Has Audi started charging extra for Audi Care?

[audimeister]

A colleague has made me an offer I can't refuse on my B6, so it's time to trade up. I was at the Audi store yesterday, and had hammered out a pretty good deal on a B7, and when we were going over the final numbers, there was a $550 item in the down payment for Audi Care.

When I asked about it, they told me that starting with the '07 cars, there is a charge for Audi Care scheduled maintenance that used to be included in the price of the car.

Anybody who works for a dealer- can you confirm this?

[DeMOROlized]

I'm not a dealer but any regulars around here can confirm that maintenance is no longer free unless you get Audi Care, starting MY07.

[audimeister]

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/experience/Owners/Warranty.html

I just found it...

[quattshot]

Yup, happened to me too. There is a charge now. They roll it into your finance or lease payment. It turns out to be roughly $5 additional per month.

[marty was here]

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/experience/Owners/Warranty.html

I just found it...

but if u have an 06 ur still fine right?

[John1.8T]

pre MY07 has all services paid for up to 35k miles.

5k, 15k, 25k, and 35k.

[ed@mtl]

I wasn't even offer it but I just checked my documents and I did sign for the "Audi Care". This is on a 2007 lease A4.

[AsianA408]

yeah i took the hit, and didnt take it now i wish i did. it was an extra 1200. for up to 50 or 100k i cant remember.

[djs]

$1200 is probably for 100k. We also took the option; $550 for 50k.

I think Audi had to go this route as a lot of the competition was eliminating the perk as well.

[parks853]

pre MY07 has all services paid for up to 35k miles.

5k, 15k, 25k, and 35k.


I thought it was the first 5 services up to 45K.

[mksap11]

I thought it was the first 5 services up to 45K.

It is. 5K is included in the price of the car. Audi Care adds 15K, 25K, 35K and 45K services. Audi Care is also optional and, in many cases, negotiable. My dealer and I split the costs of Audi Care when I bought my Q7

[John1.8T]

I thought it was only up to 35k?

I just took my car in for 35k service a few weeks ago and apparently it is the last one paid for by AoA.

[DeMOROlized]

I thought it was only up to 35k?

I just took my car in for 35k service a few weeks ago and apparently it is the last one paid for by AoA.

Your MY05.5 should be covered under the old Audi Advantage for 4 year / 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. So if you reach your 45k within 4 years of the start of warranty it should be covered.

People with lower annual mileage might not get to 45k within 4 years, hence the confusion.

[parks853]

Your MY05.5 should be covered under the old Audi Advantage for 4 year / 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. So if you reach your 45k within 4 years of the start of warranty it should be covered.

People with lower annual mileage might not get to 45k within 4 years, hence the confusion.

I had my first three services before I had the car one year, so I will most likely hit the 45K before 4 years.

[Red Baron]

took my 03 in for its 40k service this year and it was free. then again i bought the ext warranty to 100k miles

[Scarlett333]

That sucks. A couple of friends recently got BMW's and they receive full coverage on service (except tires) for free. I wish Audi had that.

[Anthony]

Well worth the money, IMO. It's too bad they made it a pay-for opt-in option, but word is that BMW will be doing this soon as well. I believe they're the last of the German car companies to offer it for free.

[B7AudiA4]

I'm really confused now.
So regular service is now being charged? Even on my 06 model?

This is only service.. not warrenty issues?

[DeMOROlized]

I'm really confused now.
So regular service is now being charged? Even on my 06 model?

This is only service.. not warrenty issues?

Free maintenance ended AFTER MY06. You are covered. MY07 is not.

[zerinA4]

And how much more did your friends pay for an equivalently equipped BMW than you did for your Audi? Basic economics folks, nothing in this world is free. You are paying for it somewhere.


That sucks. A couple of friends recently got BMW's and they receive full coverage on service (except tires) for free. I wish Audi had that.

[mksap11]

took my 03 in for its 40k service this year and it was free. then again i bought the ext warranty to 100k miles

Service/maintenance is not the same as warranty. Audi Care strictly covers maintenance.

[lokeh]

anyone know what all is covered in this maintnenace package?
Just tire rotation and oil changes?

[parks853]

anyone know what all is covered in this maintnenace package?
Just tire rotation and oil changes?

I believe it says in the owners manual. There are different things at the different mileages.

[F16HTON]

The German car companies are doing this in response to customer requests...many customers prefer not to have there scheduled maintence done at the dealer, this give you , the customer the option at the purchase of the vehicle...

I think it is a good idea.

[barkerd427]

for those of you that pay for your oil changes, how much does it cost? I got one quote over here for 350 euros and one for just over 100 euros for my first oil change. And I will supply the oil and filter for the 100 euro quote. I would love to get this stuff done for free. I wonder if I can opt in after the fact.

[lokeh]

for those of you that pay for your oil changes, how much does it cost? I got one quote over here for 350 euros and one for just over 100 euros for my first oil change. And I will supply the oil and filter for the 100 euro quote. I would love to get this stuff done for free. I wonder if I can opt in after the fact.

I think you have to buy it within your first 12k miles?

[F16HTON]

Why would yo upay so much? AAFES has car care on base...you can also take it to the Auto Hobby shop.

If you bought your car the the AX (US Spec) your warranty begins when you arrive in America. [up]

[barkerd427]

So, Greg, I can change the oil myself and not mess up the warranty or do I have to let someone else do it. If I can do it myself then I am not taking it anywhere else. We don't have any of those fancy AAFES car care or gas stations like in Germany. Our SOFA was worked out with the Navy and they don't care because they are never in Italy anyway. Thanks.

[barkerd427]

Does anyone here change their own oil and know whether that has any warranty implications?

[Scarlett333]

And how much more did your friends pay for an equivalently equipped BMW than you did for your Audi? Basic economics folks, nothing in this world is free. You are paying for it somewhere.

Friend who got the 330 coupe did the eurodelivery and got it for about 42K (OTD)
The other friend actually leased hers, but for WAY too much. I don't think she knew what she was doing...

[Andrew A4]

They chopped about $600 off the cost of a 2006 A4 with same options and removed audi care.

I just added the audi care on since i want them to replace my pads, rotors, and perhaps clutch before 50k

[autotrader]

They chopped about $600 off the cost of a 2006 A4 with same options and removed audi care.

I just added the audi care on since i want them to replace my pads, rotors, and perhaps clutch before 50k

Did they tell you that? Audi Care only covers service and does not add "wear" item coverage to the warranty.

[LivingLegend]

this is like basicaly buying health insurance for your car.

[Tanner]

Does anyone here change their own oil and know whether that has any warranty implications?

No. As long as you use the VW/Audi approved oil you're fine. I change mine every 8K.

[Andrew A4]

Did they tell you that? Audi Care only covers service and does not add "wear" item coverage to the warranty.

Brake pads are included and so are rotors as long as they don't show 'severe abuse'. My b5 A4 had the clutch replaced at 48k miles. :)

[mksap11]

No. As long as you use the VW/Audi approved oil you're fine. I change mine every 8K.

Are you sure about this? I seem to recall people who changed their own oil or people who could not provide proof of oil changes by ASE certified mechanics getting hassled by VWoA or AoA for warranty coverage for sludging issues.

[mksap11]

Brake pads are included and so are rotors as long as they don't show 'severe abuse'. My b5 A4 had the clutch replaced at 48k miles. :)

Pads and rotors are only covered for the 1st 12,000 miles or 12 months now.

[Tanner]

Are you sure about this? I seem to recall people who changed their own oil or people who could not provide proof of oil changes by ASE certified mechanics getting hassled by VWoA or AoA for warranty coverage for sludging issues.

Well I have NEVER heard anybody here at least getting denied warranty, along with the sludging issue when Audi wasn't using synthetic in their 1.8Ts a while ago.

[DeMOROlized]

Brake pads are included and so are rotors as long as they don't show 'severe abuse'. My b5 A4 had the clutch replaced at 48k miles. :)

Ok just for clarification for those before MY07 that says "I have (wear & tear components) covered for free", AudiCare coverage IS NOT THE SAME as the old Audi Advantage coverage. To further complicate things, the wear & tear coverage of the old Audi Advantage program was steadily eroding in the last few model years.

Basically, wear & tear items covered in an earlier model year car may or may not be covered in later model years.

[4-tified]

No. As long as you use the VW/Audi approved oil you're fine. I change mine every 8K.

You can use ANY oil brand as long as it meets the North American API technical specifications of the oil requirement. Every manufacturer must list the spec and it's in the manual.
It does not have to be VW/Audi "approved". It just has to meet the spec.
US law protects the consumer via "Magnusson/Moss warranty act", so that the consumer can choose to do their own maintenance or go to someone other than the dealer.

However, that law also states that if the manufacturer provides the specified maintenance items "free", than they may be able to deny warranty claims by those who use products not made or provided by that manufacturer.
So, if you are covered under the Audi or BMW, etc... maintenance warranty, which provided no charge filters and oil and the service, then it's technically possible to have an engine failure warranty denied if you changed your oil yourself with non Audi, or BMW, etc...oil and filters.
It's an interesting question for those cars that do come with free maintenance as to how much the owner can do themselves and still be protected by the warranty act.

I'll have to reread the act and find that section.