Does anyone know why it takes so long for a new car to clear customs ? My 4.2 has been sitting at the docks for at least 3 weeks waiting to get through customs. What gives, more incompetent bureaucracy? With most manufacturers trying to adhere to 0 inventory manufacturing it seems paradoxical to then have the finished product sit around for a month waiting on a poor customs employee to stamp OK on it.

My 4.2 was ordered June 25. It arrived in Houston on Seo 07 and is still there. I've heard nothing but excuses from the dealer which is getting his info from Audi. Last week Audi direct told me that the 4.2's were shipping on 9/30. Unfortunately mine was not among them - even with a production wk of 30. Now I'm being told that mechanics from Germany are arriving tomorrow and that my car will most likely ship to SFO on 10/7 - but I've been hearing that for weeks now. I'ts been real frustrating to say the least and has also cost me money since I've had to sell my 95 Audi based on what the dealer initially told me that the car would be delivered in late Aug/early Sep - over 4-6 wks ago. Another dealer in SF told me yesterday that the 4.2's that he has seen so far hv arrived with about 43 miles which tells him that they've been on a dynometer in Houston getting smogged. It seems that some of the first cars were not passed. Why it has taken 4 weeks to do so is still a big mystery and I personally think that cars produced and ordered after mine have already been delivered to people.

Whatever you do, stay away from Royal Motors in SF. They are sleazy at the sales department. Servive (separate place is OK though).

Sounds like you were getting wrong information. The release date for the 4.2s was on or around October 1st according to everything I read and what my dealer told me. I ordered a 4.2 about 2 weeks after you. Mine was built in week 35. My dealer thinks it will be here in 2 to 3 weeks. According to him it has not landed in Houston yet. The one I test drove had 8 miles on it, not 40+. I got in it after the mechanics checked it out. It was still wrapped with plastic inside. All of the information I have received from Barrier Motors in Seattle has been right on. They are very careful about what they say. Sorry you are having so many problems. These cars are worth waiting for.

Your experience seems to support what my dealer told me. I asked if there was a "release" date for the 4.2s. Was told that they were being held for modifications related to emissions. Sorry to hear it is causing you grief. Hope it is cleared up soon.

Funny, I've had exactly the same experience. I sold my car in late August based on info the dealer gave me regarding my 4.2's impending arrival. After over a month of rental cars and car pools I'm beyond ready to have my own car again. I placed my original order on April 2 and have since I've dumped that dealer and am happy to say that my new dealer has received my car Monday and I'm picking it up on Saturday. The good news for all of us is the cars are finally trickling out of the ports.

While I'm not necessarily faulting the dealers -- some are clearly more in the loop than others. Audi has not done well setting customer expectations. I had also originally been told the Oct 1 dates mentioned by others, but been given earlier dates by dealers. All of these cars have been in port a long time. The best I can figure is that Audi wanted to move their remaining 99 inventory prior to releasing the my2k cars. That said, the moving date BS was so frustrating that had the car not arrived this week I was prepared to purchase something else as there seemed to be no clear evidence that the cars would be available soon.

After sending out via fax an "offer to lease" sheet with a vehicle description and price and net cap offer, I received a call from Royal in SF (even though I had spefically requested that all responses be sent by fax). During the conversion I was informed that the minimum profit they would accept on a car is $1500, and verbally ran down dealers that would accept less.

By the time this dealer called, I had already leased my new A6 Avant and had driven in home. Last I heard, he still had that car. I've had my car for a month now, and I wonder what it's costing him to sit on the one he was trying to sell me....?

jm

jm

If you're shopping for an Audi/VW & live in NY tri-state area, check them out.. Dealer's price was the same as the phone quote,, + salesperson was very courteous and knowledgeable + no bull/or surprises..