Ugh!

TD · 12-22-2009, 01:18 PM

So over the summer we managed to scrape the bottom of the Audi while pulling out of a parking area along the C&O Canal. The next day we noticed an annoying noise on the interstate and discovered that a small area at the front of the plastic cover covering the underside of the car was dangling and apparently flapping in the highway-speed air. So I cut the dangling piece off. Simple enough. Problem solved.

Or not.

Apparently that opening allowed snow and slush to push up over that cover the last few days leading to the cover breaking off at the center of the car and dragging on the pavement. I think it just had a large mass of slush up there that expanded overnight when freezing solid, breaking off the connection points. It was still hanging my the connection points along the edge of the car, which we became aware of after hearing the dragging sound when we went to take the car somewhere last night. We ended up taking the BMW and I broke the piece the rest of the way off when we got back home later.

Called Tischer this morning to schedule an appointment (we were due for the 15k maintenance as it was - even though it's only at 11k miles). They said we could bring it right in. This has happened both times I've went to schedule a service appointment with Tischer. Big points to Tischer in my book.

The second surprise was getting a Jetta as my Enterprise rental, which surprised me. Being used to getting really awful Enterprise rentals as service loaners, I asked. The Enterprise agent told me that Tischer has specifically directed Enterprise to not use any of their three lowest tier rental classes and also to not rent any Kias or PT Cruisers. More points to Tischer.

I got a call from them only about 90 minutes after I dropped it off telling me that the 15k service was done and looking for authorization to proceed on the replacement of the panels. While I choked on the price of the panels (with labor - $330), they had the parts in stock. Considering my experience with other dealerships who never have anything in stock much beyond the parts to do an oil change, I was shocked. Again, more points to Tischer.

I suppose that this is how service departments are supposed to work but considering what I've gotten used to at the other DC area Audi and BMW dealers, I am really pleasantly surprised.

zach · 12-22-2009, 01:28 PM

Ugh indeed.

wdc330i · 12-22-2009, 01:33 PM

Agreed. So far, they're pretty decent. Bought my last two cars from them.

TD · 12-22-2009, 01:39 PM

Got the call at 12:40 (just checked my VM now) that the car is ready to pick up.

Seriously, I'm impressed.

TD · 12-22-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Agreed. So far, they're pretty decent. Bought my last two cars from them.

I'm thinking I'll probably end up getting my next BMW there (acknowledging that it's a matter of time until I buy another BMW).

equ · 12-22-2009, 01:42 PM

I know that for snow driving, the plastic under cover of a4's have had problems. I never had an issue, but a friend's b5 a4 lost that piece. I read that the b8 still has issues (low car, plenty of traction, no plow attachment up front). One trick is not to back up when you're in the deep stuff...

TD · 12-22-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

I know that for snow driving, the plastic under cover of a4's have had problems. I never had an issue, but a friend's b5 a4 lost that piece. I read that the b8 still has issues (low car, plenty of traction, no plow attachment up front). One trick is not to back up when you're in the deep stuff...

I will admit that I was having a blast on Sunday morning looking for unplowed snow to blast through. I'm sure that was a contributing factor.

equ · 12-22-2009, 03:15 PM

The communal wisdom was that the cover was not as robust as possible to backing up over snow/ice.

TD · 12-22-2009, 03:25 PM

I know that I didn't back up over snow. But I also know that the front edge was previously compromised.

So while it may be a common problem, my cause may be unique.

Either way, I'm out >$300.

equ · 12-22-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD

Either way, I'm out >$300.

Sucks. Oh well, these cars are really good in the white stuff at least... Even with a/s tires.

12-22-2009, 01:18 PM	#1
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Ugh! So over the summer we managed to scrape the bottom of the Audi while pulling out of a parking area along the C&O Canal. The next day we noticed an annoying noise on the interstate and discovered that a small area at the front of the plastic cover covering the underside of the car was dangling and apparently flapping in the highway-speed air. So I cut the dangling piece off. Simple enough. Problem solved. Or not. Apparently that opening allowed snow and slush to push up over that cover the last few days leading to the cover breaking off at the center of the car and dragging on the pavement. I think it just had a large mass of slush up there that expanded overnight when freezing solid, breaking off the connection points. It was still hanging my the connection points along the edge of the car, which we became aware of after hearing the dragging sound when we went to take the car somewhere last night. We ended up taking the BMW and I broke the piece the rest of the way off when we got back home later. Called Tischer this morning to schedule an appointment (we were due for the 15k maintenance as it was - even though it's only at 11k miles). They said we could bring it right in. This has happened both times I've went to schedule a service appointment with Tischer. Big points to Tischer in my book. The second surprise was getting a Jetta as my Enterprise rental, which surprised me. Being used to getting really awful Enterprise rentals as service loaners, I asked. The Enterprise agent told me that Tischer has specifically directed Enterprise to not use any of their three lowest tier rental classes and also to not rent any Kias or PT Cruisers. More points to Tischer. I got a call from them only about 90 minutes after I dropped it off telling me that the 15k service was done and looking for authorization to proceed on the replacement of the panels. While I choked on the price of the panels (with labor - $330), they had the parts in stock. Considering my experience with other dealerships who never have anything in stock much beyond the parts to do an oil change, I was shocked. Again, more points to Tischer. I suppose that this is how service departments are supposed to work but considering what I've gotten used to at the other DC area Audi and BMW dealers, I am really pleasantly surprised.

12-22-2009, 01:28 PM	#2
zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,037	Ugh indeed.

12-22-2009, 01:33 PM	#3
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,297	Agreed. So far, they're pretty decent. Bought my last two cars from them.

12-22-2009, 01:39 PM	#4
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Got the call at 12:40 (just checked my VM now) that the car is ready to pick up. Seriously, I'm impressed.

12-22-2009, 01:42 PM	#6
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	I know that for snow driving, the plastic under cover of a4's have had problems. I never had an issue, but a friend's b5 a4 lost that piece. I read that the b8 still has issues (low car, plenty of traction, no plow attachment up front). One trick is not to back up when you're in the deep stuff...

12-22-2009, 03:15 PM	#8
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	The communal wisdom was that the cover was not as robust as possible to backing up over snow/ice.

12-22-2009, 03:25 PM	#9
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	I know that I didn't back up over snow. But I also know that the front edge was previously compromised. So while it may be a common problem, my cause may be unique. Either way, I'm out >$300.