Did I (or we) got jibbed by Audi?

[80sGuy]

Since Audi withdrew their free maintenance program during the 4yr/50K warranty period, I thought maybe the 'Audi Care' ($590) would help...well, at least for oil changes...and of course it is EXCLUDING the brakes.
Looking at the service schedule pamphlet for an A-4, here it is as followed:

-Initial 5,000 miles (Free):
Oil & Filter change, check adjust Wiper/Washer/Headlight washer, Rotate Tires, check brakes, reset service reminder display, lubricate wiper arm pivots.

-15,000 miles (Audi Care kicks in):
All of the above plus:
Check Cooling system level -add if necessary, check Exhaust system, check Engine ODB, check Engine for leaks, check…etc, etc..

-25,000 miles:
Oil/Filter repeat check all of the above, plus replace dust pollen filter

-35,000 miles:
Oil/Filter repeat check all of the above, plus replace dust pollen filter

-45,000 miles (Audi Care expires):
Oil & Filter change, check adjust Wiper/Washer/Headlight washer, Rotate Tires, check brakes, reset service reminder display, lubricate wiper arm pivots

All the necessary checks are done up to 45,000 miles – mostly checking here and there.
First spark plugs replacement is at 55,000 miles (guess I’m shit out of luck for these) and the V-belt replacement is at 90,000!

That's a whole lotta 'checking' there for the amount paid. If I divide the $590 Audi Care by 4 (not including the first free 5,000), it equates to $147.50 per session.
The question is: Does one pay that much for an oil/service? Now If I didn’t buy the Audi Care maintenance program, how much would it cost me each time for service if I were to bring it in and paid for it on the spot?

Am I being jibbed?

[teknikk7]

What does it matter? You obviously already gave them your money. What I did was work out the best possible deal, then right before I was about to sign the contract I said...

BTW, I want Audi care or I walk.

worked like a charm.

[leozip]

Me too... Same exactly strategy. I saw that they plugged $349.99 into the equation but made some adjustment to continue same payment.

[MojaveA4]

If you leased, it saved you money.

[Papachristou]

In my humble b6 opinion, u got jizzed on by audi... you paid $590 for four oil changes...

WTF are the going to check on the exhaust? that its still hanging?

my car has 75k and i have never had to "adjust" my windshield wipers or washers....




seriously do you think they actually check any of this shit? my car is "old schoo" so it was included free, when i bought it used and took it in for my first "free" oil change, i thought, Hmmm im curious if they actually do what they say? lets check up on it..... so i took a knife and put two deep scratches in the black oil filter.... you could clearly see metal shining though... low and behold after the oil change and COMPLETE check/service, it had the exact same two scratches on the oil filter.... the manager insisted those came from installing it.. what a joke......

got to walmart, buy some mobil 1 or good syn oil of your choice, and get a filter from the dealer or mobil 1/fram filter from autozone and DIY!!!!!! [wrench] $40 maybe

[Phrost]

^ You must be going to a shitty dealer.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

Good thing I got that with my car when it came with it, and I did not have to pay.

[b6onboost]

If you were planning to have all your maintenance done at the dealer...you are saving money.

An oil change and filter(s) swap can run $100 in parts. and to do all those 'checks' they bill you for 1-2 hours labor at $90/hr. Add shop/disposal fees and it easily can be a few hundred, for what essentially boils down to an oil change and checking fluid levels.

My advise: Only use the dealer when something breaks and you still have warranty.

[Noffy]

Unfortunately what you are talking about is not AoA its the particular dealer. If your dealer is crooked and underhanded it doesn't really matter if you paid fo rthe audi car or got the free maintenence plan in a prior year you are still getting bad service. Truly if you did that to your OF and they did replace it I would be in the service managers office threatening to go the state office that oversees such business practices followed by the nearest TV station for a "under cover" investigation. IF you live in california you have seen all the news about EZ lube and the ripping people off they have been doing and totally getting busted for. It doesn't matter what your maintenance plan is if you are going to an untrust worthy service department.

[Sanjman]

You neglected to mention intake air filter replacement, tire rotation AND balance, FREE ONE TIME ROTORS/BRAKE PADS replacement, FREE 24 hour road side assistance. With the amount of oil our car burns, I go in around 5k miles before my scheduled oil changes and have them top it off. I also get free windshield wiper fluid whenever I want (Audi, I also believe, uses their own special blend versus what you get on the market).

If you paid the MSRP or above which is, I believe, $550 (not $590) on the program, that is your problem.

P.S. I did the same thing with the scratches on my oil filter. They def replaced it! Great minds think alike!

Well worth it for me...

[dave405nyc]

the free rotors/brake pads are good only for 12months/12k miles of when the car is new... i called aoa and specifically asked

[M power this!]

price used to be $550, now $590. and paying full price is not a big deal, cost on the Audi Care is over $500.

as mentioned above, they do replace intake filter, etc mentioned. you also do not have worry about ever proving your car was maintained at a reputable shop if you did have a warranty issue.

if it is on a lease, you're an idiot NOT to get the package since it bumps your residual 1% and makes it cost you less than half of retail.

[80sGuy]

You neglected to mention intake air filter replacement, tire rotation AND balance, FREE ONE TIME ROTORS/BRAKE PADS replacement, FREE 24 hour road side assistance. With the amount of oil our car burns, I go in around 5k miles before my scheduled oil changes and have them top it off. I also get free windshield wiper fluid whenever I want (Audi, I also believe, uses their own special blend versus what you get on the market).

If you paid the MSRP or above which is, I believe, $550 (not $590) on the program, that is your problem.

P.S. I did the same thing with the scratches on my oil filter. They def replaced it! Great minds think alike!

Well worth it for me...Most of the stuff that I posted here are summarized, the checking part is not that essential at 5K-10K miles, they actually 'check' a wee bit more as you've mentioned.
Also, brakes are NOT covered since it is wear/tear item, "24 Hour Roadside Assistance" comes with every new car delivery whether it be a lease or purchase.



What does it matter? You obviously already gave them your money. What I did was work out the best possible deal, then right before I was about to sign the contract I said...

BTW, I want Audi care or I walk.

worked like a charm.
The price paid for Audi Care has absolutely NOTHING to do with the dealer. It is 100% Audi and non-transferable. $590 is not a lot of money for maintenance provided if it is done right and accordingly. I purchased the car for the long term and will probably keep it for at least 7-8 years (If I don't get bored with it).

I literally paid nothing for this new 2008 B7 and this was back in Sept. '07. I completely understand the concept of the dealership. They can only give you 'Audi Care' if they have enough room to play with. Years ago, when I was on "the line" selling Porsche (and Audi), the profit margin used to be a good 12%-15% on each car, now, it is reduced to a mere 5%-6%. This was the same when I was selling BMWs a little over a decade ago....and it has been a long time since I knew what free service/maintenance was like - especially when one has to pay for it.

Most of us tend to look only at one angle when it comes to car buying. If you're in some sleazy independent used car lot or even at a low end new car dealership (and I'm not saying this won't happen at a luxury car dealer either) I can understand the game, but in a high-end establishment catering to some completely different breed of buyers, it is not that hard to come to the final terms - giving that the buyer is usually educated and armed with information and the dealer itself is also ready to deal with it in a professional manner.

But, there are two things that dealerships can't control - what's offered from the Mfg/Distributor (Audi of N.A.) and what's offered from the bank. The dealer didn't jibbed anybody, but if my consensus serves up right, it is the manufacture that did.

[JCleary]

I didn't pay for the Audi Care. I didn't think it was worth it on a 24 month 30k lease.

I'll pay an independent shop $100 for the same service I've been quoted $250-$350 for at the two nearest dealers to my house and be money ahead next winter when I trade!

[GTO]

a factory audi oil change is about $150 IIRC, you decide.

[80sGuy]

That's a boat load of dough just for an oil/filter change, plus to 'check' or should I say just to 'look at' a few more things

[GTO]

That's Audi Dealer service for you, but i know they use the right stuff at least, your in LA try hitting up Chris @ Penske. He's been nothing short of great to deal with. You can find him on this forum, or just call the service dept and ask for the guy.

[grizzles]

a factory audi oil change is about $150 IIRC, you decide.

I get mine changed every 5k (in between free service) and it costs ~$54. Not too shabby for a full synthetic oil change. I would do it myself but I don't have a garage....need to mod my living situation