Tune ups/maintenance

[socalrb7]

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[KJIV]

If you can't do the basics on your own it can be quite expensive, everytime I go to audi to buy a filter or something I look at the service prices and cringe... 95 bucks for an oil change, 2200 bucks for a timing belt (I have a 3.0), 400 for a tranny flush... etc. These are all crazy prices to me...

[socalrb7]

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[manhertm]

If you can't do the basics on your own it can be quite expensive, everytime I go to audi to buy a filter or something I look at the service prices and cringe... 95 bucks for an oil change, 2200 bucks for a timing belt (I have a 3.0), 400 for a tranny flush... etc. These are all crazy prices to me...

I totally agree with that, if price is a concern get familiar with the DIY section and learn something about your car. It's the essence of modding anyway(working on your car).

[KJIV]

well you can take it other places and it will be cheaper. If you get the 1.8t it shouldn't be a problem, however, they usually don't carry the oil filter for the 3.0. Also, I would definitely recommend synthetic oil for these cars (or any car for that matter).

[windyctyaudi]

ok so prices at the dealership are expensive... but can't you just take it to another place? My truck.. i think last time i got the oil changed i paid like $20 not at the dealer.

Dont take it to jiffy lube or something like that. The reason oil changes are so expensive also is because most people(the smart ones) use synthetic oil usually one approved by Audi to help preven engine slude, a common problem with the car if you don't take care of it. I think i pay around $55 or so and I use Mobil 1 0w-40 with the larger Mahle oil filter

[jrau13]

ALWAYS use synthetic and the basic maintenance on the 1.8t is not very difficulty. You can do it, just read up online and read the DIY's hear and on Audiworld.

[Four Play]

$95 for an oil change? My car has only been touched by 1 place, which is the dealership I bought it from, and its $60 and some change for lube and filter, plus they wash it, vacuum the interior, and dress the tires!

The only things I do myself are air filter and spark plug changes, other than that it gets pampered at the dealership...

[socalrb7]

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[SportSter]

about the same really! Remove flastic pan under the motor, Take flat open canister out and put under the oil pan, open up the oil fill, open up the oil drain, when oils stops coming out remove filter, replace with a new one, close oil drain, put in new synthetic oil.... Just like any other car except for synthetic.

have fun

[socalrb7]

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[socalrb7]

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[SportSter]

i was doing that more of a comparasin joke more than anything else.

The really only big diffrence in service intervals between lets say an a4 and a civic is that Audi needs to be serviced for water pump and timing belt between 60-80k miles Thats considerably sooner then most cars That kit I beleive cost about about 300. (timing belt kit 200 and 100 for water pump kit aprox.) You can get all that stuff here, although i dont see the 80k miles service kit that I swear I saw here just a bit ago. Look around youll get a good feel for prices, they arnt too bad.
clicky clicky


The sludge problem is real but can easily be prevented. Audi suggest 10k miles between oil changes, this is bull and causes most oil sludge problems, change it between 3k-6k miles and use SYNTHETIC.... It also helps to sea foam the engine every 40k miles. search on this topic for instructions . The end result is you doing two oil changes to flush out the sea foam. Its really easy and takes maybe an hour.

[socalrb7]

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[jrau13]

If you have any say in it try to get one with a warranty remaining so if anything comes up you wont be stuck with the bill. Other than that you'll be fine, good luck!

[SportSter]

Im a college student, and survive w/car payment, but then again I have two jobs + school. 1 job for my audi, 1 job for my boats.

[socalrb7]

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[pOrKcHoP07]

you can get a 3rd party warranty..bought mine with 37,000 and got a 3 yr/30,000 warranty for 1800 extra...covers alot too

[SportSter]

if you get an audi certified used, you get a two year 50k mile no matter what the purchase mileage is. the only thing that would drop at 50k miles is the free services i think.

[EYE4SPEED]

I thought the sludge issue was repaired under warranty/recall and was predominantly on the B5's...

Audi's, like most Euro cars, are very expensive to maintain if you can't do it yourself. I would highly recommend finding a local indy shop to help you (better rates and usually more knowledgeable).

Like everyone said above, the DIY route is a great way to avoid stealership rates.

[IceMole]

Get 04+ and you'll be fine, just put a coilpack or 2 in the trunk.

[Pete4 1.8t]

I'd say it's reasonable. Audis have shown to be a bit more reliable then the other modern german cars and I believe that after having had experience with them all. I can work on the A4 doing basic things and it's pretty simple and like any other car I've done, although sometimes the oil filter can be a hard reach... Also just because some people have said that their dealers are expensive, I would check your local dealer out just to see. My local dealer has reasonable prices and very good service that makes it a pleasure for me to take my car in.