Is their anyone considering the new Audi E-tron?

[jonnyu]

Originally Posted by isleaiw

Its a shame that you decide a whole brand is rubbish based on one retailer

No, my experience was based on 4 different countries (Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Portugal) not a local dealer...
So I'm pretty much qualified to say that in terms of customer service they suck bad. The cars are ok but for that quality of service, both service and the car itself are very expensive for what you get.

And going deep regarding the car quality, after 2012 they decreased a lot the build quality in their entry level and mid level lineup (A1, A3, Q3, A4 and Q5).
You look inside an entry-mid level Audi today and you are seeing and feeling a Skoda, not an Audi.

So you pay for the brand not the car / service and that is a bad principle. But anyone is free to do whatever they want with their money.

[isleaiw]

Originally Posted by jonnyu

No, my experience was based on 4 different countries (Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Portugal) not a local dealer...
So I'm pretty much qualified to say that in terms of customer service they suck bad. The cars are ok but for that quality of service, both service and the car itself are very expensive for what you get.

And going deep regarding the car quality, after 2012 they decreased a lot the build quality in their entry level and mid level lineup (A1, A3, Q3, A4 and Q5).
You look inside an entry-mid level Audi today and you are seeing and feeling a Skoda, not an Audi.

So you pay for the brand not the car / service and that is a bad principle. But anyone is free to do whatever they want with their money.

I drive a Q5 (well techincally an SQ5) and I would say it is very well built inside, great leather, good tech. Better than my last Merc, better than my last Volvo (but that isnt a fair comparison as it was a 2011 XC70).

I am amazed that they still survive if all dealers in 4 countries are complete rubbish. Astounding.....

PS I work in London, I get in many cars every week that look like a Volvo inside, share components underneath too - but it wouldnt put me off buying one. An Audi sharing components with a Skoda doesnt either...

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by taylora

A 300 mile range EV is fine for me, not for you.

Peace man. I'm not right and you're not wrong. It suits me, doesn't suit you. Your money, buy what you like.

Exactly. And judging by the EV sales/market share - outside Norway (where the gov. heavily subsidizes the EVs...) they are on a level of statistical error - a great majority of the driving population will agree with me.

And peace it is- I may have sounded of a bit aggressive- but it wasn't my intention.

[taylora]

I've no idea if EV sales are up/down/static here in the UK. However, given you can now get a Tesla for £36k which is nearly £10k LESS than a Hybrid XC40 then I can only see them going up.

I considered waiting for a Polestar 2, it looks lovely and has a good range but that's going to be £50k by the time it goes onsale, possibly next year in RHD.

So unless the Model 3 is a dog to drive (every review says it's definitely not), I think I've found my V90 replacement. Will see when I drive it tomorrow.

[taylora]

Oh and before someone smart pips up to say an XC40 Twin Engine is £40k, you need to add Intellisafe surround, Xenium pack, leather, Premium Sound, winter pack etc to get the spec to the same as a Model 3 at £36k.

[Haldex]

Ofcourse, but you do realize that this is not even near the true price of a Model 3? Heavy subsidies are paid for by the taxpayers and from the excises charged on fossil fuels. How long do you think can this system last for? How long do you expect to be able to enjoy the free charging? What happens when 10 or 15% of all cars on the road are electric- a hike from today's 1-2%? How many superchargers will be enough once EVs reach 30% of the market share? Or 50%? Etc, etc.

[jonnyu]

Originally Posted by isleaiw

I am amazed that they still survive if all dealers in 4 countries are complete rubbish. Astounding.....

Easy, because people buy these cars for the social status, specially in south European countries not because they are great cars comparing it to others.
Example, if you look at the price of an Audi and a Mercedes / BMW in most of these countries, Audi is a good compromise since Mercedes is a very expensive brand.
They also survive because the VW group is not only Audi, it includes Audi, Skoda, Seat, Porsche.
Again, I dont like to pay a lot because I have to, I like to pay because it's deserved and you are getting a good service. That doesnt happen in Audi.
But worry not, your "bad episode" will come. It happens to everyone, and it will happen to you. It's just a matter of time.

[yeoman]

Originally Posted by jonnyu

This is where you lost me in your thought process. You already have a hybrid solution, which is the only way to go for now during the transition period at least until 2022 or 2023.
A full electric SUV today is a high risk bet. It will still be a moderated risk bet in 2023 but at least you will have more advancements by then that will make the EV a more viable solution than what they are now.

Also, if you are a current customer from Volvo, and knowing that they will introduce technology like wireless charging in their future lineup, it may not be the best investment if you already own a PHEV solution right now.

Changing a PHEV for a full EV solution now may be considered a more trendy solution than an economical/strategical one.

Check out the latest government pronouncement for company cars on BIK tax for any hybrid vehicle that does less than 150 miles on pure electricity and the BIK for zero emission cars from April.I think you will will understand why trendy has nothing to with it.

[taylora]

Wow, that's alot of wrong assumptions...

Originally Posted by Haldex

Ofcourse, but you do realize that this is not even near the true price of a Model 3?

The list price is £39.5k and has a £3500 govt subsidy to drop it to £36k, the exact same as you get on a T5/T8 Twin Engine plug in but not on a B4/5 mild hybrid.

Originally Posted by Haldex

How long do you think can this system last for?

As long as it takes to place my order, I really don't care after that. Once volumes are up, prices are likely to fall so the subsidy will likely end.

Originally Posted by Haldex

How long do you expect to be able to enjoy the free charging?

Ignoring free charging 48K miles of electric is about one fifth the cost or 48K miles of diesel. Diesel/petrol prices go up and down day by day. Electric prices tend to change maybe quarterly, longer if you lock into a tariff.

Originally Posted by Haldex

What happens when 10 or 15% of all cars on the road are electric- a hike from today's 1-2%? How many superchargers will be enough once EVs reach 30% of the market share? Or 50%? Etc, etc.

Demand/supply chicken and egg. I'll always have a socket at home. Do you have a petrol station at home?

[yeoman]

Originally Posted by taylora

Wow,

Demand/supply chicken and egg. I'll always have a socket at home. Do you have a petrol station at home?