Audi Stitch Up?

[vishal]

Hi All,

My car is due in at Amersham Audi in the morning, after having called all my local stealers , and getting variant quotes from each of them, i figured this would be the cheapest dealer for me, but i think i maybe wrong.

When i called initially, they tried to charge me 400 for the basic service, no haldex, etc,,,,,, and added up extras such as haldex to a total of about 500 inc vat. Now my car has only done 30k, do i need to change the haldex oil now? Or wait for the big 40k service?

They are also quoting me about 180 to replace the MAF, taking my old one in as a trade, so now my bill is at about 680, again without a haldex oil change, now with the haldex also they want in the region of 800!!! (ouch!)

Now without cutting any corners, does this sound reasonable to you guys? I understand my MAF is up the duff, but still, doesnt this come in way high? And i hate to wonder wat the 40k service will be like

The DIS still showing 6k till next service, but id like to get it done as ive recently bought the car, and would like to know all is well, and either way the MAF needs to be sorted

Your views please

 

[rickquattro]

They only sitch themselves up by getting folk to find an independent specialist where you can enjoy good old customer service and a job well done by enthusiasts for a fair price. I have come to the opinion that Audi dealers are good for finding new or used cars and little else...

Euro law now protects your warranty if original parts are fitted by another garage. Is that Audi stamp worth paying that much over the odds for? Most independent specialists will stamp your serviice guide for your records anyway...

 

[god_thats_quick]

That is taking the **** in a big way... but not hugely over the top for an Audi dealer in the south east, it's all the little bits that add up, £180 for the maf will be £80 for the part then they are taking the **** saying it will take a hour to fit... which is where I guess the extra £100 comes from.

Haldex may need doing depending on history however it's normally 20k filter / 40k filter and oil not sure if there is anything age related.

 

[vishal]

Just been on the phone to the boys at AMD, and they will do the haldex and filter, and slap the MAF on for me 100 quid!!!

So heres the question, when it goes in tomorrow, and they call me and say the MAF is duff (which i know) do i just buy the recon unit at 80, and give it to AMD? can i fit this myself? any guidance on this (with pics if poss) is really appreciated

 

[rickquattro]

Gentlemen, I rest my case...

 

[vishal]

my main thing is to get my performance back, and with a duff MAF its not going to be easy, so can anyone please tell me how i can do this myself?? Audi claim the new MAF has to be set into the ECU ( sounds dodgy), AMD claim it 2 screws, unit off, new unit on, 2 screws, and your away, is it that simple? Somebody please help!!

 

[god_thats_quick]

AmD are telling the truth - dealer talking ********. Just get the whole lot done at AmD they'll stamp your service book and use the correct parts.

 

[vishal]

so what do i do tomorrow, when i get the call to say my MAF is shagged, and i need a new one, do i just get them to give me the replacement unit without having it fitted? As they will be taking the shafted one of my car, i know im being slightly ignorant here, but i just want the performance back!

If anyone has a pic of what the part looks like, or a step by step on how to fit it, im sure im capable of undoing a few screws and fitting the new one myself

 

[jdp1962]

Why not cancel the dealer altogether & take it to AMD for all the work?

 

[AndyMac]

At those prices you'd be mad to go to the dealer for any of the work. Cancel the dealer and take it to a specialist.

 

[god_thats_quick]

I'd agree with jdp and AndyMac, even if my car was still in warranty i wouldn't be taking it to Audi for servicing anymore and at AmD they even let you know what they've done in detail.

I'm not sure if the search works anymore, but basically you need to remove the screws from the airbox (they are pretty obvious) and undo the jubilee clip on the other site of the MAF then it should lift off. Then remove the screws holding the MAF sensor and housing which will be clear when you've seen the new part in the box and what you have in your hand and put back together, less than 30mins work including finding the tools (a screwdriver or two) in my total shitehole of a garage.

 

[rustys3]

Hi,
here are a few links that cover the removal of the MAF sensor.
http://www.wak-tt.com/maf/maf.htm
http://www.wak-tt.com/mafclean/mafclean.htm

Its a very easy job to do and will only take you about 10mins.

Cheers

Rusty

 

[dickys3]

As mentioned above, by all means get the exchange MAF from the dealr for approx £80 and then fit it yourself. I believe the FAQ can explain how...

 

[bantam1]

As above - I have fitted a MAF myself and I barely know where to put the petrol! Audi are taking the p***. Find a good independent, save yourself a heap of money, and probably get a better job done at the same time.

 

[neil.c]

Once you get a new MAF in your hand you will see what needs to be done to swap it over

 

[batwad]

I have come to the opinion that Audi dealers are good for finding new or used cars and little else...

Out of interest, what makes you say that? An Audi used car carries a premium of about £2k over independent dealers and £3k+ privately in my experience