawn to German cars.
The only non German metal that comes close to my desires would be a nearly new Jag (because to buy new would see too much lost in the residuals - the practical/tightarse coming out in me again! :whistle:).
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My experience is pretty much the same as above:
Audi: I drove up to the gate and was greeted with "Do you have an appointment Sir" When I said no I was wanting to look at cars for sale it was a reluctant, Ok park over there. When I walked into the showroom I stood about looking at cars for ages and not a soul approached. Eventually I had to go to the desk and was greeted with "If you haven't made an appointment I doubt anyone will see you but I'll try". 30 minutes later I got someone who just couldn't be bothered. Gave me some figures, said a discount was highly unlikely unless I was ordering anything from an A4 and above. He actually said to me after looking about to see if the coast was clear, "Try online or another garage" I came out really deflated.
Seat: The salesman was about 17. No harm to him but he seemed more interested in my 18year old daughter that I'd taken along. I was interested in the Leon Cupra's that had been advertised that were pre registered. He knew absolutely nothing about them. Wasn't sure what colours were available or if the dealer would actually be able to get me one. Given that my Golf Mk6 was quickly coming to an end of its PCP I was desperate to change and would have plumped for one of them but the apathy was unbelievable. Walked out of there speechless. He did promise to phone me as he thought they were getting one in but alas no phone call.
VW: Went straight there from Seat and it was totally different. I took along a few quotes I had from Carwow and it was like flies round sh!t, all trying to get me a decent deal but it was another Mk6 albeit the GTD they were trying for but I wanted specific extras which none of the sell out models were showing but they were desperate for a sale. They phoned me 2 months later to see if I had found anything. Obviously really desperate at this point.
Mini: Not a bad service from them. although I took my Mrs along to this one (the only one I took her to) and the sales person was a very attractive middle aged female. In fact most of the sales folk there were female. Needless to say she was given me the usual salesperson patter, making me feel special and getting a great deal etc. I could feel my Mrs wasn't happy at all :tongue: I came away from there feeling "Special" :grin: even although it was pricey.
My downfall was taking the Mrs as before hand when the sales folk were throwing figures about like £420 a month I wouldn't bat an eye but given her car was only costing £140 or something a month, I'd just let her in to my world for a split second. School boy error. :laugh:
I ended up getting my best deal by phone. Phoning Dundee Audi and doing the deal that way.
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P3asa: Seat apathy? Me too.
They're like Audi dealers, but with the chip on their shoulder for not actually being anything pertaining to semi-prestigious.
When I was looking to get shot of my MK5 Golf that Benfield had repaired to an awful standard following being clattered by a bus, I was drawn to the Seat Leon Cupra. So there I am in a £19k Golf 170TDI, looking to get a test drive in a £19500 Cupra and the salesman at the Seat dealership on Scotswood Road, Newcastle looked at me as if I had turned up in a £200 scrapper looking for a test drive in an Audi R8 just for kicks.
He wanted me to place a deposit before I even had a test drive, to enable to to take a test drive. When I pointed out that my car was only 2% cheaper than the car he was selling, I said I was not prepared to commit to putting a deposit down on a car I hadn't driven. I had a sit in the car, ergonomically fine, but fully of scratch-magnet silver painted plastic pieces all over the dash and trim. Still wasn't getting a test drive... so I said to the fella "it was between this and a VW Scirocco, I guess i'll be off to the VW garage, i'll get a test drive from them".
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I can understand some dealers might get plagued with test drive requests from folk that have absolutely no intention of buying the car and it must take up a lot of the salespersons time but that's shocking. A deposit for any test drive is way out of line especially for a Seat.
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Interesting that there's seems to be a recurring theme going on here concerning Audi (Poole Audi except it would seem :laugh:).
Really don't know what it is about them and their superiority complex - do Audi UK actually train them that way or only employ total tw*ts ?
Honestly, I have nothing against Audi, and really like the A3, A4 and absolutely love the A5, and quite liked the thought of an Audi on the drive, but the dealers........wow.. I thought it was just me until I read this. Such a shame as like I say, they are an excellent car and some superb styling, just let down by UK dealers.
Actually had a giggle with one Audi salesperson who was trying to convince me that VW, Skoda and Seat were all pretty similar (i.e. entry level) within the VAG group and that Audi sat quite a long way away at the top of the tree. After pondering this for a moment, I said "wow, I never knew that Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche were all inferior to Audi" - he went bright red and just walked off, my wife who was with me at the time pi55ed herself laughing :grin:
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On the other hand I've found the service from Audi to be above everyone else. Craig will disagree with me here :laugh:
You drive to the gate, and the guy at the entrance asks why you are there. He then radios down to the showroom and asks you to drive down.
2 guys come out from the showroom one takes pictures around the car especially the wheels then parks it.
When you go in the showroom the receptionist knows who you are and tells you who will be dealing with you then sits you down with a drink of your choice.
I know its only small touches but 'll gladly pay more for my car to be looked after this way.
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My experience...
Have had Vauxhall and Ford's for the last 20 years as company cars. Didn't want another, especially as it seems neither want to play in the fleet market any more so have fleet lease costs far above pretty much any others - unlike their origins which is why I used to have them. They also both focus on selling things other than mid sized cars now. Its all tiny shopping trollies or people carriers.
Wouldn't touch a French car if you paid me and besides, their residuals make for bad fleet lease prices.
Wanted something German, never had a German car, thought it was about time and all the German makes have good residuals, which makes fleet leasing a good thing.
Looked at Volvo, nice enough salesman, horrible car. Didn't even bother driving it.
Looked at BMW, decided I needed either an estate or hatchback, hated the 1 series from day one, didn't feel I was old enough to drive a BMW estate (I am 47!).
Went to Audi... was treated like something nasty the salesman had stepped in. He told me all sorts of crap about the car, most of which wasn't true. Eventually test drove a A3 s-line (they didn't want to do this but I pushed really hard), I expected it to be amazing, it was the blandest thing I have ever driven. Went home, used the configurator to build my spec, discovered I couldn't afford it. Coupled together, decided to avoid Audi forever.
Went to Merc: really, really, really nice salesman. Offered me test drives but after looking at the cars in the showroom felt once again that it was the last thing I would ever want for about another 20 years, probably not even then. A class a bit cramped I thought.
Running out of ideas, I went to VW. Nice people in the dealer, happy to sort me out a test drive. Drove a GTD DSG, liked the interior - well, it wasn't so much liked as much as "that will do". Price was right, lease costs good and cheap. Got a lot of car for a little cost. It came with most of the things I wanted as standard, the extras were really optional, but I had some anyway just, well, because.
So, VW were by no means top of my list, but they seemed aligned with my idea of what a car should be and clearly i fit the demographic of their customer base too - I am a middle aged, middle income middle manager with a family and a dog. I'm not rich, don't speak with a posh accent, wasn't wearing a suit when I turned up at the dealer.
The weird thing you discover when you do this exercise is that you start with believing that there are hundreds of cars to choose from. Quickly that becomes a list of about 5 and then its down to dealer attitudes and manufacturer decisions about market segmentation that narrows that to a choice of one or two.
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On the other hand I've found the service from Audi to be above everyone else. Craig will disagree with me here :laugh:
You drive to the gate, and the guy at the entrance asks why you are there. He then radios down to the showroom and asks you to drive down.
2 guys come out from the showroom one takes pictures around the car especially the wheels then parks it.
When you go in the showroom the receptionist knows who you are and tells you who will be dealing with you then sits you down with a drink of your choice.
I know its only small touches but 'll gladly pay more for my car to be looked after this way.
I totally agree with you re servicing p3asa. It's very proferssional and as you said the chap at the front greets you and then your invited in for a coffee. It has that nice premium feel to it. It's just the sales team who are a bunch of knobs.
I remember going to collect my brand new TT which for me was a huge deal because I'd long lustered over a TT. At the time I could only afford a vanilla TT with no options at all. The salesman managed to find me a cancelled one that fitted what i wanted perfectly and was on its way over from Hungary.(I think thats where they made the TT).
On the day we sat down and went through all the paperwork and the handover which was fine. I must admit I was then expecting a nice reveal with the car under a cover sitting in the showroom. Instead, the guy just says wait here for a few minutes. He then disappears round the back and pulls up at the front in the car. There you go, now see you later was basically the attitude. I was bit dissapointed to say the least. Still, I loved owning that car.
In all fairness the collection of the GTI was fairly similar in that it was just parked out the back. I suspect however they didn't bring it into the showroom as i asked them not to touch it re washing so it was not the cleanest :grin: :grin:
Another wee story. I went with the girlfriend a number of years ago to the mini dealership as she was interested in buying a mini cooper S. They had one brand new in stock at the time, however said that they couldn't offer a test drive as they hadn't been PDI. They would however give us a test drive in a normal mini just to get a feel for it. Now the girlfriend was totally taken with this car and loved everything about it so we expressed a very keen interest of intention to buy even before we had a test drive in a lesser model The very next morning we turn up at the dealership at bit earlier than expected for the test drive and what do we see. Another customer getting out of the Cooper S after being given a test drive.
To say I wasn't amused was an understatement. It turned out it was ok though, the guy was a millionaire and good friends with one of the salespeople. That made it ok then :angry: :angry: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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Not a test drive this time, more service commendment, my A4 is due a cambelt next month, rang Poole Audi up to get it booked in, Monday 27th March, they told me, seeing as it's a cambelt, they don't Rush their techs so if it was ok with me, could they have it Saturday morning, to service it(planned) then crack on with the cambelt first thing Monday morning, seeing as I live in Weymouth, Poole is 35miles from me, luckily I work in Poole, albeit Tuesday-Saturday, so don't really want to wait all day Monday for a phone call then fight my way to Poole and back behind an early (3:30am) start Tuesday morning...oh..I need a courtesy car too
'Yes not a prob, you can have a courtesy car all weekend'
With VW and most garages I know, it's in and out in a day, or if not, the courtesy car has to go back on the day
Would recommended Poole Audi too anyone
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Not a test drive this time, more service commendment, my A4 is due a cambelt next month, rang Poole Audi up to get it booked in, Monday 27th March, they told me, seeing as it's a cambelt, they don't Rush their techs so if it was ok with me, could they have it Saturday morning, to service it(planned) then crack on with the cambelt first thing Monday morning, seeing as I live in Weymouth, Poole is 35miles from me, luckily I work in Poole, albeit Tuesday-Saturday, so don't really want to wait all day Monday for a phone call then fight my way to Poole and back behind an early (3:30am) start Tuesday morning...oh..I need a courtesy car too
'Yes not a prob, you can have a courtesy car all weekend'
With VW and most garages I know, it's in and out in a day, or if not, the courtesy car has to go back on the day
Would recommended Poole Audi too anyone
I have never had a problem with loan cars from my VW dealer and usually will get something half decent as well. Never got a turd either.
Always get a nice greeting from Captain Peacock the site Marshall. Always get offered a cup of coffee and free WiFi should I choose to wait around.
If Carlsberg did Volkswagen dealers I think mine might have just about cracked it !!
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I'm coming from an alfa. For me it was a choice of a hatchback that would have room for the children. Coming from an alfa giulietta I was initially really excited about the new Alfa QV. The looks of this car in my opinion make it stand out and I was really considering going down this route. The problem is they have merely put a new touch screen in and changed the seats since the models initial launch. The engine has been changed too for the better with the unit coming from the 4c, but the handling seems a little underwhelming when compared to the Focus ST or clearly the Golf. Such a shame since in my opinion it could be a real rival to the Golf, yet with the cost being equivalent to the Golf and significantly higher depreciation I couldn't really consider it as a sensible alternative.
The 1 series looks great, but the boots a bit small so I didn't get as far as test driving this. Therefore for me it was a toss up between a better specced and considerably cheaper (drive the deal has amazing prices) focus st. I really like how they have made improvements in the recent facelift model for the driver infotainment display. I didn't manage to get into this new incarnation but by all accounts they have made some real improvements to the torque steer. The new torque vectoring control sounds like it might be similar to the diff on the pp gti? Not sure though? Anyway I very nearly went for this instead but am glad I haven't. One reason being having seen other middle aged men driving around in them something just looked a bit out of place, personally I think the GTI is just that little bit more refined.
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Having also been in Audi / VW or BMW for the last 10 years, my experience of Audi is quite different. I think the common denominator of bad experience is the large dealer groups, I detest them.
I have had really very good service from VW, Audi and BMW in Suffolk, because they are all smaller groups or individual garages. My experience of Bury St Eds Audi has been fantastic, not stuck up, longtest drives, good deals on the table, great service, flexible regarding specs, delivery, pickup and nothing too much trouble. VW, and BMW in Bury are IMO also very good. If you want an Audi, PM me and I will give you the name of the sales guy I deal with there - we have had a few cars from them and buying our A1 for my GF was a great customer experience.
By contrast I looked at a used 325D from Cooper BMW and it was awful. I asked the guy for a 24 month PCP with max deposit to trade in my gf's mini. He sent me a 48 months PCP with minimum deposit and giving me cashback ?!! I phoned and complained and said why would i want to pay interest on finance and get cashback..was a total mis-sell, only when I used the word "FCA" (financial conduct authority" could I get my £500 deposit back.
So my common theme is small dealers are better and more personal, regardless of brand. I think a lot of the bigger groups within Audi and BMW have had it too easy for too long.
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Wife and I need a sensible spacious car for the labrador, and also her photography gear, so the two cars we have tend to be an estate, then something fun or different, whether that be a GTI type car, convertible, sports car, etc (sometimes sensible as well, if we had a need for two sensible cars) We can't have children unfortunately, so can spoil ourselves a little with the money that little brats would cost anyway
Tend to get bored of a car after a couple of years, so am always sort of looking at what our next move could be.
If I wasn't doing as much mileage as I am at the moment, then a Golf R would have been top of the list.
Audi - being on first name terms with my salesman at Dundee Audi always helps. I could wander in any time, and get a test drive of anything I want. Great service from sales, service and parts at Dundee Audi, and bettered a Drive The Deal quote for a TTRS we bought for my wife back in 2010. My salesman wasn't affronted in the slightest when I said I was ordering a GTD rather than order a new model TT, as he knows he's now my first choice when I look for new cars. Last car ordered was a A6 Avant Ultra last May, and the deal and customer service was top notch as always
The previous model used S3 I bought from Perth Audi on a whim was the single most disappointing car I've ever bought - thought it would be like my Edition 30 turned up a level, but the suspension was firm as anything, and car was very disappointing. The current A3 is dull as hell so the current S3 could be the best car in the world, but I never even considered it.
Both it and the BMW 1 series seem to be the cars that people who don't know cars buy because they think it makes them look sophisticated to their neighbours :rolleyes:
Aberdeen Audi are good for service and parts, but have had mixed experiences from sales both for used and new cars - always willing to get me test drives though, but a couple of the salesmen there are so cheesy, it's painful (one in particular seems straight out of TOWIE :grin: ). Courtesy cars have included Q7, Q5, S5 and being handed the keys to various other nice models over the years when in for service. Can't see myself buying an RS4 or RS6 anytime soon however. A4 range is getting very old, but the RS6 would absolutely be the first thing I bought should my lottery numbers come up.
Despite Dundee & Aberdeen being part of the same group, Aberdeen don't budge as much on price, whereas Dundee being the smaller garage are much more willing to deal. Aberdeen Audi are one of the top selling dealerships in the UK & Europe however, so there must be too much money in the oil industry, despite the oil price at the moment. Dundee is getting a completely refurbished showroom soon, and Aberdeen is getting a big new expensive showroom and huge service centre getting constructed as well, so they must be doing something right
One of my clients also swears by Highland Audi in Inverness, but he's considerably richer than me many times over, so probably gets anything he wants :grin:
VW - didn't even test drive any of the Mk7 models before ordering the GTD in the company car scheme, and you know what, I didn't need to - I've always found the VW range to be spot on in terms of what I expect them to be. Bought my Edition 30 the same way. The local VW dealer in Aberdeen has improved hugely in customer service since the mid 1990s and get good service from sales, service and parts. A salesman I know there quite happily offers test drives whenever I ask, and got me an extended test drive of a Touareg R-Line last year when I enquired.
For the money, the GTD is miles ahead of the A3 (in my opinion)
The VW dealer in Dundee, Barnetts, also seems pretty good, but never got back to me when I was buying a CC back in 2010, and we ended up getting the (used) CC from Camerons, the Perth VW dealer who were very good, with great service and weren't pushy in the slightest
BMW - I've never been a BMW person to be honest. I find the styling more than a little awkward, and despite virtually all the motoring magazines wanking themselves silly at the rear wheel drive 'feel', I've found them to be fairly mundane to be honest, M models excepted. My younger brother has a last generation 2-series, and has had a number of fiddly issues especially with suspension and steering rack, so that's put me off as well.
I would like to try a BMW i8 as it seems a really interesting £100k alternative to 911, R8, etc....but I'm not in the market for a £100k car :grin:
The 6 series Gran Coupe is a nice (huge) car though, but the cost....
RWD in winter weather is another thing that puts me off, and the number of X-Drive 3 series and 1-series models I see around in Aberdeenshire seems to back that up - I see a lot of them going around now.
I did express an interest with the BMW dealer in Perth about getting a drive of a 5 series Touring when we were looking to replace our 2011 A6 Avant, but didn't hear a peep back. Just as well, as when our new A6 was driven into back in January, we received a 520d Touring as the courtesy car. Soggy, underpowered and interior seem very worn - probably due to being a hire car with lots of users.
Mercedes - no, I'm not a taxi driver, so an E-Class was ruled out immediately. C-Class is way too cramped in the back. My colleague has a new A-Class diesel, and it seems OK (even with the dash-mounted screen) but again, just isn't for me. Nothing else in the range remotely interests me
Porsche - test drove a new model Boxster S a while back - very nice car, and an accompanied test drive with the salesman from Porsche Aberdeen on a very wet day was fun, and he was egging me on not to hold back. No issue getting a test drive but the fact I was driving an Audi RS at the time might have swayed their judgement. Couldn't justify the extortionate price in the end, and in my job, turning up at a client with anything Porsche would cause endless amounts of grief and conversations about immediate discounts :grin:
If you ever want to feel violated, start pricing up a new Porsche...an Audi is a bargain in comparison
Land Rover/Range Rover - did consider the Freelander or Evoque, but the Freelander was prehistoric inside, and the Evoque was nice, but very cramped & expensive. Didn't bother asking for drive of either. Father in law has an old Discovery that seems to have been remanufactured several times over with the amount of parts that have been replaced over the years. My brother's bad experience with a Range Rover Sport means I'd never consider a Sport/Discovery.
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Not a test drive this time, more service commendment, my A4 is due a cambelt next month, rang Poole Audi up to get it booked in, Monday 27th March, they told me, seeing as it's a cambelt, they don't Rush their techs so if it was ok with me, could they have it Saturday morning, to service it(planned) then crack on with the cambelt first thing Monday morning, seeing as I live in Weymouth, Poole is 35miles from me, luckily I work in Poole, albeit Tuesday-Saturday, so don't really want to wait all day Monday for a phone call then fight my way to Poole and back behind an early (3:30am) start Tuesday morning...oh..I need a courtesy car too
'Yes not a prob, you can have a courtesy car all weekend'
With VW and most garages I know, it's in and out in a day, or if not, the courtesy car has to go back on the day
Would recommended Poole Audi too anyone
I have never had a problem with loan cars from my VW dealer and usually will get something half decent as well. Never got a turd either.
Always get a nice greeting from Captain Peacock the site Marshall. Always get offered a cup of coffee and free WiFi should I choose to wait around.
If Carlsberg did Volkswagen dealers I think mine might have just about cracked it !!
I can't say I've had a problem with loan cars when it comes to servicing, I won't use Breeze Poole, for servicing as I found their after sales was atrocious, I used Heritage In Dorchester, they were great, always helpful and informative, always had a different loan car so to try Thera be so to speak, never had a Toureg though :smiley:
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Funny story regarding Audi: a few years ago, my (minted) brother went to change his car (yet again) - went down to Audi to buy an R8 - now he turned up in a t-shirt, scruffy jeans and unshaven. Two oik salesman treated him with an inordinate amount of disdain and level of rudeness because he didn't "look like an Audi customer" that after 5 mins he walked away. Nipped down the Porsche garage and bought a new Carrera 911 4S and paid for it in one hit. Drove back to the Audi garage, revved the engine, the 2 salesman came outside, opened the window and said 'what a shame, you've just missed out on the easiest sale of your life' - then drove off to open mouths and pig sick looks on their faces.
I'm sure Audi have some really good dealerships and salesman, but I've yet to come across them.
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Funny story regarding Audi: a few years ago, my (minted) brother went to change his car (yet again) - went down to Audi to buy an R8 - now he turned up in a t-shirt, scruffy jeans and unshaven. Two oik salesman treated him with an inordinate amount of disdain and level of rudeness because he didn't "look like an Audi customer" that after 5 mins he walked away. Nipped down the Porsche garage and bought a new Carrera 911 4S and paid for it in one hit. Drove back to the Audi garage, revved the engine, the 2 salesman came outside, opened the window and said 'what a shame, you've just missed out on the easiest sale of your life' - then drove off to open mouths and pig sick looks on their faces.
I'm sure Audi have some really good dealerships and salesman, but I've yet to come across them.
Like that story Mark
Worked out well, i'd take a 911 over an R8 any day of the week
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Can I carry your brother's bags please :grin: :grin:
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Can I carry your brother's bags please :grin: :grin:
I wouldn't if I were you - he wouldn't pay you - which is why he is rich :laugh:
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Like that story Mark
Worked out well, i'd take a 911 over an R8 any day of the week
Do you know what, I wouldn't! The 911 was amazing there is no doubt, but the R8 (which he did get 6 months later - from a different dealer lol - before switching back to a Porsche Turbo S) was unreal - my favourite car ever that I've driven. You just feel like Tony Stark when you're driving it around :cool:
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This is a really interesting thread, and it's good to see how people's experiences are on this forum and I wonder what the owners of the other marques would say regarding any negativity to VW dealers when they did their own dealership visits.
What's quite interesting is that it is all German marques 'we' seem to be looking at aside from the odd peek at a Focus ST or similar.
And on top of that when looking around the forums it's also the German marques that seem to be a hit with the thieving low lifes too so it's fairly clear that the German marques are the ones that have successfully set themselves up for the aspirational buyers with BMW seemingly having taken the company car market away from the likes of Ford and Vauxhall. Ford now seems to market 'lifestyle' type cars rather than the company car saloons and medium hatchbacks that used to be their staple diet and Vauxhall are just flooding the small car market with colourful Corsas.
Ok, not exactly an exhaustive bit of market research but it shows what the demography of this forum is and how certain brands appeal to 'us' and how quickly our shortlists come down to certain models very quickly despite the literally hundreds of cars available on the market.
Mind you, I'd much rather be in Matchboy's brother's shoes financially than my own!!!!
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My favourite car at the present is the BMW i8. Just loved the way it could have fitted into my life whilst raping my bank balance!
I agree with Matchboy. The R8 is terrific and I preferred it to a Porsche.
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My favourite car at the present is the BMW i8. Just loved the way it could have fitted into my life whilst raping my bank balance!
I agree with Matchboy. The R8 is terrific and I preferred it to a Porsche.
I've never driven either/any.
I guess I could have bought one if I hadn't moved house but I'd rather keep my feet on the ground.
The company my friend works at has just taken delivery of an i8 plus a couple V8 Jag sports cars, one soft top and one hard top.
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My favourite car at the present is the BMW i8. Just loved the way it could have fitted into my life whilst raping my bank balance!
I agree with Matchboy. The R8 is terrific and I preferred it to a Porsche.
I've never driven either/any.
I guess I could have bought one if I hadn't moved house but I'd rather keep my feet on the ground.
The company my friend works at has just taken delivery of an i8 plus a couple V8 Jag sports cars, one soft top and one hard top.
I've driven the i8 recently at its launch. It really is the future. I loved it. Nice to dream.
My local BMW and VW Dealerships are great. But the Audi/Merc ones are a bit tight arsed. The Audi one is the flagship store on the A4. The VW Dealership will be moving to their mega Flagship 8 or 9 storey premises in June. They will also be selling Skodas but not Seats.
I must admit the 7R is better made than my 6GTI and the recently departed and sorely missed BMW. It took a few visits to sort the BMW but after that it was totally fault-free. Great car, great tech and a peachy 6cyl Diesel with that fantastic ZF 8sp Auto Gearbox.
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On the other hand I've found the service from Audi to be above everyone else. Craig will disagree with me here :laugh:
You drive to the gate, and the guy at the entrance asks why you are there. He then radios down to the showroom and asks you to drive down.
2 guys come out from the showroom one takes pictures around the car especially the wheels then parks it.
When you go in the showroom the receptionist knows who you are and tells you who will be dealing with you then sits you down with a drink of your choice.
I know its only small touches but 'll gladly pay more for my car to be looked after this way.
if that's Glasgow audi your meaning I am with craig on this they are muppets :angry: :angry: that bad my car has a recall on it and its going to stirling to be done rather than have Glasgow audi near it