C.P.O. B6 S4 - 55K service

[mcster]

I am deciding whether to go through my local dealership, or have an independent mechanic perform my 55K, and future services.

Does having someone independent perform the work affect the warranty should something happen?

[ALWAYS4UDI]

IMO, i'd stay with the dealer. i've had bad experiences with other-than-audi places, but of course that's just my experience. some places don't even carry some of the special tools that they would need if they found something wrong with your car and had to fix it. Along with that, they might not know what to look for in a major inspection.
i'm very picky with who touches my car, so i always let someone who does it on a daily basis mess with it.

as far as the warranty, i'm assuming you're dealing with an extended non-audi warranty. if that's the case, it wouldn't effect it. if your car is audi certified preowned, i'm not sure how they would look at that.

[likewater]

Many indy's won't even touch the S4 and my dealer wanted over $800 to do the 55K. INSANE for what they are doing!!!! If you're even the slightest bit mechanical, just do it yourself.

[GFRRS3]

Techinically NO, but this gives Audi the excuse to deny future warranty work by stating that past technician didnt provide proper service which cuased so and so failure.

[mcster]

as far as the warranty, i'm assuming you're dealing with an extended non-audi warranty. if that's the case, it wouldn't effect it. if your car is audi certified preowned, i'm not sure how they would look at that.

C.P.O. = Certified Pre-Owned

Thanks for the feedback. Dealer wants $699 for 55 and 65k services, but all they're really doing is oil change, plugs, filters (55K) .. and just an oil change at 65K.

[colonelburke]

I'm a little of a conspriacy theorist and I think that while it costs more at the dealer, at least they can't blame an indy for faulty work when they try and get out of something under the CPO. If it was a regular warranty, a good indy is just as good as the dealer and cheaper. But with the CPO, I'd stay with the dealer, and the price is not too bad since my dealer quoted $665 just for the 55K. Might as well pay the extra $34 to get the 65K as well. Good luck.

[b6onboost]

1. DIY and rest assured it's maintained correctly.
2. If that isn't an option, a trusted independent shop can do it for much less. Key word: TRUSTED.
3. It is illegal for Audi to require you only bring the car to them for service in order to uphold the warranty. You can have an independent ASE certi. shop perform the serivce, just keep your documentation. Or DIY and keep the receipts, dates, ect. It is very hard for audi to void a warranty maintenance wise as its hard to prove. (Doing so for Mods is much easier).

That being said. I'm under warranty, my car is modded, and have DIY service yet the dealer never has never denied a warranty claim.

[ALWAYS4UDI]

C.P.O. = Certified Pre-Owned

Thanks for the feedback. Dealer wants $699 for 55 and 65k services, but all they're really doing is oil change, plugs, filters (55K) .. and just an oil change at 65K.

haha wow. i really need some more sleep

[likewater]

1. DIY and rest assured it's maintained correctly.
2. If that isn't an option, a trusted independent shop can do it for much less. Key word: TRUSTED.
3. It is illegal for Audi to require you only bring the car to them for service in order to uphold the warranty. You can have an independent ASE certi. shop perform the serivce, just keep your documentation. Or DIY and keep the receipts, dates, ect. It is very hard for audi to void a warranty maintenance wise as its hard to prove. (Doing so for Mods is much easier).

That being said. I'm under warranty, my car is modded, and have DIY service yet the dealer never has never denied a warranty claim.

Exactly

[ChronicTeutonic]

I did my own 55k. Cost me less than $350 which includes, plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, coil pack tool, and Bentley manual.

[iamproph]

I got a question along these lines. The Audi One Care package was thrown in with my CPO which covers my 55k and 65k inspections. So for me, its pretty much free except for the drive, however, if I do bring it to Audi, and right now I have APR downpipes, APR catback, APR chip, and K&N drop in filter, will anything happen?

[Stormin]

Shouldn't be an issue.

Your care package is for services, not warranty work (that they might be able to claim you voided, and even that is pushing it).

[mcster]

I did my own 55k. Cost me less than $350 which includes, plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, coil pack tool, and Bentley manual.

How long did it take you? It seems with labor, and for the 2nd oil change (65K) $699 isn't that bad.

[ChronicTeutonic]

Took me two hours. Here's the order I'd do it in to maximize your time:

1) Change oil filter. Leaving the black 4 ring engine trim off
2) Get under the car and remove the under body fairings, remove the drain plug and drain oil.
3) Take apart the air box.
4) Do the plug changes since you need the air box out of the way to get to the torx screws that hold down the coil wire loom.
5) Reassemble the air box with the new filter. Put the black 4 ring engine trim back on.
6) Get back under the car and put the oil drain plug back in. Inspect CV boots and suspension. Put the fairing back on.
7) Fill engine oil. Start the car to circulate the oil.
8) Replace the cabin air filter (it's under the black plenum at the base of the window.)
9) Stop the engine re-check oil level.
10) Have a Spaten Ocktoberfest!

If you're feeling spunky you could take the wheels off and inspect the brake wear and rotate the tires. Longest part of this will be getting the plugs out and back in due to the location of the torx screws holding the loom in place.

[mcster]

10) Have a Spaten Ocktoberfest!

I'll just do step 10 and pay the $699. Is the Spaten out yet? Is Sam Adams Octoberfest available in CA? Surprisingly, Beck's Octoberfest is popular too.

* I worked in a liquour store for a few years in college.

[ChronicTeutonic]

I'll just do step 10 and pay the $699. Is the Spaten out yet? Is Sam Adams Octoberfest available in CA? Surprisingly, Beck's Octoberfest is popular too.

* I worked in a liquour store for a few years in college.

Spaten seems to be available in the good liquor stores, but I have yet to see the Sam or Becks!

If you repeat step 10 a couple times you probably won't even notice the missing $699. This stuff definitely comes down to tools on hand and what your time is worth. I enjoy time in my "cave" so I DIY. I know the job is done right to the best of my abilities.

[pyro]

umm cpo means you only pay a $50 deductible.

[ChronicTeutonic]

umm cpo means you only pay a $50 deductible.

No way! Where in the fine print is this written? My dealer wanted me to purchase a service package (which I declined)

[mcster]

umm cpo means you only pay a $50 deductible.

For repairs ... not service.

[ChronicTeutonic]

Just found this on the Audi website: http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/e...Care_Plan.html

Don't think those 55k and 65k are $50 deductible items.

[pyro]

well damn, i didnt know that. when i bought the car they sure made it sound like i was set...why do i still have this thing then?
time to get something new.

[mcster]

well damn, i didnt know that. when i bought the car they sure made it sound like i was set...why do i still have this thing then?
time to get something new.

Service may have been included as a selling point. For example, when I bought my '03 A4 it came w/ 1 year free service.