Several weeks ago I was hit twice in 3 days. My car has been in the shop(undrivable) since then awaiting insurance stuff...so things finally got worked out last week, and I even ordered a nice bodykit to go on the car...I figured at least some good would come out of this mayhem....but wait!..the body shop calls me today to inform me that the core support for the radiator does not exist in this country and is on back order from audi. Minimum 3 weeks until it's even shipped from germany. to top it off the bodyshop can't even start any of the other work until this part arrives. I've not had a ton of experience with bodyshops or accidents but isn't two months a little excessive to wait for repairs? It's not as if the car is totalled! Anyway if anyone has had similar experience with this any suggestions would be welcome....
Alex
99.51.8tqm
mods:
neuspeed bilsten, pchip, crumpled hood, bumpers etc....

I have had similar experiences happen to me, though not with Audi, with General Motors. I also used to work for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America (but I always drove German cars except for Company car). What happens is that suppliers don't hand over parts in a steady fashion. A supplier will give (lets use your example) 20,000 radiator supports to Audi at the beginning of each quarter, if Audi runs out before the next batch comes in, not much can be done. Suppliers will not ship parts onezy twozy basis, They want to ship a lot all at once. I know it is frustrating, but this happens to ALL manufacturers, and it is as upsetting to them as the consumer

Audi was parked on the curb outside when I guess a red car (there was red paint left on the side) hit my 2 month old A4 from the back and rubbed up along the left sides damaging both doors, tearing off the rear bumper and somehow took the front bumper off with it.

Anyway, my car was in shop for a month 1/2. First they told me it would be done in two weeks. Two weeks came by and they said they no longer have any doors, and would have to order some doors from Germany. Two weeks later, doors come in but find out that part manager ordered wrong bumper. Another call to Germany and took 3 1/2 more weeks.

I wasn't too sad though cuz they gave me a hot red Audi A6 (1999 model) to drive for the meantime. Damn, I never got sOOOO much attention on the road before in my life!

My insurance company told me because I'm under 25 I can't get rental car coverage. So I told a salesman at McDonald Audi "what am I supposed to do?" He told me because of the possible length of the repair time, he wasn't allowed to give me a free rental car--But did it anyway.

There's always strings you/they can pull (if you only knew!).

I've got State Farm and do not have a single complaint. I've had cars in the shop before and this most recent is the first time State Farm ever had to pay for repairs. They did a great job since all I do is take the car to a Service First shop and that's all! I changed my rental coverage to R2 so I got to drive around in a MB E320! So, what's wrong with State Farm? Maybe your agent is lazy or something.

-Greg
99.5 1.8TQM Garrett-n-stuff

I doubt that too many non-OEM body parts exist for the A4. For a Taurus, Camry, Accord, and the majority of the "common" cars on the road, yes, there would be lots of substandard parts around. For a low volume car, it just doesn't pay for a company to tool up to make replacement parts. (Basically the same reason that you can go to a typical auto parts store and find nothing there that will fit an A4).

Just another reason to buy a lower volume car like the A4. (I don't know for sure if anyone makes replacement fenders, etc. for the A4, though).

The would only authorize non orginal components that were mfred in Mexico and SEA. These were cheaper and inferior products that could put your life in danger as they were not certified by the car maufacturers to meet the orginal quality. So in a collison the parts may not collapase as required or not support as well.

Reggie

98.5 30vQMS