Aronis
June 8th, 2012, 01:25
This is long, but I really did this to organize my one recollection.
So I took my car in for routine service and to have one intercooler replaced.
I had an appointment at the local Audi dealership for Tuesday, May 15.
On Monday morning, May 14, when I tried to start the car, nothing happened, just dash lights, no noise, so I tried three times and it started. I dropped off my son at HS, and figured I'd better go to the dealer a day early and leave the car there since I was suspecting a starter issue and did not want to get stuck in the work parking garage.
I stopped by to drop off the car a day earlier than my appointment, and spoke with the service rep and told him that I had an appointment for Tuesday, but would be leaving the car Monday because of the starter issue, and added to the list, 'check out the starter system.'
So the list:
Timing Belt and the rollers and etc.
WaterPump (yes a metal one LOL)
Thermostat
Re-align one side of the exhaust
Spark plugs, oil change, filter.
Figure out the starter problem, and repair.
(I had transmission and differentials fluids changed last October when I had a new seal put on one of the front drive shafts).
I get picked up, and go off to work.
I went back to check on the progress that Wednesday (May 16) and the car is still sitting outside. I asked why...they were backed up. I told the service guy I had an appointment in Cicero at that Audi dealer for the same service request and they always honor an appointment. So that lit a fire under them, I guess they figured I could still drive the car away to go elsewhere, and I was told they would start working on my car the next day. Some fire...right....
I had requested that the intercooler be replaced and expected it ordered on the day I dropped off the car. The mechanic had already confirmed the leak when the car was in last October for the water leak and transmission seal.
So the fire went out I guess, since nothing was done that week.
I went by on Tuesday, May 22, and so far he had the car in service position and the timing belt was about 1/2 off.
On Wednesday, they called recommending that they replace the cam seals. I agreed, please do, $1400 more.
On Thursday, May 24, I dropped by and the mechanic had the passenger side cam seal finished.
That next Tuesday, May 29, I dropped by and found that nothing more had been done.
I went back Wednesday and spoke with the mechanic and he showed me the progress again, no change since the previous Thursday, but he was confident that by Thursday afternoon (May 31) he would have most of it finished as they were waiting on the intercooler. So I was hopeful.
Friday, June 1st, I emailed the service manager, and wondered how much the mechanic had finished on Thursday. He wrote back on Monday, June 4, writing that the mechanic had worked on my car for most of the day on Thursday.
June 4th I also found out that the intercooler was on back order, so I spoke with the parts department and was told that they had started their search on the 31st (16 days after I brought the car in) and could not find one in the US. The plan was to get one from Germany and that the manufactured would have to MAKE ONE to order, which would take two weeks (Ya RIGHT). I told them to forget the intercooler, it’s a minor leak, just finish the rest and we will deal with the intercooler another day. I.E. I’ll buy the part and DIY at home.
I went by that afternoon and found the passenger side valve cover off...not much else.....
June 6 I got a text message from the mechanic. Lo and behold an intercooler arrived. They found one in New Mexico or somewhere, who knows the real story.
I went by Wednesday afternoon and was told by the mechanic it was his intention to work only on my car all day Thursday, and he hoped to have it ready for a test run in the afternoon or at latest Friday. Great!
So today, June 7, I went by and found that little had been done. The driver’s side valve cover was back on, so I guess the Cam seals were finished on that side.
I spoke with the mechanic by phone this afternoon. I could sense the frustration he was having with his service manager and I expressed my frustration as well. I did not want to get him in a bind with his boss, as my impression was that he was being pushed around between other jobs and was not being allowed to WORK ON MY CAR, you know first come first serve and all. He is a great mechanic and I have all the faith in his work. I have been reluctant to make a big issue for fear that he would be then ‘rushed by his boss’ to get that gd car out of our garage, etc....
He’s the kind of mechanic who can take a box of spare parts and make a 911 turbo, from scratch.
I like the service manager, he’s a nice guy and I really think he is working hard to restore the reputation of the local Audi dealership service department, but....
So here we are 17 working days into the job and there is still a good two days work left, if he is allowed to work on my car.
They service department here in Binghamton has had a real problem with negative publicity, and the prior dealership was pulled by Audi and VW and sold to another larger dealer probably because of that. I know that Mercedes pulled out of the Binghamton market for some reasons (Sales?) and Porsche also pulled out of this market reportedly due to too many service complaints, but who knows the real reasons. People still don’t trust the building I guess. I have tried to have faith in the staff there, but I’m at the end of my rope.
End Rant.
So I took my car in for routine service and to have one intercooler replaced.
I had an appointment at the local Audi dealership for Tuesday, May 15.
On Monday morning, May 14, when I tried to start the car, nothing happened, just dash lights, no noise, so I tried three times and it started. I dropped off my son at HS, and figured I'd better go to the dealer a day early and leave the car there since I was suspecting a starter issue and did not want to get stuck in the work parking garage.
I stopped by to drop off the car a day earlier than my appointment, and spoke with the service rep and told him that I had an appointment for Tuesday, but would be leaving the car Monday because of the starter issue, and added to the list, 'check out the starter system.'
So the list:
Timing Belt and the rollers and etc.
WaterPump (yes a metal one LOL)
Thermostat
Re-align one side of the exhaust
Spark plugs, oil change, filter.
Figure out the starter problem, and repair.
(I had transmission and differentials fluids changed last October when I had a new seal put on one of the front drive shafts).
I get picked up, and go off to work.
I went back to check on the progress that Wednesday (May 16) and the car is still sitting outside. I asked why...they were backed up. I told the service guy I had an appointment in Cicero at that Audi dealer for the same service request and they always honor an appointment. So that lit a fire under them, I guess they figured I could still drive the car away to go elsewhere, and I was told they would start working on my car the next day. Some fire...right....
I had requested that the intercooler be replaced and expected it ordered on the day I dropped off the car. The mechanic had already confirmed the leak when the car was in last October for the water leak and transmission seal.
So the fire went out I guess, since nothing was done that week.
I went by on Tuesday, May 22, and so far he had the car in service position and the timing belt was about 1/2 off.
On Wednesday, they called recommending that they replace the cam seals. I agreed, please do, $1400 more.
On Thursday, May 24, I dropped by and the mechanic had the passenger side cam seal finished.
That next Tuesday, May 29, I dropped by and found that nothing more had been done.
I went back Wednesday and spoke with the mechanic and he showed me the progress again, no change since the previous Thursday, but he was confident that by Thursday afternoon (May 31) he would have most of it finished as they were waiting on the intercooler. So I was hopeful.
Friday, June 1st, I emailed the service manager, and wondered how much the mechanic had finished on Thursday. He wrote back on Monday, June 4, writing that the mechanic had worked on my car for most of the day on Thursday.
June 4th I also found out that the intercooler was on back order, so I spoke with the parts department and was told that they had started their search on the 31st (16 days after I brought the car in) and could not find one in the US. The plan was to get one from Germany and that the manufactured would have to MAKE ONE to order, which would take two weeks (Ya RIGHT). I told them to forget the intercooler, it’s a minor leak, just finish the rest and we will deal with the intercooler another day. I.E. I’ll buy the part and DIY at home.
I went by that afternoon and found the passenger side valve cover off...not much else.....
June 6 I got a text message from the mechanic. Lo and behold an intercooler arrived. They found one in New Mexico or somewhere, who knows the real story.
I went by Wednesday afternoon and was told by the mechanic it was his intention to work only on my car all day Thursday, and he hoped to have it ready for a test run in the afternoon or at latest Friday. Great!
So today, June 7, I went by and found that little had been done. The driver’s side valve cover was back on, so I guess the Cam seals were finished on that side.
I spoke with the mechanic by phone this afternoon. I could sense the frustration he was having with his service manager and I expressed my frustration as well. I did not want to get him in a bind with his boss, as my impression was that he was being pushed around between other jobs and was not being allowed to WORK ON MY CAR, you know first come first serve and all. He is a great mechanic and I have all the faith in his work. I have been reluctant to make a big issue for fear that he would be then ‘rushed by his boss’ to get that gd car out of our garage, etc....
He’s the kind of mechanic who can take a box of spare parts and make a 911 turbo, from scratch.
I like the service manager, he’s a nice guy and I really think he is working hard to restore the reputation of the local Audi dealership service department, but....
So here we are 17 working days into the job and there is still a good two days work left, if he is allowed to work on my car.
They service department here in Binghamton has had a real problem with negative publicity, and the prior dealership was pulled by Audi and VW and sold to another larger dealer probably because of that. I know that Mercedes pulled out of the Binghamton market for some reasons (Sales?) and Porsche also pulled out of this market reportedly due to too many service complaints, but who knows the real reasons. People still don’t trust the building I guess. I have tried to have faith in the staff there, but I’m at the end of my rope.
End Rant.