Hi Guys/Girls

Been with Audi for 24 years and been a 4 ring brand **** for that period. But things have changed very quickly - funny how you become a brand **** and just take a new Audi every 3 years and never worry about the price that usually is at second hand value lower than the competitors. Bought a Audi A4 3.0 QT (sport ed) in January 2004 for R 385K (USD 58K) and when the A4 3.2 QT (DSG) arrived in South Africa in April / May 2005, I requested a turnabout - And guess what, Audi offered me R 240K (USD 36K) nearly 40% less in 15 months with 20,000 km (12,500 miles) on the clock. I told them to **** off.

I started looking at other model initial price tag and their resale value at 12 -15 months with about 20,000 km (12,500 miles) on the clock. Guess what - Audi comes to Mercedes Benz, Volvo and Ford as the last and lowest bid to resale value. A bloody Volvo S40 Top range initial price tag is R 275K (USD 41K) and re-sell at R240K (USD 36K) A Ford of all makes let it be known ST 220 (V6) initial price tag is also R 275K (USD 41K)and re-sell at R236K (USD 35K)

Gee, are those INGOLSTADT people taking us for a ride or what - Forget the quality and safety bull heck and brain draining marketing stories - they con us and that is it - On quality all on equal terms - On safety - all four brands have a 4 star grading in the European safety test. So what is the damn difference. No wonder the VW/Audi brand are the top profitable motor manufacturer. And that due to the fact that we, their loyal supporters are getting stunned out of our hard worked money.

And even on the interior they have large short comings to their rivals - and for the price tag they fit to the car that would have made the CONNING more bearable e.g;

1. Where is the rear cup holders that is not available in the A4 - where do you go with your kids / other passengers drinks - why do the golf have it and not Audi ?
2. Why is there not rear air con outlets between the seats as for the Golf range - it is still stuck away below the front seats which become useless when lose items are put on the floor - and any way the supplied rubber mat closes the darn outlets forcing the front passenger to drive in discomfort to supply the rear passenger with enough required air whether hot or cold !
3. Why is the flip top lighter as per the new A4 replaced with an upright lighter - it takes away the classy or finished off look of the interior of the car - it looks plain and simple CHEAP SKATE.
4.Where is the book storage holder behind the seats as per the A6/A8 models and that the Golf even have and many other cheap models on the market?
5. Why not fit a fold down tray behind the front seats - we in South Africa travel far and start usually our trip after midnight and travel non-stop except for a driver change - over. Let the kids and other passenger at least have that little bit of comfort!


I decided after 24 Years of Audi and being lucky to be involved in this incident that opened my eyes it is time to seriously look to other manufactures - they also provide the Free Motor Plan - 5 Years / 100,000 km (60,000 mile) gaurrantee and Mercedes Benz gives now a 6 Year / 120,000 km (75,000 mile) gaurrantee with the FMP.

And I wanted to get the Q7 4.2 QT (DSG) when it arrived in South Africa (in the USA it is apparently called the Pikes Peak) - I have put my name down for one because I saw it in Canada in 2004 and they said it will launch in three years in South Africa - But they can stuff it up their asses - I'm not goiing to be CONNED anymore - there is alot available with more features with just as high quality and safety standards for a lot less at the initial price tag with a MUCH higher re-sale value.

SORRY TO SAY _ AUDI ARE THE BIGGEST CON-COMPANY AROUND - Any one to give me a more acceptable price for that A4 3.0 QT ?

 

Can't rilly say about S.Africa but, here in America, Audi lost a lot of it's cache with that whole "sudden acceleration" thing 20-some-odd years ago. I'm not complaing too, too much because that which you're complaining about is what permits me to get a 1-2-3 y/o Audi waaaaaaaay below what it would cost for a Benzo or a Bee-emm-trouble-U... I get to drive *above* my station for a fraction of teh cost.


Sorry, but, although I sympathize with yoru pain, I'm not necessarily sharing in it...

 

That's why you don't buy German cars new. Our 2001 with 35,000miles was well under half of original cost. And we got an Audi 2 year resale warranty.

Tough luck, but the onus is upon you to do research before buying a new car.

 

first of all, didn't you just post a thread very similar to this a few weeks ago? and second, most of those complaints you have above are pretty trivial...cup holders? come on now, these cars aren't made to eat meals in, they're made to drive

 

[:@] If you hate Audi so much now, then you ought to stop buying them. Buy a Mercedes, but I bet in 3 years when you are ready to trade in your family fleet, you will be complaining on some Mercedes board too. Do some research next time and don't think that any car company is great just because of thier past.

If you want cup holders and such like the golf has, then go buy one and stop complaining. You know the solution to your problem, so how does whining fix it? There are tons of people who love the low resale values of these cars (including myself) because you don't have to clean out your wallet to buy one used!

 

First of all - I don't hate Audi - been with them for 24 years
Secondly - I don't buy used cars - only new ones and trade at 3 years intervals
Thirdly - Cup holders ? - the A4 is used for the mid segment family with kids - I suppose in the USA you drive long distances too - we does a non stop tour of a 1000 mile (normal to us) to our destinations easily. And then you need those small little extras to make live easier as othe manufacturers DO DELIVER.
Fourthly - been a BRAND **** - I don't hate Audi and it will be a sorrow day to leave the brand - but this incident did open my eyes to other high end manufacturers that DO DELIVER at a lower initial price tag and a HIGHER re-sale value
Fithly - I'm doiing after the brand **** period a decent research - I'm not goiing to buy high end cars to get it dumped on the market for the low end to pick it up for nothing

And then this post was not intended for the low end second hand picker but for the high end purchaser.

 

LMAO.. sucks to be you.. dont be mad at Audi.. if you have been doing this every three years you would know what the resale was going to look like wouldnt ya? Hmmm yes i do have to agree that rear cupholders would be nice... but at the same time.. if i was looking for a car with rear cupholders.. I might try a minivan.. maybe you will have better luck there

 

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0523.htm


Best pick and you said something to the cause of safety not being an issue? Safety has to be important if the cars you are driving are capable of going above most average cars. New cars always have had issues with resale thats why you don't buy new. I loved Audi's before I got one and now that I have what I always wanted I couldn't be more happier.

 

50th post

 

you PW!!!