On collection of my Q3, I noticed the tailgate was seriously misaligned. Almost looks like it was in accident!Dealer said they would 'sort it'so I took their honest
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word for it.
On further inspection, I was sceptical that it could be repaired 'as new', it looked as if it was not just misaligned but the tailgate and/or chassis was skewed. Dealer took it back a couple of weeks later and less than 24 hours later, they called to announce that it was fixed. Less than 24 hours to re-align tailgate and touch up bolt heads / hinges? I was even more sceptical and this was confounded when the driver turned up. The tailgate was just as bad, the paint touching up had not been done so there was bare metal showing and to make matters worse, it came back with a dent on the rear pillar!!! (my guess is that the strut had been taken off and then the tailgate dropped on it).So that was that, sent the driver packing, with an A4 loan car still on drive.
That was a Wednesday. Officially rejected car on a Friday. Dealer principal advised they were 'declining' my rejection on Tuesday as the car had originally come out within Audi quality tolerances!
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One shut gap measuring 8.5mm, t'other 2.5mm! Apparently this wasacceptable? This is the reason why I started a thread asking you guys for shut gap measurements as this all proved valuable research.
After a few emails to Audi UK, Dealer MD, and a couple of head honchos, dealer principal called on the Thursday to offer a like for like replacement, i.e. I keep the current Q3, same spec one gets factory ordered and delivered next year. As I disappointed with the Q3 build and quality from my experience, they offered a deal on a Q5 S Line Plus so ended up going with that. Still keep the repaired Q3 for the winter and swap for the Q5 in March so best of both worlds.
I actually didn't think I was getting anywhere in the days prior to the outcome but what they couldn't, and I am yet to establish and what was probably the clincher for me, what exactly are the Audi quality tolerances for shut gaps? Surely can't be no more than 2mm? Certainly not the 6mm on my car!
So in conclusion (well this feels like an essay!), my experience with the Q3 was very disappointing but the experience in getting a replacement turned out excellently and the dealership and Audi UK were extremelyaccommodatingso I have to tip my hat to them.
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(Even though, the paintwork they did on the dent came back with overspray
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and they re-alignment of the tailgate is still not up to my personal expectations)
There's a few photos here to view, which I'll take down after a few days for privacy.
Q3 as from factoryhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157632060957428/Q3 post first repairhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157632056981473/
On further inspection, I was sceptical that it could be repaired 'as new', it looked as if it was not just misaligned but the tailgate and/or chassis was skewed. Dealer took it back a couple of weeks later and less than 24 hours later, they called to announce that it was fixed. Less than 24 hours to re-align tailgate and touch up bolt heads / hinges? I was even more sceptical and this was confounded when the driver turned up. The tailgate was just as bad, the paint touching up had not been done so there was bare metal showing and to make matters worse, it came back with a dent on the rear pillar!!! (my guess is that the strut had been taken off and then the tailgate dropped on it).So that was that, sent the driver packing, with an A4 loan car still on drive.
That was a Wednesday. Officially rejected car on a Friday. Dealer principal advised they were 'declining' my rejection on Tuesday as the car had originally come out within Audi quality tolerances!
After a few emails to Audi UK, Dealer MD, and a couple of head honchos, dealer principal called on the Thursday to offer a like for like replacement, i.e. I keep the current Q3, same spec one gets factory ordered and delivered next year. As I disappointed with the Q3 build and quality from my experience, they offered a deal on a Q5 S Line Plus so ended up going with that. Still keep the repaired Q3 for the winter and swap for the Q5 in March so best of both worlds.
I actually didn't think I was getting anywhere in the days prior to the outcome but what they couldn't, and I am yet to establish and what was probably the clincher for me, what exactly are the Audi quality tolerances for shut gaps? Surely can't be no more than 2mm? Certainly not the 6mm on my car!
So in conclusion (well this feels like an essay!), my experience with the Q3 was very disappointing but the experience in getting a replacement turned out excellently and the dealership and Audi UK were extremelyaccommodatingso I have to tip my hat to them.
There's a few photos here to view, which I'll take down after a few days for privacy.
Q3 as from factoryhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157632060957428/Q3 post first repairhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157632056981473/
