Positive Dealer Experience with Laurel

PaulW · 11-11-2003, 01:45 PM

So as some of you might recall, I bought new tie rod ends last week, went to go install them last weekend, got one on, but the left side one was frozen. I wrestled with it for almost 2 hours, tore the tie rod boot in the process, and said screw it, I'll let the dealer put this one on.

We'll just call it another Waterlooism.

I already had an appointment at Laurel for an alignment on Monday morning. I have established a few relationships with the techs at Laurel, and converse through email sometimes. I emailed the techs and sent them the picture below, they said they would take care of me.

I was worried that a boot wasn't available, and it would be some terrible story of needing a new steering rack for some huge amount of money. I even suggested to the tech that if they had a steering rack sitting around that they took out of a car, use that boot.

The boot actually goes over the inner tie rod, which they said might have to come off and be replaced if the outer couldn't come loose. Here's the whole thing:

So I gave them authorization to replace the inner if required. Picked my car up today, and there was no boot charge on the bill! The tech (ILAudiTech) said that the boot was available, but a local dealer had one, not Laurel.

So I so saw Dave, asked him about it, he stated that they managed to get the old one off (I did spray penetrating oil on it all weekend, hope that helped), and that they had a rack laying around that they just took off the car. So they took off the boot and put it on my car!

So they charged me 1 hour labor to remove the old outer tie rod, put on a new boot, and install my supplied tie rod end. Plus the alignment. Oh, and the boot clamp for $4.00.

Their labor rate is $120.99, but I paid one hour, which I feel comfortable with. Plus they gave me a rental car. They also provided me with the "as-found" and "as-left" alignment printout as I asked.

I'm glad that I can report this positive experience with Laurel. Thanks for taking care of me!

Scott D.³ · 11-11-2003, 02:53 PM

PlainRuss · 11-11-2003, 06:13 PM

BlueCarDude · 11-12-2003, 06:04 AM

So many that I've decided to take my S4 there for service. Called over and spoke with Jim (Finch is it?) and was told I could get a loaner, no questions asked... and I didn't even purchase my car there.

Going to head over on Saturday to get a light fixed on my S4 Avant.

So glad I don't have to deal with Felcher-Jones!

ZCD2.7T · 11-12-2003, 06:35 AM

carbonLORD · 11-12-2003, 07:22 AM

I felt bad that I couldnt purchase my second Audi from them but they did not have what I needed at the time. I had the pleasure of purchasing my first car, and first Audi from them almost 2 years back, service was terrific every time I went to them. I beleive Jim was the man back then, he still around?

gription · 11-12-2003, 08:56 AM

Last time I wan in there he was there. Great guy. The service writers at Laurel are the best reason for buying a car from them. Audi # 3 will be purchased there in the spring.

The_Real_Jeff_Gannon · 11-12-2003, 03:32 PM

allroad'Ed now · 11-14-2003, 08:33 AM

and that includes 3 Audis, 3 Porsches, 2 BMWs and assorted SUV's.

Shameless in Chicago · 11-14-2003, 12:15 PM

11-11-2003, 01:45 PM	#1
PaulW AudiWorld Super User Account #: 22012 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 18,107	Positive Dealer Experience with Laurel So as some of you might recall, I bought new tie rod ends last week, went to go install them last weekend, got one on, but the left side one was frozen. I wrestled with it for almost 2 hours, tore the tie rod boot in the process, and said screw it, I'll let the dealer put this one on. We'll just call it another Waterlooism. I already had an appointment at Laurel for an alignment on Monday morning. I have established a few relationships with the techs at Laurel, and converse through email sometimes. I emailed the techs and sent them the picture below, they said they would take care of me. I was worried that a boot wasn't available, and it would be some terrible story of needing a new steering rack for some huge amount of money. I even suggested to the tech that if they had a steering rack sitting around that they took out of a car, use that boot. The boot actually goes over the inner tie rod, which they said might have to come off and be replaced if the outer couldn't come loose. Here's the whole thing: So I gave them authorization to replace the inner if required. Picked my car up today, and there was no boot charge on the bill! The tech (ILAudiTech) said that the boot was available, but a local dealer had one, not Laurel. So I so saw Dave, asked him about it, he stated that they managed to get the old one off (I did spray penetrating oil on it all weekend, hope that helped), and that they had a rack laying around that they just took off the car. So they took off the boot and put it on my car! So they charged me 1 hour labor to remove the old outer tie rod, put on a new boot, and install my supplied tie rod end. Plus the alignment. Oh, and the boot clamp for $4.00. Their labor rate is $120.99, but I paid one hour, which I feel comfortable with. Plus they gave me a rental car. They also provided me with the "as-found" and "as-left" alignment printout as I asked. I'm glad that I can report this positive experience with Laurel. Thanks for taking care of me! __________________ _________________________________ Paul Waterloo 01 S8 Black on Black Lots of Electronic Mods D2 A8/A8L/S8 FAQ Digest

11-11-2003, 02:53 PM	#2
Scott D.³ Junior Member Account #: 1996 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,282	Laurel rocks once again! __________________ Stage<sup>3=Kewl: Stock=Meh <a href="http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nt2.php"> </a>"Nerdiness pays for my Audis!"

11-11-2003, 06:13 PM	#3
PlainRuss Member Account #: 62716 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 4,351	Glad to help Paul. __________________ <br />see famous look-a-like faces

11-12-2003, 06:04 AM	#4
BlueCarDude Junior Member Account #: 56290 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,632	I've read a lot of positive comments about Laurel. So many that I've decided to take my S4 there for service. Called over and spoke with Jim (Finch is it?) and was told I could get a loaner, no questions asked... and I didn't even purchase my car there. Going to head over on Saturday to get a light fixed on my S4 Avant. So glad I don't have to deal with Felcher-Jones! __________________

11-12-2003, 06:35 AM	#5
ZCD2.7T AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 10291 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,020	It's worth the drive, I guarantee you. They are REALLY easy to deal with. __________________ ----------- '04 S-line! ----------- Where I'd rather be:

11-12-2003, 07:22 AM	#6
carbonLORD AudiWorld Uber User Account #: 33185 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 42,989	Laurel has one of the best service dept's in IL, IMO. I felt bad that I couldnt purchase my second Audi from them but they did not have what I needed at the time. I had the pleasure of purchasing my first car, and first Audi from them almost 2 years back, service was terrific every time I went to them. I beleive Jim was the man back then, he still around? __________________ "Change is inevitable" \| RS 6 Stuff \| www.carbonLORD.com \| 08 TT 2.0

11-12-2003, 08:56 AM	#7
gription AudiWorld Super User Account #: 58118 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,008	Jim? Jim Finch? Last time I wan in there he was there. Great guy. The service writers at Laurel are the best reason for buying a car from them. Audi # 3 will be purchased there in the spring. __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

11-12-2003, 03:32 PM	#8
The_Real_Jeff_Gannon New Member Account #: 40094 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 316	Thanks Paul !!! __________________ 2002 A4 1.8T Denim blue, Sport pac Writen in cold blood with a toothpick

11-14-2003, 08:33 AM	#9
allroad'Ed now Senior Member Account #: 8639 Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 7,170	He's still there. Best damn service advisor I've ever done business with... and that includes 3 Audis, 3 Porsches, 2 BMWs and assorted SUV's. __________________ formerly known as: Ed's A6Q now allroad '02 allroad Light Silver/Platinum- gone but not forgotten H-Sport (stealth black) RS6 Exhaust 20% Tint Bluetoothed for Razr Sym II with XM Summer street- 18x8 BBS RX 245/45-18 Toyo T1R 20mm H&R spacers Per my wife:"A station wagon shouldn't be this damn fast!" Other current toys: '04 BMW X5 4.4 Tow vehicle '97 BMW 528I, 95K miles, dead stock '86 911 track toy, 190,000K miles and just a few mods Previously: 98 A6Q 93 100CS 86 5000 CSQ

11-14-2003, 12:15 PM	#10
Shameless in Chicago Senior Member Account #: 14210 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: IL Posts: 7,720	Your mileage may vary. __________________ Current: 2004 A4q 6speed V6 USP (now with Big Reds & S4 H-Sports) 2003 A4tq tip sport with sexy new RS4 wheels A look back: 2001 Audi A4tqms 1999 VW Passat 1.8t 1999 Audi A4 2.8qm 1986 Peugeot 505 Turbo 1995 Nissan 200SX SE-R 1984 Peugeot 505 STI 1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R 1985 Peugeot 505 wagon 1986 Peugeot 505 Turbo GL 1984 Peugeot 505 GL

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