"Fake Demo" 2018 S3

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Hi folks,

I've been hunting for an S3 for a while. One came up in my local market - in Vancouver, Canada - at a trusted Audi dealership. It's a 2018 Technik that has 90Km (_not_ 90,000... ninety) on the clock. It's brand new.

The salesman described it as a 'fake demo' - they've had it a while, it didn't get sold, and in order to sell it they've added a CPO for an extra 12 months/20k KM

Everything seems pretty good. They've given me a good price for the car, and a fair value for my trade-in.

The only thing making me pause slightly is that I've not heard of a 'fake demo' as he described it. Has anyone come across such a thing? Does it raise any red flags for anyone?

Many, many thanks in advance

 

[Adam14]

Not entirely sure what you mean, but I've definitely known and see cars that dealers buy in as demonstrators which end up being sold straight away as someone likes the look of them or happens to be a customer wants a new car and matches the spec of what has already been ordered.
I assume this is what has happened with yours? It wouldn't raise any concerns with me, of course test drive it first and see how it is.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[Matt Titanium]

Sounds like they've had it on stock unsold for long enough and registered it to shift it. Is it an unpopular spec or colour? Nothing wrong with that and it could be a good deal.

 

[Han4mi]

My car has been a "fake demo". "I ordered" a brand new S3 through the configurator, picked all the options etc. and the car went into production. In reality, I chose all the options and the dealer ordered the car with exactly the stuff that I wanted. Once it was manufactured and arrived at the dealership it stayed there as a "fake demo" for 3 months. Nobody was allowed to drive or even sit inside. This was done so I get the biggest % discount on the car.

 

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Daytona Grey, Advanced Handling Package, Sports Seats, Black Optics, Red Break Callipers, Carbon Fibre mirror covers and spoiler.

It's basically an ideal spec for me, other than I don't really care for the carbon fibre stuff.

Definitely will test drive.

 

[Han4mi]

Daytona Grey, Advanced Handling Package, Sports Seats, Black Optics, Red Break Callipers, Carbon Fibre mirror covers and spoiler.

It's basically an ideal spec for me, other than I don't really care for the carbon fibre stuff.

Definitely will test drive.

Damn that car must look sweet. I have a Daytona grey saloon with the black optics myself, ordered a carbon spoiler and wrapped my mirrors in carbon fibre vinyl a few days ago. Always been into the grey/black/carbon look, it looks properly sporty and aggressive.

 

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Damn that car must look sweet. I have a Daytona grey saloon with the black optics myself, ordered a carbon spoiler and wrapped my mirrors in carbon fibre vinyl a few days ago. Always been into the grey/black/carbon look, it looks properly sporty and aggressive.

If I sign on the dotted line I'll take plenty of photos don't you worry

They're a 2 grand option over here ($850 mirrors + $1100 spoiler) which is why I'm not fussed about them as I don't quite see the value there. However, the deal they're putting on the car basically gives me those 'for free' as well as the sports seats. And then some.

 

[Ron240]

I've definitely known and see cars that dealers buy in as demonstrators which end up being sold straight away

This is exactly what happened with my previous car.
It was a brand new model that hadn't actually been released yet when I placed my order, so when the dealer took delivery of their demonstrator they immediately reserved it for me, which I was delighted about and meant I got the car before anybody else.

 

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Thanks folks. Definitely helped put my mind at ease about this. Fingers crossed the test drive goes well and the dealer doesn't try and throw in any last-minute "oh we forgot about these" charges. If all goes to plan, I'll be "one of you" by the week's end

 

[NevMan]

Hi folks,

I've been hunting for an S3 for a while. One came up in my local market - in Vancouver, Canada - at a trusted Audi dealership. It's a 2018 Technik that has 90Km (_not_ 90,000... ninety) on the clock. It's brand new.

The salesman described it as a 'fake demo' - they've had it a while, it didn't get sold, and in order to sell it they've added a CPO for an extra 12 months/20k KM

Everything seems pretty good. They've given me a good price for the car, and a fair value for my trade-in.

The only thing making me pause slightly is that I've not heard of a 'fake demo' as he described it. Has anyone come across such a thing? Does it raise any red flags for anyone?

Many, many thanks in advance

Dealers also get decent discounts from Audi for “demos” that are often highly specced. And then sometimes sell them on fairly quickly, but I believe they are tied to having it for a certain amount of time/distance.

If it is from a proper Audi dealership then nothing to worry about given the mileage.

 

[NevMan]

Thanks folks. Definitely helped put my mind at ease about this. Fingers crossed the test drive goes well and the dealer doesn't try and throw in any last-minute "oh we forgot about these" charges. If all goes to plan, I'll be "one of you" by the week's end

Good luck mate, I am sure you will love the drive . Look forward to the pics. Daytona still one of my faves

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Who is the dealer, as I live in Vancouver, as I have dealt with all of them prior to ordering my S3.....carbon fibre mirror caps are not a standard Audi item on the two S3 Canadian packages???

 

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Who is the dealer, as I live in Vancouver, as I have dealt with all of them prior to ordering my S3.....carbon fibre mirror caps are not a standard Audi item on the two S3 Canadian packages???

It's from Capilano Audi on the North Shore. I've been to 3 others near here: "Downtown" on Burrard in Kits, Open Road in Burnaby, and Langley. I can honestly say that the folks at Capilano treated me so, so much better than the other three.

The carbon fibre mirror caps/spoiler are definitely not standard, they're a ~2 grand (!) option combined. Photos attached. I'm taking it for a test drive on Saturday - I've put down a fully refundable (got it in writing to say it's refundable) deposit to hold the vehicle.

Photos attached that were sent by the dealer.

 

[NevMan]

It's from Capilano Audi on the North Shore. I've been to 3 others near here: "Downtown" on Burrard in Kits, Open Road in Burnaby, and Langley. I can honestly say that the folks at Capilano treated me so, so much better than the other three.

The carbon fibre mirror caps/spoiler are definitely not standard, they're a ~2 grand (!) option combined. Photos attached. I'm taking it for a test drive on Saturday - I've put down a fully refundable (got it in writing to say it's refundable) deposit to hold the vehicle.

Photos attached that were sent by the dealer.View attachment 179400 View attachment 179401

Car look really good, but to me those mirror caps look black

 

[ProbablyNotCalledTom]

Car look really good, but to me those mirror caps look black

Yeah in those photos they definitely do. He also sent a walk-around video and you can more clearly tell they're carbon fibre styled. I'm unconvinced about the carbon fibre to be honest, maybe it'll grow on me.