Proof a dealership has an R8 allocation?

[steveorz]

I have been lurking for a few months and decided I would like to order a 4.2 liter R8. The knowledge I have gained regarding R8 ownership from this forum has been very helpful.

Unfortunately my experience with central and south Florida Audi dealers has been lacking and unprofessional ........in fact almost alienating me from ever purchasing any Audi.....Even after contacting Audi of North America...still no answer to my simple question regarding R8 allocations.

From my past experience one should never order a "high end allocation vehicle" without proof of a dealer allocation.....and in each case when I ordered a high end allocation vehicle the dealer supplied me proof of an allocation....no broken promises......all from brands other than Audi.

Some central Florida Audi dealers claim they can place a 2011 R8 order but when I ask specifics on R8 allocations all I get is BS!

Can anyone explain to me how I can ensure that an Audi dealership TRULY has an R8 allocation? I am NOT interested in how a dealership gets allocation or an elaborate explanation of the process of the ordering process since allocations for high-end cars work differently from allocations for "ordinary vehicles"....... I simply want to know how I can be assured that the dealership I choose to place an order actually has an allocation.

Thank guys for your replies....this forum has been a beckon of knowledge. I am really impressed by the number of "true car guys" on here who restraint from brand bashing, street racing and other childish acts of sports car ownership.

[KfabR8]

I got burned on a Porsche Cayenne Turbo here in Ohio - sold me the car and then said they didn't have allocation for one with a panoramic sunroof. What in the world??? Sell me a car, take my deposit and tell me a month later, "Oh sorry, we can't get it. Our allocation for THE SUNROOF OPTION has been used up." If I'd been smart I'd walked away from purchasing the car all together.

I ended up getting the order moved down to Florida (long story) and was able to get the car ordered - six months later it arrived. Unfortunately, it ended up being the second most disliked vehicle I've ever owned. Six months later I was rid of that pile and in an R8 and have never been happier with a car.

If you can't get your car figured out in FL (which should be a breeze!), I can help you get in contact with a local (Cincinnati area) dealership that can and will get what you want. We're just up I-75 from you.

[R8Spyderman]

The only help I can offer you is to recommend Audi of Coral Springs because I have monitored their inventory several times a week for the past month and they have consistently had a plethora of R8 Spyders when no other dealer in Florida showed any at all! I check on Autotrader.com which shows not only the exact matches but also the close matches, meaning they also show when the dealer has Coupes (I check for Spyders). Right now (according to Autotrader.com), they have 2 Spyders and 6 Coupes. If you want the straight dope, email Kevin Leddin <kleddin@audicoralsprings.com> and I'm sure he'll treat you right. Tell him I referred you to him as I'm sure he'll appreciate the referral. Good luck and keep us posted.

Jeff Liroff

[desperado]

Steverorz, yours is an excellent question but one it may be difficult to get a straightforward answer to.

First step is to make sure you are speaking with an R8 Authorized dealer. Go to the Audi website Dealer locator: http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/t...lersearch.html. Make sure you check the box to "Show Only Audi R8 Dealers".

I realize this may just make me sound like I'm a clueless fool, but sometimes it seems like my dealer is never too sure how many allocations they are getting.

Ideally, IAmAudi will chime in here and let us know how the system really works?!

EDIT: I sent a PM to Scott, hopefully we will get the benefit of his insight ... Scott?

[SteveR]

I talked to at least 6 dealers and had orders in 3 before I eventually got mine. None had proof of allocations, but the larger dealers could say with pretty good precision when they would have their next allocation. The smaller one had no idea.

If you really need proof, the only way I think you can get that is if you find a dealer with an open allocation or early order you can re-spec. That is how I got mine. I had a order and build date within a day of my deposit.

[Bodhii]

It is a big expense for an Audi dealership to have a R8 certified mechanic and certified R8 repair facility. The mechanic's R8 certification is always displayed in the service area. Without this, an Audi dealership will NEVER be allocated a R8.
That MAY help.

[mark25]

I didnt know it was so hard to get an R8 order now. Are orders still exceeding supply then? Sorry if its a stupid question I just have never ordered a brand new car.

[mngolfer]

I know Maplewood Audi has two new R8's on their show floor. One is a Spyder and one is a coupe. They are both V10's. If you want to contact them their sales managers name is Colin, 651-494-1400. They will ship these cars anywhere.

[toecutter]

The situation appears to remain confusing. Smaller dealers don't know when their allocations will come along. All dealers will let you submit orders and take your deposit but they can give the allocation to whomever they please. In the early days, they kept informal lists and it would take years before you would see your car (if ever).

My advice is to look on the internet to see if something is out there that may be acceptable. If not, find a higher volume dealer with the advice above and talk to the sales manager in very definite terms about what you want.

My dealer only had a vague idea when the allocation would come along and I had to take the word of my dealer that I was next on the list for an allocation. I waited exactly a year to get my spyder from time of order to delivery. Luckily, I have a very good team I'm dealing with and I have bought several cars from their dealership so I didn't get jerked around.

[timborama]

I ordered mine in Nov, it went into the system a couple of days later, vehicle was assigned on that day. I was told it would be in their Dec allocation. I received an email saying it was "released to manufacturing" 3rd week in Dec. But no "released for production" date.

What's the delta between "released to manufacturing" and "released for production"?