Went for a test drive today and was kind of surprised to head from a sales guy that maintenance program is no longer included with new cars (2007 and up). What gives - prices didn't drop on 2007 models?

Is BMW now the only one that provides maintenance in sticker price?

 

It didn't disappear. You can purchase "Audi Care" for around $600 and get the benefit of free maintenance.

 

Read: you have to purchase it; no longer free..

 

I think BMW is going the same way http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ee+maintenance

 

Audi Advantage no more...

 

It's not free on the Bimmers either. It's built into the profit on the sale. Not so much Audi. There's about an 1800 difference between sticker and invoice on a new A4. Not quite enough to cover overhead, my paycheck, and your next 5 oil changes. Nobody pays full retail anyway. In fact, I'm still shocked by how many people think they're entitled to pay invoice or less. They're either very selfish people, or they are dumb enough to think that a business can continue to operate with zero profit.

 

As true as this is, I'm shocked that dealers continue to think that we dont know they get kickback bonuses for hitting certain sales numbers for a month, and that "invoice" that us consumers see is not actually what dealers pay for cars. Bigger dealers sell more cars and as such, would expect a discount. If i ran a dealership that was selling 200% more then the next closer dealership i sure expect to pay less for my cars then that other dealer, or get some form of recognition for selling more cars. It works both ways.

 

a dealership is a legit company in business to make money.. they make money on your trade.. they make money on your purchase they make money on service and parts. That is a fact of life.. just like wallmart makes money on selling you goods. Maybe audi got rid of including audi care for free is that alot of people dont take advantage of it anyway? "Their" mechanic does all their crap for them. If you buy Audi care it is definatley a lot cheaper that paying for each services..