Just got my car back from zumbach audi after 7500 mi. service. They claim that the new antenna fix is not necessary and they fixed my remote range by giving me two "new style" remotes. They look the same, but the distance is definitely better than before. I haven't tested then long range yet, but it is now better than the 2 feet before.

How are they? I've heard good things and bad. I've got a new A4 that I'd like to bring to them for service (only 4000 miles so far though). Are they nice? Whos's the best eprson to deal w/ there? Thanks for any help.<p>Rob 98 A4 1.8TQT<br>

Their technical service is very good, they pay attention to all of your complaints. They even went so far this time to replace the wood around my stereo because I didn't think it matched the wood trim on the doors. Overnighted the part from germany. They also reprogrammed my remotes for free, but I suspect that was because I was a test for them, they may charge now. However, this is the second time I have been in to fix the remote and they have not been able to identify or fix a problem I have with my rpm dropping at 3000 rpm.<p>The real problem is the time it takes them to perform service. They picked my car up on Monday (free because I bought it there) and dropped it off this morning. No loaner, but i don't need one b/c I work in the city. 4 days to do a 7500 mi service, fix the remotes and the wood trim. Last time my car was there they had it for 4 days to fix the remotes (unfixed) and a rattle in my B-pillar. IMHO this is too long. If I needed my car I would have gone nuts.<p>If you didn't buy your car there, you will likely find that the earliest appointments you will get are over a month away. When you pull up to drop the car off, you will wait in a line of about 30 Audis, Range Rovers and Saabs.<p>In the end, your car will get great service, but you likely wont. Getting a car serviced in the City, like everything else, is inconvenient, slow, overcrowed and a hastle. Service manager is Kevin Nagel, his boss is Frank Carboni. Frank has been very nice and responsive and worked with me to do the remote reprogramming.

Thanks for the heads-up. I will probably have to take it to them because I work in the city but live in Westchester. I boought my A4 at Pray, but that's too far for me. I prefer to drop it off and pick it up that night. Is that asking too much, IYHO?

I received the new updated remotes, the updated, re-routed antenna, and my range still sucks! Sometimes it is acceptable (5 feet) from the back of the car, but frequently does not work from within inches of the dtiver's door, in which case I walk to the back of the car to unlock, or I use the "key" manually. 3 different dealers all tell me that there is nothing else they can do, and that I should expect the alarm remote to have probelms "around flourescent lights". ARGH!!!

up underneath your rear bumper. I just put in the kit myself (the dealer didn't want to, thought 5 feet was enough) and the TSB was not specific about how to route the wire. It seemed to me that if you fastened it up to the metal bumper it might still shield it, so I wire tied it to the three brackets that hold up the black plastic skirt underneath the bumper. Also most of the wire has a ground shield (the black section of the wire), I think the only part that actually receives is the 8 inch white part on the end, so I was careful to put that part level and in the center of the bumper (to try to get the range the same to both sides). My range went from under 5 ft to about 40 ft, so I am major happy. Also the TSB told me to be very careful to note which wire was the antenna and which the ground shield when I took it off the receiver, this would imply that it might vary from car to car, in which case someone might have swapped them when the modification was made. It took me about 20 min to make this mod, so it's not hard. Good luck with it.

Well, I just had my remote antenna fixed yesterday. I almost always had to hold the remote right next to the car, and even then got mixed results. With the fix, I definitely have better range. It's still nothing to be too excited about, but it is MUCH better.