No more Audi free maintenance?

haha. see!

I thought that ended a while back

Just pay 550$ and you get free maintenance. I am sure MB dropped it coverage a while ago.

But does that $550 cover more than just oil changes? Is it as comprehensive as the total maintenance coverage that BMW offers (including brakes and wipers) as part of the cost of the car?

What is this a new technique get more customers? Mostly these things include oil changes and tire rotations anyway so it is not a big deal.

Most dealers will say its included, and will push it into the price of the car as some kinda charge... thats what they do...

no it is the same as the 2006 all scheduled maintenance. The 550 is a good marketing thing because it helps wing customers off the "inclueded" (there is no such thing as free) I am sure it will go up in the future. There is talk of a 5 year program and a 3 year program (one for the lease guys)

Audi started the free maint in th 1980's and there where several companies that followed but it looks like Audi is secure enough in the USA to remove the program.

What is the over/under on how long BMW will keep it? They coppied Audi to the program will they still "require" their customers to buy it (inclued it in the price?)

What if you went to a dealer and they required you to buy a maintance program or a 7 year service contract? It is the same thing with free maint.

Just food for thought

fatherdsl

Good job watching the ads. As we all know nothing is free.

Volvo started the trend first. They were also the first manufacturer to discontinue the program. When they did, sales plummeted. This information is all online. Audi announced in March that it would discontinue the program for 2007. Audi sales here in the states will suffer for it, but they should be ok. They make a descent enough product.

Chewy--Its not about being secure. Its about economics. They simply cannot afford it anymore. Otherwise, why in would anyone get rid of such an amazing selling tool. Trust me, you will see a new ad campaign from BMW saying so. They are now the only manufacturer that offers full maintenence. From wiper blades to belts to brakes, its all covered.

A slightly deceptive part of the free scheduled maintenance program on my leased Audi is the free scheduled oil changes. If you want 100% synthetic oil instead of the ordinary oil, you have to pay the incremental difference in the cost of oil. I would not dream of using ordinary oil in any car, especially in an Audi. So, if you buy a used Audi, make sure you get documented evidence that the previous owner or lessee has used only synthetic oil, especially at high speeds in hot summers.