What are peoples views as to the thinking of Audi Dealers selling, and servicing Ducati motorbikes rather like BMW? I think it would be great to see it take a step in that direction
A good way of keeping prices even higher with no guarantee of better service. I see no initial benefit. Can just see me swilling coffee in my stinking leathers covered in flies sitting next to mr cutabove in his tweed suit
I had an Audi bought via dealer in Cambridge. Worst dealer experience I've had, and polar opposite of my nearest Ducati dealer. That's why I've had one Audi and will never have another, and 4 Ducatis (3 bought via the local dealer). My heart sunk when Audi acquired Ducati, but I wouldn't be surprised if Audi set a new minimum standard for showrooms for their dealer network, to justify higher prices (but worse service).
My take on it is that Audi will make Ducati build better bikes and make them more professional overall.
Awful. I owned an Audi S3 a few years back. The dealers were awful to deal with if there was a problem. It's all about presentation and front with them. They seem to want to compete with BMW as a premium brand, but their customer service is nowhere near. I've only ever owned a couple of BMW's, but the dealers were fantastic in terms of sales and service.
Well, we now have the Audi pricing, let's hope we get the quality improvement. To be fair, they seem to have left Lamborghini sufficiently alone to maintain their character (mostly), while improving the general quality.
I've generally had good customer service from my Audi dealer so I guess it's simply one of those things, some are good some are bad, much like the world of ducati dealers Customer service in the UK is generally shit anyway, no matter what it's for Nellys good though so I'm happy with cornerspeed, and I don't think he'll be going anywhere
I think the current range is incredible. Of all the bikes introduced since the buy-out, I can't think of a bad bike amongst them. But, having Audi dealers servicing Ducatis would be a very bad idea. From the hourly rates to the training deficit, Audi techs servicing Ducatis is a bad thing. BTW, I've had an S4 for more years than I care to think. It's still a fantastic car.
I currently own a year old Audi which I still have serviced by the main dealer here in Oxford, service is adequate, nothing special, prices are obscenely high, Ducati labour rates will go the same way, hopefully some smaller garages will remain as Ducati service centres it would sad to see everything going into an Audi main dealer.
My experience of Audi dealers (and that of everyone I know who has ever set foot in an Audi showroom) is that the staff are complete tossers. I know a huge amount of people who drive Audis and all of them say the staff are arrogant idiots. Ducati and Audi are very, very different brands and to me they need to be kept as such when it comes to the physical showrooms. I am sure Audi management will be a very good thing overall for Ducati, but there's no reason to merge brands on the shopfloor. Scotland does need more in the way of a shop window for Ducati though - Ducati Glasgow are flying the flag solo now and have been for a few years. Scotland is a big place but putting bikes into Audi dealers is not the way to go. Also, BMW only have 2 (maybe 3) bike dealers in the whole of Scotland, but they seems to do well. You can get the bike serviced at any BMW car dealer though, which a guy at work does with his GS but it's only one guy in the BMW dealership who can do the work. BMW are one brand mind you, not like Audi and Ducati.
Audi are owned by VW who have always maintained the separation of all their brands, I don't think we will see any move of Ducati dealers into an Audi garage, in fact I don't think they would allow it.
As always we only hear from a few disgruntled people about Audi. I'd wager that they good outweighs the bad by 95 to 1. I've had four Audi's before now (both private and company cars) and I've witnessed professionalism and had great service wherever I've been.
Unlikely you'd ever get them in the same garage. Next door maybe and share service facilities, or as they move to high st sales showrooms, selling from an ipad not metal on the forecourt The risk will be when Ducati start popping up in group owned dealerships, like Pendragon or Inchcape rather then the independents they are now
Your cheque is in the post, always great service when it's a company car, you're not paying the bill!
I can only talk about my experience with them (Tyneside Audi), which was poor. Ask me about Cooper BMW, M&S Motorcycles (Ducati) Newcastle, Ducati Leeds and you'll get a positive response.
I think the issue with Audi is that they have seen increased market share right through the recession whereas others have not, this fills their workshops and brings an attitude that many find unpleasant. I have run Audi company cars for years and find their service very scripted and forced, it really winds me up when you get 'jeremy' is dealing with you but he is with another customer right now, would you like a coffee whilst you wait?" I then have to sit and wait whilst he goes throughout he motions with his customer. Nothing wrong with that you say, well there is when there a 4 of them and the others are sitting twiddling their thumbs and all i want to do is hand them a set of keys.
