Full Timing Service

[0396]

Ok, this coming Monday, my 2004 S/4 Avant with 105 k is headed to my local Audi dealer for full timing service, 4 new Bilsteins, starter, water pump, thermo, plugs, air cleaner ,repaint the roof and rear hatch .
What do you think the total bill will be? No more than 9.5 k?

[Aok303]

11.5

[0396]

Thanks for your estimation.
I hope it's below 11.5 and fall in the low 10's. Got to brace myself for the shock when I pick her up.

[jr1415us]

15K. Paint alone is probably 3500-4000.

[Guitarmageddon]

Kudos to you for not obtaining an estimate and dropping the car off for this kind of work with no ballpark figures.

[bmwpower603]

Why have audi do the timing? They will use plastic guide! !

[badger.]

A non-dealer would be 5-6k+ for the timing alone (or more with the FULL kit), throw in all the suspension & starter and body work and I bet you crack 10k at the dealer very, very easily.

[harry.s.truman]

This one is going to hurt.....

I wouldn't be surprised if you crack 15-17k.....


You have to ask them to give you an estimate before they start... Unless money is not your concern, then proceed accordingly

[0396]

As for plastic guides, I asked that they update all parts where its possible. Wife not interested in another car payment. Being that this is her daily driver, I don't need..a call about any break down. Thus I figured I would simply jump in. As for estimate...the dealer knows me and I don't expect them to take advantage of me as I buy my Porsche's from them too.
Thanks for the replies... I just wanted to know from the brain trust about the ball park of these repairs.
Enjoy your weekend.

[VinnysS4]

10k plus all day. i'd hope the dealer wouldn't gouge you since you're a loyal customer, but lets face it. Most dealers charge 125 or 135 an hour. They bill by the book hours. Best of luck!

[jakeoboy67]

omg WHY ?

[0396]

omg WHY ?

Why, because I don't have the time to deal with a breakdown and the skill set to perform the repairs.
Being proactive is a good thing.

[Silver Streakin]

You may not want a car payment, but the $ from selling the car + this insane repair bill = a $20K+ car.

Asking for "upgraded parts where possible" isn't getting you anything but the same parts they're taking out.

A better option would've been to buy the upgraded parts from JHM or another vendor, and take the car to an indy who has done it before. You'll spend less and actually have upgraded guides etc for peace of mind.

You're not even helping yourself with possibly selling the car in the future to be able to tell someone the timing service as been done since you'll tell them it's the same parts.

If the dealer hasn't started or gotten to far, I'd rethink this.

[0396]

I thought of the JHM kit, called an inquiry about a possible exchange program on there sprockets...response was no.
I don't want to order parts and then have the Audi tech "assemble " parts in the kit.
Time is $ and I rather not get i their way at the dealership.
Sometimes decisions in life does not add up 100% to everyone.
My original objective was simply to get a ball park of cost.
Enjoy your week

[bmwpower603]

I thought of the JHM kit, called an inquiry about a possible exchange program on there sprockets...response was no.
I don't want to order parts and then have the Audi tech "assemble " parts in the kit.
Time is $ and I rather not get i their way at the dealership.
Sometimes decisions in life does not add up 100% to everyone.
My original objective was simply to get a ball park of cost.
Enjoy your week

I agree. JHM has very poor service. When you call the people are not friendly.

I got my JHM adjusters from them. And ran.

OP make sure you get the guide from the rs4. It is metal.

Audi does make an upgraded plastic version. BUT not metal.

I think this is very critical when your spending that much.

[0396]

Thanks for the reminder about the rs4 guides. When I originally set up the appointment, I did ask that they utilizing all upgraded parts
I will " remind " and have them note it on the work orde tomorrow. Back to JHM, I would have bought their whole kit - if they simply had as I suggested about a sprocket exchange program. If it were me, I would offer this option. Im sure they can sell additional kits - if they would think of it from a business sense. Oh well.
Enjoy your Sunday

[xhackerekx]

u pay easy just for timing job 10k without parts .

[pwest15]

^This. If you don't do any other upgraded part, make sure they put this in. Here's a link to the part too. https://www.ecstuning.com/ES277852/?...UI0aAuKj8P8HAQ

Just curious, do you have an extended warranty on the car? Regardless, I wish you luck and hope the service won't take the dealer too long. They give you a time estimate?

Edit:
Glad you told them to add in as man upgraded components as they were willing. In case you still want some jhm adjusters, there's a set for sale in the classifieds here

[0396]

Thanks for the link, I will show them tomorrow. Extended warranty...no as I'm in original owner since 2004. My S/4 has been trouble free other than replacing the intake due to the low / high vacuum issue that some times arise.

[2004B6S4]

Thanks for the reminder about the rs4 guides. When I originally set up the appointment, I did ask that they utilizing all upgraded parts
I will " remind " and have them note it on the work orde tomorrow. Back to JHM, I would have bought their whole kit - if they simply had as I suggested about a sprocket exchange program. If it were me, I would offer this option. Im sure they can sell additional kits - if they would think of it from a business sense. Oh well.
Enjoy your Sunday

the only upgraded guide you would get through jhm that they won't install at the dealer is the metal rs4 guide. The dealer does not consider this to be an upgraded part for this car, because technically it's not for this car at all, so they won't install it even if you ask them to install upgraded parts. You would have to tell them specifically to use part # 059109469f from the RS4 instead of part # 079109469aa. I wouldn't be surprised if they refuse to do it and still warranty the work, since the part technically is not for this car according to Audi. Wouldn't hurt to try, though

as far as price goes, that's really something you need to ask the dealer. I would not be going to the dealer for all this work unless you're so filthy rich that money is not a consideration at all.

[0396]

Thanks for the info. The Porsche Service Mgr is a good friend of mine and he's going to cordinate everything for me.
Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Enjoy your Sunday

[INDY-S5]

Ok, this coming Monday, my 2004 S/4 Avant with 105 k is headed to my local Audi dealer for full timing service, 4 new Bilsteins, starter, water pump, thermo, plugs, air cleaner ,repaint the roof and rear hatch .
What do you think the total bill will be? No more than 9.5 k?

More than the car is worth! LOL Seriously though, it makes me wonder what drives someone to put $10K or more into a car worth $15K at best. I wonder if they consider what would happen if they were hit or wrecked the car and it was totaled? Insurance is not going to pay more than the current book value for the car no matter what we put into them. If money is of no concern I guess it doesn't matter to those people. I would rather invest it smarter.

That said I hope it looks nice for you and gives you the happiness you want, for that money it better!

[0396]

Well, just dropped it off. Got a A3 loaner car...boy sure nice. But it lacks all the comforts of my S/4.

[pwest15]

Well, just dropped it off. Got a A3 loaner car...boy sure nice. But it lacks all the comforts of my S/4.

That's not a bad loaner. Could be a cheapo chevy or something. Best of luck!

[0396]

Got an awakening, its going to cost me between 16 and 17k .....-:(

[pwest15]

Got an awakening, its going to cost me between 16 and 17k .....-:(

*cringe*

Yikes man.... Still gonna go through with it?

Sent from my potato

[Silver Streakin]

Got an awakening, its going to cost me between 16 and 17k .....-:(

I doubt anyone here is shocked.

Time to take my advice.... either keep driving it, sell it, or buy one of JHM's kits and have a German shop do it if you need the peace of mind.

[2004B6S4]

ouch! If you're going ahead with it, I'd definitely get them to boroscope it first. if there's any cylinder wall scoring you're probably better off spending a few k more for a new engine

[0396]

After discussing it with my friend, he suggested just do the minimum... so no timing, shock which I already bought..no painting on the roof and rear hatch..... bill will be approx 4 / 5k. I will have to discuss long term of car ...as in trading it in... oh well, we all learn something everyday.

[Kambesama]

Thanks for your estimation.
I hope it's below 11.5 and fall in the low 10's. Got to brace myself for the shock when I pick her up.

I highly doubt it will be below $11.5k. With everything you listed your probably looking at $15k + especially with painting the roof.

[Kambesama]

After discussing it with my friend, he suggested just do the minimum... so no timing, shock which I already bought..no painting on the roof and rear hatch..... bill will be approx 4 / 5k. I will have to discuss long term of car ...as in trading it in... oh well, we all learn something everyday.

At this point its all about your preference. Once you get it done its good for a long time especially if you get the metal backed guides. But your pretty much paying the price of the car to get it repaired. Do you love it enough to pay the worth of the car into repairs or is it time to let it go and maybe move into a newer model?

[Audi-rs4]

Damn that would be nice to have that kindof money for just service and some other stuff done...

[0396]

No, I didn't have it done. For that amount, its half of a 2016 A3 that I got as a loaner.

[dolphin B6 S4]

My local dealer wanted $11,000 just to replace one bad adjuster on my car a couple of years ago, and recommended I parted it out LOL.. an 04 with 50k miles. An Audi master tech in our shop ended up doing the full service, bill ended up being around $7,000, $4,500 of that was in parts.

[hkdolphins]

After discussing it with my friend, he suggested just do the minimum... so no timing, shock which I already bought..no painting on the roof and rear hatch..... bill will be approx 4 / 5k. I will have to discuss long term of car ...as in trading it in... oh well, we all learn something everyday.

I feel 4/5K is still high for the starter/pump/plug/shock..

[VinnysS4]

If you own the car... take the car, take that money for the services that you were going to get done and buy an rs4 or something. B8 s4.

[SquiddyB6S4]

OP - I understand what you're looking for. My wife also has a car that I take the utmost care of, as I refuse to let her have something that's going to leave her stranded, or vulnerable in a parking lot waiting for me or anything like that. It doesn't matter what she drives, I'll take good care of it.

Also, to everyone jerking over the ONE metal-backed guide - get off the horse, geez. Sure, it's nice to have, but ALL of your other guides are plastic only. I think someone can get by not having the metal-backed one. Recommended? Yes. Required? No. Yeesh. No means no, people; he said he wasn't interested over and over and over again.

Another alternative:
Post on here looking for locals who would be interested in helping you do the work. It's definitely doable in a garage, whether yours or someone else's. Offer to throw an Audi party.
Offer much beer and pizza for the help.
Offer money if they're going to do it at their place. Probably give some money anyway for the few people that are really doing the brunt of the work. They're saving you $10k in labor, after all.
Get a rental car by the month, for one month. This is a weekend worth of work for those of us who can do it, but it's a solid weekend for the timing work, and the other stuff might flow into the next weekend. This way you'll get a good deal on the car, and you won't be pressed for time. And you'll probably have an extra set of wheels for a couple weeks, too.
You don't really need all $4.5k worth of parts for a car that's currently working just fine. About $2k will do it. Some of those other parts are mostly what goes bad if you let timing problems go for too long, and haven't proven to be a problem on cars where the service is done before it gets bad.

So you'll be saving many thousands on labor, get everything you want, and can keep the car for years and years more, more than likely (unless you get some scoring, but rinse and repeat with the party deal and move your new timing parts over to the new block).

If you were local to me, I'd do it for you. I could almost be sweet-talked into doing it in my garage. Almost

[0396]

Squiddy,
Thanks for understanding my thought process.
At the moment, I'm not able to assist- physically. And like you mention, I would not be happy if her car broke down some where in LA.
At the moment, I'm just having the minimum done.
Enjoy your weekend.

[0396]

Update, I originally wanted to have my local Audi dealer perform the following: r&r my own new stater, new Bilsteins all around, install the 8 plugs and air filter that I will supply. I also, wanted them to change out the thermostat, water pump and full timing service with new guides, etc.
In the end, I just had water pump and thermostat, coolant container in engine compartment, surp belt and tensioner replaced. Total will be 4k when I pick it up tomorrow -Friday. After I was quoted the original cost for the full service, I called the service mgr that I know. He mentioned that I should just do the above AND that in all the years, he's never seen an S4 come in for these dreaded timing chain concerns.
I remember another member mentioning that all this timing is simply a big hype...ie. amount of S4 vs the amount that actually has issues. Since we are motor heads , we tend to post our experiences here...thus possible hyping the overall situation. I'm not saying that our S4s timing system is perfect...but I guess as for myself, time will tell. Who knows, I might simply trade it in for a new Etron..especially since Audi USA is offering $1000 loyalty incentive. Enjoy your weekend.

[p3u]

You got ripped off after we all warned you of the horrid prices that they are taking advantage of you with.

From the dealer that should have been 1500 tops, independent shop probably under a thousand.

Enjoy your weekend.