Dealer doesn't want to pay $2k for DRC tool, what should I do? Please help!

[zachf88]

x-post from AW. Hoping AudiNA or AoA will come across this!

Ok guys, it's been a month since I took my RS4 in and had my DRC looked at. Both front shocks were leaking and I have the dreaded thump over bumps. Well the service manager keeps giving me the run-around, claiming that he is trying to get a hold of the Audi rep and that they are looking into whether or not they will use this tool ever again.

So here's my problem. This is the only dealer in Nova Scotia. The next closest dealer is in New Brunswick, Dieppe Auto Audi, which is 170 miles away. But I don't even know if they have the DRC tools...

So, should I call up AoA and complain? If so, anybody know a good rep or person to talk to?

The car drives like complete crap and I have only driven about 30 miles this past month.... Not what I paid $75k for!

[Beelzeebub]

give AoA a heads up. you have a right to do so.

[Rodknock]

The car drives like complete crap and I have only driven about 30 miles this past month.... Not what I paid $75k for!

Thats what you should say to AoA when you call them.. You spent a lot of money for a nice car and they need to take care of you...

[edwardabodnar]

Squeaky wheel gets the oil.......call em

[Glassnpowder98]

Good luck calling them... It didn't get me anywhere when I tried to appeal their voiding my warranty for an intake and diverter valve. The way A0A made their decision was by contacting the service manager and area manager for the dealership... In my case, both of them stuck with their original ruling. So, most likely you are going to get the same ruling because it's coming from the dealership. However, since you're case is a little different, maybe AoA will send them the correct tools or do something so that they honor your warranty (Assuming you haven't done anything to the car and this is covered under warranty). It can't hurt to try... It will take AoA about 3-4 business days to get back to you with an answer.


In my case, I'm still in the process of writing a letter some executives at AoA. We'll see if that works because it's ridiculous that an aftermarket intake will cause a 3rd gear synchro to go. Anyways, good luck with your fight... You'll need it


Edit: You're not in the U.S. so it might be a little different for you...

[Rodknock]

There is a federal law that states they have to prove that the mods in question caused the problem to your car.. The dealer that voided your warranty can be sued by you.

Its called the Maggnasson Moss act

[khyber]

There is a federal law that states they have to prove that the mods in question caused the problem to your car.. The dealer that voided your warranty can be sued by you.

Its called the Maggnasson Moss act

Uhhh... that applies in Canada?

[EuroB6]

i didnt think he was modded?

[...Mark...]

Call Audi. My guess is they will work with you and have that tool shipped to your dealer from them directly or possibly another dealership for the fix and then have them send it back once your car is fixed..

[Glassnpowder98]

There is a federal law that states they have to prove that the mods in question caused the problem to your car.. The dealer that voided your warranty can be sued by you.

Its called the Maggnasson Moss act

I'm quite familiar with the Magnusson-Moss Act and brought it up when I met with the Service Manager and Area Manager. They seemed to not care about it and I was told, "I'm not a lawyer and all lawyers would have a different interpretation of that act." I'm definitely going to mention it in my letter as well and hopefully it will have more of an effect. Audi's warranty states that adding any modifications to your car will void your warranty. Their warranty seems to directly conflict with the Magnusson-Moss Act, so I think could definitely have a case in court. However, I would really like to get this solved without having to take legal action...

Anyways, you can read about my saga here if you want to... If you have any comments, post in there so I can stop jacking this thread.

OP, you might be able to get some useful information from that thread, but it might be completely different since you are in Nova Scotia...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...light=warranty

[Rodknock]

Uhhh... that applies in Canada?

Talking the the other dude.

[WinterRunner]

I feel for both of you. I had the same problem with modding and my Acura CL-S with a bunch of Comptech stuff, I even had the supercharger kit. My tranny went and I was told by HoA I was SOL. I got a lawyer... and he actually made a good case and I got a new transmission. Get a lawyer, one that knows the technicalities of the auto industry. My 2 cents...

[zachf88]

Well, my RS4 is stock when it comes to serious stuff (except for the drop-in ITG filter but I have OEM to put in there when taking to dealer) I have LED bulbs on the interior, but the suspension, drivetrain, engine are all OEM!

oh yeah, my car only has 3800 miles and is very well taken care of!

[RAudi Driver]

you gotta be kidding me Zach. the dealer doesn't want to fix the car because they r too cheap to get the tool for their shop? I would tell them, in a nice way as they will have possession of your car in the near future, that you would like the reason that your issue isn't being resolved in writing. then forward the letter to Audi headquarters. it'll get done.

[yakendo]

This is the stupidest thing, not related to our current economic situation, I've read in a long time. IMHO this situation should embarrass Audi

I don't know anything about Canadian law, nevertheless, I can't believe it wouldn't be a major breach of contract..

In fact, since they knew (or should of known) at contract formation they didn't have the capacity to fulfill their warranty obligations, & you were not given notice, would be civil fraud here.
If the dealer sold you a RS4 they better be able to be to service one too.
I would call Audi immediately & not hang up until it got resolved, or I received a fax stating they won't fix problem; either way you win.
Good luck.

[gelkad]

Call Audi of America,things will get done, they forced the dealer in NJ, 2001 to replace the motor in my 1999 A4 2.8 with 32K miles on it. things will get done.

[jester7677]

In the mean time, call the other dealer and find out if they have the tools to fix the car.

It "could" be the easiest way to solve the issue.

[wva s4]

does AOA not have requirments for dealerships to sell the rs models ? I thought thats one of the reasons my local dealer could not sell a rs....

[zachf88]

well guys, since today is Canadian Thanksgiving, Audi is closed. However, I received a call today from a rep. He gave me a number to call back, but I received a recording stating that they were closed! Geez, I hope Audi handles this a whole lot better..... especially since this is my 2nd RS4

[OMID|AK47]

Thats what you should say to AoA when you call them.. You spent a lot of money for a nice car and they need to take care of you...

+1

I would definately take it up with Corporate

[EuroA4]

I'd sat F the DRC...and ditch it for some higher quality coilovers!!

[ChronicTeutonic]

I think Audi will rent the tool to the dealer. This seems ridiculous...

[Auditude2.0T]

Honestly screw Audi spend 1500 Shipped on the group by over at 6Speed.com and get some KW Variant 3 Coilovers. Done with.

[RAudi Driver]

I thought that was a one time one set offer.

[oatzel]

isn't audi rolling DRC out on a lot of models. they're going to need the tool. they should get it and take care of you

[CanuckRS]

who is the dealer ?
please share with all of us.
i suggest that each one of us send an email to their service department to inform them that we know of this situation and are following its outcome.
that might help out.
strength in numbers.

[zachf88]

Dexter's Audi.....

[cotmfk]

That situation is bad. I know I would be upset if my car broke of no fault of my own and the dealer would not fix the car under warranty. There are some good suggestions in this thread you should follow.

As well as standing on the sidewalk next to their dealership on your days off and telling every Audi customer about your situation and how the dealership refuses to fix the situation. That will sink their sales and they will start listening to you.

[moroblues4]

where did you get the car from because audi cant not sell a rs4 without the right tools in threre shop so if i whrere you i would call audi corp and ask them whrere they have a rs4 dealer

[charliemike]

Good luck calling them... It didn't get me anywhere when I tried to appeal their voiding my warranty for an intake and diverter valve. The way A0A made their decision was by contacting the service manager and area manager for the dealership... In my case, both of them stuck with their original ruling. So, most likely you are going to get the same ruling because it's coming from the dealership. However, since you're case is a little different, maybe AoA will send them the correct tools or do something so that they honor your warranty (Assuming you haven't done anything to the car and this is covered under warranty). It can't hurt to try... It will take AoA about 3-4 business days to get back to you with an answer.


In my case, I'm still in the process of writing a letter some executives at AoA. We'll see if that works because it's ridiculous that an aftermarket intake will cause a 3rd gear synchro to go. Anyways, good luck with your fight... You'll need it


Edit: You're not in the U.S. so it might be a little different for you...

Dude, get a lawyer. Magnusson-Moss protects you. They can only void coverage for whatever that intake supposedly caused. They can't void your warranty on your A/C because you put in new headlights :)

[zachf88]

well, I talked to a rep today and they said that they were going to call my dealer and make several other calls and get back to me Thursday, before business close. Let's hope for some good news! And thanks guys for the help and support!

[Hamann]

what's the status?

[zachf88]

Dealer got the tools, then ordered JUST the shocks.... now fighting with them that the valves need to be replaced...... This is such a f***ing mess!

[Hamann]

my suspension is clanking like nobody's business...the car was previously lowered...so, I think I'm going to get the KW V3's in the next few months.

good luck man...you'd think when a car is 75k, it wouldn't have problems like this...

[RAudi Driver]

Just have them read the instructions on how to replace and they'll see that the valves need to be replaced. What kind of idiots are at your dealership?

Anyways, good luck with the fix.

[zachf88]

Thanks Ed. My dealership is currently changing ownership, so they are very disorganized. I've told them repeatedly that the valves need to be replaced.... They told me they would wait for the tool to come in. Once it came, they said that just the shocks needed to be replaced..... I haven't heard back and my appt is on Wed. (def not giving them my car if the valves aren't instock). Also, I'm going to request that I be in the passenger seat when they test drive the car. I hate dealerships!

[iconoclast]

good luck man...you'd think when a car is 75k, it wouldn't have problems like this...

quite the opposite... seems the civics, corrollas, camrys accords of the world are for the most part better in terms of reliability and integrity...

[sakimano]

does AOA not have requirments for dealerships to sell the rs models ? I thought thats one of the reasons my local dealer could not sell a rs....

I reckon he bought the car in Texas, judging by his signature (and his assertion that he paid $75,000 for the car)

it costs $105,000 CDN up here, which 6 months ago was $105,000 USD!

[RAudi Driver]

Thanks Ed. My dealership is currently changing ownership, so they are very disorganized. I've told them repeatedly that the valves need to be replaced.... They told me they would wait for the tool to come in. Once it came, they said that just the shocks needed to be replaced..... I haven't heard back and my appt is on Wed. (def not giving them my car if the valves aren't instock). Also, I'm going to request that I be in the passenger seat when they test drive the car. I hate dealerships!

Zach, before you let the dealer have the car on Wed, make sure that they have read through the instructions or this might happen: They take possession of your car and dismantle it. They as the tech is reading through the instructions he realizes that he does in fact need to change the valves. Your car is now sitting in the service bay for god knows how long waiting for the tech to get the valves. You are without a car for a few weeks as your car sits in pieces in the service bay. Not a good scenario.

Good Luck, I wish you the best of luck. When I had my DRc replaced, Penske had never done one before and my tech read through the instructions the day they first looked at my car. All parts were ordered in a timely manner and the problem was fixed perfectly the first time. They also cleaned up all the grease that had spilled out of the shocks. Good Work Penske!

[40valve]

quite the opposite... seems the civics, corrollas, camrys accords of the world are for the most part better in terms of reliability and integrity...

Well of course. Those cars are not built for performance. What is the stock torque on any of those? My lugnuts require more

Anyway, good luck with the dealer and hope they fix it properly.