Fu(k Audi Dealers (Thanks AMD) !

S

ScottyKemp

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Yes, the strong subject should tell how [censored] right off i am right now !

Bought an Audi S3 about a year ago for £18300 from Audi with 19000 miles on it.

I percificaly asked the sl@gs if it it has ever been modified, they said "err no sir this has been checked out by our diagnosis department, we would know if it has"

So 1 year later i go up to AMD (YESTERDAY) for a chip/remap thinking 265BHP here we go ! Drop car off and 45 minutes later Ed calls up saying the cars been chipped already ! I said i don't thinkso not possible, bought from audi !

Was pushing out 250 BHP with 250 ft/lb of toque !

But for a year I have raced numerous S3'S and TT cars and always been neck and neck they could not come past and neither could I !

So how can my car have 250 bhp ??????

What can I say to the Audi Dealer ? If anything ?

Anyway AMD thought that it was OK to charge me £140 for a power run on their rolling road which to be honest is a bit fu(ked up, and only took 45 minutes ! But I paid it, as they did the right thing to tell me it has been chipped already !

But i did find that they were not much help when we asked what type of chip was in there. They said it looks like it was uploaded the same as the REVO type chips, and they could not tell which it was !

But how long has REVO been about, who else does this type tuning (if anyone) ?

Is it detecable ? AMD say no one can detect it, !

I just wish that they were a little more helpful rather than just a print out and an explanation "It has got a chip already"

When their person bought the car round, I asked him the same question, "So it has been chipped already ?" he said "YES IT HAS" and gave me keys !

I feel sorry for all you people who have a chipped Audi S3/TT because I have driven 210 BHP S3's and they are not any different to mine which is pushing 250BHP (Rolling Road) 260 on the road (Say AMD)

Before you start kicking off saying I am dissing AMD I am not, I did not drive 200 miles for nothing !

They got a very good reputation for tuning audi engines (Hence the decision to go there) ! Just [censored] off they were not much help !

Selling the S3 now, Any Offers ????? Shame really I was up for a chip, as the orignal power was pants but it appears it is 260BHP !

Thank You AMD for telling me it has been chipped and not remapping and charging me for the price of full remap any other tuning place probably would !

GUTTED !
 
That reputation was built on the shoulders of other people who are no longer involved. IMHO it is pretty ****** to charge you so much for so little and with such a bad attitude. OK they may well have lost some money but they haven't driven 200 miles for nothing.

BTW you need to tell your insurance company otherwise you are technically now on dodgy ground if you don't.
 
ScootyKemp, sorry to hear that you didn't get what you was after at AmD mate, but as you said, they (AmD) where honest enough to tell you the car had been chipped and only charged you for the power run. I would be p1ssed too, if I had drove 200miles and paid 140 quid to be told that my car was chipped. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif
 
So what should AMD have done? Given you time in their garage for free? Come on! It's a business and time is money. They can't charge anyone else whilst your car is in there.

I understand your upset after driving that far and spending some money for no result but that's not AMDs fault.

They happen to be the messenger on your "bad" news. That's all - just the messenger.

If you're not happy with the service call them up and let them know so at least they can respond.

Shouldn't you be slating the dealer for mis-selling and then chasing them for a replacement car or a price difference rather than taking a pop at AMD?
 
[ QUOTE ]
scoTTy said:
So what should AMD have done? Given you time in their garage for free? Come on! It's a business and time is money. They can't charge anyone else whilst your car is in there.

I understand your upset after driving that far and spending some money for no result but that's not AMDs fault.

They happen to be the messenger on your "bad" news. That's all - just the messenger.

If you're not happy with the service call them up and let them know so at least they can respond.

Shouldn't you be slating the dealer for mis-selling and then chasing them for a replacement car or a price difference rather than taking a pop at AMD?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry Scotty, but i agree with scoTTy(not to confuse matters)! AmD werem more than honest in tellig you it had already been chipped... What you were charged for the RR session was the same as they would charge anyone to do it so i think it was only fair that you paid that part of it. As for not telling you whos chip it was, how could they? its JUST CODE.. If , for example, someone was to put a whole load of binary in front of you, how are you going to tell who wrote it!? There is just no way unless writer 'signs' it! I can understand that you are unhappy with it, but it IS the dealers fault and NOT AmD's! I've had alot of experience of AmDs service and to be honest, i couldnt be happier with the end product and their customer service... second to none in my opinion... Just dont like seeing a good compamy slated with no justification..

Rich
 
140 quid for a power run, ouch. my local rolling road ony charge 40 quid, (off subject) rich whats the best plugs to run on my chipped a4?? ive been looking at denso iridium and ngk, currently running bosch super fours, any help would be ace as ive not a clue which one to go with, ive heard about using different temp plugs once chipped? whats the deal???
 
I also agree with ScoTTy

Amd were fair. your car used a RR slot, you paid for it.

on the flip side, the time that your car DIDNT use, was then unpaid for, and too late to book up the now free workshop time for someone else.

almost the same as a no show booking. AmD would have lost money.
 
I wouldn't sell the S3 just because of a "poss" bad experience, I too would agree with "scoTTy" however here's a possible answer (aside from handing the car over to me for free!!) try contacting Audi UK and look into the cars past i.e service history, you may find who last serviced it etc and who carried out the chip replacement, and even what kinda chip has been installed, then you can make your decision from there, you may find that the car came from "Scott's of London" a reputable dealer that has carried out the mods already, therefore are dealer authorised to do this. This happens on a regular basis, Scotts also sell Oettinger Conversions to Standard cars, are you telling me you would be unhappy to have found out That you own a possible rare beastie?? I doubt it, no disrespect intended just commenting... a dealer in Inverness called Hawcos also carried out mods to a few RS2's taking them up to 500bhp, professionally lowered etc etc, so it's not uncommon that a dealer may have carried out your modifications and that you may infact have a rare horse... Start there and see what happens, don't be to hard on the car just yet....
 
Fair point guys. To be honest all I was really after was a little more explanation from AMD understand they were busy but it would of been nice !

Also I have hasd cars on numerous RR Sessions and never really expected to pay £140 for 45 mins, but as someone says IT IS A BUSINESS !

As I said I am not slatting AMD, just telling of my experience, I know they are the dogs bollo(ks and if the remap did go ahead it would of been fantastic.

I am 100% thankful they called me and told me ! I think from what i heard on hear from people I wa expecting 100% dedication to the customer, but they loooked busy. But I have saved £500 so i am happy, but don't have the power i want, well 250BHP will do i guess !

Still thninking of selling the car, anyone had a Nissan 350Z or P1 before ?????

BTW Rich saw your car up there looks top pal !
 
Agreed, AMD are not at fault - BUT - didnt you discuss putting their chip on the car anyway? 250 lb/ft is lower than the increases in torque that they quote on their website for their chip (especially if you were not happy with the performance)

Dunc

 
We did though, they said it would not be worth the £550 for the power increase i would get !

It runs 1.1 Bar they said at the monent !
 
The two main uploaded remaps are Revo and APR if it has any of them you may have more power waiting to be unleashed i.e. a dongle thingy for the Revo or a hidden Optimax map for the APR. Best bet would be to phone the previous keeper from the address on the reg docs and find out what they had done and then the dealer to discuss compensation
 
Do you think they would give any compensation (what kind?) It is unfair as if there had been an accident my Insurance would of been none existent !

B@stards Really I think !
 
LOL in fact ooked at the service book anbd indeed the first service was done at Scott's Audi Berkeley Square. Going to ring them up today and check the records !

Thanks 28v6
 
Hopefully you've since told your insurers?
Perhaps the dealer should at least cover this increase in premium.
 
Ahh Scott's Audi do not trade anymore !

What next, any suggestions ? Called Audi UK they said take to the dealer get them to run full diagnostics on it, they should see straight away what has been done (Yeah Right) !
 
Def call Audi Customer services and at leastget their advice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Think to be moderate here, not all Audi main dealers are the same. I picked up my 3.2V6 A3 yesterday from the dealership I have used for 10 years and I am very happy with the work they do and how they do it.
 
i like scoTTy he is straight to the point.

audi issued a bulletin recently to all dealers, about the increasing number of modified vehicles,they will honour warranty as long as the problem is not caused by the modified component. e.g. brakes, chip.
Probably a bit off subject.
 
[ QUOTE ]
scoTTy said:
So what should AMD have done? Given you time in their garage for free? Come on! It's a business and time is money. They can't charge anyone else whilst your car is in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I changed my powersteering pump I bought one off company on the net: turned out the muppets got it wrong and the one sent was from another model! (you couldnt tell by looking at it as was only slightly bigger,although did have the part number on)

Anyway the garage found this out after stripping the car down and attempting to fit, its a very small audi specialist so they then had to re-assemble the car and move it till the right part arrived 2 days later.

They could have charged me the extra labour in full but only charged me half of it.

For me thats the differnce between a good garage run by good folk as opposed to just a business.

I totally agree with ScoTTy; Amd have been very fair and honest, but feel wouldn't have killed them to make somekind of goodwill gesture as should realise how the owner would be feeling having driven 200 miles.

just my 2p worth
 
All I can think is AMD must be 'that damn good'. At £140 a power run I know I wouldn't take a car there for a dyno run! More so when they don't let you stay with your car and provide pretty poor print outs.

Surely the UK's most expensive rollers!?
 
[ QUOTE ]
foolish3uk said:
i like scoTTy he is straight to the point.

audi issued a bulletin recently to all dealers, about the increasing number of modified vehicles,they will honour warranty as long as the problem is not caused by the modified component. e.g. brakes, chip.
Probably a bit off subject.

[/ QUOTE ]

Awww shucks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Being straight to the point - the bulletin to the Audi centres sounds like a reminder to me as this has been the case for years. They are not allowed to void the complete warranty just coz (for example) someone has changed their brakes.

As you state, the effect on the warranty only comes into effect on the related componments it the failure is caused by the mod.
 
Unlucky mate! I would be gutted too but tend to agree with most about AmD being fair. They could have charged you £550 and just sent you on your way!

Has your car got Cruise Control? Revo and APR use this to switch maps. If it hasn't then at least you can rule out 2 tuners? Can you attempt to contact the last owner? Audi's computers might still have the last owners details on the servicing record? Doesn't the V5 show the last keepers name? Have a look at old reciepts that came with the car for a contact number.

Worth a try
Rich.
 
Revo don't use the cruise stick, it's all via the OBD2 port.
 
..and you dont need cruise to have APR, it just meant that you couldnt switch without it, so you would have an always on map...

Dunc
 
[ QUOTE ]
ScottyKemp said:
BTW Rich saw your car up there looks top pal !

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
ScottyKemp said:
Do you think they would give any compensation (what kind?) It is unfair as if there had been an accident my Insurance would of been none existent !

B@stards Really I think !

[/ QUOTE ]

Bit harsh to give so much stick to the dealer and audi having not sought their considered response. The dealer shifts loads of cars, we have agreed that the chips are hard to spot (and would show up nothing unusual on routine diagnostic checks) and also, you drove the car and didn't notice either. If anyone is dishonest, its the former keeper for not telling the dealer. It would be interesting to hear what audi UK had to say on the matter - I doubt they'll offer you anything as you were clearly going to chip the car yourself (so no comeback on that one), you could STILL put another tuners software into the car (so again, out of your pocket and at your choice) and you didn't have an accident, or make a false declaration to your insurance company as you were completely unaware of the software already on the car.

Personally, other than the dissapointment of not getting the power gain, I would be quite happy to save £400 or so... In a buyer beware market such as it is, this is a valuable lesson.
 
I agree in what you're saying David but isn't this what the Audi Approved used car scheme is all about? quoting from the Audi site it states "an approved used Audi from an Audi dealer means that you can rely on acquiring a car with a full provenance and no hidden secrets"
 
its not something audi uk can do anything about as your contract of sale was with the dealer but if you go back to them, you should have a good argument to get back at least the increase in insurance premiums. go forth and try as if you dont ask you wont get .
 
audi upgrades
[ QUOTE ]
David R said:
you didn't have an accident, or make a false declaration to your insurance company as you were completely unaware of the software already on the car.


[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry dude, but I think that's a serious issue and would have been my major problem with the dealer. The fact it DIDN'T happen is not the point, the fact it COULD have happened surely is?

On the AMD front, it's not the first time people on here have commented on the customer service. Being a relative idiot when it comes to how cars work, this is a major factor on deciding where I get my car remapped, and edges me towards an MTM chip (despite the £300 premium) as QST are very good on that front.
 
To be honest, my quibble has nothing to do with AMD only the price issue !

But I have been on the phone to Ed at AMD (he called me) and he explained what is envolved and why the cost is this much.

So really as stated it is not a charity they are running a business and have to recoop the cost somehow. Di dnot expect a phone call from AMD but thankfull he did call and they did explain everything.

Thanks

Right time to sort that Audi Stealer out !

 
..but a modicum of goodwill goes a long way, especially if that goodwill is recouped by more people going to AMD through hearing about such a gesture.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Robthehungrymonkey said:
Sorry dude, but I think that's a serious issue and would have been my major problem with the dealer. The fact it DIDN'T happen is not the point, the fact it COULD have happened surely is?

[/ QUOTE ]

In a court of law, the dealer is still at fault, not the owner.

Regarding trying to claim for increased insurance premiums... WHAT? This was discovered when the car was in for a rechip - go figure...

Personally, I cannot stand this letiginous country that we are becoming. I would be thankful of something for nothing, albeit that the discovery was not under ideal circumstances. Where there's a blame there's a claim, what rubbish. WHY should everyone be responsible for the smallest error where, in this case, you could argue that there has been no material loss, and in fact you aquired something for nothing. It's not as if the car is a cat D loss, which wasn't discovered or similar. OK, so maybe you argue it's a point of principle and good jesture should prevail - in which case go speak to the dealer / audi UK / AmD and see if they apologise - but don't flame companies here just because you took umbrage that your car was already remapped.

As for AmD and their part in this, again I cannot see how you can question their customer service... Their workmanship has always been of a high standard and in your rechip price you pay for software, labour and 2 rolling road runs. OK so their prices are steep IMO for a dyno plot, but you chose the company, you pay their prices. I wouldn't be surprised to hear less reputable companies claiming to do the work, or not even spotting the work and still charging the full ££.

I would still be interested to see what the dealer / audi UK has to say...
 
David R

You said

"but don't flame companies here just because you took umbrage that your car was already remapped."

Excuse me pal I would not call saying there prices are a little high "Flaming A Compaany" If i wanted to do that I would of, but i clearly had no reason to.

You said yourself "they are little on the steep side" in which i could say your flaming AMD in which your not !

Also stating my opinion/thoughts of customer service whether or not AMD or other companies is OK to do (Is it not ?)

As far as ,you saying I got it for free err no i did not because i deliberatly went to an audi because i did not want it modified at all, hence me paying over the top prices at the dealers, to get something free from chips, exhaust, filters !

A goodwill gesture should prevail, clearly you are right but not from AMD as i guess they were only doing their job, but Audi could, maybe do with owning up to something !

 
i think the dealers are in the wrong here! You bought the car (i pressume) after a test drive and being told the car was 210BHP. So you maybe think that wasn't bad but it will be awesome with a chip. you then find its chipped and the cars performance cant be increased by 50BHP for £500, so in effect you have been sold the car under false pretences!

If you specifically asked if the car has been chipped and they replied "no" then they owe you as far as im concerned! Make the point that you bought the car with the intention of increasing the performance via a chip (your car your money you can do what you want) and now you cant get the expected increase above the test drive performance becasue they didnt check the car out properly, id be asking for my money back, less depreciation!
 
audi upgrades
[ QUOTE ]
nervus said:
i think the dealers are in the wrong here! You bought the car (i pressume) after a test drive and being told the car was 210BHP. So you maybe think that wasn't bad but it will be awesome with a chip. you then find its chipped and the cars performance cant be increased by 50BHP for £500, so in effect you have been sold the car under false pretences!

If you specifically asked if the car has been chipped and they replied "no" then they owe you as far as im concerned! Make the point that you bought the car with the intention of increasing the performance via a chip (your car your money you can do what you want) and now you cant get the expected increase above the test drive performance becasue they didnt check the car out properly, id be asking for my money back, less depreciation!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point, well made.
Am I alone in thinking that essentially running the car with invalid insurance is a very bad thing!
Is this not basically the same as driving a modified car without the correct insurance, or even un-insured!
As said above "If you specifically asked if the car has been chipped and they replied "no"" wouldn't you have some sort of claim against them in the eye of the law?

I sell 2nd hand machinery for a living and if we wrongly sold a machine (whether we knew or not) that didn't work or was not as the description when sold, then we would be forced to give a full refund. And take the machine back.
 
I think the insurance thing is the major problem
Let's say you have to make a claim that involve big money. Insurance company will check out the car and IF they find it chipped you're fu*ked! breach of contract etc.
Go back to your dealer and then they could say : "well you chipped it after we sold it to you"
Then you're also fu*ked
So first thing first declare it and pay your premium
then try and get compensation from the dealer. Btw good luck

My 2p for AMD behaviour:
Even though we would like to think that they would help us more than anyone else because we are from this forum is just a dream. They do a business and run it like they want.
Now they aso knew that there was a risk that it would appear on this forum...
I am not very knowledgeable on remap so can anyone explain me why didn't they do the remap?
 
[ QUOTE ]
StephV6 said:
My 2p for AMD behaviour:
Even though we would like to think that they would help us more than anyone else because we are from this forum is just a dream. They do a business and run it like they want.
Now they aso knew that there was a risk that it would appear on this forum...
I am not very knowledgeable on remap so can anyone explain me why didn't they do the remap?


[/ QUOTE ]

They didn't do the remap, as it was already at 250bhp (i.e. been remapped before) AMD could have remapped it, but decided it wasn't worth it just to change to their map rather than someone elses.
 
audi upgrades
It would only be a problem with the insurance company if Scotty knowingly modified the car. As has already been said, as Scotty was unaware of the modification, he could not inform the insurance company and so the insurance is valid.
It will be invalid from the time Scotty found out that the car was modified.

AS for the dealer, if the car was sold as a 210 or a 225 then the dealer is in breach of the Sale of Goods Act as the car is not as described.
 
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