Audicare vs dealer service costs

[Frenetic]

Hello,

I'm contemplating purchasing a new A7. The local dealer here has one advertised about $1 below invoice.

I've been researching a bit and came upon Audicare.

Is it worth it?

How much does the dealer typically charge for regular interval services, including the typical oil change through the more comprehensive 15k and higher services?

I'm not much of a gear head and typically have just dumped my vehicles at the dealer for service, but this will be my first Audi and was curious about the value of Audicare versus typical costs.

Thanks in advance.

[hackths]

As someone that bought a year old S7 and coming up to the 35K service I would highly recommend going that direction. I didn't have Audi Care from the beginning and plan to purchase it for the 35 and 45k services. You can only buy it after the fact to cover 2 services in a row for $X. My dealer is charging me $1089 for 35 + 45. Dealer wants $1675 for just the 35K, and the normal oil change service usually runs a couple hundred. So a nice $700 savings is what I am looking at.

That being all said once I'm done with factory warranty I plan to do most if not all services myself- lift in the garage, etc. would like to find a complete service manual though first. Hope that helps


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[leethalink]

On my '09 A6, I did not have AudiCare and paid out of pocket, then found my local Audi service shop...
For the newer two Audi's I've done AudiCare and have been happy. For the 7 series, I think it will more than pay for itself if you go to the dealership.

[Frenetic]

Thanks. That's good to know.

[JoshDub]

Do neither and find a good indy

[mc52]

It is worth it. I purchased it for the new s6. My last Audi was a 14 a6 with 3.0 supercharged. 15k interval alone cost me $475.


I paid $1159 for Audi care for s6 15,25,35 and 45k intervals.


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[rottley]

2014 S6
I have Audicare but since I got the car tuned, probably wont use it. Maybe for the 35,000.
Have a good indy shop for oil changes every 5000.
APR dealer is 1 hour each way plus $100 each trip. Would only do that for warrenty work and maybe 35,000 service

[Frenetic]

Thanks for the feedback.

[SpeedKeen]

Just bought a 16 A6 TDI, bought AudiCare. Never buy such programs, but upon looking at coverage and individual dealer costs, it seemed like a no brainer.

[BlueSVT]

It's a joke, a money grab... They price the services so ridiculously that you'd be stupid NOT to get Audi Care. That being said, still a huge advantage for BMW, who includes maintenance up to 50K.

[SunDevil]

Interesting the polar opposite opinions posted here. For no other reason besides convenience ... I've had Audicare on all my past and present Audis (A8, R8 and A7).

[eyeloveteeth]

i have audi care + 7 year warranty and i'm tuned. coming up on 15k service, i'm sure pre-purchasing is worth it

[npham]

Pricing is going to wash out close to even once you negotiate the cost of the AudiCare down or get them to toss it in for free. But the real upside for me is that getting a loaner or shuttle is very convenient. Having to rely on your work friends for a ride at lunch or to run an errand can be a pain, so I just book a few weeks out and get a loaner every time.

[Brooklyn]

The overwhelming response seems to be: GET IT.

OP, it really boils down to whether or not you intend to service your car at the dealer. If you are, AudiCare is a NO BRAINER. It is a significant discount on the price you would ordinarily pay the dealer for the same services. If you intend to take the car to a local shop, then you'd have to do a cost construct to determine which is the cheaper route. But for dealer services, it's like paying for the 35k service up front, and getting the 15 and 25 for free.

Interesting the polar opposite opinions posted here. For no other reason besides convenience ... I've had Audicare on all my past and present Audis (A8, R8 and A7).

[cellphonechris]

Do neither and find a good indy

+1

[SHR]

I’m about to trade in a 2012 S4 on a 2013 A6 2.0 and debating the same thing. I Purchased the S4 new with AudiCare and purchasing the A6 used CPO. I’m on the fence regarding AudiCare as well.

I downloaded the MY13 maintenance schedule and it doesn’t look like anything is replaced except for oil service, spark plugs, air filter, and pollen filter, everything else is just inspected. With this in mind AudiCare seems grossly overpriced. The replacement items are relatively inexpensive and simple to replace regardless of DIY or at the dealer.

https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/...-Year-2013.pdf

If you’ve got a diesel they change the AdBlue and if you have a CVT they’ll change the ATF, changing the transmission fluid is a PITA and you need VCDS so now the AudiCare begins to look pretty good, but the car I’m looking at doesn’t have a CVT, and I have VCDS.

An OP commented that he does it for the loaner, my dealer provides me with loaners because I purchased the car from them.

I’m leaning towards not getting the AudiCare for the A6 at this time.

[snagitseven]

I bought Audi Care on my 2009 A4 right at 15K miles. After weighing the then current charges with my dealer and Audi Indy mechanic, I've estimated as follows:

If you want to have the dealer do the maintenance while under warranty (so any defects can be handled in one place with no potential for finger pointing if something goes wrong), you will come out ahead about 30% with Audi Care based on what dealers typically charge.

If you wish to have your regular service done by an independent, you would save about 10-15% from the cost of Audi Care depending on what the indy charges. (My shop charges about 30-35% less than the dealer regularly charges for maintenance).

If you do it yourself, it's no contest but obviously, you have to factor in your time, experience and inconvenience if you run into any issues.

For those on the fence, you can wait to buy it until the 15K service although it may cost more. (The price has often gone up a bit each year). If you plan on keeping the car less than 45K miles (or 4 years whichever comes first), Audi Care is obviously not going to pay although, a new owner in a private sale might consider the remaining value. No value from a Dealer with trade in though.

A note for those who receive a discount on AC or get it included "free" when purchasing a car: dealer cost is about 90% of the retail price for AC - there is little profit margin. Therefore, if one were to pass on it, theoretically they could negotiate the cost of AC from the purchase price of the car. There are no free rides.

=====================

Audi Care program notes (U.S.)

• All scheduled maintenance must be completed by an authorized Audi Dealer.
• Audi Care is only valid in the country in which it is purchased.
• Audi Care may not be canceled and is non-refundable. No refunds will be given if your lease is terminated early, or if your lease term is less than the coverage period.
• Audi Care coverage may not be transferred to another new or pre-owned vehicle. Coverage stays with the vehicle for the life of the plan.
• If Audi Care is purchased with and included an AFS lease, it will increase the residual by 1%, lowering the lease payments which will offset a sizable portion of the cost.
• Audi Care can also be purchased at the full MSRP any time after the initial sale of the vehicle. A later purchase will not, however, allow you to roll the cost into your monthly payment. Service intervals that have already been performed will not be prorated. To receive the full cost-savings benefits of Audi Care, it is best that you buy the plan at the time you purchase your vehicle or at the 15K service interval.

[14S4GWM]

2014 S6
I have Audicare but since I got the car tuned, probably wont use it. Maybe for the 35,000.
Have a good indy shop for oil changes every 5000.
APR dealer is 1 hour each way plus $100 each trip. Would only do that for warrenty work and maybe 35,000 service

It's my understanding that if you have it and don't use it you will lose it. So if you don't go for the intervals and just wait for the 35k you won't be able to use it.

[Brooklyn]

First I've ever heard that and it doesn't make sense. Audi could care less if you pay for it and only use it once. There is also no price difference if you buy it after the 15k. The value to you is diminished significantly because you're paying the same amount for 1 fewer service, which may mean you're now paying more for the remaining services than you would have had you just paid the dealer's regular price. Audi tells you it's best to buy it before 15k to get the maximum value. Whether you use it for all the eligible services or just one is entirely up to you.

It's my understanding that if you have it and don't use it you will lose it. So if you don't go for the intervals and just wait for the 35k you won't be able to use it.

[14S4GWM]

First I've ever heard that and it doesn't make sense. Audi could care less if you pay for it and only use it once. There is also no price difference if you buy it after the 15k. The value to you is diminished significantly because you're paying the same amount for 1 fewer service, which may mean you're now paying more for the remaining services than you would have had you just paid the dealer's regular price. Audi tells you it's best to buy it before 15k to get the maximum value. Whether you use it for all the eligible services or just one is entirely up to you.

I'm just telling you what I've read on here and heard from owners that have been turned away because they didn't follow the scheduled maintenance plan with Audi Care. The S4 guys didn't want to use until the 35k service for the dsg and weren't allowed becau they didn't do the previous intervals. It does say every 12 months or 10k miles. Just something to check into if you're questioning it.

[Frenetic]

Lol, well thanks for the feedback, but I ended up getting a different car, a brand new Lexus LS 460!

For the record, though, the dealership--as a last-ditch effort to keep my business--offered Audicare for free, and even if they didn't I definitely would have purchased it based on what I've read here and elsewhere.

It was a difficult decision and I was literally on my way to the dealership to get it, when I stopped in the Lexus dealership. They offered me $6k off of sticker, more than what Audi offered! This thing is like a library on wheels, it really is like night and day versus the Audi A7. They're both nice, and offer something completely different. I feel like an old man driving around this thing, even though I'm not, but I love it. At this point in my life, I guess I value that comfort, plushness and, to some extent, that anonymity versus that Audi, that turned heads everywhere, at least when I test drove it.

In any case, thanks for the all the last minute questions and help I needed.

Here's a pic of my old Acura that I traded in and my new car. I would have posted a side-by-side with my new Audi, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

[homelessNY_LI]

Enjoy the lexus :-/

[Barritia]

You went for a 460! What on earth made you do that? That's a pretty significant step down from a A7.

[VVG]

You went for a 460! What on earth made you do that? That's a pretty significant step down from a A7.

I wouldn't say it is a step down, it is just not nearly as sporty. With the exception of the IS-F, RC-F and LF-A, Lexus is a "soft" brand, focusing more on luxury and comfort.

[Barritia]

as long as you happy with it that's what matters. Just a strange thing to be looking at something like a A7 then goto a 460. They are like chalk and cheese.

[Frenetic]

Lol, well, my friends said the same thing. They all shook their heads and laughed after I pulled up my grandpamobile.

I guess I'm not your typical Audi customer. The A7 was EXTREMELY appealing to me because it offered me all-wheel-drive, which I had in my Acura and really learned to appreciate that, and that trunk/hatch space, which really is carnivorous and something that I coveted.

But, while I'm not old (40), I just wanted something quiet and comfortable as well and this Lexus is EXTREMELY quiet, EXTREMELY comfortable and frankly, dull and I like that lol. I don't drag, tune or stomp on the gas anymore, I just wanted an undercover cruiser that I can drive to work and be insulated from EVERYTHING and indeed, this insulates EVERYTHING and then some! Had I made this choice five years ago, there would be no competition and I would be driving that Audi. I grew up driving turbos and anything that went fast, but I guess I aged out a little early lol.

In any case, I didn't get a chance to test drive the A8, I just drove that Lexus and it fit my mantra and they offered a deal I couldn't pass up.

Also, the A7 I was going to get is still on Niello Audi's lot and I bet they are DESPERATE to sell it (based on my interaction with them). It's been sitting on their lot since March and while it's fairly bare-bones, it is nice and I bet they will deal and it can be had for $65k or maybe even less if anyone is interested. I dealt with Phillip Najera over there and he's a cool guy. Kind of felt bad that I left him holding that car as he literally had already prepped it and pulled into the front lot and kept sending me pictures of it all ready to go, lol.

[litigator]

Did you find the a7 to be much louder in normal driving, did it have the sport package with summer tires on the one you drove?

[Frenetic]

By no means was that Audi "loud" by any stretch of the term and I should note that I only test drove it so my experience is limited. It had all-season tires I believe.

But, the most pronounced differences were the bumps and ruts on the road; road imperfections were much more discernible on the Audi versus the Lexus. I could feel everything (good or bad) and everything was telegraphed on the Audi from what I remember, while the Lexus just outright hides them and hides them well. I could tell the Audi was more tuned and sprung for "sportiness," versus the more insulated Lexus, and yes, the Lexus was quieter, which says a lot considering that I thought the Audi was quiet.

[agent47]

Enjoy the 460. To each their own! I went to a bmw and benz dealership. Ended up going with the Audi. And this is my 3rd Audi!

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