Hertz Audis

[AdMEL]

Hi all,

I've just discovered that I have access to a corporate rate that enables me to rent Audis at very reasonable rates - A3 $60; A4 $80; Q5 $85; Q7 $95 a day, with $770 excess.

I haven't driven any Audis in a while (prefer BMW or Mercedes), nor have I rented from Hertz in a while, but the reasonable rates combined with Hertz offering unlimited km on their prestige vehicles (rather than 200km with Europcar and Avis) has made me reconsider.

Can anyone offer any comments on the spec levels of Hertz Audis in Melbourne?

Particularly interested in whether the A4 is the new version?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sethor]

I have only seen the B8 models, doubt any of the new B9's have made it into the fleet yet. Go for the Q7, all of Hertz fleet is the new 4M model. They have a similar cabin design to the the B9 A4, plus they are pretty quick.

 

[davem]

How wildly applicable is the corporate rate?

 

[toddheslin]

Hey AdMEL, I kinda rent out these prestige cars and write about it for a living. So whilst I don't want to be too self-promotional, the best info is going to be in the reviews I did of the Audi A3 and Audi Q7. I also prefer Mercedes over Audi however the Mercedes A-Class at Europcar is far inferior to the Audi A3 from Hertz. On the other hand, the new Mercedes C200 from Europcar is such a beautiful car.

Here are the summary points.

Hertz Audi A3
- Clean car compared to the comparative GoGet or Hertz 24/7 'on demand' version
- Comes with the upgraded sound system, GPS and parking kit
- Doesn't have the 17" wheels and upgraded engine like the GoGet version
- Good for one or two people, not strong enough for four people
- Seats good for up to about 2 hours, then they'll hurt

Read the full review by Google-ing "ridehacks audi a3"

Audi Q7
- Amazing tech, the 'coughpit' display is the best nav I've used except for the Tesla Model S
- A kick-cough diesel engine. My favourite in any SUV to date.
- It's a longggg car (longer than any other SUV on the road except for the spec'd Range Rover LWB)
- coughpy sound system. If you like audio, you will be disappointed.
- Terrible seats for such a good car. They should have spent the $2k and upgraded the seats in this one.

Read the full review by Google-ing "ridehacks audi q7"

For the A4, I believe it is the new version but only available at Airports. It's on my list!

Hope this is helpful.

 

[AdMEL]

How wildly applicable is the corporate rate?

Unfortunately it's not.

Hey AdMEL, I kinda rent out these prestige cars and write about it for a living. So whilst I don't want to be too self-promotional, the best info is going to be in the reviews I did of the Audi A3 and Audi Q7. I also prefer Mercedes over Audi however the Mercedes A-Class at Europcar is far inferior to the Audi A3 from Hertz. On the other hand, the new Mercedes C200 from Europcar is such a beautiful car.

Here are the summary points.

Hertz Audi A3
- Clean car compared to the comparative GoGet or Hertz 24/7 'on demand' version
- Comes with the upgraded sound system, GPS and parking kit
- Doesn't have the 17" wheels and upgraded engine like the GoGet version
- Good for one or two people, not strong enough for four people
- Seats good for up to about 2 hours, then they'll hurt

Read the full review by Google-ing "ridehacks audi a3"

Audi Q7
- Amazing tech, the 'coughpit' display is the best nav I've used except for the Tesla Model S
- A kick-cough diesel engine. My favourite in any SUV to date.
- It's a longggg car (longer than any other SUV on the road except for the spec'd Range Rover LWB)
- coughpy sound system. If you like audio, you will be disappointed.
- Terrible seats for such a good car. They should have spent the $2k and upgraded the seats in this one.

Read the full review by Google-ing "ridehacks audi q7"

For the A4, I believe it is the new version but only available at Airports. It's on my list!

Hope this is helpful.

I've read all of your reviews and subscribed to your email list. I've been meaning to send you an email, which I'll do shortly.

I ended up up renting an A4 from Melbourne Downtown a couple of weekends ago - it was a B8 with 15,000km on th clock (and requiring a service). Whilst it wasn't a B9, it was the high output 2.0L turbo Quattro! I suspect when Hertz get B9's they won't be the Quattro version, more likely the base 1.4L. I'll take the older 2.0L Quattro any day! I still prefer a Merc or BMW though.

As a footnote, Avis now Mercedes at MEL, SYD and BNE airports - A180, C200 and E200. I can get a much better price at Europcar though, even if their service is terrible!

Recently rented an E400 cabriolet - that was fun!

 

[toddheslin]

Unfortunately it's not.



I've read all of your reviews and subscribed to your email list. I've been meaning to send you an email, which I'll do shortly.

I ended up up renting an A4 from Melbourne Downtown a couple of weekends ago - it was a B8 with 15,000km on th clock (and requiring a service). Whilst it wasn't a B9, it was the high output 2.0L turbo Quattro! I suspect when Hertz get B9's they won't be the Quattro version, more likely the base 1.4L. I'll take the older 2.0L Quattro any day! I still prefer a Merc or BMW though.

As a footnote, Avis now Mercedes at MEL, SYD and BNE airports - A180, C200 and E200. I can get a much better price at Europcar though, even if their service is terrible!

Recently rented an E400 cabriolet - that was fun!

Awesome! Happy to share everything I know with anyone who wants to make use of the info. I've been renting prestige cars for a while, RideHacks was just a way of sharing that knowledge widely (and to direct each of my friends who wanted a personal recommendation). Looks like you must have had the last stock of the B8, the A4s I saw at Sydney airport were almost definitely the B9s. I've noticed that Hertz don't spec their 'Prestige Collection' as well as they do the 'Adrenaline collection'. For example, the A3 is the base spec with one option pack and the Q7 was bare bones, however the Mustang is the V8 not 'Ecoboost' and the Megane is the RS Cup.

I haven't had a chance to drive Avis' Mercs yet as they are only at the airport and I usually rent from the city. I hate the airport as a place to pickup/dropoff — everyone is always so agitated. I'm working morse closely with Europcar now, so the next few months should have at least 4 of their Mercs reviewed. How was the E400 Cab? They only advertise the E250 Cab, but I saw the E400 on my last rental.

 

[QF WP]

I've got photos of my recent A3 rental and will find and post with comments

 

[QF WP]

AdMEL, here's a copy of part of my email from Hertz - I accessed using the Amex Benefits CDP (so my rate @ $60.67 similar to yours for A3). My rental was also over in PER, so not MEL as you wanted.

I was comfortable with the drivers column differences (European left hand side for indicator stick etc) but I had no idea where to find the park brake. I was about to walk back in for them to show me, when I worked it out by trying to drive the car away. Can't say I was comfortable with this during my day long hire, but thankfully no parking on hills. Other negatives were the voice on the GPS and the fact that the loaded map didn't include the new roads to Terminal 1.

Positives were the pop up GPS in the middle of the dashboard and ability to load my iPhone address book using Bluetooth so was completely relaxed when driving and making/taking calls.

Loved the pick up - very sporty and would definitely rent another (MEL is my next destination where I need a car).