Audi dealer query

CKhalvashi

TradePro wrote: »

Well, 'lying' is a very strong word, but we are definitely ignoring the fact that these 'premium' cars are troublesome.

When an engine management light comes on, it's because something has gone wrong - usually at minimum a sensor will need to be replaced.

I don't call a Skoda 'premium'.

Any car will have its issues, and in fact, I don't think I've had anything that I'd call troublesome, and that's over 7 cars and well IEO 1m miles.

CK

TradePro

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I don't call a Skoda 'premium'.

Any car will have its issues, and in fact, I don't think I've had anything that I'd call troublesome, and that's over 7 cars and well IEO 1m miles.

CK

I wasn't really referring to the Skoda's, as you have 18 of them and therefore 42 VW's?

Besides, most people that buy Skoda's convince themselves that it's a cut price VW/Audi, so the 'premium' thing kinda relates.

Also CK, 'any car will have it's issues' is an assumption you make due to the brands of cars you choose to run - there are some out there where this doesn't strictly apply.

CKhalvashi

TradePro wrote: »

I wasn't really referring to the Skoda's, as you have 18 of them and therefore 42 VW's?

I didn't explicitly say that, and no, we don't have 42 VW's. Re-read my post.

Besides, most people that buy Skoda's convince themselves that it's a cut price VW/Audi, so the 'premium' thing kinda relates.

We buy them, because they're cheap to buy, cheap to run and last forever. I don't see how 'premium' relates on that.

We're buying TOTR stuff for the same price as basic Audi models. I'm a fleet buyer; I don't care about 'premium' brands, I care more than anything about lifetime cost, and Skoda is difficult to beat here.

Also CK, 'any car will have it's issues' is an assumption you make due to the brands of cars you choose to run - there are some out there where this doesn't strictly apply.

Which are these, then?

I've never bought a batch of something where at least one of them haven't had some sort of problem due to a manufacturing fault.

I still doubt (as you will with a Greenline Superb) that you'll get anything of the same size to run under 25p/mi, assuming 120k over 3 years. If you can, as I mentioned, please let me know. The 25p/mi has to include fuel.

One day off the road every 8-12 weeks for servicing, plus 5 working days across the 3 year period we own them, is our target, and so far we're hitting this, so please bear this in mind when you answer.

We have a total fleet budget of around £4m/yr, so if you could stick within this budget for 80 band buses (replaced after 4 years) and 320 cars (replaced every 3 years), including fuel, servicing, maintenance and depreciation (all cars are bought outright at around 30% discount) please let me know. They regularly spend their time on motorways, diesel is a must, and they must have decent load capacity.

You say you can find cheaper and more reliable, so get researching.

CK

TradePro

CKhalvashi wrote: »

around 60 of our 400ish vehicle fleet is VAG, ranging from Polos as general office cars, to 18 Superbs and 6 Transporter Shuttles at taxis and Passats as management cars for our other company. We've just taken the first set of 5 Crafters and 2 6 seat Transporters

Around 60 - 18 = ~42, no?

Anyway CK, I appreciate you taking the time to explain how some of your business works, and to be honest I'm quite out of my depth with that sort of stuff, I have no doubts that with it's size and cost etc., the Superb probably would take some beating.

The point here though is that I said VAG cars could be unreliable, you chirped in that you had no problems, then came back and said that in fact you had, so your last post is off topic really.

TradePro

CKhalvashi wrote: »

You say you can find cheaper and more reliable, so get researching.

This advice was for the OP who was buying ONE over priced vehicle. I'm pleased to say I have no understanding of the taxi industry.

One thing though, why is under 25p per mile so critical? You guys usually know how to charge, so I guess your expected margins are on the high side?

I know a Hyundai I40 would be more reliable, not sure how costs would compare though.

jase1

TradePro wrote: »

It's really not like that in real life Jase.

Isn't it?

I have to say that the majority of problems I hear about on new cars are of the "annoying niggle" variety.

Proper faults (like turbos going bang etc) not so much.

motorguy

TradePro wrote: »

Good news, I'm back to finish this thread off!

Welcome back! I'd ran out of fish to shoot in the barrel!

TradePro

motorguy wrote: »

Welcome back! I'd ran out of fish to shoot in the barrel!

Thanks, though I think you're actually coming second

CKhalvashi

TradePro wrote: »

This advice was for the OP who was buying ONE over priced vehicle. I'm pleased to say I have no understanding of the taxi industry.

One thing though, why is under 25p per mile so critical? You guys usually know how to charge, so I guess your expected margins are on the high side?

I know a Hyundai I40 would be more reliable, not sure how costs would compare though.

For taxi use, I gave a rough breakdown of the accounts last week on another thread. The truth of the matter is that I bought the taxi firm back out of administration, two years after we sold it.

It's no longer where my heart is, nor where the most part of my time is.

25ppm for a non revenue-raising vehicle is very important for tax issues. Taxis come under a completely different set of tax rules, and for tax purposes, the company is completely standalone, and that goes for the company that owns the cars. It's set up specifically to allow for resale, whereas my main occupation certainly isn't.

The truth is that when you're carting musicians around London, and from gig to gig, cost matters more than anything. It's a competitive industry, and although we're niche in the childrens' sector (and 10x larger than our nearest European competitor for the sector, which happens to be Warner Music), we're by no means the only people doing it.

CK

anotherbaldrick

TradePro wrote: »

No, that's not it - did you not click on the 'what's bad' link?

Yes, did you read the items relevant to the Mk 6 generic as opposed to the whole list which is about 26 individual items all told /. Considering total sold looks good.

Did you read "WHATS GOOD ABOUT IT "?

It's not easy to improve something that's already near perfect, but Volkswagen appeared to have managed it with the Mk VI Volkswagen Golf. It was more refined, more comfortable and felt even higher quality then the previous model. It appeared that the Volkswagen Golf set a new standard for hatchbacks