Any news?

Yessir. The left rear wheel speed sensor decided to go kapoo. I got a text yesterday saying it's ready; I'll pick it up tomorrow.

Mini-rant 1: this whole "well text you" thing is annoying. Text is basically one-way communication. As in, "we sent the customer a message, we can walk away now." I'd really prefer someone actually call, so we can have an actual conversation about what went foul, what was involved in the fix, when will parts arrive, how long will the job take, and so forth. The incoming text message served its purpose -- it let me know they're finished with the car. I responded, saying I'd pick it up on Friday... no response. One-way communication....

Mini-rant 2: After I had okayed the work, I spent a few minutes with Rock Auto and YouTube. Holy smokes, I could have done that job myself in about an hour, and for $50 or less in parts. That's my mistake; I'll own it.

I'm curious to see if they try to stick that $200 diagnostic fee on there again. We'll "have a session" about that if they do.

I like Josh, the tech who works on my car, I like Ms. P the service advisor. I don't like this dealership's practices.

A text is ok for me, when it is ready to be picked up. However, a phone call to describe the problem and to let me make the decision if I want to tackle it myself, PRIOR, to any work performed had better be standard practice. Our Audi dealer even goes as far as sending a video from the technician showing and describing the issue found.

I am surprised that the Ross Tech didn't alert you to the issue when Klaus was scanned.

Lesson learned, but if the scanner didn't show the issue, how long would it have taken you to troubleshoot it? BUT, if they would have called you to explain the issue, you could have made a different choice on the matter.

Glad to hear Klaus will be back in the stable.

The worst is a text with a blurry video of the underside of the car. It says reply back via text if you approve. That is never going to work for me and I would imagine it would not fly with Gen Z. No price or accurate description of the needed repair.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
I am surprised that the Ross Tech didn't alert you to the issue when Klaus was scanned.

To be fair… after I had okayed the work, I read the Ross Tech report more clearly. Yep, it pointed to the wheel sensor issue. I think I was so annoyed/frustrated at the time that I just didn’t read the report as carefully as I should have. I have to own up to my mistake on that one.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
Glad to hear Klaus will be back in the stable.

Yes, it’ll be good to go back to 38mpg. The Toyota spoils me with its heated steering wheel, but that comes at a fierce fuel-consumption penalty.

Weather permitting, I’ll go pick Klaus up tomorrow afternoon. There’s a prediction of 2-5 inches of snow overnight.

Ok. If you have access to the computer while it is scanning, any issues show up in red text, both in the summary at the top and the actual module scan. However, the f you only have access to a printed copy of it, it will most likely be all black, unless they chose to print in color.

Exactly. I've seen that before, and for the life of me my brain wouldn't see it again this last time.

I knew there'd be some red print -- in my annoyed/agitated state, I thought it would show up in the PDF of the report. I can say with certainty: it did not. I was surely an idiot that particular afternoon.

Klaus is back home this evening. Ran like a scalded dog coming up the mountain.
No lights and no weirdness this evening. And that's a relief.

I had a nice chat with Ms. P while I was arranging Klaus' "checkout" this afternoon. Like I said before: I like my advisor, I like my tech. I'm not a big fan of the dealership's way of doing things.

- - - - -

Side note: I did notice while I was there that their Hyundai sign was covered up and the cars were gone. I don't know if that's the result of a normal business decision, or the result of bad practices. Maybe that will give the team more time to concentrate on helping their VW/Nissan/Subaru customers better.

Dan unfortunately you are learning an expensive lesson when it comes to German car dealers.

If I could make a humble suggestion reach out to the Audi community in your area if there is one and find a good independent shop that specializes in Audi’s and other German makes. Their service is usually much more personal and many actually care.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
Dan unfortunately you are learning an expensive lesson when it comes to German car dealers.

If I could make a humble suggestion reach out to the Audi community in your area if there is one and find a good independent shop that specializes in Audi’s and other German makes. Their service is usually much more personal and many actually care.

I used to use Martins German Service in Roanoke. They were excellent.

I haven't been to Martin's yet, but Klaus has seen the inside of The Bug Shop once or twice. Thank you for the suggestion!

A 13-year-old German car without a warranty is... um... a learning experience!

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

German car without a warranty is... um... a learning experience!

I dumped my Passat the week before the warranty ran out.