SToronto

Just saw a blog post that Audi ED is permanently cancelled.

Any rumours about Porsche?

I haven't done one but would like to. Seems like a shame.

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/01/04/...livery-option/

GrantG

I would not have ordered my last two new Porsches, if not for the opportunity to do ED...

Perimeter

Oh no, changes were bound to happen with the recent corporate shake up.

I hope this trend does not continue on to Porsche where driving is center to their goals and the trips posted on RennList are always dream inspiring drives. Removing that just takes away something special to do with your car!

I look forward to Euro trip reports like OrthoJoe's and Sam Pellegrino's (although Sam's was a bit light on photos...jab jab)

Alan Smithee

Most likely because they did a **** poor job of marketing (did anybody even know they offered it?), and because their best selling model (Q5) is now made in Mexico.

Todd B

We did an Audi ED on a Q5 back in 2010. 5% off and the ED was free. I doubt Porsche's program would go away since they basically make the dealer pay for it or pass it on to the customer.

Dr. Ferdinand

Part of that **** poor job lies with the dealers - and is pretty deliberate! All dealers prefer to sell you a car on the lot than go through the paperwork and logistics which from where they stand is just headache. So ED for many ppl has been a very well kept secret.

Sad to see that program shut - the take rates were admittedly lower than say what BMW offers (and BMW discount used to be 7%, has come down since). Having done ED, it is definitely an experience of a lifetime and a bucket list item (coupled with 2 F1 races, Nurburgring experience, 5 countries visited, etc.) The ED discount (N/A on Porsches) on the car essentially pays for the trip itself (and for example BMW used to have a BOGOF airfare with Lufthansa).

Would have done ED with my GT3 but sadly PTS is what ended up screwing it all up (production was delayed for 8 months with no final production date till pretty much ED logistics were impossible to finalize). Seems many PNA dealers are pushing the cost to the customer (~3K).

The dealer 'incentive' (once again - N/A for Porsche) is that often ED cars would not count towards existing allocations, allowing dealers to put some of their clients into desired cars (e.g. ///Ms / RSs) while still having existing # of allocations in tact.

GT3_Driver

Is it possible because of emissions?
Different EU regs. vs ROW

SToronto

I might do a MD if provided a secure location.

SToronto

Here's an article to read up on it.

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/01/04/...livery-option/

Perimeter

Oh my, Pepsi just came out my nose onto keyboard
Hilarious!

Audi N Scottsdale gave 7% off MSRP on all ED when we looked into it 4 years ago

ExMB

Actually Porsche dealers do get another allocation (supposedly to cover the ED charge back - but we all know that some stealers want to double dip and try to hide that fact from buyers) from which to profit but it may not be the exact model. In the case of a GT car they may get a std model.

TRAKCAR

My RS was built in December and will be picked up March 29 for April May and June in Europe.

Last I looked, Porsche now is limited to 3 months, Mercedes still 6-12 months and BMW reduced it to 5 months maximum.
In this economy they don't need to, but I guess it comes back when they want US dollars again in recession markets.

I've only bought new cars because ED, if not possibly, Ill buy used.

Dr. Ferdinand

Yup, I meant it for the GT - they won't get like-for-like (i.e. a GT ED counts towards/against their existing GT allocation, but they do get a chance at a non-GT model as 'comp')

There have been some cases where dealers have been (or so they claim) hurt by cars staying longer than the max (e.g. >12 mos). Allegedly, the car is considered sold in Germany after a certain timeframe, and as such VAT is due. Which is why PNA charges you that amount (held in escrow) and returned to you upon car hitting our shores. BMW doesn't impose that (which is why I've heard of some dealers complain in some of those instances where allegedly they have had to foot the VAT bill).

Alan Smithee

I was referring to the website. Maybe I missed it, but I've never seen anything about ED on Audi's website; Porsche, MB, BMW, Volvo, etc. all have ED information.

GrantG