A4 - Suspension shocks leaking

blacklilly

Hi All,

The suspension shocks on my A4 are leaking ( all 4 of them), there's also a fault with some wiring to the rear lights (RHS) which requires repair.

I've been quoted €990 for replacement of the shocks (to include 5 hrs labour), the garage have advised that the shocks are c.€105 each. The repair to the rear light is included in the €990 but is a very small % of it.

Does anyone know if this cost seems reasonable?

Gazzmonkey

not sure about the price, but what doesn't seem reasonable is four leaking shocks!!

What age is the car? did you lower it and drive flat out over rough roads??

blacklilly

Gazzmonkey wrote: »

not sure about the price, but what doesn't seem reasonable is four leaking shocks!!

What age is the car? did you lower it and drive flat out over rough roads??

Car is 08, I have it about 2 yrs and drive it gently, not sure about previous owner

Car is not lowered

blacklilly

OSI wrote: »

Who told you the shocks were leaking? What mileage is on the car?

2 garages have told me, the first was on a NCT pre test but this wasn't picked up in the actual NCT test and now this garage (where I have gotten my car serviced a few times) have told me that they're leaking also.

there's 160k on the clock

Is there any way I can check myself?

Not sure if the first garage said that all 4 shocks were leaking btw

Stheno

Is it a main dealer that quoted that price?

blacklilly

Stheno wrote: »

Is it a main dealer that quoted that price?

No not a main dealer

Stheno

blacklilly wrote: »

No not a main dealer

Well if the parts are 420 for the shocks, and its five hours Labour they seem to be quoting a hundred Euro an hour plus for Labour.

How much of the quote is to fix the rear lights

blacklilly

Stheno wrote: »

Well if the parts are 420 for the shocks, and its five hours Labour they seem to be quoting a hundred Euro an hour plus for Labour.

How much of the quote is to fix the rear lights

Half hr labour and c.€50 for the rear light.

This garage carried out work to the suspension arms about 7 months ago, this was after the initial garage advised that the shocks were leaking.

Gazzmonkey

blacklilly wrote: »

Car is 08, I have it about 2 yrs and drive it gently, not sure about previous owner

Car is not lowered

I have an 08 that I got about 2 years ago, I also drive gently but only on rough roads!!

Must check my shocks later :cool:

blacklilly

Gazzmonkey wrote: »

I have an 08 that I got about 2 years ago, I also drive gently but only on rough roads!!

Must check my shocks later :cool:

Audi just quoted me €1200 to replace the shocks.

Think I might trade it in for a micra

Gazzmonkey

blacklilly wrote: »

Audi just quoted me €1200 to replace the shocks.

Think I might trade it in for a micra

Just noticed you have an extra 60k on the clock, Mine will be long sold before it reaches that milage I would say.

\worries

mickdw

blacklilly wrote: »

Audi just quoted me €1200 to replace the shocks.

Think I might trade it in for a micra

Did it pass the nct?
Now im not saying the nct is any judge of shocks in general as it only reads how even they are from side to side but they will fall them on a visual if they are leaking.
Do you find the car bad to drive?

blacklilly

mickdw wrote: »

Did it pass the nct?
Now im not saying the nct is any judge of shocks in general as it only reads how even they are from side to side but they will fall them on a visual if they are leaking.
Do you find the car bad to drive?

Yes, it passed the NCT.

Car seems fine to drive, in saying that I do the majority of my driving on good roads.

Does anyone know if the bounce test is a good indicator for checking the shocks?

I'm considering trading it in, have had to get quite a bit of work done to it since I bought it.

mickdw

blacklilly wrote: »

Yes, it passed the NCT.

Car seems fine to drive, in saying that I do the majority of my driving on good roads.

Does anyone know if the bounce test is a good indicator for checking the shocks?

I'm considering trading it in, have had to get quite a bit of work done to it since I bought it.

Its the mileage really. Better off paying more for a genuine low mile car with history that can be verified.

I'd sell it as it is with new test if you are considering getting rid.
You might pick up genuine barely used shocks on ebay, just be sure to get the right part number.

blacklilly

mickdw wrote: »

Its the mileage really. Better off paying more for a genuine low mile car with history that can be verified.

I'd sell it as it is with new test if you are considering getting rid.
You might pick up genuine barely used shocks on ebay, just be sure to get the right part number.

Yea I think it's time I moved on.

I'll more than likely trade it in with a garage - they can carry out whatever work is needed to it and sell it on.

Now just to think what car I should go for

mickdw

blacklilly wrote: »

It's 160km, that's not a lot for a 7 year old diesel?

Sorry, thought it was miles.
No, that is nothing. My 08 audi with similar miles has no such issues with any suspension components and I've had it in the back end of mayo for all 7 years.
I'd be wary of the history of that car.