The Audi Thread

[Badprop_za]

November 2013:

Erlemanns Gearbox specialists

Gearbox Control Unit R 14820.29
Consumables R 250.00
Labour Remove and install control unit R 1500.00
Gearbox/Differential Oil R 1800.00


This month:

TorqueTuning/Sarel Snyman:

Power steering pump R7700 (only available through dealership).
Piston Rings R 660.00
Gasket set R 684.00
Labour R 6,750.00
Consumables R 100.00
Service Parts R 1,335.00
Shell Helix R 402.24
Antifreez R 70.00
Dip stick R 145.00
Snub mount R 145.00
Cabiol Handle R 2,234.40
Window Regulator R 1,995.00
Engineering R 2,750.00
Wiper Blade 18" 2.00 R 464.00
Fanbelt Tensioner R 404.00
Bonnet Shock R 241.00
Tappet Cover Gasket R 680.00
Power steering fluid R 120.00
Regas Aircon R 450.00

Damn! Touch wood, I have been lucky.

 

[rorz0r]

Looks like you went to car service city...

 

[StrontiumDog]

Ouch, you were doing well until this month, sand_man.

 

[Badprop_za]

So 4.6 grand a month you could say. Could be rolling in a 2010 or newer for that price.

That's where the issue comes in with cars out of plan, at a certain age point they become impractical to service out of pocket due to larger repairs becoming needed at shorter intervals. I would say... Two to three years out of plan might be a good cut off point, depending on the model and the history of the specific car in question of course

And then after the 10 months?

Both sides will always have a justification backing their opinion. Personally, I am on the side that will take my chances.

 

[Debeer165]

And then after the 10 months?

Both sides will always have a justification backing their opinion. Personally, I am on the side that will take my chances.

But of course. Both sides are hedging their bets in a way ; on the one side, you're hoping that the car will be set for a long time after the repair, on the other side is the more predictable expense of x amount a month. Both have pros and cons

 

[Badprop_za]

But of course. Both sides are hedging their bets in a way ; on the one side, you're hoping that the car will be set for a long time after the repair, on the other side is the more predictable expense of x amount a month. Both have pros and cons

True. That is why I will always have a good warranty in place for those ad-hoc breakdowns. Hedging my bets.

 

[Debeer165]

True. That is why I will always have a good warranty in place for those ad-hoc breakdowns. Hedging my bets.

I've always worried about those aftermarket warranties... Read many tales of them refusing to pay out.

Which company / product do you use? Ever had to claim anything major?

 

[Badprop_za]

Nothing yet on my Audi. Think it is with SA warranties.
On my Disco 3 I have claimed for an alternator and front lower arm bushes without any issues. Landy is with Motorite.

Like I said, I think I might be one of the lucky ones.

 

[Aquadyne]

Auto Service Center here in Edenvale. He generally does a better job than Audi Airport at around 1/4 to 1/8th of the cost.

Is this the place?
Auto Service Centre
http://goo.gl/maps/rYHY2

 

[DominionZA]

Is this the place?
Auto Service Centre
http://goo.gl/maps/rYHY2

They used to be there but grew and moved to bigger premises in Diagonal Road.

I was introduced to them about 8 years ago. Racing a 320D on the N12 heading home. I popped two valves red lining my old car (and still beat the BM). Went hunting for a service center straight away and found these guys. Repaired my car to good as new for R5k. Since then I have taken all my Audi's to him as soon as they exit motor plan.
My second A6 Audi Airport quoted me just under R9k for my cambelt service. Auto Service Center did it for R1,300. Perfect job.

 

[Aquadyne]

They used to be there but grew and moved to bigger premises in Diagonal Road.

I was introduced to them about 8 years ago. Racing a 320D on the N12 heading home. I popped two valves red lining my old car (and still beat the BM). Went hunting for a service center straight away and found these guys. Repaired my car to good as new for R5k. Since then I have taken all my Audi's to him as soon as they exit motor plan.
My second A6 Audi Airport quoted me just under R9k for my cambelt service. Auto Service Center did it for R1,300. Perfect job.

Thanks for the feedback and context.
Serious question that requires an answer based on your personal experience and informed opinion...

The 2010 Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, with 83.000km on the left clock I am buying is still within Motorplan and Freeway Plan until 100 000km or until end August 2015. Is it worth it to extend the plan by another year? From an upkeep / expense perspective and a resale perspective?

 

[DominionZA]

Thanks for the feedback and context.
Serious question that requires an answer based on your personal experience and informed opinion...

The 2010 Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, with 83.000km on the left clock I am buying is still within Motorplan and Freeway Plan until 100 000km or until end August 2015. Is it worth it to extend the plan by another year? From an upkeep / expense perspective and a resale perspective?

Based on my own personal experience, I would probably wing it and use Auto Service Center to maintain.
Hearing some of the stories here I feel inclined to extend the motor plan, but my own common sense tells me not to - but this based purely on my own experiences of no major faults ever.

The most I have had go wrong is the driver electric window packed up in my first A6. Auto Service Center fixed it for about a grand.
My wife's A4 used to periodically dump all the coolant. It was still under motor plan and went back to Audi Airport 3 times to get repaired and they never managed to fix it. They replaced so many parts related to the cooling system. It went out of plan so I took her car to Auto Service Center. Fixed for R900 and never reoccured again.

My A5 is on 80k now and I have been mulling over extending the plan. Not sure if I want to drop 30 or 40k on this if the chance of me having an issue is small, and if I do, Auto Service Center should be able to fix without killing my bank account. It's a tough decision for sure.
I will probably just wing it like I have done with my previous 4.

Ya - I sound like I work for them But honestly never had an issue with them and they make maintaining a premium vehicle very affordable.

EDIT : Debeer can probably give some insight to how having a motor plan can help with resale. I would not know as all my Audi's have left motor plan by the time I trade them.

 

[Gendibal]

Hi

I see auto service centre has an excellent rep. But they're in gauteng. Are there any good guys in Durban?

 

[UsernameLadiesMan217]

Hey Audi drivers, anyone here driving an 2003 or older Audi?

 

[sand_man]

Hey Audi drivers, anyone here driving an 2003 or older Audi?

2004 A4 2.4 Multitronic 119 000km's on the clock... Canvas Beige in colour with sunroof and beige leather interior as well as xenon headlights!!

For sale!! R65000.00 not negotiable!!

 

[Gaz{M}]

Thanks for the feedback and context.
Serious question that requires an answer based on your personal experience and informed opinion...

The 2010 Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, with 83.000km on the left clock I am buying is still within Motorplan and Freeway Plan until 100 000km or until end August 2015. Is it worth it to extend the plan by another year? From an upkeep / expense perspective and a resale perspective?

1 year extension: R28 920
2 year extension: R57 840
1 year & up to 120 000kms: R42 465
2 year & up to 120 000kms: R53 237

:wtf::wtf::wtf:

 

[Debeer165]

The motor plan is good, but anything more than one year extension is overdoing it due to the costs in my opinion.

This also depends on the model, as some usually have specific things that need to be fixed around that age and mileage, while others are simply the usual maintenance jobs.

As Mike said, having a bit of plan could improve the resale of your car for a private sale, and very slightly improve trade as well. The difference in the final retail price would be low however, since any car sold by Audi dealerships need to be given a one year FWP, regardless of the age. Not sure if this is limited to cars under a certain age, but I'm about 80% that it's all inclusive

 

[DominionZA]

Sigh... So I take my car into Audi Airport this AM to have a "clunk" checked out.
After they had my car last week, it starting with this "clunk" sound when reversing and applying brakes.

So I take it in, they put it on the ramp and go through all my brakes and find all is good. They then discover my car jack in the boot is loose and rolls over and "clunk". OMF.

Relieved there was nothing wrong though. But I felt like a bit of a tool.

 

[PostmanPot]

Audi 15,000km interval non-dealership service in Cape Town

Any suggestions?

 

[PostmanPot]

Sigh... So I take my car into Audi Airport this AM to have a "clunk" checked out.
After they had my car last week, it starting with this "clunk" sound when reversing and applying brakes.

So I take it in, they put it on the ramp and go through all my brakes and find all is good. They then discover my car jack in the boot is loose and rolls over and "clunk". OMF.

Relieved there was nothing wrong though. But I felt like a bit of a tool.