S4 Maintenance Pricing: 55K, 65K & 75K & Control Arm Bushings

[enigma1406]

Anyone that has had these done at the dealership, what are the approximate charges?

55K mile service.
65K mile service.
75K mile service.
Front control arm bushing replacement.

I've searched and found some info on 55k (~$800 at dealership) and saw a bit about 75 (~$500-$600) but not much on 65k. Control arm bushings I've seen numbers from $300 to $700 at dealership. I just wanted to get consistent numbers if possible.

[rxbike]

65 k is just oil change. Maybe brakes if you are do.

[Fox 5.0]

55k is just oil change and spark plugs correct? and they want ~$800??

[belinko]

Don't worry. That $800 also covers some lube.

[dparm]

55k is just oil change and spark plugs correct? and they want ~$800??

I believe it includes the serp belt.

[enigma1406]

I got Audi Care because of a misunderstanding when I bought my car, so I'm trying to see how much I am potentially saving. It includes the 55k, 65k & 75k service. The control arm bushings are just to get an idea of the cost since they were replaced under warranty. Obviously I could go to a non-dealership and pay half as much though.

55k is just oil change and spark plugs correct? and they want ~$800??

Basically yes. Replace filters and check stuff as well.

I believe it includes the serp belt.

Serp belt is later. Used to be 75K but I think they moved it out.

[vpfinnersw]

Control arm bushings I've seen numbers from $300 to $700 at dealership. I just wanted to get consistent numbers if possible.

Wow, what dealership did you get that quote from? It's usually recommended that when replacing the front control arm bushings, you replace the whole control arm, and if you're doing the top control arms, you do the bottom ones as well.

I was quoted over $2k to replace all front control arms at a reliable independent shop. (thank god for extended warranty...)

Anyone else think the control arm quote is way low?

[mbgt72]

Don't worry. That $800 also covers some lube.

bawahahah, awesome!

I believe it includes the serp belt.

like enigma said, 75k. But it is not uncommon to have it done earlier due to visual inspection.

[JimmyBones]

Before people read the rest of my post learn that prices differ across the country based on the area, how the dealership charges COD labor, (double warranty time or 1.5 warranty time) and parts mark-up. I can only speak for my dealership and it is in one of the more expensive areas so the prices in your area my be more or less depending on where you live.

The 55K service is a major service so a lot of things get replaced and it adds up quick. An S4 is like $1,400 for a 55k service at my dealer for example. The 55k service is an oil+filter change (10 quarts at $8 is eighty dollars with the twenty dollar filter is a hundred bucks before anything else), then a the pollen filter, wiper blades, spark plugs (8 plugs at $25 each is $200 for just plugs!), engine air filter, lube (the doors, hood, trunk, sunroof), set tire pressures, scan system faults, reset the service reminder plus look it over for anything else like tires, brakes, cv boots, etc. On top of that we also do a brake flush, add BG MOA and 44K, and other stuff too for a COD 55k service that wouldn't normally be done on a warranty Audi Care 55k service. So it adds up quick and if you stop to add up the bill the big price comes from the parts mostly not labor.

The 65k service is a small service and is mostly just an oil change that runs around $300 to $350.

The 75k service is a medium service (at like $500) and they will replace only the serp belt at that time. If you want the tensioner and roller replaced too then you will have to buy it out of pocket but the dealer shouldn't charge any more labor sense they are already there.

We give the customer the choice when doing upper control arms or just bushings. Just replacing the bushings is like $150 cheaper with the additional labor for pressing the old ones out and new in than replacing the whole arm since the arms are over a hundred more dollars than bushings in parts. My dealer charges like $1300 for bushings and $1450 for arms for example.

I know a lot of people here will see this post and say wow that dealership is charging a fortune but others are worse and as I stated first prices do vary.

[enigma1406]

Before people read the rest of my post learn that prices differ across the country based on the area, how the dealership charges COD labor, (double warranty time or 1.5 warranty time) and parts mark-up. I can only speak for my dealership and it is in one of the more expensive areas so the prices in your area my be more or less depending on where you live.

The 55K service is a major service so a lot of things get replaced and it adds up quick. An S4 is like $1,400 for a 55k service at my dealer for example. The 55k service is an oil+filter change (10 quarts at $8 is eighty dollars with the twenty dollar filter is a hundred bucks before anything else), then a the pollen filter, wiper blades, spark plugs (8 plugs at $25 each is $200 for just plugs!), engine air filter, lube (the doors, hood, trunk, sunroof), set tire pressures, scan system faults, reset the service reminder plus look it over for anything else like tires, brakes, cv boots, etc. On top of that we also do a brake flush, add BG MOA and 44K, and other stuff too for a COD 55k service that wouldn't normally be done on a warranty Audi Care 55k service. So it adds up quick and if you stop to add up the bill the big price comes from the parts mostly not labor.

The 65k service is a small service and is mostly just an oil change that runs around $300 to $350.

The 75k service is a medium service (at like $500) and they will replace only the serp belt at that time. If you want the tensioner and roller replaced too then you will have to buy it out of pocket but the dealer shouldn't charge any more labor sense they are already there.

We give the customer the choice when doing upper control arms or just bushings. Just replacing the bushings is like $150 cheaper with the additional labor for pressing the old ones out and new in than replacing the whole arm since the arms are over a hundred more dollars than bushings in parts. My dealer charges like $1300 for bushings and $1450 for arms for example.

I know a lot of people here will see this post and say wow that dealership is charging a fortune but others are worse and as I stated first prices do vary.

Thanks for the post. Makes sense that prices are different around the country. Didn't realize the bushings were that much.

[dannslc]

Would worn bushings account for a low speed clicking? Driving very slow or coming to a stop. I'm not talking about the clicking while turning. I can physically feel it "click" when it happens. I know this has been addressed in the forums, but I never really pin pointed my noise. Thanks again.
I ask cause $1300 is too much right now. damn car, always something.

[JimmyBones]

Thread Hijack

Would worn bushings account for a low speed clicking? Driving very slow or coming to a stop. I'm not talking about the clicking while turning. I can physically feel it "click" when it happens. I know this has been addressed in the forums, but I never really pin pointed my noise. Thanks again.
I ask cause $1300 is too much right now. damn car, always something.

Worn upper control arm bushings make a clunking or banging noise at slow speeds like when driving around in a bumpy parking lot.
A bad cv joint will click when turning though it takes a while for the cv boot fluid to leak out enough for the joint to start making noise.
Then a wheel bearing will click or hum going straight speeding up and slowing down usually. The wheel bearing could also click when turning the steering wheel and the vehicle is not moving. If you hear the noise from the front I would try having someone turn the steering wheel lock to lock while you listen to the front wheels.

God our cars can make a ton of noises.