Europcar- not so privilege program

[DeKa]

A1 isn't that fast. 90kw 1.4 turbo is 8.9sec 0-100kmh in auto/DSG.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Not impressed with the A1, far too underpowered even for the light little body - great fuel economy though, 5.4l/100km is in diesel territory I'd have thought even though this was a petrol. I moaned a bit about the performance when I returned the car and was told that it actually performs better than the A3 as the car is lighter ... yikes!. Whats next? anyone had any experience with the A4? I don't need V8 performance, but it has to be comfortable to drive, not feel like you're whipping a half dead mule.

The car is a toy, cheap nasty and rubbish

A4 is a totally different beast!

 

[markis10]

A1 isn't that fast. 90kw 1.4 turbo is 8.9sec 0-100kmh in auto/DSG.

I should have been more specific, I was talking about the 5 door, which is very different from the three door (I have had both from Europcar), the 5 door A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport does it in 6.9, now if we had the Quattro and and Europcar rented them we could go one better!

 

[lovestotravel]

I was talking about the 5 door

Ahhh never seen the 5 day with Europcar yet!

I am moving away from Hertz, slowly, I have given up waiting for their "new" prestige collection and now they are stuffing around with it in the USA!

 

[markis10]

Ahhh never seen the 5 day with Europcar yet!

I am moving away from Hertz, slowly, I have given up waiting for their "new" prestige collection and now they are stuffing around with it in the USA!

It was a fun two or so weeks!

 

[Moopere]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Thats interesting that you found it underpowered, it was probably refuelled by the last renter with E10, should be min 95 RON and does 0 to 100 in 6.9s.

Goodness me. 6.9s, yes I suspect you are right and incorrect fuel then. I had nothing like that in the vehicle I rented. My day-to-day car only runs at about 8.5s/100 and the A1 felt far far slower.

On a different note, I didn't enjoy the auto-turn-off of the engine either. I'm sure one gets used to this, but it let me down twice at MEL intersections which wasn't fun (ie, didn't turn back on autmatically).

 

[markis10]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Goodness me. 6.9s, yes I suspect you are right and incorrect fuel then. I had nothing like that in the vehicle I rented. My day-to-day car only runs at about 8.5s/100 and the A1 felt far far slower.

On a different note, I didn't enjoy the auto-turn-off of the engine either. I'm sure one gets used to this, but it let me down twice at MEL intersections which wasn't fun (ie, didn't turn back on autmatically).

Was it a three door, they are not as good with the downrated engine. BTW you can turn off the stop off function via the menu on the entertainment system.

 

[DeKa]

I should have been more specific, I was talking about the 5 door, which is very different from the three door (I have had both from Europcar), the 5 door A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport does it in 6.9, now if we had the Quattro and and Europcar rented them we could go one better!

Are you sure though? That screenshot says 5 door Ambition which is 1.4 TSI 90kw 0-100 in 9 sec (whereas the 3 door is 8.9 sec).

The Attraction is available with the 1.2 TSI 3 door or 5 door, manual only, and does 0-100 in 11.9 sec. It is also available with 1.4 TSI.

The Sport is basically a Polo GTI with the 1.4 Twin Charged engine which is 0-100 in 6.9 sec but do they have that on fleet? I haven't seen one yet but would love to try it!

 

[Ausbt]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Rented an i20 from OOL yesterday, allocated a VW Golf Trendline with DSG. Actually very unimpressed with the vehicle. Had huge amount of lag, you hit the pedal and ...nothing happens for a while. Once the urge came it took off ok, but really this was my first DSG gearbox and VW can keep that. In addition I didn't really think the interior was all that flash, I would have expected better from VW considering some of the interior probably makes it all they way up to a Golf R.

I've had an Audi A1 before and even though it's a smaller car I've been way more impressed with that.

 

[Moopere]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Was it a three door, they are not as good with the downrated engine. BTW you can turn off the stop off function via the menu on the entertainment system.

Yes -the 3 door. I thought it might be fun and nippy being a really tiny car ... but was quite disappointed. When I asked them what might have a bit more oomph in the Audi range I was told I'd need to get an SV6 ... hmm (???) I really wish the E250 Mercedes would make an appearance. I saw it fleetingly on forward bookings for a couple of weeks but it seems to be gone now and no mention anywhere.

 

[markis10]

Are you sure though? That screenshot says 5 door Ambition which is 1.4 TSI 90kw 0-100 in 9 sec (whereas the 3 door is 8.9 sec).

The Attraction is available with the 1.2 TSI 3 door or 5 door, manual only, and does 0-100 in 11.9 sec. It is also available with 1.4 TSI.

The Sport is basically a Polo GTI with the 1.4 Twin Charged engine which is 0-100 in 6.9 sec but do they have that on fleet? I haven't seen one yet but would love to try it!

It had Sport badges, maybe I got lucky, regardless I am going to buy one unless I get back to being a boat owner next year, then it morphs into a Prado so I can take advantage of the fuel offers from EDR LOL.

 

[beardoc]

It was a fun two or so weeks!
View attachment 9418

This is an impressive rate!

 

[DeKa]

It had Sport badges, maybe I got lucky, regardless I am going to buy one unless I get back to being a boat owner next year, then it morphs into a Prado so I can take advantage of the fuel offers from EDR LOL.

I like your thinking. The A1 Sport is $42k.. I'd buy a Golf GTI for the same (or a bit less at the moment).

 

[lovestotravel]

It was a fun two or so weeks!
View attachment 9418

How the heck did you get that rate ?

Geez

 

[markis10]

How the heck did you get that rate ?

Geez

I always get a good rate withe the DJ CDP and note the booked class is the i20. That's actually up a little on what I normally pay, usually it's $150 for the week.

 

[pissedoffdriver]

I too have very similar issues with Europcar. A most frustrating organization to deal with. I've hired maybe 6 cars with them and every time an issue. They are just too difficult to deal with and I need to be far too vigilant to ensure things go as they should. Service is nonexistent and they clearly do not receive emails for no-one can be as rude as they are in not replying.

I have been with AVIS for a good number of years, on average renting twice a week. Never an issue with cars, occasionally points did not post but one email and that was resolved. Business still with AVIS - never will that go to the likes of Europcar. Personally I am now back to AVIS - had enough of Europcar, status or no status it simply is not worth the grief.

I've rented probably 15-20 cars from them. Like all businesses they have their faults. I've had long and tiring arguments with them over little damages on cars which I always claimed they are there before. One good scenario was them ticking off that there was no damage on the car and then after a detailed search, all the wheels were heavily scratches.. they will **** you up for that! Now I have new issues with them because the staff there are obviously poorly trained and the head office fails to communicate with them.

Really pisses me off how the staff can say what they want without thinking how this may reflect on the consumer if there may be issues at the end. (happened before, is happening now)...

Many times I have pre-booked weeks ahead, then a follow up call to ensure I get the vehicle I want, only to arrive and yes, surprise surprise, it's not there.. Well Let me teach you something. Be stubborn. Don't move an inch, don't be abusive, don't swear, just be very blunt and they will do what you ask to remove you from their shop so other customers do not hear their operational issues.

Remember their issues are not your issues ever. The customer is always right!

 

[MattC]

I always get a good rate withe the DJ CDP and note the booked class is the i20. That's actually up a little on what I normally pay, usually it's $150 for the week.

I have had similar upgrades with the DJ reciprocal, booked a Camry in Canberra last year got my 30% discount plus an upgrade to an Audi A4 S-Line - sweet ride that one.

Two weeks back booked an Elantra got a VW Jetta (nice interior but horrible pedals), worst upgrade was from a Golf to an A1, more a side-grade than an upgrade.

 

[SimonF]

So if I book at FDAR - Camry, any chance i'll get an upgrade as a Privilege Elite? Seems based on this, there's no chance Privilege Loyalty Program Specific Terms per country

Upgrades - Single Vehicle Upgrades are valid only on the following categories booked by the Privilege member:
ECMR, CDAR, IDAR, SDAR
The member will be upgraded as follows:
ECMR to CDAR, CDAR to IDAR, IDAR to SDAR, SDAR to FDAR (maximum upgrade to FDAR only).
Double Vehicle Upgrades are valid only on the following categories booked by the Privilege member:
ECMR, CDAR
The member will be upgraded as follows:
ECMR to IDAR, IDAR to FDAR

 

[Moopere]

Bah - upgrades. There is a promo at the moment providing (apparently) a one class upgrade when booked through VA, though its only a code that one enters so I'm guessing you could probably utilise it from any booking portal.

In any event, booked a car for a day when I was in MEL recently, went through the VA booking portal but there wasn't an opportunity to enter the promo code. So I sent off an enquiry to Europcar about this and promptly got a reply, just give your code at the pickup desk and they'll upgrade you.

Mmm thinks I. I doubt it.

Anyway, this advice also appears on their site, promo codes like this can be handed over at the desk for on the spot upgrades.

Of course when I get to the yard the guy is very surprised by this. Its not a major depot yard, just a suburban one like many are, and he tells me that the required cars are delivered the day before or in the morning and there is almost no chance whatsoever of gaining an upgraded class of vehicle because of this. Looking out across the vehicles in the yard, presuming that any of them were actually free this would indeed appear to be the case.

My whole view of car rental companies is already pretty much as low as one can go, so I find myself not surprised or even caring much, just another example of hot-air marketing with no real world intention of following through with apparent promises made.