Audi A4 2.0T (2009-B8) Engine costs

[Kwenzeka]

Hi everyone. I am here to seek a second opinion. About 4 weeks ago - I was very unfortunate while driving on the freeway and my car overheated. I phoned the Bidvest Warranty emergency services to have the car towed to the nearest dealership so I can have it fixed. The car overheated after I read on the dashboard that I have to check the coolent. I tried to park on the side since the car was losing power. There was a coolant leak underneath the car that we only saw when the car was being towed. When the vehicle was towed - We got to the dealership and it couldn’t start. Bidvest warranty only approved R10,000 to fix the car (Econo Double cover - I wasn’t even aware that they will give out so little I wouldn’t have taken the cover as I paid upfront/advance for 24 months)

The dealership (Bosch Riet River in Verulam Durban) then started with the stripping and I was told that the 2 pistons have melted and the cylinder head seized. Also to mention, they say the head gasket needs to be at least skimmed.
At first the quotation came to R150,000+... I couldn’t believe it and I told them I cannot afford such money since I bought the car for almost the same amount. Now they have called me again and said the engineers said there are some parts that can still be used or fixed and the final quotation would be at least R85,000.

I seriously do not have that kind of money. I guess this is the end of it? Is there a way I can have this fixed at a much better price in and around Durban or I just have to forget that I ever had a car?

Your comments and feedback will be highly appreciated.

I have told them that we can utilize the R10,000 from Bidvest and have my car towed. I honestly have no idea what I will do with it now.

Is buying a second hand engine worth it? And how much could be the costs?

Thank You.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Would be best to try and source a 2nd hand engine from a scrapyard.

Would be around 30K I guess, but your warranty won't pay anything towards it.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah, you're looking at anything from R30k - R60k for the engine, plus R10k or so for the labour to fit it...

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yeah sourcing a donor engine will probably be the better bet.

Dealership is charging "maintenance plan" pricing as that's what they are used to getting away with.

A third party garage will be significantly cheaper but it's still going to be very far from cheap.

 

[Kwenzeka]

Would be best to try and source a 2nd hand engine from a scrapyard.

Would be around 30K I guess, but your warranty won't pay anything towards it.

Thank you for your feedback. I’ll start sourcing and see what I can get. I will just get it towed until I find something.

 

[Kwenzeka]

Yeah, you're looking at anything from R30k - R60k for the engine, plus R10k or so for the labour to fit it...

At this point I think that is the only better option I have. I highly appreciate your feedback. Thank You.

 

[Kwenzeka]

Yeah sourcing a donor engine will probably be the better bet.

Dealership is charging "maintenance plan" pricing as that's what they are used to getting away with.

A third party garage will be significantly cheaper but it's still going to be very far from cheap.

I actually just received a call from a third party (Private Audi specialist) - We have discussed the matter and he has provided me with the quotation for his labour and also for the engineers. I must say it sounds much better - I am just waiting for him to get back with the quotations for the parts needed. He has also promised to go check the engine at the dealership and do a diagnosis. I am only worried about whether they are flexible letting another mechanic work on their premises - I will check with them first.

If I can get it on the road - My days with it are numbered, I’ll just sell or trade-in.

Thank You so much!

 

[blowdart18]

Would be best to try and source a 2nd hand engine from a scrapyard.

Would be around 30K I guess, but your warranty won't pay anything towards it.

Not necessarily, you have places like Mike's Racing in Cape town that supply engines, and as long as there is a warranty supplied with the part then most warranties will cover it.

The process does take a little longer but it helps.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I very much doubt they’ll let someone work on their premises.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Not necessarily, you have places like Mike's Racing in Cape town that supply engines, and as long as there is a warranty supplied with the part then most warranties will cover it.

The process does take a little longer but it helps.

Yup if it’s RMI most warranties would sort it out.

 

[Pitbull]

Not a fark!

Go around scrapyards and buy a second hand engine. Alternatively an imported one from places like Engine den and the likes. R 150k for an engine, then R 85k. They are farking drunk!

 

[thechamp]

From R150k, melted pistons to R85k? get the car towed back, relax and get a second and a third opinion.

 

[I.am.Sam]

a 2.0t motor shouldnt be more than 20k or do an engine overhaul with the parts needed

 

[I.am.Sam]

and get your insurance to tow the car to your place or the mechanic

 

[Kwenzeka]

a 2.0t motor shouldnt be more than 20k or do an engine overhaul with the parts needed

The specialist has said the same thing - The focus now is to do an overhaul and I should get the parts needed. He said the reason why the quotation is so high is because dealerships charge riduculous prices for parts.

I have contacted the service advisor and he said buying parts won’t really happy because there is so much work that has to be done in the engine itself. These people are really confusing, it’s like they don’t want anyone else to work on my car but themselves.

 

[Kwenzeka]

I very much doubt they’ll let someone work on their premises.

They have agreed that I can bring someone else to have a look at it.

 

[thechamp]

Also to mention, they say the head gasket needs to be at least skimmed.

It is the head that is skimmed, not the head gasket.

 

[thechamp]

The specialist has said the same thing - The focus now is to do an overhaul and I should get the parts needed. He said the reason why the quotation is so high is because dealerships charge riduculous prices for parts.

I have contacted the service advisor and he said buying parts won’t really happy because there is so much work that has to be done in the engine itself. These people are really confusing, it’s like they don’t want anyone else to work on my car but themselves.

The quote you got, is it divided into parts and labour? how much for each and where did they cut to go from R150k to R85k?

 

[Kwenzeka]

The quote you got, is it divided into parts and labour? how much for each and where did they cut to go from R150k to R85k?

They have said that some of the parts can used and there is no need to buy new parts. I am yet to see a new quotation by Monday next week. The quote was divided into labour and parts - yes.

 

[Kwenzeka]

It is the head that is skimmed, not the head gasket.

My bad - I was typing in a rush. You are correct.