I've got to call out Rockville Porsche/Audi on this travesty.

[Potomac-Greg]

We're selling our 2002 Audi TT Roadster and as a favor to the buyers (friends) we decide to have a 30,000 service done. My wife brings it in and the results are staggering.

They basically did an oil change AND THEN PUT IN 32 OUNCES OF "ZMAX" which as far as I can tell is a classic snake oil additive. I intend to protest this unless they can show me where Audi specifies it. FTC has issues with this product.

THEN they list the oil as "ZVW-352-082-Q-DSP ENGINE OIL" at $3.10 X 5. What oil is RETAILED at $3.10 per quart? Doesn't sound like a proper oil. Audi/VW has enough trouble with the 1.8T sludging up. It's sickening that a dealer would put junk oil in.

Then $178 labor for basically an oil change and pouring 32 ounces of "ZMAX" whereever the hell you do that.

I believe that every business is entitled to make a buck, but this is outrageous. I'll be visiting first thing tomorrow.

[VaSteve]

I think wastingtime has some connections over there. He might be able to help you out.

[flatsixcrazy]

I think wastingtime has some connections over there. He might be able to help you out.

Not anymore (from the sounds of his avatar). I guess he ain't gonna be driving for no Rockville Porsche/Audi no mo.

[cmartin]

What oil is RETAILED at $3.10 per quart?

Have you bought oil lately? That's not a terrible price, list at least. If all they did was change the oil you got ripped off. If they did the rest of the service, let's assume they did, that's not a bad deal.

[NoPaint]

You could also let the new buyer who you are doing the change for decide. Who knows, the additive could help prevent sludge in an engine that is sludge prone???

[AznDrgn]

Typically unless you specify a special oil you'll get whatever comes out of the tank. At $3.10 a quart I can't imagine it being anything really special.

[Potomac-Greg]

Typically unless you specify a special oil you'll get whatever comes out of the tank. At $3.10 a quart I can't imagine it being anything really special.

I would think that I would get an oil that meets Audi's own specifications (VW502.00 or better). That is likely to be a synthetic, and cost $5/quart at a minimum. (I'm not complaining that the oil is too pricey; but rather that it's too cheap to be sufficient quality.)

[Clarke]

I doubt that it is a synthetic at $3.10 a quart.

[roundel]

I may be painting with an awfully large brush here, but dealers (especially Audi Porsche VW dealers) are properly called stealers. I have several stories of being treaded like a babe in the woods relating to Audi service. Once I took the 1.8T Avant in THREE times under warranty because the brakes had an odd lurch before biting. Finally after they claimed they took everything apart and found nothing, I opened the calipers to check things out. The pad material fell off the backing plates into my hands! Clearly they never did a thing. We also had a limp home issue on the AllRoad. The bastards at Valley Motors wanted several THOUSAND bucks to replace the mass air flow sensor, air box, and some O2 sensors. I took it to an indy with the fault code readings. They replaced the air filter, blew off the mass air flow sensor and reset the O2 sensor fault codes. It cost under $100 and has cured the problem. I responded by visiting with my 2 3 year old sons with toys in hand and let them loose on the sales floor for about 15 minutes. They set the staff crazy with their matchbox cars across the floor, hopping in and driving the kiddy car around the sales floor, and generally putting finger prints on everything including the brand spanking new R8 on the floor. Finally, when buying my Carrera, the PO had it inspected by Tischer. Those asshats refused to pass it until US dot headlights were installed or placed in a box on the passenger seat in lieu of the H4s installed. They quoted an insane price for the Dot lights. STEALERS!!!

Oh, and Z-Max is supported by Carrol Shelby so it must not be a scam.:vomit:

Please excuse the rant, but it is early and this post struck a nerve.:XX

[holminator]

Porsche of Arlington...10-year relationship (hooked up right after I moved back from Stuttgart-Botnang)...no drama, no problems, good people, excellent work. My car is in top shape and driven...from West Palm Beach to Montreal. Sorry to hear about your problems, brothers. :( Some dealer do suck. I have an MB too and I can tell you that Mercedes in Arlington is the worse (long stories). I'd rather drink battery acid than do business with them.

Tony

[Lupin..the..3rd]

I have an MB too and I can tell you that Mercedes in Arlington is the worse (long stories). I'd rather drink battery acid than do business with them.
If you're talking about American Service Center off of Glebe road, I agree wholeheartedly. I'll never bring a car there for service again.

[jsilverm]

Oh, and Z-Max is supported by Carrol Shelby so it must not be a scam.:vomit:
Dont you remember the old commercials for ZMAX? Its got linkite. It soaks in to metal to provide far superior lubrication. Its also FAA approved. I cant think that a stealer would add that stuff. My old VW dealer would add BG products, but they told/asked you about it up front. I never had a problem because I like BG products. Sorry to hear you got hosed Greg.

[Potomac-Greg]

Dont you remember the old commercials for ZMAX? Its got linkite. It soaks in to metal to provide far superior lubrication. Its also FAA approved. I cant think that a stealer would add that stuff. My old VW dealer would add BG products, but they told/asked you about it up front. I never had a problem because I like BG products. Sorry to hear you got hosed Greg.

When I walked in this morning, I saw that they had a ZMax stander on the counter and a big ZMax poster on the wall. Pitiful that a premium dealership has whored out their brand like that. The service rep (Beaver Ho - a guy who has gotten positive reviews on AudiWorld) literally said, "We use it on all services. It's great stuff." I might as well take my car to Midas for service.

[roundel]

Check out this ZMax lawsuit PDF. I does not appear good on the surface...

If I were you, I would print this lawsuit out and show it to the service manager. I would then suggest that they drain the oil and put in the oil of your choice gratis. Sumsobitches!

http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0023256/010201comp0023256.pdf

[roundel]

More info from the FTC website:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/02/zmax1.shtm

I think you may be in the position to really have some fun with these iceholes.:twisted:

[John]

The service rep Beaver Ho

That's got to be one of the top ten best names in the history of the world.

[930slant]

I have ALWAYS supported independent shops whether for my 2 BMW's, 3 MB's, or 2 P-cars. I think the dealers feel they have a captivated audience from buyers who buy to drive but who don't really get involved with their cars the way local club owners do. Independent shops who are in business for the long haul typically take care of their customers. Although some dealers do a good job and support local clubs, not all do and I really thing you take a big risk in going to them. My 2cents.
J.

[Vicegrip]

I have ALWAYS supported independent shops whether for my 2 BMW's, 3 MB's, or 2 P-cars. I think the dealers feel they have a captivated audience from buyers who buy to drive but who don't really get involved with their cars the way local club owners do. Independent shops who are in business for the long haul typically take care of their customers. Although some dealers do a good job and support local clubs, not all do and I really thing you take a big risk in going to them. My 2cents.
J. One thing I have learned over the years is that Dealers have no lock on ripping people off. Dealers seem to be more stupid or sloppy at times due to quality control from inconsistent skills of the technical or front end personnel. Taking more of your money than is due is seen in all forms of the auto industry franchise or independent. Some shops are very good at glad handing you and making you feel good as they clean your wallet with a good dose of friendly one on one trust building to dull the pain.

Some swear at and some swear by the same shops, dealers included. The rare sweet spot is to find a good mechanic in a good shop that is not swamped or over his head on some things.

[washington dc porsche]

Funny, there's a post just like this over on the MB Board about dealers adding additives during an oil change.

[Fairfax 944]

Funny, there's a post just like this over on the MB Board about dealers adding additives during an oil change.

Hmmm, there was one on the Audi board too.

[Potomac-Greg]

Hmmm, there was one on the Audi board too.

Probably me at the Audi board, not the MB board.

It's pretty clear that the Z-Max company has paid some good coin to get product placement and forced sales. There were Z-Max signs and brochures all over the Audi dealer. It's a shame that Audi would let their dealers stoop to this.

[Vicegrip]

Probably me at the Audi board, not the MB board.

It's pretty clear that the Z-Max company has paid some good coin to get product placement and forced sales. There were Z-Max signs and brochures all over the Audi dealer. It's a shame that Audi would let their dealers stoop to this.
They don't give money to place the product for the most part. The products and branded services have very large markups. Even more so if the product or service is not even used or peformed as noted in the Jiffy Lube lawsuits.