BMW E90 or AUdi A4 2.0TFSI Quattro

[bimmer818]

After months of condiseration, I decided to buy a new E90 325i Sport and 2 days ago, after a game of golf, my good buddy took me to Auto Bavaria in Segambut to make my booking and my story is as follows: Both of us were dressed in T-shirts and shorts and my buddy was driving his E36. We were ignored and non of the available so called sales advisors attended to us. I did not get to see any 325i sport as there was none at the show room. Only E90s. We left and my buddy took me to Quil in PJ. Again, we were ignored by the sales advisors although the receptionist were friendly. Same story...no 325i. After looking around for about 20 minutes on our own, my buddy approached the receptionist and requested to see one of the owner of the showroom (whom he knew) to ask why no sales personnel attended to us. Upon hearing this, one of the sales advisor immediately jumped up and attended to us. He apologised for ignoring us claiming that he thought we were already being attended to by somebody else. We then received A1 attention but I was very disappointed because they do not have any 325i available to test drive, let alone to view. I told the sales advisor I wanted a 325i Sport with sunroof, active steering as well as Adaptive Headlights. The reply I received is that they can only sell me a SKD without the options. What a DONKEY! I was willing to pay the extra and wait for the shipment from Germany if I have to. We did not want to waste anymore time with DONKEYS so we left. My buddy then suggested I try the Audi and we headed to AUDI Glennmarie. Although we were dressed like paupers, we were given A1 attention the minute we walked into the showroom. VIP treatment followed after my buddy spoke to the CEO whom he knew. We tested the A4 1.8T. The 2.0T Quattro was not available but was arranged for us yesterday and I tested it. I am in love with it. Now I am seriously thinking to buying the 2.0T Quattro. Audi have arranged for me to have the test car for a few days next week. The SKD 325i sports OTR without insurance is RM 309,800.00. The Audi 2.0T Quattro is RM 310,372.00 and they will custom the sunroof plus MMI navigation for another RM 23,000.00. It is totally CBU and the interior finishing is great. (0-100 km/hr at 6.6 sec and 7 speed S tronic with paddle shift). I think it is a better buy than the 325i Sport. After I have placed my order with Audi, I will write to BMW Germany to them how their Sales representative SUCKS. I have been a BMW owner since 1984 and am really disappointed. Cannot even test drive the 325i sports. #@!*.

 

[David Yong]

So you have finally bought yourself an Audi or BMW ??? From start, it is BMW, at the end is an Audi ? Which is which ?

 

[king82]

i think he meant at first, he decided to buy the E90 325i and therefore went to the BMW dealers...but after the treatment he received, he went for the Audi instead?

 

[astroboy]

tiu... u'all didn't get this meh?

"After I have placed my order with Audi.."

He placed order lio la!

I say this is a good case study for human behavioral subject. Salesman earn by selling cars.. and servicing customer. U think selling Audi is easier or BMW is easier? I reckon if the Audi salesman behave like the BMW salesman, he can eat banana liao! While a BMW salesman has the "privilege" to behave like that, and still has a fat pay check end of the month.. why people become complacent? That's because they have "enough".. agree? no?

Why no test car for BMW? Test what? The 325i sports are selling like hot cakes.. even the test drive cars and courtesy cars all sold liao! They have to get rid of the 2009 ASAP because we are into 2010 liao! How come Audi got test cars? Nobody buy ma.. that Audi u test drove, must be a 2009 car.. I can bet my last dollar with u..

Importing CBU is very mafan... its not about the price.. u must consider AP too, shipping, insurance, and all kinds of logistic risk and nightmare. If BMW Malaysia got extra AP, u think they want to import a 325? For you info, they are bringing in the RM1.2m X6M u know.. for obvious reason.. can make more from the AP ma. No believe? Go enquire about the X6M, I'm sure they give u a long list of options..

Sun roof. Will make your car top heavy, central gravity shifted upwards.. cornering stability compromised!

Anyway, bimmer818, enjoy your new Audi! :wink:

 

[initialM]

Is there any AUDI model call S5? Bump into 1 SG car this morning. Nice ass:top:
Did not manage to view the front part coz busy cilok after overtake it. Really like the rear lamp design.:love:

 

[astroboy]

Ada.. nice ass meh? Not my cup of tea... I like tight and lifted ones.. not flat and spreading onces..

 

[king82]

I say this is a good case study for human behavioral subject. Salesman earn by selling cars.. and servicing customer. U think selling Audi is easier or BMW is easier? I reckon if the Audi salesman behave like the BMW salesman, he can eat banana liao! While a BMW salesman has the "privilege" to behave like that, and still has a fat pay check end of the month.. why people become complacent? That's because they have "enough".. agree? no?
...

i agree with you on this part...if the BMW sales advisor had been more courteous and service-ready no matter how shabbily dressed a customer is...then at least the customer would have felt better...but this is human mentality lor...see big car, well dressed...then we will worship like god...small car, dress up so-so...we will look up and down...
try dressing up like bimmer818 and walk into a middle-high end store...the sales would just look from your head to your shoes...unless you got cash splashing out from your pockets...

 

[supergripen]

My experience was a little different..the worst was AB Glenmarie where no one bothered to attend to me,even with kids n wife in tow.Same with Audi Glenmarie,no one bothered till I actually went to them,sitting dumb and stupid behind their tables..

The best was Quill in PJ,Ingress and Wearnes VW in Bangsar..

Nways,to the author of the thread,congrats on the purchase of the A4 2.0t.Spankingly good car..I'd choose the same as well,only difference is that I'd ditch the sunroof and get the B&O soundsystem instead.

 

[astroboy]

... this is human mentality lor...see big car, well dressed...then we will worship like god...small car, dress up so-so...we will look up and down......

Many have complained inattentive salesman when they don't dress up or don't travel in big cars. Another human behavioral subject. If u get hundreds of jokers walk into your showroom every month, most of them just want to test drive and trash the test car around with no intention to buy... how many times can u tolerate? After awhile, sure run out of steam attending such jokers... and how u single out these jokers? go figure..

On the other hand, if u only get a couple of customers walk in every month, u will try your best to seize every available opportunity, even if the customer comes in kap-jai..

See the difference?!

You can complain all u want but the fella next to u who dress up a little will get the attention and get better service. So please dress up a little if u want respect.. its a cruel and real world out there. Why do you think the ladies need to put on makeup? ATTENTION!! is what they seek!

 

[king82]

haha...you make sense everytime, do you?

 

[ALBundy]

You can complain all u want but the fella next to u who dress up a little will get the attention and get better service. So please dress up a little if u want respect.. its a cruel and real world out there. Why do you think the ladies need to put on makeup? ATTENTION!! is what they seek!

I think that's the honest-brutal truth.

People tend to judge based on what you drive and wear.

Then again, there is no excuse for complacency on the part of the Sales Advisors.

Bimmer818, have you check out Ingress Auto and Sapura Auto? Give them a try.

Cheers

 

[fabianyee]

each marques have their horror stories with the sales ppl...

I think AB Glenmarie has more cars for test drive...

read the different side of the story.. it's opposite from your experience..
http://vagmy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7329

 

[astroboy]

haha...you make sense everytime, do you?

Sorry, I drank a tad too much last nite.. still trying to locate my spectacles..

wah! bundy still trying to promote BMW ka, ur role as our club President has wide scope eh?! hehe...

People make booking liao la.. cancel booking will cost our friend dearly wor.. The Germans are fixing his sun roof now as we speak..

 

[bimmer818]

Wow! Already get so many response. Sorry if i did not make myself clear.
Not yet place order.

Monday will be getting the test car again for a few days. Driving to Johor for 2 rounds of golf and then back to KL and up Genting. Already tested yesterday driving around Glennmarie and fell in love. Now want to try long distance and winding road. If everything OK, then will place Rm 10,000.00 booking fee. Car will then be shipped and delivered in May 2010 complete with options. I can wait as subject to final test run, this car is worth waiting for.

For information of all readers, Audi is selling very well. If you walk into their showroom in Glennmarie, most of the showroom cars are already sold. In Germany and Australia already overtook BMW as top seller. In Malaysia, they spending millions to put up new showrooms and upgrade service centers.

 

[armereth]

I am no salesman... but dont' we all judge people by their outlook? At least the first impression...

I have heard many stories about how one dress down to look at fancy car and when doesnt get the attention they go away complaining blah blah.......The classic story is the ah pek riding bicycle to buy mercs in cash....To me, these are attention seeker. I am sure they go around telling people how people look down on them and then how they get back at them by buying from someone else blah blah blah

If you want want respect.... EARN IT!!!!!! How? For a start, Dress approriately (note: got nothing to do with expensive)

Me? I dress down to look at cars because I dont want to be attended when i am not ready. Then if I am interested i will go up and ask for information. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, too often the Salesman will entertaing me EVEN when I dress down (slipper and shorts). This make me uncomfortable.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

You can complain all u want but the fella next to u who dress up a little will get the attention and get better service. So please dress up a little if u want respect.. its a cruel and real world out there. Why do you think the ladies need to put on makeup? ATTENTION!! is what they seek!

No need to dress to smartly one..You can dress like a pauper and still get a lot of attention. Don't forget to bring along your cheque book with you and make sure it is visible all the time. Ask the magic question "if I book now how long will I have to wait?".:top:

 

[fabianyee]

Not too sure if Audi is selling well, but the Audi club members do not think so....

http://vagmy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7371&sid=caa932cd7cb880b98111ca34458b565e

one of the posts:

In CBT sunday, C class sales from Jan to Nov 2009 is 1661 units compared to 1678 units of the 3 series. The A4 only managed 229 units. For the 5 series, 947 units compared to the E class 1151 units. The A6 only 50 units. The S class sold 284 units compared to 142 of the 7 series. The A8 only 6 units. And the best part is, the premium car companies ranking in the Interbrand Top 100 Global Brands, Mercedes ranked 12 valued at RM 76.8 billion, BMW ranked 15 valued at RM 70 billion and Audi ranked 65 valued only RM 16.7 billion.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Not too sure if Audi is selling well, but the Audi club members do not think so....

http://vagmy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7371&sid=caa932cd7cb880b98111ca34458b565e

one of the posts:

BMW never considered Audi as their main rival. Their main rival is from Stuttgart, the three pointed star. BMW and Mercedes claim to be luxurious but in terms of quality and technology they are nowhere compared to Audi. Why BMW and Mercedes still at the top? This is mainly due to their history and strong heritage. Merecedes is well known for official car for head -of-state, but what about BMW? I think they worked really hard for it. They used to be in Audi's position. The reason why Audi is not selling well is because the car is very limited worldwide. To make things worse, there's also platform sharing involved especially between the A4 and the Q5. They didn't expect these two variants can be so popular.

 

[buzzlie]

I suggest u try Sapura Auto la Bro ...

 

[fabianyee]

BMW never considered Audi as their main rival. Their main rival is from Stuttgart, the three pointed star. BMW and Mercedes claim to be luxurious but in terms of quality and technology they are nowhere compared to Audi. Why BMW and Mercedes still at the top? This is mainly due to their history and strong heritage. Merecedes is well known for official car for head -of-state, but what about BMW? I think they worked really hard for it. They used to be in Audi's position. The reason why Audi is not selling well is because the car is very limited worldwide. To make things worse, there's also platform sharing involved especially between the A4 and the Q5. They didn't expect these two variants can be so popular.

If you can read the link I posted, the gripes from the Club Audi M'sia members are on how the brand is being handled by Euro Mobil under DRB Hicom... Citing lack of appetite for sales, archaic marketing direction bla bla bla.. They are handling the premium brand like they have been doing with Proton and other brands in hand..

The thing about big majority of car salesperson in Malaysia is that they are not enthusiast. They hardly know much about the car they are selling. They don't expect buyers to ask technical questions, and when they do encountered such questions, they either goreng with wrong facts or go 'ee ee ahh ahh'...
No doubt there would be some good salesperson with sound product knowledge but these are usually the 'minority'.

Read this experience from club Audi members going to both Audi and BMW showroom for test drive.
Link here: http://vagmy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7329

Well, since EM guys do hang out in the forum, you guys have got a lot to learn. I took some friends to EM Glenmarie (not far from my office) coz one of them is buying a new car (bought already now). The sale person (I won't mention who) that attended to us and showed us the A4 was somewhat stone like. I mean he was unable to answer quite a few of the questions and he looks rather demotivated. The mood was really bad. I had to answer some of the questions and some of which I too do not have answers and am unable to help.

Next we actually went to BMW and I saw the best salesman in my life. I mean this guy knows his car inside out. He stepped on my tail once or twice (of course since I don't like someone telling me that BMWs can anytime out run the Audis) but besides the bullshit he is very convincing. My friend was so convinced he wanted to put a down payment there. I told him to take his time and think about it first, actually bought him to see Skoda just to get him out of BMW showroom. Honestly Skoda sales person that talked to us was also half past six. He only knows that Skoda is a value for money car where you can drive a German make with German feel at not so German prices, and that is probably all he knew. He later introduced us to Mazda cars. Of course this is of no concern to EM but later my friend did ask me this, "if you claim that Audis are so good, how come the sales person is like that (meaning that bad)?" I actually felt quite a shame. I mean malu lar since I kept pushing the Audi brand to him.

The point I am trying to make here is this... You've got a superb car in your hands and you don't know what to do with it. Your sales team (don't let me start on the guy that tried selling us the Q5) does not reflect well on the brand that you carry. Simply said it is like you've got a Proton Salesman selling Audi. He knows all the basics about cars and do not know what TFSi means. Glenmarie EM showroom is cool but you should see Toyota in Subang. A premium brand car from Germany with a showroom less attractive that a common Japanese brand's showroom. This is secondary no doubt.

What's worse is the service. I took my car to EM to change a hose (some 5 months ago) and was told to leave my car for at least 3 days (after negotiating as I only have one car and need to use it). I decided to limp back to my office and called up a workshop in OKR. They sent a guy over and settled the problem in two hours right at the parking lot of my office.

Honestly, I feel really sad for the Audi brand in Malaysia. Sad because it is a brand that I love. Sad because we've got the best cars in the world but in Malaysia the majority still think that Audi is not the car to get due to overwhelming problems. Yes there are problems but the overwhelming problem is not with Audi cars but with the guys managing the brand in Malaysia.

Seems to me that EM is not doing much at all. The guys doing all the promotion seems to be this Club, the Audi Club of Malaysia. As a marketing guy I would have been long gone by now if I worked like how EM works. I mean it doesn't take much brains to figure out that without effort there will be no positive results. Even my clerk can tell you that. To me here is the formula....

Same brains = same results.
New brains = new results.

I really hope that Audi Germany comes in and hopefully we get new brains = new results.

Well dear EM, Sorry for being harsh but in the real world, the environment is harsh if you still haven't figured that out yet. The idea is not to be eaten by the sharks but to beat up those bloody sharks* and come out on top. It is good what you've decided to do in KL with the new terminal and I applaud that but hey... you've got a very long way to go and a lot to prove.

*Sharks here do not mean those ferocious creatures that leave in the sea. It means companies like BMW, Mercedes Benz, etc.