Audi Service

thenashlegend

Hey all!
The time is nearly here to get the A4 serviced so I was just wondering what ye have done with your own individual cars?
Is it better to get these cars done by the dealer or would a private mechanic be just as good?
Another question....how is the service clock on the dash reset?
There is an Audi dealer about an hour away in Ballina so that could be an option....I had considered bringing her up the North to a dealer but as far as I know the nearest on is Portadown?!:rolleyes: There doesnt appear to be any trouble with the the car so its just a basic service but I heard about Audi dealers doing a long life 20,000 mile service. Are they any good?
Any advice is greatful?!
Thanks lads(and ladies)!

Gumbo

what car have you got?
what model?
what year etc etc

is it still under warranty?
is it a mjaor service required or just an oil change?

we need more info

mickdw

From experience with a new audi, the ballina dealer (1 hr from me also) will break your heart with all the bull**** they can come up with instead of actually properly setting the car on to longlife service. From new, my car had been set to come back in at 9,000 miles. I paid for this, paid for longlife oil, queried the longlife thing & still service was reset for a fixed 9,000. Service manager regarded it as the norm that you should be paying for longlife oil yet servicing every 9,000 miles. Eventually they altered the service reminder & it went to 15,000 miles for oil change but still called me in for service at 10,000 miles (system has count down to oil change & countdown to service seperate) even though they had completed service.... nightmare. Eventually, I bought a vagcom, carried out my own service with vw approved longlife oil, genuine oil filter & set my system to longlife. Its now reading 18,000 miles til next oil change & this figure should be flexible depending on driving style.
So no, I wouldnt be using that particular dealer for an oil change.

marc1

If you decide to do the service yourself, resetting the serice light is easy:

When the car if off, press and hold the wrench button. Turn the ignition on, release the wrench button after you turned it on and press the 0,0 button next to it until the service light goes off. This will reset the service light.

You might have to try a few times to get it right.

PauloMN

Personally I do my own oil changes on our Audis. The dealer near me use the Mobil oil (VAG approved) which is all very well but is €20 a litre!!!! :eek: Changing the oil really is quite easy (I can do it!) and I use Halfords fully synth VAG spec (504/507) oil for half the price.

I change the oil after 1 year or 10k miles, whichever comes first. Could probably get away with cheaper oil changing that frequently but I believe oil is not something you should skimp on, especially in the A4 engines which are known for sludging up.

Filters are cheap in the main dealer, the diesel one cost me around €6 or so (it's just the paper type one that slots into a canister on the 2.0 TDi) and the one for the 1.8T cost me around €13 I think (make sure to get the large size one).

Oil and filter, air filter, pollen filter and spark plugs are all pretty simple for the DIY'er to do. Damn cheaper as well!

bazzachazza

Long life oil is put in every new Audi in the factory in Germany. Irish dealers change the set up to make more money by getting you to come in every 15000k. Just ask the service agent to put it on longlife before you give him the keys, if he refuses walk away.

I have my 09 A6 on it and it works a treat. I only have to go in every 12 months. It cost a small bit extra for the oil but nothing major.

I went in to Audi North just off the M50 at Finglas and unfortunetly they still are of the old mindset he owns an Audi therefore he can afford our ridiculous servicing charges. They quoted €350-400 for a 45000k service.

I happened to be in Ennis working and called into Western Garages and asked for a quote he said €200 my eyes nearly popped out and I confirmed the details with him and he said yes €200. I said how could he charge that and others far higher. I said simply I want to be competitive and realistic and others are trying to screw you.

I got my car serviced there the following week. I rate them 9/10.

thenashlegend

kceire wrote: »

what car have you got?
what model?
what year etc etc

is it still under warranty?
is it a mjaor service required or just an oil change?

we need more info

It's a 2002 Audi A4 1.9TDi! Warranty?... nope I bought privately in January! As for a major service.....I highly doubt it:rolleyes: I'd be thinking more along the lines of plugs, air, oil and pollen filters and an oil change along with the fluids which I keep topped up anyway!

Any other recommended checks?
Is a fuel filter needed??

Bulbs are all fine....brakes are grand.....tyres were all new when I bought!:D

Can all these parts be accessed easily, I mean in the car?
Where is the sump nut to clear the old oil?...assuming there is a nut on the bottom of it?(going on my knowledge of the little Starlet);)
While Im here I might as well ask what parts ya'll find good for diesel engines?? Should I fork out a few extra quid for branded plugs and filters? Do ye think its worth it??
Anyway I called that dealer in Mayo today and was quoted a nice 149 euro for a full service and 220 for a long life service + an extra 40 if I need a fuel filter!?

PauloMN

thenashlegend wrote: »

It's a 2002 Audi A4 1.9TDi! Warranty?... nope I bought privately in January! As for a major service.....I highly doubt it:rolleyes: I'd be thinking more along the lines of plugs, air, oil and pollen filters and an oil change along with the fluids which I keep topped up anyway!

Any other recommended checks?
Is a fuel filter needed??

Bulbs are all fine....brakes are grand.....tyres were all new when I bought!:D

Can all these parts be accessed easily, I mean in the car?
Where is the sump nut to clear the old oil?...assuming there is a nut on the bottom of it?(going on my knowledge of the little Starlet);)
While Im here I might as well ask what parts ya'll find good for diesel engines?? Should I fork out a few extra quid for branded plugs and filters? Do ye think its worth it??
Anyway I called that dealer in Mayo today and was quoted a nice 149 euro for a full service and 220 for a long life service + an extra 40 if I need a fuel filter!?

Fuel filter should be done if it's not been done for a while. Might never have been done, I believe it's even more important on the diesel. I personally wouldn't do it as a DIY as it's a bit messy and awkward to get to, but that's not to say it couldn't be done DIY.

You won't have plugs in your diesel to replace.

Sump nut is at the front of the sump, which is at the front of the car behind the bumper under the engine. Dead easy to get at, can't miss it. You would probably get away without even having axle stands except for the fact you need to take the under shield off the car first to gain access.

I buy this oil with a 10% discount from Halfords:
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_498805_langId_-1_categoryId_212419#dtab

A fill of oil in the 1.8T takes a shade under 4 litres, and the other litre is handy for the top-ups (that engine is known for consuming oil). Can't remember what the 2.0TDi took, probably around 4 litres also - but yours might be slightly different anyway.

PauloMN

By the way, what's the mileage and when was the timing belt done?

thenashlegend

Mileage is at 107,000....not too sure about the timing belt to be honest....it was fully serviced when I got it but haven't a clue about the belt?!:o How often do they need changing?? I'm guessing that's a specialist job thats best done at a dealer??

PauloMN

thenashlegend wrote: »

Mileage is at 107,000....not too sure about the timing belt to be honest....it was fully serviced when I got it but haven't a clue about the belt?!:o How often do they need changing?? I'm guessing that's a specialist job thats best done at a dealer??

Usually around 60k miles or 5 years, whichever is first. I'd be looking at changing it to be honest with that mileage when you don't know the history. I would hope it's had one change anyway, and even if so, it would be approaching it's 2nd belt change. If you don't know for definite that it's even had it's first @ 60k, I'd get it done pronto.

That's around €530 in an Audi dealer, with the water pump also done. Same job between £250 and £350 up north depending on where you go (upper end would be likes of Agnew in Belfast). I'd not personally even consider doing the timing belt - again that's not to say it can't be done as a DIY job with the right tools and knowledge.

thenashlegend

PauloMN wrote: »

You won't have plugs in your diesel to replace.

.

I've never looked but something told me diesels had glow or heater plugs?!(and I assumed they were the same as spark plugs):o
Do they not need replacing?

robtri

thenashlegend wrote: »

I've never looked but something told me diesels had glow or heater plugs?!(and I assumed they were the same as spark plugs):o
Do they not need replacing?

nope, different set up

mickdw

thenashlegend wrote: »

I've never looked but something told me diesels had glow or heater plugs?!(and I assumed they were the same as spark plugs):o
Do they not need replacing?

They can wear out but not an item to be changed at service unless you have cold starting problems.
Are you sure your car can be set for longlife? For longlife, your car must have a variety of sensors measuring oil soot levels, viscosity etc.

Nonoperational

Longlife servicing is a step too far in my opinion. Oil changes at 9000 are sensible, 20k for an oil change is madness.

bazzachazza

gpf101 wrote: »

Longlife servicing is a step too far in my opinion. Oil changes at 9000 are sensible, 20k for an oil change is madness.

I'm sure Audi have put a lot of time and effort into being sure Longlife servicing works in their cars.

Nonoperational

I'm sure they have but still no way I'd let my car go 20k without a service.

thenashlegend

Not too sure if it is ready for Longlife service but I doubt if Audi would advertise it if it wasnt a straight deal! Still I reckon that cars need a service every 7-9k miles!

So after all that what would ye recommend in terms of service?
1. Oil
2. Air and pollen filters
3. Oil filter

Anything else to watch for?

They seem relatively easy along with keeping an eye on fluids!:D

-Corkie-

gpf101 wrote: »

I'm sure they have but still no way I'd let my car go 20k without a service.

I agree with you. I always service at 15000km. I get the castrol edge. I find it hard to believe oil can last that length but as the fella said, anythings possible:o

Nonoperational

The oil and filter are the only things I wouldn't let go longer than 9,000 miles or so. The other stuff as per service book but not every 9k anyway.