Audi A6 - advice

shabbyalonso

Hi All,

So, had my 152 reg Audi A6 in for its annual service earlier this week. Few things noted by Audi which are listed below, coming to a total of EUR4.3k!

I'm not including the likes of wiper blades or pollen filter replacement as I shall do myself. Also, being quoted 200 per tyre (2 required soon) - would source them cheaper elsewhere. Car has always been serviced in Audi dealership - I'm second owner having it just shy of 2 years at this point, bought privately.

It's 152 so not new but in my mind, far from old. 115kms on the clock.

My main question is - is there a reputable Audi independent (Dublin North preferably) or alternative mechanic/dealer I could bring it too to take the edge off the cost?

Separately, do I need to get all this done (which I know is a bit of crystal ball gazing)?

The first thing that popped into my head when I got the quote was "For that price, I'd see about trading the car in, paying maybe 5k and trading up a year or two"....then I remembered used car prices and the fact that I really like my Audi A6 and also, I don't really have 5k to spend!

So, here's the list:

Air Filter - 102 (all prices incl VAT)

Fuel Filter - 166

Timing Belt replacement (hasn't been done on car before) - 1027

Brake fluid due - 119

2 x tyres - 200 a pop

d/s/f engine mount (under "check for leaks" category) - 663

Rear brake discs - 289

"Check front suspension" - x2 drop licks (assume links), bush worn, x 2 banana arms - 1544

Ad blue top required - 40

Thanks in advance and I would welcome any thoughts here.

Gorteen

I'm an Audi A6 owner too (2016). Long history of disappointment with my car.... needed new gearbox, new water pump, 4 brake pads/discs costing more than €1000, and 4.. yes 4 EGR valves. However, it's now on 305,000km so your car is relatively fresh compared to mine. I'd avoid Audi dealership at this stage and get a local reputable mechanic to do the necessary work

User1998

It’s impossible for anyone here to recommend weather you should get the work carried out. Nobody here knows the history of your car or the condition it is in.

But those are all basic jobs and there is no need for an Audi specialist, especially not a main dealer.

When is your NCT due? Might be worth holding off until then and see what they point out.

I wouldn’t skimp out on replacing your brakes, but main dealers are notorious for recommending discs and pads even when its not needed.

Is your engine oil due to be replaced? I would at least look into getting a basic engine service and timing belt, but not at the main dealer. Unless you want to keep a full Audi service history

Does the A6 not come with a lifetime 130,000 mile timing belt?

shabbyalonso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420913#Comment_120420913

Wow! That's a lot of work....and expense. Noted on who to use - thanks a mill

shabbyalonso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421016#Comment_120421016

Thanks for this.

Re: car condition - as someone who would know a little about cars and is careful about what he buys, I would say that my car is in pretty pristine condition. Externally and inside the cabin, it's as close to "as new" as you'll get regardless of age. Under the hood and under the body...visually, all in good order i.e. no rusting or dings etc. It's been well cared for by me and previous owner - not rallied about. I have no doubt, not enough mileage for a diesel car of course (at 115,000km) but won't get into that here!!

History, having been through Audi always, doesn't show timing belt done so I will look to get that done for peace of mind.

Good point re: NCT - it's good until Feb 2024....maybe a little too long to wait.

Re: engine oil - as part of service this week engine oil was replaced along with oil filter - was a standard service, as such.

I hadn't planned on going back to Audi at this stage I must say.......I was told at last years service that there was still one service left as part of service package but they told me otherwise when I booked in, a couple of weeks back......which wasn't exactly great service. Given age of car, I'm happy to move away from main dealer - I like to have history as does anyone but doesn't need to be brand service.

As for timing belt - I've read in various places that it's good for 130k miles........then it's noted that it's 5 years or 130k miles, whichever comes first. Hard to know to be honest and would welcome thoughts on that.

User1998

If you know your way around cars then I’d probably just get the engine oil and filters done at a local independent garage. and leave the other things until NCT time, but obviously keep an eye on brakes, tyres, any weird noises coming from the suspension etc in the mean time

Regarding the timing belt, Audi UK says 130k miles with no time limit. Whereas Audi Ireland says 130k miles / 5 years. Not sure why they decided to add a time limit here, probably just to profit more on servicing. Me personally I would go with Audi UK. As far as I know, there are no known issues of the belt prematurely failing

standardg60

Had the tb done on my skoda diesel recently at it's recommended 100k mile interval, it's 15 yrs old. If a manufacturer is stating 130k mile you can be sure that's a bare minimum.

I'd much prefer my nct tester to be telling me my discs and suspension need replacing rather than someone who's going to profit by doing so.

Does the A6 have a hydraulic engine mount?

shabbyalonso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421548#Comment_120421548

Makes sense but always nice to hear someone else say it!

I'm always tuned in to strange noises, rattles, hums, bumps or otherwise.........always a joy to NOT hear them but one tends to sense when something is a miss....other than that dash lights telling you as much.

I think I'll hold tight for NCT in that case. I didn't mention earlier but might do now - I was surprised by the list when presented to me. I'm not a mechanic but think - is this just a money spinning racket here? The fact that I've missed a number of calls and texts from Audi in the last few days, makes me think that this could be a potential cash cow for them.....all in a bid to make some easy money..........doesn't sit well but hey, that's the way it goes.

Timing belt - thanks for the input.............I'll chew on that!

Thanks again

shabbyalonso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421619#Comment_120421619

Thanks for the input........the tb is always a topic for debate across the brands........as you say, if it's in the handbook stating one thing, then that's the gauge surely?!

As for hydraulic engine mount......good question, I'll need to check and will revert.

On the topic of what it is or isn't........when I turned up for the service on the morning of, I was told that it's in for service and "a gearbox oil change".....I said that I'd just booked in for standard annual service. Guy was youngish and fine to deal with in fairness to him but he was sure it had to be done......I told him it was a manual (which it is) but he was still looking to book that job in. Some discussion later, with others, it was accepted that it wasn't required given it was a manual! Anyway, more reason to suspect that any avenue to that might make money, shall be explored. I understand of course from a business point of view but not ideal when you're being asked to dig deep to pay for stuff that may not be required.

Anyway, mini-rant over!

Great input though everyone, really appreciate it

Needles73

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421619#Comment_120421619

Am I reading this correctly ? You had the timing belt changed for first time in a car that was 15 years old or the car had other belts previously?

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290468/audi-a6-advice

If you can change wipers and pollen filter , you would manage the air filter also, it’s pretty simple.

Dealers recommend changing brake fluid every 2 years,they are probably right but I don’t think many cars outside of service plans are changing it every 2 years, and it’s not going to cause the brakes to fail, you will probably notice and squishy pedal or reduced performance when the brakes heat up before anything drastic happened.

tyres are tyres, you get what you pay for and if you need them you need them,but you are definitley paying over the odds at a dealer for them.

I wouldn’t worry about the suspension until it bothers you, with knocking and stuff, I’ve replace drop links twice in the last 7-8 months on my A6. Unless it’s knocking really bad or shuddering under braking I wouldn’t worry about it.

engine mount I’m not too sure, unless the car is shaking or it’s bothering you then maybe ignore until it fails or gets worse?

ad blue? Find a petrol station with an ad blue pump, it’s around the 20 euro mark to fill when the light comes on.

Fuel filter I would do if you have never done it, at least you know when it’s due the next time, but I wouldn’t be paying audi to do it.

The timing belt?

if you plan on keeping the car for a few years , you do it now or do it in a year?

you will be doing it either way, but if you do it now , you won’t have to worry about it for the next 5-6 years,

you can get a Continental Timing belt and water pump kit with pulley and tensioner on Car-Parts.ie for around the 150euro mark. ( I will be ordering myself soon and getting mechanic to fit.)

rear brakes? If you need them you need them, main dealers are always recommending them tho, I would get an opinion if you don’t know yourself from the mechanic that will be doing the fuel filter.

Larbre34

Those prices are appalling.

Any good independent will do that lot (if it all does actually need doing) for less than half that.

My advice is ask around anywhere you gather or socialise in your local community, get 3 or 4 independent service garages recommended by people you know and trust. Go to the best two and have them quote the car blind for an annual service and ancillaries and reconcile it with the Audi report.

Any good indy will say 'yeah, do this and that now and come into me a few times between now and your Feb 24 NCT and we'll knock out the other jobs before a final pre-NCT check'

To my mind you should get all of that done and more for about €2.5k, spread out over the year.

Bear in mind, the Audi prices include their labour cost, of something like 70 quid/hour. You won't pay anything like that to a local indy, so there's most of the bulk gone right away.

shabbyalonso

Cheers guys for all of the above.

Tyres - 100% - don't ever let them get bad and check regularly. Know that dealers charge a premium so shall avoid that.

Timing belt - yes, I would ideally like to hold on to the car for the foreseeable future - it's good all round in my opinion so yes, it shall be done at some point in the not too distant. I'll start making enquiries as you say and find someone reputable to do it.

Brakes, suspension and the rest - I don't have a heavy foot so while I fully expect reduction in all areas, I will know when such things are starting to get saggy or squishy....I'll act well before then but as it stands and as stated, while I'm no mechanic, overall, the car feels solid and tight with no notable issues (all this talk is tempting fate!). Servicing and pre-emption is fine by me but don't plan an overhaul just at this point.

I'll keep my usual eye on things but in mean time, will enjoy the nice drive that it is, both inside and out.

It's good to talk these things out.....ha ha! I'm presuming I'm not alone but sometimes it can take a few days to row back from the shock of a potential bill to looking at it in a more black and white sense and putting your own spin on it!

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421706#Comment_120421706

Yes you're reading it correctly, first time and mechanic said it was still pristine. If the manufacturer says it's good for x miles without reference to time then it's good!

Needles73

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421793#Comment_120421793

Impressive. I think Skoda and all vw group have 4 or 5 year recommended change now.

creedp

Strange that my 08 diesel Ford had a recommended 150k miles or 10 year replacement interval and the belt appeared perfect when replaced at 140k miles. Yet, despite technological advancement in the interim, car manufacturers are now recommending half that period.

Something smells a bit off from their customers perspective but I suppose manufacturers continue to prove that their only priority is to maximise profits. Tbh, timing belts and dmfs are 2 issues I'm glad will be consigned to the history books when we move to EVs. Although I'm sure manufacturers will continue to be adept at developing new ways to screw over their customers in the years ahead..old habits die hard

pauly58

I would stay away from Audi main dealers, a poster said their labour rate was around €70 an hour, I worked at one about fifteen years ago & it was €85 an hour then. Changing brake fluid is another money making racket, I've never changed it in any of our cars.

sligopaul

No expert but a couple of things here

-Bringing an 8 year old car to a main dealer you will still pay main dealer prices

-A reputable Indie can service and replace most of the parts above with decent quality parts for approx 50% of the cost. Those VW/Audi engines are well seen across the independent car network due to the number of applications,

-Example , my wife's 2015 Merc was due a belt, was quoted e1150 by main dealer. Local trusted garage replaced belt, waterpump and serviced car, ( oil filter,air filter, fuel filter , new front discs and pads ), all reputable brands, for e880

Water2626262

I got hit with a similar bill for a same era a6. Only probably 70 or 80km at the time. Brought it to dalton motors in Laois and paid probably a 1/4 of what Audi were quoting me. Gave them the list that Audi provided and all. Most of the stuff wasn’t required.

definitely knocked me back and turned me off the brand. The car was pristine and low mileage when I bought but had constant small issues and I had no trust in it. The Audi lists are a sham. Quoted me something stupid for ad blue even though I’d recently topped up the tank. When I queried it they said “oh we don’t know how much is in the tank, we just know it isn’t full”.

I don’t know how they retain customers. Switched to bmw since and had no issues at all with main dealer. I still get major anxiety dropping a car off for a service though!

greasepalm

Many cars might be company cars and the driver is only a driver.

I would imagine fancy wheel on the audi and you have good vision of the colour of the brake disc , how much of a lip it has rubbing your finger from inside to outside of disks. Worn disks you could have a massive lip and would need to be change.

Brake fluid over time absorbs moisture as if you ever looked at the old cars with drum brakes in rear and metal wheel cylinder and yucky fluid leaking.

tanko

They’re known as main stealers for good reason. How much are they charging for the Vaseline or is it complimentary. Find a good independent garage, there’s lots of them out there.

bazz26

This is no shock. Main dealers don't differentiate whether your car is 1 year old or 8 years old when it comes to servicing. The labour rates are the same and the OEM parts used are the same. They will follow the manufacturer's guidelines by the book on what is recommend to be replaced at that the time or mileage they set out whether they actually need replacing or not. These recommended guidelines in many cases are there in order to generate servicing revenue for their dealer network on cars still under the original manufacturer's warranty period.

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120434340#Comment_120434340

Tbh its even worse than slavishly following manufacturers guidelines. I find the incessant hard sell for new brake diacs/pads and tyres really irksome. Last time I serviced the car at a dealer I got a call to urgently replace discs and pads that were supposedly 80% worn and tyres that were apparently illegal. They were quoting €150 a pop for tyres, when a premium brand could be had for €100 fitted by a tyre crowd. I refused both requests and they got pissy with me saying I would have to sign a disclaimer otherwise they couldn't release the car with illegal tyres. Needless to say I didn't sign anything.

shabbyalonso

Thanks for all the above comments and input.......a recurring theme here it seems. It's not the first time I've come across this but as has been mentioned above, with the "anxiety"that goes with dropping a car in for service, I was still suffering from it when I wrote this post.

There is no doubt in my mind that it was all to generate some revenue for themselves plus the many follow up calls and texts after the event.....which I ignored. I'm happy to leave things be for now anyway.....will keep an eye on the usual stuff but a lot is simply not necessary.

Wishbone Ash

OP - you car is 8 years old. If you keep it for another few years, it will be 10/12 years old. Generally anyone buying a car that is 10/12 years old won't be expecting a main dealer service history nor will they be willing to pay more for it. If they get it, it will just be considered a bonus.

PS - I paid €440 for 2 tyres on an A4 a few days ago. It included alignment so I'm not sure of the actual tyre price but I presume they were around €200 each. That was from a Fast Fit type of place. I presume the A6 has larger tyres so €400 would seem about right for quality branded tyres.