Dropped my 2005 A8 off today for the 15K service and I was told that Audi no longer provides free loaner cars, as of 2 weeks ago! Is this true?

Nornally such a change in policy happens at the beginning of a new model year. This car was sold with free scheduled maintenance for 50K mils/4 years and free use of loaner car. Obvioulsy Audi can change whatever polciy they want whenever they want, but this strikes me as really, really bad customer "service" policy. It is a small but significant perk and eliminating it builds brand dis-loyalty very fast.

Can anyone verify if this is true?

I would refer to your warranty papers: it probably states information about the loaner car program for an A8 under factory warranty. As long as it doesn't state anywhere: "at participating Audi dealerships". ;-)

Just dropped my '04 for service and got an A6 2.7T...so no, that's not true. I'd raise that with AoA and see what they say.

... if you have an "Audi Advocate" call him/her and ask. I can't believe that Audi would piss off the customers of their most expensive product by doing this. Especially after it was stated on this board several times that Audi mandates the dealers to give at least an A6 (I think) loaner to the A8 service customers.

Did you buy your car from the same dealership? IF yes, go see your sales guy, if he told you you'd get a loaner when you bring the car in, make him stand by his word and get you a loaner.

Don't know if this will help, I think it has a lot to do with your dealer. I was told Audi only covers the cost of a loaner if there is warranty work involved, and if your car will be there longer than one day (scheduled maint. doesn't count). Apparently the dealer only has to offer you some other form of transportation whether it's a loaner from their fleet, if they have one, or a ride in their shuttle van.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a8d3/msgs/23873.phtml">*Click for a Ride*</a></li></ul>

this policy change, my service advisor (who is normally very good) said she was confused this morning. Apparently there had been a policy change but it didn't affect A8 owners!

She confirmed there would be no problem with free loaners in the future.

Take it for what it is worth - A little hiccup from a normally good dealer.

Located in PA. Still under Audi Certified until end of Nov.

certain policies, especially when that policy can be seen as an inducement to purchase. If there is another dealer within striking distance of you, talk to them about this policy. They may want to service your car and get your business the next time around!

But thats not it. AoA no longer offers cash incentives to dealers on service loaners. Instead they now have specified cars for dealers to lease for 6 months at very reduced rates with a low buyout at the end of the term, making it more cost effective for dealers to provide an Audi fleet.

them back for $30/day then provides them as loaners to their customers. Or another kind of car if you agree to it.