VW dealer says they don't work on Audis -_- Refused to oil pressure test my S4

[Durk]

I kind of live in the middle of nowhere and there are not many car dealerships close. I bought my Audi knowing I was about 15-20 minutes away from a VW dealership if I ever had any major issues and needed dealer support.
I started getting the Oil Pressure warning a couple days ago after the car warmed up. I also new I had a very slight oil leak somewhere as my low oil light came on about 4000 miles into the last oil change and occasionally had a faint burning oil smell. The car has 91K miles on it so I figured everything was pointing to a bad oil pressure switch. I replaced it and the old switch and it was full of oil and the outside was oily. So today (the next day) I drive to work and it comes back on with the new switch.
I called Hillcrest VW and got the service department, and asked if they had time for me to stop on my way to work and do an oil pressure test since I do not have a tester.
The service lady informed me of several shocking things:
They don't work on Audis. Lie
They don't have the scan tools to even connect the car to a computer. Another Lie
I would have to take my car to an actual Audi dealership. WTF

Are you effing kidding me? They can't handle a rebadged Passat?
I bought my car from a VW dealership that replaced the valve cover gaskets and water pump.

Should I complain to Audi/VW corporate? It's unacceptable that they won't look at my car.
Sorry for this rant but I am HEATED. That is like taking a Buick to a Chevy dealer and them saying you have to go to an actual Buick dealer.

[2004B6S4]

ehhh, I don't think you really have a complaint there. I mean I'm sure their mechanics can work on Audi, but apparently that place has a policy not to and they have every right to that. The real reason might have something to do with liability, or perhaps it's a rule set by VAG, who knows. I don't think it was a bad idea to try and ask them if they would service your Audi, but I don't think they should be expected to

[SuperAvant]

What Passat uses the 4.2L motor? Bc I want it.

[TEB]

Plenty of Indy shops near Pittsburgh, you should be calling one of those for service instead of a dealer anyway.

[BruceT91]

VW and Audi dealers are now separate for a reason. They also use different software in their scan tools which means they wouldn't be able to even scan your car for fault codes. They aren't able to look up anything Audi related since they don't have the rights. It may suck for you but it's not their problem.

[rollerton]

VW and Audi dealers are now separate for a reason. They also use different software in their scan tools which means they wouldn't be able to even scan your car for fault codes. They aren't able to look up anything Audi related since they don't have the rights. It may suck for you but it's not their problem.

No..this is not true, not at all. Except for the part where VW and Audi have been separated on a retail level. A couple reasons: the costs of training of staff to be knowledgeable between both brands. Another is they want AUDI to be elevated above VW, it's a premium brand and they don't want people looking to buy cars comparing an expensive Audi to a cheaper VW sitting 20 feet away. They also want to be able to classify the brand popularity; when they were combined it was difficult to tell what 'consumers' were going to the dealer for; Audi or VW ? Where was the draw?

The rest, no, don't mislead people. VW can absolutely talk to Audi and vice versa as far as software and diagnosis goes. It is genetically nearly identical, has nothing to do with rights- especially as far back as the B7. A huge number the of models share EXACTLY the same engine drive system, and many many parts are used between the brands.

Doesn't have anything to do with his problem; which is they didn't want to work on his car. And again..maybe he avoided a big problem. In a small town I wouldn't be surprised if nobody had ever worked on a chain driven 4.2 before. It is up to them, even if they lie about it.

[dsmclark40v]

What Passat uses the 4.2L motor? Bc I want it.

There was a Passat with the w8 engine. In the UK at least

[Durk]

The Phaeton used the 4.2L.
I did end up dropping it off at an Indy place near my work but the guy couldn't promise me they had the fitting to do a manual pressure test. I'm waiting to hear back.
I'm just shocked I have never had a dealership refuse service. I purchased the car from Three Rivers VW and they performed warranty work on it prior to me buying it.
I talked to a buddy at my work who used to have an A4 and he said a couple years ago the same dealership refused to service his car.

[0396]

All the above suggestions apply here. But I think there's another underlying reason. They probably don't have a lot of experience with anything other than their VW brand. If they did work on it and can't locate the issue and or might repair it. I'm sure it's going to take twice as long to repair your car. I'm sure the VW Tech also work on commission - thus they don't want to spend all day figuring which components to test.

[BruceT91]

No..this is not true, not at all. Except for the part where VW and Audi have been separated on a retail level. A couple reasons: the costs of training of staff to be knowledgeable between both brands. Another is they want AUDI to be elevated above VW, it's a premium brand and they don't want people looking to buy cars comparing an expensive Audi to a cheaper VW sitting 20 feet away. They also want to be able to classify the brand popularity; when they were combined it was difficult to tell what 'consumers' were going to the dealer for; Audi or VW ? Where was the draw?

The rest, no, don't mislead people. VW can absolutely talk to Audi and vice versa as far as software and diagnosis goes. It is genetically nearly identical, has nothing to do with rights- especially as far back as the B7. A huge number the of models share EXACTLY the same engine drive system, and many many parts are used between the brands.

Doesn't have anything to do with his problem; which is they didn't want to work on his car. And again..maybe he avoided a big problem. In a small town I wouldn't be surprised if nobody had ever worked on a chain driven 4.2 before. It is up to them, even if they lie about it.

Are you a dealer technician?

[Durk]

The indy place I used by my work specializes in high end and euro cars. They were happy to take my money and pressure test my car. This garage gained a customer and earned future business because of another dealers decision. The free market at work.

If the dealer's policy is that they only work on VW then I guess that is their policy, but to lie and say they can't scan an Audi or can't work on Audis...that might fly with the average car person but I don't appreciate being lied to. Also it should be across the board, it is confusing to the customer (me) when you buy an Audi at a VW dealer selling both and have another VW dealer refuse service.
In the end I have good oil pressure and my engine shouldn't be blowing up any time soon. Thanks for reading my rant.

[drinkbrew]

VW and Audi dealers are now separate for a reason. They also use different software in their scan tools which means they wouldn't be able to even scan your car for fault codes. They aren't able to look up anything Audi related since they don't have the rights. It may suck for you but it's not their problem.

The VW dealer by my house was able to look up a part number for me and tell me that the Audi dealer had it in stock. The particular part I needed was tagged as Audi only so he couldn't order it, but if it was a part that was something that VW used as well he could get it for me. The service dept also told me they could do oil and trans fluid changes on my S4.

[Mr.Wrong]

That lady in a service department might be new and/or has no idea what she's talking about. I'd request to speak with a service dept manager and confirm this. Also, it's not uncommon for dealers to deny any kind of service for any other make besides their own. Eventthough I highly doubt it in this case, but it is indeed might be their policy.