Should I get Extended Warranty? Timing Chain Problems on 2016 A7?

[madman21]

Hi all,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a one-owner 2016 A7 with 55k miles. It's in great condition and the former owner kept service records in the glove compartment and the car looks like it was maintained very well. All fluids were exchanged at around 45k miles and water pump replaced at 50k miles.

I'm doing some research and wanted to confirm if the CREC 3.0 supercharged engines still have timing chain guide/tensioner issues. From what I can tell these engines and transmission combos are one of the most reliable Audis ever made. Cost of a reputable extended warranty is $5k for 75k miles and 5 years and wondering if it's even worth getting?

Thanks!

[A665]

There are some who always buy an extended warranty and then there are others who never do. I’m in the latter group. I’d not even consider one regarding timing chains on these cars.

If you’re truly worried about repair costs, I recommend socking-away money every payday into a special savings account. This way, it’s there if you need it to cover the repair…..and it’s still there if you don’t.

[JerannX]

Hi all,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a one-owner 2016 A7 with 55k miles. It's in great condition and the former owner kept service records in the glove compartment and the car looks like it was maintained very well. All fluids were exchanged at around 45k miles and water pump replaced at 50k miles.

I'm doing some research and wanted to confirm if the CREC 3.0 supercharged engines still have timing chain guide/tensioner issues. From what I can tell these engines and transmission combos are one of the most reliable Audis ever made. Cost of a reputable extended warranty is $5k for 75k miles and 5 years and wondering if it's even worth getting?

Thanks!

No, I am in the industry and from experience I can tell you that you will just be massively overcharged for the warranty due to the class of the car plus be really underwhelmed with the coverage. Plus most shops can do it MUCH cheaper than Audi will, especially German based shops or shops with access to VAG and other useful software.

[WatchMeSpend]

Like everybody else, I'm on my 5th "expensive" car with no extended warranty. If I nuked an engine or transmission to the tune of 10K, I've saved more than enough money by not buying warranty to afford it.

[Valpo A7]

Timing chains will run you about $2,000 in parts and $3000 to $5000 in labor but chances of needing them done before the end of your extended warranty is small. Wheel bearing is $100 in parts and probably 2 hours of labor. Water pump and t stat is probably $350 in parts and another $1000 in labor at Audi. Would be worth changing the PCV when the supercharger is off as well. The coolant bypass for the transmission oil cooler is a common repair but even that is maybe $500 at the dealer.

For the A cars I am not totally sold on the need for an extended warranty. On the S cars with the turbo problems then an extended warranty is not a bad idea.

[magn2o]

To each their own, you’ll get a million different answers. Personally, I picked up a Fidelity Platinum 8yr/80k for only $2900. I figure I’ll need to put in at least that in some type of repair in that time. I’m not sure what other people are spending for warranties, but honestly this didn’t really seem like much to me at all for piece of mind.

[madman21]

To each their own, you’ll get a million different answers. Personally, I picked up a Fidelity Platinum 8yr/80k for only $2900. I figure I’ll need to put in at least that in some type of repair in that time. I’m not sure what other people are spending for warranties, but honestly this didn’t really seem like much to me at all for piece of mind.

if it were in the $3k range then 100% sure I would get a warranty. For $5k I’m not so sure. Maybe self-insuring at that point is better.

Would love to hear anyone else’s experience.