B8.5 Maintenance and Repairs (35K)

[sfl_A4]

My 2013 A4 with 34k miles threw the low-coolant warning a few days ago. I refilled with 50/50 Audi red GL13 and distilled water, but a day later it did drained again. I took it to the Audi dealer and the service rep nonchalantly said it's likely the water pump. I thought, no way, water pumps should last more than 34k. Well, sure enough they replaced the water pump under warranty, $790 which they charged to Audi. Ok, so is this a common occurrence? I had to replace the water pump on my B7 at 88k miles, so I'm wondering if Audi quality is diminishing.

When I went to the dealer to pickup the car, the service rep gave me a heads-up about the next maintenance at 35K, this is the itemized list they gave me:
FAILED - CRITICAL CONCERNS

• Pollen Filter - Replace ($104.30)
• Alignment, Four Wheel - Check and Adjust ($189.95)
• Spark Plugs - Replace ($223.12)

CAUTION - NEEDS ATTENTION SOON

• Fuel Induction Service ($232.45)
• Fuel Injection System Service (every year or 10K) - Optional ($209.95)

Ok, I'm not new to turning wrenches, I've done maintenance on my own cars for years, even changed the brakes, plugs and belts on my wife's vehicle just a couple of weeks ago. But I have to know, why are spark plug replacements $223?? And what is a Fuel Induction Service and the Fuel Injection System Service?

A few years ago I fell for the *highly recommended* fuel injection service maintenance at another Audi dealership for $99.99 special. All they did was pour in a fuel injector cleaner in my gas tank. I'm guessing the *optional* 10k fuel injection system service is exactly the same thing.

Advice is welcome.

[treginginco]

I have a 2013 allroad, just turned 78k miles.

Your water pump, sounds like a fluke.

For fuel injection service.... buy a can of BG44K, throw it in on your next fill up and you're done. $20.
I do this every 10k miles and my AR still purrs like a kitten.

Plugs are a required change at 40k of memory serves me. I just had mine changed out during my 75k and paid much less at an Indy shop.

I'm guessing you didn't purchase Audi Care?

Pollen filter isn't expensive and a good independent Audi shop can do your alignment for waaaaaay less money.

[elscotto80]

The pollen filter costs about 20 bucks on amazon and takes 5 minutes to install. Do not let them bend you over on that. The spark plugs are easy too, remove coils, gap them and drop em in. For the alignment, take to a good shop and have them take care of that for way less.

The fuel induction service is a waste IMO. In order to really clean the valves, you need to take he intake manifold off and scrub. Do not waste your money on either of these services.

[jb606]

OE plugs are about $15 and change per plug and the cabin filter (OE) will be less than $20. Changing the filter is less than a 10 minute job and the plugs might take 20 minutes. Its your money but you can DYI this for about $100 in less than an hour.

Part Numbers.
Cabin Filter: 8K0819439
Spark Plug: 06H-905-621 (DIY: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ug-Replacement)

[sfl_A4]

Thanks for the feedback. I see the OEM replacement pollen filter is about $20 at Amazon - Mann Filter CUK 2450. Comments seem to indicate it is a direct fit. Plugs apparently are a matter of personal preference, there seems to be a lot of variety, but NGK seems to be popular, they're about $35-$40 for a set of 4. I'm confident I can do both of these jobs myself with ease. Should I consider other parts or brands?

[van462]

The bad part is unless you have VCDS or Carista you will not be able to reset the service reminder. Only the oil change reminder can be reset in the MMI menu. Also people with more miles, trying to get work done on vehicles just out of warranty, are getting turned down due to missed services. The maintenance list for the 35K are only the plugs and cabin filter. Our maintenance schedule was definitely for the crowd that never expects to open the hood. Maybe you will need a computer to open the hood on the next model.

[sfl_A4]

I have the Audi CPO warranty, so I think I'm covered on my warranty to 100k miles, but people being turned down warranty work after the warranty expires is not really surprising is it? I keep the receipts and a log of the maintenance I do so I can at least show the work was done if it ever becomes a dispute, but it has never led to that. The ability to reset the service indicator is a pain. I have a friend with Audi Vag-com, but I have not asked him to use it yet. Last time I showed my dealer I had done my own brake flush and they reset it for me.

[sfl_A4]

Ordered a Mann cabin filter CUK 2450 and the NGK plugs. Anything else I should consider for 35K milestone?

[ECDT]

Here is a great topic explaining all the service intervals
Required Maintenance / Service with DIY Links

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...9&share_type=t



I did my 35k service a few months back in my driveway save your money taking to the dealer and do it yourself. Ecs along with other companies make service kits that bundle everything together for you and while I was at it I replaced my air filter.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_A4..._Service_Kits/


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TDIaholic]

Damn, I need to move the US and start an Audi repair shop! Those prices are just ridiculous! For comparison, here in Europe cabin filter replacement is around 50€ including the filter, plugs are 120-150€ including the plugs.

[Party_Marty]

Damn, I need to move the US and start an Audi repair shop! Those prices are just ridiculous! For comparison, here in Europe cabin filter replacement is around 50€ including the filter, plugs are 120-150€ including the plugs.

I was thinking the same thing. Time to open an Audi repair shop!! haha

[b6onboost]

Dealership service is always overpriced.

If they recommend a service that isn't on the maintenance schedule, ASK about it, because something like a $200 'Fuel Injection Service' may very well be them dumping a bottle of $10 injector cleaner into your gas tank. The $104 pollen filter service is funny. It's a $15 filter that doesn't even require tools to remove. Can literally be done by hand in 60 seconds from the passenger foot well. Audi does a good job of making owners think they're highly complicated cars that only they know how to properly maintain.

If you have warranty or Audi Care pre-paid service, use the dealer all you want. After that just DIY whatever you can and find a good independent shop for anything else.