Audi repair costs - incredible!

xabi_a

So I went to an Audi official service centre yesterday, to investigate some knocking sounds on my '08 A4 2.0 Tdi (about 82,000km). Long story short, they fixed up some loose gearbox mountings, for €150. Not too bad.

However, they said that the flywheel is noisy, and recommended getting it replaced. Now I know these A4 dual-mass flywheels are notorious, so it's probably true.

The thing is, they recommend changing the flywheel, clutch plates and release bearing all in one go. Fair enough too. But the total price for them to do this would be ... €2,500 !!! Yes that's right. To be fair it's all detailed down to the last nut and bolt. €1000 just for labour, the rest is parts, VAT etc.

I've read up on the web about other people who got similar jobs done, and they're always expensive but not that expensive.

So I see four options:

1) just keep driving
2) let this Audi service centre do the job
3) find a cheaper garage/mechanic in Dublin to do the job
4) try an Audi dealership in Belfast - I heard they can be much cheaper

I'd appreciate any opinions on this.

My thoughts:
1) is dangerous because these flywheels do go, and if it goes completely it could do much more damage. I reckon I'd like to get the job done within a month or two (I don't do much mileage myself, just bought the car 2 months ago).
2) I think it's just too much
3) It's a very big job, but I don't think it's beyond the capabilities of non-Audi garages. Any comments here would be welcome.
4) I saw in some thread that it was recommended going to NI service centres. The problem is, I'm not sure they'd give me an estimate without seeing the car first. It's a bit of a drive just to get an estimate, would probably cost me a half day at work.

listermint

Dont keep driving it,

Do must do mega mileage, but get it repaired it is an 08 afterall not disposable.

Check around for cheaper independent prices for the same work. You will find the labour rates dramatically reduced, possibly a small saving on the parts.

George Dalton

This is a relatively simple job for most garages. There are no special tools or equipment required. There is no advantage in having it done by a dealer compared to a good independent garage.

Is it an old or new shape A4?

R.O.R

Probably worth pricing it up with a decent indy - it's only a clutch replacement after all.

Labour in one of the main Audi dealers is going to be very expensive - probably around €100 an hour so you can cut that dramatically by using an indy. If it's €1,000 labour then that makes parts roughly €1,200 + VAT and that just sounds like a damn expensive clutch to me, but I'm not on that side of things.

Don't think we've had to replace a clutch on a new model A4 yet, so can't check what it cost us. Highest mileage I can find on an 08 is roughly 180,000km and that hasn't had the clutch done yet.

tin79

R.O.R wrote: »

Probably worth pricing it up with a decent indy - it's only a clutch replacement after all.

Labour in one of the main Audi dealers is going to be very expensive - probably around €100 an hour so you can cut that dramatically by using an indy. If it's €1,000 labour then that makes parts roughly €1,200 + VAT and that just sounds like a damn expensive clutch to me, but I'm not on that side of things.

Don't think we've had to replace a clutch on a new model A4 yet, so can't check what it cost us. Highest mileage I can find on an 08 is roughly 180,000km and that hasn't had the clutch done yet.

Its the new DMF that is the expensive part.

MidlandsM

In fairness to the boys in Audi, they're GAS craic...........2.5k ehhhhhhh, LOL

justme7136

Hate that!!

What i would do is get the parts through a motor factor yourself, Clutch and flywheel needed, Luk Or sachs Brand will be the exact same as the original audi parts
You should expect to pay 650 inc vat for both parts, and im sure you could get it fitted for 350-450

2.500 for a clutch, yeah hang on and il remorgage my house :pac:

xabi_a

It's a new shape A4.

The costs breakdown is as follows:
Labour €1004
Flywheel €872
Clutch €215
Release bearing €92

Then add VAT of course.

trad

try this outfit http://www.walkinstownclutch.ie/about.php

According to their website they are doing an Octavia 1.9tdi DMF and clutch fitted for €500.

George Dalton

justme7136 wrote: »

You should expect to pay 650 inc vat for both parts

I love how people just throw prices out there without anything to back them up :rolleyes:

You haven't a hope of buying a clutch kit and flywheel for a new shape A4 for €650 including VAT.

George Dalton

trad wrote: »

try this outfit http://www.walkinstownclutch.ie/about.php

According to their website they are doing an Octavia 1.9tdi DMF and clutch fitted for €500.

That has nothing to do with the OP. It is a totally different car.

ebbsy

Try RKgarage.com in D24 as well. Reliable and familiar with this kind of car.

cjt156

Its a case of the DMF strikes again; cr@ppy design ends up wiping out Diesel's mpg savings. You're unlucky to be left holding the baby, a lot of diesel-drivers are finding this to be the case.

DMF, DPF, Swirl-flaps, turbos; all expensive when they fail and most modern Diesels rely on them.

George Dalton

xabi_a wrote: »

It's a new shape A4.

The costs breakdown is as follows:
Labour €1004
Flywheel €872
Clutch €215
Release bearing €92

Then add VAT of course.

Here is how I would price that job and I would imagine most other independents would be along similar lines.

Labour €400
Flywheel €500
Clutch kit including release bearing €300

Total €1200 + VAT. Any decent garage should be able to do it for that price if not less.

trad

George Dalton wrote: »

That has nothing to do with the OP. It is a totally different car.

I know it's not the same car, just an indication of the prices they charge. All the OP has to do is make a call with his make and model.

MidlandsM

cjt156 wrote: »

Its a case of the DMF strikes again; cr@ppy design ends up wiping out Diesel's mpg savings. You're unlucky to be left holding the baby, a lot of diesel-drivers are finding this to be the case.

DMF, DPF, Swirl-flaps, turbos; all expensive when they fail and most modern Diesels rely on them.

no sh1t sherlock?......;)

Just to give you a rough starting point on pricing OP, prices in stg etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A4-2-...item45fd8d4f54

Kit Includes: Contains dual-mass flywheel, clutch cover assembly and clutch disc - without releaser
Supplementary Info: Comes Without Concentric Slave Cylinder

unkel

You can probably save half the price of labour by going to an indy. FWIW it's not just premium car dealers like Audi that have expensive labour rates. Most main dealers (in Dublin) are dear. A neighbour had his DMF changed, plus timing belt job and service just outside of his 3 year warranty for €2,500 on his.....





.....cheapo Hyundai :rolleyes:

marley123

Don't know much about cars:) But OH had to get a couple of parts for his car last wk, quotes were pretty high so he went up to Traynors & picked them up for next to nothing...

MidlandsM

marley123 wrote: »

Don't know much about cars:) But OH had to get a couple of parts for his car last wk, quotes were pretty high so he went up to Traynors & picked them up for next to nothing...

thats a great help..............

listermint

marley123 wrote: »

Don't know much about cars:) But OH had to get a couple of parts for his car last wk, quotes were pretty high so he went up to Traynors & picked them up for next to nothing...

Always go new for this type of work.

justme7136

George Dalton wrote: »

I love how people just throw prices out there without anything to back them up :rolleyes:

You haven't a hope of buying a clutch kit and flywheel for a new shape A4 for €650 including VAT.

Now now george!!! i sell car parts for the last 12 years, i looked up the car and priced it on the screen on front of me, i didnt just look into my crystal ball

George Dalton

So what are the prices then? Also PM me where you work. Because if you are selling clutch, dmf and concentric for the new shape A4 out across the counter to joe public at €650 inc VAT then I am very interested in doing business with you because they cost me a lot more than that from my suppliers.

justme7136

George Dalton wrote: »

So what are the prices then? Also PM me where you work. Because if you are selling clutch, dmf and concentric for the new shape A4 out across the counter to joe public at €650 inc VAT then I am very interested in doing business with you because they cost me a lot more than that from my suppliers.

i work in a distributors i cant sell across the counter, i dont think that car has a concentric cylinder either it its either engine code CAGA, CMEA

dharn

distributor 650, motor factor sells for 800 (according to george dalton )nice mark up for motor factor and thats probably the lower end price

xabi_a

Thanks for the tips guys (and the interesting discussions:) ), there are a few useful leads I'll follow up on.

166man

MidlandsM wrote: »

thats a great help..............

MidlandsM wrote: »

no sh1t sherlock?......;)

Having a rough day Midlands? :pac:

R.O.R

dharn wrote: »

distributor 650, motor factor sells for 800 (according to george dalton )nice mark up for motor factor and thats probably the lower end price

WHAT????!!!???? business's are making profit???!!!????

23% mark up is pretty low for retail sales.

MidlandsM

166man wrote: »

Having a rough day Midlands? :pac:

lol.....nope, I'm grand here, just in a kinda funny mood.:D

166man

MidlandsM wrote: »

lol.....nope, I'm grand here, just in a kinda funny mood.:D

It's grandd it's a Tuesday morning sure, last weekend is forgotten and next weekend is still too far away...:p

barryt1975

Forget Audi ROI, go NI [northern Ireland], I got timing belt €900 v's £450 STG and half price service for my 2003 A4 done in the VW main garage in Newry [very very nice people and very quick] - they take ROI cars all the time, and it's half price, I'll never get anything done in ROI again [I did get my flywheel and clutch done on my A4 a few years ago, from memory there were €1kish each from main Audi garage in Dublin], hope this helps.

Bandara

R.O.R wrote: »

WHAT????!!!???? business's are making profit???!!!????

23% mark up is pretty low for retail sales.

VERY low

Too low imo

Gophur

barryt1975 wrote: »

Forget Audi ROI, go NI [northern Ireland], I got timing belt €900 v's £450 STG and half price service for my 2003 A4 done in the VW main garage in Newry [very very nice people and very quick] - they take ROI cars all the time, and it's half price, I'll never get anything done in ROI again [I did get my flywheel and clutch done on my A4 a few years ago, from memory there were €1kish each from main Audi garage in Dublin], hope this helps.

Why don't you go the whole hog and move up there ?

MidlandsM

Gophur wrote: »

Why don't you go the whole hog and move up there ?

aye, norn iron, and join a local lodge

The Tyre Dude

Gophur wrote: »

Why don't you go the whole hog and move up there ?

What a dumb comment. :rolleyes:

Value is value, who cares where it is? Are you willing to pay twice the price out of loyalty to Audi Ireland? It is only by shopping around that prices come down. In the boom times people just handed over the cash and prices went sky high. If everyone shopped around prices would be a good deal more competitive.

George Dalton

Gophur wrote: »

Why don't you go the whole hog and move up there ?

I doubt he would like the lower wages up there

pippip

Currently working in a small struggling company I'm all for buy local, but sorry lads if the difference is substantial then my wallet is not a charity and to the best deal I go.

xabi_a

Interesting discussion now. I can see that some mechanics from down south here are not happy about the NI thing. And they've given helpful comments here:-)

But I'm a consumer too and I'll go for good value, wherever it is (as long as no sweatshops or child labour is involved). NI is too cold for sweatshops:-)

galwaytt

R.O.R wrote: »

WHAT????!!!???? business's are making profit???!!!????

23% mark up is pretty low for retail sales.

Hammertime wrote: »

VERY low

Too low imo

23% .....it's so long since I've seen more than a single-digit %, I'd be over the moon with 23%.......

xabi_a wrote: »

Interesting discussion now. I can see that some mechanics from down south here are not happy about the NI thing. And they've given helpful comments here:-)

But I'm a consumer too and I'll go for good value, wherever it is (as long as no sweatshops or child labour is involved). NI is too cold for sweatshops:-)

Well, that depends on where you're coming from. Literally.

If you're travelling from, say........West Cork, N.I. is going to cost €€ in diesel, €€ in subsistence (you do eat, yes.... ?) and if you need an overnight, add another €€..........and don't forget a day off work........some more €€......

Do all that - THEN tell me if it still pays to go to N.I.

If you live in Louth, that's great - all bets are off

Terms & Conditions apply : that the N.I. dealer doesn't come across 'unforeseen' issues - rusty/seized nuts, aka, more billable-hours, and of course that you're DMF doesn't implode on the way there.........in which case you'll need Recovery, as well.........

Get the numbers, talk to either your local Indy, or the some of the people already proferred. Then haggle.

Anything else is just speculation.

Gophur

The Tyre Dude wrote: »

What a dumb comment. :rolleyes:

Value is value, who cares where it is? Are you willing to pay twice the price out of loyalty to Audi Ireland? It is only by shopping around that prices come down. In the boom times people just handed over the cash and prices went sky high. If everyone shopped around prices would be a good deal more competitive.

Why would I buy anything from Audi Ireland?


As for prices getting more competitive?
You are under the mistaken illusion that these businesses are profiteering. Do you not consider that the cost base in Rep of Ireland is so much higher than elsewhere? Have you taken a salary reduction to reduce your employer's cost base? Have you volunteered a salary reduction?

Jimdagym

justme7136 wrote: »

i work in a distributors i cant sell across the counter, i dont think that car has a concentric cylinder either it its either engine code CAGA, CMEA

If you work in a distributers, then why are you quoting prices for parts that the OP cannot possibly buy?

langdang

Wouldn't high parts and labour costs only ADD to the prestige experience of owning an Audi diesel?

The Tyre Dude

Gophur wrote: »

You are under the mistaken illusion that these businesses are profiteering.

Have you taken a salary reduction to reduce your employer's cost base? Have you volunteered a salary reduction?

They may or may not be profiteering, but the high fees are to cover high overheads which they signed up to as part of the Audi brand (glass palaces, etc), many of which have nothing to do with providing value to the customer.

I'm self employed and run my own business. I've taken salary reductions and reduced overheads as required to stay competetive.

DubDani

Maybe give Walsh Motors in Belfast a call (they have a website).

They are a very good Independent specializing in VW/Audo/Skoda, and have all the equipment needed to do the job. They usually are very competitive, and have in the past been recommended by several people on boards for this kind of work.

I regularly use them, and have no complaints.

justme7136

Jimdagym wrote: »

If you work in a distributers, then why are you quoting prices for parts that the OP cannot possibly buy?

I was just trying to give an idea of what he should expect to pay.
I quoted the retail price with 25% discount as i would expect is achievable from a motor factors for a high value item

I didnt offer to sell anything, just giving my opinion on what the op should expect to pay so he wont be ripped off

lafors

OP I've had some big jobs done on my Audi (and Skoda) a few lads on here would know what I'm talking about

If I was you I'd be staying clear of the main dealers alright.
I can vouch for George's work 100%, as can a good few others here.
Other than that I've had big work done by Walsh Motors up in belfast, again top quality work and original parts. I have the advantage of having relations there to stay with so time wasn't an issue.
Your 3rd option is to contact agnews (audi) up north and get a price on parts. They'll ship them down here for free if you're buying something like a clutch kit plus they'll be a hell of a lot cheaper than Audi Ireland.

xabi_a

By "George", you mean the user George Dalton right?

And by ordering parts from Agnews, are you suggesting I might do the job myself? I'm not planning that anyway.

Or are you suggesting I buy the parts myself and go to a mechanic or garage in the south with the parts in hand, and ask them to do it?

lafors

xabi_a wrote: »

By "George", you mean the user George Dalton right?

And by ordering parts from Agnews, are you suggesting I might do the job myself? I'm not planning that anyway.

Or are you suggesting I buy the parts myself and go to a mechanic or garage in the south with the parts in hand, and ask them to do it?

Yep george here.
Get a price from agnews for the parts then you can price around down here. There's plenty of indys who'll take official audi parts from you and do the job.
Ring eugene in walsh motors in belfast too, you'll be surprised by the price difference, plus belfast is nice for a daytrip

dharn

dharn wrote: »

distributor 650, motor factor sells for 800 (according to george dalton )nice mark up for motor factor and thats probably the lower end price

Cost price to RRP was at a minimum x2 when I worked in a factors, more for silly tacky sh1t.

lafors wrote: »

..................
Get a price from agnews for the parts then you can price around down here. There's plenty of indys who'll take official audi parts from you and do the job...............

All well and good until there is an issue with the part, then the fun starts.

robertxxx

Audi BMW etc are expensive cars for people with money who buy new and dont have money problems and so can afford expensive repairs when needed, that is if they still have their cars long enough to rack up mileage/years as they change their cars often and it's the people who can't afford to buy new expensive audi's bmw's, are the ones who moan when the repair costs are so high.

If you can't afford to buy these cars new then you can't afford to run them.

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

tossy

robertxxx wrote: »

Audi BMW etc are expensive cars for people with money who buy new and dont have money problems and so can afford expensive repairs when needed, that is if they still have their cars long enough to rack up mileage/years as they change their cars often and it's the people who can't afford to buy new expensive audi's bmw's, are the ones who moan when the repair costs are so high.

If you can't afford to buy these cars new then you can't afford to run them.

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

The types of prices being mentioned for clutch changes etc here are what i would be expecting to pay for the same job on a ford,mazda,hyuandai,kia,renault,nissan......

:rolleyes:

kirving

If you can't afford to buy them new, you can't afford to run them?!

Tell that to the lads in the Bangernomics/Luxobarge thread. ;-) Taking a risk on a 3 year old DMF or Clutch is far easier than dishing out close to that every few months with repayments.