Wrong car received...after 6 months

[sebtomato]

One of my friends ordered her new Audi A3 about 6 months ago from a large Audi dealership in the South East England.

It was an S line 1.5 TFSI S tronic but with standard/dynamic suspensions, as opposed to S line. She is concerned that the S line suspensions are too stiff.

They finally received the car this week (after the delivery date was moved out many times), and realised that suspensions were actually the S line ones, as opposed to the standard/dynamic ones. They say the factory made a mistake building the car, but I very much doubt this could be the case. They just messed up the order. Amateurism at its best.

They are now saying a new car could be ordered, but some options won't be available due to part shortage, like the B&O improved sound system... They are quoting a July delivery date for the new car, which seems to be unrealistic given the time it took to get the previous one.

What could she do??? What kind of compensation or discount is she likely to get if she decides to keep the current car?

As for ordering a new car, this can be risky too, given delays, other mistakes that could be made and shortage of some parts/computer chips.

 

[Jamoules]

I had an issue where I had options missing on my order too.
I got a service plan, compensation, full tank of fuel and lifeshine applied for free in addition to being put on a better finance package.
Do ring Audi UK and let them know something went wrong, they will get in touch with the dealer and definitely helps with negotiating!
Good luck!

 

[auzzam_crd]

Hey bud, do you mean she wanted the 15mm lower sportier suspension but was given the standard ride height? - or the other way around.

I've personally been through the same loop with Audi around the missing electric seats that effected a lot of edition 1 owners.

Do not expect much in terms of compensation, I was offered a lousy £250 but then was able to agree a new car replacement and carry on driving my existing one in the mean time with unlimited mileage.

You could try argue that you should have the car built with the same spec and upgrades that were available then. For example in other regions you can still add a lot of these options it's just Audi UK by the looks of it that keep removing things so the factories must have them.

If she wanted the standard suspension, the sportier one in my opinion is much better as the standard sits really high

 

[sebtomato]

If she wanted the standard suspension, the sportier one in my opinion is much better as the standard sits really high

She wanted soft, standard/"dynamic" suspensions as opposed to the lower S line ones. Yes, the standard one will sit higher on the car (larger gap) and will make the car looks slightly less sporty. However, S Line suspensions are usually not that comfortable in the long run, so it's a priority on comfort rather than looks.

 

[SamR92]

Can the garage not just replace the springs?

 

[sebtomato]

Can the garage not just replace the springs?

Not something they have offered to do so far. Maybe that's quite a lot of work on a brand new car.

 

[STmichael]

Not something they have offered to do so far. Maybe that's quite a lot of work on a brand new car.

I would look into it. Am sure the only difference would be the springs. Half a day in their garage would see the job done.

 

[DE1975]

I'd be inclined to keep the car she's been delivered.

I don't think the S-Line suspension is that bad, ride comfort wise. It certainly had a reputation of being 'crashy' in the past but it seems more comfortable nowadays. And, the ride height difference in the standard suspension does look noticeable and not as good aesthetically

 

[KXL]

As some in the form has mentioned, the 8Y S-line suspension is actually not as bad (hard) as previous gen S-line suspensions. Did she notice it right away that 'wait a min' this must be the Sline suspension as it's so hard' or after only looking at the 'specs' / ride height there is no S-line suspension delete there? I would say try it for a week, one might get used to it (do lower the tyre pressures to comfort PSIs), or not. If Audi are willing to let you keep this car in the meantime until the new one arrives, then might be your best bet, however as they said the new one won't come with B&O (maybe they were trying to discourage you?) might be a bit of a downgrade.

 

[sebtomato]

Did she notice it right away that 'wait a min' this must be the Sline suspension as it's so hard' or after only looking at the 'specs' / ride height there is no S-line suspension delete there? I would say try it for a week, one might get used to it (do lower the tyre pressures to comfort PSIs), or not.

The dealership noticed it when receiving the car...and then blamed the factory for making a mistake (which I think is very unlikely).
I agree: probably the best solution would be to try the current car for a week to see if the S line suspension is really as bad as thought, or if it's acceptable.

Ordering a new car is not ideal, given delays and shortage of parts. Also, other mistakes could be made.

 

[Billy Shears]

The dealership noticed it when receiving the car...and then blamed the factory for making a mistake (which I think is very unlikely).
I agree: probably the best solution would be to try the current car for a week to see if the S line suspension is really as bad as thought, or if it's acceptable.

Ordering a new car is not ideal, given delays and shortage of parts. Also, other mistakes could be made.

You can very easily see what the dealer ordered as it will be on your order form. All they do is send that to the factory - so it could well be factory error. Either way, the situation is the same in that you didn't get what you ordered. They have to find an appropriate way forward or you're entitled to your money back...which obviously would mean you don't have a car.

I'd be inclined to agreed with those who have suggested they simply fit the correct suspension - it can only really be springs and possibly dampers, so not a huge job. They can't suggest a model that comes without something else you ordered e.g. B&O as that still constitutes a breach of contract - they have to fulfil the contract or cancel it and compensate as appropriate.

 

[NevMan]

I doubt very much the dealer would be prepared ton change springs/dampers (assuming that is all it is!), as that is moving the brand new car from it's "spec" so has then essentially been "modded". I would go with trying the car, and as a minimum some free servicing or similar should be given

 

[NikkiA7]

One of my friends ordered her new Audi A3 about 6 months ago from a large Audi dealership in the South East England.

It was an S line 1.5 TFSI S tronic but with standard/dynamic suspensions, as opposed to S line. She is concerned that the S line suspensions are too stiff.

They finally received the car this week (after the delivery date was moved out many times), and realised that suspensions were actually the S line ones, as opposed to the standard/dynamic ones. They say the factory made a mistake building the car, but I very much doubt this could be the case. They just messed up the order. Amateurism at its best.

They are now saying a new car could be ordered, but some options won't be available due to part shortage, like the B&O improved sound system... They are quoting a July delivery date for the new car, which seems to be unrealistic given the time it took to get the previous one.

What could she do??? What kind of compensation or discount is she likely to get if she decides to keep the current car?

As for ordering a new car, this can be risky too, given delays, other mistakes that could be made and shortage of some parts/computer chips.

Hopefully she can accommodate that mix-up. The dealer should be willing to incentivize her with oil changes and other routine maintenance at their cost. And if a genuine factory error (despite ALL the QC!) Audi and the dealership can work out the costs. They “lose” very little, but buy customer loyalty from her and reputation among others, including everyone on the forum here who sees how they handle this.

 

[Sparks43]

You can very easily see what the dealer ordered as it will be on your order form. All they do is send that to the factory - so it could well be factory error. Either way, the situation is the same in that you didn't get what you ordered. They have to find an appropriate way forward or you're entitled to your money back...which obviously would mean you don't have a car.

I'd be inclined to agreed with those who have suggested they simply fit the correct suspension - it can only really be springs and possibly dampers, so not a huge job. They can't suggest a model that comes without something else you ordered e.g. B&O as that still constitutes a breach of contract - they have to fulfil the contract or cancel it and compensate as appropriate.

I don't think it's as easy as changing the springs etc - I remember a few years back my mate whose a Mastertech was asked by a salesman if they could change the suspension on an S-Line (might have been a used car) but I'm sure he said there's more to it than just Springs and Shocks

 

[Ludus]

what's the deal with the B&O shortage? first i've heard about that...

 

[Billy Shears]

I don't think it's as easy as changing the springs etc - I remember a few years back my mate whose a Mastertech was asked by a salesman if they could change the suspension on an S-Line (might have been a used car) but I'm sure he said there's more to it than just Springs and Shocks

They still ought to be able to do it though. And without classing it as a 'mod'. It's what was ordered and they're in breach of contract. Unfortunately, they rely heavily on consumers not knowing their rights and fob people off with as little as they can get away with.

 

[sebtomato]

They still ought to be able to do it though. And without classing it as a 'mod'. It's what was ordered and they're in breach of contract. Unfortunately, they rely heavily on consumers not knowing their rights and fob people off with as little as they can get away with.

As far as I am aware, the only consumer rights in this case is to get a refund if a delivery is taking longer than expected (basically 9 to 12 months by the time the second car arrives, instead of the 4 initially quoted).

 

[Billy Shears]

As far as I am aware, the only consumer rights in this case is to get a refund if a delivery is taking longer than expected (basically 9 to 12 months by the time the second car arrives, instead of the 4 initially quoted).

Not necessarily. I'm not an expert in this particular area of consumer rights -but where there is a breach of contract there's an onus on the provider of goods or services to make right on the contract or refund/cancel the contract. The appropriate outcome will obviously depend on the nature of any loss. If it's going to take 12 months to get what you ordered, then I'd suggested there's a valid claim for loss of use/expectation on top of getting the right car in the end.

 

[monkeyhanger]

Not necessarily. I'm not an expert in this particular area of consumer rights -but where there is a breach of contract there's an onus on the provider of goods or services to make right on the contract or refund/cancel the contract. The appropriate outcome will obviously depend on the nature of any loss. If it's going to take 12 months to get what you ordered, then I'd suggested there's a valid claim for loss of use/expectation on top of getting the right car in the end.

They'll just cancel the contract and have an instantly available car to sell if the customer digs their heels in about the car not being as per expectations, and if she hasn't received it yet and the car hasn't yet been registered to her.

 

[JKP]

I'd take the car with the sport suspension. I've had both, and I don't think there's such thing as S-line suspension that's stiffer than the sport suspension you can order to any A3. In my opinion there's actually very little difference in comfort between the standard and sport suspensions but the car looks a lot better when it's that bit lower, and I think also drives slightly sharper with the sport suspension.

I've had some A4s as substitute cars with both suspensions, and the difference in comfort was significantly bigger than in A3.

 

[monkeyhanger]

I've had more performance Golfs than A3s, because Audi suspensions were generally a lot harder and no better from a handling perspective. My 2015 MK7 Golf R on 19" pretorias felt significantly better than my 2013 MK7 Golf GTD, and a lot better than my mate's 8V S3. For my 8Y S3 on 19" wheels though, it's a lot comfier than the A3s of old.

I'd suggest the OP takes a test drive in a used car with same suspension as the new car and make their own mind up. Unless they have a chronic back problem, it shouldn't be a big issue, even on long journeys.

 

[JKP]

I've had more performance Golfs than A3s, because Audi suspensions were generally a lot harder and no better from a handling perspective. My 2015 MK7 Golf R on 19" pretorias felt significantly better than my 2013 MK7 Golf GTD, and a lot better than my mate's 8V S3. For my 8Y S3 on 19" wheels though, it's a lot comfier than the A3s of old.

Audi suspension was indeed vastly improved from 8V to 8Y. I was thinking of switching from Golf Mk7.5 to a late A3 8V as the quality of 8V was praised everywhere. I test drove one and found out the suspension was harsher and the gearbox much more jerky than the ones in my Golf, so I ditched the idea. Well as soon as 8Y came out I went to test drive again, to find out it felt nothing like the predecessor and was immediately in love. Bought one, got a shitload of quality issues but liked the car, so traded it for a new one.

 

[400ixl]

Isn't this a 3 year old thread? I don't think they will still be deciding what to do

 

[JKP]

Lol didn't notice at all, maybe "similar threads" played a trick to someone?

 

[monkeyhanger]

Lol didn't notice at all, maybe "similar threads" played a trick to someone?

I'm sure I got a notification of a new thread? Will check dates next time.