Out of warranty Audi - service

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Thu 31 Mar 2005 11:51
Out of warranty Audi - service - Dave H
My A4 is just out of warranty and I have the decision whether to use my dealer for the next service and timing belt. I have a friend who works as a qualified Audi mechanic at the dealership and can do the work privately.

Should I get the dealer to do the work in order to get it logged on to the Audi database, or am I just as well getting it done privately?

Or perhaps use the dealer for the service and my mate for the timing belt?

All opinions gatefully received!

Dave
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Thu 31 Mar 2005 12:33
Out of warranty Audi - service - GrahamF1
It really depends on what you intend to do with the car. If you envisage selling it in future (and hence you have an interest in retaining value) then there is a valid argument for having the dealership do it. However in my opinion it's not worth it - any more than a year or two servicing at a main dealer and you won't make the expense back when you sell it. Also IMHO the standards at most main dealers are lower than independant specialists.

If (like myself) you intend to run the car in the most economical fashion possible until it reaches the end of it's useful life, then your mate seems like the best option. Assuming of course that he undercuts an independant specialist.
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Thu 31 Mar 2005 16:33
Out of warranty Audi - service - ihpj
Wayside here in Milton Keynes will do a FULL service for any 4 yr old Audi for £125 all in. This includes (amongst things) sparks and filters et al. - which I think is very reasonable for a main dealer. Only problem is that I don't own an Audi ;)

But with prices as low as this from a main dealer why would you want to save some money by going to an independant?
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Thu 31 Mar 2005 16:48
Out of warranty Audi - service - GrahamF1
Because they're better. They'll actually do things, rather than just marking them off if they're tight for time. They're also less likely to try it on with extra work that isn't strictly necessary.
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Thu 31 Mar 2005 17:03
Out of warranty Audi - service - ihpj
I dunno man, I've bad experiences of independant garages especially if any follow up 'warranty work' is required you get the:

"But Ah, Guv, that fault isn't due to the problem we fixed. Thats down to the other part."

So you end up paying again with little or no 'come back' - with a main dealer you have the ability to put them through the wringer until you are satisfied things are correcty.

But at £125 for a full service, that sounds VERY reasonable to me. I'm not saying ALL manufacturers are good value for mney, but in this aprticular case £125 sounds reasonable. Also I note that the guys Audi might only be over three years old (hence out of warranty) but less than four years old (for which this is the advertised price).
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Thu 31 Mar 2005 20:06
Out of warranty Audi - service - Cyd
If it were me I'd have it done by the 'mate'. Go buy all the parts yourself though and make sure you get a receipt in your name to put in the service book.
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